New Power in Africa: China’s Trade in Africa Carries a Price Tag

Manufacturing has suffered in Africa as cheap Chinese goods flood the market, eliminating needed jobs. nytimes.com

Global Fund urges private sector to help fight AIDS

Governments cannot be expected to win the fight against AIDS alone and it is time the private sector and civil society dug deeper, the head of an organisation leading a worldwide programme to prevent the disease said. africa.reuters.com

Officials Wants Bigger Vote At IMF

African Finance ministers want more voting powers within the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the international organisation that oversees the global financial system. East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria freezes currency change

Nigeria's justice minister says the redenomination of the national currency has been postponed. bbc.co.uk

Nigeria: Foreign Investments in Country Hit $35 Billion

The Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has said the country is fast becoming the preferred destination for investors, with the total foreign direct investments (FDIs) into the economy now at about $35 billion. Out of this, China's investment alone accounts for $10 billion. This Day / http://allafrica.com

Ghana begins dam despite worries

Ghana is to begin building a new hydroelectric dam amid concerns of its likely social and environmental impact. bbc.co.uk

East Africa: Aga Khan Launches Region's Largest Power Project

The longstanding energy crisis in the East African region is bound to reduce after the long awaited construction of Bujagali Hydropower Dam in Uganda was commissioned on Tuesday. New Times / http://allafrica.com

Southern Africa: Free Trade Zone to Be Officially Launched in August 2008

The Free Trade Area in the Southern African Development Community will be officially launched in August 2008, announced in Maputo this Friday Mozambique's minister of industry and trade, Antonio Fernando. Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique / http://allafrica.com

Part of Continent Ready to Sign Partial Trade Deals With Europe

Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) countries are ready to sign a partial Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) by the end of this year. East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

New Nigeria finance minister pledges faster reforms

Nigeria's new Finance Minister Shamsuddeen Usman said on Thursday he would accelerate economic transformation and sustain macro-economic stability achieved under a reform programme launched in 2003. africa.reuters.com

Uganda: Country Becoming a Flower Power

A highly profitable industry has blossomed in "the Pearl of Africa", yielding not only exceptional returns on investment but helping raise labour standards. Rising from nearly zero production ten years ago, Uganda has emerged as a global power in the floricultural world and is now Africa's fifth largest exporter of cut flowers. Inter Press Service / http://allafrica.com

Business 'will create scarce skills'

Business was committed to finding solutions for the country's skill shortage problems, South African business leaders told President Thabo Mbeki, adding that renewable energy will also be supported. iafrica.com

Top US diplomat visits Libya

A senior U.S. State Department official arrived in Libya on Tuesday, the state news agency Jana said, on what Washington says is a trip to cement closer ties and plan a visit by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. africa.reuters.com

South Africa's Mbeki backs Congo's efforts to rebuild

South African President Thabo Mbeki led a delegation of more than a dozen ministers to Congo on Tuesday to sign deals on defence, transport and health as the former Belgian colony rebuilds after historic elections. africa.reuters.com

Zambia defers customs duties for foreign miners

Zambia will defer payments on customs duties in a bid to boost foreign investment in its mining industry, finance minister Ng'andu Magande told Reuters in a weekend interview. africa.reuters.com

Nigeria: U.S. Firm to Inject $11 Billion in Power Sector

United States (U.S)-based energy firm, WESCO Energy Limited has commenced talks with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) as part of measures to inject about $11 billion (US dollars) about N1.39 trillion into the power sector, to boost the nation's economy. Daily Champion / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Telkom to Invest $1bn in Nigeria Over Five Years

Telkom South Africa is to invest about $1 billion in the expansion of the network of Multi Links, its Nigerian subsidiary over the next five years. Highway Africa News Agency / http://allafrica.com

Alcatel-Lucent wins $100 mln Uganda contract

Telecoms equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent said on Thursday it had won a $100 million deal with Hits Telecom Uganda. africa.reuters.com

SABMiller buys China beer firms

SABMiller increases its presence in China's beer market by agreeing to buy four brewers in the country for $79m. bbc.co.uk

Ghana: MTN Re-Brands Areeba

MTN, one of Africa's biggest mobile telephone operators is the latest entrant into Ghana's telecommunications industry. Highway Africa News Agency / http://allafrica.com