Africa pledges 'not materialised'
Promises on trade and conflict in Africa have yet to materialise, a year after they were made, Oxfam says. BBC

Africa's 'aid year': Was it worth it?
There has never been a year like it. Warmed by the words of Nelson Mandela - "sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation" - people campaigned in more than 80 countries to "make poverty history".  And for the first time the leaders of the richest countries of the world were listening. BBC.

Continent of Key Strategic Importance to U.S., World, Scholar Says
Africa has evolved into a region of key strategic importance to the United States, China and many other countries worldwide as a supplier of energy and natural resources. United States Department of State / http://allafrica.com

IMF keeps Zimbabwe sanctions
The International Monetary Fund refuses to restore Zimbabwe's voting rights within the international agency. BBC

Zimbabwe: Mining Policy Worries SA
Government’s decision to expropriate a 51% stake in foreign-owned mining firms has raised an outcry in South Africa where sources say President Thabo Mbeki's government is becoming increasingly concerned by Zimbabwe's habit of arbitrary property confiscation. Zimbabwe Independent / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: EU Reduces Barriers On Food Exports
Uganda will now find fewer barriers in exporting some of its foodstuffs to the European Market. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Growth Outlook Lifts Economic Confidence
Economic confidence rose to a record high last month as analysts remained upbeat about the inflation outlook and prospects for economic growth. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Zambia: Accelerate Growth, Zambia Advised
The World Bank has advised Zambia to accelerate growth in various areas if the current economic strength is to be sustained. The Times of Zambia / http://allafrica.com

Zambia: Zambia's Business Climate Gives Modest Confidence
Business executives of firms operating in Zambia have modest confidence in the country's business climate, according to new research by the Steadman Group. The Post / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Foreign Investors Interested in Country's Mining Sector
Hope of a better future for the mining industry sector is assured, as investors from various countries have shown keen interest in investing in the sector. This Day / http://allafrica.com

Namibia: Country Set to Become Biggest Uranium Producer in Africa
Namibia is set to become Africa's biggest uranium producer with the envisaged new uranium mine at Trekkopje near Arandis. The new mine will bring to three the country's uranium mines and move it upwards as the largest producer on the continent. New Era / http://allafrica.com

Standard Bank trumps expectations
Standard Bank on Thursday reported a 23 percent increase in headline earnings per share for the year to the end of December 2005.  iAfrica.com

Nigeria: Youths Invade Mobil Terminal, Hold Staff Hostage
The spectre of unrest in the Niger Delta reached Akwa Ibom yesterday when youths, in their hundreds, invaded the Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) operational base of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN), crippling activities at the base. This Day / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Move to Tighten Up BEE for Multinationals
Measures to tighten up the application of empowerment laws affecting multinationals may be on the cards, trade and industry department deputy director-general Lionel October said yesterday. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Kenya: Invasions Bad for Business, Says the NCBDA
The Nairobi Central Business District Association (NCBDA) yesterday condemned the twin raids on the Standard Group last week, saying the attacks were bad for business and investor confidence. The East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

Cellphone banking wars
As the race to capture the cellphone banking market hots up, Absa has announced that it is waiving all banking charges for new and existing individual and business cellphone banking users, for an additional six months, until September 30, 2006. iAfrica.com

South Africa: Eskom Gets Green Light for R22bn Expansion
Eskom had received government approval to invest as much as R22,3bn in new capacity as it sought to plug an electricity shortfall, the minerals and energy department said yesterday. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Sasol Pumps Up Super Profit On High Oil Prices
SASOL reported super profits on the back of high oil prices again yesterday, with interim operating profit jumping 70% to more than R11bn and strengthening support for the windfall tax mooted by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel last month. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Biotech clinches major Norvatis deal
Biotech Laboratories, the country's premier black owned and managed pharmaceutical company, has clinched a major supply deal with leading global player Norvatis. iAfrica.com

Kenya Airways to buy Dreamliners
Kenya is set to buy six new Boeing Dreamliner planes to replace some of its older aircraft. BBC