UK launches White Paper consultation

Hilary Benn, UK Secretary of State for International Development, launched the consultation process for the Government’s new White Paper on International Development.  Speaking on Thursday 19 January, Benn called for greater emphasis on the importance of growth and job creation. Department for International Development

Benn to attack debt campaigners over anti-business stance

The international development secretary, Hilary Benn, will criticise the Make Poverty History campaign this evening for ignoring the role jobs and economic growth play in lifting the poor out of poverty.  The Guardian

Education, Economic Cooperation to Dominate AU Summit

Creation of a continental watchdog on education and culture, progress towards the African Economic Community and changes to the African Union corporate identity are expected to dominate this month's AU summit in the Sudan. Southern African News Features / http://allafrica.com

New Barriers Hinder African Trade

Just as developing countries are beginning to overcome some major hurdles in their quest to expand trade with industrial countries, another is rearing its head.  Africa Renewal / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Central Bank Dissolves 14 Banks Over Deposits

Fourteen banks which failed the consolidation hurdle had their licences revoked yesterday by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).  Daily Champion / http://allafrica.com

Kenya: Country Plans to Create 30,000 Outsourcing Jobs in Varsities

Kenya plans to position itself as one of the world's leading outsourcing hubs for companies in North America and Europe looking to cut costs in their business processes. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

Ghana: Government Pushes Local Agribusiness

The Ghanaian government has launched an innovative campaign to persuade the public to eat locally grown rice, in an effort to counter competition from cheap imports. But consumers say it's the price and quality of food - rather than patriotic feelings - that influences their choice. Edwin Kumah Drah reports from Accra.  Panos / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Shell Shuts Down Oil Field After Attacks

Shell Petroleum Develop-ment Company yesterday said that it had shut in production from the EA field, located offshore Warri in Delta State, resulting in production deferment of 111,500 barrels of crude per day (bpd).  This Day / http://allafrica.com

Nigerian rebels vow new oil raids

Nigerian militants holding four foreign oil workers say they are planning new attacks on the oil industry.  BBC News | Africa | World Edition

South Africa: SA Groups Make List of World's Top 250 Retailers

Four South African food and general goods retailers have been ranked among the top 250 in the world, according to consulting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and Stores magazine's 2006 Global Powers of Retailing survey.  Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Standard launches next BEE phase

Standard Bank on Thursday launched the next phase of its broad-based black empowerment initiative. iAfrica.com

Ghana: Total Submits Documents to SEC for the Mobil Takeover

Total Outre Mer (SA) through its brokers, Strategic African Securities (SAS), on Monday submitted documents needed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the approval of the share offer to minority shareholders of Mobil Ghana Limited, therefore paving the way for the takeover of Mobil Ghana Limited.  Ghanaian Chronicle / http://allafrica.com

Kenya: Airbus Sets Sights On Kenya Airways Aircraft Supply

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus wants to resume supplying Kenya Airways with planes.  The Nation / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: FG, Oil Majors to Build 1m BPD Refinery

The Federal Government, in collaboration with five major multinational oil companies operating in the country, is to embark on the execution of two green field refineries capable of refining one million barrels of crude oil per day.  This Day / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Record Motor Sales Accelerate Huge Industry Expansion

The domestic motor industry broke all local and export sales records by a handsome margin last year, the latest figures show. With a huge capital investment programme under way, industry chiefs expect it to grow and do even better this year.  Cape Argus / http://allafrica.com