Free Trade Bid for Emerging World

Brazil, India and South Africa pledge to set up a free trade area which may grow to take in the nations they represent. BBC

Global Leaders Launch Effort To Turn Around Africa's Failing Agriculture

About 75 percent of the farmland in sub-Saharan Africa is plagued by severe degradation, losing basic soil nutrients needed to grow the crops that feed Africa, according to a new report released today on the precipitous decline in African soil health from 1980 to 2004. The Rockefeller Foundation / http://allafrica.com

IFC Global Trade Finance Program Reaches $100 Million Milestone

The International Finance Corporation's Global Trade Finance Program has achieved a milestone of $100 million in guarantees and 100 transactions in less than six months since the launch of the program last September. International Finance Corporation / http://allafrica.com

UK Acts Tough On Shady Firms

A powerful all-party UK parliamentary group wants London to act immediately against British companies involved with corruption in Africa. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Strong Growth Puts 90,000 More in Jobs

Slow and steady job creation continued in the fourth quarter of last year, Statistics SA's latest quarterly employment statistics show, with an additional 90000 people finding employment in the formal, nonfarming sectors of the economy. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Consumer confidence at record high

Consumer confidence among South Africans reached an all-time high in the first quarter of 2006 as measured by the FNB/BER consumer confidence index, with the CCI rising one index point to a record +21 points from +20 points in the fourth quarter of 2005.  iAfrica.com

Namibia: 2005 Records Lowest Inflation Rate Ever

The Bank of Namibia says last year's inflation rate is the lowest ever recorded by Namibia since independence in 1990. This is contained in the 2005 Annual Report launched by central bank governor, Tom Alweendo, in Windhoek on Thursday. Namibia Economist / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Security Situation in Niger Delta Still a Problem - U.S.

The security situation in the Niger Delta Area has continued to dominate major issues globally as the Government of the United States of America yesterday said it would continue to be a problem as long as militant youths still embark on violence and kidnapping. This Day / http://allafrica.com

Oil Helps Angola but Poverty Rife

Oil revenues are boosting Angola's economy, an IMF report says, but poverty remains widespread. BBC

Uganda: 'Uganda Cannot Meet WTO Requirements'

Uganda has not yet developed the necessary capacity to meet the requirements of the World Trade Organisation agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. The Monitor  / http://allafrica.com

Ethiopia: WTO Accession Helps Develop Ethiopia's Economy: Experts

The accession process to WTO membership will by itself bring about internal development to Ethiopia's economy, experts in WTO accession and international trade disclosed at a seminar on "Lessons learned from previous WTO accession" held at Addis Ababa Hilton Hotel. The Daily Monitor / http://allafrica.com

East Africa: World Bank, ADB Offer $209 Million for Transport

The World Bank, in collaboration with African Development Bank (AfDB), have injected $209m (about Shs382b) into the East African Trade and Transport Facilitation Project to address transport challenges in the region. World Bank contributed $199 million whereas AfDB offered a grant of $10m. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com

Tanzania: Dar Signs Guidelines On Investment

President Jakaya Kikwete has endorsed a new package of investment incentives for Tanzania, setting the stage for a new business climate for the country. Known as the Blue Book and compiled with the support of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the new arrangement commits the country to implement specific measures to support the private sector. The East African / http://allafrica.com

Rwanda: US$1bn Earmarked for Telecentres

The Government has earmarked a total amount of US$1billion (Frw560bn) to be invested in establishing and promoting telecentres in the country. The New Times / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Stalled Telecoms Reforms Make SA Less Techno Savvy

SA IS slipping down the list of the world's most technologically savvy countries as other nations make greater strides in using information and communication technology (ICT) to benefit their economies.  Business Day / http://allafrica.com

SA Tourism Outperforming the World

There is robust growth in tourism in South Africa, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) said on Thursday.  iAfrica.com

Ghana: Computers for All Homes: Ministry, Intel and Microsoft to Implement a Digital Inclusion Program. 

As part of Ghana's commitment to provide access to information and communication technology (ICT) in a manner affordable in the country, the Ministry of Communication, in collaboration with Intel and Microsoft, have come together to implement a digital inclusion progamme to assist and advance in information society. Ghanaian Chronicle / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Virgin Money, Absa in Branded Credit Card Deal

ABSA and Virgin Money are expected to announce a tie-up soon which will see Absa processing and distributing the Virgin-branded credit card in SA. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Business Throws Its Weight Behind Newly-Launched JIPSA

Business has contributed about R2 million into the initial activities of the newly-launched Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA).  JIPSA is a multi-stakeholder working group, through which government, labour and business will join forces to fast-track the provision of priority skills required to support accelerated and shared economic growth for the country. JIPSA / http://allafrica.com

Black South Africans Drive Boom

South Africa's black middle class is growing in spending power, driving a national consumer boom, a study says. BBC