useful information and links

Africa: Open for Business

A one-hour documentary on business in Africa, offering a glimpse of African entrepreneurship on the continent

BBC Africa Lives

News, features and information on Africa

Business in the Community Africa Award

Business in the Community is a UK movement which helps business to improve its impact on society

Diageo Business Reporting Awards

Recognising and rewarding journalists and editors providing high quality coverage of the business environment in Africa

The Economist: "Africa's economy - A glimmer of light at last?", 22 June, 2006

Sub-Saharan economies are growing faster but are they really getting stronger?

The Economist: "South African business - Going global", 13 July, 2006

South Africa's big companies have spread their wings abroad.

The Economist: "From online to helpline", 3 August, 2006

Ayisi Makatiani, a champion of small business, is on a mission to promote development in Africa, one small business at a time.

The Economist: "Flicker of brighter future", 7 September, 2006

Once again, Africa is listed as the most difficult place in the world to do business. So why are some businessmen happy to be there?

Financial Times: Business and Development Special Report, 14 December 2005

FT article in which Graham Mackay talked about how things are improving Financial Times, Special Report on Business & Development. 

Financial Times: "Reaching out Aureos makes $400m bet on Africa", 22 January 2007

It will put at least $100m into a new fund launched this week by Citigroup, the nineteenth new Africa vehicle in which CDC will be invested. The capital it has invested in or committed to the region exceeds of $1bn.

Fitch Ratings

Ratings history for African countries Cameroon, Cape Verde, Malawi, Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa

International Trade Forum - Changing "Brand Africa"

The International Trade Forum is the magazine of The International Trade Centre (ITC) - the joint technical cooperation agency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Orgainsation. The magazine has published a series of stories from contributors such as ITC, UNCTAD and IMF on Changing the "Brand of Africa"

Multilateral International Guarantee Agency

MIGA is a multilateral risk mitigator, promoting foreign direct investment into developing countries by: insuring investors against political or noncommercial risks; mediating disputes between investors and governments; advising governments on attracting investment; and sharing information through online investment information services

Political Risk Insurance Center

Research on political risk on various countries; broad information for the country's region for context; news feeds specific to developments that affect political risk perceptions for each country; ratings sourced from key rating agencies and directories of political risk providers and related organizations.

UNDP Stock Market Initiative

UNDP’s African Financial Market Initiative was launched to help African countries obtain sovereign credit ratings and strengthen their capital markets.  The first result came in September 2003, with the Republic of Ghana being assigned a 'B+' long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, the UNDP's partner.

World Bank Doing Business in 2007

The Report finds that Africa was the third fastest reforming region in the world in 2006, with South Africa and Mauritius now among the top 30 places in the world in terms of the ease of doing business.  Tanzania and Ghana are among the top 10 reformers.  Mozambique has set itself the goal of being the easiest place to do business in southern Africa.  Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are all aiming for the top position in West Africa.

World Economic Forum Africa Economic Summit 2006 - Strengthening Branding and Changing Perceptions

onference included discussion how Africa lacks the international image that correctly reflects the new dynamism and confidence that is palpable on the continent.


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