African Review of Business and Technology articles from November 2006

African Review of Business and Technology archives from November 2006

Editor's note.
November 1, 2006... AFTER A LEGACY of misrule Nigeria is finally taking its place as the powerhouse of West Africa, writes Moin Siddiqi. Prudent policies and a commitment to reform are fostering the economy, and GDP is estimated to have grown at an impressive...

Libya forum launch.(Project Libya, international commercial exhibition)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... LIBYA'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL exhibition and forum addressing the country's infrastructure and energy needs, Project Libya, is attracting bookings from the world's export technology nations. Libya is set on a huge programme of economic...

Nigeria increases exports to UK.(Commercial Review)
November 1, 2006... NIGERIA INCREASED ITS exports to the UK by over 150 per cent in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2005. Crude is Nigeria's principal export to the UK and the boom in oil prices meant that today's level of around...

Workers give more muscle to stock markets.(Commercial Review)
November 1, 2006... THE WORKERS OF Africa are getting ready to provide more muscle power to the continent's equity markets. The strategic development has been highlighted by trend-spotters at Imara, the Botswana-registered financial services group known for its...

One million whites leave SA.(report of South African Institute of Race Relations)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... A TOTAL OF one million white South Africans--almost a fifth--have left the country in the past 10 years. This figure was released in a report from the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR). Frans Cronje, who compiled the...

International investment interest building up.(Commercial Review)
November 1, 2006... ROBUST INVESTMENT IN Africa is a powerful indicator of the level of interest in the potential the continent has to offer. That much was apparent as Loyiso Jiya, project finance advisory at Ernst & Young's South African office, spoke at the...

Groceries Manufacturers Association of Zimbabwe.(Briefly)
November 1, 2006... CHAIRMAN OF THE Groceries Manufacturers Association of Zimbabwe, Mike Manga has raised concern over the influx of imported goods which have the potential to cause health problems. Manga recently revealed that the Standards Association of...

Nairobi Stock Exchange.(Briefly)
November 1, 2006... OPERATIONS AT THE Nairobi Stock Exchange have shifted to a fast new automated system. This will allow dealers to operate directly from their offices. The new automated trading system has electronic books and will allow stockbrokers to buy and...

National Boundary Commission.(is rehabilitating Lake Chad)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... THE DIRECTOR GENERAL of the National Boundary Commission, Alhaji Dahiru Bobbo, says that Nigeria has committed US$5mn to a feasibility study to rehabilitate Lake Chad. He said the water would be drawn from the River Congo basin and flow...

Nigeria's 2000MW Mambilla power station.(don't get finance from regular budget says Liyel Imoke)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... NIGERIA'S 2000MW MAMBILLA power station should be given special status and no longer financed from the regular budget because of its size, says Power and Steel Minister Liyel Imoke. He points out that previous major projects like Kainji and...

Comesa Secretary General, Erastus Mwencha, says a sustainable growth of no less than seven per cent is needed per annum to achieve the impetus to create opportunities for all, especially women.(Briefly)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... COMESA Secretary General, Erastus Mwencha, says a sustainable growth of no less than seven per cent is needed per annum to achieve the impetus to create opportunities for all, especially women. This percentage would be achieved by having...

September Again Showed robust new vehicle sales in South Africa recording the best September vehicle sales ever, exceeding 2005's by 3.7 per cent.(Briefly)
November 1, 2006... SEPTEMBER AGAIN SHOWED robust new vehicle sales in South Africa recording the best September vehicle sales ever, exceeding 2005's by 3.7 per cent. "Medium commercial vehicles reached record sales this month, while heavy commercials are at...

Mixed trade for copper followed by six-week high.(Commodity Report)
November 1, 2006... FOLLOWING THE REVERSAL of its most recent rally, copper during the past month saw some mixed trade before soaring to a six-week high in mid-October. Continuing concern about supply disruptions and low global stocks have vied with the bearish...

Cocoa market unmoved.(Commodity Report)
November 1, 2006... COCOA FUTURES PRICES have remained under pressure in recent weeks despite concerns about the unstable political outlook and a farmers' strike in Cote d'Ivoire. The strike in the world's leading cocoa producing country, which started 16...

Gold trade mixed.(Commodity Report)
November 1, 2006... GOLD HAS EXPERIENCED mixed trade over the past month, against a background of falling oil prices, central bank selling as well as physical buying, especially from India ahead of its approaching festival season. After hitting a three-month low...

Platinum hits six-month low.(demand decreased)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... HAVING SLIPPED TO US$1,150 an ounce in mid-September, its lowest level since 20 June, platinum has come under further pressure during the past month. The white precious metal hit a six-month low on 6 October due to weak Chinese demand as well...

Kenya tea exports fall.(Commodity Report)
November 1, 2006... KENYA SAW A 6.5 per cent increase in its tea production in August compared to the same month in 2005, with output reaching 23.2mn kg. The Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) attributed the increment to favourable weather conditions in tea-growing...

Nigeria-Algeria gas pipeline takes shape.(Oil News)
November 1, 2006... THE PLAN TO construct a trans-Saharan gas pipeline, through which Nigerian gas could reach European markets, has taken a step forward with the completion of the final report of the feasibility study into the project. A presentation on the...

Angola.(Chevron Corp. signed contract with Daewoo Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... CHEVRON IS ORDERING facilities for the development of its Tombua-Landana field, offshore in Block 14. South Korea's Daewoo won the contract for the field's platform--a compliant piled tower structure, valued at US$1.3bn. The US$290m contract...

Nigeria.(BRASS LNG group is constructing two-train liquefied natural gas complex )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... THE BRASS LNG group is preparing to award contracts towards the construction of its two-train, 10.0mn tonnes/year liquefied natural gas complex at Brass. Eni, the lead company in Brass LNG and the operator of the adjacent Brass oil terminal,...

Namibia.(drilling of deep water well is planned by petroleum companies operated by Sintezneftegaz)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... A DEEPWATER WELL is to be drilled by March 2008 in Block 1711, in the Namibe basin off the north of the country, under a new licence agreement. Operator of the block is Russia's Sintezneftegaz, with a 70 per cent share, joined by PetroSA,...

Uganda.(Oil News)
November 1, 2006... THE UGANDA GOVERNMENT has signed an early oil production agreement with British oil giant, Tullow Oil. The Minister of Energy and Development Daudi Migereko, signed on behalf of the government, while Tim O'Hanlon, Tullow vice president...

Libya.(National Oil Corp. inviting bidders for onshore and offshore blocks)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... THE NATIONAL OIL Corporation pre-qualified 45 companies and two groups for bidding in the country's third licensing round since sanctions were lifted. NOC said it received 70 applications to participate. The firms pre-qualified include the...

Go-ahead expected for Algeria's new export pipeline.(Oil News)
November 1, 2006... THE MEDGAZ GROUP, jointly-headed by Algeria's Sonatrach and Spain's Cepsa, expects to take a go-ahead decision by the end of the year to construct Algeria's third gas export pipeline to Europe. The Medgaz pipeline, running under the...

Executives' calendar.
November 1, 2006... NOVEMBER 10-18 International Fair of Tunis TUNIS Foires Internationales de Tunis. Tel: +216 71 730 111 Fax: +216 71 730 666. e-mail: ift.com@fkram.com.tn www.fkram.com.tn...

Jo'burg to DC without stopping.(Business Travel)
November 1, 2006... SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS has started a new daily non-stop service to Washington Dulles International which will operate year-round (with the exception of the months of July and August, when the service will be direct with a brief refueling...

Emirates expands in Africa.(Business Travel)(Emirates Airline services)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... A GROWING FOCUS on Africa with scheduled enhancements to existing operations in Egypt, Ethiopia and Tanzania marks the start of Dubai-based Emirates' winter schedule. The award-winning carrier's East African presence, currently at 31 flights...

Bangkok/Joburg route launched.(Business Travel)
November 1, 2006... THAI AIRWAYS HAS launched regular flights from Johannesburg to Bangkok. Scheduled to depart from Bangkok on 31 October the inaugural flight marks the commencement of the Johannesburg route. BKK flights will depart from the new Suvarnabhumi...

Kenya Airways has appointed a new area manager in Europe.(Briefly)
November 1, 2006... KENYA AIRWAYS HAS appointed a new area manager in Europe. Sam Okwulehie joined the UK team from Cameroon in October. His new position will cover all commercial operations in Europe. He said: "These are exciting times for KQ with the launch of...

A bilateral air service agreement has been signed between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe.(Briefly)
November 1, 2006... A BILATERAL AIR service agreement has been signed between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe. This will allow direct flights between the two countries, and Aero Contractors is expected to start a weekly service soon. Nigeria's Minister of...

IFA Hotels & Resorts.(Briefly)
November 1, 2006... IFA HOTELS & Resorts has achieved significant growth in profits. Revenue for the year to June 2006 was up by 57 per cent to US$22.7mn. Marking its national expansion outside of KwaZulu-Natal, the group recently purchased a stake for around...

Currencies reflect dollar's ups and downs.(Finance)
November 1, 2006... WITH THE PRICE of oil weakening and disturbing news on North America's housing and inflation fronts the US dollar has had an up-and-down record over the past month. The only significant falls have been against the Japanese yen and the euro...

Exchange rates.(Financial Forecast)
November 1, 2006... Exchange Rates The currencies shown below are valued at the middle rates between buying and selling on 23 October. The rates are an indication of the value and are not intended to be used as the basis for transactions. The publisher...

Forecast movements against the dollar.(Financial Forecast)(Statistical table)
November 1, 2006... Forecast movements against the dollar 25 Oct 2006 end-Nov January Country (actual) 2006 2006 Japan (Yen) 119.264 118-122 116-121...

Tax incentives alone fail to motivate investors: instead of offering tax incentives, the government of Ghana should be emphasising fundamental advantages such as reliable power supply. This is what will really pull in the overseas investors, argues Emmanuel Yartey.(Investment)
November 1, 2006... THE GOVERNMENT OF Ghana must as a matter of urgency prioritise the development of the country's infrastructure to motivate investment into the country. It must also encourage the location of more businesses rather than offering tax incentives...

Small is useful: Ronald Watts shows how small-scale industry is helping to reduce waste, make useful items and promote exports.(Exports)
November 1, 2006... THE YEAR 2005 saw an endless series of promises that the rich nations of the world would soon take serious steps to help African nations in promoting industries and exports. Although there were positive steps in granting debt relief and some...

Expanded range of Samsung printers on the SA market.(Information Technology)
November 1, 2006... TARSUS TECHNOLOGIES HAS announced the local availability of an expanded range of Samsung laser and inkjet printer offerings, a move the distributor believes will increase market share for the Samsung brand and see it growing in popularity...

'Most reliable' MFPs announced.(Kyocera Mita Europe is recognised as the best brand in the multifunctional printers by the Industry Analysts Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... KYOCERA MITA HAS been honoured by Industry Analysts Inc. as manufacturer of the most reliable copiers and multifunctional printers (MFPs), based on its Copier Dealer Reliability Survey 2006. "No other brand has been so consistently strong...

Mobile TV launch.(Information Technology)
November 1, 2006... A WORLD LEADER in digital security, Gemaltoxt, has announced that it has been selected by MTN South Africa for the first commercial rollout of secure mobile TV on the African continent. The Gemalto package includes the supply of...

Getting the server room right: one of the secret hobbies of many IT professionals is sharing horror stories--and many of the worst ones concern server rooms. Karen Young reports.(Information Technology)
November 1, 2006... FROM GIANT IMPENETRABLE knots of cables to back-up servers sitting under water overflow pipes, the depths of stupidity of some server room operators takes the breath away. So how can we plan better? Not many people get to plan a server...

Can mobiles bring banking to the unbanked? Mobile telephony has taken off in Nigeria like nowhere else and the nation has become one of the fastest growing GSM markets in the world. So why can't mobiles be used to make electronic payments?(Telecommunications)
November 1, 2006... ACCORDING TO LEADING mobile banking and transacting solutions company, Fundamo*, Nigeria is ready to take full advantage of mobile payment solutions, but this will only be achieved if the industry works together. That's the message from...

Prudent policies underpin programme of investment: prudent macroeconomic policies and a sound commitment to reforms are helping Nigeria to overcome the legacy of misrule under successive military regimes and to foster a vibrant non-oil economy fit for the 21st century. Moin Siddiqi reports.(Nigeria)
November 1, 2006... BY ANY STANDARDS, the dynamics of Nigeria's economy, the powerhouse of West Africa, has changed remarkably in recent years. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) commended the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS)...

Africa's oil giant enters global league.(Nigeria)
November 1, 2006... Nigeria, Africa's leading oil producer and the world's eighth-largest crude exporter, has huge potential to rank among the top-five global hydrocarbons producers by the end of this decade. Moin Siddiqi reports on this hotspot destination for...

Maersk reaps rewards in Nigerian market: Maersk Nigeria Ltd's MD, Mr Tom Gronnegaard Knudsen, talks to African Review about the rewards and challenges of doing business in Nigeria.(Company Focus)(Interview)(Company overview)
November 1, 2006... AR: MAERSK'S PRESENCE AND impact have been felt in the country since 1988 when Maersk Nigeria Ltd was incorporated as a fully owned Maersk agency. Can you share with us what the company's experience of doing business in Nigeria has been? ...

APM Terminals unveils ambitious plans for Apapa: Mr Tony Maynard, MD of Apapa APMT Nigeria Ltd, explains to African Review the company's plans for the upgrading of the Apapa Container Terminal.(Company Focus)(Interview)
November 1, 2006... AR: Who is APM Terminals? TM: Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, APM Terminals is an independent business within the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group. APM Terminals is a leading container terminal owner and operator with more than 35...

Powerful partners taste sweets of success: the first manufacturer in Nigeria to print a quality guarantee on the packaging of all its products was Cadbury Nigeria. In order to maintain this standard the production lines have to run without interruption, so Cadbury invested in Rolls Royce engines.(Nigeria)
November 1, 2006... SINCE 1960 NEARLY 200 Allen and Crossley-Pielstick engines have been supplied to customers throughout Africa. These robust engines have always been suited to work in the harshest of environments, and an extremely high percentage of engines...

Continental Reinsurance PLC.(insuraance industry in Nigeria)(Company overview)
November 1, 2006... CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC, C Re, is the leading private reinsurance company in Nigeria. Incorporated in 1985 the company started business as a general (short-term) reinsurer in January 1987, became composite in January 1990 and in 2000,...

Counting the cost of counterfeit goods: safety is paramount. All countries need tougher deterrents--from China to the EU. BEAMAInstallation director Dave Dossett explains from an electrical-accessories perspective why we must beat the devious product counterfeiter.(Power Supply)(BEAMA Installation Limited)
November 1, 2006... COUNTERFEITING IS NOT restricted to producing forged World Cup Final tickets and bank notes. It affects everything from beverages to appliances. Even the pills we take. The electrical industry is not immune and the consequences can be...

A growing role in the Lake Victoria Basin: after a recent visit to the Kisumu area Ronald Watts reviews progress in Kenya and the potential for the whole region.(Kenya)
November 1, 2006... ALTHOUGH UGANDA HAS a key role in the ongoing saga of Lake Victoria, because of its control of the Owen Falls Dam, Kenya and Tanzania are critical partners. Because of its greater industrialisation Kenya should be able to lead the way in...

Activity at Auto Africa reflects buoyant market: the frenetic level of new product launches scheduled to take place at the Auto Africa 2006's truck and Bus Expo from 26 October- 5 November, is a reflection of the current buoyant market conditions in South Africa for commercial vehicles over 3,500kg gross vehicle mass (GVM).(Vehicles)
November 1, 2006... DURING THE MONTH of August, 2006, the sales total of 3,176 units reported to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), represented the greatest ever single month sales volume for this market, exceeding the...

SA develops rail to put economy back on track: South Africa's Spoornet rail company has embarked on a highly ambitious investment programme as part of government's strategy to boost the economy. Stephen Williams reports.(Railways)
November 1, 2006... MEASURES TO GET Freight to move from road to rail are considered one of the South African government's top priorities says Mpumi Mpofu, director general of South Africa's department of transport. Although rail transport is estimated to be 28...

Transnet's turnaraound will fund massive investment programme.(Railways)
November 1, 2006... THE SOUTH AFRICAN government has long identified efficient transport infrastructure as a vital part of its strategy to boost economic growth. Recent developments have been encouraging, including the improved financial performance of the...

Better links for the SADC region: Humphrey Nkonde reports from Zambia on proposals to increase cross-border links within Africa's most dynamic intratrading region. Rehabilitated and new rail lines are central to the plans to move heavy freight more effectively.(Transport)(Southern African Development Community)
November 1, 2006... THE HITCH TO inland transport in Africa has been lack of sufficient and reliable railways, tarred roads, dry ports and bridges. African countries need to have steadfast cross-border infrastructure for efficient transportation of imports and...

Pacovent to bring transparency to packaging market: a brand new trade fair is being launched in environmentally-advanced Germany this month. Microflute cardboard allows high-quality printing; new types of can save on materials used; and the advance of plastics continues. Cologne is the place to see it all.(Packaging)
November 1, 2006... KOELNMESSE HAS DRAWN attention to packaging and packaging materials by announcing that Pacovent, an independent international trade fair for the production and processing of packaging materials, is to be held from 6-10 November 2006. With its...

Nigeria welcomes Water Africa: from 15-17 November, Lagos will host two major events--Water Africa Nigeria 2006 and Construction Africa Nigeria 2006. Exhibition space is at a premium as companies are keen to make the most of the positive business climate.(Exhibitions)
November 1, 2006... WHEN THE EKO Suites and Hotels on Victoria Island opens its doors on 15 November, around 60 exhbitors, two-thirds of them from outside Nigeria, will be lining up their products and services at Water Africa 2006 and Building, Construction...

Minimising wear on ground-engaging tools.(Construction)
November 1, 2006... SOMETIMES CONSIDERED AS "sacrificial iron," ground-engaging tools (GET) sustain the majority of wear in order to protect the larger, more expensive parts of a construction machine. By examining that wear, contractors may discover ways to help...

Used plant supports a growing business: most construction machinery is tough and quite suitable for second-hand purchase, but you can make a big mistake. Use our guide to making the right decision that will help your business develop.(Construction)
November 1, 2006... GOOD DEALS ARE now available on a wide range of used construction machinery in Africa. In international terms the market is quite tight because of the building boom in the Middle East, but little of this has filtered down here except where...

Safety systems reach new heights: as construction projects become increasingly ambitious the importance of on-site safety is becoming ever more critical, especially when working at height.(Construction)
November 1, 2006... THE AMBITIOUS CONSTRUCTION tasks being tackled nowadays present structural and formwork engineers with some very tough requirements indeed. In the building construction sector, height records are being ratcheted ever upwards, while in the...

Recycling fuels demand for mobile plant: mobile crushing and screening isn't a new concept but it is a market that has grown very fast in recent years. Kyran Casteel assesses the market.(Crushing)(Company overview)
November 1, 2006... RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF building materials recycling in the 1990s encouraged a number of companies to start building tracked crushing and screening equipment. These offerings were added to those already being manufactured for the quarrying and...

Gold fields adds to riches with share of South Deep: Gold Fields is to operate its recently acquired South Deep stake as a single economic unit with its Kloof mine, using existing infrastructure. The acquisition makes GF number-one in reserve ounce terms writes Priscilla Ross.(Mining)
November 1, 2006... BARRICK, THE CANADIAN major, has agreed to sell its 50 per cent stake in the South Deep project to Gold Fields for US$1.6bn of which US$1.2bn is in cash and the rest--US$325mn--is in shares. South Deep is one of the truly massive gold ore...

Electra Mining expo keeps visitors happy: the 17th Electra Mining Africa show held in Johannesburg in mid September was once again a resounding success.(Mining)
November 1, 2006... BILLED AS THE second largest mining show in the world and the biggest trade exhibition in Africa, more than 670 exhibitors from South Africa, as well as 22 other countries, displayed their wares at the four day-long event. Around 50,000...