African Business articles from April 2004

African Business archives from April 2004

African-Americans: apologise for letting us down.(This Month's Prize Letter)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... I am writing in response to Johnson Danko's letter, in the March 2004 issue of African Business, entitled 'African-Americans: We Need You Here'. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Generally speaking, I concede that the world-view of...

Win a free annual subscription!(Prize Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... African Business will award a free one year subscription to the reader whose letter is chosen as the Prize Letter for that month. (Existing subscribers will receive a free annual renewal). Your views on Africa and matters affecting Africa are...

Africa's top companies: is this Africa's century?(This Month's Prize Letter)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... The cover story of African Business' March 2004 issue, 'Africa's Top Companies' is unique and pioneering. It is unique because African Business is bringing to light an emerging and potential force that could possibly unlock alternative sources...

Industry: Jo'burg firms may opt for Maputo.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... South Africa's population distribution could begin to resemble Australia's with densely concentrated communities crowded along the coast, while the interior gradually transforms into a sparsely peopled outback. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Investments: PTA Bank boon for Dar Exchange.(Business Briefs)(Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank and Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Tanzania's capital markets will be deepened through a 15bn shilling bond to be issued on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE). The bond, issued by The Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (also known as the PTA Bank) will...

Food security: Africa needs water technology.(Business Briefs)(Food and Agriculture Organisation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Africa is in dire need of technology and investment to improve its critical water shortage problem and shore up its food security. The 2004 convention of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Johannesburg heard that 80% of the world's...

Power: S Africa will continue to light up Zim.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... South Africa's giant power utility, Eskom, says it has no plans to pull the switch on electricity supplies to Zimbabwe even though it is still owed money for power supplied. According to Eskom spokesman. Fani Zulu, Zimbabwe's ZESA power...

Utilities: Madagascar to privatise light and water.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Madagascar's electricity and water utility company could be in private hands by the end of this year. Foreign firms have been invited to tender for the two-year contract by mid April--because there is no domestic organisation big enough to...

Mining: new spin on Botswana platinum.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Question: What do an English spin bowl cricketer and an American financier have in common? Answer: They're joint owners of a platinum venture in Botswana. Former England international Phil Edmonds and venture capitalist Thomas Kaplan have...

Oil: Nigeria's $20bn bonanza.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Nigerian government earned N1.5trillion ($11.4bn) from the country's crude oil production in the second half of last year. The amount was realised through the federal government's 70% stake and through levies, taxes, royalties, major shares...

Banking: Zim wants refugee money.(Business Briefs)(Zimbabwe )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Zimbabwe exchequer could rake in as much as $400m in forex a year if Zim-babweans who fled the country and are now working abroad can be persuaded to repatriate some of their earnings through official banking channels. Many thousands...

Health: billions needed to fight disease.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The fight against endemic African disease will be at risk if billions of dollars needed to fight the killer scourges are not raised quickly. According to the World Health Organisation's Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, at...

AB guide to African currencies.(Business Briefs)(Illustration)
April 1, 2004... AB Guide to African Currencies COUNTRY CURRENCY [pounds sterling]STG ALGERIA (Dinar) 128.14 ANGOLA (New Kwanza) 143.35 BENIN (CFA) ...

When heresy becomes fashionable.(Editorial)(African economy)(Editorial)
April 1, 2004... Long before the concept became fashionable, this magazine had been arguing that the only way Africa can improve the quality of life on the continent was through domestic industry and increasing intra-African trade. Most of the time, it...

Ben Mkapa: Africa's fight for economic independence.(Ben Mkapa Interview)(Interview)(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... Tanzania's President Benjamin Mkapa was in London recently to launch the International Labour Organisation's landmark report, Fair Globalisation, creating opportunities for all. African Business editor Anver Versi took the opportunity to...

The human face of globalisation: what will be the impact of the International Labour Organisation's recently released report on the social aspects? Anver Versi reports.(Globalisation)
April 1, 2004... Globalisation is a chimera--it changes its appearance from whatever vantage point you look at it. For some, globalisation has brought undreamt of wealth and opportunity; to others, it is a threat. To the vast majority however, globalisation is...

The rand: a new heavyweight currency contender? South Africa's rand has now become so strong that many are talking of it in the same terms as the euro, the dollar or the pound sterling. But the weak US dollar is also causing havoc to the South African economy.(View from the City)
April 1, 2004... As the South African rand continues to strengthen it has, astonishingly, begun to be referred to as an "offshore" unit these days, a nomenclature more customarily reserved for dollars, pounds, marks and other developed nations' currencies. ...

Liberia's flag of 'inconvenience': Liberia's days as the world's second largest ship registry may be numbered. A new anti-terror accord with the US allows the American navy to board any Liberian registered vessel.(Dateline USA)
April 1, 2004... In a new move to counter the threat of terrorists using the high seas, the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative group has struck an agreement with Liberia to allow the intercept of ships flying the Liberian flag. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Dakar's ambitious plans: despite Dakar's favourable strategic position on the West African coast, it has been losing business to its competitors for a variety of reasons. Now, as Gordon Feller reports, a number of planned upgrades could restore the port's former pride of place.(Shipping)(Port of Dakar)
April 1, 2004... Dakar, in Senegal, is the first major port-of-call from Europe and is well placed for trans-shipping goods to landlocked west African nations. Additional advantages lie in its deep-draft structure and a wide access channel which allows...

Land--a tale of two countries: as was the case in Zimbabwe, redistribution of agricultural land is a burning issue in both Namibia and South Africa. Both countries have taken steps to reverse the current situation but in different ways and with very different results. Tom Nevin reports.(Topic)
April 1, 2004... New land restitution tremors are shaking southern Africa. In Namibia the government, frustrated at the slow rate of farmland handovers, have announced the expropriation of a number of white-owned farms. In South Africa, a furore has erupted...

New S African venture to lead world's ferrochrome output: a proposed joint venture will make a new South African entity the largest ferrochrome producer in the world. The demand for ferrocrome, which is used in the manufacture of stainless steel, is bound to rise as the demand for steel, especially in China, increases. Stephen Williams reports.(Mining)
April 1, 2004... While ferrochrome is not regarded in the same league as platinum, gold or diamonds, it's an important part of South Africa's mineral output which accounts for around one third of South Africa's total export revenues. South Africa holds some 70%...

Poste vacant.
April 1, 2004... CHEF DE DIVISION DEVELOPPEMENT DES PROGRAMMES ACADEMIQUES, CONCEPTION DU MATERIEL PEDAGOGIQUE ET TECHNOLOGIE DE L'EDUCATION Le Chef de Division sera responsable de la planification, de l'elaboration, de la mise en oeuvre et de la...

Under construction: Africa's economic highway to Brazil; An exciting venture linking South Africa's Gauteng province with Brazil could see the beginning of a genuine south-south economic partnership. The windfall benefits for the rest of Africa could be enormous. Tom Nevin reports.(Trends)
April 1, 2004... An energetic economic discourse is developing between the South Africa's Gauteng province and South America's economic giant, Brazil. That follows the realisation that, to coin a phrase, there's an awesome amount of opportunity from Brazil. ...

Inventions: SA Bureau of Standards Design awards.(Products & Processes)(South African Bureau of Standards Design Institute)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... How many of us have had a good idea that never saw the light of day because we ran out of steam and money in developing it? It's a problem that leaves many a brilliant design languishing in the workshop or laboratory for want of a helping hand...

Toys: Wheely Wheel.(Products & Processes)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Wheely Wheel is a fun plastic toy for children aged five years and older and is based on a traditional bicycle rim and wire toy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The toy requires a fair amount of skill and assists in the development of...

Irrigation: The Ezee Pump.(Products & Processes)
April 1, 2004... The Ezee Pump is a free flowing suction water pump that allows large quantities of water to be transferred from a water source to containers or to an irrigated field with little effort. The pump consists of a pedalling mechanism that comes in...

Rescue: The Portable Fresh Air Bay.(Products & Processes)
April 1, 2004... The Portable Fresh Air Bay is designed mainly for the mining industry to provide a safe place of refuge and shelter when hazardous gases, toxic smoke from fire conditions or any kind of sub-standard air impose a threat to human life. It can...

Safety: The Xscape Window.(Products & Processes)
April 1, 2004... The Xscape Window facilitates rapid exit from the home in emergencies. It both prevents illegal intrusion and provides an emergency escape route. Essentially a burglar-proof window frame, the Xscape window fits into the main frame attached...

Motoring: Montsamaisa Bosigo.(Products & Processes)
April 1, 2004... The Montsamaisa Bosigo is a foldaway telescopic tow bar that can be easily stored in the boot of a car. It consists of a three part telescopic bar with a carry handle and stirrup type connectors at the ends. The bar can be extended to three...

Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT).(Winners)
April 1, 2004... This is a new gearbox technology that eliminates the need for traction fluid and improves drive train efficiency and versatility.

N-Tyre System (NTS).(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A system of electronic hardware and software designed to reduce tyre, wheel & ancillary costs in the heavy-duty transport industry.

Escape Window.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A hinged window frame with burglar bars that can be used as an emergency exit from the home.

The Inflatable Refuge Chamber.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... Designed for the mining industry, this product is a lightweight portable refuge chamber that provides shelter against hazardous gases, toxic smoke and poor ventilation.

Montsamaisa Bosigo.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A robust three-part telescopic tow bar that can be collapsed and stored in the boot of a car.

Secure Airway Clamp.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A clamp used to secure the airway of an intubated patient during anesthesia.

Defender MK IV.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A system that eliminates the risk of catastrophic engine failure in high performance diesel engines.

Eezee Pump.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A suction water pump that transfers water easily and efficiently to rural communities with little manual effort.

Rear Side End Tipper.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... Transports and tips bulk materials, offering not only increased payload but also requires no unhitching of additional trailers.

Series 2100 Public Payphone System.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A range of attractive pre-payment card/coin operated payphones designed for public use.

Cervical Support System.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A head and neck support device that promotes proper body posture for cerebral palsy patients.

Q 500 Cell Phone.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A mobile smart phone that offers extended features and functionality over and above basic voice and messaging facilities.

Et Tjommie.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A plastic strap that is designed to safely and hygienically secure an endotracheal tube to a trauma patient.

Adjustable Canoe Seat with cut out holes.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A fully adjustable canoe seat that provides relief to paddlers from a common condition called Pirifromus Syndrome, otherwise known as 'Deadleg'.

Permaclamp.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A single clamp and coupling that joins together the lengths of a pipe.

ZiPad 600.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... Provides the highest levels of security for e-Commerce transactions.

Wheely Wheels.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... An educational toy, based on the traditional stick and bicycle rim, designed to encourage active playtime for children.

Porta-Morgue.(Winners)
April 1, 2004... A portable, modular air-cooled morgue primarily for use in tropical rural areas. (pictured left) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tiof confirms Mauritania's oil status: the very recent discovery of the large Tiof field offshore Mauritania has now confirmed that this West African country will become a producer of note next year. Will the windfall revenues lead to improved standards of living?(Oil and Gas)
April 1, 2004... The development of the Chinguetti and Tiof offshore oil fields, as well as spurring economic development, could open up far more of Mauritanian offshore acreage to exploration. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Albert Rene's legacy: President Albert Rene, the left-leaning strong man who has ruled the Indian Ocean island state of Seychelles for 27 years is about to step down. What has been his economic and social legacy. Fletcher Erwood and Sassi Latrach report from the 'paradise islands'.(Seychelles)(France Albert Rene)
April 1, 2004... Seychelles' President France Albert Rene seized power through a coup d'etat in 1977, one year after independence from the British and, as head of the Seychelles Peoples' Progressive Front (SPPF), has proved a near omnipotent force ever since....

Botswana sweeps globalisation awards: Botswana continues to rake in the international awards. The latest piece of 'silverware' in the nation's already brimming cupboard is the Dale Carnegie Award as Africa's most globalised economy. Anver Versi has the details.(Botswana)
April 1, 2004... Botswana has retained its number one position in Africa as the 'most globalised' country on the continent. The announcement was made by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace through its Foreign Policy magazine during a ceremony in...

Manuel to pour billions into new jobs: in a return to Keynesian economics, the new South African budget includes large scale investment in public works programmes in order to directly create jobs. Is this a change of direction, asks Neil Ford, or is South Africa a special case?(South Africa)(Manuel, Trevor)
April 1, 2004... The IMF has spent the past 20 years trying to persuade African governments to cut back state interference in the economy and to reign in expenditure. The message has been that the market is best placed to create wealth and therefore jobs, so...

Ambitious makeover plans for transport: a new series of initiatives aim at tackling Nigeria's outdated and often dilapidated transport network. The plans are ambitious but will delivery match the promise? Neil Ford reports.(Nigeria)(Transportation construction)
April 1, 2004... The lack of internal transport links in Nigeria has long hampered the development of a truly national economy and increased the cost of moving basic foodstuffs and building materials around the country. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As a...

Immigration department heads bribery ranking: Transparency International's latest index on bribery in Kenya has highlighted some interesting trends and it appears that the government is slowly but surely winning the war against corruption. But a mysterious fire which destroyed vital records indicates that some still have a lot to hide. Alnoor Amlani reports from Nairobi.(Kenya)
April 1, 2004... The Kenyan Chapter of the global anti-corruption NGO, Transparency International recently released its 2004 Kenyan Bribery Index--a national survey of the magnitude of bribery in Kenya. The index is based on solid research conducted by the NGO...

Position: Executive Director of AfriCASO.(Vacancy Announcement)
April 1, 2004... AFRICAN COUNCIL OF THE ORGANISATIONS AGAINST AIDS (AfriCASO) AfriCASO is a nonprofit African organisation regrouping networks of NGOs and community-based organisations fighting against AIDS. I. RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES The Executive...

Shilling falls, prices rise: the Tanzanian currency is depreciating inexorably, weakening against all its major trading partners. Can Tanzania get to grips with its underlying economic problems? Herald Tagama reports.(Tanzania)
April 1, 2004... Tanzania's Central Bank--The Bank of Tanzania (BoT)--reported that in October 2003 the country's export earnings amounted to just $122.4m while imports declined to $202.6m, down from $216.2m the previous month. That meant government revenue,...

Splinter movements slows peace hopes: only a few months ago, it seemed certain that Sudan would at long last find peace. But no sooner had the north and south signed agreements than a host of other splinter movements emerged. James Badcock reports.(Sudan)
April 1, 2004... The halt of progress in the peace talks between the Sudanese government and the southern rebels, and a growing humanitarian crisis due to fighting in the western Darfur region make the prospects for Sudan in 2004 grimmer than many had hoped...

Agreeing not to disagree: since the ousting of President Siad Barre in 1991, there have been many failed efforts to reinstall a central government in Somalia. Neil Ford examines whether the latest attempt, brokered by Kenya, has any hope of success.(Somalia)
April 1, 2004... The African continent has long played host to a number of 'collapsed states'. Sierra Leone, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have all recently experienced periods where central government more or less ceased to function...

Jaguar enters estate market: Jaguar has broken with tradition by introducing an estate car with several innovative features. Stephen Williams reports.(Jaguar X-Type Estate)
April 1, 2004... Around half of all Jaguar cars are sold in the US where Ford owned brands hold a 20% market share of the luxury car market. Jaguar is set to introduce four new cars there in the next six months. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One of those new...

Bespoke financing: squaring Africa's trade circle.(Reviews)(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... STRUCTURED COMMODITY FINANCE: TECHNIQUES AND APPLICATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS BY EMMANUELLE MOORS [euro]110.00 Euromoney Books in association with UNCTAD ISBN: 184674063 X In the mid 1990s I was covering what...

POP: Truth and Power at the Coca-Cola Company.(Reviews)(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... POP: TRUTH AND POWER AT THE COCA-COLA COMPANY BY CONSTANCE HAYS [pounds sterling]18.99 Hutchinson ISBN 0-09-179968.6 Coca-Cola is the world's best known brand and the most quintessential product of the USA. This beverage, with...

An authentic taste of home.(Reviews)(The Best of African Cooking)(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... THE BEST OF AFRICAN COOKING BY MANJASE BANDA [pounds sterling]13.99 Esanjam www.africafoodonline.com ISBN 0 9546821 0 6 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The market for exotic cooked food, chilled or fresh, is worth billions of...

World on Fire.(Reviews)(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... WORLD ON FIRE BY AMY CHUA [pounds sterling]12.99 Heinemann ISBN ISBN 0-434-01220-3 Yet another book on globalisation? Yes, but this one is truly different. You can find any number of well argued tomes that will expound why...

In Defense of Globalization.(Reviews)(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... IN DEFENSE OF GLOBALIZATION BY JAGDISH BHAGWATI [pounds sterling]17.99 Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-517025-3 Here is a counter argument to Amy Chua from one of globalisation's most vocal proponents. Jagdish Bhagwati, a...

Mali's songbird: modernising tradition.(Reviews)(Oumou)(Sound Recording Review)
April 1, 2004... OUMOU OUMOU SANGARE World Circuit WCD067 Oumou Sangare is one of Mali's greatest female singers, and a champion of women's rights. With this album, her first in seven years, she provides a dozen of the best tracks from her...