African Business articles from August 2005

African Business archives from August 2005

Start the science revolution: Africa lagging far behind.(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... Your editorial 'Start the science revolution' in the June issue of African Business is one of the most timely and incisive pieces of advice one could offer our African leaders. Africa has little interaction with the global scientific community,...

Acclaimed African scientists.(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... There are many African scientists working in overseas' universities and research organisations developing new scientific strategies to enhance mankind's quality of life. The likes of Professor Thomas Odhiambo of Kenya, founder of the...

G8's self interest: plenty of hypocrisy, little respect.(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... Much focus has been placed on the three symbolic pillars of African redevelopment: debt, trade, and an increase in international aid for Africa. I have published a book entitled Africa plc (Athena Press) which contends that all of these...

Prize letter: win a free annual subscription!(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... 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...

Travelling trees: baobabs' incredible journey.(BUSINESS BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... In what is believed a world first, two giant baobab trees have been successfully moved from South Africa's Kruger National Park to the Mozambique border. At significant cost and with impressive engineering skills, the stately 15-metre high...

Administration: Malawi ID tender resumes.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... After a five year investigation into procedural irregularities, the Malawian government has re-issued the tender for its $35m national registration and identification project. The programme involves the development of a computerised system...

Insurance: Africa poorly covered.(BUSINESS BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Africa received 1% of insurance payouts last year, despite accounting for more than 10% of the world's disasters. Worldwide, insurers paid out $48.6bn in coverage of the 332 disasters that occurred in 2004, 36 of them in Africa. Africa's...

Investment: Mauritius woos mid-sized investors.(Mauritius plans to attract investors)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... In just under a year from now the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius will have a new stock market, specially tailored to attract medium-sized investors in the tourism and financial services sectors. The new, ultra modern bourse will replace the...

Economic indicators: Africa on the verge of hope.(net aid)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Net aid to sub-Saharan African countries rose about 40% in 2003--five percentage points higher than in 2002--and the continent received greater debt relief over the same period, according to the annual World Bank publication, African...

Stock markets: JSE goes public.(Johannesburg stock exchange)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Johannesburg's 107-year-old stock exchange has demutualised and become a public company. The move allows the Johannesburg Securities Exchange to be listed and for a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) deal to be negotiated. It was triggered by...

Immigration: SA's marriages of inconvenience.(South Africans)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The South African government says it will stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the country by enacting a range of migration laws. Marriages of convenience are discouraged by legislation that slaps a five-year waiting period on foreigners...

2010 World Cup: soccer fans in for a wild time.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Ten southern African tourism ministers are exploring ways of using the region's transfrontier wildlife parks to boost ecotourism during the 2010 football spectacular to be hosted by South Africa. The parks, straddling international boundaries,...

Textiles: new alliance stitched together.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... A new alliance representing sub-Saharan Africa's textile, apparel and cotton industries has been created to stimulate inter-regional trade and attract foreign investment. The body was formed at the inaugural regional cotton and textile summit...

AB guide to African currencies.(African Business)(Illustration)
August 1, 2005... AB Guide to African Currencies COUNTRY CURRENCY [pounds sterling]STG ALGERIA (Dinar) 127.64 ANGOLA (New Kwanza) 155.53 BENIN (CFA) ...

Why business publications are vital.(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... This month, we are requesting your indulgence as we engage in a bit of trumpet blowing. Last month, we were thrilled when it was announced that African Business and myself had won two of the most prestigious media awards going. (See full story...

The G8 pledges what happens next? The enormous focus on Africa during the Gleneagles G8 summit in Scotland is now receding into memory but the task of rebuilding Africa's economies is only just starting. Editor Anver Versi reviews the impact of the summit and looks at the way ahead.(Group of 8.)(Editorial)(Cover Story)
August 1, 2005... Until the terrorist bombs ripped through the heart of London's underground transport system, Africa, for once, was basking in the media spotlight. The mood in Britain was celebratory. Summer had come early and the country was bathed in...

The many forms of aid.
August 1, 2005... Participants and observers have spent recent weeks discussing the successes and failures of the aid deal agreed by the G8 group of major industrialised nations at Gleneagles. Yet few have actually stopped to think about what is meant by the...

Crucial trade issues ignored by G8: although the Gleneagles G8 summit did achieve something positive in terms of aid flows, it failed to tackle the most important issue for Africa--fair trade. Neil Ford discusses why trade, not aid, is what Africa needs.(JUSTICE FOR AFRICA)
August 1, 2005... The G8 summit in Gleneagles in Scotland did achieve something: less than many hoped but more than some of us feared. It will speed up the ongoing process of cancelling most of the debts of those African countries that can demonstrate solid...

Who are the G8?(helps for Economic development )
August 1, 2005... The Group of Eight (G8) is a grouping of seven of the world's leading industrialised, democratic nations--Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US--and Russia. The hallmark of the G8 is an annual economic and political summit of...

Capital flight.(Impact of Capital movements)
August 1, 2005... Capital flight is a problem inasmuch as the outflows present major macroeconomic problems for countries. One study, carried out in 1993 found that between 1981-91, Nigeria was the seventh largest source of flight capital in the world, with an...

Top awards for African Business: at a gala ceremony at London's Guildhall in early July, African Business was recognized as the leader in its field for comprehensive reporting on economic and investment issues across the continent. Stuart Price reports.(MEDIA)
August 1, 2005... African Business magazine scooped two of the three print media awards going at this year's annual Diageo African Business Reporting awards during a glittering ceremony at London's historic Guildhall. African Business won the Best Publication...

The lady in the hot seat: the fall of Jacob Zuma from the number two position in South Africa propelled the enigmatic Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka into the hot seat. What is the Deputy President made of? Plenty of good stuff says Tom Nevin in this profile.(Biography)
August 1, 2005... When Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was short-listed for the post of South Africa's deputy president after the standing down of Jacob Zuma, the attractive young former teacher was torn between loyalty for her president, and an instinct to avoid the...

Magic 10m barrels within reach.(Crude Oil)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The current high price of crude oil, which is likely to be sustained in the face of increasing demand from countries such as China, has injected new life into African oil exploration and production. It is now economically feasible to drill...

Africa: heading towards magic 10m barrels mark.(Petroleum exploration)
August 1, 2005... It is a truism to argue that the current high price of oil divides African states into winners and losers. Providing they have well structured production agreements, major oil producers are obviously reaping the benefits in terms of higher...

Sao Tome: so near, yet so far.(Production sharing agreements between petroleum products industry)
August 1, 2005... Five more production sharing agreements (PSAs) have been signed for acreage on the joint development zone (JDZ) shared by Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe. Hopes were high that exploration efforts could begin soon after the JDZ was...

Gas: destination Europe.(Gas pipeline construction)
August 1, 2005... While piping natural gas directly from West Africa to Europe or even further afield was long considered impossible, the development of the gas sector in the region has focused upon LNG exports. However, mainly as a result of Algeria's...

Nigeria: to rank third in LNG production.(Liquefied natural gas)
August 1, 2005... Awareness of the value of the Gulf of Guinea's gas reserves has steadily grown over the past few years. Originally considered a useful by-product of the oil sector that could be flared if it was inconvenient, governments and oil companies alike...

The roots of African culture: Senegal, in West Africa, is rapidly developing into one of Africa's major tourism destinations. It is tapping into its rich artistic heritage to cash in on the growing international trend towards cultural tourism.(Senegal)
August 1, 2005... Africa's arboreal giant, the baobab tree, is the symbol favoured by the West African nation of Senegal. Like the baobab, Senegal's cultural roots go deep into Africa's historical soil and its many branches support a wide diversity of peoples...

Hard prices for African softs: there has been an upturn in commodity prices since 2002 reflecting robust demand and supply-side capacity constraints in producing countries. Last year, agricultural commodities registered a 10.5% annual increase, and the outlook for this season, according to Moin Siddiqi, is equally healthy.(COMMODITIES)
August 1, 2005... Strong markets have fuelled economic growth in commodity-exporting countries in recent years. According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) figures, the index of beverage prices (notably coffee, tea and cocoa) rose by 35% in US dollar terms...

Doubts over East African integration: a new IMF report on the proposed integration of the three East African countries--Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania--has raised some doubts about the procedures. Neil Ford discusses.(TRENDS)
August 1, 2005... A great deal of progress has been made towards regional integration in East Africa over the past few years. A revamped East African Community (EAC) has been created and a customs union is being phased in, as the governments of Kenya, Tanzania...

Flowers--Sweet smell of success: Kenya's flower exports have yet again broken records but the industry is facing serious challenges. Stephen Williams attended the annual Kenya Flower Day in London recently.(KENYA)
August 1, 2005... Exports of cut flowers from Kenya have again reached record levels with 2004 results posting a 44.7% increase over the previous year in volume terms. Actual export value rose by some 13.5% over the same period, making Kenya's horticulture...

Letting go of South Africa's helping hand: one of Mozambique's greatest assets is to have South Africa as its next door neighbour. The latter has played a great part in Mozambique's continuing growth path, but, Neil Ford argues, it is now time for Mozambique to strike out on its own.(MOZAMBIQUE)
August 1, 2005... Mozambique's economic recovery over the past decade has helped put a previously troubled country back on its feet. It has also provided an excellent example to the entire developing world of the level of economic growth that is possible without...

Land invasion ruling sets benchmark: a 'test' case involving land invasion and claims for compensation appears to have set the benchmark on how this highly sensitive and emotional issue will be handled in the future. Tom Nevin has the details.(SOUTH AFRICA)
August 1, 2005... A watershed ruling by South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal has rocked the government and could change the way the prickly issue of land invasion and redistribution is viewed and subsequently handled from now on. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Model farm or concentration camp? A novel approach to socially reintegrated ex-rebels from the troubled northern Uganda has sparked off a major row between authorities and NGOs. Tristan McConnell visited the area to produce this report.
August 1, 2005... The maize planted in March is now waist-high and about a month from harvest. In amongst the crops women are bent over, babies strapped to their backs as they work the fields, weeding the land with hoes that churn up the sticky fertile mud. ...

One country, two elections: Tanzanians go to the polls in October to elect a new president and, as seems likely, return the ruling CCM party to power. But, while the outlook is for smooth, untroubled elections on the mainland, things could get messy on Zanzibar. Neil Ford reports.(TANZANIA)(Chama Cha Mapinduzi )
August 1, 2005... On the mainland, October's presidential and legislative elections in Tanzania are likely to change little apart from the name of the president. The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), is not expected to be seriously challenged by any of...

Making it in Equatorial Guinea: Omar Ben Yedder profiles two young Moroccan entrepreneurs who have made it good in Equatorial Guinea.(PEOPLE IN BUSINESS)
August 1, 2005... Said Mous, a 25-year-old Moroccan, arrived in Equatorial Guinea four years ago and is now an established name in Malabo. He first came to the country with a Moroccan wholesale clothing company. The company decided to pull out of Equatorial...

Lies, damned lies and reserves: an oil giant's secrets.(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... Shell Shock The Secrets and Spin of an Oil Giant By Ian Cummins and John Beasant Mainstream publishing ISBN 1-84018-941-X The preface of this book makes one thing abundantly clear: the authors received absolutely no...

Kola is God's Gift.(Book Review)(Brief Review)
August 1, 2005... Kola is God's Gift By Edmund Abaka [pounds sterling]50 James Currey ISBN 0-85255-491-5 Kola developed from an item of elite consumption in the 15th and 16th centuries to one of mass consumption in the 19th century. As...

Dick Tiger: The Life and Times of a Boxing Immortal.(Book)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... Dick Tiger The Life and Times of a Boxing Immortal By Adeyinka Makinde $14.95 Word Ass. Publishers (US) ISBN 1-59571-042-6 Dick Tiger was perhaps the greatest fighter to come out of the African continent. Emerging from an...

An African Trading Empire: The Story of Susman Brothers & Wulfson.(Book)(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... An African Trading Empire The Story of Susman Brothers & Wulfson By Hugh Macmillan [pounds sterling]27.50 I B Tauris ISBN 1-85043-853-6 Kinship and partnership united Elie and Harry Susman when they crossed the Zambezi...

Honour in African History.(Book)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... Honour in African History By John Iliffe [pounds sterling]45 African Studies ISBN 0-521-83785-5 This book argues that African behaviour, often puzzling to outsiders, is shaped by ideas which have historical roots stretching...

Black Crescent: The Experience and Legacy of African Muslims in the Americas.(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... Black Crescent The Experience and Legacy of African Muslims in the Americas By Michael A Gomez [pounds sterling]45 Cambridge ISBN: 0521840953 This book can claim to be the first full-scale study of Islam's origins in...

A History of Modern Tunisia.(Book)(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... A History of Modern Tunisia By Kenneth J Perkins [pounds sterling]15.99 Cambridge ISBN 0-521-00972-3 Situated halfway between Gibraltar and Suez, Tunisia has two windows on the Mediterranean, one which opens towards Europe,...

Tropical Architecture.(Book )(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... Tropical Architecture By Wolfgang Lauber [pounds sterling]45 Prestel ISBN 3-7913-3135-3 This forward-thinking survey considers the challenges of making buildings that withstand the vagaries of climate, economy, and limited...

Reviving old legends: a homage to past musicians.(In the Heart of the Moon)(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... In the Heart of the Moon By Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate World Circuit Cat: WCD072 Last December we reviewed Red and Green, two historic albums from Malian guitarist and singer Ali Farka Toure never before released on...