We have just launched, with my partner, Remi Bello, a firm specialized in political risk analysis.
We are entirely focus on the African continent. You can have a look at our website.
http://www.bello-manchau.com/index.html
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
How life is changing in well managed parts of Africa
It is often hard to explain that African countries, cities are evolving. One will always come back to the perpetual flow of bad news coming from the continent.
A serie of undemocratic elections and coups :
Mauritania, Niger, Guinea,Guinea Bissau, Madagascar.
A surge in violence in Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria
Riots and strikes in South Africa, journalists imprisoned in Gambia, very unstable power sharing agreements in Kenya and Zimbabwe and the usual Alqeda attacks in Mauritania and Algeria.
That said, really, what's new ?
The news is. Lagos is changing. Yes it is. Lagos is the living exemple of what a man will can do as a governor.
This is an extract of the Governors PR for the 800 days of his election.
Governor Fashola, who made the commitment while fielding questions from students and youths of the State as part of the anniversary of his administration’s 800 Days in office, declared, “Our responsibility as a government is to do our best to make Lagos comfortable for all who have chosen to make it their preferred home”.
PR from the governors website
I can see your smile while you are thinking,"they all say that..."
Fasten your seat belt : This one is true. Mr Fashola is really transforming the city, building bridges, adding cleaning crews, attracting real estate investors for housing, cleaning the streets of delinquants and thugs, that sounds more like a Giuliani/Bloomberg kind of guy no ?
Yes its possible in Africa too. Yes African leaders can deliver to their population, yes not everyone is only interesting in graft, Switzerland accounts and doing as few as they can to let their people die.
Fashola is the first Lagos governor to actually keep his promises and the city is changing. Under our eyes, there is the proof. There is no Oil curse, there is no evil force, there is no congenital inability. There is only leadership, vision and commitment and when men of powers stick to their words. You end up having a full page reportage on Lagos in the Financial Times with extracts like this one.
Yet it is this beast that Babatunde Fashola, the new governor of Lagos State, has made it his mission to transform. Since coming to power in May 2007, the soft-spoken lawyer has launched a programme to build new highways, clear chaotic markets and encourage multi-billion-dollar investments in real estate. A swelling army of floppy-hatted sweepers is sprucing up the streets. Former street toughs have been given jobs as traffic wardens. Fashola wants to turn Lagos from an urban dystopia into a model of civic pride. He hopes that even its notoriously frenetic inhabitants will start to feel a little, well, calmer.
Lagosians have heard such plans before. What is remarkable this time is that many people – rich and poor – believe that Fashola could really take the city’s destiny in hand.
Financial Times August 9
But the move is not going without casualties, as usual, the first sacrified are the poor like The Business day emphasizes in this article entitled "Families groan under demolition"
As the government bulldozer roars on daily, so are people’s businesses being crushed and sent to dumpsites. In the same fashion also are many families subjected to poverty and hunger as their breadwinners lose their means of livelihood.
Sundry traders and shop owners at the Orile end of the Expressway are seen everyday standing in groups counting their losses with the on-going demolition. Early last month, a stakeholders’ meeting was held in Alausa, between officials of the state government and property owners along this axis, where agreement was reached that government would pay compensation for all demolished structures within the right of way, which have valid titles, while those without titles would be treated as illegal structures.
Article here
There will never be enough pressure put on relocating deplaced families, in insuring them with an affordable housing, with building new markets for street vendors, Reform, Change is hard for every party involved. It means less bribes and less corruptions for officials, it means less street business and less shanty housing for the poor. It means less ancient, traditional ways of surviving. Its an effort for every one involved. From the rich sacrificing their privilege and domination, to the poor having to transition from an unjust system they knew to a promised justice they await.
This the responsibility of great leaders driving their people through the hardships of a necessary evolution. And everyone will complain about Change.
But yes, as proven by Mr Fashola, Change can happen, sanitation can come, housing, roads and fluid driving can happen, thugs and corrupt police can be circumvent. Yes There is no curse, there is no defined path. The Africa you used to know is gonna change for sure, as this leadership model spreads on the continent.
I will conclude with an extract from the Nigerian Village square that I found here on the Daily Triumph.
Even though I shed hot tears for our many years of wasted opportunities and lost glories, I still believe we can rise from the ashes. As I write this, 92 students from Rivers state are pursuing various courses in Singapore Universities and it is a four-year programme.
One of them, Emmi Iyalla told us that they have formed themselves into groups of 10 each to study different systems of governance in Singapore - the private sector, and the public sector and see the possibility of replicating the ideas in Rivers state.
Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, the governor of Delta state is building an industrial park where you work, live, play and die with technical assistance from Singaporean engineers and scientists.
In Lagos, Governor Fashola is searching for new ways of doing things not only in Dubai and Singapore but all over the world. The idea of sending 100 men and women to Singapore and Dubai for two weeks intensive study is part of the big plans to change totally the face of Lagos and Nigeria.
To all intents and purposes Governor Fashola is getting it right in Lagos.
Now, having seen what I have seen in Singapore and Dubai, and having seen how we have lost monumental opportunities to build a great nation due to primordial sentiments and criminal politics, I want to agree with Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore that: “it is the creativity of leadership, its willingness to learn from experience to implement good policies quickly and decisively through an efficient public service that decides a country’s development and progress”. Over to you, Nigerian leaders!
Source: nigeriavillagesquare.com
A serie of undemocratic elections and coups :
Mauritania, Niger, Guinea,Guinea Bissau, Madagascar.
A surge in violence in Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria
Riots and strikes in South Africa, journalists imprisoned in Gambia, very unstable power sharing agreements in Kenya and Zimbabwe and the usual Alqeda attacks in Mauritania and Algeria.
That said, really, what's new ?
The news is. Lagos is changing. Yes it is. Lagos is the living exemple of what a man will can do as a governor.
This is an extract of the Governors PR for the 800 days of his election.
Governor Fashola, who made the commitment while fielding questions from students and youths of the State as part of the anniversary of his administration’s 800 Days in office, declared, “Our responsibility as a government is to do our best to make Lagos comfortable for all who have chosen to make it their preferred home”.
PR from the governors website
I can see your smile while you are thinking,"they all say that..."
Fasten your seat belt : This one is true. Mr Fashola is really transforming the city, building bridges, adding cleaning crews, attracting real estate investors for housing, cleaning the streets of delinquants and thugs, that sounds more like a Giuliani/Bloomberg kind of guy no ?
Yes its possible in Africa too. Yes African leaders can deliver to their population, yes not everyone is only interesting in graft, Switzerland accounts and doing as few as they can to let their people die.
Fashola is the first Lagos governor to actually keep his promises and the city is changing. Under our eyes, there is the proof. There is no Oil curse, there is no evil force, there is no congenital inability. There is only leadership, vision and commitment and when men of powers stick to their words. You end up having a full page reportage on Lagos in the Financial Times with extracts like this one.
Yet it is this beast that Babatunde Fashola, the new governor of Lagos State, has made it his mission to transform. Since coming to power in May 2007, the soft-spoken lawyer has launched a programme to build new highways, clear chaotic markets and encourage multi-billion-dollar investments in real estate. A swelling army of floppy-hatted sweepers is sprucing up the streets. Former street toughs have been given jobs as traffic wardens. Fashola wants to turn Lagos from an urban dystopia into a model of civic pride. He hopes that even its notoriously frenetic inhabitants will start to feel a little, well, calmer.
Lagosians have heard such plans before. What is remarkable this time is that many people – rich and poor – believe that Fashola could really take the city’s destiny in hand.
Financial Times August 9
But the move is not going without casualties, as usual, the first sacrified are the poor like The Business day emphasizes in this article entitled "Families groan under demolition"
As the government bulldozer roars on daily, so are people’s businesses being crushed and sent to dumpsites. In the same fashion also are many families subjected to poverty and hunger as their breadwinners lose their means of livelihood.
Sundry traders and shop owners at the Orile end of the Expressway are seen everyday standing in groups counting their losses with the on-going demolition. Early last month, a stakeholders’ meeting was held in Alausa, between officials of the state government and property owners along this axis, where agreement was reached that government would pay compensation for all demolished structures within the right of way, which have valid titles, while those without titles would be treated as illegal structures.
Article here
There will never be enough pressure put on relocating deplaced families, in insuring them with an affordable housing, with building new markets for street vendors, Reform, Change is hard for every party involved. It means less bribes and less corruptions for officials, it means less street business and less shanty housing for the poor. It means less ancient, traditional ways of surviving. Its an effort for every one involved. From the rich sacrificing their privilege and domination, to the poor having to transition from an unjust system they knew to a promised justice they await.
This the responsibility of great leaders driving their people through the hardships of a necessary evolution. And everyone will complain about Change.
But yes, as proven by Mr Fashola, Change can happen, sanitation can come, housing, roads and fluid driving can happen, thugs and corrupt police can be circumvent. Yes There is no curse, there is no defined path. The Africa you used to know is gonna change for sure, as this leadership model spreads on the continent.
I will conclude with an extract from the Nigerian Village square that I found here on the Daily Triumph.
Even though I shed hot tears for our many years of wasted opportunities and lost glories, I still believe we can rise from the ashes. As I write this, 92 students from Rivers state are pursuing various courses in Singapore Universities and it is a four-year programme.
One of them, Emmi Iyalla told us that they have formed themselves into groups of 10 each to study different systems of governance in Singapore - the private sector, and the public sector and see the possibility of replicating the ideas in Rivers state.
Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, the governor of Delta state is building an industrial park where you work, live, play and die with technical assistance from Singaporean engineers and scientists.
In Lagos, Governor Fashola is searching for new ways of doing things not only in Dubai and Singapore but all over the world. The idea of sending 100 men and women to Singapore and Dubai for two weeks intensive study is part of the big plans to change totally the face of Lagos and Nigeria.
To all intents and purposes Governor Fashola is getting it right in Lagos.
Now, having seen what I have seen in Singapore and Dubai, and having seen how we have lost monumental opportunities to build a great nation due to primordial sentiments and criminal politics, I want to agree with Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore that: “it is the creativity of leadership, its willingness to learn from experience to implement good policies quickly and decisively through an efficient public service that decides a country’s development and progress”. Over to you, Nigerian leaders!
Source: nigeriavillagesquare.com
Monday, August 10, 2009
Not all is bad in African Oil according to Chatam House
UK-based think-tank Chatham House says the country does not fit the stereotype of weak African states being exploited by resource-hungry Asian tigers.
Their report contrasts Angola with Nigeria, which it says has mismanaged its relations with Asian firms.
BBC
According to Chatam House, in Nigeria its a different story:
"The scale of the corruption, mismanagement and non-execution of projects in the Obasanjo years has sent shockwaves through Nigeria," the report said.
"His intentions were good but officials failed to spell out the full implications of the scheme. And many used the scheme for private profit. It might have been a good idea on paper but the spirit was breached in the implementation."
Reuters
The report also highlights that in the race to secure Oil imports the Western countries are still way ahead:
Demand for energy in Asia, driven by surging economic growth in recent decades, has led oil companies mainly from China, South Korea and India to seek access to African energy reserves. They have gained some “footholds” since 2004, though not enough to trouble the oil majors, the report said.
“More importantly, the oil majors remain the leading players in both countries,” said the report, which focuses on Nigeria and Angola. “They dominate production and hold the majority of reserves.”
Rather than challenge the leading Western energy producers, companies from China, South Korea and India, “latecomers to West Africa,” have become rivals for hydrocarbon interests in the two countries, the report said.
Bloomberg
The report is here:
Thirst for African Oil: Asian National Oil Companies in Nigeria and Angola
Their report contrasts Angola with Nigeria, which it says has mismanaged its relations with Asian firms.
BBC
According to Chatam House, in Nigeria its a different story:
"The scale of the corruption, mismanagement and non-execution of projects in the Obasanjo years has sent shockwaves through Nigeria," the report said.
"His intentions were good but officials failed to spell out the full implications of the scheme. And many used the scheme for private profit. It might have been a good idea on paper but the spirit was breached in the implementation."
Reuters
The report also highlights that in the race to secure Oil imports the Western countries are still way ahead:
Demand for energy in Asia, driven by surging economic growth in recent decades, has led oil companies mainly from China, South Korea and India to seek access to African energy reserves. They have gained some “footholds” since 2004, though not enough to trouble the oil majors, the report said.
“More importantly, the oil majors remain the leading players in both countries,” said the report, which focuses on Nigeria and Angola. “They dominate production and hold the majority of reserves.”
Rather than challenge the leading Western energy producers, companies from China, South Korea and India, “latecomers to West Africa,” have become rivals for hydrocarbon interests in the two countries, the report said.
Bloomberg
The report is here:
Thirst for African Oil: Asian National Oil Companies in Nigeria and Angola
Monday, August 03, 2009
Telecom and Information: a sector to watch in Africa
Broadband Internet in Africa Slowly Rising
African countries could boost their economies by increasing high-speed Internet access and affordability, according to a report by the World Bank.
For every 10 percentage-points of increase in high speed Internet connection, the authors found that economic growth rises 1.3 percentage points.
“In this report there’s a lot of evidence that where you have broadband, you have innovation, you have lower transaction costs, and you have higher trade and exports,” said the report’s editor Christine Qiang.
Sub-Saharan Africa Ranks Lowest
The seven countries that ranked lowest on affordability, access and usage of Internet and Communication Technologies were all in sub-Saharan Africa.
The reason less than one percent of Africans have access to high-speed Internet is because it is still too expensive and the quality is sub-par, explained Philippe Dongier, another author on the report.
Africanloft
Africa: Price controls can drive ICT boom
The Economic Outlook report with the theme: “Innovation and information communication technologies in Africa” detailed the status of the sector, recommending governments to improve regulation to the benefit of their economies. The advice came against the backdrop of persistently higher calling tariffs in Africa than in other parts of the world.
AfricaNews
Boom Continues for Africa Telecom
Africa’s telecommunication industry remains attractive to investors despite the global economic slowdown. According to a study carried out by the UN Economic Commission for Africa, African Development Bank and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, international providers remains committed to increasing their presence on the continent. The study predicts mobile phone coverage and internet use are expected to grow this year.
Africanloft
African countries could boost their economies by increasing high-speed Internet access and affordability, according to a report by the World Bank.
For every 10 percentage-points of increase in high speed Internet connection, the authors found that economic growth rises 1.3 percentage points.
“In this report there’s a lot of evidence that where you have broadband, you have innovation, you have lower transaction costs, and you have higher trade and exports,” said the report’s editor Christine Qiang.
Sub-Saharan Africa Ranks Lowest
The seven countries that ranked lowest on affordability, access and usage of Internet and Communication Technologies were all in sub-Saharan Africa.
The reason less than one percent of Africans have access to high-speed Internet is because it is still too expensive and the quality is sub-par, explained Philippe Dongier, another author on the report.
Africanloft
Africa: Price controls can drive ICT boom
The Economic Outlook report with the theme: “Innovation and information communication technologies in Africa” detailed the status of the sector, recommending governments to improve regulation to the benefit of their economies. The advice came against the backdrop of persistently higher calling tariffs in Africa than in other parts of the world.
AfricaNews
Boom Continues for Africa Telecom
Africa’s telecommunication industry remains attractive to investors despite the global economic slowdown. According to a study carried out by the UN Economic Commission for Africa, African Development Bank and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, international providers remains committed to increasing their presence on the continent. The study predicts mobile phone coverage and internet use are expected to grow this year.
Africanloft
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Emerging Capital Partners views the construction markets across North Africa as uniquely poised for growth
“ECP has invested in various African engineering and construction companies since 2006, and we have long been evaluating opportunities in the North African market,” said Thomas Gibian, CEO of ECP. “Unlike many western markets, North African real estate and construction is generally driven by a lack of supply to meet the increasing demand from both foreign and domestic companies.”
Here
Here
The Nepad's e-School Initiative
Launched in 2005, The nepad e-school program aims at giving IT skills to African children. Education being one of the main effort in the race for development, this initiative is emblematic of responsible, sustainable and innovative aid. By fostering computer sciences understanding and by giving the new generation the skill set they will need to integrate the digital era, The NEPAD is proving that he understands what are the needs of the continent and what are the best way to walk out of the current level of education.
First Nepad e-school to launch in Uganda in 2005
Nepad Rolls out Africa E-school Plan
Laying the Foundation for Africa‘s e-Schools
First Nepad e-school to launch in Uganda in 2005
Nepad Rolls out Africa E-school Plan
Laying the Foundation for Africa‘s e-Schools
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
EAC states join forces in war against counterfeits
East African countries are preparing a joint approach in the war against counterfeits, which have been blamed for health risks and huge business losses.
The legislative arm of the EAC — East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) — is working on a common anti-counterfeits law applicable to members who include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
It says in a new report that companies in the region lose up to 90 per cent of business to counterfeits annually.
“There is a need for a harmonised approach in East Africa and a pool of special judges knowledgeable in anti counterfeits if we are to end the illegal trade,” says Nairobi lawyer Mr William Maema.
here
The legislative arm of the EAC — East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) — is working on a common anti-counterfeits law applicable to members who include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
It says in a new report that companies in the region lose up to 90 per cent of business to counterfeits annually.
“There is a need for a harmonised approach in East Africa and a pool of special judges knowledgeable in anti counterfeits if we are to end the illegal trade,” says Nairobi lawyer Mr William Maema.
here
Faced with a gun, what can you do? - Mining in DRC
Three days after the launch of its major report on the militarization of mining in the DRC, Faced with a gun, what can you do?, campaign group Global Witness has answered media reports of one company's response.
British company Amalgamated Metals Corporation (AMC) is named in the report as the owner of tin smelting company THAISARCO, which has been buying minerals from a supplier whose middlemen have been trading with armed groups. AMC has been quoted in the media as saying that it is "disappointed with the number of inaccuracies and omissions in the report."
Gavin Hayman, Director of Campaigns for Global Witness said: "We have contacted AMC twice to request a copy of their statement but have not received one (as of 10am on Friday 24 July) so are unable to respond in detail to their complaints. We would welcome them contacting us with further details."
here
British company Amalgamated Metals Corporation (AMC) is named in the report as the owner of tin smelting company THAISARCO, which has been buying minerals from a supplier whose middlemen have been trading with armed groups. AMC has been quoted in the media as saying that it is "disappointed with the number of inaccuracies and omissions in the report."
Gavin Hayman, Director of Campaigns for Global Witness said: "We have contacted AMC twice to request a copy of their statement but have not received one (as of 10am on Friday 24 July) so are unable to respond in detail to their complaints. We would welcome them contacting us with further details."
here
Forced evictions in Luanda : Angolans protest evictions
Luanda - Hundreds of people who were forcibly evicted by the authorities from shanty towns around Luanda marched to the city centre on Tuesday demanding compensation.
The residents were stopped just short of the National Assembly building, where parliament was voting on a revised 2009 budget, and were dispersed by armed police officers with dogs.
"Give us back our homes, give us back our homes," the protesters yelled, running away from hundreds of baton-yielding policemen in one of the biggest protests of its kind since evictions began in last week.
By Monday the authorities had forcibly evicted thousands of people from the illegal settlements - known locally by names such as "Baghdad", "Iraq" and "Camama" - and torn down their makeshift homes.
Here
The residents were stopped just short of the National Assembly building, where parliament was voting on a revised 2009 budget, and were dispersed by armed police officers with dogs.
"Give us back our homes, give us back our homes," the protesters yelled, running away from hundreds of baton-yielding policemen in one of the biggest protests of its kind since evictions began in last week.
By Monday the authorities had forcibly evicted thousands of people from the illegal settlements - known locally by names such as "Baghdad", "Iraq" and "Camama" - and torn down their makeshift homes.
Here
IT infrastructure outsourcing boosted in Nigeria
Technological developments, government promotion of ICT and Nigeria's exposure to the global stage have provided additional growth stimulus, according to a new analysis from Frost & Sullivan, which also stated that the country’s IT market earned revenues of $58.0 million in 2007 and estimates this to reach $330.0 million in 2014.
Although the Nigerian IT infrastructure market is in its infancy, key sectors such as the financial, telecommunications, and oil and gas industries have begun outsourcing elements of their IT functions to third parties, said the report.
"The unreliable power supply in Nigeria is promoting the growth of outsourced services such as disaster recovery and dedicated hosting," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Mpho Moyo, further adding: "This is because companies need to have contingency measures in place to ensure business continuity during power failures."
Here
Although the Nigerian IT infrastructure market is in its infancy, key sectors such as the financial, telecommunications, and oil and gas industries have begun outsourcing elements of their IT functions to third parties, said the report.
"The unreliable power supply in Nigeria is promoting the growth of outsourced services such as disaster recovery and dedicated hosting," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Mpho Moyo, further adding: "This is because companies need to have contingency measures in place to ensure business continuity during power failures."
Here
U.S. total trade with Sub-Saharan Africa (exports plus imports) increased 28.0 percent in 2008
U.S. total trade with Sub-Saharan Africa (exports plus imports) increased 28.0 percent in
2008, as both exports and imports grew. U.S. exports increased by 29.2 percent to $18.5
billion, driven by growth in several sectors including: machinery, vehicles and parts,
wheat, non-crude oil, aircraft, and electrical machinery (including telecommunications
equipment). U.S. imports in 2008 increased by 27.8 percent to $86.1 billion. As has
been the case throughout 2008, this growth continues to be due to a significant increase
of 31.9 percent in crude oil imports (accounting for 79.5 percent of total imports from
Sub-Saharan Africa).
Here
2008, as both exports and imports grew. U.S. exports increased by 29.2 percent to $18.5
billion, driven by growth in several sectors including: machinery, vehicles and parts,
wheat, non-crude oil, aircraft, and electrical machinery (including telecommunications
equipment). U.S. imports in 2008 increased by 27.8 percent to $86.1 billion. As has
been the case throughout 2008, this growth continues to be due to a significant increase
of 31.9 percent in crude oil imports (accounting for 79.5 percent of total imports from
Sub-Saharan Africa).
Here
Enhanced U.S. Market Access Critical for Africa
Looking back on African progress under AGOA, which was signed into U.S. law in its original form on May 18, 2000, Carroll said: “I think AGOA has made a significant contribution to Africa and its trading relations, not only with the United States but the world. Where I think we have been disappointed is that those benefits have not extended more broadly in terms of geographic distribution. There are some countries that remain not deeply affected by AGOA’s opportunity, and in product categories … the overwhelming concentration of trade is in the hydrocarbon and mineral sector, and that masks, I think, some of the failure to penetrate other areas that might provide greater employment and deeper economic benefit, such as agribusiness in particular.”
Illustrating his point, Carroll said: “In agribusiness, there are certainly many areas [in which] Africa can be both competitive and more competitive. Those include specialty coffee, teas, specialty horticultural products, pisciculture [the breeding and raising of fish] and seafood products. They are all showing good growth.”
Here
Illustrating his point, Carroll said: “In agribusiness, there are certainly many areas [in which] Africa can be both competitive and more competitive. Those include specialty coffee, teas, specialty horticultural products, pisciculture [the breeding and raising of fish] and seafood products. They are all showing good growth.”
Here
Namibia ; Canadians to explore for Uranium
A company from the world’s leading supplier of uranium, Pacific Bay Minerals Ltd, has set up an office in Windhoek to support it’s goal of exploring the country for the in-demand metal.
This most recent expression of interest is one of many international bids to become a part of Namibia’s mining industry, joining existing mining companies Rössing Uranium and Langer Heinrich.
Here
This most recent expression of interest is one of many international bids to become a part of Namibia’s mining industry, joining existing mining companies Rössing Uranium and Langer Heinrich.
Here
Foreign Investors show interest in Boti-Falls in Ghana
Boti Falls
Foreign investors from Turkey and Nigeria have made moves to revamp the famous Boti falls in the Yilo-Krobo District, to become one of the well-resourced tourist attraction sites in the country.
The investors mentioned the rehabilitation of major road networks from the entrance through to the waterfall, provision of electricity for the entire Boti community, rest houses, chalets and other recreational facilities, as part of the revamping activities to give tourists value for their money.
This came to light when Mr David Lamptey, former Member of Parliament (MP), for Osu-Klottey and now in the Office of the President, led the team to the Akosombo Hydro-Power stations and Boti falls to inspect tourist and other business potentials in the region on Thursday.
The Boti-falls, which attracts thousands of tourists and generates about 10,000 Ghana cedis during peak days, and its entire Huhunya community has no electricity, no toilet facilities and restaurants.
Here
Foreign investors from Turkey and Nigeria have made moves to revamp the famous Boti falls in the Yilo-Krobo District, to become one of the well-resourced tourist attraction sites in the country.
The investors mentioned the rehabilitation of major road networks from the entrance through to the waterfall, provision of electricity for the entire Boti community, rest houses, chalets and other recreational facilities, as part of the revamping activities to give tourists value for their money.
This came to light when Mr David Lamptey, former Member of Parliament (MP), for Osu-Klottey and now in the Office of the President, led the team to the Akosombo Hydro-Power stations and Boti falls to inspect tourist and other business potentials in the region on Thursday.
The Boti-falls, which attracts thousands of tourists and generates about 10,000 Ghana cedis during peak days, and its entire Huhunya community has no electricity, no toilet facilities and restaurants.
Here
The African Scooter ; Vuka Scuta is conquering the continent
Not content with revolutionising the way South Africans commute, locally developed Vuka Scuta is now branching out into other Southern African countries. The company has started marketing its motor scooters in Mozambique.
Launched in 2006, the nippy Vuka (isiZulu, meaning "wake up" or "get moving") two-wheelers have become increasingly popular, especially in light of the unpredictable cost of fuel, high interest rates, and often unbearable congestion of South Africa's urban roads.
The stylish scooters are manufactured in China but assembled in South Africa and have been developed for South African conditions, with features such as increased legroom when compared with Chinese scooters. Vuka evaluated 14 Chinese scooter models before deciding on the right models for the South African climate.
Scooters arrive in a semi-disassembled state in crates from China, and after months of perfecting the process, assembly staff can put a vehicle together in less than an hour. All vehicles are tested before moving on to the retailer, and the mostly manual assembly and testing processes have enabled Vuka to create a number of new jobs.
Here
Launched in 2006, the nippy Vuka (isiZulu, meaning "wake up" or "get moving") two-wheelers have become increasingly popular, especially in light of the unpredictable cost of fuel, high interest rates, and often unbearable congestion of South Africa's urban roads.
The stylish scooters are manufactured in China but assembled in South Africa and have been developed for South African conditions, with features such as increased legroom when compared with Chinese scooters. Vuka evaluated 14 Chinese scooter models before deciding on the right models for the South African climate.
Scooters arrive in a semi-disassembled state in crates from China, and after months of perfecting the process, assembly staff can put a vehicle together in less than an hour. All vehicles are tested before moving on to the retailer, and the mostly manual assembly and testing processes have enabled Vuka to create a number of new jobs.
Here
South Africa: 'Few Benefit' From Social Responsibility Schemes of Diamond Companies
Except for the Richtersveld community and to a lesser extent the people of Steinkopf, most communities on the west coast do not benefit much from the CSR programmes.
"The implementation and monitoring of mining policies also seem to be problematic. As a result, serious environmental and social problems exist throughout the region," he said.
Capel said the situation was made worse at most towns in the area by water shortages, interrupted electricity supply and road infrastructure that should be part of corporate responsibility.
The study, titled Corporate Social Responsibility in the Diamond Industry on the West Coast of SA, describes Port Nolloth, Hondeklip Bay and Kleinzee. Three companies, De Beers, Alexkor and Trans Hex, took part in the study.
Here
"The implementation and monitoring of mining policies also seem to be problematic. As a result, serious environmental and social problems exist throughout the region," he said.
Capel said the situation was made worse at most towns in the area by water shortages, interrupted electricity supply and road infrastructure that should be part of corporate responsibility.
The study, titled Corporate Social Responsibility in the Diamond Industry on the West Coast of SA, describes Port Nolloth, Hondeklip Bay and Kleinzee. Three companies, De Beers, Alexkor and Trans Hex, took part in the study.
Here
SABMiller invests more in Angola
Brewing giant SABMiller has announced plans to build a US$125-million (R990-million) brewery and soft drink bottling plant in Luanda, Angola. The new projects will double SABMiller's investment in the Southern African country in the past 18 months.
Growing demand for leisure beverages in Angola has prompted the expansion. The latest figures on the SABMiller website put the annual beer consumption at 32.1 litres per Angolan.
Here
Growing demand for leisure beverages in Angola has prompted the expansion. The latest figures on the SABMiller website put the annual beer consumption at 32.1 litres per Angolan.
Here
The collapse of commodity prices and plummeting demand from OECD countries will have an adverse effect on Africa's budget balances
The 2009 Outlook covers 47 African countries, up from 35 last year. The report finds the region gravely affected by the global economic downturn. Following half a decade of above 5 per cent economic growth, the continent can expect only 2.8 per cent in 2009, less than half of the 5.7 per cent expected before the crisis. The AEO's authors anticipate growth rebounding to 4.5 per cent in 2010. Growth in oil-exporting countries is expected to fall to 2.4 per cent in 2009 compared to 3.3 per cent for the net oil importers.
Here
Here
Africa has 'extraordinary success' in AIDS fight: Global Fund
Africa has had "extraordinary success" in the fight against HIV-AIDS, but the access to universal care expected by 2010 will be delayed due to a lack of funds, according to the director of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Here
Here
After years of violence, Algerians have some fun
This is a scene seldom witnessed in a city scarred by years of conflict between the government and Islamist insurgents. Most nights, the streets of Algiers are almost deserted except for armed police manning checkpoints.
After nearly two decades of bombings and ambushes, the violence has subsided enough for Algerians to embrace an unfamiliar concept: having fun.
For two weeks, this former colonial city has been hosting a festival of African dance, theater, music and art designed to let the world know normal life is slowly returning to Algeria, and to allow people to let their hair down.
reuters
After nearly two decades of bombings and ambushes, the violence has subsided enough for Algerians to embrace an unfamiliar concept: having fun.
For two weeks, this former colonial city has been hosting a festival of African dance, theater, music and art designed to let the world know normal life is slowly returning to Algeria, and to allow people to let their hair down.
reuters
Great great News !! SEACOM fibre optic goes regional
- The first of three under-sea fibre optic cables being laid on the eastern seaboard of Africa has gone live in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa.
It is widely believed that the cheap bandwidth that the sea cable is coming with will open up opportunities for governments and business community to compete globally and drive economic growth.
The US$650 million, 1.28 terabytes per second (Tb/s) 1,700 kilometre cable system links southern and eastern Africa to global networks via India and Europe. Backhauls linking Johannesburg, Nairobi and Kampala with the coastal landing stations have been established and SEACOM is also working with its national partners to commission the final links to Kigali, Rwanda and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia shortly.
http://www.busiweek.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1921&Itemid=2
It is widely believed that the cheap bandwidth that the sea cable is coming with will open up opportunities for governments and business community to compete globally and drive economic growth.
The US$650 million, 1.28 terabytes per second (Tb/s) 1,700 kilometre cable system links southern and eastern Africa to global networks via India and Europe. Backhauls linking Johannesburg, Nairobi and Kampala with the coastal landing stations have been established and SEACOM is also working with its national partners to commission the final links to Kigali, Rwanda and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia shortly.
http://www.busiweek.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1921&Itemid=2
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Understand how US corporations view Africa as an investment destination and what their requirements are for investing in Africa on the same scale as t
- Africa is the world’s second largest and second most populous continent after Asia, covering 20% of the world’s total land area, and home to 14% of the world’s human population, yet Africa remains the world’s poorest and most underdeveloped continent
- Africa has not received its “fair share” of global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows
- Since the early 1980s, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows to Africa averaging only 2.2% of the global total, while Asia received no less than 17.3% of the total
- Corporate America is interested and watching Africa closely; they see pockets of great potential
- US Technology companies are most attracted to investing in Africa
- Overall, the business case for investing in Africa is less compelling than for its competitors
- To make itself more attractive for US investment, Africa should:
- Invest in education , health and infrastructure
- Ensure the rule of law and a business-friendly climate for all investing companies
- Show it is serious about attracting foreign investment
- Market itself as aggressively as other regions of the world
- Demonstrate opportunity cost of not investing
- Invest in education , health and infrastructure
- USA Inc. is more interested in Africa than before, because the African market appears increasingly attractive, but Africa has tough competition and high hurdles for US investment. Education is at the top of the US corporate wish list for Africa; “educate your people so that we can employ them”
- The African countries that hold most interest are South Africa and some countries in the North, like Egypt; there are also some pockets of interest in West Africa, most notably Ghana, Nigeria and to some extent Angola; while some in the South (Botswana and Mozambique) and East (Uganda and Kenya), are also being watched
With 188.5 million additional subscribers forecast for 2007-2011, the potential for Africa’s mobile communication industry is immense
According to a May 2008 Wireless Intelligence report, African mobile subscribers were set to pass the 300 million mark by the middle of this year (which sees the continent surpassing North America in terms of subscriber numbers). “When fully exploited, this is a billion dollar industry, which contributes 5.4 per cent to the global revenues – a figure close to US$34.4 billion,” says Travis Mulenga, a consumer insights expert working in the African mobile communications industry. “With 95 per cent of subscribers on pre-paid platforms, this is a cash business with good revenue streams”.
here
Enhanced pirate activity delays SEACOM ready for service date
The increase in pirate activity during April and May 2009, both in terms of intensity and geographical coverage, necessitated a change in SEACOM’s cable installation plans which resulted in a delay in the ready for service date from 27 June 2009 to 23 July 2009. The planned route required the ship to transit an area of increased pirate activity where other ships had been attacked or seized.
here
here
Wireless seems to have a bright future in Africa
Low landline penetration in Africa and low broadband penetration throughout the
region, except for Israel, characterize telecommunications in Middle East/Africa,
the only region where dial-up is still the dominant mode of Internet access.
High costs, the result of an inadequate landline infrastructure, limit broadband
penetration. The average broadband fee was nearly $54 per month in 2008, well
above rates in the United States and Europe, where the average monthly cost is less than
$40. In Latin America and Canada, it costs less than $30 on average for broadband and
in Asia Pacific the average fee is less than $20 (see Figure 5-5.1).
At the same time, wireless costs are low, averaging about $15 per month, comparable
to rates in Asia Pacific and Latin American, and well below those of Europe, the United
States and Canada (see Figure 5-5.2, next page). Consequently, wireless penetration
is relatively high in most countries. More than 60 percent of people in the Middle East
have a wireless phone and 40 percent in Africa are wireless subscribers.
read report preview here
region, except for Israel, characterize telecommunications in Middle East/Africa,
the only region where dial-up is still the dominant mode of Internet access.
High costs, the result of an inadequate landline infrastructure, limit broadband
penetration. The average broadband fee was nearly $54 per month in 2008, well
above rates in the United States and Europe, where the average monthly cost is less than
$40. In Latin America and Canada, it costs less than $30 on average for broadband and
in Asia Pacific the average fee is less than $20 (see Figure 5-5.1).
At the same time, wireless costs are low, averaging about $15 per month, comparable
to rates in Asia Pacific and Latin American, and well below those of Europe, the United
States and Canada (see Figure 5-5.2, next page). Consequently, wireless penetration
is relatively high in most countries. More than 60 percent of people in the Middle East
have a wireless phone and 40 percent in Africa are wireless subscribers.
read report preview here
Africa, Middle East to Lead Mobile Broadband Subscriber Growth by 2012
Africa and the Middle East will lead the world in terms of the percentage of mobile broadband subscriptions through 2012, according to a new report from Pyramid Research. Although Africa and the Middle East generated 10 percent of global mobile revenue in 2008, the region contributed only 3 percent of global mobile data revenue, notes Dearbhla McHenry, analyst at Pyramid Research and author of the report. However, the region will double its share of global mobile data revenue by 2014 due to its growing popularity of mobile broadband in the region, in rich and poor markets alike.
here
here
Vivendi offers $12B to acquire ZAIN
Mobile operator Zain is in talks with potential buyers for a stake in its African operations, but denied it had reached a deal to sell the unit to Vivendi, the firm's chief executive said.
here
and here
Zain Profile
here
and here
Zain Profile
Google’s Africa Strategy: Search And Trade Via SMS
If Google can reach people, especially in developing nations, with SMS, it can reach everyone with a cell phone.
Most mobile devices in Africa only have voice and SMS capabilities, and so we are focusing our technological efforts in that continent on SMS
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/extending-google-services-in-africa.html
In Africa, it is launching a suite of SMS services
today, including SMS search, Q&A-style tips, and an SMS-based marketplace. The first country to get these services is Uganda.
Most mobile devices in Africa only have voice and SMS capabilities, and so we are focusing our technological efforts in that continent on SMS
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/extending-google-services-in-africa.html
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