Citigroup Acquires 20% Stake in ABC Holdings

One of the world's leading financial institutions, Citigroup, has acquired a 20 percent stake in the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange listed ABC Holdings (ABCH), effectively sealing the entrance of the United States headquartered financial company into Zimbabwe and southern Africa. Citigroup recently approved a US$25 million investment into ABCH by its subsidiary, Citi Venture Capital International (CVCI). ABCH has a primary listing on the Botswana Stock Exchange, with operations in that country, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Source: Databank.

Angolan Tourism on the Rise

Angola’s tourism sector currently focuses on tourists in the business and service industry, but would like to adapt this profile to include vacation and leisure. The number of tourists who visit Angola is approximately 250,000-300,000 a year. The government has set an initial target to raise this number to 500,000 in the near future. To help attain industry goals, the Angolan Government is promoting the tourism industry in Sweden. This will allow Angola to strengthen relations with Swedish companies looking to invest in hotel and tourist infrastructures.

Open Call for Artists and Filmmakers

imagine art after is a multi-stage project for internet, gallery & broadcast curated by Breda Beban that brings together artists and filmmakers who made a home in London with those who stayed in their country of origin. For its second edition, imagine art after is looking for artists and filmmakers from countries including Angola, Cameroon, DRC, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Uganda or Zimbabwe, who either live there, or in London. The deadline is 1 June 2008. For more information and an application pack, go to www.imagineartafter.net, or email info@imagineartafter.net

South Africa to pilot Mass Literacy Campaign

South Africa is set to pilot a mass literacy campaign targeting 300,000 adults and youngsters across the country this year. During his State of the Nation address at the opening of Parliament, President Thabo Mbeki said the Kha Ri Gude campaign would be piloted this year before being rolled out fully in 2009. Mbeki said skills development was one of the government's "apex priorities" for 2008. It would involve key interventions in South Africa's Further Education and Training colleges, Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas), and the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (Jipsa). It would also involve "resourcing schools in the lowest three quintiles, freeing them from the responsibility to charge fees, and speeding up on-the-job training for professional graduates". The President said that projects under Jipsa - launched in 2006 to deliver on the skills requirements of government's Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (Asgi-SA) - would be intensified this year. He also praised South Africans companies for helping the government to address the country's skills shortage. In 2006/07, the Department of Labour spent R37.8-million on providing adult basic education and training to almost 20,000 unemployed South Africans. The government also spent R316-million on grants for 10,900 students placed on learnerships, apprenticeships and internships, and R78.5-million on bursaries for 1,148 undergraduate and 1,042 postgraduate students.

Angola Second Largest Exporter of Oil to China in 2007

According to statistics from the Chinese General Customs Administration, in 2007, Angola was the second largest exporter of crude oil to China, after Saudi Arabia. Angola’s crude oil sales to China rose 6.5 percent from the previous year.

CODESRIA Social Science Faculty Seminar Series - 2008/2009 Competition

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is pleased to announce the 2008/2009 competition for its new initiative designed to contribute to the development, restoration and/or consolidation of a culture of regular faculty seminars in African universities. In announcing the competition, the Council will also like to invite applications from staff of faculties of social sciences of African universities for the resources available to support the programme. The Social Science Faculty Seminar Series is one of the new initiatives of CODESRIA as part of its strategic objectives for the advancement of the frontiers of the production and dissemination of knowledge. It grew out of a desire to fill an observed gap in the quest for the renewal of the African higher education system. Through the Social Science Faculty Seminar Series, CODESRIA seeks to contribute to efforts aimed at reviving the culture of scholarly life on the African university campus and, in so doing, feeding into the challenges of constructing an environment that would be conducive for research and learning. For the 2008 session, applications for seminars beginning from July 2008 to June 2009 will be welcomed by the Council. Applications for this round of the competition should be received by Friday 31 May, 2008. Website: http://www.codesria.org

Unicer to Build Beer Factory in Angola

Unicer, a Portuguese beer manufacturer and distributor, plans to build a factory to produce Super Bock beer in Angola. The company expects to increase sales of the product in Angola, where in 2007 it sold a record 108 million liters of beer.

Chinese-African Trade Rises to $74 Billion

The value of trade between China and Africa had increased by 24% to $74 billion between 1995 and 2007 according to figures released by the Trade Law Centre of Southern Africa (Tralac). A researcher at Tralac, Taku Fundira, says Chinese imports from Africa increased by 27% over the review period while Chinese exports to Africa increased slower at 23%, which has resulted in a small trade deficit of $1.1billion for China with Africa in 2007. These figures show that Angola and South Africa at 19%, Sudan (8%) and Egypt (6%) were China’s biggest African trading partners over the period. The top Chinese imports from Africa in 2007 were mineral products (80%), base metals (4%), precious stones and metals (4%), wood products (2%) and auto parts (2%). The top Chinese exports to Africa in 2007 were clothing and textiles (13%) followed by machinery (9%), transport equipment (7%), base metals (2%) and footwear (2%)

World Bank Report Calls for Progress in Education in Maghreb

According to a World Bank study, Arab countries must improve education to combat unemployment and close what it calls the "education gap" with other regions. Under the title, "The Road Not Traveled: Education Reform in the Middle East and North Africa", the report called on countries in the Maghreb region to "reform their educational systems so as to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive world, and to benefit from the potential and capabilities of the already big, and still growing" youth population.

Foreign Visitors to South Africa Increased in 2007

The overall foreign visitors to South Africa have increased by 8.6 percent between January and November 2007, according to the South African Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Ministry. Arrivals from the Americas have shown consistent annual growth since 2002 with over 23,400 more visitors arriving from the United States. This brings the total figure to 255 822 and makes the US market the second largest source market for South Africa. Growth in Africa air markets was led by healthy increases out of Kenya at 15.4 percent and Nigeria at 14.8 percent. Arrivals from Europe have increased by 2.6 percent for the year to date, driven largely by the significant increase of 9.6 percent out of France. The growth rate in Australia, which is a key marker, continues to grow at satisfactory levels with an increase of 6.5 percent for the year. According to the Ministry, the increase in arrivals from across all the regions of the world, in particular air arrivals, reflects not only the growing awareness of South Africa as a tourism destination but also the success of the Airlift Strategy which was passed by Cabinet last year and resulted in increased access to the South African market for foreign carriers. An estimated 6 to 7 percent of all tourist arrivals to South Africa for 2007 was made up of business tourists.

Johnson & Johnson and UCT Graduate School of Business launch leadership programme for women

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has teamed up with the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) to create an innovative leadership development programme specially geared to advancing women in the company. The UCT GSB was chosen above several other leading international business schools to develop and host the programme for J&J in Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). The programme was launched in October 2007 and has had resounding success within the organisation. The initiative is another important step in the company’s focus on diversity and leadership. In 2007 the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) rated the UCT GSB Executive Education division in the top four globally for programmes customised for companies. The unit was also given an Award for Excellence for its customised programmes.

BHP Billiton Investments in Angola Surpass US$60 Million

BHP Billiton, a partner of Eskom Mining, has invested USD 63 million in the development of geological studies in Angolan diamond exploitation. BHP Billiton originally began operations in oil and in order to extend services to other areas of natural resources has since expanded to operate in the diamond industry.

New Zealand Development Scholarships for African Students

The New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) scheme offers the opportunity to people from targeted developing countries to undertake development-related studies at tertiary education institutions in New Zealand. New Zealand Development Scholarships are a central part of the New Zealand Government’s development cooperation programme in Africa. In the southern and eastern Africa region, NZAID offers NZDS in the Open category (NZDS-Open) to candidates from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia1.

Africa in Motion Festival Launches Film Competition for African Filmmakers

The Africa in Motion film festival (AiM), which takes place annually in October at Edinburgh Filmhouse, is officially inviting emerging African filmmakers to submit short films for a new AiM competition. Africa in Motion festival will accept entries from all filmmakers of African nationality working in Africa or abroad. In order to target the competition specifically towards young and emerging African talent, filmmakers who enter a film for consideration must not have completed a feature length film previously. Films entered must have been completed in 2005 or after, and must be no longer than 30 minutes. The competition winner will be selected from a shortlist of films and will be announced at an awards ceremony at the third successive Africa in Motion festival in October 2008. The winner will have the opportunity for their film to be screened at AiM 2008 as well as the chance to win a significant cash prize. A selection of other short films specially commended by the competition jury will also be screened as part of a short film showcase at AiM 2008. The AiM 2008 Short Film Competition will be judged by a jury panel consisting of local film specialists and established African filmmakers; still to be confirmed. The deadline for competition submissions is 31 May 2008, and following from this a shortlist of films will be selected by an AiM viewing committee. The shortlist will be announced in July 2008. These films will then be viewed by all jury panel members, who will make a collective decision as to the prizewinners, based on a point scoring system that will take into account the relative merits of each of the short listed films. Enquiries: AiM festival director Lizelle Bisschoff at: submissions@africa-inmotion.org.uk.

University of Pretoria Celebrates Centenary

The University of Pretoria, founded in February 1908, recently celebrated 100 years of its existence. The University started in 1908 with only four professors and 32 students. Today it is one of the leading research universities in South Africa, with more than 50 000 students. Centenary related activities will also take place throughout the course of this year. The Pretoria branch of the Transvaal University College (TUC) was the forerunner of the University of Pretoria. The University’s nickname Tuks is derived from this acronym and survived through the decades. Until the early 1930s, the TUC was the only fully bilingual university in South Africa.

New South African Schools Curriculum Takes Effect

In 2008, for the first time, scholars across South Africa will be on the same national school curriculum, with the completion of the curriculum change that was introduced in 1998, says Education Minister Naledi Pandor. With all learners from grade R through grade 12 now learning under the outcomes-based national curriculum statement, the "class of 2008" will be the first to be awarded the new National Senior Certificate, a qualification that significantly raises the bar from previous ones. According to the South African government, the number of Dinaledi schools, which offer mathematics and science at higher grade level and have qualified teachers involved in the project, had been increased to over 500, and that these schools had all been targeted for extra support. The Dinaledi schools initiative was launched in 2001 to address the urgent need to equip learners with mathematics and science skills, after the government identified it as essential to contributing to the country's economic growth. The project aims to increase access to mathematics, science and technology and to promote and improve results for these subjects in underprivileged communities. An additional 800 maths and science teachers were recruited and have been appointed to these schools, and additional textbooks and other resources have been provided.

Faida Securities Ltd Turns into Investment Bank

Faida Securities has upped its stake in the Kenyan capital market by converting from a stockbroker to an investment bank. The company, which was incorporated in 1994 and licensed a year after to operate at the Nairobi Stock Exchange, was among a set of three stockbrokers that were admitted to the big league in last quarter of 2007.The license to operate as an investment bank raises the company's mandate from merely buying and selling of shares to offering financial services such as advisory services on public offering of securities, promoting and acting as a fund manager of collective investment schemes. To reflect the increased responsibility, investment banks are required to increase their capital to a minimum of Sh30 million from Sh5 million required to start a stockbrokerage firm.

Ethiopia to Sponsor 2008 SCAA Conference & Exhibition

The Specialty Coffee Association of America today announced that Ethiopia will be the featured Portrait Country Sponsor for the 20th Annual SCAA Conference & Exhibition to be held in Minneapolis in May, 2008. More than 60 delegates from Ethiopia, including coffee farmers and wise 'coffee fathers' from the most ancient of coffee cultures are expected to attend, transforming this year's largest global coffee event into a unique exchange of coffee knowledge. This is the first time an African country has been featured as a Portrait Country, and participants in the 2008 event are set to experience Africa right in the heart of Minneapolis. Each spring, about 8,000 coffee professionals from more than 40 countries traditionally gather at the global coffee event of the year. The international gathering features participants from every segment of the coffee industry, including coffee producers, exporters and importers, roasters, retailers, manufacturers and baristas. This year's conference theme, "Roots," is especially appropriate considering Ethiopia is widely recognized as the birthplace of coffee. To date, more than 70 companies have signed up or are committed to becoming licensed distributors of Ethiopia's most famous fine coffees, and are committed to promote the brands in collaboration with a new multi-stakeholder group. SCAA is the world's largest coffee trade association with members located in more than 40 countries and representing every segment of the specialty coffee industry. The SCAA's annual conference is held in a different U.S. city each year and is the coffee industry's largest gathering and exhibition.

Indian Ocean Islands Agree to Fibre-link Cable

A meeting of the members of the Indian Ocean Commission in Addis Ababa has decided to give the go-ahead to connect their island-members by fibre to each other and the rest of the world. The connecting cable would be available on non-discriminatory terms and under a low-cost, high volume regime. The project has its origins in a consultants’ study started in mid 2007 and completed at the end of last year. The study looked at the likely demand from the different island members and the technical and financial feasibility of the project.

Israeli Company to Build Water Supply Network in Luanda

Israeli company, Tahal Group, has signed a contract with Angolan water company, Empresa Pública de Água de Luanda (EPAL), to develop a water supply project in certain areas of Luanda. The contract includes the construction of a water distribution network for seven neighborhoods in southern Luanda, covering an area of 1,248 hectares. Funded by the Angolan Government, the project will cost an estimated USD 34 million and is expected to last 18 months.

International scientific symposium to be held in Zambia in May 2008

The Land and Water Management Applied Research Programme in the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Directorate of the Southern African Development Community Secretariat are organising a scientific symposium in liaison with various partners including the host, the University of Zambia. Held annually the SADC-EU International Scientific Symposium serves to facilitate the sharing and dissemination of research results in land and water management and sustainable natural resource management. Great emphasis is placed on integration of knowledge, particularly involving scholars from the natural and social sciences. The theme for the 2008 symposium which will be held in the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Lusaka, Zambia, in May is “Institutional structures and best practices in land and water management in Southern Africa – towards meeting the challenges of climate change”. For further information, contact: SADC/EU Land and Water Management Applied Research and Training Programme, P/B 0095, Gaborone, Botswana.

South Africa to Spend R10 Billion More to Fight Crime

The South African Government is to increase its safety and security budget by R10 billion over the next three years as South Africa moves to strengthen its police force and judiciary. Presenting his 2008/09 Budget, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said the allocation would see more than 200 000 police officers in the country by the end of March 2011 - 22% more than the current 163 000 - as well as more prosecutors, judges and magistrates. Forty new police stations would also be built, and more money pumped into forensic science laboratories. The Department of Safety and Security's budget will increase from R36-billion in 2007/08 to R40-billion in 2008/09 and R49.3-billion by 2010/11. A major IT and telecommunications upgrade was in progress in the South African Police Service, and over 1 100 community policing forums had been established across the country.

Liberia Eligible for Assistance under HIPC

Liberia is now eligible for assistance under what is known in financial circle as "the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative" as deemed by the Executive Boards of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF press statement quoted its officials as saying that the decision is based on a preliminary assessment of Liberia's progress under Staff Monitored Program (SMP). Despite the encouraging news, the release noted there are three benchmarks Liberia must satisfy to qualify for debt relief under the HIPIC Initiatives at the decision point. This includes satisfactory performance under the current Staff Monitored Program (SMP), agreeing on appropriate completion point triggers and implementing structural reforms that would support development in Liberia. Liberia must also clear its arrears to multilateral creditors, or reach agreements with them on a strategy for arrears clearance. The Johnson-Sirleaf-led administration inherited an external debt of over US$3 billion incurred overtime from past regimes dating back to President William R. Tolbert administration.

SPX Awarded Power Contract for South Africa

According to a statement issued by the Charlotte, North Carolina-based manufacturer SPX Corporation has been awarded a US$235 million contract from Hitachi Power Africa for thermal equipment and services for South Africa's new Medupi power station, being constructed in Limpopo province. The US industrial manufacturer SPX Corporation has reaffirmed its commitment to continued growth and expansion in South Africa, saying it expects to play a meaningful role in helping meet the country's growing energy infrastructure needs. As part of the contract, SPX will supply the power plant with pressure parts for six 800-megawatt boilers, as well as jet fabric filters and air pre-heaters designed to reduce emissions and enhance the productivity and efficiency of the plant. SPX has a presence in South Africa through SPX Cooling Technologies/DB Thermal and Balcke-Dürr, which supply cooling towers and thermal components for power plants and serve as a major provider of service for existing power plants. The company has been involved in various international projects.

International Finance Corporation and United Nations Release Study of Human Rights and Investment Contracts

International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative on Business and Human Rights (SRSG), Professor John Ruggie of Harvard University, has released a consultation draft of the research paper commissioned on foreign direct investments and human rights. This joint study aims to raise awareness of the relationship between the protection of investor rights and the host state's human rights obligations under international agreements. Specifically, it examined what, if any, impact stabilization clauses and similar risk allocation provisions in state contracts with foreign investors have on the host state’s ability to adopt and implement human rights laws and regulations in areas such as labor, non-discrimination, and protection of health and the environment. The study found that stabilization clauses are sometimes drafted so as to insulate investors from having to implement new environmental and social laws, or to provide investors with an opportunity to be compensated for compliance with such laws. The sample of contracts gathered for this study showed that this was more likely to be the case in the contracts from countries outside OECD than in OECD country contracts. The consultation draft can be obtained from www.ifc.org/enviropublications.

International Media Summit on the Re-branding of Africa

The third African International Media Summit (AIMS) was held in Tunis in March 2008 to discuss the “new and emerging Africa – and the re-branding of Africa”. Convened by the African Communications Agency (ACA) it was hosted by the African Development Bank with the support of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Diaspora African Forum. Stakeholders in the media industry, senior government representatives from across the continent, and members of the Diaspora also participated. The AIMS concept – a five-year programme - was borne out of a commitment to the long overdue re-branding of Africa. It is designed to involve African-based and international media and to provide information and assistance to African ministers of communication, information, and tourism. The ACA, with headquarters in Accra and offices in South Africa and Nigeria, focuses on establishing partnerships and developing initiatives to help change negative perceptions of Africa and to introduce African businesses to the global marketplace.

Environment Day in Senegal

African Environment Day on 17 March 2008 was celebrated at the Douta Seck House of Culture in Dakar, Senegal by focusing on the topic of “Sustainable management of dangerous waste in Africa: challenges and perspectives”. The ceremony was presided over by Ndiawar Dieng, Senior Technical Advisor of the Department of Environment and Protection of Nature in Detention Ponds and Artificial Lakes who reminded everyone that the day was introduced by the African Union at the 2002 Summit held in Durban, South Africa. The objective was to become more aware of soil degradation problems and desertification – the characteristic of under-development, hunger and poverty in Africa, along with climate change.
Source: Nepad

Akina Mama wa Afrika Announces New Regional Coordinator of Africa Programmes

Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) has announced the appointment of Ms. Christine Butegwa as the Regional Coordinator, Africa Programmes based at the organisation’s Head Office in Kampala, Uganda. Christine will be in charge of identification, planning, development and implementation of policy advocacy and programme initiatives relevant to African women, within Africa, in line with AMwA's mission and objectives. She will also coordinate and develop the national, sub-regional and Africa Wide leadership development programmes such as the African Women's Leadership Institutes (AWLIs); Identify, implement and support research initiatives; Promote and uphold AMwA's corporate image in Africa and ensure effective communications with all stakeholders.

Chinese Company Granted Contract to Rebuild Luanda Electricity Grid

State Chinese company CICM has won a US$ 28.4 million contract to rebuild the electricity grid in Luanda. The Angolan Government has approved the contract for the third phase of reconstruction and expansion of the electricity grid, between CICM and the Luanda electricity distribution company, Companhia de Fornecimento Eléctrico de Luanda. This phase of the project will improve and expand the energy capacity to supply electricity to the central and southern areas of Luanda. The project includes the repair of medium and low voltage networks, the installation of transmission lines of Tourada and Morro Bento, the installation of electricity distribution cables to residential buildings and the construction of a sub-station in Ngol Kiluange and Maianga.

MTN (Nigeria) Posts N78bn Profit

Leading mobile telecoms operator, MTN Nigeria, has once again demonstrated the fertility of the Nigerian mobile telecoms market, hitting an all-time high profit after tax of N78 billion and posting an active subscriber level of 16.5 million by the end of December 2007. Overall, the groups earnings in 21 countries spanning Africa and the Middle East stood at R73.1 billion (N1.125 trillion) from R51.6bn (N849.64 billion) recorded by the end of December 2006 at the official rate of one rand to N16.45. The group's revenue, according to a company statement, was boosted by a robust subscriber performance across operating market. A demonstration of public confidence was signposted in the outgoing year when MTN raised $1 billion in a private placement which the company described as the largest ever undertaken in the country. Within the period, it also raised $2 billion loan arranged by IBTC Standard Bank, a development that also hit history books as the largest local financing arrangement ever raised by a telecoms operator in sub-Saharan Africa. This facility, according to the company boss, has enabled MTN to embark on the most aggressive network roll out in Africa, with an average of 100 base stations built on a monthly basis to address surging demand.
Source: Databank

Angola’s Methodist University Inaugurated

Angola’s Methodist University (UMA), estimated at US$ 15 million, was recently inaugurated in Luanda. The eight-floor building was constructed in 18 months, and has 29 classrooms, eight laboratories and the capacity to accommodate 5,000 students and 120 teachers. UMA will offer Masters and Doctorate degrees in Law, Pharmacy Sciences, Architecture/Urbanization, Laboratory Testing/Public Health, Environment/Territory Management, Portuguese Language/ Communication, Theology, and Engineering programs.

Sasol Announces South Africa’s Largest BEE deal

South African petrochemical company Sasol has announced the final terms of a broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE) deal which, if approved, will see 10% of the company's shares, currently worth approximately R26-billion, placed under ownership of previously disadvantaged individuals and groups. By the transaction, 3% of shares will be transferred to black South Africans, 1.5% to selected BEE groups, 4% to Sasol employees and 1.5% to the Sasol Inzalo Foundation. The company is working with the National Empowerment Fund to identify ways of reaching as many black South Africans as possible, especially those in lower income groups. The black public invitation is designed to meet the needs of different investors through two invitations, one being funded where a small cash contribution is required and one being a cash purchase alternative, with both accommodating investors ranging from individuals, companies, partnerships or trusts, to informal groups such as stokvels, church groups and families. Selected BEE groups fall into two categories: those currently involved in Sasol's business as suppliers, customers, franchisees and unions; as well as groups focusing on broader empowerment objectives such as community upliftment projects and women's groups. The deal will benefit almost 27,000 Sasol employees, 60% of whom are black, while the Sasol Foundation will be created to contribute to growing South Africa's skills particularly in science and technology.

Mozambique to Aid South Africa Power Crisis

Mozambique is to increase power supplies to South Africa to help it cope with severe electricity shortages. More than 75% of the power generated from Mozambique's huge Cahora Bassa Dam is already sold to South Africa. A senior official from the company said this will be increased next month thanks to a recent refurbishment of the facility. The move follows news that electricity prices in South Africa are set to rise by more than 50% to ease the crisis. The rise would help to offset higher fuel costs and fund major new projects to ease pressure on supplies, it said.
Source: Databank

Uganda to Launch Its First IPO in May

Buyers should hold onto their cash as the Rwandan government readies to sell its stakes in various companies this May. The sale of government stake has been pushed forward from April because the month, being a season when national commemorations like the genocide memorial are conducted, experiences low business activity. Rwanda launched its bourse, Over The Counter (OTC) on 31 January this year, subsequently becoming the fourth after Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Burundi is yet to launch. The bourse has only been trading in bonds which have overwhelmingly been oversubscribed. The commencement of equity trading will bring Rwanda at par with the other three bourses that have been conducting stock trading at their different exchanges. It will also add another equity market to the region, essentially increasing the market and portfolio options for the different investors especially those that may want to suck into virgin markets with exponential potential like Rwanda.
Source: Databank

Durban to host World Travel Awards

Durban's International Convention Centre will host the African leg of the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) in May. The WTA Africa Awards will take place during South Africa's annual Tourism Indaba. The biggest travel trade show on the continent, the Tourism Indaba attracted more than 12,000 participants last year. The WTA, described by the Wall Street Journal as the "Oscars of the global travel industry", has been acknowledging leading travel products around the globe for 15 years. The Africa Awards are part of the WTA's 2008 Grand Tour initiative, which seeks to recognise winners in their own territory through regional award ceremonies that celebrate both individual successes and the achievements of the industry.
Source: The Mercury.

African Bank Chief Stresses Priority of water Access and Sanitation

The first African Water Week opened on 26 March 2008 in Tunis with a call by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group President, Donald Kaberuka, for more efforts to be made to ensure that water security is a reality on the continent at both the national and regional levels. Speaking during the opening ceremony, he reminded more than 400 participants at the conference that only 4% of Africa’s annual renewable water resources had been developed for irrigation, water supply and hydropower use, compared to 70 to 90% in developed countries. About 340 million Africans lack access to safe drinking water and almost 500 million lack access to acceptable sanitation facilities. The AfDB has made water a core priority and established the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative, which aims to address the problem of low access to water supply and sanitation in rural areas, where the majority of the population lives. Its overall objective is to accelerate access to water supply and sanitation services in rural Africa with a view to attaining 80% coverage by 2015, up from 47% for water and 44% for sanitation in 2000 since 2003. 17 programmes worth US$1.8 billion have been approved since 2003 which are expected to extend water supply and sanitation services to some 30 million rural people by 2010.

Iraqi voices In Cairo Seminar Series

The Iraqi Voices in Cairo is a website project under the auspices of the Forced Migration and Refugee Studies Program (FMRS). The Iraqi Voices in Cairo Project was formed by an association of reporters and researchers working together with the Iraqi community of Cairo. The goal of the project is to address a worldwide lack of humanitarian information about Iraqi refugees in Egypt. With an extensive international campaign, Iraqi Voices in Cairo aims to draw international attention to the Iraqi people who have been forced from their country into Egypt. The seminar will discuss the mandate of the project as well as the findings and goals for the future.

Business Information Center established in Luanda

A Business Information Center in Angola has been developed and funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Chevron. It is estimated to have cost US$ 325,000. The goal of the center is to provide private companies with the skills to access business information, and support the growth and development of the private sector, particularly micro, small and medium sized companies. The center was created through the Angolan Business Program, and is located on the first floor of the Ministry of Industry Building. It will be managed by Angola’s Industrial Development Institute, and an international business development expert will provide technical assistance. The information center will provide a library and internet services, and host business events and seminars, to increase the access of quality and current business information in Angola

Unemployment Rate in South Africa Drops

According to Statistics South Africa's (Stats SA's) in latest Labour Force Survey conducted in September 2007, the country's unemployment rate has decreased to 23% in the third quarter of 2007, down from 25.5% in the previous year - a record low since the inception of the survey in 2001. The data also shows that while the total labour force had dipped slightly to 17.18-million people, from 17.19-million in the third quarter 2006, the total of number of employed South Africans in September last year was approximately 13.2-million, which indicates a net gain of 433 000 jobs. Most of these jobs have been in the formal sector (610 000), while major gains were made by private households, which employ domestic workers. The community and social services industry, the country's second-biggest employer after retail trade, accounted for 18.5% of jobs. These include teachers, police and health workers, as well as private workers such as beauticians. According to the data, the female unemployment rate dropping to 26.7% in September from 30.7% in the same month the year before, showing that women accounted for most of the net rise in jobs. Stats SA said the country's economic growth has been a driving force in job creation. The construction sector has been fuelling growth as the government intensifies spending on rail, power and stadiums in preparation for hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The survey is based on interviews with 30,000 households and includes people working in the formal and informal economies.

African Business School Deans Building Excellence in Africa

The UCT Graduate School of Business played host to the first Association of African Business Schools (AABS) Governing Board meeting for 2008 with business school deans from Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya and Ghana, Senegal and South Africa in attendance. The AABS has some 20 business school members throughout Africa and promotes excellence in business and management education in Africa by supporting graduate business schools through capacity building, collaboration and quality improvement. The AABS, with funding assistance from the IFC of the World Bank, supports graduate schools of business through capacity building, collaboration and quality improvement programmes. One of this year’s major initiatives is the AABS’ MBA Directors tour to expose MBA directors of African business schools to best practice among global business schools, to gain insight from senior business school management. Other initiatives include an AABS competition for African Business Case Studies, and the awarding of three full IESE International Faculty Development Programme grants.

Call for Applications for 2008 Women PeaceMakers Program

The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) in San Diego, California, is currently accepting applications for its Women PeaceMakers Program (WPM). Call for Applications for the 2008 Women PeaceMakers Program Application Deadline: May 23, 2008 The WPM program is designed for leaders from conflict-affected countries around the world who are transforming conflict and assuring gender-inclusion in post conflict recovery through in human rights advocacy and peace building efforts they lead. These are women whose stories and best practices will be shared internationally; they are women who will have a respite from the frontlines work they do. Four Women PeaceMakers are selected each year to spend two months in residence at the Institute. They will receive a small stipend while having their unique peacemaking stories documented, through both film and narratives that will be available to inspire others around the world. Women PeaceMakers in residence will have the opportunity to engage with the community through a series of public panels and to meet with other activists and leaders involved in human rights, political action and peacemaking efforts. http://peace.sandiego.edu or contact Erika Lopez, Women PeaceMakers Program Officer, at erika.lopez@sandiego.edu

Lighting Africa 2008 - First Global Business Conference and Competition for Off-grid Lighting in Africa

The World Bank Group is holding its first global business conference and competition for off-grid lighting in Africa. The conference, Lighting Africa 2008, will take place in Accra, Ghana, from May 5 to 8, 2008. Lighting Africa is a joint IFC and World Bank initiative that seeks to provide modern lighting by the year 2030 to the 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa who lack access to electricity. More than 400 lighting industry companies and entrepreneurs from 52 countries worldwide have registered to attend. Speakers will include representatives from Osram, Philips, and Coca-Cola. www.lightingafrica.org. The Lighting Africa program was officially launched in September 2007. It aims to facilitate the development of a robust off-grid lighting market in Africa, supporting business development and increasing economic opportunities. The Lighting Africa 2008 conference is designed to increase awareness of the significant market opportunities for improving lighting products and services and to link global investors with local suppliers and service providers. It will also promote entrepreneurial networking; share market intelligence, business, and financing model structures for lighting projects; showcase innovative products; and promote business development.