Ethiopian Officials Meet With TFG Officials in Bakol Region

The Ethiopian officials reached at El-berde village in Bakol region yesterday have met with the transitional government officials in the village in southern Somalia, witnesses told Shabelle radio on Monday

U.S.$1.7 Billion Dam May Sink the Hopes of 20,000

Lake Turkana could be the scene of a major conflict in the near future, environmentalists are warning.

Ethiopia-Kenya Power Grid Link to Go Live

Kenya and Ethiopia, two nations that have co-existed peacefully for five decades in one of Africa's toughest neighbourhood, last week deepened their economic ties with a major energy-sharing deal.

Dam Critics Won't Go Away

Ethiopia is building a 240-metre high dam on the Omo River that is intended to end the country's electricity shortage and supply power to neighbouring countries. Not everyone's happy.

Putting Lipstick on a Pig, Ethiopian Style

Last week, there was a great deal of teeth-gnashing, knuckle-cracking and gut-wrenching by Ethiopia's dictators over Human Rights Watch's (HRW) 2010 report. The dictators belched out much sound and fury that signified nothing. Their fury had to do with HRW's conclusion that 'Ethiopia is on a deteriorating human rights trajectory as parliamentary elections approach in 2010.' In blunt and unequivocal language, HRW whipsawed the dictators with the facts:

Rwanda: Gov't, World Bank Sign Financing Pacts

The Government of Rwanda today signed six agreements with the World Bank (WB) which will see the bank finance various government programs to the tune of $120.3 million.

Rwanda: Ombudsman Accuses House of Illegally Sacking Employees

The Office of the Ombudsman says last year's evaluation exercise in Parliament by the Civil Service had serious anomalies and some employees were "removed" illegally.

Zimbabwe: GPA Talks Resume Today

THE Sadc facilitation team appointed by South African President Jacob Zuma to assist in negotiations between parties to the Global Political Agreement is expected to meet the negotiators today ahead of the resumption of talks this evening.

Uganda: 'Uganda Not Benefiting From Agoa'

THE Government and business community have not taken full advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Jerry Lanier, the US ambassador to Uganda, has said.

Uganda: Trade With Sudan Triples

CLOSE to $260m (about sh508b) worth of goods was traded between Uganda and southern Sudan last year, Nelson Gaggawala Wambuzi, the trade state minister, has said.

Namibia: MEATCO Buys Cattle Directly

MEATCO has introduced a system of buying cattle on the hoof for cash from communal farmers in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs).

Africa: No Offers for Continent Yet, Zain Says

The resignation of Kuwaiti-based Zain's chief executive, Mr Saad al-Barrak, has ignited rumours of the possible sale of Zain Africa operations.

Tanzania: Airline Launch Commercial Partnership

ZAMBEZI Airlines and Kenya Airways have entered into a commercial partnership which will see the Zambian carrier starts thrice weekly flights between Lusaka and Nairobi and also connect passengers to all the major cities served by the Kenyan flag carrier.

Botswana: Mining Project to Dent Government Coffers

The mammoth expansion of the Jwaneng pit will dent government's revenues in the short term through the reduced dividends from Debswana and also via government's contribution to the project's capital expenditure, it has been learnt.

Nigeria: Total Opens Creche For Working Mothers

Nigeria's downstream market leader, Total, is injecting empathy in its business culture by addressing the concerns of mothers on its staff.

Nigeria: PHCCIMA Begins Investment Drive in Rivers -- Official

THE Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) has begun a campaign to attract new investors to Rivers and the Niger Delta region.

Nigeria: Foreign Bank Buys Into 3 Troubled Banks

THE European Investment Bank, EIB, is to buy into some of the nation's troubled banks, Vice President of the Bank, Mr. Plutarchos Sakellaris has said.

Uganda: Northern Region Readies for Investment

About 40 districts in Uganda's north and eastern regions, have a chance to smile and prepare themselves for big things following a US$140 million project that will revitalize this formerly war-torn area.

Nigeria: Niteclub Owner, Mac Dee, Woos Investors For Imo

Macdonald Nsonwu, owner of the new Do It All Entertainment Centre in Owerri, the capital of Imo State has called on well meaning indigenes of Imo State to rally round the present government in the state in its effort at developing the state. The new entertainment centre is where 40-40 Nite Club, the rave of the moment in the heartland.

Nigeria: Minister Targets PPP, Challenges New FCDA Board

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Adamu Aliero has charged new broad of the Federal Capital Development Authority, (FCDA) to position the agency so as to attract private sector participants in infrastructure development.

Uganda: 'Uganda Not Benefiting From Agoa'

THE Government and business community have not taken full advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Jerry Lanier, the US ambassador to Uganda, has said.

Uganda: Trade With Sudan Triples

CLOSE to $260m (about sh508b) worth of goods was traded between Uganda and southern Sudan last year, Nelson Gaggawala Wambuzi, the trade state minister, has said.

Tanzania: Tea Prices Dwindle at Mombasa Auctions

WHILE Tanzania, Africa's fourth largest tea producer, predicts a 9.4 per cent increase in crop yields, tea prices continue dwindle for three consecutive weeks at the Mombasa Tea auctions.

Ghana: No Tax Incentives for Spare Parts Imports

The Minister of Trade, Ms. Hannah Tetteh, has stated that the spare parts dealers at Abossey Okai, who are mostly importers of spare parts, especially used ones cannot access tax incentives.

Ghana: The Standards Board Must Read This

A Chinese made extension cord, widely distributed in Ghana, has a 3-pin plug at one end which then connects to the circuit board by only two unsuitably tiny wires and a dummy plastic tube disguised as a third (earth) wire.