Media Monitor & Intelligence Update

Media Monitor and Intelligence Update

Friday 26th March 2010

QUOTE OF DAY

"The positive response by South Africans to the 'Fly the Flag' and the 'Football Friday' campaigns was welcomed as a clear sign that the country is getting ready to welcome and host the world," South African government spokesperson Themba Maseko conveys his excitement at the launch of international road shows aimed at building up football fever ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup

AFRICAN POLITICS

Rwanda, Ethiopia strengthen defence ties – The New Times (RW)

26 March 2010

Rwanda and Ethiopia yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see the two countries strengthen their defence and military cooperation. Full Story

Danjuma, militants in crucial talks – Vanguard (NG)

26 March 2010

As part of deliberate plans to rejuvenate the entire Amnesty programme and make it more people-oriented, key militants leaders from the oil-rich Niger-Delta yesterday met behind closed doors with the Presidential Advisory Council, PAC, led by Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma. Full Story

UN chief calls for eradication of modern forms of slavery – Afrique En Ligne (FR)

26 March 2010

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday in New York called for renewed international commitment to ensure that all forms of slavery are finally eradicated. Full Story

Angolan government authorised by parliament to negotiation sea border with Congo – Macau Hub (MAC)

26 March 2010

The Angolan government plans to reach a deal with its neighbour the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) before making a request to the United Nations (UN) to increase its sea border, the Minister for Justice said in Luanda. Full Story

Sudanese president reiterates adherence to elections' timetable – Xinhua News (CHN)

26 March 2010

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Thursday reiterated his government's commitment to organize the general elections in the country as scheduled in April. Full Story

AFRICAN ECONOMY

Marcus Says S. African Growth No Threat to Inflation – Bloomberg (US)

26 March 2010

South Africa’s central bank unexpectedly cut its benchmark interest rate to the lowest in at least 12 years yesterday, saying that “subdued” economic growth posed little threat to an improved inflation outlook. Full Story

Tunisia: Services sector to reach 64 % of GDP – African Manager (TUN)

26 March 2010

The Tunisian-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CFTCI), Chokri Mamagholi, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade and representatives of companies operating in the service sector, held on Wednesday in Tunis a debate on the upgrading program of services. Full Story

Huge Windfalls Crown State House-China Talks- Cameroon Tribune (CAM)

26 March 2010

A CFA 3,200 million gift, an interest-free loan of the same amount and several agreements were signed after Mr Jia met President Biya at State House yesterday. Full Story

EAC-EU trade deal set for December – The New Times (RW)

26 March 2010

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the East African Community (EAC) and the European Union (EU) will be signed in December this year, John Bosco Kanyangoga, Rwanda’s trade expert has said. Full Story

AFRICAN BUSINESS

Banking and Finance

EIB, DBSA to jointly fund projects in Africa – Afrique En Ligne (FR)

26 March 2010

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) have agreed to jointly fund, to the tune of 6 million euros, a technical assistance programme on infrastructural development, an official source told PANA here. Full Story

Mozambique’s Moza Banco posts profits of US$2.2 million in 2009 – Macau Hub (2010)

26 March 2010

Mozambican bank Moza Banco, a financial institution with Mozambican capital and part-owned by Macau casino magnate Stanley Ho, posted profit of US$2.2 million in 2009, the bank’s chief executive said Thursday in Maputo. Full Story

Oil and Energy

South Africa eyes Uganda’s oilfields – Daily Monitor (UG)

26 March 2010

President Jacob Zuma said yesterday that Uganda’s recent discoveries of commercial oil reserves present new investment opportunities for South African companies already playing a key role in the country’s telecom, banking and beverages sector. Full Story

British corporation says equipment now ready for Tanzania offshore oil search – IPP Media (TZ)

26 March 2010

Dominion Petroleum Limited, the London listed oil company among foreign firms highly active in the East African search for hydrocarbons, says it is now ready for its deep sea oil search in Tanzanian territorial waters. Full Story

Metals and Mining

AngloGold Sets Up Venture With State-Run Congo Miner – Bloomberg (US)

26 March 2010

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., Africa’s biggest producer of the metal, set up a joint venture with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s state-owned mining company to develop its Ashanti Goldfields Kilo project. Full Story

RB’s promise paying off – Times of Zambia (ZAM)

26 March 2010

President Rupiah Banda is today expected to re-open the Munali Nickel Mine, which was closed last year as a result of the global financial crisis, which led to the collapse of metal prices on the foreign market. Full Story

Itochu’s Africa Uranium Project to Get JOGMEC Financing - Bloomberg (US)

26 March 2010

Itochu Corp.’s project to mine for uranium in Namibia, Africa, will receive 4 billion yen ($43 million) in financing from the state-owned Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. Full Story

Technology and Communications

Kagame to chair ITU commission - New Times (RW)

26 March 2010

President Paul Kagame is set to chair the new global broadband commission, an initiative that will be put in place by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to implement broadband initiatives. Full Story

Zain gives nod to Bharti to buy African unit – Vanguard (NG)

26 March 2010

African and Middle East telecommunications operator, Zain, yesterday, confirmed that its board has met in consideration of selling its African unit, Zain Africa BV to Bharti Airtel of India for $8.3 billion. Full Story

Comoros to get high speed internet connection Speed internet connection – Afrique En Ligne (FR)

26 March 2010

The operation to connect Comoros to the world optic fibber network will start on Saturday, the day after the arrival in Moroni of the boat to connect the submarine cable, Ahmed Abdou, Technical Manager of the Comoros telecommunication company, Comores Telecoms, said on Thursday. Full Story

Transport and Infrastructure

IRST to launch Biodiesel bus – The New Times (RW)

26 March 2010

The Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST) will today launch the Rwanda Biodiesel Express Bus. Full Story

Signing of Rusumo border pact today – IPP Media (TZ)

26 March 2010

Tanzania and Rwanda are expected to sign today a bilateral agreement to make Rusumo border crossing a one-stop border post. Full Story

Agriculture

Australia eyes COMESA partnership to link farmers with export markets – The Post (ZAM)

26 March 2010

The Australian government has expressed interest in partnering with COMESA's Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) in linking small-scale farmers to export markets. Full Story

FRA urges DACOs to advise farmers on maize drying – The Post (ZAM)

26 March 2010

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has urged District Agriculture Coordinators (DACOs) to sensitise farmers on how to effectively dry their maize because the agency shall not purchase a crop which has high moist content. Full Story

Other

Heineken, Diageo brewery in South Africa malt plant deal – Reuters (US)

25 March 2010

The facility is part of the two beverage giants' efforts to step up their competition with SABMiller (SAB.L) (SABJ.J) on its home turf. The two brewers are not investing any money in the malting plant, but the funds for its construction will come from Fabcos, the company said. Full Story

AFRICAN ENVIRONMENT

World deforestation decreased over the past 10 years, FAO report – Afrique En Ligne (FR)

26 March 2010

World deforestation, mainly the conversion of tropical forests to agricultural land, has decreased over the past 10 years but continues at an alarmingly high rate in many countries, FAO announced Thursday. Full Story

Ethiopia calls for common stand from developing countries at climate change negotiations in Mexico – Xinhua News (CHN)

26 March 2010

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Thursday that developing countries should have common stand at the climate change negotiations expected to be held in Cancun, Mexico. Full Story

The Green Revolution's new avatar – IRIN (US)

25 March 2010

The Green Revolution has a new avatar: transformed Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D), and food experts hope it will provide the panacea for hunger. Full Story

Ethiopia's rush to build mega dams sparks protests – The Guardian (UK)

24 March 2010

At the foot of a towering gorge slicing through southern Ethiopia the Omo river suddenly disappears into a tunnel bored into the rockface. Full Story

AFRICAN EDUCATION

Zambia fights poverty with schooling – BBC (UK)

26 March 2010

In the dark, cramped room she shares with her three younger siblings, 15-year-old Christine Makiya rises from her bed on the floor and kneels to say her prayers. Full Story

Japan provides equipment worth 445,555 USD to National Museum of Ethiopia – Walta Info (ETH)

25 March 2010

Japanese ambassador to Ethiopia, Kinichi Komano here on Thursday handed over equipment for hominid fossil related facilities in donation to the National Museum of Ethiopia. Full Story

Education crucial to lowering prevalence – IRIN News

25 March 2010

HIV prevalence among Tanzanians who attended secondary school fell sharply between 2004 and 2008, while remaining stable among the country's least educated people, a new study has revealed. Full Story

AFRICAN BLOGOSPHERE

StreetSpark coming to South Africa – South African Tech (SA)

26 March 2010

StreetSpark is an iPhone app that has taken the UK by storm, and now it is coming to South Africa. The developer of the application popped a comment on my blog with the press release quoted below. Full Story

Can Ghana avoid the oil curse – Reuters Blog (US)

25 March 2010

With a democratic touch rare in a region better known for dictators, Ghana is asking its citizens what it should do with the windfall from oil production due to start later this year. Full Story

The Best Smart Phones for Global Development – Appfrica (UG)

20 March 2010

The growing needs for workers heading into the field are becoming far more high-tech than in years past. Full Story

Is Africa underpopulated? – Katine Chronicles Blog, The Guardian (UK)

26 March 2010

It was not absolutely clear whether it was a moment to cheer or cry. In December, shortly after the participants in a UN conference on family planning had broken up in Kampala, Africa's billionth baby was born. Full Story

Media Monitor & Intelligence Update

Media Monitor and Intelligence Update

Thursday 25th March 2010

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“…Partnerships – whether with local farmers’ associations or international institutions such as the World Bank and African Development Bank – are the key to ensuring the Green Revolution takes root across the continent and unlocking Africa’s enormous agricultural potential.” Kofi Annan, Chair of the Board Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and former Secretary General to the UN speaking to the Daily Monitor

AFRICAN POLITICS

Constitution: Senate set to pass 35 Amendments – This Day (NG)

25 March 2010

The Senate voted yesterday, by two-thirds majority, to approve independent candidature to liberalise the political space. It also approved the removal of panel indictment as basis for disqualifying candidates from election. Full story

China wants to evolve military cooperation with Angola - ANGOP (ANG)

24 March 2010

A high rank delegation from the chinese defense ministry arrived wednesday on a four day official visit to identify possible fields of cooperation with the angolan government. Full story

EU forces frees ‘Somali’ pirates - BBC (UK)

25 March 2010

The EU's naval force has freed six Somali pirate suspects, a day after they were captured trying to hijack a vessel off the East African coast. Full story

Botswana ruling party dissidents to form new party – AFP (FR)

24 March 2010

Three top members of Botswana's ruling party are set to form a rival faction, officials said Tuesday, accusing President Ian Khama of undermining democracy with his heavy-handed leadership. Full story

Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan Arrives in Kenya – AHN (US)

25 March 2010

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in Kenya on Tuesday for a four-day visit during which he is expected to chair a meeting of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), of which he is chairman of the board of directors. Full story

AFRICAN ECONOMY

Parliament receives policy on budget – The Standard (KEN)

24 March 2010.

The annual rate of inflation fell from 14.6 per cent in February 2009 to 4.7 per cent in January. This is contained in the Budget Policy Statement tabled in Parliament yesterday which also shows annual inflation during the review period dropping to 8.5 per cent, down from 16.8 per cent. Full story

Red-tape blamed for delay in release of Sh17bn stimulus – Business Daily (KEN)

25 March 2010

The economic stimulus package will not be fully disbursed this financial year, a development which casts doubt on the government’s plan to kick-start the economy through targeted funding. Full story

China, Cameroon Sign Accords on Road, Postal, Energy Projects – Bloomberg (US)

25 March 2010

China and Cameroon signed eight cooperation agreements on projects in the agriculture, energy, road, postal, and information and communications technology industries in the Central African country. Full story

AFRICAN BUSINESS

Banking and Finance

Kenya drops interest rate to enhance access to credit – Business Report (SA)

25 March 2010

A Kenyan central bank rate cut caught the market unawares and would lead to a drop in short-term rates, but there could be a transmission delay to long-term credit, traders and analysts said yesterday. Full story

Oil and Energy

Zuma in Kampala, eyes Ugandan oil – Times Live (SA)

25 March 2010

President Jacob Zuma arrived in Kampala for a two-day state visit, heading a large delegation expected to explore investment opportunities in Uganda's new-found oil wealth. Full story

S.Africa Oil Companies May Collude for World Cup, Bus. Day Says. – Bloomberg (US)

25 March 2010

South African oil companies have been exempted from some competition law provisions to allow cooperation during the soccer World Cup tournament, Business Day said, citing Sou

th African Petroleum Industry Association Executive Director Avhapfani Tshifularo. Full story

Govt shares $4.8bn from excess crude oil account – Vanguard (NG)

25 March 2010

The amount saved from oil windfall in the country’s excess crude revenue account has been further depleted with the sharing of $4.8 billion among the three tiers of government in the country in March. Full story

Metals and Mining

Sinosteel plans to Expand Zimbabwe Ferrochrome Output by 30%

25 March 2010

Sinosteel Corp China’s biggest iron-ore trader, plans to expand capacity at its ferrochrome plant in Zimbabwe by as much as 30 percent, an executive at the company’s African unit said. Full story

Technology and Communications

Nu-World: earning to rise at least 160%– Business Report (SA)

25 March 2010

Nu-World expected an increase in earnings a share of between 160 percent and 170 percent for the six months to February on the back of a restructuring programme, the electronics and appliances company said yesterday. Full story

Bharti Airtel buys Zain’s African assets for Sh693 billion – The Standard (KEN)

24 March 2010

Zain’s ill-fated adventure in Africa is virtually over after its board approved the sale of most of its assets on the continent to India’s Bharti Airtel for $9 billion (Sh693 billion under current exchange rates), sources said. Full story

Transport and Infrastructure

Citadel wins battle for railway firm – Business Daily (KEN)

24 March 2010

A boardroom deal struck with the help of the World Bank has left Rift Valley Railways, the company that runs the Kenya-Uganda railway, in the hands of three shareholders and an Egyptian private equity firm, Citadel Capital as majority shareholder. Full story

Agriculture

Old Mutual, Futuregrowth to Raise 6 Billion Rand Funds for Farms – Bloomberg (US)

25 March 2010

Old Mutual Plc and Futuregrowth Asset Management plan to each raise 3 billion rand for two funds that will buy farmland in Africa. Full story

S.Africa firms launch $408 mln farmland fund – Reuters (SA)

25 March 2010

Two South African asset management firms launched a 3 billion rand farmland investment fund on Wednesday that is expected to help boost agricultural development in Africa's biggest economy. Full story

Africa is capable of feeding itself – Daily Monitor (UG)

23 March 2010

African scientists are developing new and improved crop varieties. The continent’s farmers are enthusiastically putting into practice techniques like drip irrigation to make the best of every drop of water. African governments are making transforming agriculture a top priority. Full story.

AFRICAN ENVIRONMENT

Central African gorillas may disappear via illicit trade– Guardian News (NG)

25 March 2010

A new report of the United Nations (UN) and INTERPOL, the world's largest international police organization has found that gorillas may largely disappear from large parts of the Greater Congo Basin by the mid 2020s unless urgent action is taken to safeguard habitats and counter poaching. Full story

Ivory Stockpile Sale Rejected by U.N. – Epoch Times (US)

24 March 2010

Zambia and Tanzania’s request to hold a one-off sale for their ivory stockpile, valued of approximately $15 million, were rejected during the U.N.'s Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) annual meeting in Doha. Full story

Media Monitor & Intelligence Update

Media Monitor and Intelligence Update

Wednesday 24th March 2010

QUOTE OF THE DAY

”We believe that North Africa is ideal for renewable energy technologies,” Pia Alina Lange, First Solar spokeswoman speaking about prospects for solar and other renewable energy projects in Africa.

AFRICAN POLITICS

Kenya Goes E-Voting In 2012, As Ghana Dithers – Ghana Web (GH)

24 March 2010

Kenya, keen on preventing the kind of violence that followed the general election of December 2007, has resorted to the introduction of electronic voting for the 2012 general election. Full Story

Nigeria leader Goodluck Jonathan 'chooses cabinet' – BBC (UK)

24 March 2010

Nigeria's acting President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated a list of ministers, sources say, a week after he sacked his entire cabinet. Full Story

Voting whether Namibia is a ‘shining example’ – The Namibian (NA)

24 March 2010

Is the score ten out of ten for democracy, as Namibia emerges from its teens? Since free speech and exchanging ideas are core to a strong and durable democracy, a good way to check Namibia’s progress was a debate last Thursday night in the historic chambers of Britain’s Houses of Parliament. Full Story

Somali Backlash May Be Militants’ Worst Foe – New York Times (US)

24 March 2010

For the past three years, the Shabab, one of Africa’s most fearsome militant Islamist groups, have been terrorizing the Somali public, chopping off hands, stoning people to death and banning TV, music and even bras in their quest to turn Somalia into a seventh-century-style Islamic state. Full Story

AFRICAN ECONOMY

Hyundai mulls local assembly; establishing commercial vehicle dealerships – Engineering News (SA)

22 March 2010

Hyundai Automotive South Africa is mulling local assembly at the proposed multi-brand East London vehicle assembly plant, says CEO Alan Ross. Full Story

South African Inflation Rate Drops to Three-Year Low – Bloomberg (US)

24 March 2010

South Africa’s inflation rate fell to a three-year low of 5.7 percent in February, easing into the central bank’s target range for the first time in three months as a stronger rand helped to curb import costs. Full Story

Angolan imports from Argentina hit US$200 million - African Manager (TUN)

24 March 2010

Angolan imports from Argentina amounted to US$200 million in the last two years, the Argentine ambassador in Angola, Juan Agustin Caballero said in Luanda on Tuesday. Full Story

Angola is strong trading partner for US in sub-Saharan Africa – Macau Hub (MAC)

24 March 2010

Angola continues to be one of the United States’ main trading partners in sub-Saharan Africa according to a study from the US Congress Research Center. Full Story

AFRICAN BUSINESS

Banking and Finance

Bourse: Regional bourse rises higher - Afrique en Ligne (FR)

24 March 2010

The Regional Bourse for the French West Africa (BRVM) in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, closed trading on Tuesday slightly higher than it did Monday. Full Story

Authority collects close to 18 bln birr revenue in half budget year - Walta Info (ETH)

23 March 2010

The Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA) said it has collected close to 18 billion birr revenue in the first half of this budget year. Full Story

De Beers Renews Loan Facilities, Cuts Debt – Wall Street Journal (US)

24 March 2010

The world's largest producer of rough diamonds said it has refinanced its banking facilities and successfully tapped its shareholders for $1 billion to repay debt. Full Story

Oil and Energy

Mozambique Electricity to Spend $289 Million by 2013 - Bloomberg (US)

24 March 2010

Electricidade de Mocambique, the state-owned power utility, plans to spend $289 million on an electrification program in the southern African country by 2013, Chief Executive Officer Manuel Cuambe said. Full Story

Tullow Oil Eyes East Africa – Wall Street Journal (US)

24 March 2010

Tullow Oil PLC is looking for more opportunities in East Africa following exploration successes in Uganda. Full Story

Metals and Mining

Australian explorer buys stake in Namibia uranium project - Mining Weekly (SA)

24 March 2010

Australian resources company Oklo Uranium has acquired a 70% interest in the Hoasib uranium project, in Namibia, in a A$20-million cash-and-share deal. Full Story

Technology and Communications

Boeing ‘Maintenance Tool’ attracts key African airlines - African Manager (TUN)

24 March 2010

Moving to enhance maintenance efficiency, Kenya Airways and TAAG Linhas Aereas de Angola have signed up for the Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox, as part of each airline’s programme to improve dispatch reliability through the use of e-enabled technologies. Full Story

DABRA 2010 beckons at journalists – The Guardian (NG)

23 March 2010

The closing date for the participation by Nigerian business journalists in the 2010 edition of Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards (DABRA) is fast approaching. Full Story

Transport and Infrastructure

European Union provides funding to Guinea Bissau to rebuild roads and bridges - Macau Hub (MAC)

24 March 2010

The European Union (EU) plans to provide Guinea Bissau with a total of 3 million Euros for the rebuilding of some bridges and roads and to help set up the legal framework for management of the road sector, under the terms of a document signed Tuesday in Bissau. Full Story

Israeli group proposes to build 100,000 houses in Angola - Macau Hub (MAC)

24 March 2010

Israeli construction company LR Group plans to build 100,000 social houses in Angola as part of the government programme to build 1 million homes by 2012, the group’s director for Angola said in Luanda. Full Story

Agriculture

Rice growing: Mali gets 7.5 billion CFAF loan from Kuwait – Afrique en Ligne (FR)

24 March 2010

The Kuwait Fund has granted a loan of 7.5 billion CFAF to Mali for an Irrigation Development Programme in Bani and Selingue basins, under an agreement signed Monday in the Malian capital, Bamako. Full Story

Kenyan Coffee Prices Fall by 3.5% as Quality Declines – Bloomberg (US)

24 March 2010

Kenyan coffee prices fell 3.5 percent at an auction yesterday as the quality of the beans declined, the Nairobi Coffee Exchange said. Full Story

Other

SA identified as a partner country in new Brazilian aviation programme – Engineering News (SA)

24 March 2010

The commander of the Brazilian Air Force, General Juniti Saito, has told the media in his country that South Africa has been “confirmed” as a partner in the $1,3-billion Embraer KC-390 military transport and tanker aircraft programme. Full Story

Nujoma drives Nam-China trade promotion – The Namibian (NA)

24 March 2010

“We want to charter Air Namibia and fill it up with Namibian products,” the Chinese state news agency, Xinhua, yesterday quoted former President Sam Nujoma promoting trade between the two countries. Full Story

Ghana's Biometric Passport Launched – Ghana Web (GH)

23 March 2010

Ghana is today joining eight of her colleague ECOWAS States to issue Biometric passports to its citizens. It’s expected that the new passport which has high security features will significantly reduce challenges such as theft and other fraudulent activities associated the old passport. Full Story

AFRICAN ENVIRONMENT

Gorillas in danger from hunters, timber trade, warfare in central Africa, UN report says – Winnipeg Free Press (CAN)

24 March 2010

Gorillas in central Africa are in danger from illegal logging, mining and from hunters who are killing great apes for meat, said a joint report from the United Nations and Interpol released Wednesday. Full Story

Rare animals are being 'eaten to extinction' – Telegraph (UK)

24 March 2010

Research in the Congo Basin in Africa found more than three million tonnes of 'bush meat' is being extracted from the area every year, the equivalent of butchering 740,000 bull elephants. Full Story