Controversy dogs Malawi's second fixed-line service deal
[Gregory Gondwe] The Malawi government, which issued a licence to a second-fixed authorised fixed-line provider, Access Communications Limited (ACL), fails to take off as it baulks under controversies surrounding the award of the licence.

AFRICA

World Economic Forum Chair highlights Africa
[Lavinia Mahlangu] Ahead of the annual World Economic Forum meeting, kicking off Wednesday, 23 January, the current WEF chair has highlighted Africa's development as among the issues to be addressed at the five day event.

Cornelius takes on the continent
Skhumbuzo Nkosi, Chief Executive Officer, Primedia Outdoor, has announced that Frikkie Cornelius has been promoted to General Manager, Africa Division to drive the outdoor operation in the African environment.

World Bank report applauds Uganda
[David Muwanga] A World Bank report has praised Uganda for embracing new technologies in her development process. The report 'Global Economic Prospects 2008: Technology Diffusion in the Developing World' examines the state of technology in developing countries and the pace with which it has advanced since the early 1990s.

GHANA

US, Ghana co-operate in trade, education
The United States government plans to boost its trade links with Ghana and help the nation improve its education system, under the US President's Special Initiative on Educational Programmes.

Open source software can change the face of the education industry
Open source software is becoming more prominent within education as more institutions turn towards it as a means in which to ease their pain points.

AFRICA

Kufuor to brief AU on Kenya developments
[Michael Appel] Ghanaian President and chair of the African Union (AU) John Kufuor will brief the 10th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU on Kenya's post-election turmoil. The AU Summit, under the theme Industrial Development of Africa, is set to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 25 January to 2 February 2008, with the AU Assembly meeting in the latter part of the summit, from 31 January to 2 February.

ZIMBABWE

Government blitz wipes out 40% ad revenue for newspaper group
[Dumisani Ndlela] A newspaper executive this week revealed that his group had lost 40% of advertising revenue following what he described as “wanton looting of retail outlets” as a result of a government price blitz that triggered economy-wide shortages in the country.

Business as usual for KIA
Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of passengers when travelling through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Kenya Airways has issued and assurance that at no time has there been a threat to its operations; the airline and other foreign carries such as BA and Virgin continue to operate normally.

New GM at MultiChoice Kenya
[Carole Kimutai] Stephen Isaboke is the new GM of MultiChoice Kenya. He is the first Kenyan to hold this position.

AFRICA

Malawi's public broadcasters going commercial
[Gregory Gondwe] Malawi's two public broadcasters, Television Malawi (TVM) and the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), have defied calls by the private sector and other sectors not to go commercial.