SOUTH AFRICA

Supply chain player announces significant international acquisitions
Barloworld Logistics, supply chain management subsidiary of industrial multinational Barloworld, has announced a major growth initiative by acquiring Dubai-based Swift Group and its affiliates in the Far East, India, UAE, Africa and Germany.

AFRICA

Malawi's rural ICT initiative on course
[Gregory Gondwe] The Malawi government, through its ICT regulatory body, the Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has told Bizcommunity.com that establishment of ICT telecentres in rural areas is on course.

ICTs bridge inequalities, solve social problems, says ECA boss
[David Muwanga] United Nations Under-secretary general and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Abdoulie Janneh said that ICT-enabled youth enterprises can be used to support young entrepreneurs address social problems and bridge the inequalities in the world.

AFRICA

ECA and partners to fast track Africa's research and development
[HANA Reporter] Strong linkages are needed between industry and Science and Technology (S&T) to prioritise innovation as part of the broader strategy to improve market competitiveness of Africa's products, said UN Under Secretary-General and ECA Executive Secretary, Abdoulie Janneh to participants attending the closing session of the Science with Africa Conference, held from 3-6 March 2008.

GHANA

Bursting into Ghana
Internet service giant iBurst Africa is expanding its operations in Ghana as part of its expansion in Africa.

Niger government suspends RFI
The High Council for Communication (CSC) has suspended local FM retransmission of the French public radio station Radio France Internationale (RFI) for three months for "discrediting" Niger's institutions by holding a day of solidarity with its imprisoned correspondent, Moussa Kaka, on 10 March 2008.

KENYA

CCK steps up consumer protection
[Zachary Ochieng] The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), the telecommunications industry regulator, has stepped up consumer protection following the creation of a Consumer Affairs Division. The new division will be responsible for strengthening the Commission's capacity to discharge its consumer protection roles.

Technology development funds crucial for Africa's R&D
[David Muwanga] Instead of relying on donors, African leaders should establish their own development funds to support research and development.