SOUTHERN AFRICA

New investors to create over 2000 jobs in Malawi
[Gregory Gondwe] Malawi is set to create more than 2000 jobs after receiving investment pledges from 28 new local and international investors worth US$21.7 million which are to be secured in the first three months of this year.

The real threat to Google
[Ben Kunz] Google's biggest threat may not be Microsoft or Yahoo. No, one of the most formidable challenges facing Google is likely sitting in your pocket or purse. It's your cell phone and it will put added pressure on Google and other Internet companies to revamp the way they handle online marketing.

GHANA

Ghana launches smartcard payments system
President John Kufuor has launched a landmark payment and settlement system designed to transform and extend the coverage of financial services and transactions in Ghana. The "National Switch and Smartcard Payments System," dubbed "E-Zwich," is an initiative of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and provides a common platform to link the payments of all the financial and non-financial banking institutions.

AU to discuss economic, political integration
[Bathandwa Mbola] The Executive Council of Foreign Ministers of the African Union (AU) are to meet on Tuesday, 6 May 2008, in Arusha, Tanzania, to make appropriate recommendations regarding the political and economic integration of the continent.

AFRICA

Free press, access to info vital for development - UN
New York - Top United Nations officials have stressed the role of a secure and independent media, and access to information in empowering individuals and advancing development. This marked annual World Press Freedom Day which was celebrated over the weekend.

The social side of fund-raising online
[Wailin Wong] Online social networks used to be just gathering places for friends and long-lost acquaintances. Then the marketers arrived, followed by politicians and job recruiters - all looking to tap into a growing mass of young people who are spending much of their time on the Web.

SOUTHERN AFRICA

Clashes over Malawian maize trade ban
[Gregory Gondwe] Malawian government has received a backlash over its recent decision to ban trade on maize, as traders demand the repeal of the decision in the face of calls from the World Bank (WB) to lift bans on food exports.

Nigeria plans rice imports
Nigeria's government has announced it will import 500,000 tonnes of rice up to a value of US$600 million to curtail the effect of the global rise in food prices on Nigeria.

ZIMBABWE

Exchange rates tumble after RBZ currency floatation
Exchange rates on the black market tumbled Thursday and Friday after Wednesday's announcement by the central bank that it was to float the Zimbabwe dollar.