Investment in African Agenda tops SA, Sweden meeting
PRETORIA: SA Deputy President Baleka Mbete met her Swedish counterpart Deputy Prime Minister Maud Olofsson, Monday, 12 January, to build support for investment in the African Agenda.

Track the Yack - CMO Council study
The CMO Council believes in today's viral, Web 2.0 world, the voice of the customer is more powerful and strategic than ever before. Marketers are challenged to make customer listening, learning, responsiveness and co-innovation a core tenant of product and brand management and integral to their corporate cultures.

Kenyan marketing efforts recognised
[Carole Kimutai] The Marketing Society of Kenya (MSK) has again recognised companies and individuals who have made a difference in the field of marketing. A special award - Najivunia kuwa mkenya, a Swahili phrase meaning "I am proud to be Kenyan," was given to individuals who brought fame and fortune to Kenya.

Brand Leadership leads Ghana's National Democratic Congress' successful election campaign - Brand Leadership
South African-based Brand Leadership Group has been central to the election campaign that ensured that Professor Atta Mills, the presidential candidate for Ghana's leading opposition, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was sworn in as the next president of the Republic of Ghana.

AFRICA

African countries make good impression during 2008
The year 2008 proved to be one of the most successful periods in the advancement of information and technology for emerging African companies and the world's established firms.

Uganda resumes fibre optic cable construction
[Walter Wafula] Sixteen new districts will be hooked onto Uganda's National Data Transmission Backbone in 2009 once construction of the second phase of the broadband cable begins. Over 1,500 kilometres of optical fibre cable will be constructed to extend the communication infrastructure to more towns.

Egypt technology taken to schools
American superconductor giant, Intel, is continuing to see its Egypt footprint grow with a number of initiatives aimed at promoting the country's struggling education system.

KENYA

Kibaki relooks at 'draconian' media law
Attorney General, Amos Wako will review the Kenya Communications 2008 Bill signed fve days ago by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki. The bill which drew public outcry will be studied by Wako and Information and Communication Minister Samuel Poghisio who will then make recommendations. The Bill will then be returned to parliament for further debate.

Fees raised for foreign journalists in Zim
According to The Herald, a government run newspaper, government has raised the fees for media operations within the country. All foreign media agencies require a permit to operate in the country.

Malawi to censor newspaper cartoons
[Gregory Gondwe] The Malawi Law Commission currently drafting a Gender Equality Law has suggested the inclusion of a law to regulate the print media, especially newspapers and periodicals, in the way they depict women in cartoon strips.

PowerTel rolls out 3G network
[Sam Hungwe] Zimbabwe's cable telecommunication firm, PowerTel, has rolled out a 3G network after the country's telecommunications regulator granted 3G licences to all telecommunications players in December.

African soccer website debuts
AMSTERDAM: A website devoted to the coverage of the game of football in Africa, www.africansoccerunion.com has been launched online. The website is being promoted by a team of journalists and stakeholders in African football headed by Eddie Nwafor, the CEO of Winbell Media based in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

UGANDA

Kampala's outdoor advertising rates set to soar
[Walter Wafula] The Kampala City Council (KCC) which is in charge of licensing and regulating activities of outdoor advertisers is finalising a plan to increase fees levied on agencies for erecting billboards across the city by 70%, according to James Kiwanuka, chairman of Uganda Outdoor Contractors Association.

ZIMBABWE

Zimbabweans make appeal on film
JOHANNESBURG: Citizens of Zimbabwe have issued an urgent appeal to the South African leaders to alleviate their misery. Their anguished voices have been caught on film by a three-member team from CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, which visited Zimbabwe over the Christmas period.

Microsoft planning mass-layoffs in January
Thousands of workers across the world might experience layoffs at Microsoft come 15 January, 2009. According to CNET News about 15,000 workers, approximately 17% of Microsoft operations worldwide can expect layoffs before the second quarter earnings report scheduled for 22 January.

Airlines destined for worst revenue environment in 50 years
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced its forecast for 2009 showing an industry loss of US$2.5 billion. All regions, except the US, are expected to report larger losses in 2009 than in 2008, and Africa's airlines will face additional challenges.

AFRICA

Dubai Shopping Festival 2009
The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF 2009), from 15 January to 15 February is set to provide shopping bargains, raffles, promotions, concerts, carnivals and more with over 2,000 retailers and 40 shopping malls including the recently opened Dubai Mall, now the largest mall in the world participating in the festival.

Malawi's inflation contained at 9.6%
[Gregory Gondwe] Despite soaring global oil prices and the world economic crisis Malawi has managed to contain its inflation to 9.6%. Announcing this, the National Statistical Office (NSO) said this is the result of how the economic authority in the country has managed the situation.

Most expensive global cities survey
SINGAPORE: Recent exchange rate fluctuations resulting from this year's economic crisis are having a major impact on the cost of living for expatriates, according to ECA International, a knowledge and solutions provider for international human resources professionals.