AFRICA

More search marketing strategies for the next decade
[Matt Greitzer] This column examines ways search marketers are getting smarter about measuring success, and the implications this trend has on search marketing strategies in the future.

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.

Southern Africa: Region looks towards Zimbabwe's power plants
In a move that could alleviate Southern Africa's struggle to cope with the growing demand for electricity, while helping Zimbabwe with its chronic shortage of foreign exchange, neighbouring countries have proposed recapitalising some power stations and coal mining.


Companies unite to bring clean water to Africa
Ethos Water and H20 Africa join forces to help alleviate the world water crisis; expanded distribution of Ethos™ water through Pepsi-Cola Bottling System boosts awareness and funding for the cause.

AFRICA

Project brain-gain
New project aims to mobilise and engage the African Diaspora in science and technology for the continent's development.

ZIMBABWE

Zim companies re-brand for Africa
[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwean companies' rebranding reflects a desire to become freer of the shackles of an economy in crisis.

Senegal telecoms seals major deal with Ascade
[Musa Saidykhan] Senegal's national telecommunications operator and its largest international wholesale carrier, Sonatel SA has selected Ascade's Carrier Cockpit Suite to optimise and automate all aspects of its global interconnect business.

Cable project in fresh registration
[Zachary Ochieng] The East African Marine System Limited has been registered afresh to assure potential investors of its ownership. In doing so, two amendments have been made to the original contract signed between Etisalat of the United Arab Emirates and Teams Company Limited who are the purchasers in the contract and Alcatel Lucent of France, the contractor.

AFRICA

EASSy is on its way
[Walter Wafula] Construction of the East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) fast internet and broadband fibre-optic wire is due for completion by 2010.

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

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.

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.

UCC approves Celtel Uganda's licence renewal
[David Muwanga] A report released by the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) has recommended that the licence for Celtel Uganda that expires in September this year should be renewed.

NIGERIA

Visafone set to roll out in Nigeria
[Remmy Nweke] Visafone, one of the emerging telecom operators in Nigeria, has announced plans to commence services in 12 states of the federation cutting across 40 cities.

GHANA

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

World's publishers face off against Google
[Matthew Buckland] Online publishers and newspapers appear to be heading for a face-off with search engine behemoth. Last week, the powerful World Association of Newspapers (WAN) issued a rather terse statement, calling on Google "to respect the rights of content creators" and embrace a new access protocol for search engines visiting websites, known as ACAP.

Now bank ‘owns' Lusaka International Airport
Primedia Outdoor's International Division recently inked a five-year partnership with the National Airports Corporation Limited of Zambia, securing the exclusive advertising rights for its clients on airport trolleys at all of its international airports including Lusaka, Ndola, Livingstone and Mfuwe. A major beneficiary of the new deal is Barclays Bank.

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.

What's hot around the globe – insights on household products 2007
[Nielsen] This survey, which covers 61 markets across five regions around the world, accounting for more than 85% of the world's GDP and over 70% of the world's population, focuses on categories that contain products used around the home to keep it clean and running smoothly. Examples include dish, laundry and hand detergents; brooms, brushes and mops; bleaches and disinfectants; batteries; and plastic and aluminium wraps and bags.

AFRICA

Using crowdsourcing for real-world innovation
US - One of the promises of the Internet, and especially Web 2.0, has been moving companies closer to their customers. A new survey released today, 12 March, by The Marketing Executives Networking Group (MENG), an organisation of senior-level marketing executives, finds that 62% of marketers surveyed have been using crowdsourcing to help them shape the future of their products.

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.

AFRICA

Centre of Excellence to aid investment in Africa
The KPMG Africa Communications Centre of Excellence, said to be a first of its kind, aims to deliver a platform for companies looking to invest in Africa to allow them to capitalise on the growth potential within the continent, while still managing their risk with regard to regulation, competition and integration.

AFRICA

See history being made – at Input 2008
The preparations to host you at Input, Africa's biggest ever public television extravaganza are shifting into full gear. A fantastic venue, an unforgettable week and most importantly a public television showcase par excellence await you.

Music TV boosts footprint in Africa
Pan African entertainment platform MTV Networks Africa (MTVNA) is expanding its operations with a number of key appointments in its finance, strategic services and commercial development departments.

AFRICA

I say, here's Sesay
Isha Sesay will host CNN International's Inside Africa, the network's weekly program that goes out every Saturday at 19:30 GMT / 20:30 CET.