AFRICA

Effort to promote greater participation of women in trade needed, panel says
A concerted effort is needed to foster greater participation of women in international trade, a panel discussion hosted by UNCTAD and the Commonwealth Secretariat concluded.

Economic Partnership Agreement divides Malawi
[Gregory Gondwe] Malawi is divided over whether to endorse the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) or not with President Bingu wa Mutharika joining the fray when he told the media in Lilongwe two weeks ago, that he will not allow Malawi to sign.

Nasrec gets R120 million upgrade for 2010
[Bathandwa Mbola] More than R120 million has been set aside to upgrade the Nasrec precinct south of Johannesburg's city centre to support the hosting of the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Ethiopian Airlines spreads its wings
Ethiopian Airlines to strengthen its presence in the Middle East.

ZIMBABWE

Zim splurges cash to manage international perception
[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe has splurged an undisclosed amount of money to bring in tourism agents from international markets as it battles to counter renewed Britain and US travel warnings.

ZIMBABWE

Beverley's red door closes, and opens for a new brand
[Dumisani Ndlela] Beverley Building Society's red door is closing, and a new one could open to the public next month.

ICTs as a tool for service delivery under spotlight at SADC Summit
Key information and Communication Technology (ICT) players will converge in Mauritius for the seventh SADC ICT in Government Summit and Networking Forum on 29-31 May 2008.

AFRICA

New boost for Africa's social, economic growth
Microsoft announces new partnerships with the European Union and national governments to foster implementation of ICT best practices in Africa in support of the continent's social and economic growth.

Botswana's education system - good example to Africa
[Kagiso Metswamere] Botswana has set a good example to other African countries for investing more in education, says North West MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Darkie Africa.

NAMIBIA

Cell One signs with TelePassport Namibia
TelePassport Namibia, an associate company of South Africa's Huge Telecom, has concluded an agreement with Namibia's newest GSM operator, Cell One. The agreement will provide Namibian corporate clients the opportunity to save up to 40% on Cell One destined traffic originating from their companies.

Celtel Nigeria April Buzz game sparks the mind - Starfish Mobile
Starfish Mobile International, together with Celtel Nigeria, has created a new and amusing SMS-based campaign known as the April Buzz game. The latest campaign is ideal for stimulating the minds of the vast and patriotic Nigerian mobile market.

ZIMBABWE

State media group reviews newspaper subscription plan
[Dumisani Ndlela] The state-owned Zimbabwe Newspapers group (Zimpapers), which publishes two daily titles as well as five weekly newspapers, has reviewed all newspaper subscriptions and introduced a pre-paid payment plan to stem losses.

NORTH AFRICA

MSN welcomes Maghreb
The new MSN Maghreb portal was launched at a press conference in Skhirat, Morocco, on Tuesday, 22 April 2008.

AFRICA

ACP launches film production support programme
The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) presents the ACP-EU Support Programme for the ACP Cinema and Audiovisual Sector. The Secretariat of the ACP Group of States and the European Union have designed a new support programme for the ACP audiovisual sector, ACP Films (ie. cinema and television). ACP Films is managed by the ACP Secretariat and financed by the 9th European Development Fund (EDF).

EAST AFRICA

Five radio station employees released, station back on the air
Heavily-armed police raided the Mogadishu studios of privately-owned Radio Voice of Peace on the morning of 17 April 2008, arresting five employees who were finally released in the evening, Reporters Without Borders has learned from Omar Faruk Osman, the secretary general of its partner organisation in Somalia, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ).

SOUTH AFRICA

Report shows EU imports from developing countries growing
The European Commission has presented to the European Parliament its regular report on the openness of the European market to imports from developing countries; the report shows a rise in imports from developing countries.

Trade reforms: Mauritius needs to do more
The trade reforms introduced by the government of Mauritius some years ago have borne fruit but they need to be pursued.

SA's Cyber Lotto Limited to invest US$1.7 million in Malawi
[Gregory Gondwe] South African firm Cyber Lotto is to inject US$1.7m into Malawi's national lottery after taking over from struggling African Lotteries Limited (Aflot).

EGYPT

Egyptian authorities raid satellite communications supplier
The Egyptian government has initiated a drastic move to thwart satellite channels. It reportedly raided one of the most important companies offering satellite equipment for rent and confiscated five sets of its broadcasting equipment recently. This action may have serious consequences on the live broadcasting capacities of several satellite channels such as Al Jazeera, Dubai, Qatar and French TV.