Africa Business News
Microsoft plans to make its newly-released Windows 7 operating system available in 10 African languages - including five of South Africa's official languages - by the end of 2011. An official of Microsoft South Africa Vis Naidoo said computer technology in local languages opens up more opportunities.
“UNESCO-funded research in 2006 showed…
Two Algerian airlines have ordered 11 planes worth $891 million from U.S. plane maker Boeing at the Dubai Airshow this week, Algeria's news agency, APS, said.
Air Algerie has placed an order for seven 737-800 aircrafts, while Tassili Airlines has signed a deal for four single-aisle planes, Boeing said in a statement released by APS.
List price…
Flashes of real and artistic photographs will be used to show the importance of road safety consciousness among motorists. Drivers' Dexterity, an exhibition that is supported by Shell Development Corporation, is meant to reinforce the message of safety for road users.
The exhibition will depict hazards of road travel in Nigeria; it will feature…
Poor road maintenance has been identified as one factor that slows down commerce and development of small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria. Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo said the poor state of a chunk of the federal roads in Nigeria must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
“What exactly is the problem with our roads?…
South Africa's most ambitious rail project, the R25.4-billion (¤2.3-billion) Gautrain rapid-rail link, may be able to offer services in time for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, according to the company responsible for the project.
Earlier, the Bombela Concession Company said they are willing to accelerate the project by three weeks at a cost of R1.3-billion…
South Africa's largest road transportation project, the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), may see new freeways being added to the network as soon as 2013.
Currently the GFIP is in its first phase, which is over 33% complete. This R15.1-billion (¤1.4-billion) phase will see upgrades, including lane widening, better interchanges and improved…
The Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has expressed its dissatisfaction with the Zambian government over the month-long acute fuel shortage.
The President of Zambia Rupiah Banda is been criticized for globe trotting at the height of a countywide crisis. He has however defended his movements in and out of the country as…
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted the Moroccan company Autoroutes du Maroc, a loan of 2.6 billion Moroccan dirhams (240m Euros), the highest ever granted to Morocco, for major improvements to the motorway system in the country.
The loan would finance the expansion and upgrading of 98 km long highway linking Casablanca and Rabat.
Autoroutes…
Somali pirates have released a Spanish tuna fishing trawler and its 36-member crew for a ransom of $3.5 million.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Spain's prime minister, said on Tuesday that the crew is safe but did not mention any ransom. Zapatero said the Spanish government has done what it had to do.
Earlier one of the pirates – Nor -…
Senegal has unveiled a new national air transport carrier, according to report published by the Gulf based Emirates Business.
The minister responsible for air transport in Senegal, who is also son of the Senegalese president, Karim Wade, said that the airline would fall under a parent company, Group Air Senegal.
The development follows the disbandment…
Kenya's largest mobile phone company - Safaricom limited - has partnered with Equity Bank limited to enable its clients buy laptops on loan and thus increase access of internet services to more Kenyans.
Under the partnership Safaricom subscribers will be getting soft loans from Equity bank, Kenya’s biggest financial institution, to buy the…
Zain - a mobile network - has said its African operations are not for sale and will continue to expand its services on the continent, disclosed Chris Gabriel, the chief executive officer of Zain Africa. The Kuwait's biggest phone carrier plans to become one of the top 10 global mobile operators by 2011.
The CEO revealed Zain had dropped its plans…
The Nigerian Stock Exchange served notice that it needs some N5 billion (US$33 million) in capital for its fifth software upgrade and to help finance the Sierra Leone Stock Exchange. Donors helped Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to upgrade theirs but believe Nigeria is too rich for funding.
NSE Director General Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke reportedly told…
Fuel shortage has hit Zambia again in less than 48 hours when it was reported that the situation was getting normal. Meanwhile, reports say the situation has spilled over to Malawi - Zambia's eastern neighbour - and has seriously affected the tobacco industry.
AfricaNews had reported on Tuesday that most service stations across the Zambia capital…
Malawi continues to experience a paralyzing fuel shortage that authorities blame on technical problems at the Mozambique's Beira Port.
The country has for the past four weeks gone with empty tanks at fuel service centres, forcing vehicles to wait for hours on end in a quest to get fuel.
Officials from Petroleum Importers Limited and the Malawi…
Gauteng, South Africa's economic province, would not showcase its high-speed train during the Fifa 2010 World Cup.
The R26-billion (¤2.3-billion) project would see Johannesburg’s international airport connected by rail to Sandton, downtown Johannesburg and Pretoria. It was hoped that the Bombela Consortium, who are building the project,…
Egypt will announce the leading bidding company that would build two more ports on the Nile River by the end of this year, stated Egyptian Transport Ministry officials.
Already there are two existing tenders for the ports in the northern Mediterranean city of Alexandria and in Qena in central Egypt. Four more cargo ports are eyed in 2010 for tender.…
The Moroccan Transport and Equipment Ministry has called on the European Union to increase its backing to transport infrastructure projects in Mediterranean countries. The call was made at the international meeting on trans-European transport (RTE-T 2009).
The ministry pointed out the considerable funds needed to carry out Mediterranean road projects…
Nigeria's Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi, has concluded a day long visit to the Gambia, where he addressed an audience of bankers, diplomats and judges. "We must hold individuals accountable for misusing public fund," Sanusi told his audience.
There has been a proliferation of subsidiaries of Nigerian banks in the Gambia. But…
The state owned financing firm, China Exim Bank, has approved a $349 million loan for Ethiopia's new expressway project. Upon completion the highway would be the first of its kind in Ethiopia - 12 meter width and eight lanes. It is expected to ease traffic from Addis Ababa to Adama - the country's major import line.
The two countries signed…