Donors Who Suspended Aid to Madagascar Watching Developments Closely

After more than two years of political crisis, Madagascar finally appears to be moving towards the restoration of democracy. A new prime minister has been appointed, and elections are planned for 2012. Donors who suspended aid to the impoverished island...

HIV Prevalence Among Swaziland’s Factory Workers Running At 50%

A new government study has found that more than half of workers in Swaziland’s garment industry are living with HIV, and officials are realizing that the once-hailed promise of manufacturing employment has become a financial and medical nightmare for...

Rice is ‘becoming a Luxury’ in Madagascar

The price of rice, the staple food in Madagascar, has doubled in the past two years, forcing residents in the capital, Antananarivo, to halve their consumption. “At almost 2,000 ariary (US$1) a kilogram, rice has become a luxury item,” Tiana...

Nigeria’s Minister of Commerce And Industry Admits Nigeria has been Unable to Take Advantage of the Africa Growth Opportunities Act

Nigeria’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief Achike Udenwa, has admitted that Nigeria has been unable to take much advantage of the Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) to export manufactured goods to the US. “Unfortunately, Nigeria has...

Canada Issues Warning of Possible Terrorist Attacks During AGOA Meeting in Nairobi

The Canadian government has warned over possible terrorist attacks in Nairobi this week to disrupt the African Growth and opportunity Act(AGOA) conference beginning Tuesday. In a statement issued by Canadian High Commission in Nairobi, Canada is warning...

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Begin Seven-nation Trip to Africa on August 5

The U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will begin a seven-nation trip to Africa on August 5 at the 8th US – Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (known as the AGOA Forum) in Nairobi, Kenya, the State Department announced on Monday. This...

Ethiopia Exports to US Market Reach Over $80 Million Per Annum

Ethiopia’s total exports to the United States market reached $88 million in 2007. The US embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday told APA that the Ethiopian exports were mainly textiles, garments and leather products.