Global consumer confidence increases 1 point in Q4 2011

NEW YORK, US: Global consumer confidence increased one index point last quarter to 89, while Europe led confidence declines in 24 of the region's 27 measured markets, according to fourth quarter 2011 global consumer confidence findings from Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy. 8 Feb 2012 12:14

Cross-border telephone remittances increase in Africa

[Anna McGovern] More people in Africa's poorest countries have mobile phones than have bank accounts. That reality is spurring mobile service companies to explore how they can capture a share of the potential banking market by enabling migrants from these countries to transfer funds back home to their families. 24 Jan 2012 11:28

Retail rewind - a year in review 2011

[Zeenat Moorad] The approval of the Wal-Mart/Massmart deal will go down as the highlight of the retail sector in 2011. 6 Jan 2012 08:19

Tablets, e-readers closing book on ink-and-paper era

SAN FRANCISCO, US: Tablet computers and electronic readers promise to close the book on the ink-and-paper era as they transform the way people browse magazines, check news, or lose themselves in novels. 29 Dec 2011 09:03

Pick n Pay increases shareholding in TM Supermarkets

On 8 December 2011, the shareholders of TM Supermarkets voted unanimously to allow Pick n Pay to purchase an additional 24% of shares, bringing its holdings up to 49%. The Competition and Tariff Commission of Zimbabwe agreed, subject to certain conditions pertaining to labour and local procurement of goods. 12 Dec 2011 10:53

TNM, EMS partnership provides BlackBerry service

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] Malawi's mobile phone service provider, Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) has partnered with Emitac Mobile Solutions (EMS) to provide BlackBerry services to subscribers in Malawi. 12 Dec 2011 09:21

Revive IMF program or no assistance, donors tell Malawi

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] Malawi's donors under the Common Approach to Budget Support (CABS) have asked the country to revive its International Monetary Fund (IMF) program or forget their financial assistance. 8 Dec 2011 13:33

Thebe Tourism Group signs shareholder agreement

The South African tourism group, Thebe Tourism Group have announced the signing of a shareholders' agreement between its subsidiary FX Africa and global foreign exchange providers Travelex. FX Africa has operated a Travelex Retail Foreign Exchange Travelex franchise in Southern Africa for over four years. 6 Dec 2011 11:52

Standard Bank wins Bank of the Year in Africa

The Banker, a leading journal of the global banking industry, has named Standard Bank as the 2011 Bank of the Year in Africa and Best Bank in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi and Zimbabwe. 1 Dec 2011 16:01

Central Bank governor clash with investor

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) governor, Dr Perks Ligoya clashed with Paladin Africa Limited, a company that mines Uranium at Kayelekera in the country's northern district of Karonga. 1 Dec 2011 14:49

Consumer Confidence Survey: Economy again top global concern

NEW YORK, US: Global online consumer confidence fell for the seventh consecutive quarter as confidence in 31 of 56 global markets measured declined, according to from Nielsen, a leading global provider of insights and analytics into what consumers watch and buy. 9 Nov 2011 09:36

Africa is world's second most connected region by mobile subscriptions

LONDON, UK: Africa has become the second most connected region in the world in terms of mobile subscription count, up from fourth place at the end of 2010, according to new research by Informa Telecoms & Media, and the number of mobile subscriptions in Africa is expected to reach one billion in 2016. 4 Nov 2011 08:28

ILO proposes monetary policies for Malawi's employment creation

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released a report on Malawi which is trying to establish on how monetary policy instruments can be used to encourage Malawi onto a path of employment-generating growth. The report titled Macroeconomic policy for employment creation: The Case for Malawi released last month has identified three policy areas for consideration. 2 Nov 2011 12:19

TransUnion expands into Africa

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] TransUnion, a global credit and information management organisation, has acquired majority shareholding in CRB Holdings Limited, signifying its bold expansion steps into Africa. 28 Oct 2011 11:19