SOUTHERN AFRICABotswana bans bulk fuel exports to Zim
In the latest blow to Zimbabwe's wounded economy, the Botswana government has banned the export of bulk fuel to the neighbouring country. Scanty parallel market supplies are quickly running dry and transport is grinding to a halt across Zimbabwe. 9 May 2008 13:00

KENYAKenya's food shortages persist as rains fall
Rains have come to the north eastern parts of Kenya, but this alone is unlikely to immediately resolve the food problems facing the mainly nomadic families in the semi-arid region, aid workers have said. 9 May 2008 10:49

ZIMBABWECash shortages on first day of currency floatation
Cash shortages in Zimbabwe worsened Monday, 5 May, on the first day of free trading of the Zimbabwe dollar as people queued for hours in banks to buy up local currency. 6 May 2008 16:51

ZIMBABWEReserve Bank unveils Z$250 million note
Zimbabwe's central bank, currently grappling with record-breaking inflation, has introduced a new high-denomination bank note of a quarter of a billion dollars, state television reported Monday, 5 May 2008. 6 May 2008 16:31

NIGERIABread strike threatens food supply
Supplies of bread have dwindled in Lagos and other cities across Nigeria since 5 May when the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria went on a nationwide strike over the rising price of flour and other raw materials. 6 May 2008 16:22

SOUTHERN AFRICAClashes over Malawian maize trade ban
[Gregory Gondwe] Malawian government has received a backlash over its recent decision to ban trade on maize, as traders demand the repeal of the decision in the face of calls from the World Bank (WB) to lift bans on food exports. 5 May 2008 13:09

NIGERIANigeria plans rice imports
Nigeria's government has announced it will import 500,000 tonnes of rice up to a value of US$600 million to curtail the effect of the global rise in food prices on Nigeria. 5 May 2008 10:18

ZIMBABWEExchange rates tumble after RBZ currency floatation
Exchange rates on the black market tumbled Thursday and Friday after Wednesday's announcement by the central bank that it was to float the Zimbabwe dollar. 5 May 2008 10:07

WEST AFRICALifting of import taxes fails to reduce food prices in Cameroon
Almost two months after the Cameroonian government lifted import taxes on rice, flour and fish in response to riots caused in part by high food prices, consumers are still paying the same, and in some cases more. 29 Apr 2008 14:53

AFRICABeefing up for a revolution
African farmers, particularly those in southern Africa, can benefit from the global boom in the demand for meat says new research that suggests several options for ensuring that the "livestock revolution" does not pass them by. 29 Apr 2008 14:47

MAURITIUSTrade 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. 24 Apr 2008 08:04

AFRICAEffort 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. 24 Apr 2008 06:39

AFRICAWorld Bank commits to deepen reforms to benefit middle-income countries in Africa
The World Bank Group has reiterated its commitment to reduce the non-financial costs of doing business with it and to expand the menu of products and services serve middle-income countries (MICs) in Africa better. 21 Apr 2008 11:11