Black Business News International Spring 2010

International Edition

Black Business News Serving the Global African Economic Community

Spring/Summer 2010 USD$5.00

Africa in the Next 50 Years Dr. Salim A. Salim page 9

Contents Economic Prospectives page 6, 13, 25, 34 International Trade page 6, 26, 38 Technology page 21, 26, 38

In The Spotlight Trade Calendar Trade Directory

“African Renaissance�

Black Business News

International Edition • Spring/Summer 2010

Contents 5 The Editor Says...

The Growth Environment in Africa

7 New Africa Economic Policy Proposed to Obama Administration AGOA Proposal

9 Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim Africa in the Next 50 Years

13 4 Billion Customers in the Emerging Markets Consumers Waiting to be Served - by You!

14 Senegal Unveils “African Renaissance” Monument Celebrates 50 Years of Independence

17 In The Spotlight Bits of news to keep you up to date on business and economic moves around the world

19 Books to Consider •Cyril Ramaphosa •Nelson Mandela: The Authorized Comic Book

21 Video Games Developed in Africa i

Warrior - built on Masaai Survival Theme

25 Africa’s Tech World Faces Many Problems Opinion Piece

26 NEPAD Works to Attract Investors Showcasing Africa as a business and investment destination

27 Best of Africa - Virtual Trade Show Online Expo Open to Everyone

28 International Trade Shows 2009 TanCon Goes to the souce

32 Isiah Washington, New Citizen of Sierra Leone 37 East African Communities Look for Positive Growth 38 ‘Nano’ Wind Turbine 41 Trade Directory Your trade and service search starts here

www.signafrica.net Black Business News International Edition -3- Spring/Summer 2010

For information about these trade shows contact:

Gathers Strategies

dgathers@gathersstrategies.com • 213-291-6199

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OUR AFFILIATES African American Unity Caucus • Association of Black Women Entrepreneurs Black Women’s Network • California Black Chamber of Commerce California Council of Black Chambers • The Greenlining Institute Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense & Education Fund National Black Business Council The National Association of African American Chambers of Commerce The National Black Chamber of Commerce • Pan African Film & Arts Festival Recycling Black Dollars • World Conference of Mayors

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Black Business News International Edition

Executive Editor: Earl “Skip” Cooper, II Associate Editor: LaSandra Stratton BBA Board of Directors Ted Davis, Chairman, IsComp Systems, Inc. Nathan Freeman, Vice Chairman, Figueroa Media Group, Inc. Eugene Jones, Secretary, NVA Financial Group, Inc. Kevin M. Caliup, Treasurer, AIA/E-World Strategy Narishimah Osei, Parliamentarian, Osei & Associates Gwen Moore, Director, GEM Communications Candida Mobely-Wright, Director, Voices, Inc. Angela Walton, Director, Melador Technologies, Inc. Angela Reddock, Esq., Legal Counsel STAFF: Earl “Skip” Cooper, II, President/CEO Kesha Vontress, Administrative Consultant Brett Byers, Special Projects Consultant Steven Turner, Economic Development Editor  Black Business Association •P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 USA 323-291-9334 • 323-291-9234 fax • www.bbala.org • mail@bbala.org copyright © 2010 All Rights Reserved.

The Editor Says...

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he BBA is always ready to particpate in dialogues to promote member participation in the international trade sector. We contribute to the discourse by presenting a discussion on improving the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to take advantage of the trade sector success achieved over the last 10 years. The article on the size of the consumer secEarl “Skip” Cooper, II tor in the world’s emerging markets Executive Editor gives credence to the need to imPresident/CEO prove AGOA and to be bullish on Black Business Association trade in general. NEPAD is taking its place in the trade sector by working to improve the investment climate in Africa. Also read Dr. Salim A. Salim’s projections for “Africa in the Next Fifty Years.” His preceptions prepare us to take advantage of all of the potential for growth in every sector from technology to culture.

Hopefully, we are offering our readers a glimpse into the growing technology landscape of Africa with the articles on video games. The Africans are there. Where are you?

The Senegalese people offer us the “African Renaissance” monument as a reminder to continually redefine ourselves by honoring our historic and cultural past as the platform for our magnificent future.

See the story on NBA atheletes helping students in the Sudan and remember that the people of Haiti still need our help to recover from the effects of the January 2010 7.0 earthquake. Lets identify and participate in longterm projects and programs to have a positive impact on rebuilding Haiti’s economic, culture and civic systems.

In a recent interview a highly successful American in the captial investment sector was asked to project the economic recovery rate for the world. He never mentioned Africa during his analysis.

The BBA suggests that the best time to move forward with thoughtful aggression is when no one is looking. Let’s take the challenge to change the future in our image. 

Mission Statement SINCE 1970, the Black Business Association (BBA), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, headquartered in Los Angeles, has contributed to and supported the development, progress and expansion of more than 10,000 African-American businesses. Nationally, we have access to and influence with more than 75,000 African-American owned and women/minorityowned businesses (WMBE’s), through the formation of strategic alliances with trade associations and organizations nationwide.

The Black Business Association’s mission is to advocate for and advance the development and growth of African-American owned businesses. We contribute to and participate in the self-determination, economic growth and prosperity of African-American communities, thereby creating a strong economic base that nurtures, empowers and supports the ongoing success of these communities and our society at large.

As an organization, we are vigilantly at the helm, securing innovative means and policies that protect our constituency and their business interests. 

Black Business News International Edition -5- Spring/Summer 2010

President Barack Obama talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, right, and Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika, left, during a meeting with African Outreach Leaders and Extended Outreach Leaders at the G8 summit in Muskoka, Canada. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Governor General of Canada Michaelle Jean, center, meets with African leaders from left, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr. Jean Ping, President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan, President of the Republic of Malawi Bingu wa Mutharika, President of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade, President of South Africa Jacob Zuma and Prime Minister of Ethiopia Ato Meles Zanawi in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada, ahead of the G8 meeting.

(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

New Africa Economic Policy Proposed to the Obama Administration

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en years after the enactment of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a coalition of its original architects and supporters have unveiled a comprehensive new trade and economic policy to be presented to the Obama Administration that would build on AGOA’s successes and expand the growing trade relationship between Africa and the United States.

The new policy proposal, entitled Enterprise for Development: A New Policy Approach Toward Africa, calls for the continuation of AGOA’s exclusive duty- and quota-free access to the US market for African goods, as well as policies to strengthen and grow indigenous enterprises in Africa and measures that support job creation, export promotion and prosperity in both the US and Africa.

At an AGOA Leaders Forum in Washington, DC, hosted by a coalition of AGOA’s US supporters, and attended by African Ministers of Finance and Ambassadors, as well as other AGOA stakeholders and business and policy leaders, Ms. Rosa Whitaker, chair of the AGOA Action Committee and President and CEO of The Whitaker Group, the premier US trade consultancy facilitating trade between the US and Africa, hailed the success of AGOA over the past decade in creating more than 300,000 jobs in Africa and bringing about $300 billion in export earnings and nearly $30 billion in non-oil exports to Africa at a minimal cost to US taxpayers.

“Over the past decade, we have learned that AGOA should be just one tool – albeit a critical one - in America’s arsenal to support Africa as it grows its own prosperity. We have learned that what Africa needs from the United States is a concerted, multifaceted trade and investment policy that brings

together the trade preferences of AGOA with trade capacity building, strategic development assistance and incentives to spur greater foreign direct investment by U.S. businesses in Africa,” she said.

Ms. Whitaker issued an impassioned call to action and warned that if current proposals in the US Congress to extend AGOA benefits – duty and quotafree access to the US market – to all Least Developed Countries (LDCs), including hyper-competitive Asian nations, it would have catastrophic consequences for Africa, particularly to the nascent apparel exporting sector.

Also speaking at the Forum were the Honorable Mr. Timothy Thahane, Minister of Finance and Development Planning for the Kingdom of Lesotho, and renowned development economist Dr. Paul Collier, Director for the Study of African Economics at Oxford University.

“In Lesotho, 10 years ago over 150,000 men were working in South African mines, having left women, children and old people in Lesotho. They had to scrape a livelihood from the land. The government could not develop a viable agricultural sector with only women and old people,” Minister Thahane said. “Then came AGOA. In 2000, the small apparel sector employed only 10,000 women. Between that time and last year when the financial crisis hit, over 50,000 women had found work in the industry. The employment provided

by AGOA has made a difference in the lives of Lesotho’s women and children.”

Mr. Thahane emphasized that Africans are not saying that the US Congress should not grant special trade preferences to LDCs in Asia, but that

legislators should provide preferences that would help struggling sectors in those countries, rather than benefit sectors that are already successful.

“Preferences for Bangladesh and Cam-

bodia should not be at the expense of sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.

Even without duty-free and quotafree access to the US market, Bangladesh and Cambodia export over $5 billion in apparel each year to the United States – more than five times the total of all clothing exported to the US by all 48 SSA countries combined.

The minister also pointed out that unlike Bangladesh and Cambodia, both of which have agricultural resources, resource-poor Lesotho, Africa’s top apparel exporter, has few other alternatives. “Extending preferences to these countries might kill that industry that started in Lesotho 10 years ago,” he said. “Let us look at AGOA in an open and strategic manner. There are people [in Africa] who have been making a living out of access to the US.” “AGOA has demonstrated that if we have the market opportunities, Africa can respond, it can produce, it can deliver. Give us a break and we can deliver,” Mr. Thahane added. “African governments are trying to reach larger markets through regional integration, but we have to have the infrastructure and we also need the skills. The entry point has been AGOA and let us not dilute it, let us expand it and make it global.”

Dr. Collier described AGOA as so successful that it should be replicated by the European Union and Japan.

“There is a real opportunity for AGOA to go global. If we had a Super AGOA that included Europe and Japan, it would make life so much easier for Africa,” he said, describing the trade preferences offered by AGOA as the “pump priming mechanisms” that are helping African

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see AGOA on page 31

Black Business News International Edition -8- Spring/Summer 2010

Africa in the Next Fifty Years

by Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim Keynote address at the occasion of the Friends of Africa International

2010 Africa Vision Awards New York, New York

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xcellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is a real honor for me to be invited at this auspicious occasion and to join you in celebrating this important milestone in Africa’s history. I wish to commend the organizers and especially Ms Onyeka Obasi, President of Friends of Africa International and her …First and foremost, the resilience, determination and sacrifices of the people and their liberation movements.

Second, the unity and cohesion of the independent African states in supporting this struggle.

Third, the valuable support and solidarity of the international community in various forms and manifestation. colleagues for making this possible thus giving us an opportunity to reflect on the past, and challenging us to contemplate the future.

As we do so, it is worthwhile to recall the passionate and rigorous discourses between the Monrovia and Casablanca groups. Subsequently, African leaders of different calibres and persuasions took us through different paths of development, each of them committed to

their vision. There were also debates among our people – which took place on political platforms, in university halls, at diplomatic chambers and at times various factions fought on matters of vision and destiny.

What ultimately happened after 50 years is a narrative that has been eloquently highlighted by my dear brother Professor Ali Mazrui. In taking up the challenge of the forward looking dimension thrust upon me, I’m reminded of this evening of the laudable capacities of our Founding Fathers who paid attention to knowing where we are going, and to visualizing what it will take to get there and how we will be when we arrive. Where ever we ultimately found ourselves after 50 years is a moot point.

The issue I am trying to raise is that – at least and within their limitations, our Founding fathers took cognizance of the necessity of looking forward and tried to mobilize us to getting there. I am afraid, at a certain juncture of the past few decades; we seem to have lost that compass, with all its attendant implications.

Let me begin by underlining some values and norms derived from the experience of what we have gone through as a continent and as a people, while not neglecting the global context. What are the valuable assets, particularly in terms of trajectories, that we should harness, deploy, sustain and carry forward?

For purposes of this occasion, I have chosen as a major milestone the gaining of political freedom and independence of our countries. How did we attain this achievement, especially in the case of

those countries where colonialism and racism was not only totally intransigent but also enjoyed the support of some external powers? The simple answer is that it was because of the struggle of our people.

For example I recall that during my tenure of Office as the Permanent Representative of my country at the United Nations in the 1970s some of our friends in the West were talking about the “invincibility of the white redoubt in Southern Africa.” How then given the formidable obstacles that confronted the liberation movements, we are today able to be here and celebrate the independence of the entire continent?

Simply put three factors made this possible. First and foremost, the resilience, determination and sacrifices of the people and their liberation movements. Second, the unity and cohesion of the independent African states in supporting this struggle. True, the extent of that support varied from one country to another but the support was always there. Third, the valuable support and solidarity of the international community in various forms and manifestation.

With the independence of our countries it is pertinent to ask ourselves whether the Aims and Objectives articulated by the pioneers of our independence movements have been achieved or for that matter anywhere near fulfillment?

With few exceptions, the answer is conspicuously NO. The struggle for freedom was not merely that of regime change. It was intended to ensure larg-

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see Next Fifty Years on page 10

Next Fifty Years from page 9

er freedoms including the right to decide how we are governed, by whom and for what period. It was to remove injustice and ensure that the country’s resources are utilized for the betterment of our peoples. It was to fight disease, ignorance and abject poverty.

As we therefore mark this golden jubilee and reflect and plan for the future there are some soul searching questions which we as Africans need to ask ourselves.

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Why the continent which is one of the richest if not the richest in terms of resources both human and material continues to have the poorest people? How do we overcome this blatant contradiction?

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How can we rationally explain the continued and in some cases escalating internal conflicts in some parts of our continent with attendant loss of millions of lives, human misery and destruction.

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How can we overcome the unenviable record of a Continent where millions of our people are forced to vote with their feet and thus languishing in refugee or internally displaced camps?

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How do we erase the image of a continent where corruption is considered endemic?

All these and many others are pertinent questions, which require answers and Concrete action as we contemplate the type of Africa we want to see in the coming decades. At the same time, this is not to say that all of Africa’s problems are purely of our own making. Nor is it to deny the damaging

legacy that Africa has inherited due to centuries of Slavery, Colonialism and Racist domination. It is simply to assert that after more or less fifty years of ruling ourselves we have to bear the primary responsibility for the good, the bad and the ugly that has been happening in our continent.

Some of our leaders in Africa including the former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki have characterized

cluding advance communication technology, to use for fulfilling its generational mission. But we must move with seriousness and deliberate speed in addressing all those problems which are within our means to resolve. These include: To improve governance. Indeed this is the number one issue. All those who lead, at whatever level BUT especially as National Leaders, must be held accountable and act in a man-

the 21st Century as Africa’s century.

I believe that this is possible, achievable and most of all necessary. This should be our clarion call. The clarion of the new generation of young people who unlike in our times, has more privileges of global interconnectivity in-

ner, which makes them truly servants of the people who have elected them to power. It is significant to observe in this context that practical experience has already demonstrated that where there is a responsible, accountable and incorruptible leadership abiding by the

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principles of good governance, their countries have made enormous progress in socio-economic development.

Good governance, democracy, accountability and transparency should be nurtured and sustained and above all be made an essential component of our societies. Africa should be in a forefront for the protection and respect of human and people’s rights. To achieve this it is imperative to build democratic institutions, improve our educational system and strengthen the civil societies.

We must strive to uplift the lot of our people. Economic and social transformation is a prerequisite condition. In this context a number of factors need to be taken into account: Africa’s immense natural and human resources must be mobilized and properly used for its development. The wealth and resources of our countries must be used to serve our people and not benefit a few individuals.

We must guard against the growing inequities in some of our societies, which cause resentment and despair among our people and especially the millions of unemployed young people.

If we fail to redress this imbalance we run the risk of explosion and conflict.

We must gradually but firmly eliminate the contradiction of a very rich continent inhabited by the poorest people. We must promote openness and accountability in the utilization of our resources like oil, diamonds, gold, timber and other natural resources so as to ensure that they serve as national assets and not as a curse as is sometimes the case in some of our countries. All this needs strong, determined and strategic leadership with the firm support of responsible and proactive citizenry.

The women of Africa have been the most resilient and dynamic force.

They constitute more than 50% of the entire population. They have played a crucial role in the struggle for independence and liberation wars. In conflict situations they bear a disproportionate burden of suffering. They have played and continue to play a pivotal role in all facets of economic and social development. But their full potential has

yet to be utilized. And their role in decision making continues to be, by and large, sadly marginal.

Currently African countries are taking significant steps aimed at empowering women. This vital process needs to be encouraged and intensified. This powerful force, when properly empowered and allowed to make full use of their potential will unleash an irreversible movement towards the political, social and economic emancipation of the continent.

In the coming years Africa must continue its efforts in dealing with the scourge of conflict which has done so much damage to our people and societies. The African Union, through its Peace and Security Council is making an important contribution. Its efforts need to be augmented by inter alia through the provision of resources.

This is one area where the goodwill of the international community in support of Africa’s efforts has been clearly demonstrated. But Africa needs to do more indeed much more itself. Those African countries which are better endowed should really seriously assist in providing significant financial support.

In my opinion, it is unacceptable to rely mainly on external assistance carrying out the various peace support operations. Furthermore such excessive external dependence can be quite costly. I know this from personal experience when I served as the Secretary General of the then Organization of African Unity and also when I was the African Union Special Envoy and Chief Mediator of the Abuja Inter Sudanese Peace Talks on Darfur. Thus ultimately it is up to our own leaders – present

and future – who can and should prevent conflicts through entrenching and practicing democratic governance, fair distribution of resources and proper and just treatment of all citizens.

Earlier in my remarks I spoke of the important contribution made by African countries through a united and cohesive approach in support of the struggle for freedom. It is necessary to emphasise and to assert that such unity and cohesion is absolutely indispensable if a new Africa is to emerge in the near future- a democratic, peaceful and prosperous Africa. An Africa where diversity of opinion is cherished and not suppressed, an Africa which takes its cultural diversity be it ethnic, racial or religious as a source of strength rather than a cause for constant bickering or even conflict; an Africa which is vigilant and responsive to the challenges and vagaries of climate change; an Africa rid of the scourge of internal conflicts where the phenomenon of child soldiers will be relegated to the dustbin of history; an Africa free of the horrors of pandemics such as HIV/AIDS and Malaria; an Africa where corruption is loathed and effectively combated and not accommodated and an Africa which is vibrant like its people, strong, dynamic and a major player in international affairs. Such an Africa is not only desirable but realizable.

This then brings me to the imperative necessity of Regional Integration - an objective which has clearly been adumbrated by then Organisation of African Unity and now the Africa Union.

But the pace of integration continues to be agonizingly slow even though there are important efforts and achievements of the various African sub regional organizations.

No single African country however important or well endowed can have any serious impact on a world scale. But the African collective cannot be ignored.

In this context, we should learn from the experience of our European friends and partners.

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see Next Fifty Years on page 12

Next Fifty Years from page 11

Many of these countries are strong politically, economically, scientifically and militarily. They bear no comparison to individual African countries. Yet they have recognized their individual disadvantages and the merits of cooperation and integration in order inter alia to cope with the present and future challenges and opportunities facing them.

In my view, for Africa, regional cooperation and integration is not a matter of choice but survival.

African leaders have taken a number of key decisions towards the realization of regional integration. Regrettably however, there is a great hiatus between those decisions and actual implementation.

One of the main challenges to this is how we take seriously the question of national and region wide infrastructural development and maintenance. There is an urgent need to improve infrastructure and among other things give practical meaning to the commitment to facilitate free movement of goods and peoples.

Apart from infrastructural development and strengthening of our regional economic schemes, we have a duty to bring the issue of United Africa to the people. While I am optimistic that United Africa Dream will be realized in the coming years, it is discouraging to see how ineffectively we have performed in

strengthening the Pan African Identity among our people across borders. We are still lingering in an era of prejudices and stereotypes among us keeping our people further apart instead of moving us closer as people with shared history, challenges, opportunities, threats and identity. We need to use both continental inter governmental and non governmental institutions to protect, promote and nurture the vision of a United Africa for the new generation to effect within the coming years.

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our Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen All I have said so far are my aspirations – and probably yours also.

However, we also know that the world does not move according to our wishes. We need to face up to the challenges of realities on the ground. Of utmost importance is for us to have an idea of our trajectory and be prepared for the destination.

For purposes of this reflection I thought it is worthwhile to recognize at least two dynamics which are very much linked - though in reality they may manifest themselves separately. These are the internal transformations within the continent as underlined by potential and actual trends manifesting themselves over time and in every sphere.

Associated with the internal processes are the global trends which influence, impinge and impact on the Continent providing it different positions within the constellation of forces.

It is relevant here to underscore the proposition that global trends and what is being manifested in other parts of the world offer the possibilities that Africa can attain, and opportunities it can harness – if it repositions itself internally appropriately.

More concretely, I have referred earlier to the process of integration, which is gathering strong momentum in the Continent with Regional Economic Communities increasingly becoming more robust and more dynamic. Seeing the progress being made within the East African Community, for example, as well as the larger entities such as ECOWAS or COMESA or SADC, I am confident that the momentum is now unstoppable. The projected 3 billion

people of Africa at that time will be more linked either having already attained or on the verge of a political union of some variant.

Regrettably, notwithstanding the repeated public declarations by African leaders of commitment to give priority to agriculture, this has not been followed up by concrete action. It is imperative that this must change. There is no reason why our continent with its immense fertile land and water resources should not be able to feed itself.

The low level of foreign direct investment in the manufacturing sector despite liberalization measures is sobering. On the other hand it is encouraging to note that there is a vigorous attempt to initiate a diversification of production systems – harnessing informatics, promoting more complex service industries and more importantly laying down the institutional and infrastructural foundation of modern economies.

At a socio-political level, the process of urbanization is increasingly picking pace. Projections are that by 2050 the majority of African people will be living in urban centres. This will have implications for diminishing primordial identities, increasing political awareness, fostering innovation as well as social integration. Of course, current evidence globally suggests that urbanization without a strong economic base will just shift and compound poverty to the city. The proliferation of slum and squatter settlements dotting the continent, even at this lower level of urbanization is not a good omen.

At the same time, the demographic and sociological transformations engender a politics of pluralism which has been becoming more intense in our continent over the last decade. Smooth transfers of power to the opposition has taken place in several countries and there is also a diminishing of unconstitutional takeover of state power.

Moreover where such illegal takeovers have taken place they have been consistently and firmly challenged. Essentially, there is a new political dispensation emerging in the Continent, which is unlikely to be reversed in the long run.

Obviously, we will go through a process of reconciling some initial contradic-

Black Business News International Edition -12- Spring/Summer 2010

including energy; land mass; excellent weather. It is software which is so far deficient, and we seem to be on course in rectifying this anomaly.

photo: Denise Hill

tions as we move along the democratic trajectory.

It is my belief that the next decade will be critical in addressing electoral issues and governance; efficiency of the public services; the probity of the judiciary; the spectre of corruption; and the partnership of private, public and civil society. We are now at a very critical point on the political institutional dimension – but at least we have by and large passed through the violent phase and new norms and values are being internalized across society.

In terms of Africa’s position in the global arena, the multi-polarity of a global system provides a good opportunity to reassert itself in the next decades and to gain its rightful position.

Through forging strategic partnerships and galvanizing the Continent’s internal potential - there is a strong possibility for Africa to be a strong player globally.

It has all the hardware ingredients – dynamic and resilient people, resources,

Conclusion I know I have painted a somewhat rosy picture towards the end, but it is a vision that I firmly believe that it is attainable. My hope and expectation is that in the not too distant future the world will witness an awakened Africa

Over 4 Billion Consumers Yet to Be Served: What You Can Learn About Emerging Markets

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resentations at Nielsen’s Consumer 360 conference on how the center of gravity is shifting away from North America and Europe indicate that in the decades to come, emerging economies will deliver more growth – and more profits. Below are some key takeaways from their presentation.

Trends to watch: By 2030, the developing world’s middle class will be larger than the total populations of Europe, Japan and the United States combined.

The female economy – as more women enter the workforce, their earning power increases, as does their power within their household. Women now control almost $12 trillion of the $18 trillion in global consumer spending.

• Mobile phones are bringing the Internet to previously unconnected consumers.

• Average daily TV viewing worldwide in 2009 was a record 192

minutes, and with TV viewership comes growing acceptance of multinational brands.

The Middle East, in particular, is experiencing phenomenal growth. One quick measure: The number of passenger cars sold is doubling every 3-4 years.

Egypt’s population of 80 million is very diverse and very young (the median age is 24). It is a society of contrasts: The highest 10% earn 30% of the income while the lowest 20% live below the poverty line of less than $2/ day. Fifty-seven percent of the population lives in rural areas. Thirty-percent are illiterate.

But the middle class is growing and is increasingly connected. Fifty-eight-million Egyptians are mobile subscribers.

Half of all youth have Internet access.

To tap into this growing opportunity, however, marketers need a nuanced understanding of local consumers. In Egypt, those at the top of the pyramid spend a large percentage of their

making fully using of its economic potential, enriched by its diverse cultural values, effectively utilizing its immense wealth of natural resources such as minerals of all kinds, enormous agricultural and water resources as well as its human resources including the African Diaspora, for the benefit of its people and humanity at large.

I am an Afro-optimist. I sincerely believe that the strategic Pan African vision of African leaders like Osyagefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere will become a reality.

There will be a united states of Africa in the coming years.  http://friendsofafricainternational.org www.africa-union.org www.comm.ecowas.int www.comesa.int www.sadc.int www.eac.int www.maghrebarabe.org/en www.nepad.org income on education, drive Mercedes and VW, shop at malls or C a r r e f o u r, drink their Starbucks coffee and use iPhones and Blackberries.

Those in the middle value high status brands, dress to impress with face Diesel or local brands, and tend to buy expensive mobile phones, albeit second hand. KFC and McDonalds are popular. They do their shopping in malls and traditional trade.

Those at the bottom of the socioeconomic pyramid tend to shop in open markets, congregate in local cafes and parks.

Although Egypt is still a traditional trade market, dominated by small mom-and-pop shops with the most informal business practices, organized trade is growing quickly. In terms of square footage, organized trade has

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see Emerging Markets on page 19

Senegal Celebrates 50 Years of Independence, Unveils Monument to the “African Renaissance” “It is the destiny of Africa, after four centuries of incomprehensible conflict and turmoil, to now become a continent united by the best of human achievement, cultural excellence, prosperity, security, peace and progress.”

- Abdoulaye Wade, President, Republic of Senegal

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ith performances, symposia, special exhibitions, parades and the dedication of the 150 foot high African Renaissance Monument, tens of thousands of spectators gathered in the capital city of Dakar on April 3 - 4 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Senegal’s founding as an independent republic.

Representatives of the NAACP, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Constituency for Africa and African American Unity Caucus, Africare and many other U.S. organizations were among many heads of state, artists, intellectuals and activists in attendance. Among prominent Americans taking part were Rev. Jesse Jackson, Benjamin Todd Jealous, Roslyn Brock, Dr. Julius W. Garvey, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Dr. Lonnie Bunch, Melvin Foote, Rev. Herbert Daughtry, Randy Weston, AKON, Richard Gant, Sen. Anthony C. Hill, Sen. Rodney Ellis, Constance Newman, and Debra Fraser-Howse.

Under the auspices of President Abdoulaye Wade, the events focused on the future of Africa and placed particular emphasis on how all African states can work together to foster and support the economic, cultural, social and political well-being of the entire conti-

nent. At the heart of this vision are the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs offer a platform for progress in ending poverty and hunger, reaching universal education and gender equality, improving child and maternal health, ensuring environmental sustainability, and creating a global partnership for development – all by 2015. The celebration of history, arts and culture are at the top of the agenda, and while the MDGs, including the priority of drastically reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS, help define the challenges of fulfilling this inspiring vision of the destiny of Africa.

“I am sure that the historic visit by this prestigious American delegation will strengthen ties between the United States and Africa, and reinforce African efforts for sustainable human development, bearing in mind the efforts of UNAIDS and its partners in working to reverse the AIDS epidemic,” said Dr. Djibril Diallo, Chair of the U.S. Leadership Committee for the World Festival of Black Arts (FESMAN) 2010, which organized the U.S. delegation, and Senior Advisor to the Executive Director of UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS).

The commemoration began for the American delegation on April 2nd with a visit to Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historic link to the slave trade.

On Saturday, April 3 a colloquium of African writers and intellectuals examined and debated the enormous promise of the African Renaissance. The event was organized by Professor Iba Der Thiam, one of the authors of the UNESCO History of Africa project, and

highlighted the role of art and cultural in promoting human development.

Later in the day, the African Renaissance Monument was inaugurated in an event that focused upon the theme of a United States of Africa, an objective supported by President Wade and endorsed by the African Union for realization in 2017. The man, woman and child depicted in the monument symbolize the strength and promise of an Africa that will grow, flourish and experience a renaissance of culture, economic prowess, innovation and achievement.

During the celebration, President Wade took part in a three-way dialogue that touched on the African Diaspora, engaging in conversation with North America and Europe. Representing the Americas will be NAACP CEO and President Benjamin Todd Jealous.

Europe will be represented by Alain Jakubowicz, President of the International League against Racism and AntiSemitism.

Sunday, April 4 was devoted to commemorations of Senegal’s 50th year of independence, highlighted by the appearance of heads of state, prime ministers and guests from around the world attending parades, cultural events, and festive public ceremonies.

The ideals expressed in the independence celebrations will also be reflected in the World Festival of Black Arts 2010 (FESMAN 2010) scheduled for December in Senegal. The arts are a vibrant manifestation of Africa’s enormous potential, and musicians, performers, artists, historians will come from Africa and all corners of the world

Black Business News International Edition -14- Spring/Summer 2010

see Senegal on page 40

African Renaissance

T

he African Renaissance Monument is a colossal bronze statue overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, erected atop a 100-meter high hill in the Ouakam suburb of Dakar, Senegal.

Site preparation began in 2006, and construction began 3 April 2008. Originally scheduled for completion in December 2009, the formal dedication took place on 4 April 2010, Senegal’s “National Day”, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence from France.

The monument is made of copper sheets 3-centimeters thick, and depicts three figures, a family group, emerging from a mountain top: a full-length statue of a young woman, a man, and, held aloft in the man’s raised left arm, a child resolutely pointing out towards the sea.

Construction of the statue was carried out by the North Korean firm Mansudae Overseas Project Group of Companies. The statue was designed by the Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby Atepa, based on an idea presented by President Wade. 

http://corporate-africa.com

In the Spotlight

Africa’s renowned beauty and clothing design collections.

5. Live Entertainment and Talent Competition: Live concerts by Africa’s most talented artists.

6. Closing Ceremony Gala Dinner: July 10, 2010

AFRICA VILLAGE BY WOMEN 2010 Ratanga Junction - Capetown, South Africa, June 5 - July 11, 2010

Africa Village By Women 2010 RATANGA JUNCTION - CAPE TOWN 11 JUNE – 11 JULY 2010

For enquiries about the AVBW2010 and logistic planning purposes please contact Leading Women of Africa, USA Representative Ms. Aze Malawo, M.P.A, M.A on 206-4191580 or 425-242-8443/ or send e-mail enquiries to Aze. Malawo@hotmail.com or Azem@leadingwomenofafrica. com. 

Rwanda Investment Forum 2010

T

he Rwanda Investment Forum will be held in Kigali on 10-11 May 2010. The Forum is organised by the 2010 ill t k l i S th Af i Wh th Commonwealth Business Council in partnership with eading Women of Africa (www.leadingwomenofafrica. com) launches Africa Village By Women, 2010, the the Rwanda Development Board and with the collaboration first of an annual cultural display representing Africa of the International Private Sector.

The forum will focus on business opportunities in the as a whole. The 32 day event takes places during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup and opens on June 5, 2010 at following sectors: • Agriculture and Food Security Ratanga Junction, Century City, Cape Town - South Africa.

• Banking and Financial Services Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, former President of Zambia, in support • Investment in Energy and Power of this event, is ready to champion yet another noble cause • Tourism to boost economic empowerment for women.

• Mining and Natural Resources The Africa Village by Women • ICT 2010 will include EXPO and a numultural destination representing the African Continent that promises to showcase • Manufacturing ber of proceedings, ranging from ican women’s inventions and innovations during FIFA world Cup season.

Gala dinners, executive breakfast In of addition there will be One-to-One meetings and a Project andexclusive events, celebrating rich and cular and village willthe ensure that you go back with wealth knowledge Centre for discussing diverse cultures of Africa, together have a taste of African Cuisine, feel the vibe of African drums, witness the sensation actual projects; as well as possible Site Visitsfrom for those with an interest on the final day of the concerts, fashion uty and with also music it will be a place whereshows you can purchase unique souvenirs Africa. conference. and art exhibitions.

Contact V. Puri by telephone at +44(0) 20 7024 8200 Africa Village By Women Event at the Commonwealth Business Council for participation Line Up information.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN32INdays THE WORLD CUP 1. Trade Show/Exhibition: of showcasing African Women creations and innovations as well as other opportunities 2. Opening Ceremony Gala dinner, June 5, 2010: Promoting unity of Africans and highlighting the role of women entrepreneurs, in socio-economic sustainability in Africa. .S. Senator Roland Burris became the first U.S. 3. Top Executive Breakfasts: With celebrities, leaders, Senator to visit the African Union (AU) when he personalities, role models and other women’s platforms. met with AU Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha Daily activities include public appearances and addresses, on April 8, 2010 at AU headquarters. Along with USAU ACTIVITIES autograph signing and many more.

Ambassador Michael Battle, the leaders discussed the 4. Fashion Show: Witness the sensation of African beauty! relationship between the U.S. and Africa, and explored how

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AFRICA VILLAGE BY WOMEN

U.S. Senator Visits African Union

U

Black Business News International Edition -17- Spring/Summer 2010

In The Spotlight from page 18

the U.S. could help the AU to confront critical challenges on the African continent.

camps in eastern Chad is chronicled in the movie 3 Points (www.3pointsmovie.com).

The Darfur Dream Team is a dynamic partnership of organizations and professional basketball players working together on the Sister Schools Program, an initiative to connect American middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities with sister schools in 12 refugee camps in Chad.

About the Sister Schools Program

(l-r) A.U. Deputy Chairperson E. Mwencha, U.S. Senator from Illinois Roland Burris and U.S. Ambassador to the African Union Michael Battle.

There are two main objectives of the Darfur Dream Team’s Sister Schools Program. They are: (1) to provide a quality education to every refugee child from Darfur; and, (2) to develop connections between students from Darfur and the United States and promote mutual understanding. Principal partners in the Darfur Dream Team’s Sister Schools Program include: USA for UNHCR, Participant Media, The Enough Project, Facing History and Ourselves, the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, and i-ACT. Several NBA players have already signed on to this initiative by pledging financial support and/or dedicating time to working directly with U.S. sister schools. Tracy McGrady, Derek Fisher, and Baron Davis are currently recruiting additional players. Early participants include Luol Deng, Jermaine O’Neal, Etan Thomas, and others.

The Sister Schools Program brings together a diverse co-

Senator Burris expressed support for AU efforts to promote democracy and good governance, peace and security, and economic and infrastructure development in Africa. He also encouraged the AU to continue its leadership role in strengthening democracy on the continent. Mr. Mwencha agreed on the need to nurture democracy, and invited the U.S. to play a larger role in increasing investment in infrastructure and human development in Africa. Senator Burris’s visit to the AU took place just before a high-level AU delegation travels to Washington to meet with U.S. officials to discuss building a successful AU-U.S. partnership. www.usau.usmission.gov 

Darfur Dream Team

Y

oung people everywhere are more alike than different.

They want a good education and opportunities for the future. Children in refugee camps who have survived the war in Darfur are no different. They dream of quality education and a chance to help rebuild their lives and homes.

When Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets heard about the massive challenges children from Darfur were facing in the refugee camps in Chad, he decided to see for himself. After spending days listening to the harrowing stories of young Darfuris in the refugee camps and their incredible thirst for a better education, he decided to act. When Tracy and his traveling companions from the Enough Project returned, they hatched the idea for the Darfur Dream Team’s Sister Schools program linking American middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities with schools in the Darfuri refugee camps. Tracy’s Journey to the refugee

alition of students, professional athletes, and international, private, and non-profit organizations to provide Darfuri refugee children with access to quality education. If successful, the sister schools model can be replicated to respond to other humanitarian crises around the world.

How it Works The active participation of you and your classmates is the only way the Sister Schools Program can be successful. Team up now with your classmates, friends, and families to provide Darfuri refugee youth with access to quality education. Together, you can spread the word about the crisis in Darfur, raise funds, and share your stories. Get involved now. Visit the website at www.darfurdreamteam.org.

With the funds raised, UNHCR and its partner organizations in eastern Chad will build and rehabilitate primary school buildings, and provide students in the refugee camps with school supplies and sports equipment.

Black Business News International Edition -18- Spring/Summer 2010

Books to Consider...

Cyril Ramaphosa, by Anthony Butler. www.jacana.co.za

C

yril Ramaphosa is one of South Africa’s most celebrated political leaders.

He first came to prominence in the 1980s as general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers and as a major force in the domestic struggle for political freedom.

When Nelson Mandela was released from prison in February 1990, Ramaphosa was at the head of the reception committee that greeted him. As secretary-general of the ANC after its unbanning, he re-established the liberation movement as a mass political party. . He is widely credited with playing a major role in the negotiations that led to the democratic settlement in South Africa, and in devising the country’s new and internationally renowned constitution.

Soon after this triumph, Ramaphosa left politics and became a successful businessman.

This commanding biography by Anthony Butler tells the story of Cyril

In The Spotlight from page 18

How You Can Get Involved You can easily sign up today and begin participating in the Sister Schools Program. Once you sign up, the Darfur Dream Team will contact you. As a sister school, you will be able to make a lasting connection to Darfuri students by communicating through letters, pictures, care packages,and eventually video blogs. Join us now! Go to www. darfurdreamteam.org today. 

Ramaphosa’s life for the first time. It is based on rich interviews with many of the subject’s friends and contemporaries, and it situates Ramaphosa’s achievements and his shortcomings in the context of the often tumultuous historical events that surrounded him.

The book begins with Ramaphosa’s childhood close to Sophiatown in the turbulent Johannesburg of the 1950s, the influence of his schooling in Soweto, and the enduring imprint of his religious upbringing on his political beliefs.

It charts his career as a student political activist, his two devastating periods of detention without trial in solitary confinement, the extraordinary rise of his mineworkers’ union, and the role he played in the transition to a democratic South Africa. The book offers a frank appraisal of the achievements and limitations of one of South Africa’s most enigmatic political figures.

Nelson Mandela: The Authorized Comic Book, by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Umlando Wezithombe. www.amazon.com. ne’s first thought would not have been to create a graphic memoir. Yet that is exactly what The Nelson Mandela Foundation and a South African comic book production company, U m l a n d o Wezithombe, have done.

“Young people read comics,” Mandela said in a 2005 speech that launched the autobiographical series on his life. “The hope is that the elementary reading of comics will lead them to the joy of reading good books….If the comic reaches new readers, then the project will have been worthwhile.”

Originally published in eight volumes over two years, the series is collected for the first time in Nelson Mandela: The Authorized Comic Book, a hardbound edition published by W.W. Norton and intended for a world market. 

O

Emerging Markets from page 13

grown by 150% since 2002. Carrefour, in particular, is investing in the market and expanding aggressively.

The opportunity for packaged goods companies in Egypt and other emerging markets is large and growing. Marketers need to be able to tolerate both risk and complexity, and take a longterm view given the uncertain political climate in so many of these countries.

For those willing to take the challenge on, the rewards can be enormous.

Key Lessons •Listen and learn. You need a global perspective but local expertise. Over time, emerging market innovations will spur change in mature markets.

•Set expectations: Don’t assume you’ll be able to easily take a leadership position. Competition is strong. (It took Coca-Cola 20 years to achieve parity with Pepsi in Egypt.)

•Don’t overreact to political and economic changes.

•Adapt. Flexibility is key.

Fast Fact(s): • Between 2008 and 2014, BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are expected to grow 61.3%, compared to only 12.8% growth in the G7 (U.S., U.K, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan.)

•

By 2030, the developing world’s middle class will be larger than the total populations of Europe, Japan and the United States combined.

•

Women control almost $12 trillion of the $18 trillion in global consumer spending.

•

Mobile phones are proliferating in the developing world, bringing internet access to consumers who have never had a PC or been online.

•

TV is still king: Average daily TV viewing time worldwide in 2009 was a record 192 minutes.

Black Business News International Edition -19- Spring/Summer 2010

• www.nielsen.com www.smartplanet.com

What is Pass It On! ???

I

n a few weeks Africare will launch an exciting new campaign to connect you to people overcoming major challenges impacting the African continent-- issues like unsafe drinking water, food insecurity, and the growing number of children orphaned by AIDS. Our new “Pass It On!” campaign will carry these messages around the world through a series of powerful testimonies and unique stories told directly by the individuals who see, work with,

or benefit from Africare’s assistance on the ground. The stories come from more than 20 African nations, covering a variety of key issues. They all carry positive messages of growth and empowerment on the African continent!

Beginning September 1st, Africare will introduce you to a new story— once a month for 16 months— from a child, grandmother or Africare staff member who will “have something to tell you” about the important work Africare is implementing on the ground. Each will be packaged in a format that is ready

to “pass on” to a friend or someone you know through video, social network, and even your phone! And if you live in Washington, DC, you’ll see our stories on buses and in Metro stations across the city.

Sign-up to receive the messages and support the “Pass It On!” campaign using this special link - www.africare.org/ news/enews_signup.php.

Learn more about Africare’s current projects, long history and esteemed leaders at their website - www.africare. org. 

Black Business News International Edition -20- Spring/Summer 2010

Video Game Technology Extends to the Heart of Africa

By Scott Duke Harris sdharris@mercurynews.com

T

hrough centuries, Africa’s Masai tribesmen have struggled against marauding predators.

Now a virtual version of that struggle may be happening on an iPhone near you. “Defend your village by feeding and driving away the animals before they crash it and feed on your livestock and garden!” explains a summary of the game “iWarrior” in Apple’s App Store. Threats include “thundering elephants,” “mighty rhinos,” “swift cheetahs” and “crafty hyenas.”

The game has won praise for its graphics, music and concept. And it illustrates the global influence of Silicon Valley. Technologies like the Internet and companies like Apple are often credited with “flattening” the world economy, giving anyone, anywhere with the requisite skills the opportunity to, say, build a game for the iPhone or create an app on Facebook.

“IWarrior” is “a feed ‘em up game, not a shoot ‘em up,” as co-creator Eyram Tawia put it. But what may be most remarkable is that “iWarrior” indeed comes out of Africa, the hinterlands of computer innovation. Tawia, a Ghanan, and Wesley Kirinya, a Kenyan, overcame considerable obstacles to develop the first product of their startup, Leti Games (www.letigames.com).

The game has been described as Africa’s first commercial contribution to the multibillion-dollar computer gaming industry — certainly the first from “true Africa,” as Kirinya put it, smiling.

By that he meant the broad swath of Africa south of the Sahara and north of South Africa, with its extended legacy of colonialism and apartheid. Every element of “iWarrior” — the mechanics, the graphics, the music — was created

by Leti, which means star in the Ewe

language, or outsourced to techies in East Africa or West Africa, Kirinya said.

In Silicon Valley, the collaborations that produced Apple, Yahoo, Google and other companies seem like the natural order of things.

For the Leti guys, both 26 years old, the journey has been more of an Odyssey —

Top Photo: Shot of iWarrior game on iPod screen Lower Photo: (Lt. to Rt.) African based Leti Games Co-Founder/Technical Director Wesley Kirinya, Co-Fournder/Senior Developer Eyram Tawia, CEO and Founder of Meltwater Group Jorn Lyseggen at the San Jose Mercury News in San Jose. (photos by Maria J. Avila Lopez/Mercury News) one that recently led them to attend the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, where they hobnobbed with engineers from Electronic Arts (EA.) and hot startups like Playdom.

Leti has been nurtured by the phil-

anthropic arm of SanFrancisco-based Meltwater Group, an Internet business services company, which in 2008 founded the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) in Accra,

Black Business News International Edition -21- Spring/Summer 2010

see Video Games on page 22

Video Games from page 21

Ghana. Leti is one of two startups in MEST’s fledgling incubator; the other, Streamio, makes music streaming technology for mobile devices.

“We believe talent is everywhere,” said Meltwater founder and CEO Jorn Lyseggen, a Palo Alto resident whose own biography is a tale of globalization.

Korean by ancestry and place of birth, Lyseggen was adopted as a small child and was raised by Norwegian parents on a dairy farm. His own talent in math, computing and business led to success in Europe before he decided to move Meltwater’s headquarters to Silicon Valley to compete in the massive American market.

Africa’s talent, Lyseggen said, represents an untapped resource that has lacked the opportunity MEST was established to provide. Tawia was selected for MEST’s first class of 17 fellows from hundreds of applicants, Lysegger said.

The son of an art professor, Tawia created fanciful comic books called “Sword of Sygos” in junior high and later learned to program on a clunky computer while reading Russ Walters’ “Secret Guide to Computers.” At age 17, partnering with two friends, Tawia helped create a distance-learning program for Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, which he would later attend. They were paid $700 and promptly bought a better computer.

While his friends pursued studies in medicine — the socially favored course for bright young Africans — Tawia stuck to computers. He developed software

for the radio industry and turned “Sword of Sygos” into a 3-D game for his senior thesis.

Later, he was stunned when the local newspaper reported — wrongly, thought Tawia — that Africa’s first 3-D computer game, called “Adventures of Nyangi,” had been created 2,600 miles to the east by a Nairobi University student named Wesley Kirinya.

A Kenyan economist, James Shikwati, commented on Kirinya’s achievement to Cox Newspapers at the time: “People will say, ‘Kenyans, computer games? No, we don’t make computer games.’ He has shown that computer games are not a preserve of the Western world.”

Through a tech blogger, Tawia contacted Kirinya and discovered a kindred spirit.

Kirinya, as a teen, was steeped in console games like “Super Mario,” “Streetfighter” and “Lara Croft,” and augmented his formal education with computer books and manuals. “I knew I wanted to make games,” a pursuit many people considered frivolous, he said. “I felt all alone. There was a lot of alone time.”

A demo of “Nyangi” — which Tawia describes as “Lara Croft in Africa” — may not impress consumers of EA. titles, but techies would recognize it is an impressive achievement for a single programmer, Lysegger said.

Tawia and Kirinya would correspond by e-mail for 18 months before meeting in person. Not only did MEST pay for the ticket to bring Kirinya to Ghana, it later awarded Leti $100,000 in seed financing.

The “iWarrior” game, the Leti guys say, is only a start. Another game, “KiJiJi,” has been developed for Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. 

Kenya: Citizen Storms Into Small World of Video Games

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et your imagination free and see yourself traversing Africa in an attempt to retrieve some rare and valuable artefacts as you watch out for dangerous people.

All you know is what you are looking for; the rest is all about luck and brains to avoid being killed since every time you retrieve an artefact, you score a point. You may also get some ammunition just in case somebody threatens your life.

This adventure is contained in The Adventures of Nyangi, a video game created by a Kenyan university student.

The young computer wizard has decided to venture into the virtual world and share his creativity with the best there with his three-dimensional action game.

Wesley Kirinya, a computer programmer, says he has produced an adventure video game that is the first of its kind in Africa and that, if successful, he will get into the exclusive club of video game makers.

The video game industry is a multibillion-shilling industry currently experiencing massive growth throughout the world and presenting a bright future for computer whiz-kids.

Video and computer games last year made billions of dollars in sales, and it is reported that the growth will continue.

But amid the success, African countries have yet to embrace the technology despite the promises of good profit.

But, yearning for a chance to have the continent put on the map as one of the creators of video games, Kirinya decided to venture into the virtual world. see World of Games on page 23

Black Business News International Edition -22- Spring/Summer 2010

World of Games

feel, from the tribesmen to the scenery, and that is what I will be doing with all from page 22 my video games; I'm trying to promote Africa," he says.

A video game involves interaction As a boy, Kirinya, who is enrolled with a user interface to generate a vi- for a degree in actuarial science at the sual feedback on a video device. It may University of Nairobi but has deferred have a reward system - such as a score his studies to concentrate on the game, - that is based on the accomplishment was intrigued by computer-generated of a task set within it. special effects. So when the opportuThe Adventures of Nyangi is a three- nity presented itself to do something dimensional (3D) action game that is creative, he chose video games. virtually based on Africa. It is about a "I knew video games were expensive young girl, Nyangi, who has to find rare and take time to create, but I never African artefacts. wanted to do something like cartoons because I felt many people could do it and I wanted to do something creative that could also be a first. I figured out that I had never heard of a video game from Africa."

The project cost him about Sh400,000, and although it took him years to complete, Kirinya says his first production is worth the time and the money.

Video Arcade in Kinshasa, Democratic "Finances when one is doing Republic of Congo. Source: boingboing a video game are vital because in Hollywood, a video game costs mil"Each artefact has an interesting and lions of dollars to create and also needs mysterious story behind it, and there a lot of time to do," he explains. are 10 levels in the game that consist When the idea hit him, Kirinya came of African villages and landscapes, and up with an ambitious storyline that for her to get the artefacts she is look- would see Nyangi overcome much ing for, she must overcome resistance more difficult obstacles, and this meant from hostile tribesmen who accuse her creating a more high-tech game that of trespassing on their land," says Kir- would cost him more than double the inya. amount he spent.

The game which he says took him The game is been on sale at Nairobi's two years to compile, "will bring the Numetro Media Stores and heralds a entertainment from reading a book or new and bright future for people in Kewatching a film on African stories to a nya and other parts of Africa who wish video machine." to venture into video game-making.

The 10 levels Nyangi has to go "Hopefully, the money realised in the through - Holy Grounds, Serengeti, sale of Adventures of Nyangi will go a Ruins, Desert Village, Stone Age, Des- long way in ensuring that the next projert Village 1, Savanna, Desert Village ect, which is already in the pipeline, is 2 and Baren - have different real arte- better and more creative," Kirinya says. facts with fake names such as Enrevu He also hopes to get an investor so Spear, Indani Mask and Ndinga Cloth that he may come up with games that that one must retrieve in order to suc- will join the ranks of some of the best in cessfully complete the game. the world and help to market his skills "I have given the game a full African and those of other youths.

Kirinya says that for one to come up with a video game, one needs a storyline, a concept artiste to create a twodimensional sketch of what one needs, which he will later convert into a 3D. Among several others, one also needs a developer to come up with a character for each artist in the game.

Says Kirinya: "There are also things like an animation engine which helps one to create movement; there is an artificial intelligence engine which will help in making the characters act intelligently - like not going through walls or through the ground, and there is the vertical effects engine which will help one to simulate things like fire, snow, rain and smoke."

The main reason why Africa lags behind in video games is that there are no schools for such courses because of lack of skills, time and funds.

"I had to contract someone from the Czech Republic to help me in developing the game through the Internet, and he wasn't cheap since there are not many of them who do that," he adds.

"It would help if there was a community of video game creators in Kenya who would share ideas, do the budgeting and come up with something of good quality.

"At the moment, I'm in touch with several Kenyans across the world, and we might have a community soon."

Other video games based on Africa have been created, but they have not been done by Africans. This is what makes Kirinya's production unique.

An example is Africa, which was created in the hope that players would be enticed to pay a monthly fee "not to live among the usual fantasy heroes and elves, but to delve into a land of 13th century African civilisation and mythology, crossing the virtual Sahara on camel back, journeying to Timbuktu and fighting as a Zulu warrior against the lion equivalent of a werewolf.

"Maybe you make a rich, immersive environment where you could walk

Black Business News International Edition -23- Spring/Summer 2010

see World of Games on page 37

NBA 2011 All-Star Game Management is Seeking Minority Vendors NOW!

Sunday, February 20, 2011 • Staples Center, Los Angeles

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he 2011 NBA All-Star Game and associated festivities will be held in Los Angeles at the Staples Center. Vendor opportunities for the 3-day program of events abound, however, vendors interested in providing services for this special event must register and be approved. Registration begins on May 17, 2010.

The NBA All-Star Vendor Diversity Program of the National Basketball Association (NBA) has been providing opportunities to Woman and Minority owned vendors to participate in the All-Star procurement process for over a decade. Working in partnership with local certifying agencies and business advocacy groups the NBA will identify woman and minority-owned businesses in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Through the efforts of these partners the NBA will disseminate information and applications to the local business community. Upon completion of the application process a Woman and Minority Vendor Database will be available on the NBA All-Star Vendor Diversity web-site.

This database will serve as a resource for NBA Staff, Partners, and Primary Contractors seeking to procure goods and services for All-Star.

While participation in the program does

not guarantee a bid opportunity it does provide on-going information on the procurement process and through the guide introduces these business to potential purchasers for All-Star and its related activities.

The first step in the process is to complete the application on the All-Star Vendor Diversity at www.nba.com/allstarvendordiversity. In addition to the application, you will find FAQ, Vendor Guide, Certifying Agencies and Green Iniative information.

The vendor services required include but may not be limited to: Advertising • Public Relations Marketing • Audio / Visual Catering • Florist Construction / Building Materials Courier Services • Electrical Services Drug Testing / Medical Supplies Employment Services - Temporary Staffing Event Management • Fencing Furniture Rental Gifts (items, baskets) • Graphic Design Hardware Suppliers IT • Telecomm Janitorial Services Supplies Office Machines/Rental Copiers, etc.

Office Supplies • Painters Photography Printing: Banners, Signs, Invitations

Minority Vendor Registration Began May 17, 2010 Ends September 1, 2010 Promotional Products Security Services Shipping • Trucking Transportation: Bus - Car Services Warehouse Space • Waste Removal 

www.nba.com/allstarvendordiversity

24  June 2010  Black Business News  www.bbala.org

Opinion Piece:

A Detailed Look At The Problems Facing The African Tech Sector

By Munashe Gumbonzvanda

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n this post I will explain the problems facing the African tech sector. I will draw on creating two failed start-ups ( Mybrown and Flybeaver) and running TechMasai (www.techmasai.com).

To people like local entrepreneurs who already know this, this post mostly aims is to clarify the problems facing the sector to a zenith.

user-base The people of Africa rarely trust local entrepreneurs who run local start-ups. The prevalence of the Nigerian 419 scams, bad image of corruption means that local Africans rarely trust local companies.

The consequences of this are low adoption rates, and an aversion for the local technology culture.

Munashe Gumbonzvanda, Founder Techmasai Little to No support from the Government Africa is the only place the local Government does not take active participation in the technology sector. Apart from the Kenya Government,and the Rwandan Government which invested in the sector, African governments take a cynical almost passive aggressive stance towards entrepreneurs.

The consequences of this are that they are no Government experts, books deals, or grants are given to support the sector or anyone it it.

A lack of trust with our core

Lack of Angel investors or Venture Capitalist firms to invest There is no money flowing to invest in local startups. So if you are an African entrepreneur and you create a product, you would be nuts to imagine that someone will actually invest in your start-up. This includes notable places like South Africa and Nigeria which are richer than other African countries The consequences is that the total number of start-ups created are lower, since risk to participate

is high.

No coverage in the local press or online If you are an African start-up just write of the local press as sometimes not helpful. Apart from Countries like Kenya -to a degree-, and South Africa the Media companies in Africa tend to shy away from technology related topics.

This also applied online, to reputable big name blogs which tend to shy from African centred topics.

Limited Support From Other International Start-ups and entrepreneurs

Again Africa has a bad image.

This means that a few notable startups do not offer some of their services in the motherland. The most notable being Paypal which is available only in South Africa.

Another example is Apple, they are basically non-existent on the continent.

So always make sure that if for example you will make use of the service of a particular non-African company that they offer services in your area.

Minimum Legal support There is not much legal resources for African entrepreneurs. I personal almost got sued, and had a hard time finding a way to defend both my capital and brand from attack.

The main problem is that legal advice or protection is very costly, and sometimes out of the reach for local entrepreneurs. Also they are few resources available to actually help start-ups navigate the legal system on any level. 

TechMasai’s (www.techmasia. com) goal is to monitor and consistently profile, interesting technology startups with a focus on Africa. We write about companies and products which we see as having a commercial, cultural and developmental impact on the continent.

TechMasai also responsibly explores foreign firms investment and participation in the continent.

TechMasais’ Policy TechMasai does not take any political or racial standpoint. We are committed only to innovation.

We however are committed to Gender Equality.

T

NEPAD Unveils Project to Attract Investments into Africa

he African Union’s (AU) NEPAD Planning and Co-ordinating Agency (NPCA) has kick-started ‘The Best of Africa 2010 - 2015’ project which is aimed at attracting investments into Africa.

‘The Best of Africa 2010’ project is focused on showcasing Africa as a business and investment destination. It is an inward investment, trade promotion and capacity building legacy project that is running from 2010 - 2015.

Speaking at a press conference

in collaboration with PR Africa International and we are doing this as part of an attempt to speed-up

held earlier on today at the Sandton Sun in Johannesburg, Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NPCA, revealed that that project is looking to take advantage of the presence of the international and African business representatives that will be in South Africa for the World Cup. The idea is to get these representatives to engage each other on increased investments, growth and development for Africa.

“We are coordinating this project

the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) whilst also marketing the continent to the rest of the world,” said Dr. Mayaki.

The project is designed to showcase Africa by leveraging 3 broad platforms of engagement which include a business conference, an exhibition and a cultural festival.

Participants will include the AU member states, civil society and the business community.

According to Mr. Adedapo Adelegan, the Executive Chairman of

By Andrew Kanyegirire PR Africa International, “in the long term ‘The Best of Africa’ conference and exhibition will be sustained as a global road show showcasing Africa in terms of its people, products and potentials – that is ‘Africa Under One Roof’”.

‘The Best of Africa’ initiative will take place at the Gallagher Convention Centre during the first week of the World Cup (13 – 18 June 2010). After 2010 roadshows on the project will also be held in China (2011), United Kingdom (2012 at the Olympics), US (2013), Brazil (2014) and Asia (2015).

As an initiative, this project draws on the declaration of the 8th Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government through which the AU reaffirmed its commitment to make the 2010 World Cup a truly African tournament, committing its countries to full and substantive involvement in the preparations leading to the 2010 World Cup. The initiative is also informed by the African Legacy Programme which is bent on ensuring that the 2010 FIFA World Cup is not only positioned as an African event, but also as an event that will have a substantial and enduring legacy on the continent.

Black Business News International Edition -26- Spring/Summer 2010

see NEPAD on page 27

Best of Africa - Virtually B

est of Africa 2011 is a country trade fair. The PADC is devoted to the specific online trade show bringing development of commerce and entercompetitive products and resources prise in Africa – the organisation’s misfrom Africa’s rapidly growing econo- sion is to bring Africa to the world, and mies to an international marketplace. the world to Africa. BusinessGlobal.

As the demands of the global market- com, in partnership with the PADC, is place evolve and the world economy particularly proud to showcase many of recovers from the fiscal crisis of 2008 Africa’s finest businesses to the rest of - 2009, the Best of Africa 2011 interna- the world. tional trade fair provides a unique and According to the International Montimely opportunity for African exhibitors etary Fund (IMF), Africa has made to increase brand awareness, establish remarkable gains in promoting growth new markets, develop franchising part- and achieving economic stability, avernerships, reach new customers and re- aging more than 6% over the past five cruit new suppliers globally. years. The IMF has increased financial Rich in natural resources, Africa of- support to African countries affected by fers vast reserves of oil, metals and precious stones. With thousands of pristine travel destinations, the tourism industry, including health www.businessglobal.com & wellness tourism, continues to grow steadily.

Best of Africa 2011 is a golden oppor- the economic crisis, revised its lendtunity for African enterprises to connect ing instruments to make them more with thousands of motivated buyers, flexible, and is working to double conand for international businesses seek- cessional lending. The Fund continues ing investment and B2B trade opportu- to provide advice and technical assisnities in Africa. With thousands of daily tance for strengthening economic politrade visitors, Best of Africa 2011 is a cymaking in Africa, and to design more perfect vehicle for African businesses sophisticated frameworks for improved seeking to build new relationships and integration into the world economy. re-energise their organisations.

With global efforts such as these to enBusinessGlobal.com has partnered courage growth in this region, it is an with the Pan-African Development Cor- opportune time for African businesses poration (PADC) to create this virtual to access international markets.

In recent years, Africa has built increasingly stronger ties with China – in 2007 Chinese companies invested a total of US$1 billion in Africa, overfrom page 26 taking Britain as Africa’s third-largest business partner and catching up with For more information contact us France. Trade between China and Afon: rica reached USD $100 billion in 2008 Telephone: +27 (0) 11 256 3635 and is expected to top USD $100 billion Email: info@nepad.org.  in 2010.

Africa now supplies a third of the oil

Best of Africa 2011 1 Feb – 30 April 2011

NEPAD

fuelling China’s economic boom, with Angola surpassing Saudi Arabia as the largest exporter of oil to China. With more oil reserves than North America, and an estimated 40% of the world’s potential hydroelectric power, Africa is on the verge of becoming a major global energy provider. With major world players now paying attention, African businesses have the opportunity to expand into new markets worldwide.

Why Visit the Virtual Exhibit BusinessGlobal.com offers online trade shows absolutely free for visitors along with the following array of benefits and features.

Virtual exhibitions offer visitors myriad advantages: • Access to foreign trade partners and potential business relationships from your desktop or laptop.

• The BusinessGlobal.com search engine helps you easily navigate our exhibition halls and pavilions.

• Considerably greater number of exhibitors, as compared to conventional exhibitions.

• Fast and efficient collection of exhibitor information.

• No travel costs or managerial time lost to travel.

• Quick and easy appointments with exhibitors.

• Real-time chat or Internet telephone conversations.

BusinessGlobal.com exhibitions offer visitors access the following features: Exhibition Pavilion Each exhibitor’s pavilion replicates a booth or stall as found at a conventional trade show or exhibition. You may visit as many pavilions as you wish and download any and all information the exhibitor makes available at the pavilion.

Company Information In this section of the pavilion you will find the exhibitor’s profile, details and information regarding the exhibitor’s business and products/services, and a hyperlink to the company’s website and

Black Business News International Edition -27- Spring/Summer 2010

see Africa - Virtually on page 28

Africa-Virtually from page 27

email address.

Pavilion Banner Exhibitors use pavilion banners for advertising. These banners are often linked to a relevant web page.

Featured Products/Services Exhibitors will often display their featured products/services at their pavilions, in order to make them more readily available to visitors and to other exhibitors.

Virtual Briefcase Visitors can use the virtual briefcase to permanently keep virtual business cards, product catalogues and any other information they gather at a BusinessGlobal.com exhibition. The virtual briefcase is accessible beginning a few days prior to each exhibition - you should update it with your details at this time.

Products/Services Catalogues Products/Services catalogues contain information about an exhibitor and its products and/or services. You can download and keep these catalogues in your virtual briefcase.

Video Presentations Many exhibitors will make videos available at their pavilions. These videos usually feature the exhibitor’s products and services, company information, demos, etc.

Live Text Chat Our pavilions feature live text chat, which enables you to chat with exhibitors.

Internet Telephone Our Internet telephones enable you to enjoy telephone conversations with exhibitors, which means your interaction with exhibitors is personalised and efficient.

Appointment Making If an exhibitor isn’t online when you visit a pavilion, appointment making permits you to schedule an appointment with the exhibitor for another time.

The appointment making feature auto-

International Trade Calendar

The 9th West African International Mining & Power Exhibition

WAMPOC, the 7th West African Mining & Power Conference*

in association with

Accra, Ghana, 25 - 27 May 2010

matically takes into account your time zone and the exhibitor’s time zone, and sends you an email reminder to ensure you don’t miss your appointment.

Business Card Exchange The BusinessGlobal.com platform enables you to exchange virtual business cards with any exhibitor at the click of a button. Even if an exhibitor is away from the pavilion, you can still add his or her business card to your virtual briefcase.

BusinessGlobal.com exhibitions offer visitors: Search Engine Our user-friendly search engine enables visitors to search our virtual exhibitions by industry, product, services or country.

Message Capability You will be able to check messages in the sent box in your message centre, where a copy of each sent message is stored once the message has been successfully sent. You can attach any file to your message, as long as the file is of reasonable size. 

Ghana with its well established mining industry lies at the very heart of the burgeoning West African mining scene. It is a networking node for the solid minerals development aspirations of the Nigerian Government, for exploration and mine development in Mali and Senegal, it’s a supply depot for companies operating in Burkina Faso and Niger, it’s a base for aerial survey companies. In short, the very life blood of the West African mining industry pumps through Ghana.

Mining stimulates the industrialisation of West Africa, is the biggest user of electricity in the sub-region and creates construction and infrastructural demand. www.gathersstrategies.com

SAITEX 2010: The 17th Southern African International Trade Exhibition* July 25-27 Since its inception in 1993 SAITEX – The Southern African International Trade Exhibition- has successfully promoted increasing international trade between South Africa, African see International Trade Calendar on page 29

Black Business News International Edition -28- Spring/Summer 2010

1 - 3 June 2010* The New Expo Centre, Lagos, Nigeria For information: dgathers@gathersstrategies.com www.gathersstrategies.com

DrinkTech Beverage processing & packaging machinery, equipment & technology FoodBiz Africa Food Service and Equipment Exhibition FoodTech Africa Production, Processing and Packaging Expo Interbake Africa Equipment, Processes and Ingredients for the Baking Industry Pan Africa Retail Trade Exhibition Food, Beverages, Merchandise, FMCG Retail Solutions Africa Technology for Retailers For information on SAITEX & AB7: www.gathersstrategies.com

and foreign companies.

It has traditionally been the only multisectoral trade fair of its size and kind on the continent and annually plays host to hundreds of exhibitors showcasing products, technologies, services and opportunities from all over the world.

With the acquisition of SAITEX by Exhibition Management Services in 2008 a programme was put into place to refresh, revitalize and reposition the event.

The timing was changed from its traditional October slot and brought forward to July to allow the event to be co-located with Africa’s Big Seven (AB7).

The immediate benefit of this being

the increased networking available to SAITEX exhibitors from AB7’s large and existing visitorship currently emanating from 45 countries.

The show’s ability to translate export, import, development and investment opportunities into reality in sub Saharan Africa has long been proven. Marketing plans are now in place to roll this business out throughout the continent.

And finally EMS intend “fine tuning” SAITEX’s multi-sectoral character to emphasis more of an export ready/retail ready exhibit profile that will encourage the attendance of more agents, buyers, traders, distributors and importers from the rest of the continent.

To facilitate the business networking opportunities the organizers offer a free matchmaking service to all registered exhibitors and visitors allowing them to interact seamlessly with their chosen market groups.

Africa’s Big Seven 2010* Presenting the A–Z of Africa’s Food Industry

25 – 27 July 2010 Incorporating: Agrifood Manufacturers and Producers Expo

AFRICA IS BIG BUSINESS African nations are pioneers in the new global economy Four key African development sectors -- Energy, Transport, Water and ICT -- will top the agenda at the second annual NEPAD Transport and Infrastructure Summit 2010 and Africa Expo to be held on 13-15 October at the Gallagher International Convention Centre in Midrand, north of Johannesburg.

The Summit, which is endorsed by the African Union, is a major effort to prioritise and promote infrastructure development across the continent and brings together government leaders, policymakers and experts, top executives from the private sector, investment bankers, regional community leaders and other stakeholders.

The NEPAD Transport and Infrastructure Summit is held in tandem see International Trade Calendar on page 31

Black Business News International Edition -29- Spring/Summer 2010

AGOA Plan

sector, support local processing and value-addition for Africa’s agricultural products, support increased sourcing of African agricultural products from initiatives such as the World Food Program and support technology transfers, technical assistance and assistance to African agricultural exporters to meet US sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements, and boost overall US support for a Green Revolution in African agriculture.

from page 7

nations to break into manufacturing and the global market.

“We know where trade preferences should go, and where they should be kept out,” he said. “If we give them to one huge manufacturer [like Bangladesh], it would cut out all the little manufacturers. These big manufacturers must be kept out because they are not entrants into manufacturing. Bangladesh doesn’t need privileged access.

There are many ways to help Bangladesh because it is still poor but [giving preferential trade access to its apparel sector] is not the way to do it.”

Proposals contained in the new Enterprise for Development policy initiative include: •

•

•

Making AGOA permanent and exclusive to Africa and expanding duty- and quota-free access to more African products.

•

•

Extending tax incentives and credits for US investors in Africa, and supporting regional integration through AGOA. Developing an effective plan to work with African nations to revitalize the region’s agricultural

Trade Calendar from page 29

with the Africa Transport, Trade and Infrastructure Expo (ATTIEX) which allows interested parties and stakeholders who will be attending the Summit to view a wide range of products and solutions.

•

Reform the US foreign aid program to focus more on trade capacity-building initiatives, extending loans to African businesses in the same way that the Marshall Plan rebuilt Europe’s business sector following World War Two, and supporting regional development and energy and infrastructure development in Africa.

Expanding and reforming the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) so that it focuses its resources on building African energy and transportation sectors and gives top priority bidding to US and African companies and procurement projects.

•

Increasing support to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to enable it to support African equity and infrastructure funds, increase assistance to small- and medium-sized companies in Africa, and more funding for the African Technical Assistance Initiative.

For more information on Enterprise for Development: A New US Policy Approach Toward Africa please contact Patrick Costello at patrick@thewhitakergroup.us.  African Growth and Opportunity Act www.agoa.gov

Export.Gov www.export.gov

Millennium Challenge Corporation www.mcc.gov

US Export-Import Bank www.exim.gov

Overseas Private Investment Corporation www.opic.gov

The Whitaker Group

Increasing financing for US ex-

Go to www.nepadtransportsummit.org or

www.thewhitakergroup.us

development. Visit the summit website at www.thesullivansummit.org for early planning details. 

www.nepadinfrastructuresummit.org

to book your seat For more information on sponsorship and exhibition opportunities contact: Tanitha Jolly +27 (0)21 681 7000 // tanitha@capemedia.co.za

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT OPPORTUNITIES? Book your seat now!

Delegate Rate: R4500 excl VAT / US$500 per person

ports to Africa through the US Export-Import Bank.

*For more information about these trade shows, or other opportunities to pursue business in South Africa, please contact: Gathers Strategies, Inc. – designated U.S. Agent – 213-291-6199 or dgathers@gathersstrategies.com

“Africa Rising” Leon H. Sullivan Summit IX The ninth in the series of business development summits is in

Black Business News International Edition -31- Spring/Summer 2010

Isaiah Washington Sworn in as Citizen of Sierra Leone OATH CEREMONY SPEECH BY MR. ISAIAH WASHINGTON AFTER BEING SWORN IN AS A SIERRA LEONEAN CITIZEN BY CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER MR. KHOLIFA KOROMA AND H.E. THE PRESIDENT ERNEST BAI KOROMA ON APRIL 26, 2010.

the foundation of the Gondobay Manga Foundation here in Sierra Leone.

That would be Mohamed Kamara, his brother Ibrahim Sei Kamara my Public Relations Officer and his brother Henry Moriba Koroma my Liaison Officer. I

are the vision of the youth that I want to attach myself to Mr. President. The wisdom that I receive from my family here and you sir makes me want to really be a bridge to connect our youth with the future. I would like to thank my wife Jenisa Marie Washington; my sons Akin Olu, Tyme Baraka and my daughter Iman Sele Washington.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my mother Faye Marie McKee for having provided me the DNA maternally

[Coughing] As you can hear, there have been and still are many obstacles trying to prevent me from being present for this momentous occasion. So, please forgive my voice. It is this struggle that I have today that encourages me and allows me to know that I am very blessed.

I

would like to thank His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma. The Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura and her personal assistant Abdulai Bayraytay, all the Ministers of the Republic of Sierra Leone; the Mayor of Freetown; the Vice President; all distinguished guests, relatives and friends. I would also like to thank the Embassy’s of Sierra Leone here in Freetown, New York and Washington, DC. I’d like to thank the Director General Soulay Daramy, Internal Affairs Minister, Dauda Kamara, Chief Immigration Officer Kholifa Koroma, my tribal brother Raymond Scott-Manga, my tribal mother Nyande Manga, my tribal uncle Julius T. Manga and all in the Kono-Mende family, Bagbwe Chiefdom, particularly the Ngalu and Njala Kendema villages, Gondobay Manga Project Manager; a man and his brothers who also afforded me this occasion by literally being

would like to thank them for all of their tireless support on the ground here in Sierra Leone and I just want to make it historically accurate to say that they

and the opportunity of life sanctioned

by God Almighty on August 3, 1963.

Because of her, I have been given the tremendous honor and opportunity to not only represent her today, but all of

Black Business News International Edition -32- Spring/Summer 2010

the Sierra Leonean women - five generations before her. I am humbled, but I am not deterred. To represent not only the Manga legacy, the Mende-Temne legacy, but the legacy of Sengbe Pieh and many other reformers, freedom fighters and patriots of Sierra Leone.

Mr. President, I would like to thank you for not only keeping your promise to give me my citizenship when we met, as I was a part of your delegation at the 63rd General Assembly at the United Nations in September of 2008. I remind you that your promise was made at the historical Willard Hotel, where one of our reformers - Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in his hotel room at the Willard in 1963 days before his March on Washington . I would also like to remind you sir and all of our guests – that there would be no reform if there had never been a civil rights movement and there would have been no civil rights movement if it were not for the Sierra Leonean Sengbe Pieh, who became the first civil rights case. So, that irony does not fall short on me. And why we are finally here, I believe that through science the truth is found out. I believe that DNA will finally become the tool to bridge the gap between our brothers and sisters who have been lost.

Since my rebirth in February 2005, the moment I received my DNA results from African Ancestry, Inc. I have been boldly and impassionedly put on a crash course forged in fire with challenges upon challenges and difficulties. And every single one where I felt I could not go on, something would happen literally the next day that said that I should. I stand here today, humbled and grateful that I did. This is not only a historical occasion, but is one that has defined Isaiah Washington .

WHO IS ISAIAH WASHINGTON? I am the first, but I certainly won’t be the last. This is just a dream come true that I never talked about for fear of being ridiculed since the age of 9.

I’ve written a book about it, chroni-

cling it, entitled “A Man From Another Land” about how finding my roots changed my life. For those who dreamed of being football players, track stars, baseball players, doctors, astronauts and lawyers. I dreamed of Africa. At the time I thought I was being plagued by this particular dream – a peculiar dream that was the exact same dream that came into fruition on May 28, 2006. I never revealed this to any of my family or my tribal brother, again for fear of being ridiculed. It’s a daunting task to know what your purpose is early in life.

It’s unexplainable and it’s overwhelming. But I can release all of that – today. And I thank you for that freedom.

WHO IS GONDOBAY MANGA? On May 28, 2006 I was The Foday Golia Memorial School Before (top) tribally baptized, adopted and After The Gondobay Manga Foundation and inducted as Chief Gondobay Manga. The honorary title has now been “legitimized” today. Largely ratified and fighting. The Gondobay Manga name recognized at my official ribbon-cutting has not been used for over 300 years in Njala Kendema yesterday. Opening until now. I was told that there was folkthe Foday Golia Memorial School that lore that there would be “a man from services over 250 students today, was another land” that will join in the effort my gift to the people of Sierra Leone. to re-claim and restore Sierra Leone I have travelled around the continents to its former greatness. Mr. President, of Africa and North America looking at I am honored to be the first African ruins and buildings that have landmark American to receive this citizenship, placards on them from Bunce Island, but I will assure you I will not be the South Carolina to Georgia. Slave cab- last. You sir, have sparked a fire that ins. Slave castles. And I always had a will spread throughout the continent of different take. One that was completely Africa and throughout the world. separate from the one I was supposed I believe that DNA has memory. I beto have - Malice, Anger and Rage. All I lieve that if the slave traders could have could see, although the blueprints had known to destroy our chromosomes I been laid by our enslavers and our op- believe that they would have so that pressors, were that these ruins are still this connection today could have never standing much like the pyramids simply happened. [APPLAUSE] because they were “built” by our hands.

Mr. President, I believe that DNA In that rebuilding I now stand here as has memory and once and for all. Our Gondobay Manga II. Gondobay Manga brothers and sisters can now begin to was a warrior who came from Kono to “awaken” to their individual ancestral defend the Kono Settlement and died

Black Business News International Edition -33- Spring/Summer 2010

see Isaiah Washington on page 35

Isaiah Washington from page 33

links and connections living in their DNA. There have been many Pan Africans who have tried – from W.E.B. DuBois to Edward Wilmot Blyden of Liberia – from Kwame Nkrumah to Reverend Leon H. Sullivan and all of the reformers who have tried to obtain this moment that you have offered me today. DNA, I feel, will serve as a bridge that could literally begin the process of laying the groundwork and form the landscape to reverse the middle passage once and for all.

I thank you for the opportunity to be a representative of that and being an Ambassador for this historical occasion. Thank You.  About Sierra Leone Sierra Leone is on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, with coastal swamps rising to interior plateaus and mountains. Named “lion mountain” by a 15th-century Portuguese explorer, Sierra Leone was a British colony from the early 19th century until 1961. In the 1990s democratically elected leaders were overthrown but subsequently regained power, and major hostilities have demoralized the population and destabilized the economy. In 2002 Sierra Leone emerged from a decade of civil war, with the help of some 17,000 UN peacekeepers.

Capital City: Freetown Population: 6,017,643 (07/05 est.)

Total Area: 71,740 sq. km.

Population density (people/sq. km): 83.88 Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season; winter dry season Ethnicity: • 90% native African tribes (over 20 in total) • 10% Creole and refugees from Liberia’s recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians Languages:

• English (mostly for official purposes) • Mende (mostly in the south) • Temne (mostly in the north) • Krio Religion: • 60% Muslim • 30% Indigenous beliefs • 10% Christian Government: Constitutional Democracy Currency: Leone (SLL) Life Expectancy: 39.87 years (37.74 male; 42.06 female) Literacy: Total population: 29.6% (male: 39.8%; female: 20.5%) GDP Per Capita: $800 Population Below Poverty Line: 70% Economy: Industry: mining (dia-

monds); small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles); petroleum refining.

Agriculture: rice, coffee, cacao, palm kernels; poultry; fish.

Exports: Diamonds, utile, cacao, coffee.  African Ancestry, Inc. www.africanancestry.com Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone http://embassyofsierraleone.net Gondobay Manga Foundation www.GondobayMangaFoundation.org Reach One Million www.reachonemillion.org United Nations www.un.org

President Hon. Dr. Koroma and wife, President Obama and wife

Black Business News International Edition -35- Spring/Summer 2010

Congratulations to D J Mbenga & the Los Angeles Lakers on Winning Another NBA Championship

East African Community Economies Hopeful With Positive Growth Projections

W

ith a forecast of an average growth rate of 6.1 per cent for East African economies, the region’s future looks bright, even after the global economic crisis.

The growth rate is a rise over 4.8 per cent in 2009 when the global economy was reeling from the financial crisis that broke out in mid-September 2008. Burundi will see its GDP growth rise by 1.5 per cent.

“Our economic growth projection stands at 6 per cent this year, after experiencing sluggish growth of 4.5 percent in 2009,” Bank of Burundi Governor Gaspard Sindayigaya told The East African.

The real GDP growth is expected to be 3.6 per cent in 2010 and 4.5 per cent in 2011, driven by higher food production and investment.

Inflation is forecast to fall to 10 per cent in 2010 and 8 per cent in 2011 because of higher food production.

Burundi’s current account deficit narrowed slightly as a share of GDP in 2009, according to the IMF, as imports fell by 20 per cent and exports rose by 12 per cent.

Rwanda forecasted its economy to bounce back from 6 per cent in 2009 to 7 per cent in 2010, accounting for 1 per cent increase in growth rate.

“Rwanda GDP growth is expected to rebound to 7 per cent in 2010 up from 6 per cent recorded last year,” National Bank of Rwanda Governor, François Kanimba told The East African.

Real GDP growth is forecast at 6 per cent in 2010, picking up to 7.5 per cent in 2011 on the back of higher external demand and robust performances in services and construction.

The inflation rate is forecast to aver-

age 8.5 per cent in 2010-11, but this remains vulnerable to changing weather patterns and the risk is on the upside.

Trade, particularly with the EAC, is expected to pick up and the current-account deficit is forecast at around 7-8 per cent of GDP in 2010-11.

Continuing reforms in support of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy and the increased focus on improving the business environment, with support from the development partners, are aimed at further improving growth prospects.

Slight rise Tanzania’s economy is projected to grow by 6.5 per cent in 2010 compared with 6 per cent in 2009.”Last year our GDP growth was 6 per cent, but in 2010, we forecast 6.5 per cent and above,” Bank of Tanzania (BoT) Governor Prof Benno Ndulu observed.

Real GDP growth is expected to increase to 6.4 per cent in 2010 and 7.1 per cent in 2011 as investment, trade and tourism pick up slowly.

The current-account deficit is forecast to fall to 6.6 percent of GDP in 2010 and 5.9 per cent in 2011 because of strong exports and decent economic growth, partly financed by rising foreign direct investment, particularly in the mining sector.

New current-account data show that the deficit narrowed in 2009 as imports contracted sharply. Lower oil prices were a major factor.

Uganda’s current account deficit is forecasted to widen to 1 per cent of GDP in 2010 and to 1.8 per cent of GDP in 2011 owing to rising oil prices and higher capital imports for infrastructure improvement.

Local petrol prices rose by up to 35

World of Games from page 23

around these great classic cities and explore these empires and you'd get a sense of what the way of life would be like in the glorious path of these societies," the creator was recently quoted as saying. 

By Philip Mwaniki allAfrica.com Notes & Other Resources: • The game can be purchased only in Kenya for now. However, you can watch a video walk through of the game at www.slybeaver.com.

•

www.gamepolitics.com/category/ topics/africa

•

www.techmasai.com

percent in March.

The year-on-year inflation rate fell to 5.9 per cent in April, the lowest for two years, as better rains led to improved food production, offsetting a rise in fuel prices. 

Black Business News International Edition -37- Spring/Summer 2010

Mcadams Michael allafrica.com

India’s Tata Planning a ‘Nano’ Wind Turbine to Boost Distributed Power Generation

Indian government has been opposing mandatory emission reduction targets arguing that it needs to provide cheap, coal-fired power to its millions of villages.

Now India already has a voluntary goal to reduce its carbon intensity by 20 to 25 percent by 2020 from 2005 levels and it will have to agree to mandatory and absolute emission reduction.

Therefore, it is India’s own interests that it seriously considers renewable energy technologies which can take up a substantial burden of the power generated in the country in the medium to long term.

Advantages of Distributed Power Generation Distributed power generation has several other advantages in the case of India. Being a large country it is difficult to expand transmission lines to the remote places. Distributed power generation makes redundant the various parameters that an independent power system needs to match with the central grid for efficient power evacuation. An article by Grist’s David Roberts sheds light on the advantages of distributed power generation.

T

ata, one of the largest business groups in India is planning to launch innovative clean energy technologies in rural areas as it plans to grab the opportunity of India’ rapidly expanding power sector.

The Tata Power Company, a subsidiary of the Tata group, plans to test a 2 kW wind turbine which would generate enough electricity to meet the basic demands of an small rural home. With several thousand villages still not connected with the national grid this micro turbine could prove highly beneficial.

The 2 kW turbine which can be mounted on rooftops would be enough to power multiple ceiling fans (rated 60 W) and bulbs/lights (rated 40 W). Even more appliances if battery systems are coupled with the wind turbines.

The Tata’s have been investing heavily in clean energy technologies and distributed power generation. Another of its subsidiaries, Tata BP Solar has setup pilot projects to test and demon-

strate power evacuation technology to main grid from rooftop solar panels.

Need for (Clean) Distributed Power Generation India needs tremendous amounts of energy resources not only for rural electrification but also to meet the rising demands in the big cities. Coal reserves are in short supply, with limited domestic gas reserves India is heavily dependent on imports which are mostly entangled with strategic tug-of-wars be it the case of losing oil & gas blocks to China or ditching plans for energy partnership with Iran under pressure from the US. Nuclear energy expansion, too, has many roadblocks – concerns about safety, waste disposal & civil liability and fuel shortages.

Although dwindling, indigenous coal reserves are still the backbone of India’s power generation sector with more than 70 percent of power generated by coal-fired power plants. The

The effectiveness of intelligent grids will be enhanced by new ways of storing electricity at the building and neighborhood levels.

It is energy storage coupled with the smart grid, Alford says, “that enables grid security, grid stability and power quality.”

Shifting of power generation of centre from traditional power plants to homes and communities would ensure reduction in losses due to power theft and would also improve the stability of the grid. India lost a staggering 88,327 MW due to power theft in 2007-08.

Power generation through localized clean energy technologies would not only reduce India’s carbon emission output but could also reduce power wastage as people would possibly value this resource more when them produce it ‘themselves’, at their homes.

One benefit of energy localism that is difficult to quantify but nonethe-

Black Business News International Edition -38- Spring/Summer 2010

see Wind Turbines on page 40

U.S - South Africa Strategic Dialogue Convenes Annual Bilateral Forum to Advance Critical Issues of Mutual Interest.

T

he South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation hosted the first official bilateral meeting under the new U.S.South Africa Strategic Dialogue signed

by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on 14 April 2010.

This meeting, known as the South Africa–United States Annual Bilateral Forum, met in Pretoria 12-13 May 2010. The Forum was co-chaired by Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko, Deputy Director-General: Americas and Caribbean, and the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Donald H. Gips. The Annual Bilateral Forum is now focused on priority areas as outlined in the Strategic Dialogue Memo-

randum of Understanding and provides a mechanism to discuss bilateral and multilateral issues of shared interest and common concern, including development, security and economic cooperation; and reaffirms the strong, growing relations between South Africa and the United States.

Discussions at the Annual Bilateral Forum focused on key priority areas, including health, education, agriculture, law enforcement, trade, investment, energy, climate change, and regional security. The two sides agreed to establish functional working groups in several broad topic areas in order to implement mutually agreed upon programmes and strategies.

At the conclusion of the Forum, the co-chairs stated, “This official meeting was a big step in our roadmap to closer

cooperation and an enduring national friendship. Our countries share many interests and aspirations for our people and the global community – it is both natural and productive for us to work together in realizing these goals. To echo our Presidents, ‘Together we can do more,’ and ‘Yes, we can.’”

For more information contact Saul Kgomotso Molobi on 082 940 4716, 012 351 0083 or email him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za

Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation OR Tambo Building 460 Soutpansberg Road RIETONDALE Pretoria

U.S. Department of State Contributes $200 Million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

T

he United States is pleased to announce an initial contribution of $200 million toward the 2010 operations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The contribution will support UNHCR efforts worldwide. These activities include refugee returns to Afghanistan and Burundi; local integration and third-country resettlement of refugees; and protection and provisions of water, shelter, food, healthcare, and education to people under UNHCR’s care.

The contribution will directly support UNHCR’s 2010 Program Budget activities in the amounts and regions indicated below.

Africa East Asia Europe Near East South Asia Western Hemisphere Global Operations Headquarters Emergency Response Activities

$ 50.05 million $ 9.50 million $ 25.10 million $ 6.20 million $ 58.20 million $ 9.80 million $ 14.00 million $ 9.65 million $ 17.50 million

TOTAL

$ 200.00 million

Black Business News International Edition -39- Spring/Summer 2010

Senegal from page 14

to take part.

The exhibits, performances, symposia, celebrations and the inauguration of the spectacular “African Renaissance Monument” marked 50 years of Senegal’s independence and looked towards to a unified, dynamic Africa in 2017 and the years to come. 

Strategic Objectives African Union Commission Strategic Plan 2009-2012 1. Reduce conflicts to achieve continental security and stability; 2. Achieve the necessary continental security and stability as a prerequisite for Africa’s development and integration; 3. Promote sustainable economic development; 4. Promote sustainable social and human development; 5. Formulate frameworks for developing and sharing Africa’s Statistics, and Research & Development capacities;

Wind Turbines from page 38

less significant is that it engages a city’s residents in a more active civic role: People sort their trash, they manage their power consumption, they get involved.

Local involvement at the most fundamental level of the society could initiate and fuel a sustainable revolution in the power generation sector.

Lastly, the entry of one of the largest companies in the country in a dormant sector boosts confidence in the investors and opens countless avenues of employment generation for millions. Investment thrusts from the private sector, supported by government-backed incentives and international cooperation could eventually transform India’s power sector into a profit-making sector that would fuel competition, accelerate clean energy revolution and bring the best quality services to the customers. www.tatapower.com Photo Credit: Secretlondon (Wikimedia Commons)

6. Enhance continental integration; 7. Build and foster continental and global cooperation; 8. Promote good governance, democracy and human rights; 9. Strengthen the Africa-wide humanitarian response and action; 10. Promote Inter-African solidarity; 11. Promote African Cultural Renaissance and the protection of Africa’s cultural heritage; 12. Promote the active participation and contribution of all segments of the African society in Africa’s development and integration; 13. Promote the ratification and entry into force of all outstanding legal instruments adopted by the Assembly of the Union; 14. Promote gender equality; 15. Strengthen the capacity and enhance the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the African Union Commission; 16. Promote synergies, linkages and good working relations with all Africa Union Organs; 17. Promote effective cooperation and collaboration with Member States and the Regional Economic Communities; 18. Promote strategic partnerships for leveraging sustainable sources of funding and comparative advantages.

www.african-union.org

Black Business News International Edition -40- Spring/Summer 2010

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Black Business News International Edition To be added to the International Edition mailing list or advertise in the publication send an e-mail request to:

mail@bbala.org View the International Editions at www.bbala.org and www.yudu.com Search: Black-Business-News-International

http://angola.org/newsletter/Imbondeiro.pdf Black Business News International Edition -41- Spring/Summer 2010

Online Videos Offer Businesses the Basics of Exporting A new series of 12 online videos offer exporters another tool in learning about the technical aspects of exporting and dealing with the intricacies of trade rules and paperwork.

In these videos, viewers see Trade Information Center (TIC) trade specialists, explaining how to fill out a NAFTA Certificate of Origin. The presenters in the videos all do customer-facing work for their Department of Commerce agencies and, thus, are intimately familiar with the subject matter of each video.

The 12 export training videos are available on the Web at www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/ exporttraining/videos. Each video runs about three or four minutes and can be viewed online or downloaded for off-line viewing.

For additional sources of export counseling, contact the Trade Information Center at 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723); www. export.gov.

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Focused on ways the African Diaspora can participate and support the African Union’s Sixth Region initiative.

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Black Business News International Edition -43- Spring/Summer 2010

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