The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has released the Ibrahim Index of African Governance. 48 countries in the sub-Saharan Africa have been ranked based on five categories of essential political goods: safety and security, rule of law, transparency and corruption, participation and human rights, sustainable economic development and final human development. Top on the index is Mauritius, followed by Seychelles. Botswana is third; Cape Verde fourth while South Africa is fifth. In East Africa, Tanzania comes first at number 14 overall followed by Kenya (15) Rwanda (18) while Uganda comes a distance fourth at 25. Burundi is ranked 40. The five bottom countries are Guinea Bissau (44), Sudan (45), Chad (46), Democratic Republic of Congo (47) and Somali (48).
Awards for the Most Entrepreneurial Teacher
UK-based education charity Teach a Man to Fish will launch the 1st Pan-African Prize for Entrepreneurial Teachers. The competition will offer awards for the most entrepreneurial teacher in every African country with a top prize of US$10,000. According to Nik Kafka, Managing Director of the charity, the 1st Pan-African Prize for Entrepreneurial Teachers will recognize and acknowledge the huge contribution teachers across Africa make towards improving the lives of their fellow Africans. Entries are expected to be assessed against four criteria of innovation, impact, leadership and creative use of limited resources. Entries must be received before October 15, 2007. The top three awardees or recipients will be sponsored to travel to Paraguay to receive their prizes at the Financially Self-Sufficient Schools Conference scheduled for December 4-6, 2007.
Floods Affect 22 African Countries
Flooding across Africa have affected 22 countries including Ethiopia, Niger and Sudan where the situation has worsened in recent days, according to the United Nations. An estimated 1.5 million people have been affected since the worst downpours in 30 years started sweeping the continent in August. International development charity, ActionAid, is launching an emergency appeal for its relief and rehabilitation work in countries from Ghana to Uganda.
USD 900,000 Raised for Educational and Training Programs in Africa
The Africa-America Institute Awards Gala raised nearly $900,000 for educational and training programs in Africa. The Institute's 23rd annual awards Gala paid tribute to Tanzania its significant progress in education, environmental conservation, creating a business-friendly environment for entrepreneurs and investment. The Gala also honored leading Americans and Africans for their contributions to Africa and the world. Tanzanian President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, accepted the African National Achievement Award on behalf of the People of Tanzania.
Tanzania Benefits from ADB Loan
Tanzania is a beneficiary to an African Development Fund (ADF) loan that could help it finance the upgrading of its central road network. This follows the approval of 60 million units of account (UA) - an equivalent of US$92 million - by the board of directors of the ADF, the concessional window of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group. The project, which aims at improving essential road transportation services between Dodoma, Singida, Babati and Arusha, so as to integrate the region with the rest of the country, will also help integrate the key central transport corridor in Tanzania with the northern transport corridor traversing Kenya.
Compiled by Anne Mugoya
Inter Region Economic Network
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