The Rwandan Cabinet has finally adopted the draft law for the abolition of the death penalty. The decision was adopted during a Cabinet Meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro on January 17. Under minute five of the resolutions, the Cabinet supported the abolition of capital punishment to allow for trial and subsequent application of alternative penalties for capital offenders. ‘We (cabinet) have adopted the draft law scrapping the death penalty,’ the Information Minister, Prof. Laurent Nkusi, said in a statement.

CDC and Citigroup Invest to Africa

CDC Group a private equity investor owned by the British Government has teamed up with US banking giant, Citi group to invest at least $200 million (Ksh.14b) in Africa. The fund will provide opportunities for Africa's infrastructure, telecoms, manufacturing and energy industries. It will be managed by Citigroup Venture Capital International.

Telcom SA in Talks to Buy Africa Online 

Africa Online has entered into negotiations with a number of investors over the last couple of months to fuel its ambitious pan-Africa growth strategy. Telcom South Africa is in talks with African Lakes to buy Africa Online.                

MTC/Celtel Group Launches New Growth Strategy 

Twenty operations of the MTC group are meeting in Dar es Salaam this week to discuss the Group's new growth strategy - ACE (Acceleration, Consolidation, and Expansion). Speaking on the eve of the conference MTC Deputy Chairman Dr. Saad Al Barrak said MTC was supportive of President Kikwete's efforts to attract foreign investment with a particular focus on the Middle East. Dr Al Barrak further added "We value our customers in Africa and having this event here reinforces the commitment we have to the continent, which is central to our strategy. Africa is important to us, having invested more than US$ 6 billion in less than two years on the continent since we acquired Celtel International."

Sub-Saharan Africa Leads World Tourism Growth  

According to figures released by the authoritative United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Africa, led by Kenya and South Africa, is expected to top world tourism growth. UNWTO, in its World Tourism Barometer for this year, forecasts a world growth of around four percent. Africa does not only lead in growth with the expected rate for the just-ended year of 2006 standing at 10.6 per cent but was also in the world's regional leader in 2005 in terms of growth.  

Mombasa Port to Operate for 24 Hours 

Following the signing of agreement between Mombasa ports authority and other key players last week, the port will start operating for 24 hours. The stakeholders appointed a task force to tackle the issues of legal implications and number of employees.

Indian Firm to Build Africa Cable 

Flag Telcom is investing $1.5 billion to build a cable to build a submarine cable around the Eastern Africa coast line. The cable will link South Africa to Kenya via Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar and Mauritius. This will reduce internet costs and rival the continent’s own delayed plans for a cable.