According to a study entitled Establishing the Challenge-Kenya Competitiveness 2006 by Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Kenya has ranked the best country to do business in East Africa. Globally, Kenya is at number 83, Uganda (107) and Tanzania (142) out of 175. The ranking by KAM considered crime levels, grand corruption, bureaucracy and high tariffs among others.

Sudan Loses AU Chair to Ghana

African leaders chose Ghanaian President John Kufuor as the new chair of the African Union (AU), turning down Sudan's bid for its failure to end the conflict in Darfur. Alpha Konare, AU Commission chairperson, told journalists in Addis Ababa that African leaders agreed by "consensus" to elect Kufuor to the presidency of the pan-African body.

Kenyan Firms Fail to Meet Deadline for Crucial Trade Forum

Only six out of the expected 60 Kenyan manufacturers met the registration deadline for a major business forum in Tanzania. Failure to register in large numbers has given South Africa an edge after more than 60 registered to take part.

Oil and Global Influence Drive Hu Jintao's Trip

China's energy-hungry economy and global influence have driven President Hu Jintao's visit to Africa for the second time, in less than a year. Hu Jintao, who is in Africa since Tuesday Jan, 29, 2007, will visit Cameroon, Namibia, Mozambique, the Seychelles, Sudan, South Africa, Zambia and Liberia. "China is moving in a big way in Africa. It is a high priority for China in terms of oil, mineral resources, trade and investment of which infrastructure is a part," Francis Kornegay of the Johannesburg-based Centre for Policy Studies told IPS in an interview.