Africa News Headlines for 14 August 2014

Morocco Positioning Casablanca As Africa’s Financial Hub
Source: AFK Insider

National Intelligence Service director Michael Gichangi resigns
Source: Standard Digital

Prayers to stop porn TV in SA
Source: Bizcommunity

All Eyes on Africa
Source: Yale Global Online

Account for US trip, UPC tells Museveni
Source: New Vision

Gabon: pangolins killed for their bodyparts
Source: First Coast News

International Finance: “Somalia is Different”
Source: Africa in Transition

Kenya downplays security risks as it courts U.S. investment
Source: Reuters

How Morocco Could Take Over Western Africa
Source: Ozymandias

Aliko Dangote to Address Global Leaders at the 2nd Africa Global Business Forum in Dubai
Source: Premium Times

Kenya’s ‘Stone The Gays’ bill reportedly found unconstitutional
Source: Gay Star News

Botswana adopts combination prevention approach against HIV
Source: Star Africa

Lenku: Major security strides at US-Africa talks
Source: Capital FM

The Weakest Link of HIV Prevention in Africa – Contraception
Source: Inter Press Service

Bass holds town hall meeting on homophobic laws in Africa
Source: Los Angeles Wave

KQ will not suspend flights to West Africa over Ebola, 
Uhuru says world should not shun West Africa
Source: The Star

About Sub-Saharan Monitor

New Africa Book of the Day - 3 May 2014

African Development Finance and Business Finance Policy edited by Atsede Woldie and Victor Murinde

Release Date: May 1, 2014
Publisher: Routledge [Kindle Edition]

Financial plans that stimulate growth and eliminate poverty in developing African countries!

African Developmental Finance and Business Finance Policy presents theoretical/conceptual and empirical articles that provide invaluable insights into successful business techniques and strategies for the African business arena—the last great frontier of international business expansion. Researchers and practitioners in the field of developmental finance discuss the design and implementation of financial policies for pro-poor growth and poverty alienation in developing countries, including Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe. The book focuses on banking, business finance, and investment, detailing strategies for coping with a small financial system, bank licensing policies, correction action rules, quality of banking services, and the revitalization of the African stock exchange.

African Developmental Finance and Business Finance Policy features papers presented on key policy issues addressed at the April 2001 international conference of the Institute for Developmental Policy and Management at the University of Manchester in England...

Topics addressed include:

- financial regulation, interest rates
- bank ownership
- regulatory forbearance
- emerging stock markets
- determinants of capital structure
- financial reform
- and much more!

Targeted to policymakers in government and international agencies, academics, consultants, and executives, African Developmental Finance and Business Finance Policy is an essential resource for advancing and communicating research on developmental policy in developing countries.

Victor Murinde is author of Bank Regulatory Reforms in Africa (2012) and Macroeconomic Policy Modelling for Developing Countries (1993).  Atsede Woldie is principal lecturer in the faculty of business and society at the University of South Wales.

New Africa Book of the Day - 24 April 2014

Advancing the Ugandan Economy: A Personal Account by Ezra Sabiti Suruma

Release Date: April 30, 2014
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press

Internal conflicts, dictatorship, and economic disintegration characterized the first twenty-five years of Uganda's independence from British colonial rule, which culminated in the reign of Idi Amin and a violent civil war. The country has since achieved an astounding turnaround of stability and growth. Advancing the Ugandan Economy is a first-hand look at the remarkable policy changes that took place from 1986 to 2012 and their effect in contrast with the turbulent events after independence.

Ezra Suruma held several key positions in the Ugandan government during the nation's transition period, including minister of finance. His insightful recounting of those times demonstrates that African countries can achieve economic stability and sustain rapid growth when they meet at least two interdependent conditions: establishing a stable and secure political framework and unleashing entrepreneurialism. Suruma also highlights the strategic areas that still require fundamental reform if Uganda is to become a modern state and shares his vision for the future of his country.

Rarely in African history has so much positive political and economic transformation of a country been achieved in such a short time. Suruma's account of the commitment, determination, vision, and dexterity of the Ugandan government holds invaluable lessons in managing the still complex policy challenges facing the African continent.

A former Ugandan minister of finance (2005-2009), Ezra Sabiti Suruma has also been a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., and serves as am advisor on finance and planning to President Yoweri Museveni.