Author: Database of Press Releases related to Africa

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Since December of last year, the security situation in the area where the Manono, Mitwaba, Malemba-Nkulu and Pweto territories come together has worsened considerably, provoking regular displacement in north-central Katanga.

Despite a demobilization programme that resulted in the surrender of hundreds of Maï Maï / Bakata Katanga militiamen in autumn 2013, a certain number of armed groups remain active and continue to put up sporadic resistance to the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This keeps people in a state of constant tension. Since January, clashes between certain Pygmy and Luba communities have been steadily increasing, particularly in the area between Kiambi and Nyunzu, north of the “triangle of death.” Many communities lead wandering lives, in search not only of safety but also, especially, of basic means of support.

“Currently there are a number of armed groups in the field, which makes it more complicated to interpret the situation and also to bring aid to the people who need it,” said Andrea Drury, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Katanga. In addition, problems involving the management of quarries and the lack of jobs – a consequence of “structural” poverty in north-central Katanga – further complicate the situation for the population.

Continuing displacement of civilians

Although it is difficult to give a precise estimate of the number of displaced people in north-central Katanga, population movements continue to be observed throughout the territories of Manono, Mitwaba, Pweto, Moba, Nyunzu and Malemba-Nkulu. Following a new wave of destruction in which a number of villages were set on fire and looted, the inhabitants fled, leaving behind what little they had. Some found refuge in nearby villages and others in the bush, where they are currently without shelter and exposed to the elements.

Because they have only limited access to food and health care, the displaced are surviving only thanks to the solidarity of residents who in many cases themselves experienced displacement at one time and even now survive only with great difficulty.

Immense logistical challenges to reach the needy

The precariousness of the security situation over the past few months and deteriorating road conditions have further complicated the already difficult task of humanitarian organizations seeking to bring aid to the people who need it. Nevertheless, the ICRC recently managed to resume its assistance activities out of its offices in Lubumbashi and Manono. It distributed tarpaulins, sleeping mats, blankets, kitchen utensils, buckets, soap, hoes, plastic containers and hygiene items to displaced people in Mpiana and the surrounding area. Logistical problems were overcome thanks to the perseverance of the personnel, who helped transport 4,100 sets of basic household items. Volunteers from the Manono branch of the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo then took part in the distribution, which has so far benefited almost 16,300 displaced people.

Since January, in the rest of Katanga province, the ICRC has:

• carried on with its visits to people held in four prisons, and launched an emergency food assistance operation in the Kipushi district prison;

• continued to reunite children (some of whom had been recruited by armed forces or armed groups active in the province) with their parents, and at a transit centre in Kamina registered around 100 children demobilized in North Kivu (family tracing is currently under way);

• raised awareness of international humanitarian law among 54 senior officers of the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and among 44 commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the Republican Guard;

• provided financial and technical support for the training of 20 emergency workers of the Katanga branch of the Congolese Red Cross in the management of mortal remains;

• reminded armed forces and armed groups of their obligation to spare civilians and to allow the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid intended for civilians.

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, May 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On April 25, 2014, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation1 with Tanzania and completed the third and final review of the country’s performance under an economic program supported by a Standby Credit Facility arrangement (see Press Release No. 14/182).

Economic growth in Tanzania is projected to remain strong at 7 percent next year and in the medium term. Inflation is at 6 percent, gradually converging to the authorities’ 5 percent medium term objective. The external current account deficit remains among the largest in the region, at 14 percent of GDP this year. Fiscal revenue shortfalls and overruns in domestically-financed spending led the deficit to rise to 6.8 percent of GDP in 2012/13. Revenue shortfalls in 2013/14 compared to the budget approved by parliament have prompted the authorities to undertake expenditure cuts during the fiscal year in an effort to meet their 5 percent of GDP deficit target. Based on the debt sustainability analysis, Tanzania remains at low risk of debt distress. A major opportunity for the long term, not yet incorporated in the baseline projections, relates to sizable finds of offshore natural gas that, if confirmed as commercially viable, could generate significant exports and government revenues during the 2020s.

Executive Board Assessment2

Executive Directors commended the skilful macroeconomic management that has delivered rapid growth, falling inflation, and continued poverty reduction in the context of Fund-supported economic programs. Noting risks to the outlook and remaining vulnerabilities, Directors encouraged the authorities to consolidate the gains so far by stepping up efforts to improve the policy frameworks, reconstitute buffers, and push ahead with structural reforms in a variety of areas.

To safeguard the sustainability of the public finances, Directors recommended containing public spending within the limit of the mid-term budget review, while addressing poverty alleviation and the large infrastructure deficit through careful expenditure prioritization. They also encouraged the authorities to intensify revenue mobilization, including through accelerated VAT reforms. More broadly, Directors agreed that the achievement of fiscal targets would benefit from further improvements in public financial management, which would prevent the recurrence of arrears and facilitate their resolution. It would also be important to improve the quality and dissemination of fiscal data.

Directors commended the Bank of Tanzania for reducing inflation to the mid-single digits and preserving financial stability. Looking ahead, they advised to further strengthen prudential oversight, including as regards the regime against money-laundering and the financing of terrorism. Directors also welcomed the central bank’s intention to transition to an interest rate-based monetary policy framework, and encouraged a review of the foreign exchange market to promote greater transparency and efficiency.

Directors took note of the staff’s assessment that the Tanzanian shilling appears to be somewhat overvalued in real effective terms, but agreed that Tanzania’s ongoing structural transformation amplifies the uncertainty surrounding such assessment. They nonetheless considered that the persistently high external current account deficit points to the need to boost external competitiveness through enhanced exchange rate flexibility as well as additional reforms to reduce implements to trade, promote financial deepening, and improve the business climate.

Noting that the recent offshore discoveries of natural gas could present a major opportunity for Tanzania, Directors recommended establishing over the medium-term transparent institutional frameworks for natural gas taxation and wealth management with a view to fostering good governance and inter-generational equity.

Tanzania: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2010/11–2017/18

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18

Prog.1 Prel. Prog.1 Proj. Proj. Proj. Proj. Proj.

(Annual percentage change, unless otherwise indicated)

National income and prices

Nominal GDP (in billions of TSh)

34,913 41,125 48,264 48,348 55,228 55,559 63,263 71,718 80,801 90,810

Real GDP growth (calendar year) 2

6.4 6.9 7.0 7.0 7.2 7.2 7.0 7.1 7.0 6.8

Real GDP growth

6.7 6.7 7.0 6.9 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.0 6.9

Consumer prices (period average)

7.0 17.8 11.6 11.3 7.2 5.8 5.1 5.0 5.0 5.0

Consumer prices (end of period)

10.9 17.4 9.5 7.6 6.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0

GDP deflator (period average)

8.1 10.3 … 10.0 … 7.4 6.3 5.9 5.3 5.1

External sector

Exports, f.o.b (in billions of U.S. dollars)

4.9 5.6 5.9 5.4 6.5 5.5 6.1 6.6 7.3 7.9

Imports, f.o.b. (in billions of U.S. dollars)

8.0 10.6 11.0 10.5 12.3 11.5 12.4 13.3 14.3 15.6

Export volume

10.9 8.9 2.0 -2.2 12.6 9.7 12.7 10.7 10.6 9.1

Import volume

6.2 28.8 3.2 -2.0 10.2 10.1 9.1 8.7 8.0 8.9

Terms of trade

1.2 1.6 3.4 -1.5 -2.5 -6.9 -1.3 0.2 -0.5 0.3

Nominal effective exchange rate (end of period; depreciation= -)3

-17.7 6.4 0.6 1.2 … … … … … …

Real effective exchange rate (end of period; depreciation= -)3

-13.6 21.5 6.0 6.1 … … … … … …

Money and credit

Broad money (M3)

22.0 10.9 14.5 14.9 13.0 14.5 15.5 14.8 14.1 13.8

Average reserve money

19.3 14.2 15.7 14.5 11.9 14.9 13.9 13.4 12.7 12.4

Credit to nongovernment sector

24.3 18.6 17.4 17.1 13.9 16.5 14.7 14.5 13.2 16.2

Velocity of money (GDP/M3; average)

3.2 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.2

Treasury bill interest rate (in percent; end of period)

4.8 13.8 … 13.9 … … … … … …

(Percent of GDP)

Public Finance

Revenue (excluding grants)

16.4 17.6 18.1 17.5 19.9 18.4 19.3 19.5 19.5 19.5

Total grants

4.7 4.5 3.7 3.6 4.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.0 3.0

Expenditure4

27.0 26.2 27.6 28.0 29.1 26.9 27.6 27.1 26.6 26.6

Overall balance (excluding grants)5

-11.4 -8.6 -9.5 -10.5 -9.2 -8.5 -8.3 -7.5 -7.0 -7.0

Overall balance (including grants)5

-6.6 -5.0 -5.8 -6.8 -5.0 -5.2 -4.9 -4.0 -4.0 -4.0

Domestic financing (excluding gas pipeline financing)

3.6 0.8 1.0 2.2 1.0 1.4 1.0 0.5 0.7 0.7

Domestic debt stock (end of period)6

9.6 11.1 10.4 11.6 10.1 10.5 10.2 9.5 9.2 8.8

Total public debt6,7

39.4 39.8 41.6 40.8 43.3 41.4 42.5 42.1 42.4 42.5

Savings and investment

Resource gap (net exports of goods and services)

-15.3 -17.6 -16.7 -15.6 -15.6 -14.8 -14.0 -12.9 -12.0 -11.4

Investment

34.5 35.5 39.2 34.4 38.3 33.4 32.1 31.5 31.5 31.6

Government

8.5 8.8 9.1 8.6 8.9 8.5 8.6 8.6 8.6 8.7

Nongovernment8

26.0 26.8 30.2 25.7 29.4 24.9 23.5 22.9 22.9

Gross domestic savings

19.3 18.0 22.6 18.8 22.7 18.6 18.2 18.6 19.5 20.2

External sector

Current account balance (excluding current transfers)

-12.5 -20.8 -16.0 -15.7 -17.0 -15.7 -14.5 -13.3 -12.7 -12.2

Current account balance (including current transfers)

-9.4 -18.4 -14.3 -14.0 -15.2 -14.5 -13.3 -12.3 -11.7 -11.3

(Billions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

Balance of payments

Current account balance (excluding current transfers; deficit= -)

-3.0 -5.4 -4.8 -4.8 -5.7 -5.4 -5.6 -5.7 -6.0 -6.3

Gross official reserves (end of period)

3.6 3.8 4.2 4.4 4.5 4.6 5.2 5.6 6.2 6.8

In months of imports of goods and services (current year)

4.3 3.5 3.8 4.1 3.6 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3

Total external debt stock (end of period; percent of GDP)7

33.1 34.4 35.0 35.7 36.8 36.7 37.6 37.3 37.5 37.7

Sources: Tanzanian authorities and IMF staff estimates and projections

1 From the sixth review under the PSI and the second review under the SCF arrangement

2 E.g. Calendar year corresponding to 2011/12 is 2012.

3 The figure for 2012/13 reflects the change from July 2012 through June 2013.

4 Including unidentified fiscal measures.

5 Actual and preliminary data include adjustment to cash basis.

6 Net of Treasury bills issued for liquidity management

7 Excludes external debt under negotiation for relief, and domestic unpaid claims (reported in Table 2b).

8 Including change in stocks. 2/ Based on relative unit labor costs in manufacturing.

1 Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

2 At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay called Thursday for increased protection for people with albinism, after the barbaric murder of a 40-year-old woman with albinism in north-western Tanzania on 12 May.

“This killing and the terrible circumstances surrounding it sadly demonstrate that the human rights situation of people with albinism in Tanzania and other countries, remains dire,” Pillay said.

According to police reports, Munghu Lugata was brutally murdered Monday night at her home in Mwachalala, a village in Simiyu region, north-western Tanzania. Her attackers chopped off her left leg above the knee, two of her fingers and the upper part of her left thumb, apparently while she was still alive.

These attacks, which are often motivated by the use of body parts for ritual purposes, have claimed the lives of at least 73 people with albinism in Tanzania since 2000. Ms Lugata’s murder is the first reported killing of someone with albinism in Tanzania in 2014.

Pillay welcomed the rapid response of the police, who arrested two local witchdoctors on 13 May.

“The fight against impunity is a key component for prevention and deterrence of the crimes targeting this exceptionally vulnerable community,” Pillay said, while noting that victims often face significant difficulties in bringing their cases to justice, fearing retaliatory attacks or further stigmatization. Without effective and affordable access to justice, many cannot claim their rights.

The High Commissioner stressed that States’ obligation to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of such crimes is particularly critical due to the vulnerability of people with albinism. States must also ensure access to effective remedies, redress and rehabilitation, including medical and psychological care for survivors and victims’ families.

“All over the world, people with albinism continue to face attacks or suffer terrible discrimination, stigma and social exclusion,” said the High Commissioner. The UN Human Rights Office has received reports of more than 200 cases of attacks against people with albinism in 15 countries between 2000 and 2013, but it is believed the actual number could be much higher.

The High Commissioner also expressed concern about the appalling living conditions in at least of Tanzania’s 13 centres for displaced children and adults with special needs. These centres host hundreds of children with albinism who have been abandoned by their families or have fled their homes out of fear of being attacked or killed. Some are administrated by the Government while others are run by faith-based organizations.

The 13 shelters are overcrowded, with very poor health and hygiene conditions. Many of the children with albinism living there reportedly suffer from skin cancer, partly due to the lack of awareness of the staff about a number of simple steps that can be taken to prevent this disease. Cases of sexual abuse have also been reported in some of these centres. Due to the very limited human and financial resources, teaching and learning materials are reported to be almost non-existent in most of them.

“I urge the Tanzanian authorities to take urgent measures to assess and address the situation in these centres, including allegations of sexual harassment and abuse, and the poor living conditions. The staff working with people with albinism should be trained on their special needs, in particular with regard to basic preventive measures to avoid skin cancer,” Pillay said.

The High Commissioner also called upon the Tanzanian authorities to take urgent concrete measures to protect people with albinism, and to actively engage in the fight against stigma attached to albinism through education and awareness-raising campaigns.

VATICAN, Holy See, May 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — This morning Pope Francis received the credential letters of seven new ambassadors to the Holy See: Pierre Yves Fux, Switzerland; Rudolf P. von Balimoos, Liberia; Nega Tsegaye Tessema, Ethiopia; Nasreldin Ahmed Wali Abdeltif, Sudan; Margaret Ann Louise Jobson, Jamaica; Claudinah Ntini Ramosepele, South Africa; and Mysore Kapanalah Lokesh, India.

The Holy Father focused his address to the diplomats on the challenges posed to peace by the arms trade and forced migration.

“Peace: this word summarises all the assets to which every person and all human societies aspire”, he said. “Also the effort with which we seek to promote diplomatic relations has, in the final analysis, the sole aim of allowing peace to grow in the human family, in development and justice. It is a target that is never fully reached, and that must be continually sought after by every generation, facing the challenges presented in every age”.

“Everyone talks about peace”, he observed; “everyone claims to want it, but unfortunately the proliferation of weapons of every type leads in the opposite direction. The arms trade has the effect of complicating and distancing us from a solution to conflicts, all the more so since it takes place to a great extent outside the boundaries of the law. Therefore I consider that, while we are gathered in this Apostolic See, which by nature is invested in a special service to the cause of peace, we can unite our voices in expressing hope that the international community may make new, concerted and courageous efforts against the proliferation of weapons and to promote their reduction”.

The Holy Father mentioned that another challenge to peace, which “unfortunately takes on, in certain regions and in certain moments, the nature of a full-blown human tragedy”, is that of forced migration. He commented that it is a very complex phenomenon, and recognised that important efforts are being made by international organisations, States, and social bodies, as well as religious communities and volunteer groups, to respond “in a civil and organised way to the most critical aspects, emergencies, and situations of greatest need”. However, also in this case, “we are aware that we cannot limit ourselves to reacting to emergencies. This phenomenon has fully manifested its epochal character. The moment has arrived to face it with a serious and responsible political outlook, involving all levels: global, continental, macro-regional, in relations between nations, and finally at national and local levels”.

In relation to this problem we see examples of a contrary nature: on the one hand, “marvellous cases of humanity, of welcome, of encounter: people and families who have succeeded in leaving behind these inhuman situations and have rediscovered dignity, freedom and security. Unfortunately, on the other hand there are stories that make us weep for shame: human beings, our brothers and sisters, children of God who, inspired by the wish to live and work in peace, face harrowing journeys and are subjected to blackmail, torture and harassment of every kind, and at times end up dying in the desert or at the bottom of the sea”.

The phenomenon of forced migration is “closely linked to conflicts and wars, and therefore also to the problem of the proliferation of weapons. … They are the wounds of a world that is our world, in which God has placed us to live today, and He calls us to be responsible for our brothers and sisters, so that the violation of no human being be violated. It would be an absurd contradiction to speak about peace, to negotiate peace, and at the same time promote and permit the arms trade. We could also consider it to be in a certain sense cynical to proclaim human rights and at the same time ignore or fail to take account of the men and women who, forced to leave their homeland, die in the attempt or are not welcomed by international solidarity”.

The Pope concluded, “The Holy See today declares to you and to the governments of your respective countries its firm resolve to continue to collaborate to take steps forward in these areas and along all the roads that lead to justice and peace, on the basis of universally recognised human rights”.

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The humanitarian situation in South Sudan, already dire, is set to deteriorate further with the arrival of the rainy season. To maintain a suitably robust response and bring aid to…

KINSHASA, Dem. Rep. of Congo (DRC) May 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Matata Ponyo Mapon (https://www.primature.cd), was the guest of honour at the Global Education for All Meeting…

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, May 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ —

 FDI in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased by 4.7% in 2013 while it has declined in North Africa

 Intra-African investment on the rise

 Investors shift from extractive industries to consumer-related sectors

 Dramatic improvement in investor perception about the attractiveness of Africa but stubborn perception gap remains between investors already operating on the continent and those who are not

Africa’s share of global foreign direct investment (FDI) projects has reached the highest level in a decade, according to Executing Growth, EY’s 2014 Africa Attractiveness Survey (http://www.ey.com/za).

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/ey.jpg

Download the report: http://www.apo-mail.org/140515report.pdf

Download the infographic: http://www.apo-mail.org/140515infog.PDF

Download the presentation: http://www.apo-mail.org/140515pres.pdf

The report combines an analysis of international investment into Africa since 2003, with a 2014 survey of over 500 global business leaders about their views on the potential of the African market. The latest data shows that while there has been a decline in FDI project numbers from 774 in 2012 to 750 in 2013, primarily due to ongoing uncertainty in North Africa, they remain easily in excess of the pre-crisis average of 390 projects per year.

There is a noticeable divide between FDI trends in North Africa versus Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). While FDI projects in North Africa declined by nearly 30%, projects in SSA increased by 4.7%, reversing the decline of 2012. This further widened the gap between the two sub regions, with SSA’s share of FDI projects exceeding 80% for the first time.

While the UK remains the lead investor into the continent, intra-African investment continues to steadily rise. Investors are also looking beyond the more established markets of South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya to expand their operations, as well as moving into more consumer-related sectors as Africa’s middle class expands.

Ajen Sita, Chief Executive Officer, EY Africa, comments, “Africa’s share of global FDI projects has grown steadily over the past decade and it is a promising sign that investors are now looking across the continent and to new sectors. Further regional integration and infrastructure development should continue to entice investors to the exciting investment opportunities that Africa can offer.”

New FDI hotspots are emerging

There was significant movement in the list of top 10 countries by FDI projects in 2013. Only South Africa and Nigeria retained their first and third positions from 2012 with 142 projects and 58 projects, respectively. However, FDI projects in both these countries witnessed a slight decline. Countries such as Kenya with 68 projects, Ghana with 58 and Mozambique with 33 all moved up the ranks.

Zambia and Uganda were the new entrants in the top 10 list in 2013 with 25 and 21 projects respectively, an increase of more than 20%. In contrast, North African countries such as Morocco, Tunisia (ranked 8th in 2012) and Egypt slipped on the rankings.

In 2013, both West and East Africa surpassed North Africa for the first time, becoming the second and third most attractive sub regions in Africa after Southern Africa.

UK leads investment into the continent

The UK became the clear leader in 2013 with 104 projects, while the US fell from joint first place to second place with 78 projects, a 20% decline from last year. South Africa, the third largest investor, directed 63 investment projects into the rest of Africa, a 16% decline on last year but a significant increase from pre-crisis levels when it registered on average 12 projects. There was a sharp uptake in FDI projects by Spanish and Japanese companies with increases of 52% and 77%, respectively.

Intra-African investment is gaining momentum. African investors nearly tripled their share of FDI projects over the last decade, from 8% in 2003 to 22.8% in 2013. This growth is fuelled by the need for improved regional value chains and strengthening regional integration. Another driver of growth is the African investors’ understanding of the market and of the potential opportunities and challenges.

Michael Lalor, EY’s Lead Partner Africa Business Center, comments, “External investors supply long-term capital, skills and technology, and intra-African investment creates a virtuous circle that encourages greater foreign investment.”

Significant shift away from extractive industries towards consumer related sectors

The top three sectors – technology, media and telecoms (TMT) with 150 projects, retail and consumer products (RCP) with 131 projects and financial services with 112 projects – accounted for more than 50% of the total projects in 2013. During the year, RCP overtook financial services to become the second most attractive sector in Africa.

FDI projects in the real estate, hospitality and construction sector increased by 63%, making the sector the fifth most attractive, up three positions from 2012. On the other hand, for the first time ever in 2013, mining and metals exited the top ten sectors when measured by FDI project numbers.

When asked about the three sectors that would offer the highest growth potential for Africa in the next two years, investors highlighted the rising importance of agriculture which ranked only marginally behind mining and metals. Increasingly, infrastructure is also perceived as a key growth sector as well as consumer-facing industries including financial services, telecommunications and consumer products.

Michael comments, “Although perceptions indicate that resource driven sectors are expected to remain the industries with the highest potential over the next two years, the actual numbers show that infrastructure and consumer-facing sectors will increase in prominence as the middle class expands and consumer spending on discretionary goods increases.”

Dramatic improvement in perceptions of Africa

Africa’s perceived attractiveness relative to other regions has improved dramatically over the past few years. The overall survey results show that Africa has moved from third last position in 2011, to become the second-most attractive investment destination in the world, behind North America.

Sixty percent of survey respondents said that there had been an improvement in Africa’s investment attractiveness over the past year, up four percentage points from last year’s survey.

Ajen comments, “The good news in this year’s survey is that perceptions about the continent seem to be shifting. For the first time, Africa is seen as the second most attractive investment destination in the world. It has strong fundamentals to encourage investment including steady democracy and macroeconomic growth; an improving business environment; rising consumer class; abundant natural resources and infrastructure development.”

However, there remains a stubborn perception gap between those already operating on the continent and those who are not yet present. For the first time, this year’s survey shows that companies with a presence on the continent perceive Africa to be the most attractive investment destinationin the world. In stark contrast, those with no business presence in Africa still view the continent as the world’s least attractive investment destination.

Seventy-three percent of those who are already established in the region believe Africa’s attractiveness has improved over the past year versus 39% who are not established.

Urban centers

Africa’s cities are now emerging as the hotspots of economic and investment activity on the continent. Nearly 70% of respondents stressed the significance of cities and urban centers in their investment strategy in Africa.

In terms of perception, city attractiveness closely maps country appeal. In SSA, half of the respondents quote Johannesburg as the most attractive city in which to do business, ahead of Cape Town. Nairobi and Lagos are ranked as third and fourth most attractive cities, respectively. In North Africa, Casablanca, Cairo and Tunis are perceived as the top three cities in which to do business.

Investors highlighted that in order to attract greater investments, cities need to focus on the following critical factors: infrastructure (77%), consumer base (73%), local labor cost and productivity (73%) and a skilled workforce (73%).

Looking ahead

Ajen concludes, “Africa’s stronger investment attractiveness is best explained by its own sustained growth rates in the context of slower global growth. Africa’s growth prospects are likely to remain solid, as an urbanizing and rising middle class drives demand for consumer products and improved services.”

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Ernst & Young.

Media contact:

Bijal Tanna

EY Global Media Relations

+44 (0) 20 7951 8837

btanna@uk.ey.com

Fathima Naidoo

EY Africa Media Relations

+2711 772 3151

fathima.naidoo@za.ey.com

Notes to Editors

About EY

EY (http://www.ey.com/za) is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of EY Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. EY Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

Following on from EY’s successful integration in 2008 of 87 countries into one area from across Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA), the firm has launched its Africa Business Center™ (ABC), which aims to enhance the effective and efficient links between its geographic reach and areas of expertise. The firm enjoys representation in 33 countries across Africa.

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Twitter: @EY_Africa #AfricaAttractiveness

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In late 2012, armed groups began a rebellion that sparked a period of devastating instability, lawlessness, and anarchy in the Central African Republic (CAR) that led to the overthrow of its government in early 2013. Escalating violence and human rights abuses set the stage for the eruption of sectarian conflict by December 2013. Communities that have lived together peacefully for generations are being torn apart along sectarian lines. More than 2.5 million of the country’s 4.6 million people need humanitarian assistance. Approximately one million people have been displaced. Growing attacks perpetrated by both Muslim and Christian militias have brought CAR to a crisis of disastrous proportions.

That is why today President Obama issued a new Executive Order declaring a national emergency and authorizing the imposition of sanctions to deal with the threat posed by the situation in the CAR. The Executive Order also imposes sanctions on five individuals – sending a powerful message that impunity will not be tolerated and that those who threaten the stability of the CAR will face consequences. Today’s actions follows the UN Security Council’s unanimous vote in January to establish a sanctions regime against those responsible for instability and atrocities in the CAR, and the listing of three individuals by the UN Security Council CAR Sanctions Committee on May 9.

The United States continues to work with the international community, regional partners, and CAR’s transitional authorities to help set the country on a path toward recovery. We strongly support the African Union, French, and European Union forces who have been working to reestablish security for the people of the CAR, and the UN peacekeepers who will continue their heroic work. We stand with the courageous individuals who continue to call for peace and reconciliation. We will continue to provide support to the Transitional Government as it works to restore governance and pave the way for a return to an elected government, and to deliver humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict. We urge all parties to end the violence, to ensure justice and accountability for perpetrators of human rights abuses, and to work together to forge a brighter and more prosperous future for all Central Africans.

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — EXECUTIVE ORDER

BLOCKING PROPERTY OF CERTAIN PERSONS CONTRIBUTING
TO THE CONFLICT IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the…

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A group of African and UN human rights experts* today called on the Egyptian authorities to bring its legal system into compliance with international and regional standards so as to ensure long-term justice and contribute to reconciliation efforts in Egypt.

The appeal by nine United Nations independent experts, together with the Chairperson of the Working Group on Death Penalty and Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings in Africa, comes after the second wave of mass death sentences pronounced in Egypt last month.

“Following the two mass trials, Egypt’s legal system is in critical need of being reformed, in line with international and regional standards,” the international experts stressed. “A failure to do so is likely to undermine any prospects for long-term reconciliation and justice in the country.”

On 28 April 2014, a group of 683 individuals were sentenced to death in Egypt, on charges related to the events in Al-Minya in August 2013. The verdicts were pronounced in the aftermath of a first round of mass death penalties imposed upon 529 individuals on 24 March 2014.

As in the previous case, the new death sentences were pronounced, reportedly under similar charges, after proceedings that seriously violated international standards of fair trial and ‘the most serious crimes’ provisions. Among them, reports indicate lack of clarity on the precise charges against each individual, conduct of the trials in the absence of the defendants and their lawyers, and mass sentencing.

“We are shocked at the extent to which the international and domestic outcries and calls following the first case were ignored by the authorities in Egypt,” the UN human rights experts said, recalling their previous statement of 31 March 2014 when they jointly urged for the quashing of the 529 death sentences and for new and fair trials for all defendants.

“We stress once again that the imposition of these mass death sentences in both March and April for crimes that may not be punishable by death and after a grossly unfair trial is a staggering violation of international human rights law by Egypt,” they said.

“This is a continuing and unacceptable mockery of justice that casts a big shadow over the Egyptian legal system,” the UN independent experts reiterated.

The Chairperson of the Working Group on the Death Penalty and Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings in Africa, Ms. Sylvie Kayitesi Zaïnabo, noted with concern that the sentencing to death of the 529 people would constitute gross violation of the provisions of the African Charter, in particular Articles 4 and 5, as expressed in an urgent appeal sent by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to the Government of Egypt in March 2014.

“The number of people allegedly sentenced to death is the highest recorded in the recent past from two mass trials,” Ms. Kayitesi Zaïnabo stated. “While there is a possibility of an appeal, it is highly unlikely that the mass trials observed the standards of a fair trial. The manner in which the death penalty was imposed may therefore violate international and regional standards.”

Noting that the matter is currently being considered by the African Commission and its earlier call that the 529 death sentences are suspended, the Commissioner urged the Egyptian authorities to fully investigate the circumstances under which the death sentences were imposed.

Ms. Kayitesi Zaïnabo also called on the Government “to take all necessary measures to implement the African Commission’s Resolution on a moratorium on the death penalty and to fully commit itself to upholding the rights in its own Constitution and its obligations under international human rights law.”

The African and UN human rights experts further called upon Egypt’s authorities to commit immediately that all the death sentences will be quashed and new and fair trials will be given to all defendants.

(*) The experts: Ms. Sylvie Kayitesi Zaïnabo, Chairperson of the Working Group on the Death Penalty and Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings in Africa; Mr. Chaloka Beyani, Chair of the Coordination Committee of the United Nations Special Procedures and United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons; Mr. Christof Heyns, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Ms. Gabriela Knaul, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Mr. Juan Méndez, United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Mr. Pablo de Greiff, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence; Mr. Mads Andenas, Chair-Rapporteur of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Mr. Maina Kiai, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Mr. Frank La Rue, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Mr. Ben Emmerson, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism.