Nigeria’s more than 140mn people will be better-off if the six per cent average growth of the economy is matched with more productive and stable jobs and a more equitable distribution of income.

International mergers and acquisitions are forecast to decline by 56 per cent in 2009 compared with 2008, the largest year-on-year decline since 1995.

South Africa has developed an established, diversified manufacturing base that has shown its resilience and potential to compete in the global economy - providing a locus for stimulating the growth of other activities, such as services, and achieving specific outcomes, such as employment creation and economic empowerment.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has inked a AED169mn (US$ 46mn) loan agreement to construct a vital 77km highway linking two of the most important cities in Tanzania: Kidaho and Ovinza. This road is part of a key highway linking the western part of the country with Dar as Salam in the east.