Bridging the gap in infrastructure is the focus of this issue (PDF).

The paper assesses the developments in the financial accounts of the balance of payments in 15 transition countries in Central, Baltic and South-Eastern Europe. It is a follow-up of the IES working paper no. 49 of May 2004, that dealt with the state of current accounts in these countries. In contrast to the early stages of transition when the external balance was often the source of economic instability in the region and required a deep undervaluation of the exchange rate, the performance of fin more...

The Africa Investment Initiative, launched in Johannesburg in November 2003, aims to mobilise private investment for poverty reduction, job creation and sustainable development in Africa, by supporting African countries' own efforts to advance national reform agendas, regional and international policy dialogue, policy implementation and capacity building.

How to make the most of such peer learning methods within the context of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process is the main thrust of this Roundtable, to be held in Brazzaville on 12-13 December 2006.

Japanese, Chinese and South Korean companies have shown interest in various investments in Tanzania beginning next year.

Perception is King; and in the case of Africa, there is so little global knowledge about individual African countries to the extent that every country ends up sharing the same reputation of civil strife, corruption and poverty.

Africa is reaping the fruits of a new “silk road” to the fast-growing Asian economies, notably through a sharp rise in trade and investments by China and India, a new study, which the World Bank is promoting through a book tour to a number of African countries.

China and many African countries have reacently announced a large trade agreement, that is sure to profit China, but what will its effect be on Africa? Will it pull the continent out of poverty?

More than 40 African heads of state and ministers are in Beijing for a summit with China on trade and investment.

"More than one decade after the fall of apartheid, and despite ambitious economic reforms by the ANC government, foreign direct investment flows into South Africa averaged around two-thirds less than investments in comparable emerging-market economies. Why? One reason that could be overlooked is the enduring strength of the corporate climate in South Africa, says Eric D. Werker, an assistant professor at Harvard Business School."