Economy Archive
Too Big for Africa?
Big Guy against Small Fry. Boeing against Kenya Airways. Heard this story before? But that’s America’s problem: looking only at the short-term.
Last week Boeing stiffed Kenya Airways. Should KQ stiff Boeing back?
Probably one of the most successful companies in Africa, Kenya Airways is ruling that continent’s skies right now, and into [...]
Are all Poachers the Same?
When times get bad, men get bad. But is the Kenyan government’s seizure last week of 150 elephant tusks the work of “bad men?”
Yes, for sure, if you believe that every law promulgated by man should be obeyed. The 317 pieces of raw elephant ivory (weighing 2 tonnes) and the five rhino horn [...]
South African Cartoons
Posted by jimheck in Economy, Politics, South Africa on August 26, 2010
After a stellar performance during the World Cup, the turning fortunes of Jacob Zuma make many of us wonder if the South African presidency will be forever filled by wackos.
South Africa pulled off the World Cup like any grown up country; in fact, better. Infrastructure nightmares, mass strikes, insidious crime waves – didn’t happen.
Now [...]
Serengeti Highways & Monopolies
Posted by jimheck in Economy, Great Migration, Politics, Serengeti on August 16, 2010
Your voice against the Serengeti highway has attracted the attention of the most powerful in Tanzania. Unfortunately, he’s digging in his heels.
During an end of July live television speech to the country President Jakaya Kikwete said that “under no circumstances” will the government be deterred from building the road.
Kikwete doesn’t shy from the limelight, [...]
We Won! Power to YOU!
Guess what? We won an important battle: The Wall Street reform act signed by President Obama this week regulates U.S. corporations using Coltan from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)!
Reread my blog of May 10, “Evaporize Goma!”
There I discussed several of the great horrors of Africa : war, corruption, child soldiers and [...]
Not Enough Drops to Drink
Posted by jimheck in Economy, Health, Uncategorized on July 22, 2010
This week as summer rains pelted the Midwest major battles for single drops of water were raging in Africa.
We take so much for granted and nothing more necessary to almost every aspect of our lives than potable water. That may be one of Africa’s top problems, if not the single-most urgent need.
All of us [...]
Tanzanian Driver Strike Called Off
The planned strike this month by Tanzanian driver/guides has been called off. You didn’t know about it? Thank goodness!
I’m not one to oppose industrial action, almost anywhere. Workers of the World have taken a huge hit during my life time, while Managers of the World have grown fat on their sweat.
But I [...]
Tanzanian Graduation Class of 2010
It’s high school graduation time! A time for celebration, parties and boasting! Here’s a selection of graduates from Tanzania. I’d like to know which you’d like to meet.
These four kids have been born and raised in northern Tanzania, but their stories are replicated continent-wide.
Headed to the University of Cape Town’s engineering school [...]
The Life Spill in East Africa
I have little doubt that the Gulf Oil Spill may become the most catastrophic environmental disaster of my life. I hope it will focus your attitudes towards the Third World.
Caution: I don’t expect to get oil on my hands, or for my livelihood or retirement to be profoundly changed. Nevertheless, I know it [...]
The Flame Tree Road
Posted by jimheck in Culture, Economy, Planning Travel on May 17, 2010
Three years ago China started building roads all over Kenya, including an 8-line highway between Thika and Nairobi. It’s now 30 miles of 12 lanes!
(Stop! Yes, the Kenyan wilderness away from Nairobi is still beautiful and healthy. You still will find lions in the Kenyan wilderness. Not to worry, there.)
In the few [...]
Build Baby Build!
Posted by jimheck in Corruption, Economy on May 6, 2010
Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki returned from China’s expo with a commitment from the Chinese to build a new Kenyan port on the island of Lamu.
He called China “an important strategic partner.”
Hmm. That’s how Secretary of State just referred to Kenya: a “strategic partner.” Quite a phrase, that.
Kenya is on the threshold of a great [...]
Africa Powers the World?
In 35 years Africa will be the principal source of power for the world, right?
Yes, according to a consortium of African and European governments with considerable capital funding from world companies like Siemens and classified technologies from the German Aerospace Center.
And several days ago, this “pipe dream” notion rocketed to credibility when an important German [...]
Righting Old Wrongs Does Not Need to Destroy the Economy
By Conor Godfrey
All countries with a colonial history struggle with the psychological and economic impact of colonialism.
In many African countries, colonial masters empowered one people group over another and left a legacy of racial or tribal inequality that persists to this day.
This legacy is particularly potent in South Africa, where the gap [...]
The Berlin Conference Continues to Plague Africa 125 Years After the Fact
By Conor Godfrey
In 1884-85, European governments essentially drew a map of Africa on the back of a cocktail napkin in Berlin. This map carved Africa into a series of illogical states and spheres of influence that took little stock of realities on the ground and laid the framework for more than a century of civil [...]
Is Guinea Ready to Exploit “A World Class Monster” Iron Ore Deposit?
By Conor Godfrey
The feasibility studies are complete.
The ore deposit in Simandou, Southern Guinea, is 66% iron (high quality), and is likely the largest undeveloped iron ore deposit in the world (110 km).
One stockbroker interested in the project was quoted as saying– “It’s a world-class monster.”
Over the next several years, mining giant Rio Tinto, [...]