Survival versus environmental protection

Liberia's Sapo National Park is facing that dilemma. Per the article, in a country where over 85% of the population is unemployed, it is no wonder people are resorting to illegal mining in the forests. The issues for Ms. Johnson and her government are how to create more jobs generally and also how to protect national forests.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-20-voa57.cfm

Thomas Friedman, the bailout and start ups

Now Friedman might be onto something here. It might lead to the resparking of the start up sector. What if the money from the bailout plan was given to entrepreneurs? Better yet, what if the money were given to social entrepreneurs? Not only would we create jobs, but the social and environmental causes would benefit too. I am not proposing taking money away from the auto industry, banking or the mortgage industry, I am proposing coming up with more innovative ways to bounce back the economy. Considering the fact that the government wants to add more money to the plan, perhaps we need to rally the government's focus on social enterprise.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/opinion/22friedman.html?em

I spoke at the Harvard African Business Conference

On Saturday I was a panelist on the Investing in Post Conflict Countries in Africa panel at the Harvard African Business Conference. It was a great forum at which to learn about various topics relating to the business environment in Africa. I met a lot of great people and learned a lot. A special thanks to the organizers.

http://www.hbsafricaconference.com/custpage.cfm/frm/14557/sec_id/14557

El Salvador, the environment and corporate social responsibility

The Salvadorian government launched a "Green Network" to encourage good environment practices and also increase corporate social responsibility.

http://www.temasactuales.com/temasblog/environmental-protection/el-salvador-launches-green-network-on-corporate-environmental-responsibility/

Conflict and Investment in Madagascar

I have been waiting for mainstream US media to put the spotlight on the violence in Madagascar, but nothing. Many of my Twitter friends are doing a great job of providing updated information otherwise I wonder if I would have even know about the conflict. Then again, it took years for the crisis in the Congo to receive continuous attention in the New York Times. I am not a fan of highlighting only the negative aspects of Africa, but I think it is important to inform citizens of the world of what is going on.

With violence comes detrimental consequences. The latest in Madagascar is a potential pullout by South Korea of funding for a farming project. What should an investor do when the country they are looking to invest in is unstable? How soon after conflict should an investor invest? Who is to say that the violence won't remain localized and not even affect the area where the farm was to operate?

I shall continue to keep the people in Madagascar in my thoughts.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i5LtbH2-oNaYQ47us9pfjNTjaKLw

A story with a happy beginning

Sierra Leone is set to open its first stock exchange. This is exciting news considering that this is their first exchange and also it was not too long ago that the country was engaged in a brutal war. This is a great sign that despite all odds, Africa continues to prosper.

Check it out:
http://www.africanews.com/site/list_messages/22904

Good news for Ethiopia

From a posting on the AngelAfrica site:

Ethiopia announced perhaps the first sub-sovereign corporate bondaimed at the diaspora. A release by the Ethiopian Ministry of ForeignAffairs says that the bond launched on December 23rd will providefunds to the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO) forinvestments which will increase power supply to the nation, where only27 percent of the people currently have access to electricity.The government-guarante ed bond will be issued for a minimumdenomination of US$500, maturing in 5, 7 or 10 years (with interestrates of 4%, 4.5% and 5% respectively) . The interest earned would befree of income tax. The news that companies in developing countriesare starting view migrants as a potential source of external (hardcurrency) finance is indeed noteworthy.


Check out:


http://peoplemove.%20worldbank.%20org/en/content/%20ethiopia-%20announces-%20first-diaspora-%20corporate-%20bond