CNN: Is China good or bad for Africa? – China’s role in Africa has been one of the most closely watched relationships in the developing world, yet still experts are split on whether it’s for the best. While China has invested billions in roads, ports and other infrastructure, 90 percent of their trade is still based on oil, ores and mineral, which are not labor intensive industries and do not necessarily provide jobs for those who need them. In many cases, Chinese investment has only served to make the rich and odious government officials more profitable. (Peter Eigen)
SF Chronicle: Hardier cassava offers promise for hungry Africa – Through fire, drought and pestilence, cassava is one of the most resilient and versatile plants Africa has to offer. So much so, that even the Nigerian president, whose country is the world’s top producer of cassava, has promised to only eat cassava bread while in office, to help promote the plant and its many uses as a flour for baking, leaves for eating, and even the scraps and roots for feeding livestock. Scientists are also currently looking to breed the plant into a more nutritious and drought-resistant resource for Africa’s farmers. (AP)
Reuters: Strong Tanzania economy still blighted by poverty – Despite promised growth, Tanzania’s economy has proven to be one of the strongest in Africa, yet the effects are not felt among the country’s poorest. The World Bank is saying that the country is a macroeconomic success story, but without ensuring that its extra wealth reaches its people, it will be a service to no one. (Fumbuka Ng’wanakilala)
VOA: Black Farmers in South Africa Still Struggling with Land Reform – Apartheid once prevented the black South Africans from owning land and creating an income from the agricultural sector. Once it ended, they were able to own land, but still remained left behind as much of the country’s land was owned by white farm owners and black Africans with little to no income. Land reforms have helped them regain access to land by freeing large portions, but without existing income or loans, they are unable to develop or work the land without access to seeds, fuel and fertilizer. (Emilie Iob)
