The selection: Tuesday, 13 October

Later today in Geneva: launch of the Review of Maritime Transport 2015 (UNCTAD)

Today in Luanda: Angola/Botswana Business Forum (Angola Press)

GSDPP’s Building Bridges programme is hosting a workshop, 16-17 October Dakar: 'Culture, history and ideas: re-evaluating Pan-Africanism'

The Nordic-African business summit: Oslo, 29 October

Africa Week 2015 theme: The Continental Free Trade Area within the context of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063. Africa week will culminate on Friday with a General Assembly debate on the 'Development of Africa'. Follow debate on twitter: #UNAfricaWeek

Kicking off ‘Africa Week’, Ban lauds steps taken for continent’s long-term development agenda (UN News Centre)

Africa Week 2015 kicked off at Headquarters with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commending African Member States of the United Nations for taking an “important step” this year toward the establishment of a Continental Free Trade Area envisioned in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Mr. Ban also said “operationalizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – and Agenda 2063 of the African Union – will be a key to our success in ensuring a life of dignity for all.” This event is the first is a series of high-level discussions and events this week held on the margins of the 193-member General Assembly’s annual consideration of the landmark New Partnership for Africa’s Development , and other vital issues concerning for the continent.

In his remarks, the President of the General Assembly said the events of 2015 offer an “unprecedented opportunity” for Africa to reduce poverty, foster sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and to integrate into the global economy. “These initiatives should not, however, be simply about trade liberalization between African countries,” Mogens Lykketoft cautioned. “Rather they should constitute an important pillar of the continent’s strategy for structural economic transformation. They should focus on harmonizing policies, enhancing infrastructure development and promoting public-private partnerships.”

Uhuru Kenyatta: 'We can draw a more accurate picture of the genuine narrative that is our Africa' (Daily Nation)

In large part, you members of the fourth estate draw our mental maps of Africa. Let us look at the pictures you drew this week. I glanced at a global newspaper: Its Africa headlines were on the coup in Burkina Faso, a bombing in Nigeria, crimes in Mali, and the latest news about Ebola. This came just after the UNDP report assessing Africa’s progress in meeting the Millennium Development Goals, which showed very encouraging progress: Child mortality rates fell by an average of 40 per cent in Africa as did poverty in most African countries while improving women’s access to political leadership faster than any other region on earth. Why exaggerate African failure? Why ignore African success? It is not surprising that foreigners get our story wrong.

To strengthen UN peace operations, General Assembly urges replacing 'template approaches' (UN News Centre)

The United Nations should be realistic about future challenges, and ambitious in its responses, speakers told the General Assembly today, as it took up the Secretary-General’s report on the future of the Organization’s peace operations.

Imbalance between core, non-core funding in UN development system a 'recurring theme' (UN News Centre)

David Hanif, director of Economic and Social Council Support and Coordination, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, introduced the Secretary-General’s report on the “Implementation of General Assembly resolution 67/226 on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system”. Highlighting key funding trends, he noted that the funding for operational activities for development of the United Nations system in 2013 had reached $26.4bn, representing an increase of 10.6% in real terms, compared to the previous year. Three-quarters of those operational activities were in the form of non-core resources. Turning to long-term trends, he added that over the past 15 years, contributions for operational activities for development had nearly doubled in real terms, mostly due to an increase in non-core contributions. Rapidly declining core funding rations continued to pose serious challenges.

Raymond Thulane Nyembe (South Africa), speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, said the 2030 Agenda would provide the international community with guidance in the work on development, particularly in addressing the quadrennial comprehensive policy review and South-South cooperation in an effective manner. His Group would be tabling two substantive resolutions to speak to those issues.

Nairobi MC10: new consultation process established on outcome document (WTO)

Director-General Azevedo announced that he was appointing Amb Gabriel Duque of Colombia, Amb Harald Neple of Norway and Amb Stephen Karau of Kenya (the host country of the 10th Ministerial Conference) as facilitators to consult with members. These ambassadors will be asking members for their views on three key issues: the structure of the potential Nairobi outcome document; the elements that the document might cover (which could include priorities for post-Nairobi work); and what subsequent process could be employed to develop a draft of the outcome document. Members agreed to engage in the process outlined by Director-General Azevedo.

WTO and UNCTAD commit to further help poor countries integrate into the global economy

The organizations plan to reinforce their cooperation on issues such as trade related-technical assistance, trade facilitation, trade and investment, debt and finance, global value chains, commodities, standards, non-tariff measures, and e-commerce, as well as the establishment of a Geneva Trade Statistics Hub.

Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya spend $1.2b to cushion falling currencies (The East African)

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have used more than $1.2 billion, so far, from their foreign currency reserves since the start of the year to cushion their falling currencies against the dollar. The declining foreign currency reserves have also seen Kenya ask the International Monetary Fund for more time to settle its debt obligations. The weakening of capital inflows, central bank interventions in the foreign exchange market, and a decline in tourism receipts contributed to the depreciation of the Kenya shilling.

Tanzania: Ndulu named Africa’s best central bank governor 2015 (The Citizen)

Zambia: Kwacha fall cuts small-scale suppliers’ profits by 50% (The Post)

Small-scale suppliers have had their profit margins swallowed up by over 50 per cent owing to the depreciating kwacha, according to the Goods and Services Suppliers Association of Zambia. The kwacha’s volatility on the foreign exchange market has continued, with the local currency enduring its worst performance in the last two weeks.

ZDA, DRC firm to seal inter-trade agreement (Daily Mail)

The Zambia Development Agency is considering signing a memorandum of understanding with the Katanga Federation du Enterprise of Congo to help grow the markets for the two countries. ZDA director general Patrick Chisanga said once the MoU is sealed, the two countries will enhance inter-trade and spur economic development. Mr Chisanga said this after the official opening of the Trade Mission and Exhibition to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Lubumbashi on Friday. [Zambia cuts 2015 copper output forecast up to 26%, Minister says (Bloomberg)]

Private sector position paper on business service (COMESA Business Council)

The objective of the assignment is to undertake a consultancy study on the performance of the private sector in professional services, and develop a common position paper on the constraints faced in the professional services industries. The consultant will undertake desk and field research to develop a report which includes an assessment of trade in professional services in COMESA and common private sector positions and recommendations to address constraints faced in business services - with a focus on professional services industries. Core sectors will include engineering, legal and accounting services.

$2.4bn trade exchange between Egypt, COMESA (Daily News)

The trade exchange between Egypt and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa countries achieved a surplus of nearly $2.4bn in 2014, according to the Egypt-Africa Trade Relations report issued by N GAGE Consulting. The report said Egypt, prior to joining the COMESA, had a trade deficit of nearly $100m with its member states.

SA exporters miss out (Reuters)

South Africa's exporters have failed to take full advantage of the rand currency's nearly 15% drop this year, hamstrung by electricity constraints, labour tensions and an over-reliance on commodity trade with China. The export sector has emerged as a key driver of growth in Africa's most advanced economy as domestic demand wanes, with real net exports making the largest contribution to GDP in the second quarter at 6.1 percentage points. Although exports performed better in the first half of 2015 compared with last year, this was mainly off a low base after prolonged wage-related stoppages slashed output in the key mining and manufacturing sectors in 2014. The momentum is expected to have stalled in the third quarter, with stuttering growth in China, which accounts for 20% of South Africa's trade, taking its toll.

Madagascar: minutes of the Third Trade Policy Review (WTO)

The third Trade Policy Review of Madagascar was held on 14 and 16 July 2015. Madagascar had made significant progress in reforming its trade regime since its last Review in 2008, especially by further facilitating trade. It had established an Electronic Single Window and had moved towards full paperless customs clearance procedures. However, there was a need to upgrade the legislative and institutional framework on standards, technical regulations, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, in order to ensure higher quality for local products and boost exports. Madagascar also needed to improve its overall business environment and make it conducive to investment as well.

Angola should 'rectify' excessive import tariffs, WTO says (MacauHub)

Angola should “rectify cases where customs duties and other taxes exceed the average level” of 10.9%, said the World Trade Organisation, which offered to provide “technical assistance” to help the Angolan authorities.

Relief for Govt, Zim companies as China unveils international payment system (The Herald)

Zimbabwe stands to benefit from China’s introduction of an International Payment System as it will cushion the country and Zimbabwean firms from the seizure of their revenue by the United States’ Office of Foreign Assets Control. The US Treasury Department has over the years intercepted payments running into millions of dollars due to local firms as part of its illegal economic sanctions regime under the Zimbabwe Transition to Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, formerly Zdera. But industrialists, economists and legal experts yesterday said the introduction of the China International Payment System would bring efficiency in trade between Harare and Beijing.

SADC, USAID review portfolio of programmes supported by USAID (SADC)

It was noted that USAID is embarking on the development of a new Regional Strategy for Southern Africa and that this offers an opportunity to further re-align the programme interventions towards the achievement of priority milestones under the Revised RISDP. In conclusion and way forward, the meeting agreed on alignment of activities with milestones with a view of facilitating adherence to approved priorities, effective monitoring, and to avoid duplication while enhancing national regional linkages.

Trade blocs are obsolete: why the Commonwealth is Britain’s future (City A.M)

Britain is correct to woo China early, but we should not put Britain’s future prosperity all on red. In personal investment, it is prudent to have a diverse portfolio, spread across numerous sectors. The same is true for a country’s trade and investment strategy. The modern Commonwealth is emerging as a key part of the new pattern. With all of the Commonwealth’s advantages and underpinnings, acknowledging the importance of this 53-nation network is not just an opportunity for Britain, but a matter of survival. [The authors: Lord Howell, Tim Hewish]

Brazilian investors beg FG to ease barriers on rice importation (Vanguard)

Brazilian investors have implored the Federal Government to ease barriers on rice importation, following their interests in food and agricultural technology transfer. Government had placed foreign exchange restrictions on rice importation to encourage local rice growers and promote made-in-Nigerian products. Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Elvado Silva Junior, who led a delegation of 20 companies to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, in Abuja yesterday, said Brazil was keen on exporting its quality rice to Nigeria.

Nigeria, Brazil ready to strengthen trade ties (Daily Trust)

UK pledges support for Nigeria’s energy, prosperity and security (ThisDay)

Ghana: Government policies on trade to give preference to local companies (GBN)

Nigeria: Days of corruption in Customs over – CG Hameed Ali (Daily Post)

See ECOWAS region as your domestic market, EU ambassador advises Nigeria (ThisDay)

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This post has been sourced on behalf of tralac and disseminated to enhance trade policy knowledge and debate. It is distributed to over 300 recipients across Africa and internationally, serving in the AU, RECS, national government trade departments and research and development agencies. Your feedback is most welcome. Any suggestions that our recipients might have of items for inclusion are most welcome. Richard Humphries (Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Twitter: @richardhumphri1)