News stories by John Fraser

LILONGWE/JOHANNESBURG, Aug 29 (IPS) - The Southern African Development Community has had to revisit its plans to raise funding for its ambitious regional development plan in the wake of a cold-shoulder from western nations and multilateral finance institutions.

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 20 (IPS) - Water remains a key component in development policy. And, as the Southern African Development Community discusses how best to develop the region, the effective management of watercourses will be key, says Professor Anthony Turton, one of the foremost experts on water policy in southern Africa and a trustee of the Water Stewardship Council of Southern Africa.

JOHANNESBURG/MBABANE, Aug 18 (IPS) - Experts are agreed that the key to unlocking the economic potential of the Southern African Development Community lies in easing cross-border flows of people, goods, capital and services.

JOHANNESBURG/LUBUMBASHI, Aug 17 (IPS) - There are big aspirations for Africa's largest hydroelectric project, the Inga III that is set to be built in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But analysts are sceptical that such an ambitious project will ever be realised.

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 14 (IPS) - Leading bankers are concerned that the regulatory environment in some southern African states is preventing them from offering a full range of services to individuals and companies across the region.

JOHANNESBURG, Jun 17 (IPS) - If a Free Trade Area were to be negotiated between Africa's two largest economies, South Africa and Nigeria, it would have a powerful effect on trade across the sub-continent and would challenge other countries to respond.

JOHANNESBURG, Jun 03 (IPS) - Competing players in the tourism industry in southern Africa are putting aside their rivalry in pursuit of a common goal – a big boost in tourist numbers to the region.

JOHANNESBURG, May 22 (IPS) - The lack of economic diversification throughout sub-Saharan Africa means that despite South Africa's pledges to help Nigeria make the automotive sector the West African nation's flagship industrial target, it may be difficult to do so, experts say.

JOHANNESBURG, May 17 (IPS) - Commentators and business leaders in South Africa believe that the recent announcement of an end to the United Kingdom's aid programme to South Africa may be the start of a new trend to cut back on aid to this country, and possibly to the rest of Africa.

JOHANNESBURG, May 07 (IPS) - As the African Union celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, it is still younger and less integrated than the 56-year-old body that is now the European Union, and, according to politicians and diplomats, has a big advantage over the Europeans as it charts its own path of integration.