Corruption is ‘key threat’ to Middle East economies, IMF chief warnsCorruption, poor governance and a lack of transparency are the key challenges facing Middle East economies, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde has warned in a hard-hitting analysis of...
‘Beer wars’: big brewers target Nigerian drinkersGigantic billboards advertising beer now dominate the skyline of Nigeria's megacity, Lagos, signalling the escalating battle between multinational brewers for drinkers in Africa's most populous countr...
Why lipstick isn’t as useful as an economic barometer as it used to beOnce touted a barometer of consumer demand, lipstick appears to be losing its cachet as an economic indicator amid shifts in the market for beauty products, some analysts say. The "lipstick index" is...
Boom for women in business in UAE, but few reach company boardsThe number of registered businesswomen in the UAE grew by about 20 percent last year, although females are still underrepresented on company boards, according to statistics quoted by the state news ag...
In a rare success story, Zimbabwe’s only commuter train is packedChugging through townships, maize fields and scrubland as the sun rises, Zimbabwe's only commuter train is cheap and reliable -- two qualities that its passengers cherish in a downwards-spiralling eco...
High-stakes US-China trade talks resume as deadline approachesWith a March 1 deadline fast approaching, US and Chinese officials resume negotiations next week to prevent escalation of a trade dispute that has major implications for the global economy. China's ec...
S Africa’s tough choice: Land redistribution or mining investment?South Africa's government faces a tough balancing act as it tries to attract foreign investors into the key mining sector while also pledging to seize land without paying compensation. President Cyril...