The African Counsel

Sub-Saharan Africa Newsletter
July 2011Volume 2, Issue 3
In This Issue
ASSESSING AND MINIMIZING CUSTOMS-RELATED CORRUPTION RISK IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA PORTS
Nigeria - Electricity: U.S. Firms to Deliver 1,000 MW
Ghana: U.S.Embassy Officials Call on Ashanti Regional Minister
Horn of Africa Drought: Kenya Row Over Somali Refugees
Liberia: Nation Prepares for October Election
Nigeria: Permanent Secretary Tells Court How N450 Million Was Paid for N16 Million Job
Nigeria, Nine Other African Economies Top List of International Investors
Uganda: Souring Interest Rates a Threat to Loan Markets
Assessing and Minimizing Customs-Related Corruption Risk in Sub-Saharan Africa Ports 
  

By: Herbert A. Igbanugo,  Esq.

Raymond A. Gwenigale, Esq.

 

As many Western nations in the Americas and Europe struggle to climb out of a seemingly endless economic recession, Sub-Saharan African ("SSA") nations, over the past few years, have experienced steady growth in their various economies. The steady and substantial increase of maritime cargo over the past decade in SSA also serves as a reflection of this economic growth. Outdated, inefficient ports, however, continue to hinder burgeoning trade in the region. Moreover, bribery and corruption at these ports inflict significant economic loss upon both the African countries and business entities involved in the maritime transaction flowing through the region. Additionally, with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA") enforcement on the rise in the U.S., the risks involved in doing business with corrupt entities could cost a company millions in lost revenue, fines and penalties.

 

This article aims to shed some light on the complex trading arena of the maritime ports of SSA countries. It will also address problematic issues related to the ever-present element of corruption at these ports and how to evade the contagion.

 

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U.S. - Africa
 Relations

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 Nigeria: Electricity -- U.S. Firms to Deliver 1,000 MW

 

allAfrica.com, 6/23/2011 

 

In its bid to assist the federal government eradicate the irregular power supply in Nigeria, Aiba Vortex LLC, a power company based in the United States, in conjunction with some other companies, has promised to deliver 1,000 megawatts to the country. Read more...


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Ghana: U.S. Embassy Officials Call on Ashanti Regional Minister

allAfrica.com, 7/13/2011 

The Chief Political Officer at the United States Embassy, Vernelle Trim, has commended Ghana for her contributions towards the strengthening of democracy on the African continent

Vernelle Trim said the United States was very much impressed with Ghana's democratic credentials, which she said had made the country the bastion and standard for democratic governance on the continent. Read more....

 

 

 

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Igbanugo Partners Int'l Law 250 Marquette Avenue

Suite 1075
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 USA
Phone: 612-746-0360

Fax: 612-746-0370
 


   

 

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 Political/

Legal

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Horn of Africa Drought: Kenya Row over Somali Refugees
 

BBC News, 7/13/2011 

 

A row has broken out in Kenya's government over the huge influx of Somalis fleeing the region's worst drought in 60 years.

 

About 370,000 Somalis are at an over-crowded camp and the government is divided over opening a second camp.

 

One minister said a new camp would encourage more Somalis to cross the border. Read more... 

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Liberia: Nation Prepares for October Election 

 

allAfrica.com, 7/12/2011

 

Liberia's National Elections Commission (NEC) has given the go-ahead for the commencement of campaigning for the 2011 presidential and legislative elections, which are scheduled to take place on 11 October. A run off election is scheduled for 8 November.

 

The contest is likely to pit the incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf against the flag bearers of the Congress for Democratic Change, (CDC) Winston Tubman and Charles Brumskine of the Liberty Party (LP). The CDC is currently the largest opposition party, having come second in the elections in 2005, when it won 18 legislative seats. Read more... 

 
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Nigeria: Permanent Secretary Tells Court How N450 Million Was Paid for N16 Million Job

 

allAfrica.com, 7/14/2011

 

Prosecution witnesses yesterday alleged before an Abuja High Court that former Governor of Taraba State, Rev Jolly Nyame gave instruction for the withdrawal of N450 million for supply of stationeries contract without due process.

 

Nyame was in July 2007 arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 41 count charges over allegations of financial misconduct to the tune of N1.6 billion allegedly committed between 2005 and 2007. Read more...

 

Economy/ 

Business

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 Nigeria, Nine Other African Economies Top List of International Investors

 

Vanguard, 6/26/2011 

 

Nigeria and nine other countries in Africa top the list of ten best countries for investment by international investors. The country is the second African country in order of preference after South Africa by the international investor community in 2011.The others are Kenya; Ghana; Angola; Tanzania; Rwanda; Botswana; Uganda and Mozambique. Read more... 

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Uganda: Souring Interest Rates a Threat to Loan Markets

 

allAfrica.com, 7/13/2011  

  

Consumer demand for loans is expected to dip on the back of escalating cost of borrowing and rising cost of living. Bank of Uganda last week revised its Central Bank Rate (CBR), putting benchmark interbank interest at 13, up from 11 per cent.

Mr Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, the central bank governor, said the move seeks to mop up excess liquidity in circulation in order to tame the current runway inflation. Read more....