Africa needs more effective, efficient and fairer taxation systems. As several African nations celebrate 50 years of independence in 2010, it is time for a continent that still relies too much on often volatile and unpredictable external flows to take a new look at taxes - a potential untapped source of billions of dollars. While the primary responsibility lies with African governments, the international community must also play its part. And this time, it’s hardly about aid. 
Malawi won’t sign a trade deal with the European Union until the union helps the southern African country bring production standards to European companies’ level, Trade Minister 
European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht has appeased leading European civil society organisations (CSOs) about the negotiations for a Southern African economic partnership agreement (EPA), promising "not to put undue pressure" on countries. According to Marc Maes, from 11.11.11, the move signals an "EPA-fatigue" in Europe. 11.11.11, the Flemish North-South Movement working against poverty, protested about the European Commission’s treatment of Namibia. "The EU has no intention to put undue pressure on Namibia to sign and implement the interim EPA," de Gucht wrote in a response to a June 18 letter by 30 influential European CSOs. 
China is boosting effort to clean up a major oil slick off its north-east coast, following a pipeline explosion. There are growing fears that strong winds have dispersed the pollution more widely than previously thought. The environmental group Greenpeace told the BBC the oil was up to 20cm thick along parts of the coast near the city of Dalian. Shipments of oil from the north to the industrial belt in the south have been disrupted since the accident. At least one person has died during the clean-up operation, after being thrown from a ship by waves and drowning in the oil. For info 
Kampala — FISH FARMERS are bracing themselves to serve a bigger East African Community (EAC) market which comes with a unified area of 1.8 million square kilometres, with agricultural produce and livestock. Braced for the booming business the EAC promises, Hajji Yusuf Muyunga of Masaka has stocked 20,000 fishlings in five ponds stocked with 4000 fish each. Muyunga is the chairman of Kingo Fish Farmers Association, which has 420 members. 
The African Development Bank will establish a new country office in Zimbabwe to strengthen its presence in the country. The decision is in response to the Zimbabwean government’s February 2009 request to the bank “to take a lead role in assisting Zimbabwe on re-engagement with the international community,” according to an AfDB 
By Rumbidzai M. Masango
The current development status in Southern Africa is very dismal, especially when one uses the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as the yardstick of progress made since 2000. The MDGs are eight time-bound development goals that seek to eradicate poverty in its many dimensions. The goals were adopted by world leaders in 2000 and provide a framework for the international community to work together towards a common end – making sure that human development reaches everyone, everywhere. Ten years on and with five years to go until the 2015 deadline, one wonders whether all Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries have fully committed themselves to implementing these goals.
Goal 3, seeks to promote gender equality and promote the empowerment of women. This is important as women play a significant role in the development process. Globalization has increased the informalisation of the economy and this has added to the difficulties especially against the background of cuts in public health and decreasing social protection. The challenge for progressive policy options and approaches to responding to broad demands including gender inequality lies in addressing exclusion and empowering citizens to participate in all spheres of life. It is therefore important to ensure women and men have equal access to resources, opportunities, capabilities and are empowered through skills development.
