African Business Guide

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Internet Sources: BUSINESS GUIDES AND MARKET PROFILES

The following list provides access to Web resources that provide business and commercial information on Africa, including continental, regional and country economic, business, and investment profiles, details of laws, regulations, procedures governing business transactions in the African countries, and business travel information.

Continental and Regional | Country Specific

Continental and Regional

• Africa Business Network - Country Information Center
  http://www.ifc.org/

  This site, sponsored by the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank, provides broad-based business and economic information for investors, including news and country profiles. To locate individual country information, select a region and then select "Country Fact Sheets"

• Africa Trade Forum
  http://www.export-forum.com

  Site provides information on import and export opportunities from Africa to America, Asia Pacific and Europe.

• African Country Fact Sheets on FDI
  http://www.ipanet.net/documents/WorldBank/databases/unctad/africa.htm

  Site provides information and analysis of UNCTAD's World Investment report on FDI trends in Africa.

• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). World Factbook
  http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

  The World Factbook provides information on the government, geography, people, and economies of the African countries.

• The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Country Reports
  http://www.eiu.com/

  Site includes background profiles, market updates, forecasts, statistics, and news headlines from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Some information is fee-based.

• Ernest & Young Business Information
  http://www.ey.com/

  Site provides investment profiles for each African country and also offers data on taxation issues, investment incentives, types of business establishments, exchange control regulations, etc. Select a country or region from the home page.

• Global Edge Regional/Country Specific Information (Africa)
  http://globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/busresmain.asp?ResourceCategoryID=5

  A extensive collection of annotated links to resources selected by specialists at Michigan State Uniersity. Arranged by region or country, the sites provides market information for many African nations, as well as the region as a whole.

• Investir en Zone Franc
  http://www.izf.net/izf/index.htm

  Site provides business and investment information for francophone African countries.

• Lex Africa Business Guides
  http://mbendi.co.za/werksmns/lexaf/index.htm

  From Werksmans Attorneys of South Africa, the guides feature investment information, forms of business organizations, taxation issues, exchange regulations. Site also includes a listing of law firms in African countries.

• Mbendi Information Services - Countries of Africa
  http://mbendi.co.za/index.htm

  Site provides information on business opportunities in the oil, chemical, mining, and other industries in the African countries, companies and organizations active in various industry sectors, country profiles, the leading business and government personalities, details of conferences and exhibitions, and a directory of products and services.

• U. S. Statement Department. Background Notes
  http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/

  "Background Notes provide information on US relations with African nations, politcal and economic trends, and travel advisories".

• U.S. Department of State. Country Commercial Guides for U.S. Investors
  

  "Site provides detailed business and financial information regarding many countries that every business person planning or doing business in that country should know about".

• U.S. Department of State. Country Reports on Economic Policy and Trade Practices
  

  Country reports include: Key Economic Indicators; General Policy Framework; Exchange Rate Policies; Structural Policies; Debt Management Policies; Significant Barriers to U.S. Exports and Investment; Export Subsidies Policies; Protection of U.S. Intellectual Property; Worker Rights.

• U.S. State Department. Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets
  http://www.travel.state.gov

  "Travel warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country...Consular Information Sheets include such information as location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties."

Country Specific

• Angola: Business and Economics
  http://www.angola.org/business/index.htm

  Hosted by the government of the Republic of Angola, this web site provides detailed information on the business and trade profile of Angola. Includes links to several guides and special reports.

• Benin: Country Information
  http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/Benin.html

  Offered by the University of Pennsylvania African Studies Center, the site includes a great amount of information on the business climate in Benin.

• Cote d'Ivoire: Abidjan net
  http://www.Abidjan.net

  Site includes information on the codes for investment in Cote d'Ivoire and other business and financial information for entrepreneurs and investors interested in establishing a business in the country. Includes links to diverse organizations and associations in Cote d'Ivoire. In French.

• Gambia: Official Web Site of The Republic of the Gambia
  http://www.gambia.gm/

  Developed and maintained by the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment (DOSTIE) of Gambia, this site provides general information about the country, statistical, and trade and investment information.

• Trade in Ghana (formerly A Business Guide to Ghana)
  http://www.ghana-embassy.org/trade.htm

  Site includes a general overview of the business climate and opportunities in Ghana, information about setting up a business, financial institutions, travel and work permits, as well as, information on the tourism sector.

• Kenya: Kenyaweb
  http://www.kenyaweb.com/

  Site provides detailed business and general information on Kenya, including links to Kenyan television, journal, magazine, radio and newspaper web sites.

• Mozambique: The Mozambique Home Page
  http://www.mozambique.mz

  This official site of the Mozambique government provides a general country and economic overview.

• Nigeria: Nigeria Connections
  http://nigeriaworld.com/

  Site provides Nigerian business news and links to the homepages of the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and to diverse Nigerian companies.

• South Africa: Business Guide to South Africa
  http://www.werksmans.co.za/sabusguide/

  Published by Werksmans of Johannesburg, South Africa, this site provides an overview of the investment climate, taxation, forms of business organization, accounting and legal practices in South Africa.

• Uganda
  http://www.myuganda.co.ug/

  Site features news of the country, general information, and a business guide with information about taxes, regulations, capital markets, stock exchange, etc.

• Zambia Today
  http://www.thezambian.com/

  Site provides general information on the Zambia business climate, a small company directory, and news.

• Zimbabwe: Zim Trade
  http://sphere.rdc.puc-rio.br/parcerias/untpdc/incubator/zwe/tphar/welcome.html

  Site provides general information on Zimbabwe, contact information of important business structures such as banks, trade organizations and government ministries and buy/sell trade contacts. It also includes a Zimbabwe Company Database by product and market and a Trade Statistics and Foreign Buyers and Sellers database. Registration through Zimtrade is required to access the Foreign Buyers and Sellers database.