(Photo from USAID)

On Sunday I caught the tail end of a World Debate on the BBC World Service where they were talking about microfinance issues in Africa. You can find the full show here at the BBC site. I still haven't listened to the full program, but plan to very soon as it sounded quite interesting, especially since they were talking to those involved with microfinance directly on the ground in Africa. The program is called African Progress: Private or Public? In my own mind, I don't see why it can't be some of both. There is certainly a lot of corruption in many African governments, so this needs to be met by strict enforcement of giving rules and parameters. Though I wouldn't rule out government help is such things like fighting AIDS, where governments like those in Uganda have taken tremendous strides (though hurt by idiotic policies from abroad). On the other hand, foot dragging and outright blocking by governments has been disastrous in places like South Africa.

As the recent World Economic Forum on Africa fades into memory, it might be worthwhile to keep the continent in our minds for at least a while more.

Below are stories on development in Africa, as well as some microfinance links of interest. A couple excellent places to start when looking at all the issues facing Africa are the Africa Unchained blog and KenyaUnlimited and AfroMusing.

*World Economic Forum told that Africa needs to be 'rebranded' ...

*World Environment Day Photography competition on environment and sustainable development opens in Morocco.

*Poverty Index identifies 18 poorest districts in Ghana. Also from Ghana, how women hold the key to poverty reduction and how socialist policies have failed. More on how women can tap into microfinance here.

*Time Magazine's Global Update has some 'Africa Thoughts' ...

*Is Africa actually turning the corner? More at the African Development Bank Group.

*A community driven approach to sustainable development in the Niger Delta.

*EPFL offers Master of Advanced Studies in Development, Technologies and Societies, 16 October 2006 - 27 April 2007, Burkina Faso.

*And finally, some microfinance institutions doing work in Africa: Grameen, Accion, the Microfinance Regulatory Council of South Africa, World Christians.