Investment climate surveys show that Sub-Saharan Africa remains a high-cost, high-risk place to do business, resulting in less investment, less employment, lower incomes, less growth and competitiveness, and higher poverty. Overall, doing business in Africa costs about 20 to 40 % more than in other regions of the developing world, the World Bank revealed. The World Bank Business surveys, conducted in 33 African countries, conclude that more reform is needed in Africa. Countries that have made progress in business reform include Namibia, Nigeria, Mauritius, and South Africa, the World Bank said. Despite that, Sub-Saharan Africa is the world’s most vulnerable region in terms of water availability and food security, and could be severely affected by the consequences of global climate change. Changes in rainfall could have a serious impact on areas dependent on hydroelectricity. Major droughts, of which there have been 3 in the last 30 years, increase the risk of crop failure, livestock losses, malnutrition and disease.

The 2-year-old Pan-African Parliament (PAP) may cancel its upcoming sixth session next week, as member countries have not paid their dues. The 265-member parliament has reduced sitting days from 20 days to ten and cut its secretariat from 90 to 22 employees, according to Wycliff Oparanya, chairman of the financial committee.

The N$ 150 million budget for the PAP is supposed to be carried by member-states and the AU Commission. Only South Africa has paid its contribution so far. Established in 2004 by the African Union, the Pan-African Parliament has a consultative and advisory role during its first 5 years and then to become a continental legislative body.

South Africa is the host country of the parliament, which made a complex available near Johannesburg.

Next week on 25 May is Africa Day, celebrating the founding of the AU.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa, (MISA) urged governments in the region to embrace the ideals of the African Charter on Broadcasting and put in place legislation, policies and an enabling environment to promote universal access to information and communication technologies. The first ever World Information Society Day was commemorated on 17 May this year, following a resolution by the UN General Assembly 2 months ago, proclaiming May 17 as the annual World Information Society Day.

"The digital divide between the haves and the have-nots, the educated and the uneducated must be bridged if Southern Africa and indeed Africa is to make headway on the social, political and economic fronts in this era of the information society, in which information is the most valuable commodity", MISA said. The media organisation has its headquarters in Windhoek. "Information is power that enables individuals, communities and nations to make informed decisions and it is important that every individual have unhindered access to information by whatever means available", according to MISA. The current reality was that many individuals in Southern Africa were still left out and could not enjoy the benefits of ICTs such as computers, the Internet, email, telephones, cellular phones and even radio and television.