The African Business Blog
The African Business Blog
FCPA Compliance: Frank’s International and West African Corruption
We all know now that in compliance circles it is better for an American corporation (or a business working in America) to confess and investigate possible corruption than to wait for the Department of Justice to investigate and charge you. The Netherlands-based Frank’s International N.V. (NYSE: FI) took this reasonable approach through the company’s June […]
Read MoreSouth Sudan Police RFP – State Department, due 6/24
SouthSudan: StateDept INL RFP for Police trainers via UNMISS – SAQMMA16R0280, Due 6/24 http://1.usa.gov/22Y11ru
Read MoreFBO.GOV Quick Peeks:
RFP (NAVSOC Resilience Promotion) and Sources Sought (Somali Security Sector Support) Business Development via FBO.gov ONE Special Operations Command RFP to promote “psychological resilience” among Navy Special Ops and support forces. Contractor will conduct retreats and workshops with 7,100 members of Naval Special Warfare units on various topics that could include: Military Life and […]
Read MoreAfrica Business: Embraer’s Super Tucano is the Right Plane for Nigeria
A May 18 New York Times editorial called on the United State government to block the sale of Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano surveillance/attack planes to Nigeria. The Times based its view on continuing corruption and charges of chronic human rights violations leveled against the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against Boko Haram. The Nigerian […]
Read MoreACOTA & AFRICAP
As of 3/9/16, the winners of the ACOTA and AFRICAP IDIQs still have not been announced.
Read MoreMystery Presolicitation, er, Solicitation & Security Governance Initiative
Back in August 2014, President Obama brought various “deliverables” to the or the African leaders attending the US-Africa Leaders Summit . One of them was the Security Governance Initiative (SGI), focused on six African nations — Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, and Tunisia. All six were (and still are) facing threats from extremist groups, except Ghana, […]
Read MoreUS/South Africa – Chicken Fight Is Over
U.S. negotiators have finally reached an agreement with the South African Government to allow the sale of U.S. poultry as well as beef and pork products in that country’s market. The first birds arrived in RSA earlier this month. It was a bit of brinksmanship for South African negotiators in the face of POTUS’s move to […]
Read MoreMystery State Dept Presolicitation for Africa Pol-Mil Effort
It would appear that both the ACOTA and AFRICAP IDIQs have been awarded, but it isn’t clear yet which companies have prevailed. Both projects are the State Department’s (Africa Bureau) anchor programs for African peacekeeping training and support. Past PKO training has helped equip the Ugandans and Burundians who were part of the AMISOM effort in Somalia. Other training […]
Read MoreMining Sector — Gold Returns, Iron Ore Spikes
Iron ore prices surged 19% on March 4, the highest jump for the mineral in memory. Some analysts see this as the last gasp of a speculative romance for iron ore While others say China’s recent decision to increase steel output, even in face of that country’s slowing economy, has caused the spike. Bloomberg called […]
Read MorePlunging Energy Prices Help Most African Countries
Last month I participated in a VOA program to talk about Africa’s economic prospects in 2016. I discovered two things from the program: first, my French continues to deteriorate, and, second, I have strong and positive views on economic and commercial activities on the Continent. In fact, when my fellow guest, a successful Guinean businessman, […]
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