Safari Notes

The island nation of Mauritius has claimed Africa's top spot in the annual Global Competitiveness Report for 2013-14, which was released Wednesday by the World Economic Forum , or WEF. In a ranking system where market size carries weight, it may come as some surprise that such a tiny island could outperform every other economy on the continent. But Mauritius boasts one of Africa's most stable political systems and one of its most transparent business environments. It also stands out for its comparatively good infrastructure, low trade barriers and high levels of public education.

Mauritius ranks 24th According to the Economist : The results of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Democracy Index 2011 show that democracy has been under intense pressure in many parts of the world . The Economist Intelligence Unit of Democracy But, incredibly, Mauritius , the tiny island nation off the coast of Southern Africa, out of 165 countries - ranks twenty-fourth: This little country (population: 1.2 million) is the wealthiest, best-governed country in Africa. The World Bank put it first in its ranking of African economies (and 20th worldwide). The Mo Ibrahim Foundation ranked it first in its Ibrahim Index, which measures African countries based on rule of law, human rights, human development and economic opportunity. More instructive still is the ranking of Mauritius in the Index of Economic Freedom published by the Washington-based Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal. In 2010, this index put Mauritius in 12th place (out of 179 countries); in 2012...

Click on it to enlarge Do global rankings matter? According to the World Economic Forum, they do. The Forum's report for 2011-2012 , just released, puts most African countries at the bottom of the rankings. I quote from Business Live : Only two Sub-Saharan African economies, South Africa and Mauritius, were in the top half of the Global Competitiveness Index rankings; in fact, among the bottom 20 economies, 13 hailed from the region . Two of my most favorite African countries have done well: Mauritius and Rwanda . Both, small. Both, without any of the valued natural resources. Except, both - have visionary, gifted leaders and governance. Mauritius moved only one step this year. While Rwanda, the wonder nation, moved ten ranks up. For some reason, some countries like Seychelles , the Comoros and a few other countries are not included. Of the East African countries, Kenya , out of the 142 countries, has moved up four places and ranks 102nd; while Tanzania falls by six ranks...

If you had been to Mauritius' capital several years ago, you might not recognise it today. Back then, Port Louis didn't offer very much for the visitor to do or see. But Port Louis has had a face lift, and these days there's plenty to keep you busy. The new Caudan Waterfront is considered by many to be the main tourist attraction in Port Louis. With trendy shops, cinemas, restaurants and a casino, it has become the hub of the city. However, there are other places of interest for people who want to explore the city's jumble of crumbling old edifices and shiny new buildings a little further. >>>>> read more: GoAfrica More on Port Louis: Google Map , Tropiscope , Time and Date , Yahoo Travel , World66 , Knol , Wikipedia , Travel Mauritius , Infoplease , Encyclopedia , African Trips , BBC Weather , MPA , Municipal , mysterra , Topix , News

Mauritius again leads! In a 'child friendly index', done by an independent advocacy agency, assessing the treatment of children in African countries , the island nation came top. In East Africa, only Kenya comes at the top. From the BBC : Amongst the top 10 were Namibia and Malawi, which did far better than richer countries like Sudan and Angola. Mauritius was top and Guinea-Bissau bottom in ratings based on factors such as spending on health and education. "Governments that have come out well have put in place laws to protect children from abuse and exploitation, and they've targeted resources at children through better health and education." "Countries that invest in children will have a more productive work-force and the foundation of a more peaceful and democratic country." Congratulations to Mauritius and their leaders! Can the other African countries do the needed and the same. In the long run, taking care of children, takes care of Africa. Map: B...

I came across this on the World Bank website . I found all the facts provided interesting, but some were more so; and I found many of the facts given, I didn't know of. A few of the ones I found most interesting: Crude oil comprises more than half of total Africa’s exports. In 2005 the richest 10% of African countries had 18.5 times the GDP per capita of the poorest 10%, from 10.5 times in 1975. South Africa’s and Nigeria’s GDP comprise 54% of total SSA’s GDP. It takes 14 days to start a business in the Central African Republic, and 233 days in Guinea Bissau. (IDA10). South Africa uses the most electric power per person (4,884.8kW/h); Ethiopia uses the least (32.7 kW/h). Burundi has the highest proportion of women in its labor force (90.5% 2005); Sudan has the lowest (22.5%). In Swaziland more than one in every three 15-49 year olds has contracted HIV (33.4%); the rate is six in every thousand in Mauritania. Mauritius has the highest life expectancy (73 years); Botswana has the low...

While Zimbabwe is in turmoil and Angola is immensely rich in oil and other natural resources, and yet, still remains to be one of the poorest lands on earth - one African country continues to grow and give its people hope, even with the few resources that it has: Mauritius. Mauritius is a success story . The tiny Indian Ocean island in southern Africa continues to be in great contrast to most African states. What they say about the island state: "The island has maintained one of the developing world's most successful democracies and has enjoyed years of constitutional order." And it "has preserved its image as one of Africa's few social and economic success stories." BBC News "Its population is educated, hard working and governed democratically with sound economic policies. Mauritius has a free market economy with positive economic growth, almost full employment and a favourable balance of payments position." Mbendi "The Mauritian economy ha...

East African countries are leading the African continent in the growth of Internet connections, with Tanzania recording a 150 per cent rise in users in the past year, a new report says. In Kenya, this figure is 200 per cent with the number of Internet users having now hit the 1.5 million mark, up from 500,000 users just a year ago. Uganda's are well over 200,000. Tanzania's Internet connections now stand at 300,000. Across Africa, Internet penetration has now reached 4 per cent, up from just 2.6 per cent in 2005, says the report by Research and Markets, an international investment consultancy firm says. Kenya, together with Nigeria and Morocco, present some of the greatest opportunities for growth in the near future. The highest Internet penetration on the continent is found in Reunion and the Seychelles, where 20 per cent of the population has access to the worldwide web, followed by Mauritius and Morocco. This compares to penetrations of over 50 per cent in most developed cou...

With great relief, I read the news of Kenya going much further in its campaign against smoking; just a few days ago - Kenya banned smoking in most public places! In the long run, this will be of enormous benefit on Kenyans' health and Kenya's public health system. Come to think of it: being such a health hazard, why isn't smoking just banned completely? World wide? It got me in to thinking too: Yemen has still a very long way to go to reach Kenya's decision and laws against smoking! Across the border, in Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni who has just been sworn in for a third five year term, has extended an olive branch to Kony and 'has offered another chance to the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army rebels to end the two decade old war.' With the LRA's Kony and other rebel leaders wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court - I don't see how that will work. Still, in Museveni initiating that just after his swearing in, may show his...