Here’s your Daily Brief for August 4th:

Investment Into Rwanda to Rise 10% in 2009 (via Reuters) – Hat tip to @whitakergroup for this gem: A more positive outlook than the NYT piece; This Reuters article reports a 10% increase in investment to Rwanda. The growth is attributed to an honest and disciplined government, though there is still red tape to be cut for investors.

Just When Africa’s Luck Was Changing (via NYT) – This article from the New York Times takes a look at the impact of the global credit crisis on investment in Africa. Just as major investment projects were on the rise throughout the continent, companies have had to scale back due to the current economic climate. What I like about this article is that it makes the argument FOR business in Africa. Quoted in the article is M Nathaniel Barnes, Liberia’s ambassador to the United States and the country’s former finance minister:

““Instead of talking to Usaid, I’d rather be talking to a company like Nike,” Mr. Barnes said. “Having a partner like that means jobs and economic growth, and you just don’t get that from aid.”

The article further illustrates examples of business investments throughout the African continent. This is something that is rare and much needed in the US Media – painting a more accurate picture of Africa and its numerous investment opportunities.

Trade a powerful development tool (via Business Daily Africa) – Ron Kirk, a US Trade Representative in Kenya, wrote this Op/Ed piece in the Business Daily Africa. He stresses the need for African countries to expand and diversify trade in order to achieve sustained economic growth. Additionally, he calls on African Countries to improve their own business environments by nurturing entrepreneurial initiative and simplifying/modernizing border procedures.

Diary of a Social Venture Start-up (via GOOD) – This is a series of blog posts over on the GOOD Magazine website that looks pretty intriguing