Here’s your Daily Brief for September 10th:

Africa attracts $1 billion in fund flows this year (via Reuters) – An interesting read, especially after the concern we had when this economic downturn began that investment in Africa would be the first to go.

“Despite the impact of the global crisis and periodic bouts of political turmoil, the theme of an African economic renaissance is not likely to vanish,” Deutsche Bank said last week in a research note.

Rwanda is the world’s top reformer in Doing Business (via Africa Business Source) – The Doing Business report followed closely by economists and global business types (I’m in that group somewhere). Looks like Rwanda has distinguished itself this year as one of the top reformers in the world!

Africa desperately needs trade links: a pictorial essay (via Aid Watch) – I think these graphical representations are real powerful in illustrating the lack of integration of the “global south” in the world economy. Bill Easterly published a few images here of global shipping routes, airline routes, and internet connections.

Reaction to the NYTimes Profile on African Startups (via Appfrica) – I included in yesterday’s Daily Brief the NYT Freakonomics Blog post that featured “African Entrepreneurs”. Included in the list was Jonathan Gosier of Appfrica Labs. Well today he posted a response to some of the comments being left on the site. I think he hits the nail on the head in identifying many of the frustrating undertones and preconceptions about “Africa” that emanate from the West/US. The media is the core of the problem, very inaccurately portraying Africa as this destitute land ridden with poverty, war and disease. It’s not at all constructive when we are working to get African countries treated as “equals” both politically and economically.

Changing the way we engage Africa starts with changing the way we perceive Africa. And that starts in the schools and the media.

CNBC recently aired a special program on investment in Africa called “Dollars and Danger: Africa, the Final Investing Frontier”. Reporter Erin Burnett traveled from New York to China with stops in Libya, South Africa, Nigeria, and DRC (and more). She interviews government leaders, local entrepreneurs, and major foreign firms operating on the continent in an exploration of the incentives, motivations, trends, and risks surrounding investment and business opportunities on the continent.

Here are some interesting points taken from the segment:

• Amid the current economic crisis, foreign investment in Africa rose 16% to more than $60 billion last year – contrasting with a global 23% decline.
• According to Quinton Primo, a major real estate developer from Chicago, a typical equity investment in real estate yields 40-50% returns.
• China says it is boosting investment to Africa 20% this year.
• Donations to NGOs have dropped 30% amid economic crisis – this places a greater need for urgent business action.
• Tourism is South Africa rose 20% amid the economic crisis.

The overarching theme pronounced by business leaders and investors in Africa is that there is an overwhelming demand met by minimal supply and that an emerging, young, middle class is about to become a key market for companies both foreign and domestic.

Enjoy the video and share your thoughts!