Initiative targets African markets

A MAJOR new strategy to spur Irish businesses into reaping billion-euro dividends from emerging African markets is set to be unveiled by the Government.

The initiative aims to exploit the network of embassies, officials and contacts developed through Irish Aid programme, which has spent €5 billion in 10 years.

The African strategy will follow the successful two-phase Asia Strategy, which was rolled out in 1999 and boosted trade to eight eastern countries from €4bn to €9.6bn.