Counting Cowries

If you have not already done so, read The Observer article by Moses Talemwa on unregulated Savings and Credit Co-operative Organisations (SACCOs). The article highlights the story of a woman who has been defrauded by a microfinance institution in Uganda. The fraud was made possible primarily because SACCOs operate without any state oversight.

Safaricom's decision to float its IPO on the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) has sent ripples through the financial market in Kampala. Seen largely as a vote of confidence for the young exchange, the move may prove to be anything but.

If you are into engines and/or the environment, you might have heard about a guy called Jonathan Goodwin. By experimenting with diesel technology and alternative fuels, Goodwin has figured out a way to cut emissions and double the horse power of practically any SUV. For this little miracle, FastCompany magazine called him the Motorhead Messiah and put him on the cover of their latest issue.

Simple and efficient

Goodwin's designs build on existing technologies, particularly diesel.