African countries are fighting hard to claim the top spots in the world as far as corruption is concerned. The latest Global Corruption Report (2005) from Transparency International, the organization that monitors corruption throughout the world shows that African countries claimed eight spot in the top 20 of the most corrupt countries in the world.

In July 13, 2004, the United States government signed into law an extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to 2015. This means the 37 sub-Saharan countries selected to benefit from this opportunity can enjoy duty free export on a long list of products to the U.S. until 215. The bid question is: will they be able to really take advantage of this blessing?

Not until the African Growth Opportunity Act, African countries had the opportunity to enter the U.S. market; even with products they had a certain advantage at producing. Artifacts and some cash crops could not make it to the American market. Duty on other products like textile would discourage anyone from even thinking about the possibility of exploring to this vast and rich market.

Five months ago, Team Cameroon's (Indomitable Lions) equipment supplier (PUMA) introduced a new revolutionary kit at the African Cup of Nations (ACN) that was preceded by a giant marketing and PR  campaign. Team Cameroon wore the controversial kit during the first round of the competition, and Mr. Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA's president rapidly voiced his disapproval of the kit. Mr Blatter claimed that the kit was against the rules of the game, because it was not in separate pieces.. Upon reviewing these rules (Law 4), it appears nowhere that football kits should be in separate pieces. Legally, what is not prohibited is allowed. PUMA  exploited that loophole and brought about this innovative kit, to the dismay of the  conservatives.