Quick hits : economic crisis, Nigeria, China, conflicts in Congo

• Just When Africa’s Luck Was Changing (NYT). When the credit crisis erupted in September, many experts thought that Africa would be spared the financial turmoil of the American and European financial systems, because African banks had almost none of their assets tied up in the global subprime market. But it has recently become clear that Africa is being hit hard. [...] “Before the meltdown, many African countries had made significant progress in attracting foreign investment and private capital, and this could derail those efforts.”

• FT report on Nigerian economy, Lagos and other matters arising (Financial Times)

• Nigeria Needs Rebooting Not Rebranding (Nigeria Village Square)

• Can China Save the World? (Time)

• Conflict Casts Long, Lethal shadow in Eastern Congo (Washington Post)