MUMBAI: Busines and financial news service Reuters has launched Reuters Africa -- a new commercial website dedicated to pan-African news and financial data.

Reuters Africa, www.reuters.com/africa, showcases Reuters extensive coverage of the continent and offers breaking news, in-depth features and financial information from across Africa. HSBC has joined Reuters as the exclusive launch advertiser.

The launch of Reuters Africa supports Reuters commitment to cover Africa in detail and from all angles, to give a wider sense of the issues and their contexts, and to explore the individual countries and cultures. Reuters Africa will target both those living on the continent, and anyone globally who follows African development, investment and news.

John Chiahemen has been named the editor of Reuters Africa. Chiahemen, who has over 25 years of experience with Reuters covering the continent, was previously Reuters chief correspondent in southern Africa. Chiahemen will use his extensive knowledge of the continent to build out the site and develop its content over the coming months.

Reuters Africa features an interactive map to access local Reuters news across the continent, organized by country. Reuters Africa also provides extensive economic, business and financial news and data, including stock and currency market data and company information, from around the continent. Reflecting the importance of commodities to many African economies, the site features exclusive online content on metals and mining, energy and oil, and agricultural commodities.

As part of Reuters continuing efforts to incorporate a wider set of voices and commentary into its news content, the site will incorporate country-specific blogs via GlobalVoices, the international network of bloggers coordinated through the Berkman Center at Harvard University. In addition, links to Reuters AlertNet, a project of the Reuters Foundation, are integrated across the site, providing the latest news, images and insight from the world's disasters and conflicts.

Chiahemen said, “Reuters Africa will be an essential source for news as Africa becomes more integrated into the global economy. As multi-national corporations continue to expand their presence on the continent, they increasingly need up-to-date and reliable commodities, economic, political and general news. Our goal is to be the leading online source for African news for both Africans and for the world.”

Reuters Foundation chairman Geert Linnebank who coordinated work on the site said, “Africa is changing fast. And people- in politics, business, or simply as travellers or interested citizens- can no longer afford to ignore what’s going on across the continent. Reuters journalists have chronicled Africa since the late 19th century, reporting news first hand. Now, Reuters comprehensive coverage of the continent can be found on a dedicated site along with a forum for readers and local bloggers to contribute to the discussion as well.”