Thirty years on, futurologists’ predictions about working in a paperless office are far from reality; but as Jeff Daniels learns, it’s not for the want of trying.

Swaziland is a peaceful but poor country, battling against great problems—but there are some bright spots, as Jeff Daniel discovers.

Swaziland is one of those African countries you never hear about, largely because since being dragged into the Boer War between South Africa and Britain 100 years ago, the country has existed peacefully under its odd mix of democratic monarchy.

Coal has a much bigger role to play in South Africa’s future than simply meeting the country’s energy requirements. Selim Kaymak, executive director of Sumo Coal, talks to Jayne Flannery.

Coal is fundamental to the South African economy. It is the main energy source for domestic use and a rapidly growing export revenue stream in response to demand from energy hungry nations like India and China, as well as South Africa’s neighbours in the region.

Rajhi Steel Industries turns out more than one million tons of steel products each year; but the round figure keeps cropping up, as commercial vice president Abdul Aziz Al-Hudaib explains.

Prince Chintimbwe talks to Gay Sutton about the National Airports Corporation Limited of Zambia’s strategy to upgrade, expand and improve the nation’s four most important airports and create a gateway to the country that will leave a lasting impression.

The achievements of the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) over the past decade have transformed Port Louis Harbour into a world class shipping facility. Jayne Alverca reports.

French-owned energy group Total is offering $1.37 billion for a majority stake in California-based solar panel manufacturer SunPower, to create a partnership that could help the solar industry move to the next stage of its development.

The boards of both companies have approved the deal, and SunPower will continue to operate with its current management team after it is concluded. Total will also provide SunPower with up to $1 billion of credit support over the next five years.

As April draws to a close, the world’s major oil companies are coming out with their first quarter results for 2011, with ConocoPhillips, BP, EXXON and Shell all reporting this week.

Reporting yesterday, the third largest US oil company ConocoPhillips reported a 43 per cent year-on-year rise in quarterly earnings to $3 billion, but said it was disappointed not to have achieved its production and refining targets.

The Boeing Company has reported first-quarter net income of $0.6 billion ($0.78 per share) on revenue of $14.9 billion and reaffirmed its 2011 revenue, earnings per share and operating cash flow outlook.

"We're off to a good start in an important year for our company," said Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We delivered strong operating performance, made significant progress on 787 and 747-8 flight testing, and scored a major win on the US Air Force Tanker program.