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Rwanda–Brazil Economic Cooperation Forum yields new trade and investment partnerships

Rwanda and Brazil have taken a significant step to boost bilateral trade and investment, with new agreements signed at the Rwanda-Brazil Economic Cooperation Forum held in Kigali today. During the forum, Jean-Guy K. Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and Jorge Viana, President of the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency (APEX-Brazil), signed a Memorandum […]

Kenya: President Ruto introduces tax relief for low- and middle-income earners

The Kenyan government is set to provide significant tax relief for low- and middle-income earners, a move aimed at boosting household income and helping workers cope with rising living costs. President William Ruto announced that salaried Kenyans earning up to Sh30,000 per month will be fully exempt from income tax, while those earning between Sh30,000 […]

President Ruto’s Tax Cut Relief Signals Shift Toward Household-Centred Growth

When President William Ruto announced sweeping PAYE relief for low and middle-income earners on Tuesday, the message was framed as immediate relief for Kenyan households.

Airline Industry Struggles with Sustainable Aviation Fuel Supply – IATA

High costs and limited availability hinder green transition efforts. The airline industry is facing significant challenges in its transition to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as highlighted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The high costs associated with SAF and its limited supply are major barriers to achieving greener operations. Despite the industry’s commitment to […]

WhatsApp Messages Legally Binding, Kenya’s High Court Rules

Kenya’s High Court has affirmed that WhatsApp messages and SMS conversations can form legally binding evidence of a contract, even where parties never signed a written agreement. In a judgment delivered on January 19, 2026, the High Court sitting in Siaya dismissed an appeal in a dispute involving the leasing of an ultrasound machine, and […]

Nedbank Strikes Deal for Control of NCBA, Setting Stage for East Africa Push

NCBA Group has struck an agreement that would hand South Africa’s Nedbank a controlling stake in the Kenyan lender, a move that positions Nedbank to re-enter East Africa at scale through one of the region’s most recognisable banking franchises.

Cameroon advances digital growth with major mobile network investment

Cameroon is advancing its digital transformation with a major push on connectivity and cybersecurity. On January 21, 2026, CAMTEL and Commercial Bank-Cameroun (CBC) signed a 44.884 billion FCFA financing agreement to fund the first phase of the Mobile Network Expansion (MNE) project. The initiative aims to densify, desaturate, and extend the country’s mobile network, improving […]

Côte d’Ivoire, Orange Sat brings high-speed internet to underserved areas

Orange Côte d’Ivoire has introduced Orange Sat, a satellite-based internet service aimed at improving connectivity across the country, particularly in remote and underserved areas beyond the reach of existing 4G and fibre networks. The new solution is part of the company’s broader digital inclusion strategy and targets so-called “white areas” where traditional infrastructure is difficult […]

Kenya’s $5 billion diaspora inflows set regional benchmark for East Africa

Kenya’s diaspora remittance inflows reached a historic $5.084 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, surpassing the $5 billion mark for the first time, according to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). While growth has moderated to 12.1%, this milestone highlights the country’s ongoing reliance on diaspora capital as a stabilizing force for its economy. Beyond […]

NISR survey flags productivity concerns in Rwanda’s agriculture

Rwanda’s agricultural productivity could face growing pressure after new data showed that fewer than four in ten farmers used improved seeds in 2025, raising concerns about crop yields, food security, and the country’s long-term agricultural goals. According to the Seasonal Agricultural Survey – Annual Report 2025 by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), […]