The International Monetary Fund has trimmed its 2025 growth forecast for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from 4.2 percent to 3.8 percent, warning that recent tariff escalations by the United States and ensuing retaliatory measures are clouding the region’s recovery. In its April World Economic Outlook, the Fund also lowered its global growth projection to 2.8 percent […]
Kenyan President William Ruto arrived in Beijing on Monday for a five‑day state visit designed to cement Kenya’s role as China’s premier partner in Africa and to accelerate collaboration on trade, infrastructure, and investment. Over the coming days, President Ruto will co‑host the Kenya‑China Business Forum, engage in high‑level bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping, […]
In the wake of President Donald Trump’s abrupt roll‑out of tougher global tariffs on April 2, many leading U.S. multinationals are extending the duration of their foreign exchange (FX) hedges—shifting from the typical three‑ to six‑month tenors out to two‑ and even five‑year maturities—to shield their earnings and cash flows from heightened currency swings Reuters. […]
Despite Nigeria’s recent policy overhauls, millions remain trapped in poverty and chronic hunger. Following its 2025 Article IV Staff Mission, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lauded Abuja’s steps to stabilize public finances and unify foreign‑exchange markets—but sounded a stark warning: these gains have yet to reach the most vulnerable, as poverty and food insecurity […]
After a day of heated exchanges in Parliament over stalled constituency funding, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced on April 16 that KSh 7 billion of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG‑CDF) had been released, with another KSh 7 billion to follow before month’s end. His commitment aims to reduce funding arrears to one […]
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has dramatically revised its forecast for global merchandise trade in 2025, predicting a 0.2% decline instead of the 3.0% expansion projected last October. The downgrade reflects renewed U.S. tariffs, spillover effects from the U.S.–China trade war, and heightened policy uncertainty. With developing economies bearing the brunt of any downturn, the […]
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation (MoPEDIC) and the Group of African Ambassadors in Cairo, convened the first-ever FOCUS Africa Trade and Investment Forum on 15–16 April 2025 in Cairo. Bringing together policymakers, business leaders, investors, and diplomats, the Forum showcased bankable projects, tackled […]
In a fervent appeal to taxpayers and business owners across Kenya, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has sounded the alarm on the rapidly approaching June 30 deadline for filing annual tax returns. The tax agency’s recent public notice has underscored the dual importance of meeting legal obligations and safeguarding business premises from enforced shutdowns, marking […]
Fitch Ratings has delivered a significant boost to Pakistan’s economic outlook by upgrading the country’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating from ‘CCC+’ to ‘B-’. This decision comes on the back of enhanced fiscal consolidation, a stabilising external position, and more robust macroeconomic policy management. The outlook remains stable, reflecting growing investor confidence in Pakistan’s commitment […]
In a sweeping effort to revitalize its public healthcare system, the South African government has announced a landmark allocation of $52 million dedicated to recruiting new healthcare professionals nationwide. The move, widely seen as a turning point in addressing long-standing shortages in the public health sector, comes on the heels of increased budgetary commitments and […]
Kenya’s monetary policy cycle has entered a defining phase. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has lowered its benchmark rate...
In a development that signals a deeper convergence between traditional finance and digital assets, Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange...
When a nationalised bank in Maharashtra sold a life insurance policy to a 90-year-old man with an annual premium of...
Artificial intelligence has officially crossed a new threshold. For the first time, an AI system specifically AI voice agents can...
