South Africa’s economy showed signs of stagnation in the first quarter of 2025, recording only a marginal quarter-on-quarter growth of 0.1%, highlighting the ongoing struggles facing Africa’s most industrialized economy. This slow growth came despite some pockets of strength, particularly in the agriculture sector, which grew robustly. However, contractions in other critical sectors, such as […]
The World Bank has recommended that the Kenyan government impose a carbon tax on fuel, estimating that such a levy could generate up to Sh40.5 billion (approximately US $305 million) annually. The proposal is part of the Bank’s 2025 Kenya Public Finance Review and aims to accelerate Kenya’s transition to a low-carbon economy, support its […]
In a significant breakthrough during the ongoing budget negotiations between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Islamabad has secured a commitment from the Fund to provide relief to the salaried class in the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26. According to sources cited by ARY News, the IMF has agreed to reduce income tax rates across […]
In a clarification, the Federal Government of Nigeria explained that President Bola Tinubu’s recent communication of a US $21.5 billion request to the National Assembly is not an immediate borrowing demand, but rather the formal submission of the 2024 – 2026 External Borrowing Rolling Plan. The plan lays out a multi-year framework for both federal […]
Sweden has signed a US $2.7 million (KSh 348 million) agreement with TradeMark Africa to launch the two-year Kenya Enhanced Trade Environment and Inclusion (KETEI) programme. Designed to accelerate sustainable, inclusive trade in line with Kenya’s commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), KETEI will enhance port efficiency, green trade infrastructure, and the […]
A federal appeals court in Washington on Thursday temporarily reinstated the most sweeping of President Donald Trump’s global tariffs—known as the “Liberation Day” tariffs—after a lower court had struck them down as an unconstitutional overreach of executive power. The decision pauses enforcement of the U.S. Court of International Trade’s May 28 ruling, buying time for […]
South Africa’s central bank surprised markets on May 29 by unanimously cutting its main repurchase (repo) rate by 25 basis points to 7.25%, even as it signalled a stronger commitment to narrowing its inflation target to 3% from the current 3%–6% range (Reuters). In addition to trimming forecasts for economic growth and consumer prices, the […]
Introduction: Striking the Balance Between Revenue and Growth The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) has formally submitted a sweeping set of 39 recommendations on the Finance Bill 2025, urging Parliament to adopt measures that raise revenue without stifling economic growth or overburdening taxpayers. In a presentation on 27 May 2025, ICPAK’s delegation […]
A Summit of Influence: Setting the Agenda for 2030 The fifth edition of the Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg, wrapped up in Doha last week, drawing 3,000+ in-person attendees from over 90 countries and featuring 120+ speakers, including heads of state, Fortune 500 CEOs, policymakers and thought leaders. Against the theme “The Road to […]
A Welcome Rally in a Time of Strain Ghana’s cedi has staged a remarkable comeback in 2025, gaining 42% against the U.S. dollar since January and trading near ₵10.20/$1 as of late May. This surge has surprised many investors and provided a critical lifeline to a country grappling with the aftermath of a sovereign debt […]
In a pivotal moment for Kenya's economic trajectory, President William Ruto has officially assented to three critical National Assembly Bills:...
In a significant pronouncement that reverberates through the burgeoning digital asset landscape, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), often referred...
The Coca-Cola Company, a global beverage giant, has unveiled a groundbreaking study highlighting its monumental socio-economic impact across the African...
A transformative era has dawned for chilli farmers in Kenya's coastal region with the official commissioning of a state-of-the-art Sh250...
