U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is pressing the European Union to unilaterally slash its tariffs on U.S. goods or risk a fresh round of 20 percent “reciprocal” duties, according to the Financial Times. In talks with European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, Greer is set to argue that Brussels’ latest “explanatory note” falls well short of […]
On May 22, 2025, Egypt’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) surprised markets by trimming its key overnight deposit rate by 100 basis points to 24 percent, and its lending rate by the same margin to 25 percent. This move, the second rate cut in 2025 following a pause of nearly a year, fell short of the […]
Key Highlights Background: Strengthening Kenya’s Debt Profile Over the past decade, Kenya’s outstanding Eurobond liabilities have climbed amid infrastructure and social-spending needs. As of early 2025, the country faced roughly US$7 billion in Eurobonds maturing between 2027 and 2034, straining its foreign-currency debt service costs. Recognising these pressures, the GoK, through the National Treasury & […]
Key Takeaways Procedural Milestone Sets Stage for Early-Morning Votes Shortly before midnight in Washington, the 13-member House Rules Committee reconvened after a nearly 22-hour marathon session. By an 8–4 margin, including no Democratic support, the committee approved a package of amendments and procedural motions to bring President Trump’s signature legislation—dubbed the “big, beautiful bill”—to the […]
Key Takeaways A Third Time’s the Charm: From VAT Hike to Budget Consensus Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered his third iteration of the 2025 Budget speech on 21 May 2025, having twice postponed the exercise amid coalition wrangling over a proposed VAT rise (Government of South Africa, Xinhua). In March, he had outlined a phased […]
In a major shake-up for Kenya’s supplier community, the National Treasury has declared Sh270 billion of pending government bills ineligible for payment, according to a statement by Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo. A special audit committee, chaired by former Auditor General Edward Ouko, vetted Sh665 billion in outstanding claims and cleared just Sh230 billion as […]
A recent April 2025 Economic Impact Study by Nielsen has quantified what many in Thailand’s sports and tourism sectors have long suspected: ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial-arts organisation, generates approximately US $470 million in annual economic value for Thailand through its portfolio of combat-sports events (Bangkok Post, nationthailand). From packed stadiums in Bangkok to […]
In response to swirling media reports and diplomatic rumblings, South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has officially denied ever imposing a ban on the importation of Tanzanian bananas. Instead, officials emphasize that market access for this staple fruit has simply never been formalized—meaning neither a ban nor approval has been put into effect. The clarification comes […]
Introduction Today, President William Ruto is set to hand over 1,080 housing units to beneficiaries of the Mukuru Affordable Housing Project in Embakasi South, Nairobi. Spanning 56 acres, Mukuru stands as Kenya’s largest affordable housing development to date, ultimately delivering 13,248 homes across multiple phases (The Star). This milestone forms part of the Government’s Affordable […]
Introduction The fifth edition of the Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg, arrives at a pivotal juncture in global affairs, marked by seismic shifts in markets, technology, and geopolitics. Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Forum convenes from May 20–22, 2025, at the Qatar National Convention […]
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...
