- MAY 13 – President Donald Trump has slashed the tariff on small parcels sent from mainland China and Hong Kong to the US, just hours after the world’s two biggest economies said they would cut levies on each other’s goods for 90 days. The new tariffs on small packages worth up to $800 (£606) have…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 13 – The government has rolled out a new industrial mapping exercise in Nairobi to modernize the country’s industrial landscape and support targeted policymaking. The 15-day mapping and geolocation initiative is being done by the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry and…
- NAIROBI, May 12 (Xinhua) — Kenya targets to grow its tea exports to China by more than fourfold in the next six years, a government official said on Monday. Mutahi Kagwe, cabinet secretary for agriculture and livestock development, said the goal is to increase Kenya’s tea exports to China from 12.…
- MAY 12 – Share markets jumped on Monday after President Trump said weekend talks had resulted in a “total reset” in trade terms between the US and China, a move which goes some way to defuse the high stakes stand-off between the two countries. The talks in Switzerland resulted in significant cuts…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 – The Finance Bill 2025, which seeks to introduce amendments to tax and duty laws, has been formally referred to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning during the National Assembly’s long recess. Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, in a notification issued Monday,…
- CAMBRIDGE, MA – May 4, 2025 – Kenya took center stage at the US-Africa Connect Conference held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), spotlighting its unique blend of tourism innovation, athletic excellence, and agribusiness potential. The event, hosted in Kendall Square — famously…
- By Kelvin Kipng’etich MAY 12 – In the shadow of Kenya’s rapid urbanization lies a persistent challenge: nearly 30% of our population still lacks reliable access to electricity. While national grid expansion continues, the geography and economics of connecting remote communities present formidable…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 — Subaru Kenya and Strathmore University have entered into a partnership aimed at boosting electric vehicle (EV) innovation and strengthening STEM education in the country. The collaboration, launched on May 9 at Strathmore’s School of Computing and Engineering Sciences,…
- MAY 12 – The White House is in discussions with the royal family of Qatar to possibly receive a luxury jumbo jet, intended for use as an Air Force One presidential plane. In a statement, Qatar denied that the plane would be a gift, but said the transfer of an aircraft for “temporary use” was […]
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 – Family Bank has entered into a deal with EIB Global, a development investment arm of the European Investment Bank, to lend Sh14.7 billion to women-owned and youth-led businesses in the country. In the deal, EIB Global will provide €50 million in long-term financing, which…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 – The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has launched a nationwide public awareness campaign aimed at demystifying genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as the agency moves to tighten regulatory oversight and decentralize its operations across the country. The campaign began…
- MAY 12 – The US and China have agreed a deal that will significantly cut the import tariffs, or taxes, both sides have imposed on one another for a 90-day period. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said both countries would lower their reciprocal tariffs by 115% for 90 days. The announcement came…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 – Kenya Power is currently installing new sensors on its power lines to detect line faults, temperature anomalies, and mechanical stress in real-time, reducing outages besides improving grid performance. The Megger’s MGA Sensors, whose rollout began today, are being…
- MAY 12 – With US President Donald Trump due to visit Gulf states this week, a key focus will be securing significant new investment for the US economy. “President Trump wants the announcement [of more Gulf money for the US],” says economist Karen Young, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 – The Tax Appeals Tribunal has ruled in favor of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) regarding whether VAT is applicable on annual practicing certificate fees and other fees charged on the society members. The ruling came after the Kenya Revenue Authority claimed that the society…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 — The fourth edition of the Africa Soft Power (ASP) Summit will take place in Nairobi from May 21 to 25, bringing together public and private sector players to explore ways of boosting Africa’s creative, digital, and knowledge-based industries. The summit will feature high-…
- MAY 12 – Both China and the United States have said that they’ve made progress at trade talks between the two countries in Switzerland. The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the discussions as “productive and constructive,” while China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng said the talks were “in-…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 11 – A long-running legal battle over more than 9,000 acres of contested land in Kisumu County has taken a new twist after a lawyer representing Miwani Sugar Company (in Receivership) rejected a proposed government-brokered consent settlement, citing constitutional and legal…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 11 – Equity Group Holdings Plc and the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) have expanded their partnership with a USD 500 million (Sh64 billion) financing framework to accelerate support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across East and Central Africa. The renewed…
- MAY 11 – Donald Trump says there has been a “total reset” in US-China trade relations following the first day of talks between American and Chinese officials in Switzerland. In a social media post, the US president described the talks as being “very good” and said change had been “negotiated in a…
- MAY 10 – US President Donald Trump has proposed cutting tariffs on goods from China, in his latest comment to signal interest in de-escalating the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies. “80% Tariff on China seems right,” Trump wrote on social media on Friday, ahead of trade talks…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10 – The government has finalized the leasing of four state-owned sugar factories to private millers in a bid to revive the ailing sugar industry. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has signed agreements with sugarcane farmers and workers’ unions to settle…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10 – Huawei Eastern Africa on Friday hosted a high-level roundtable to explore how advanced solar and energy storage technologies can accelerate Kenya’s clean energy transition and enhance grid resilience. Held under the theme “Utility PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems:…
- MAY 10 – Mexico is suing Google for ignoring repeated requests not to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America on Google Maps for US users, President Claudia Sheinbaum says. She did not say where the lawsuit had been filed. Google did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment. On Thursday,…
- NAIROBI, May 10 (Xinhua) — Chinese heavy-duty truckmaker Sinotruk has launched its Howo Max model in Kenya, appointing local motor dealer Printan as its official distributor. Hossein Goudarzi, chief executive officer of Printan, said in a statement issued Friday in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya,…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 9 — The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), in partnership with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, has wrapped up a three-county policy awareness campaign aimed at equipping youth and small businesses with knowledge of new legislative proposals meant to improve…
- MAY 9 – A fleet of Russian oil tankers which have been used to avoid existing sanctions on oil and gas exports are set to be hit with new restrictions. Downing Street has said action will be taken against up to 100 vessels which have carried more than £18 billion worth of cargo since the […]
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 9 – Safaricom’s net profit for the full year ending March this year grew by 10.8 percent to Sh69.8 billion compared to a similar period last year, buoyed by high M-Pesa and data revenues. For instance, M-Pesa expanded by 15.2 percent year-on-year, contributing Sh161 billion, or…
- MAY 9 – It’s going to be a very sexy summer, a touch of romantic, cowboy and rock and roll. That’s according to Mehdi Sousanne, at least. And he should know. He’s a designer for Zara who helps create the clothes for a brand that’s one of the most successful stories in High Street fashion. […]
- MAY 9 – US President Donald Trump has hinted that US tariffs on goods from China may come down as top trade officials from the world’s two biggest economies are set to hold talks. “You can’t get any higher. It’s at 145, so we know it’s coming down,” he said, referring to the new import […]
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 9 – Faulu Microfinance Bank has officially joined the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) clearing house, a key step in enhancing transaction efficiency for its customers across the country. The move follows the bank’s integration into the Automated Clearing House (ACH), a system…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 9 — Tour guides from across the region have made a strong case for greater recognition and reform in the tourism sector during the inaugural East Africa Tour Guide Conference held in Nairobi. Under the theme “Storytellers of Africa: Tour Guides in Africa’s Tourism Economy,” the…
- MAY 9 – The US has agreed to reduce import taxes on a set number of British cars and allow some steel and aluminium into the country tariff-free, as part of a new agreement between the US and UK. The announcement offers relief for key UK industries from some of the new tariffs President Donald […]
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 9 – Kenya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed seven agreements aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation between the two nations. This comes a few months after the two countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in January. The…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 9 – Risk advisory firm Minet has planted 20,000 tree seedlings in the Matathia block of the Uplands Forest in Kiambu County as part of its ongoing target to plant 500,000 trees in Kenya by 2030. The new planting brings the total number of trees planted by the firm over the past…
- By Donghun Lee MAY 8 – Recent research reveals a promising trajectory for Kenya’s household appliances market, projecting an impressive growth rate of 5.60% over the next five years. This anticipated surge is being driven by several converging factors, notably increased exposure to modern…
- MAY 8 – Microsoft founder Bill Gates said he intends to give away 99% of his vast fortune over the next 20 years. Gates said he would accelerate his giving via his foundation, with plans to end its operations in 2045. “People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I […]
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 8 – The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collected Sh2.1 trillion in the ten months to April 2025, a 6.1 percent growth compared to Sh1.9 trillion collected in the same period in the previous financial year. This represents a performance rate of 96.5 percent against a target of Sh2…
- MAY 8 – Downing Street says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will make an announcement about a deal with the US on tariffs later today. “The Prime Minister will always act in Britain’s national interest – for workers, for business, for families,” a No10 spokesperson said. The UK government has been…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 8 – The 2025 Finance Bill’s proposal to remove VAT exemptions for select sectors could hamper Kenya’s economic recovery and industrial growth, tax experts at Ernst & Young (EY) have warned. The advisory firm says levying the standard 16 percent VAT on previously exempt…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 8 – The 2025 East Africa Property Investment (EAPI) Summit opened Wednesday in Nairobi with renewed focus on real estate financing, regional economic recovery, and geopolitical shifts shaping investor sentiment. Held under the theme “Positioning for Opportunity”, the two-day…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 8 – Stakeholders in the startup ecosystem have called on successful entrepreneurs to pass on the knowledge and experience they have gained to new founders, to ensure the sustainable growth of the country’s start ups. According to data by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics,…
- MAY 8 – The US central bank has warned that President Donald Trump’s tariffs have created “so much uncertainty” that it is unsure what to do about interest rates. The Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday it would keep interest rates unchanged, despite pressure from Trump to lower borrowing costs…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 8 – Airtel Kenya has rolled out a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered spam detection system designed to protect its mobile subscribers from fraudulent and unsolicited SMS messages. The service, which is available at no extra cost to users, automatically flags suspicious…
- MAY 8 – Foxconn, the maker of Apple’s iPhones, has announced plans to produce electric vehicles (EV) for Japanese car giant Mitsubishi Motors. Under the agreement in principle, a Foxconn joint venture will design and build cars in Taiwan for Mitsubishi. The companies say they expect the new model…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 8 — Kenya is grappling with a Sh1.36 billion ($10.5 million) funding gap for compensating victims of human-wildlife conflict, as the government rolls out a 19-day national awareness campaign to mobilize resources. Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, May 8 – VFS Global is partnering with enterprise software firm SAP SE to develop AI-powered digital tools aimed at improving cross-border mobility and citizen services for governments and diplomatic missions globally. The move sees VFS Global integrate SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public…
- NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 8 – The government is considering amendments to the Cyber Crime Act in a bid to combat the growing spread of misinformation online, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has said. Addressing concerns over the influence of digital platforms on public opinion, Mwaura stressed the…
- MAY 8 – Walt Disney has announced plans to open its first theme park in the Middle East. The resort, which will be in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, is a collaboration between Walt Disney and local leisure and entertainment company Miral. Disney already has six theme…
- Editor’s note: Andrey Kortunov, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, was director general (2011-2023) and academic director (2024-2025) of the Moscow-based Russian International Affairs Council. The article reflects the author’s opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN. MAY 8 –…
