Author: James Wambua

This [gasoline production] will eliminate all fuel queues in Nigeria. This will improve the health of everybody. This will also make sure that there is consistent supply to the market, says Aliko Dangote. Refinery hailed as a big step in weaning Nigeria from its heavy reliance on imported oil products. Its capacity to export surplus products, such as aviation jet fuel and diesel, offers additional revenue streams for the country. Nigeria’s energy sector is poised to experience a monumental shift as the Dangote Oil Refinery, a $20 billion investment on the outskirts of Lagos, started gasoline production on Monday. According…

Leaders of Africa’s big economies such as South Africa and Kenya are in Beijing seeking loans for big infrastructure projects. Kenya, for instance, is eager to secure additional financing to complete stalled BRI projects. In return, analysts say China is keen on creating avenues for accessing minerals and market opportunities for their finished products. This week, the city of Beijing will be hosting a gathering that could shape the future of Africa’s economic landscape for years to come. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is set to welcome a delegation of African leaders eager to secure substantial financing for key…

Key reforms ranging from privatisation initiatives in Kenya to financial liberalisation in Ethiopia, are positioning East Africa as a prime destination for PE investment. In Uganda, upcoming oil production in 2025 is expected to increase PE activity, particularly in sectors and businesses that will benefit indirectly from the oil industry. Tanzania’s one stop facilitation centre introduced in 2023 seeks to streamline the investment process by integrating key authorities that issue permits and approvals. East Africa is experiencing a surge in private equity (PE) interest, driven by a wave of government reforms that are reshaping the financial industry. Kevin Kimotho, East…

In August, Abuja and Malabo agreed to develop the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline, an investment that’s poised to serve as a vital link between Nigeria’s gas reserves and Equatorial Guinea’s modern processing plants. Nigeria’s deal adds to another bilateral pact signed in March 2024 when Equatorial Guinea agreed with Cameroon to develop oil and gas projects along their shared maritime border. In both cases, however, political stability, regulatory clarity, and strong institutional frameworks will be vital in attracting investors. In August, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea signed a historic agreement to construct the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline Project. This…

Africa received loans worth $4.6 billion from China last year, an increase from what economies across the continent received in 2022. This amount is, however, a far cry from Beijing’s massive infrastructure financing witnessed before the Covid-19 pandemic. Beijing will host African leaders for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation between September 4th-6th. A total of nine countries in Africa received Chinese loans worth $4.6 billion last year, an increase from what economies across the continent received in 2022. However, this amount is a far cry from Beijing’s massive infrastructure financing that was witnessed before the Covid-19 pandemic. The new statistics…

Savannah Clinker seeks to acquire 100% of the Nairobi Securities Exchange-issued shares of Bamburi Cement for $197.3M (KES25.4Bn), an offer that is higher than the $180M (KES23Bn) placed earlier by Amsons Group. The competition between Savannah Clinker and Amsons Group underscores an ever-persistent rivalry between Kenyan and Tanzanian firms in the East African market. In July, Amsons’ $180M offer was seen as a strategic move to expand its footprint in Kenya and tap into the lucrative construction market. The push by Tanzania-based conglomerate Amsons Group to grow its footprint across Kenya through the acquisition of Bamburi Cement has taken a…

Bolstered by the support of President William Ruto, Odinga outlines his vision for Africa—a continent united, resilient, and thriving. Kenya has established a secretariat to facilitate Odinga’s AU Commission Chairmanship campaign. Odinga’s bid launch attracted presidents Yoweri Museveni, Salva Kiir, Samia Suluhu, and former presidents Jakaya Kikwete and Olusegun Obasanjo. In a forum graced by Heads of States and senior Government officials from across Africa, Kenya’s Raila Amolo Odinga has officially launched his bid for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). Bolstered by the support of Kenyan President William Ruto, Odinga outlined his vision for Africa—a continent united,…

Global ratings agency S&P downgrades Kenya from “B” to “B-” on weaker debt trajectory. S&P says Kenya’s financial outlook has deteriorated following the rejection of Finance Bill 2024, which was intended to raise tax revenues. Agency projects that Kenya’s budget deficit will widen by almost two percentage points, reaching 4.3% for the 2025 fiscal year. S&P Global Ratings has further downgraded Kenya’s credit score, pushing the East African nation’s rating deeper into junk territory. This downgrade follows the government’s decision to reject controversial tax increases in late June that were aimed at addressing fiscal imbalances. The latest move by S&P…

Historically, efforts to combat malnutrition have often been siloed, with different sectors working in isolation. Despite the clear benefits of improving nutrition—both in terms of individual well-being and broader economic development—funding for nutrition initiatives has often been insufficient. A new approach seeks to break down these silos by promoting cross-sector collaboration and integrating nutrition into broader development strategies. Malnutrition in Africa remains a persistent challenge, affecting millions of people and hindering the continent’s development. The African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank Group’s African Leaders for Nutrition (ALN) initiative, in collaboration with the government of Senegal, have launched…

Health Minister Roger Kamba announced last week that the DRC expects to receive the first shipment of vaccine doses from the US within days. DRC is the hardest hit country by the epidemic globally reporting over 1000 new cases in a week. The country currently faces a huge shortfall in vaccine supplies, with an estimated 3 million doses required to curb the epidemic. The US is expected to deliver critical Mpox vaccines to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this week, marking a turning point in Kinshasa’s fight against the fast-spreading viral infection. This intervention comes as the World Health…