• 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 Africa Private Equity Leader at Deloitte Africa, has highlighted these developments in the firm’s latest Deloitte Africa Private Equity Confidence Survey 2024.

These reforms, ranging from privatisation initiatives in Kenya to financial liberalisation in Ethiopia are positioning East Africa as a prime destination for PE investment.

Currently, Kenya continues …

• 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 ambitious pact will see gas transported from the gas fields of Nigeria to Equatorial Guinea, where it will be processed at the latter’s state-of-the-art LNG facilities located at Punta Europa on Bioko Island.

The deal, which was signed by presidents Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea and Bola Ahmed …

• 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 from the Boston University Global Development Policy Centre come just days before Beijing hosts African leaders for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled for September 4th-6th.

In 2023, lenders from China processed approximately 13 loans targeting various projects across the continent with the biggest beneficiary being players in the financial …

• 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 fresh twist after a Kenyan-based mining firm Savannah Clinker Ltd placed a more attractive counter-offer for the full acquisition of Bamburi PLC.

In the latest filing with market regulators, Savannah Clinker seeks to acquire 100 per cent of the Nairobi Securities Exchange-issued shares of Bamburi Cement for $197.3 million(KES25.4 billion), …

• 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 places East Africa’s biggest economy’s rating on par with countries such as Egypt and El Salvador.

The rejection of the 2024/2025 Finance Bill, which was expected to introduce several tax increases, has been a pivotal moment for Kenya’s economic trajectory. The bill included tax hikes on essential items such as …

• In trading, your mind is your greatest asset or your worst enemy. Emotions can cloud judgment, leading to impulsive decisions that often result in losses.
• Fear, greed, overconfidence, and hesitation are common emotions that can derail even the most carefully crafted trading plans.
• Understanding and controlling these emotions is essential to ensure they don’t negatively impact your trading decisions.

Trading isn’t just about understanding charts, mastering technical analysis, or knowing the latest market trends. The psychological aspect of trading is what separates consistent winners from the rest. If you’re serious about succeeding as a trader, developing a winning mindset is as crucial as mastering the strategies you use. In this article, we’ll explore key concepts to help you build a strong mental foundation, with some practical trading psychology tips that you can apply right away.

The Importance of Trading Psychology

In trading, your mind is your greatest asset or your …