Kenya

Nairobi Eyeing Extra KSh 5bn in Land Rates from Crackdown 

City Hall aims to collect an additional KSh 5 billion in land rates as part of its crackdown on development and houses built on existing or proposed roads, railway lines, communications, and other civic facilities or public utilities.

Under the plan, the county will map and measure all property sizes and types around the city to determine the rates property owners should pay.

This comes after the Nairobi County Assembly passed the Nairobi City County Regularisation of Unauthorised Development Bill, 2025, which paves the way for mapping and documenting all city properties for land rates.

(The Star)

Tanzania

BoT Cuts Key Policy Rate to Meet Liquidity Demand

The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 5.75 per cent for this year’s quarter three, down from 6.0 per cent in the previous quarter, citing stable inflation expectations.

In the two quarters to June, the central bank maintained the benchmark rate at 6.0 per cent, reflecting confidence in the inflation outlook.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) that met on Tuesday lowered the CBR by 25 basis points to 5.75 per cent, and the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) will manage monetary policy to keep the 7-day interbank rate within the 3.75–7.75 per cent corridor.

The BoT Governor Emmanuel Tutuba said that the MPC’s decision reflects confidence in the inflation outlook.

(Daily News)

 

Uganda

Uganda Cooperatives Alliance Calls for Revival of Cooperative Bank

The Uganda Cooperatives Alliance has urged the government to fast-track the revival of the Cooperative Bank, which was closed over two decades ago. Speaking during the 103rd International Cooperative Day celebrations held on Saturday at Booma Grounds in Fort Portal City, Johnas Tweyambe, Chairperson of the Uganda Cooperatives Alliance, emphasised the urgent need to re-establish the bank to support the growing cooperative movement.

The Cooperative Bank was closed in May 1999 by the then Bank of Uganda Governor, the late Charles Kikonyogo, due to inadequate capitalisation and insolvency, which was estimated at USh 4.8 billion by December 31, 1998. Tweyambe revealed that the Alliance already has clear and actionable resolutions to support the bank’s revival and has secured USh 100 million as startup capital. He stressed that having their own financial institution would enable cooperatives to access affordable and appropriate financing.

(The Independent)

Rwanda

Rwanda’s Cooperative Bank Expected to Launch in 2025/26 Fiscal Year

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning announced that the process of merging all Umurenge SACCOs to operate at the district level will go hand in hand with preparations for the launch of the Cooperative Bank, which is expected to be operational by the end of the 2025/26 fiscal year.

The update was shared on July 8, 2025, when the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, addressed the Lower House of Parliament.

He noted that by August 2024, all 416 Umurenge Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) had been digitised, and those in the districts of Nyarugenge, Gasabo, Kicukiro, Gicumbi, Rubavu, Rwamagana, and Nyamagabe had already been consolidated at the district level.

The ongoing integration of SACCOs is expected to eventually give rise to the Cooperative Bank, which will allow members to access their funds from anywhere and qualify for larger loans than those available through SACCOs operating at the sector level.

(Igihe Network)

Ethiopia

Ethiopia Earns USD 2.6bn from Coffee Exports

Ethiopia earned USD 2.6 billion from coffee exports in the just-concluded fiscal year, the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) announced. Director General of the Authority, Adugna Debela, stated that the Authority had initially planned to export 326,000 tonnes of coffee and generate USD 2 billion in revenue. However, over 470,000 tonnes were exported, resulting in earnings of USD 2.65 billion.

Adugna highlighted that this achievement makes Ethiopia the leading coffee exporter in Africa and the third-largest coffee producer and exporter globally. The Director General attributed this success to various reform measures implemented to boost income from the coffee sector, including policy changes that allow coffee farmers to export directly, thereby increasing their profits.

(ENA)

Sudan 

UN Decries ‘Alarming’ Sudan Crisis as Shelling Hits Camp, Funds Dry Up

The United Nations on Wednesday described the humanitarian situation in Sudan’s North Darfur as “alarming,” citing a deadly shelling attack on a displacement camp where famine was declared last year and warning that a severe funding shortfall is crippling aid efforts.

Fighting between warring factions continues to drive civilians from their homes, with a recent shelling on Tuesday hitting a market area inside the Abu Shouk camp, killing three people and injuring many more, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.

(Sudan Tribune)

Somalia 

Somali president Meets Egypt’s Sisi as Cairo Seeks Allies over Ethiopia’s GERD

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo on Monday, amid rising tensions following Ethiopia’s announcement of the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

In a statement, Villa Somalia said the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation, with Egypt pledging to build a new embassy compound in Mogadishu, signalling renewed interest in deepening ties with Somalia. 

However, local media reports suggest that President Mohamud’s visit was prompted by Egypt’s desire to explore possible support from Somalia in response to Ethiopia’s completion of the GERD, which Cairo views as a significant threat to its water security.

(Somali Guardian)