Kenya

Cabinet Approves KPC Privatisation, Paving Way for September NSE Listing

The Cabinet has given formal approval for the partial privatisation of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), marking a major step towards the long-awaited initial public offering (IPO) of the state-owned energy utility. The decision, made during a Cabinet meeting on July 29, 2025, reinstates KPC into the government’s privatisation program and clears the path for a landmark listing on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), targeted for September. The move comes just a week after President William Ruto, speaking at the NSE, confirmed plans to list KPC by September 2025. The Cabinet’s approval signals a significant policy shift by reducing direct state involvement in commercial enterprises and enabling the private sector and professional managers to drive growth, efficiency, and innovation.

 (Source: The Kenya Wallstreet)

 

Uganda

Better Packaging Key to Unlocking Uganda’s Agro-Exports, Say Experts

Uganda’s ambition to expand agro-based exports and empower small businesses is facing a major hurdle: poor packaging. Now, global and local experts say addressing this challenge could be the game-changer that unlocks international market access for Uganda’s agro-processors and artisanal producers.

Uganda has joined a select group of only seven countries globally and three in Africa to host the prestigious World Packaging Organisation (WPO) Masterclass in Packaging Technology, which is currently underway at Protea Hotel Kampala from August 5th to 7th, 2025. The training, organised by the Institute for Packaging Partners of Uganda (IPPU) in partnership with the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives and funded by the WPO, aims to equip players across the packaging value chain with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve packaging quality and standards. Officiating the opening ceremony, the Honourable Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, called packaging “a silent barrier” standing between Ugandan products and global markets.

 

(Source: Business Times Uganda)

 

Tanzania

Maurel & Prom to Start Drilling Gas Wells at Mnazi Bay in Q4 2025 

Maurel & Prom (M&P) announced in its H1 2025 results that it will begin drilling three new gas wells at Mnazi Bay in Q4 2025. The field produced 58.7mmcfd in H1 2025, up 9% from H2 2024. The company indicated that preparations for the drilling campaign are ongoing, and the main contracts required for the operations have already been awarded. According to the report, M&P’s working interest gas production at Mnazi Bay (60%) averaged 58.7 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) in H1 2025, representing a 9% increase compared to H2 2024. The Mnazi Bay gas field is situated in the Mtwara Region of southern Tanzania, supplying gas primarily to the country’s domestic power sector through the national pipeline network. The field is operated by M&P (60%) in partnership with Wentworth Resources (40%). Gas from Mnazi Bay is sold to the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) under a long-term gas sales agreement signed in 2015.

(Source:  TanzaniaInvest)

 

Rwanda

Rwanda’s International Expo 2025 Sets New Records, Reinforces Commitment to Vision 2050

The 28th edition of the Rwanda International Trade Fair (EXPO 2025) officially opened on August 5, 2025, in Kigali, with a strong emphasis on advancing the country’s long-term development agenda under Vision 2050.

The annual trade fair, organised by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) in collaboration with the Private Sector Federation (PSF), began on July 29 and will run to August 17. Organisers say the event is expected to drive national growth by stimulating trade, industry, and entrepreneurship.

Held consistently for nearly three decades, the fair has evolved into a vital platform for showcasing local innovation and boosting the Made-in-Rwanda brand. Many longtime exhibitors credit the event for expanding their market reach and contributing to business growth.

This year’s edition has set a new record with 475 exhibitors, including 378 from Rwanda and 97 international participants from 19 countries. Notably, Cameroon and Saudi Arabia are taking part for the first time.

 (Source: Top Africa News)

 

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Airlines Reports $7.6B Revenue, Confirms Frozen Funds in Eritrea Remain Inaccessible

Ethiopian Airlines transported more than 19 million domestic and international passengers and earned USD 7.6 billion in revenue during the 2024/2025 Ethiopian budget year, marking an 8 % increase from the previous year, CEO Mesfin Tasew announced on Wednesday.

The airline currently operates flights to 21 domestic airports, with six additional airports expected to be completed and operational within the next six months, Mesfin told local media. The national carrier added 13 new aircraft – four Boeing and three Airbus – and launched six new international routes.

It has transported 15.2 million international and 3.9 million domestic passengers, totalling over 19 million travellers, and moved 785,323 tons of cargo in the reported fiscal year, according to Tasew.

 (Source: Addis Standard) 

Sudan 

UN Expert Warns of ‘Limited Progress’ in Sudan, Points to Famine Risk

A top United Nations human rights expert warned on Tuesday that the situation in Sudan is deteriorating, citing escalating violence, looming famine, and “minimal concrete progress” from authorities on key rights issues since the conflict began. In a statement concluding a visit to Port Sudan, Radhouane Nouicer, the UN-designated expert on human rights in Sudan, said the ongoing war is devastating civilian lives and turning daily survival into a struggle. The visit was his second to the country since the conflict erupted in April 2023.

Nouicer described seeing women and children living in tents in “scorching temperatures,” with humanitarian aid like food, water, and healthcare suspended for months due to funding cuts. He warned that the coming rainy season will “further exacerbate the crisis”. 

Famine has been confirmed in some locations, with other areas at risk, the statement said.

(Source: Sudan Tribune)

 

Somalia

Massive Fire Devastates Mogadishu’s Second-Largest Market

A massive fire ripped through Mogadishu’s Suuq Ba’ad market on Monday night, killing at least one person and destroying hundreds of shops in what business owners have described as a catastrophic failure of emergency response services. Suuq Ba’ad, the second-largest marketplace in the Somali capital, was engulfed in flames reportedly sparked by an electrical fault. The blaze quickly spread across the densely packed market, reducing entire sections to ash and rubble. 

Witnesses and traders accused the authorities of failing to deploy firefighting teams promptly to contain the fire. “The government response was non-existent when we needed it most,” one business owner told local media.

(Source: Somali Guardian)