Kenya

Kenyans with Poor Credit History Set To Pay More For Loans

As commercial banks prepare to shift to the new risk-based pricing model linked to the Kenya Shilling Overnight Interbank Average (KESONIA), Kenyans with poor credit history may soon find it more expensive to access credit from banks.

According to Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Kamau Thugge, although the new risk-based credit pricing model does not aim to exclude anyone from the formal financial market, high-risk borrowers will still face higher borrowing costs compared to those perceived to have a low risk of default.

Over the next three months, commercial banks are expected to adopt the new risk-based pricing models, with new loans to be priced using the updated framework from December 1, 2025.

(Source: Citizen Digital)

Uganda

Uganda to Borrow USD 400m for Agriculture, Transport Projects, Finance Ministry Says

Uganda plans to borrow USD 400 million from various lenders, including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and a United Nations fund, to finance transportation and agricultural projects, a finance ministry official said.

Opposition political parties have criticised the government over increasing public debt levels in recent years, and Uganda’s central bank has said the cost of servicing the debt is exerting pressure on public revenues. The government states that the increased borrowing is necessary to finance infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic growth.

The majority of the new borrowing, USD 253 million, will be sourced from AfDB, said State Minister for Finance Henry Musasizi late on Wednesday in parliament. He added that other lenders include the United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Islamic Development Bank, and UniCredit Bank Austria.

(Source: Reuters)

Tanzania

Tanzania: PPPC Targets Financing for 20 Projects

The Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC) aims to secure funding for at least 20 key national development projects before the end of this financial year.

With a combined value exceeding USD 12 billion, these projects cover vital sectors such as transport, energy, agriculture, industry, tourism, fisheries, and livestock, reflecting a comprehensive approach to addressing Tanzania’s development priorities. A key flagship initiative is the revitalisation of the Tanzania Fisheries Corporation (TAFICO), which exemplifies the government’s broader strategy to encourage private sector investment in priority sectors.

 (Source: All Africa)

Rwanda

Guidelines for Kigali Businesses Ahead of Global Cycling Race

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) has issued a public advisory urging businesses to plan for movement restrictions that will be enforced during the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali from 21 to 28 September. Temporary road closures will be put in place in Kigali to ensure the smooth flow of the race, which is expected to draw thousands of people, including international participants and visitors.

 In an advisory issued on Tuesday, 2 September, MINICOM encouraged private sector players to seize the race season as an opportunity to do business and deliver high-quality services to participants, visitors, and fans. The ministry urged traders to ensure sufficient stock of goods in advance to prevent disruptions during road closures, and to arrange any necessary deliveries during night hours when roads are open. It also added that truck drivers will be facilitated during night hours.

 (Source: New Times)

Ethiopia

Ethiopia Bids to Host 2027 UN Climate Summit

Ethiopia launched a bid on Wednesday to host the United Nations Climate Change Summit in 2027 in the capital, Addis Ababa, competing with Nigeria, which wants Lagos to host it. Nearly 200 countries gather each year for the two-week Conference of the Parties (COP), which is the leading global negotiation forum for governments to tackle climate change. Hosting a COP summit gives a country a significant role in guiding negotiations and an opportunity to promote its priorities. African countries have long demanded that COP meetings produce stronger finance agreements to help them adapt to the effects of climate change and secure capital for clean energy projects.

(Source: Reuters)

Sudan 

Nearly 90% of Sudan’s Farmers Lose Harvest in Conflict Zones

A new report by aid group CARE found on Tuesday that 89% of farmers in Sudan’s conflict zones have experienced a decline in their agricultural output, and more than half are unable to harvest crops due to insecurity.

The report, which surveyed 492 smallholder farmers in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, also revealed that the proportion of those cultivating small plots of land has doubled, and over three-quarters of them lose produce after harvesting due to theft and poor storage. “We lost the entire harvest last season due to insecurity in the area,” one farmer in South Kordofan told researchers, adding, “Armed conflict and violence made it too dangerous to access our fields.”

Even for farmers who manage to harvest, access to markets has been severely affected. Nearly 65% reported disruptions, with 17.5% having no market access at all due to hazardous roads and high transport costs.

 (Source: Sudan Tribune)

Somalia 

Somalia Hosts Tax Forum to Unveil New Tax Law and Boost Revenue

Somalia recently held its annual tax forum, gathering key government officials and prominent business leaders to discuss the country’s new tax law. The event served as an important platform for dialogue and collaboration, aiming to facilitate a smooth transition to a modernised tax system designed to increase government revenue and fund essential public services.

The recently introduced tax law marks a significant move towards economic reform in Somalia. Its main aims include simplifying the existing tax system, improving the efficiency of tax collection, and ultimately boosting the government’s financial capacity. This increased revenue is allocated to support essential public services, aiding the nation’s development and stability.

 (Source: Somali National News Agency)