KENYA

How Treasury, MPs Skills Gap Is Pushing Kenya to Debt Distress

The African Development Bank warns that a skills gap is worsening Kenya’s rising debt distress. Specifically, weak technical capacity both in the Treasury’s Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) and among Members of Parliament. These institutions are meant to manage, oversee, and scrutinise public borrowing, but lack enough skilled staff to identify fiscal risks. As a result, Kenya is accumulating poorly structured debt (short maturities, high interest rates, currency mismatches), increasing repayment pressures. The report recommends establishing an independent fiscal council composed of expert economists to provide a more rigorous debt risk assessment and guidance.

(Source: Business Daily)

 TANZANIA

BoT, NMB Risk Losing Right to Defence in Yetu Microfinance Takeover Case

Dar es Salaam. The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) and the NMB Bank are at risk of losing their right to defend themselves in a lawsuit filed by shareholders of Yetu Microfinance Bank (YMB), after failing to submit their written statements of defence (WSD) within the legally required timeframe. The civil case, number 24650 of 2025, was filed by the Youth Self-Employment Foundation (Yosefo), a major shareholder in YMB, through its registered trustees, Cornelius Kasiya Kariwa and Altemius Ambros Milinga.

(Source: The Citizen)

 

 

UGANDA

IMF to Consider Uganda’s Post-Financing Assessment In January

The IMF has announced that its Executive Board will review Uganda’s Post-Financing Assessment (PFA) in January 2026, following a mission to Kampala from November 3–7. During that visit, IMF staff noted that while Uganda’s economy grew strongly (about 6.3% in FY 2024/25), inflation remained subdued, and foreign reserves improved. However, they also flagged a weakening fiscal position, driven by high current spending and one-off items. Despite these concerns, the IMF judged Uganda’s capacity to repay as “adequate” even under potential external and domestic shocks.

(Source: Monitor)

 

RWANDA

I&M Bank Rwanda Reaches Rwf 1trn in Assets with a 46% Profit Increase

I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc has announced striking financial results for the quarter ended 30 September 2025, reporting a 46% year‑on‑year jump in net profit to Rwf 17.8 billion, alongside a 30% year‑to‑date rise in total assets to over Rwf 1 trillion. Net operating income rose by 29% to Rwf 54.1 billion, driven by strong growth in net interest income (36% to Rwf 48.5 billion) and a 35% increase in loans to Rwf 479.4 billion. Customer deposits climbed 33% to Rwf 875 billion, while the bank improved operational efficiency, achieving a cost‑to‑income ratio of 45.7%. CFOs and CEOs alike attribute the performance to strategic clarity, stakeholder trust, and investment in ecosystem growth.

(Source: The New Times)

 SUDAN

New SDG Banknote Reflects Contradictory Policy by Central Bank of Sudan

The Central Bank of Sudan’s introduction of a brand‑new SDG 2,000 banknote (alongside a new SDG 500 note) is being criticised by financial analyst Ahmed Ben Omar as evidence of a “dual and contradictory” monetary policy. On one hand, the bank is expanding liquidity by printing more money to finance the government’s obligations. On the other hand, it’s trying to clamp down on cash circulating outside the formal banking system and the parallel market – a contrast that suggests conflicting goals. Ben Omar warns that the higher‑value note will accelerate cash turnover, stoke inflation, and fuel inflationary expectations, especially since the issuance isn’t backed by real production or foreign reserves.

(Source: Dabanga)