Kenya  

Kenya, Mauritius Deepen Trade Ties as Africa Pushes for Stronger Intra-Regional Trade  

Kenya and Mauritius have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and advancing intra-African commerce. This followed a meeting of 25 Mauritian companies with Kenyan businesses at the Mauritius–Kenya Trade and Investment Promotion Forum in Nairobi on Monday. 

Organised by Mauritius’s Economic Development Board (EDB) in partnership with TradeSmart Consult Ltd, the forum brought together manufacturers, investors and policymakers for structured buyer–seller engagements. 

The main focus was on unlocking new sourcing, distribution and investment opportunities across key sectors.  

(Source: The Star)  

Uganda  

Housing Finance Reports UGX 85B in Net Profits  

Housing Finance Bank reported a rise in annual net profit to UGX 85.4 billion for the year ending December 2025, up from UGX 71.1 billion a year earlier.
The lender’s earnings were boosted by a strong expansion in income, with total revenue climbing to UGX 499.9 billion from UGX 402.8 billion.
According to the financial statement released on April 27, interest income remained the backbone of the business, supported by growth in loans and investment securities, while fees and commissions also provided a steady stream of income.
On the balance sheet, the bank’s total assets grew to UGX 2.7 trillion, up from UGX 2.34 trillion the previous year.  

(Source: NewVision)  

Tanzania  

 Gov’t Bans Foreigners from Providing Services to Companies Owned by Tanzanians  

The Tanzanian government has banned non-Tanzanians from distributing goods or providing services that are officially designated to be carried out by companies 100 per cent owned by Tanzanians, as part of efforts to strengthen local participation in the mining sector. 

The announcement was made on April 27, 2026, in Parliament in Dodoma by the Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mvunde, while presenting the ministry’s revenue and expenditure estimates for the 2026/27 financial year. 

The Minister said the measure is part of implementing the Local Content Policy in the mining sector and of strengthening Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations for holders of mining licences.  

(Source: Daily News)  

Rwanda  

Gov’t Keeps Public Debt at 74.8% of GDP in FY2024/2025, Below Forecast  

Rwanda maintained its public debt at 74.8% of gross domestic product at the end of June 2025, below earlier projections of 80.5%, according to a report published on April 27 by the Rwandan Ministry of Finance. 

Authorities attributed the improved debt ratio to disciplined macroeconomic management, an upward revision of GDP, and the phased financing of major infrastructure projects. Key projects include the new Kigali International Airport and the expansion of RwandAir, which the authorities are funding incrementally to limit fiscal strain. 

Moreover, the debt structure remains favourable. Concessional financing accounts for 88.2% of external borrowing, reducing overall funding costs and supporting debt sustainability.  

(Source: Ecofin Agency)  

Ethiopia  

 Ethiopia Restores Diesel Supply to Pre-Crisis Levels  

The Ethiopian government has announced the full restoration of its daily diesel supply to pre-crisis levels, now at 9 million litres. 

Speaking at a press briefing, Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide said the decision follows recent disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, which triggered a sharp rise in global fuel prices and constrained supply chains. 

At the peak of the disruption, Ethiopia’s daily diesel supply had fallen by half to about 4.5 million litres. 

The minister confirmed that fuel transport from Djibouti to Addis Ababa has resumed immediately, with distribution to regional states scheduled to begin on 1st May.  

(Source: ENA)  

Sudan   

Gov’t Bans Luxury Imports to Curb Currency Collapse Amid Importer Backlash  

Sudan’s Council of Ministers has banned the import of more than 40 luxury and non-essential goods to stabilise the exchange rate and support local industry. This move has prompted a sharp legal threat from the National Chamber of Importers.  

The decision comes as the Sudanese pound continues to plummet in parallel markets, recently surpassing £4,000 per U.S. dollar. Officials attribute the currency’s decline to high global fuel prices and increased demand for foreign currency among importing firms.  

The government issued Decree No. 174 of 2026 on April 12, acting on recommendations from a committee tasked with curbing the currency’s devaluation. The ban targets goods including dairy products (excluding powdered and infant milk), biscuits, sweets, mineral water, juices, and furniture. Other restricted items include ceramics, marble, textiles, cosmetics, and certain fruits and vegetables.  

(Source: Sudan Tribune)  

Somalia  

Report: Years After Devastating Famine, Somalia Faces New Disaster – Drought Without Aid  

Families in Somalia are confronting a new catastrophe, with hunger and humanitarian needs soaring, the drought worsening, and aid levels at unprecedented lows, according to Save the Children. A new report, “When Aid Disappears, Childhood Disappears Too, Save the Children”, reveals how the collapse of international aid funding to Somalia in 2025 may soon lead to catastrophic outcomes for children not seen since the 2011 famine, which killed over 257,000 people. 

Early in 2025, projections estimated that 3.4 million people were facing crisis-level food insecurity. A year later, this figure has almost doubled, projected at 6.5 million people, a jump directly correlated with massive cuts in international funding and the predicted poor October-December 2025 rains. 

Meanwhile, in 2024, Somalia’s Humanitarian Response Plan was 57.7% funded, which, while still below overall needs, was sufficient to sustain critical programmes. In 2025, coverage fell to just 28.8%. Now, only around 15% of the response plan is funded, the lowest level on record at this time of the year.    

(Source: ZAWYA)