Kenya 

World Bank: Kenya Could Have Saved KSh117B on SGR Construction 

The World Bank estimates that Kenya could have saved up to KSh117 billion (US$900 million) in constructing the Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) if its cost per kilometre had matched Tanzania’s. In its Kenya Economic Update, released on 4 November 2026, the lender put Kenya’s construction cost at KSh988 million per kilometre, compared with KSh740.8 million for Tanzania’s electrified Dar es Salaam–Dodoma railway and Sh689 million for the Djibouti–Addis Ababa line. At least 30 per cent of the potential savings was attributed to governance challenges, including direct contracting instead of competitive tendering, land speculation, and fraud involving land titling, valuation and compensation. The estimated savings represent a cost comparison rather than proof that the entire amount was lost through corruption. 

(Source: Business Daily) 

Uganda 

Two Ugandan Banks Lose USh530M in Fraudulent Land Transfer Scheme 

Centenary Bank and Absa have lost securities after advancing a combined USh530 million in loans against land fraudulently transferred to Mirembe Executive Group of Companies. In a ruling delivered on 30 October, the court found that the company had no valid claim to the property used as collateral, exposing the banks to losses arising from the fraudulent transaction. 

(Source: Monitor) 

Tanzania 

Tanzania Earns TZS 682B from 175,000 Tonnes of Cashews Sold Through WRS 

Tanzania has earned more than TZS 682 billion from the sale of 175,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts during the first three weeks of the 2026/27 marketing season, which began on 12 October 2026. According to Warehouse Receipts Regulatory Board Executive Director Asangye Bangu, more than 200,000 tonnes had been collected by 1 November, with 20 auctions conducted through the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS). The system also facilitated the marketing of other agricultural commodities, including pigeon peas, lentils, sesame, coffee and cocoa, while supporting storage, quality control, market access and transparency in agricultural trade. 

Rwanda 

Rwanda Secures US$4.97M to Support Drought-Hit Farmers 

Rwanda has secured us$4.97 million in climate adaptation funding to support at least 10,000 smallholder farmers in Kayonza, Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts. Implemented by UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture, the project will promote climate-smart farming, improve access to climate information and strengthen agricultural advisory services to reduce drought-related crop losses and protect food security. The districts were selected because of repeated climate-related disruptions, including prolonged dry spells and irregular rainfall over the past five years. The funding forms part of a nearly US$35 million Adaptation Fund package, with the remaining US$30 million allocated to pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. 

(Source: The New Times) 

Ethiopia 

Ethiopia Becomes Africa’s Leading LDC Services Exporter 

Ethiopia has overtaken Tanzania to become the largest commercial services exporter among the world’s least developed countries (LDCs), accounting for 17 per cent of the group’s total exports in 2024, according to a joint WTO–OECD report. Its share more than doubled from seven per cent in 2006, while Tanzania ranked second at 15 per cent, followed by Bangladesh at 11 per cent and Cambodia at 10 per cent. The report was released during the WTO’s 2026 Global Review of Aid for Trade in Geneva. 

(Source: The Reporter) 

Sudan 

CBOS Seeks Reforms to Address Gold Export Challenges 

The Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) has held talks with government authorities, regulators and private gold exporters to address sector challenges and improve export earnings. The 2 November meeting, chaired by Governor Amna Mirghani Hassan El-Tom, focused on developing fair gold pricing based on international rates, easing restrictions on export proceeds, diversifying export markets and reviewing regulations. The proposed reforms aim to increase foreign exchange inflows and strengthen official export channels amid persistent smuggling and declining foreign currency reserves. However, the Gold Exporters Division criticised its exclusion from the discussions. 

(Source: Sudan Tribune) 

Somalia 

Somalia and Türkiye Explore Cooperation in Petroleum and Energy 

Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Mohamed, met Türkiye’s Ambassador to Somalia, Ferhat Alkan, in Mogadishu on 3 November 2026 to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation in the petroleum sector. Discussions focused on strengthening existing ties and exploring opportunities for collaboration in oil and gas development. 

(Source: SONNA)