The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) have solidified a new partnership. The agreement, formalized during the Seventy-fifth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, signals a deepened commitment to advancing vaccine equity, fostering local production, and accelerating health innovation across the region. The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed by Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa, and Dr. Jerome H. Kim, director general of IVI, represents a strategic escalation in the mission to strengthen Africa’s self-reliance in health security. It represents a joint ambition to build robust regional capabilities…
Author: Antony Mutunga
Antony Mutunga
Antony Mutunga holds a Bachelors degree in Commerce, Finance from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He previously worked for Altic Investment & Consultancy before he joined NBM team in 2015. His interest in writing ranges from business, economics and technology. He is also our lead researcher in matters business.
The recently concluded Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), hosted in Yokohama from August 20-22, 2025, served as a powerful reaffirmation of the dynamic and enduring partnership between Africa and Japan. Under the leadership of Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the African delegation articulated a clear and strategic vision for a future built on mutual respect and shared prosperity. Chairperson Youssouf’s central message throughout the conference was a compelling call for bold and innovative partnerships, urging a collaborative effort to co-create transformative solutions. He positioned the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as…
The Ministry of Health has entered a strategic partnership with the Association of Medical Engineering of Kenya (AMEK). This collaboration, spearheaded by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, aims to comprehensively strengthen the field of biomedical engineering and overhaul the nation’s health technology management systems. The high-level meeting, which featured AMEK’s leadership including Chairman Symon Mbakah and Secretary General Hesbon Obaigwa, focused on critical interventions designed to ensure the reliability and safety of medical equipment services from national to county levels. The discussions charted a clear course for action, centering on the urgent need to revise and relaunch…
A groundbreaking Sh10.66 billion ($82.5 million) initiative is set to transform aviation safety and environmental protection across Africa as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) jointly launched the Fortifying Infrastructure for Responsible Extinguishment (FIRE) project. This ambitious program targets the phase-out of toxic fluorinated firefighting foams containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), dangerous “forever chemicals” linked to severe environmental and health risks, at major airports in Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa. Supported by a Sh1.29 billion ($10 million) grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Sh9.37 billion ($72.5 million) in…
South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited (SonySugar), one of Kenya’s iconic sugar producers, has issued a sweeping redundancy notice to all employees, effective 31st October 2025. The decision, communicated by Marine Dina, Managing Director of SonySugar, comes as a direct consequence of the government’s controversial leasing of state-owned sugar mills to private investors earlier this year. The Migori-based miller, established in 1979, has been leased to Busia Sugar Industries under a 30-year agreement and will operate under the new name New Sony 2025. The current notice cites a directive from the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development…
Earlier this year, a new fund was launched by a coalition of global philanthropies to help accelerate maternal and newborn survival across Africa. Known as the Beginnings Fund, it is set to provide Kenya with Sh10.34 billion ($80 million) over the next five years. Kenya is one of ten African countries partnering with the fund to make targeted investments in the products, people, and systems needed to improve and scale maternal and newborn health. With over 300,000 maternal and newborn deaths on the continent, the fund is backed by support from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, the Children’s…
The National Treasury has dealt a blow to businesses and individual taxpayers by barring the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) from enforcing sections of the Finance Act 2025 that allowed taxpayers to settle their dues using refunds from overpaid taxes. This decision disrupts cash flow plans for many, particularly businesses that were relying on the newly introduced provisions to ease financial strain. The blocked measures, which took effect on 1 July 2025, amended Section 47 of the Tax Procedures Act, permitting taxpayers to offset overpaid taxes against liabilities such as VAT on imports. It had been expanded from earlier reforms introduced…
The true wealth of Africa lies not just in its vast natural resources but in its ability to govern them with transparency, enforce contracts fairly, and deliver justice to all its citizens. This was the resounding message from Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, as he delivered the closing keynote themed Public Finance, Governance, Justice and Development, at the Kenya Law Society’s 2025 Annual Conference in Diani, Kwale. Addressing over 1,200 legal professionals, judges, and government officials, Dr Adesina drew a direct link between judicial independence, sound public finance, and sustainable economic growth, declaring, “Justice is…
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has adjusted fuel prices, implementing marginal reductions for super petrol and kerosene while maintaining diesel prices at current levels. Effective from 15 August to 14 September 2025, the prices of super petrol and kerosene have decreased by Sh1.00. Motorists in Nairobi will now pay Sh185.31 per litre for super petrol, compared to Sh186.31 the previous month. Kerosene prices will now stand at Sh155.58 per litre, while diesel prices remain unchanged at Sh171.58 per litre. The price adjustments follow a review of landed costs for imported petroleum products, which showed mixed trends in global…
Absa Bank has reported a slight 1% decrease in total revenue in H1 2025 compared to the same period last year, when it stood at Sh31.8 billion. This modest decrease was primarily due to a 2.9% contraction in net interest income, resulting from tighter interest rate margins across the industry. However, Absa Bank successfully offset this pressure through a 3.3% growth in non-interest income, particularly from its payments business, showcasing the benefits of its diversified revenue streams. Operating expenses saw a marginal 1% increase to Sh11.4 billion as the bank continued making strategic investments in technology and talent development to…