Kenya has secured a preliminary bilateral trade agreement with China, following months of intensive negotiations and diplomatic engagement aimed at expanding market access and strengthening the country’s position in the global economy. The deal grants 98.2% zero-duty access for Kenyan goods in the Chinese market and addresses a longstanding challenge that has historically placed developing countries like Kenya at a comparative disadvantage. While China had recently extended duty-free and quota-free access to all African goods, this provision primarily favored Least Developed Countries. However, with this deal, Kenya will no longer be left out. By aligning its access privileges with those…
Author: Victor Adar
Victor Adar
Victor Adar is a seasoned journalist with a Diploma in Mass Communication (Print) from the Technical University of Mombasa. He has previously worked with Reuters, Go Places travel magazine, and Aden Associates International. Since joining NBM in 2012, he has become a key member of the editorial team, covering enterprise, corporate affairs, HR, and technology.
Construction of Ethiopia’s $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport (BIA)—designed to accommodate up to 60 million passengers per year—began in earnest in mid-January, in what experts familiar with large-scale infrastructure projects say will be Africa’s largest airport. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said during the project’s launch on Saturday, January 10, that the “multi-airport” facility—located 40 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa at an altitude of 1,910 metres—will not only be the largest transport infrastructure project in the history of the Horn of Africa, but also one of the busiest airports globally. “The project will strengthen Ethiopian Airlines’ global competitiveness, enhance Africa’s…
Wikipedia marked its 25th anniversary on Thursday, January 15, celebrating a quarter-century of making free, reliable, human-powered knowledge accessible to billions of people worldwide. As the platform enters its next chapter, its social arm – the Wikimedia Foundation — the nonprofit organization that operates Wikipedia — has launched a global campaign, inviting users to explore the platform’s evolution, celebrate the volunteers who sustain it, and engage with its future at a time when digital trust, artificial intelligence (AI), and access to verified information have never been more critical. Maryana Iskander, Chief Executive Officer of the Wikimedia Foundation said the platform…
There are claims that Kenya’s cashew nut industry is ailing on the back of years of declining production costing the country jobs, incomes and export earnings, even as global demand for the crop continues to rise. This has triggered a move to revive the industry with Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe saying that years of falling production have eroded livelihoods, particularly along the Coast, despite Kenya having suitable land, strong global demand and underutilised processing capacity. Speaking during a visit to cashew nut farmers and processors in Kilifi County, where he was accompanied by Dr Bruno Linyiru, Director General…
Kenya’s private sector economic output has started on a high note as the latest (PMI) Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) which is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to purchasing managers stood at 53.7 in December. The data reveals that, along with November’s reading of 55.0, the last two monthly PMI figures are the highest recorded in four years, with private companies recording solid upturn in the final month of 2025 thanks to a robust increase in customer demand and slight cost pressures. It also points to a strong business growth momentum in sectors such…
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has approved 42 more digital credit providers (DCPs), bringing the total number of licensed players in the space to 195. Experts say digital lenders generally provide education loans, development loans, short-term personal loans, asset-financing, and business loans. As of November 2025, licensed DCPs had granted 6.6 million loans valued at Sh109.8 billion, according to the CBK. As DCPs continue to carry out their lending activities digitally, including through USSD codes, it is still unclear how the latest review will affect borrowers. “The focus of engagements with DCPs has been on business models, consumer protection,…
Cement and concrete products manufacturer, Bamburi Cement, has signed a Sh32 billion ($250 million) Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract with Sinoma CBMI Construction company for the construction of a new clinker factory in Matuga, Kwale County. The 1.6 million tonnes-a-year plant is expected to create employment opportunities during construction and operations, boost local business participation, and stimulate economic activity in the wider Coastal region. Speaking at the EPC signing ceremony witnessed by President William Ruto and Amsons Group Managing Director Mr Edha Nahdi, and Bamburi Cement Chairman John Simba, among other dignitaries, Bamburi Cement CEO Mr Mohit Kapoor said…
Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Allan Kivaluka is set to exit the national career after six years of being at the helm. According to a statement released on Tuesday, December 16, by the airline’s board of directors, effective December 16, KQ Chief Operating Officer (COO) Captain George Kamal will take over in acting capacity as Kivaluka proceeds on terminal leave as the company embarks on a competitive recruitment process to appoint a substantive CEO. “During his tenure, Allan served with commitment, dedication, honour and diligence, steering the Company through the turbulent COVID-19 period which affected the aviation…
Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), the German Embassy in Nairobi and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ Kenya) have released a study that shows that Kenya has been missing out on $5.3 billion a year in unmet export potential and nearly $10 billion in broader export opportunities that remain unrealised. The study has exposed Kenya’s lack of “export competitiveness” and comes at a time when experts say the country is grappling with a widening export deficit despite availability of regional and global markets ready to absorb more Kenyan products. Peter Njoroge, Director of External Trade at the State Department for…
Formal move by Eritrea to withdraw from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on claims that the regional body has failed to ensure development, peace and stability, just two years after its return to the bloc, has sparked regrets and fears of internal conflicts that could spill to Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan. The Horn of Africa country self-suspended its participation from IGAD for nearly two decades before formally rejoining following the 14th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held in June 2023. All Member States cordially welcomed it back on that occasion, demonstrating their shared commitment to inclusivity,…
