Author: Muindi

The East African Community (EAC) Heads of State will meet in Arusha, Tanzania, on 7 March 2026 for the 25th Ordinary Summit. Under the theme “Deepening Integration for Improved Livelihoods of EAC Citizens”, the gathering reaffirms Partner States’ commitment to advancing regional integration and sustainable development. Customs Bond to Cut Trade Costs A headline outcome will be the launch of the EAC Customs Bond, a single regional guarantee replacing multiple national bonds along transit routes. Traders and clearing agents will secure one bond recognised across all Partner States, reducing compliance costs, cutting border delays, and protecting government revenue. By linking…

Kenyans are set to benefit from cheaper cross‑network calls following a new review by the Communications Authority (CA). The regulator has announced a phased reduction in Mobile and Fixed Termination Rates (MTR/FTR), the fees one operator pays another to complete a call on its network. New Rates Effective March 2026 Beginning March 1, 2026, the termination rate will drop from KES 0.41 per minute to KES 0.37. Over the next four years, the CA will gradually reduce the rate further, reaching KES 0.30 per minute by 2030. This marks the first adjustment since March 2024, when rates fell from KES…

Gulf Energy E&P BV has contracted a state‑of‑the‑art onshore oil rig from the Middle East, to deliver first oil from Kenya’s South Lokichar Basin by year‑end 2026. Strategic Rig Acquisition The company has secured the GW70 rig, valued at more than US$15 million, from Great Wall Drilling Company (GWDC) in the United Arab Emirates under a long‑term lease. Logistical arrangements are underway to ship the rig from Abu Dhabi to Mombasa by June, ahead of commissioning and acceptance checks. Chairman Francis Njogu confirmed the rig will operate under a performance‑based model, with GWDC responsible for delivery, commissioning, and operations. The…

Spiro, Africa’s largest electric mobility operator, has raised US$50 million in debt financing from Afreximbank, Nithio, and the Africa Go Green Fund. The capital will accelerate the company’s rollout of battery‑swapping stations, expand electric motorcycle operations, and integrate renewable energy solutions across the continent. This follows Spiro’s US$100 million investment in October 2025, previously the largest financing deal in Africa’s e‑mobility sector. Scaling Infrastructure Across Africa Spiro already operates more than 2,500 battery‑swapping stations and has deployed over 80,000 electric motorcycles in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. Pilot programs are underway in Cameroon and Tanzania. The company has…

Airtel Africa is advancing its partnership with SpaceX to deploy Starlink’s direct‑to‑cell satellite service across 14 markets, while simultaneously outlining a broader strategy that includes listing its mobile money unit and exploring integration of cryptocurrency and other virtual assets. Airtel’s Multi‑Market Strategy The telco is in advanced discussions with regulators across its footprint to leverage Starlink’s satellite capacity. The move is designed to close rural coverage gaps, defend market share, and position Airtel Money for a public listing. Management has confirmed that IPO plans remain on track, with potential listing locations currently under evaluation. In addition, Airtel says it is…

Kenya Airways is poised for a leadership shake‑up after President William Ruto confirmed that a new board will be appointed this week. Speaking at the Kenya Open 2026 golf tournament on February 22, Ruto described the national carrier as “the pride of Africa” and a “national jewel,” pledging to make its revival his next priority. “Kenya Airways, the pride of Africa, is our jewel. And I want to tell the good people at Kenya Airways that this is going to be my next focus,” Ruto said. New Board to Drive Airline’s Turnaround Ruto emphasized that the incoming board will include…