Access Now confirmed on 29 April that the 14th edition of the world’s largest digital human rights conference would not proceed — in Zambia or online — after the Zambian government pulled its support just days before the opening session. RightsCon 2026 was scheduled to run in Lusaka from 5 to 8 May, drawing over 5,000 delegates including advocates, technologists, academics, and policymakers working at the intersection of human rights and technology. Many participants were already airborne or on the ground in Lusaka when the announcement landed. Access Now wrote to registered attendees: “It is with heavy hearts that we…
Author: Muindi
Muindi
Experience working on communication and marketing departments and in the broadcast industry. Interested in sustainable development and international relations issues.
Standard Chartered has arranged a $2.33 billion syndicated financing package for Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), one of the largest infrastructure transactions in East African history. The deal funds the construction of 679 kilometres of new track across three lots, moving Tanzania’s most transformative transport project significantly closer to completion. How the $2.33 Billion Breaks Down The financing covers two separate tranches across three lots of the SGR, each with distinct funding structures and construction partners. Tranche Amount Instrument Route Constructor Lots 3 and 4 — ECA financing USD 1.32 billion Export Credit Agency facilities (signed 2025 and 2026) Makutupora…
WPP Scangroup shed nearly a quarter of its workforce in 2025. The integrated marketing and communications group restructured its operations during the year, reducing its total headcount from 434 employees to 333, a net reduction of 101 people, or 23 percent of its entire staff base. Permanent employees bore the heaviest impact. The group’s permanent headcount fell from 266 to 170, a drop of 96 positions, while contracted staff declined more modestly from 168 to 163. The restructuring programme cost the business a one-off severance payment of Sh176 million. In its 2025 annual report, the group described the exercise as…
Stanbic Bank Kenya has launched an enhanced commercial vehicle insurance solution, underwritten by Heritage Insurance Kenya, as Kenya’s commercial transport sector records growth nearly three times faster than the personal vehicle market. The timing reflects a real shift in the market. The commercial vehicle segment grew approximately 36% compared to just 11% in the personal vehicle segment, driven largely by SMEs scaling operations across transport, logistics, and trade. Road transport now moves over 75% of Kenya’s freight and contributed more than 12.7% to GDP in 2024. For business owners who depend on their vehicles to generate income, the stakes of…
Kenya has officially broken ground on its most consequential upstream oil project to date. Gulf Energy E&P BV awarded Baker Hughes a fully integrated contract to drill and complete 43 wells in the South Lokichar Basin in Turkana County, the first project of its kind for Baker Hughes in Sub-Saharan Africa. The scope spans well construction, artificial lift services, completions, intervention, and measurement. The groundbreaking ceremony in Turkana East was led by Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and EAC and ASALs Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul. A $6 Billion Bet on Turkana Gulf Energy has pledged $6 billion —…
Eliud Kipchoge watched Sabastian Sawe do what he once did alone and this time, it counted. Sunday at the London Marathon produced one of the most remarkable days in the history of distance running. Sawe became the first man to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a record-eligible race, crossing the line in 1:59:30. In the women’s race, Ethiopian Tigst Assefa defended her title and broke her own world record for a women-only field, finishing in 2:15:41. Kenya’s Hellen Obiri marked her London debut with a personal best of 2:15:53 in second place, and Joyciline Jepkosgei finished third in 2:15:55 —…