Author: Muindi

Kenya’s economy grew by 4.9% in the third quarter of 2025, up from 4.2% in the same period of 2024, even as the country’s external trade deficit widened sharply. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) show that growth was driven by agriculture, construction, and mining, while imports surged from Asia, straining foreign‑exchange reserves. Agriculture, Construction and Mining Lead Growth The agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector expanded by 3.2%, reinforcing its role as a key driver of Kenya’s economy. The construction sector rebounded strongly, swinging from a 2.6% contraction in Q3 2024 to 6.7% growth in Q3 2025.…

Global retailer Carrefour is set to enter Ethiopia through a franchise and supply partnership with Queens Supermarket PLC, a subsidiary of Midroc Investment Group. The deal will see Midroc’s retail network transition under the Carrefour banner, with the first outlets expected to be rebranded by the first half of 2026. The partnership initially covers 13 existing stores, with plans to expand to 30 outlets by 2028. Carrefour will provide its branding, product range, and operational support, while Midroc will lead day‑to‑day operations locally. Strategy Alignment: Carrefour 2026 The move is part of Carrefour’s “Carrefour 2026” strategic plan, which emphasises franchise‑led…

In a transformative move for East Africa’s extractive sector, Sofax Fluorspar Kenya Ltd and China’s Mizztech Group have officially entered the execution phase of the Kerio Valley Fluorspar Project. On December 11, 2025, the entities signed an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract to refurbish the region’s dormant processing plant, signaling a full-scale revival of Kenya’s fluorspar industry. The agreement follows a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in August 2025. Sofax Fluorspar Kenya, the project operator, holds a 25-year mining license (ML/2025/0216) granted in July 2025, valid until 2050. The Global and Local Fluorspar Outlook The revival comes at…

Kenya has exited the COMESA Sugar Safeguard regime, ending a 24-year protection framework that shielded the domestic sugar industry from unrestricted regional imports. The safeguard, which lapsed on November 30, 2025, was initially enacted under Article 61 of the COMESA Treaty to allow Kenya time to restructure its sugar sector and improve competitiveness. A Reform Cycle Completed, Not Abandoned The Kenya Sugar Board (KSB), under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development, confirmed the exit in a January 4, 2026, statement, describing it as “the successful completion of a reform cycle, not its abandonment.” CEO Jude Chesire emphasised that Kenya is…

A legal challenge has put the proposed National Infrastructure Fund on hold after the High Court issued conservatory orders stopping its rollout until a constitutional petition is heard and determined. The decision halts all actions related to the fund as the court considers claims that its creation may have breached the Constitution. In orders issued on December 24, 2025, Milimani High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye barred the government and listed respondents, including the Office of the Auditor-General and the Office of the Controller of Budget, from taking any steps to operationalise the fund. “Pending the inter parties hearing and determination…

Kenya has recorded an agricultural trade milestone with the arrival of its first-ever consignment of fresh Apple mangoes in the United Kingdom (UK), opening new market opportunities for Kenyan farmers and strengthening Kenya–UK trade relations. Kenya’s First Apple Mango Shipment Lands in the UK On December 22, 2025, the Kenyan Mission in the UK announced via its official X account that the pilot shipment marks “a new chapter in Kenya–UK trade relations.” The mission described the consignment as proof of Kenya’s ability to meet the UK’s stringent requirements for quality, safety, and sustainability in agricultural products. “This pilot showcases Kenya’s…