News, Stories, Events, & Trends that shape the Eastern African region
Agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy—employing 64% of the population and contributing up to 50% of the country’s exports. Yet, for many smallholder farmers, accessing affordable credit remains a persistent challenge. Traditional financial institutions often require collateral that rural farmers simply don’t have, limiting their ability to invest in and expand their operations.FINCA Uganda
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Blue Crane Communications (BCC), a fast-growing Ugandan internet service provider and IT solutions company, has been awarded three key International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certifications: These certifications reflect BCC’s ongoing commitment to delivering unparalleled quality, sustainability, and safety services while demonstrating the company’s adherence to international best practices. They also underscore the continued growth of
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The 2023 Financial Literacy Survey conducted by the Bank of Uganda revealed that 60% of Ugandans were unaware of key financial concepts such as budgeting, credit, and investment. With inflation rising and the cost of living increasing, it is crucial to understand how to manage personal finances effectively. Across the globe, including in Uganda, we
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Legislators are on standby to process amendments to the Civil Aviation Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to forestall hard-hitting recommendations from an international audit. Following the tabling of the Bill for First Reading by the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, directed the Committee on Physical Infrastructure to
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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni took center stage at the 23rd Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State in Arusha, Tanzania, underscoring the urgent need for East African Community (EAC) integration, particularly emphasizing its significance for the region’s youth
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Entrepreneurs hailing from Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt were in the top three following the final pitching session in the Grand Finale; Africa’s Business Heroes grant recipients contribute to the creation of over 123,000 direct and indirect jobs through their entrepreneurial endeavors.
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Kenya’s Ed Partners Africa, a non-banking financial institution that specialises in providing loans to affordable private schools, has announced the commitment of a US$10 million loan guarantee facility from the United States’ Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to help it expand access to affordable education.
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Kenyan fish farming startup Aquarech has raised US$1.7 million in equity funding to help it improve outcomes for small-scale fish farmers in Kenya through its mobile app platform. Founded in 2019 and led by Kisumu-based founder and CEO Dave Okech, alongside co-founders James Odede and Joseph Okoth, Aquarech is working to streamline the production behind fish farming
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The new goal for African telcos is becoming technology platforms not just old goody mobile carriers with dynamic software solutions replacing traditional voice calls and SMS
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Outside of tracking fundraising metrics, the last $12bn to $15bn invested in African startups through VC should have been a learning experience. So what are we learning about these experiments in African venture capital so far?
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