M-PESA Africa and ADI Chain, MENA region’s first institutional Layer 2 (L2) network for stablecoins and real-world assets (RWA), have entered into a partnership, aiming to bring institutional-grade Web3 and blockchain infrastructure to M-PESA’s vast network of over 60 million users across eight African countries. M-PESA, which was launched in 2007, has been instrumental in providing mobile-based financial services, significantly contributing to financial inclusion in Africa. However, a substantial portion of adults in sub-Saharan Africa, about 42%, remain unbanked. Henceforth, the Abu Dhabi-based ADI Foundation, established in December 2024 by Sirius International Holding (the technology arm of IHC), developed ADI…
Author: Antony mutunga
As the ink dries on President Donald Trump’s January 2026 executive order to withdraw the United States from sixty-six international organizations, the tremors of this seismic shift are being felt acutely in Nairobi, a city often regarded as a key hub of the Global South. For years, Kenya has strategically positioned itself as a regional hub for multilateralism, although this is now being threatened by the US decision. It is essentially a direct challenge to the economic and social scaffolding that has supported development for decades. The sudden departure from thirty-one United Nations entities, including crucial bodies like the United…
Kerugoya High Court has issued conservatory orders that temporarily suspend the enforcement of the Standards Levy Order, 2025, providing relief to the manufacturing sector. The order, which was delivered by Honourable Justice T.W. Ouya, effectively puts on hold the new levy framework pending further judicial directions, marking a crucial point in the ongoing dialogue between the government, industry stakeholders, and civil society. The court’s intervention follows a petition filed by the Green Thinking Action Party (GTAP) against the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the National Assembly, and four other parties including the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry and…
After over two decades of protected trade, the sugar industry is stepping confidently onto a new regional stage. This is after the government decided to formally exit the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Sugar Safeguard regime, which lapsed on November 30th, 2025. This marked the end of a 24-year chapter designed to stabilize and restructure the sector, which now looks ready to compete within COMESA. The safeguard, initially sought in 2001 under the COMESA Treaty, served as a critical temporary instrument. It allowed Kenya to impose restrictions on sugar imports while implementing deep structural reforms. Over eight…
Today, millions of people continue to face terrifying realities as families are uprooted by conflict, children are weakened by hunger, and communities are shattered by disaster. In response to this escalating global crisis, a landmark agreement between the United States and the United Nations seeks to provide aid as well as fundamentally transform its delivery. The landmark Sh257.80 billion ($2 billion) partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a critical step toward saving lives with greater speed, efficiency, and compassion. However, it dwarfs what the U.S. previously contributed…
A diplomatic consensus has emerged across Africa and part of the Middle East, as a number of countries have opposed Israel’s recent recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland. This stance, articulated by both continental and international bodies, raises an alarm over the potential for renewed instability in a volatile region. The African Union (AU), the continent’s premier political body, set the tone as Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Commission Chairperson, stated that the AU unequivocally rejected any action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity. He reaffirmed that it remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia. Grounding…
As 2026 fast approaches, a significant shift is coming for workers, as the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) prepares to implement higher mandatory deductions starting February 2026. This adjustment, part of broader pension reforms, will see monthly contributions rise, placing additional pressure on household budgets already stretched thin by the relentless climb in the cost of living. For employees earning over Sh100,000 a month, the maximum monthly NSSF contribution will jump to Sh6,480, up from the current Sh4,320. Those with incomes below this threshold but still above Sh50,000 will also see their deductions rise to Sh6,000 monthly. However, in a…
du, a leading telecommunications provider from the UAE, and PEACE Cable International Network have unveiled a new digital corridor directly linking the United Arab Emirates with Kenya. This expansion of the PEACE (Pakistan and East Africa Connecting Europe) Cable System marks a pivotal advancement in the region’s digital infrastructure, creating a powerful conduit for economic growth, digital trade, and technological innovation. The newly established UAE–Kenya segment transforms the digital landscape by introducing unprecedented route diversity and dramatically enhancing network resilience. This direct link promises to reduce latency and enable faster, more reliable transmission of data, cloud services, and digital content…
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has officially launched its new payment platform, KWSPay, marking a major shift from the older e-Citizen system. The transition, which has raised concerns in the tourism sector, aims to provide a more streamlined and flexible experience for visitors booking safaris and paying conservation fees. The upgraded system offers a variety of payment methods to suit different user preferences. As of November 2025, customers can pay via M-Pesa, bank cards, bank transfers, and an e-wallet. A notable feature is the platform’s handling of international currency. To ensure stability and transparency, KWSPay will apply a monthly US dollar…
The Milimani High Court has temporarily suspended the Kenya Wildlife Service’s (KWS) plan to implement sharply increased park entry fees, effective October 1. This move provides a much-needed respite to the tourism industry, which had raised urgent concerns about the abrupt changes. On Thursday, Justice J. Chigiti issued a ruling granting a temporary stay after the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) filed an application challenging the new fees, arguing they were introduced with what many considered insufficient notice. The legal process is now underway, with the court directing the State Law Office and KWS to file their responses within seven days…
