East African Business Notifier

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has launched the United Nations flagship World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 (WESP 2026) report at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, highlighting a modest improvement in Africa’s growth outlook. According to the report, economic growth in Africa is projected to rise to 4.0 per cent in 2026 and 4.1 per cent in 2027, up from 3.5 per cent in 2024 and 3.9 per cent in 2025. The acceleration reflects greater macroeconomic stability in several large economies, supporting investment and consumer spending. Speaking at the launch, Stephen Karingi, Director, Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance Division at ECA, said that Africa’s improving outlook remains fragile in the face of global uncertainty.  “Despite the positive outlook, high debt-servicing costs, limited fiscal space and volatile commodity prices continue to weigh on Africa’s prospects for inclusive and sustainable growth,” Karingi said. Global output is forecast to grow by 2.7 per ce...

UN Economic Commission for Africa Executive Secretary, Claver Gatete and Morocco Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah Alaoui have signed the Host Country Agreement for the organization of ECA’s 58th session and Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (COM2026).  The agreement sets out the areas of cooperation between the Morocco and the United Nations secretariat in planning and organizing the session, which serves as ECA’s principal policy-making organ.  COM 2026 will be taking place later this year in Tangiers, northern Morocco, from 28 March to 3 April under the theme: “Growth through innovation: harnessing data and frontier technologies for the economic transformation of Africa”.  “We thank Morocco for its leadership and trust. By hosting COM 2026 in Tangier, Morocco is helping elevate Africa’s collective economic voice and demonstrating how national leadership can drive regional solutions with global impact.  "Hostin...

Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija on behalf of the Government of Uganda and Sanjay Rughani the CEO and Head of Coverage, Uganda at Standard Chartered Bank have signed three Financing Agreements to fund key government infrastructure projects aligned with the Government's Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, aimed at expanding the economy to USD 500 billion by 2040. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, Hon. Sam Cheptoris – Minister of Water & Environment, Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ms. Maria Håkansson- Swedish Ambassador to Uganda, the Permanent Secretaries from Implementing Ministries, Dalu Ajene the CEO & Head of Coverage, Standard Chartered Africa, Sujithav Sarangi - Executive Director, Development & Agency Finance at Standard Chartered , Ms. Maria Kiwanuka - Board Chair Standard Chartered Uganda, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu and the three ...

By Ali Ssekatawa They say “the sun that rises slowly lasts till evening,” and 2026 is shaping up to be such a year for Uganda — one unfolding with steady confidence and carrying the weight of significant national promise.  January is quietly taking its bow, February waits in the wings, and the country steps forward with a renewed sense of political clarity, continental pride, and economic ambition. The Presidential Elections have concluded, leaving a firm verdict of continuity and signalling the electorate’s preference for stable stewardship. Meanwhile, across the continent, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco delivered its spectacle and passed the baton to East Africa, the region set to host the 2027 edition.  As the elders say, “when a path is trusted, even the footsteps become lighter.” The CAF handover reaffirmed that the Pamoja Bid is on course and that preparations are aligned with regional aspirations. Amid these political and sporting milestones, one theme thr...

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women globally, despite being almost entirely preventable. In Africa, it continues to claim lives not because science has failed, but because policy ambition has fallen short. Over 200 strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) exist, with 12 high-risk types responsible for most HPV-related cancers.  Although HPV vaccines can prevent almost 90% of cervical cancer, most women remain unvaccinated, leaving cervical cancer among the top killers of women worldwide, with more than 94% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.  At current rates of vaccination and coverage, hundreds of thousands of African women will die from a cancer that could have been prevented with vaccines already available.  Cervical cancer hits the hardest where vulnerability is greatest. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies sub-Saharan Africa as the region with...

  By Michael Jjingo Are you faint-heartened? Business requires that brilliant founder, the lightning-bolt idea, and sometimes mythical overnight success. Yet anyone who has actually built a business knows the truth is far less glamorous and far more demanding.  Real success is forged through grit with focus: inner strength, guts, innovation, tenacity, and that unteachable fire within. As the saying goes, “Talent may start the race, but grit is what drags you across the finish line.” In business, brilliance opens doors, but endurance keeps them open.   Grit itself is silent and deeply unfashionable. It doesn’t announce itself on TikTok or wear expensive suits. It only shows up, every day, especially when things are not working.  Many ventures collapse not because the idea was weak, but because persistence ran out. This is why it is often said, “Success in business is less about having the right answers and more about refusing to stop asking the question...