East African Business Notifier

Merck Foundation , the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has conducted the   13 th  Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026   through an online videoconference.   The annual conference was inaugurated by   Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees , and   Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary  along with   The First Ladies of 12 African and Asian countries , who joined as the   Guests of Honor   and   Keynote Speakers. Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation, President of “More Than a Mother”  and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary said that it was a great privilege to welcome distinguished Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, The First Ladies of Africa and Asia, who are the Ambassadors of our ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign to the 13 th ...

  The African Union has said that following consultations with the Government of Egypt, the African Union Commission and other key stakeholders, a decision has been taken to  postpone the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting and the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum , which were scheduled to take place in Alamein, Egypt, between the 25–27 June 2026. This decision the body said was made in light of the evolving public health situation in the continent especially Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Ugand, and reflects the collective commitment of the organisers and participating institutions to host an inclusive, continent-wide event, whilst also safeguarding the health, safety and wellbeing of delegates, government officials, business leaders and partners from across Africa and around the world. "New dates will be announced in due course following further consultations with participating governments and partner institutions. "We would like to express our sincere appreciation fo...

Standard Chartered Bank Uganda and Absa Bank Uganda Limited have received regulatory approval from the Bank of Uganda for Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited to sale its Wealth and Retail Banking (WRB) business to Absa Bank Uganda Limited.  The approval marks an important milestone for Uganda’s banking sector and reflects continued confidence in the strength, stability, and regulatory oversight of the country’s financial system. It also reinforces Absa’s position as a well-capitalised financial institution with a strong governance framework and a long-term commitment to the Ugandan market. Sanjay Rughani, CEO & Managing Director, Standard Chartered Uganda, added: “This approval is a testament to the strength and vital contribution of both banking institutions to the banking industry.   This decision reflects our continued commitment to align our operations with the Standard Chartered’s  global strategy, focusing on our core strengths in Corporate & Investment B...

Şebnem Kalemli-Özcan TOKYO—As G7 finance ministers were meeting in Paris this month, the bond market was telling us what their official communiqués would not. The  30-year US Treasury yield  touched 5.2% on May 19—the highest rate since 2007—while  Germany’s 10-year Bund  hit a 15-year high and the  30-year Japanese government bond  set a fresh record of its own. These movements came after the US Federal Reserve decided, in April, to hold rates at 3.5–3.75%, with the Federal Open Market Committee  more divided  than it has been in three decades.  Across the Atlantic, markets put the odds of a European Central Bank rate hike by December at  85% . After five years of being told that inflation was transitory, then conquered, then transitory again, investors have concluded otherwise. Monetary policy is operating in a new environment, under conditions that are fundamentally different from those in which modern inflation targeting was designed...

Stakeholders in Uganda’s agriculture sector, have called for stronger collaboration between financial institutions, regulators, manufacturers and farmers to combat counterfeit agricultural inputs and strengthen food security efforts across Sub-Saharan Africa. The call was made during the second edition of the CropLife Uganda Symposium held at Sheraton Hotel Kampala under the theme: ‘Emerging trends in seeds, crop protection and fertiliser industry: Embracing change and sustainability to ensure food security, health and safety’. The symposium brought together policymakers, agribusiness leaders, regulators, researchers, development partners and farmers to discuss agricultural innovation, regulatory readiness and sustainable food production. Dr. Paul Mwambu, Commissioner for Crop Inspection and Certification at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), said the government had made progress in the fight against counterfeit agricultural inputs but stressed the need...

  By Timothy Wilkins Okanya For years, Uganda’s oil story has been told in the future tense. We’ve navigated a decade of discoveries in the Albertine Graben, sat through marathon negotiations, and watched the rigs rise with a mix of patience and prayer.  But the wait is over. With the First Oil in sight, the story is shifting into the present. The conversation has moved from whether we will produce to who will actually benefit. The numbers are staggering: 230,000 barrels of oil per day at peak production. On paper, this is Uganda’s moment to shine as a serious energy player, backed by a strong national push for local content meant to ensure our own businesses claim their seat at the table. Yet, for many local companies, stepping through those doors is not as straightforward as signing a contract.  Our SMEs are the heartbeat of this economy, according to the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics, accounting for over 90% of the private sector and keeping the nation employed,...