Kenya Growth Forecast Cut to 4.3 Percent as Debt and Oil Risks Bite
The World Bank cut Kenya’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.3 percent from 4.9 percent, citing the Middle East conflict, rising...
July 27, 2026Section
Eastern Africa
Eastern Africa – Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda – is the continent’s fastest-integrating bloc, a hub for tech, logistics, ports and a rising consumer class along the Indian Ocean trade routes. The Rio Times tracks the region’s growth, currencies, infrastructure megaprojects, and the contest among China, the Gulf and the West for influence. This hub gathers our daily Eastern Africa coverage through a business and investment lens.
Browse by themeAfrica Critical Minerals · Africa Energy · Africa Markets & Investment · Africa & Latin America · Africa & the Great Powers · Doing Business & Living in Africa
Kenya’s Maisha Namba Digital ID Reaches 1.7 Million Cards
Kenya's Maisha Namba digital ID is rolling out in 2026 despite data-protection pushback; a 2023-24 court halt was lifted in...
July 26, 2026
Ethiopia’s Babile Elephant Sanctuary Down to Last 200 Elephants
Only 200–300 elephants remain in Ethiopia’s Babile Elephant Sanctuary after 82% habitat loss and 50,000 illegal houses overran the protected...
July 26, 2026
Tanzania Gold Reserves Hit US$3.8 Billion in Dollar Shift
Tanzania gold reserves surged to 27.5 tonnes valued at US$3.8 billion, now over 60% of foreign reserves. The shilling gained...
July 25, 2026
Kenya Ex-Governor Obado Guilty of Sharon Otieno Murder
A Kenyan court convicted former Migori governor Okoth Obado of the 2018 murder of student Sharon Otieno, a landmark verdict...
July 24, 2026
Uganda EACOP Pipeline Lawsuit Opens in UK Court
Four Ugandan farmers filed a landmark UK High Court case against the $5.6 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline, seeking...
July 24, 2026
AU Water Infrastructure Push Taps BRICS Bank Funding
Africa faces a US$30 billion annual water-and-sanitation investment shortfall as the AU links its 2026 water theme to BRICS infrastructure...
July 24, 2026
Absa Tanzania Deal to Create $3 Billion Bank
Absa Group plans to fold Absa Bank Tanzania into National Bank of Commerce, creating a lender with about US$3 billion...
July 23, 2026
Bab el-Mandeb: US, China Forces Guard Oil Chokepoint
At Bab el-Mandeb, rival powers packed into Djibouti share an interest in an open strait but cannot defend it together...
July 22, 2026