The Tripartite Simplified Trade Regime is testing whether lower paperwork, clearer product rules and border support can move small traders into formal regional commerce.
Section
Economics
Namibia’s green platforms are becoming investment infrastructure
Namibia is using hydrogen and green-industry summits as economic-diplomacy platforms designed to connect projects, capital, technology and regional demand.
BPC’s new revenue strategy moves beyond electricity sales
Botswana Power Corporation wants to lift revenue from about P9 billion to P25 billion by 2031 by adding fibre, wheeling and regional energy opportunities.
Bottle Tax: How Kenya’s 35-Percent Glass Duty Sparked an EAC Trade Row
Kenya’s Finance Bill proposes a 35% excise on EAC glass imports, reversing a 2021 exemption and adding US$7.7m to Tanzania’s Kioo Ltd, sparking a trade row.
Customs Lines: How Kenya Designated New SEZ Zones Under the EAC Act
Kenya’s Commissioner of Customs designated SEZ customs areas under the EAC Customs Management Act, drawing the boundary that makes zone incentives enforceable.
Six Pacts: How the Ruto-Ramaphosa Summit Deepened Kenya–South Africa Trade
Kenya–South Africa trade rose to US$650m as Presidents Ruto and Ramaphosa signed six pacts on trade facilitation, standards, TVET and women’s empowerment.
Finance Bill 2026: How Kenya Aims to Raise KSh 3.5 Trillion from a Digital Tax Net
Kenya’s Finance Bill 2026 targets KSh 3.533 trillion by taxing digital services, standard-rating EVs, shortening return deadlines and widening withholding.
Botswana–Oman Deals Span Minerals, Oil Storage and Solar
Botswana and Oman have signed agreements on joint mineral exploration, oil storage and renewable power. Why the breadth of the package is the real story.
Price Pressure: How Fuel and Food Pushed Kenyan Inflation to 6.7 Percent
Kenya’s headline inflation rose to 6.7% in May 2026 from 5.6%, driven by transport and food, with non-core at 16% against a contained 3.2% core rate.