Participants during a panel discussion during the East Africa Cross-Border Trader Associations(CBTAs) Forum on Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs). [James Wanzala,Standard] East African Community (EAC) member states have been urged to remove non-tariff barriers(NTBs) hindering youth and women-led businesses. The calls were made at a recent session of the East Africa Cross-Border Trader Associations (CBTAs) Forum on Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs). The event was organised by the East African Business Council (EABC) in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Nega Wubeneh, head of markets and trade at AGRA, said AGRA research reveals young agri-food traders frequently face NTBs…
Author: By James Wanzala
Participants during the East Africa Cross-Border Trader Associations forum on non-tariff barriers. [James Wanzala, Standard] East African Community (EAC) member states have been urged to remove non-tariff barriers (NTBs) hindering youth and women-led businesses. Speaking during the East Africa Cross-Border Trader Associations (CBTAs) Forum on Non-Tariff Barriers, AGRA head of markets and trade Nega Wubeneh said that AGRA research revealed that young agri-food traders frequently face NTBs such as Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) for food safety standards, certificates of origin, import levies and road user charges in come countries. He emphasised the crucial role of youth and CBTAs in reporting and…
Published Date: 2025-05-20 16:01:06 Author: By James Wanzala Source: The Standard
Parts of the eco-hotel being constructed in Ngong Forest near the sanctuary block. Kenya Forest Services has admitted the ongoing construction saying process was been approved after a public participation(PP). However, it did not identify the owner. [James/Wanzala/Standard] Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has admitted that there is an ongoing construction of an eco-hotel in Ngong Forest next to the sanctuary. It also said the construction process was approved after a public participation exercise. The admission comes after the Green Belt Movement raised an alarm on Friday of an ongoing construction, terming it an encroachment of the forest. In a letter…
West Kenya Sugar Company will lease Nzoia Sugar Company. [File, Standard] The government has promised to clear arrears owed to sugar cane farmers for the crop delivered to the four State-owned factories and staff before handing them over for leasing. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said in a statement sent to newsrooms on Friday, that West Kenya Sugar Company will lease Nzoia Sugar Company, while Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Ltd will operate Chemilili Sugar Company for 30 years. Busia Sugar Industry Ltd will operate Sony Sugar Company, while Kericho-based West Valley Sugar Company Ltd will be in charge of…
Absa Bank Kenya CEO and Managing Director Abdi Mohamed. February 10, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard] Absa Bank Kenya advanced close to Sh60 billion in sustainable financing in 2023, highlighting the bank’s ongoing commitment to driving sustainable development. This figure, which is contained in the lender’s Sustainability Report for the financial year ended December 31, 2023, is made up of Sh22.3 billion advanced as climate and sustainability-linked finance and Sh36.9 billion in inclusive finance. The report is themed ‘Banking on a Better, Sustainable Future’, shows that under climate finance, Sh14.1 billion was advanced towards renewable and clean energy, Sh2.9 billion to green building and Sh2.2 billion towards climate-smart agriculture financing and other sustainability-linked lending. The above money spent…
From left: Airtel Kenya CEO Ashish Malhotra(left), ICT CS William Kabogo, Communication Authority of Kenya Director General David Mugony and Airtel Customer Experience Director Goldermier Opiyo during the launch of Airtel Kenya Revolutionary AI-Powered spam alert service to enable customers flag potential spam messages at EKA Hotel in Nairobi, on May 7, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] The government is reviewing communication laws to align with emerging threats, including cybercrime and new technologies. Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, while making the announcement on Wednesday, urged stakeholders to play their rightful role in enhancing the country’s cybersecurity.…
Airbnb Community Fund has raised more than Sh1 billion to support over 160 non-profit organisations in its grants globally in over 30 countries across the six continents. Launched in 2020, the Airbnb Community Fund is a Sh12.9 billion initiative to directly support local communities and the people who live there. Airbnb donates annually to organisations that support and strengthen communities, including donations made in partnership with local hosts in many of these communities. “Each year, we’re proud to partner with hosts to identify important issues and many of the non-profit organisations to receive donations. As in previous years, hosts helped…
A section of the flood South B,on 23rd April 2025,after Heavy downpour in Nairobi county.[Edward Kiplimo,Standard Basic amenities, health services, unemployment and security are major concerns of Nairobi city’s over five million residents. These are followed by corruption or transparency, affordable housing, fulfilling employment, road congestion, school education, air pollution, citizen engagement, public transport, social mobility or inclusiveness, recycling and green spaces. This is according to IMD’s World Competitiveness Centre’s Smart City Index 2025, which ranked 146 cities. Under the Smart City Ranking, Nairobi ranked in the lowest group four, at position 136, scoring a D, which is a drop from position…
Newly elected President of Architectural Association of Kenya(AAK) George Ndege and outgoing President Arch. Florence Nyole during the President’s gala dinner at Serena Hotel on Thursday last week. (James Wanzala, Standard). A newly formed lobby group representing architects and quantity surveyors has protested the sharp increase in fees for the upcoming Continuous Professional Development (CPD) seminar scheduled for early May. In a notice, the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) announced it had raised the cost of the May 8–9 seminar from the current Sh20,000 to Sh30,000 for all registered professionals, regardless of discipline. The announcement has…
Newly elected President of Architectural Association of Kenya(AAK) George Ndege and outgoing President Arch. Florence Nyole during the President’s gala dinner at Serena Hotel on Thursday last week. (James Wanzala, Standard). A newly formed lobby group representing architects and quantity surveyors has protested the sharp increase in fees for the upcoming Continuous Professional Development (CPD) seminar scheduled for early May. In a notice, the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) announced it had raised the cost of the May 8–9 seminar from the current Sh20,000 to Sh30,000 for all registered professionals, regardless of discipline. The announcement has…
Newly elected President of Architectural Association of Kenya(AAK) George Ndege and outgoing President Arch. Florence Nyole during the President’s gala dinner at Serena Hotel on Thursday last week. (James Wanzala, Standard). A newly formed lobby group representing architects and quantity surveyors has protested the sharp increase in fees for the upcoming Continuous Professional Development (CPD) seminar scheduled for early May. In a notice, the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) announced it had raised the cost of the May 8–9 seminar from the current Sh20,000 to Sh30,000 for all registered professionals, regardless of discipline. The announcement has…
Newly elected President of Architectural Association of Kenya(AAK) George Ndege and outgoing President Arch. Florence Nyole during the President’s gala dinner at Serena Hotel on Thursday last week. (James Wanzala, Standard). A newly formed lobby group representing architects and quantity surveyors has protested the sharp increase in fees for the upcoming Continuous Professional Development (CPD) seminar scheduled for early May. In a notice, the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) announced it had raised the cost of the May 8–9 seminar from the current Sh20,000 to Sh30,000 for all registered professionals, regardless of discipline. The announcement has…
Newly elected President of Architectural Association of Kenya(AAK) George Ndege and outgoing President Arch. Florence Nyole during the President’s gala dinner at Serena Hotel on Thursday last week. [James Wanzala, Standard] Newly elected President of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), George Ndege, has prioritised five key issues in the built environment in the next two years. Mr Ndege was the only nominee during the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week and will serve with five members of the AAK Executive Committee. They include Brenda Nyawara (vice president), Ruth Wanjiku (secretary), Diana Musyoka (treasurer), Nashon Tambo (treasurer) and Bernard…
scintillating Kigali Convention Centre well lit at night.[FILE] Rwanda will host Africa’s inaugural two-day summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and demographic dividend early next month. The summit is being organised by the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT & Innovation, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. Under the theme “AI and Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Reimagining Economic Opportunities for Africa’s Workforce,” the inaugural Global AI Summit on Africa will be held in Rwanda’s capital city of Kigali from April 3 to 4. Africa being home to the youngest and fastest-growing workforce, is poised to…