Trade
African trade is experiencing a period of increased momentum, with improvements observed across infrastructure, business confidence, and macroeconomic stability. This is the first time since the Standard Bank began tracking these trends that all three have improved simultaneously, according to the latest report. The Standard Bank Africa Trade Barometer (ATB), Issue 5, examines ten key […]
The US Supreme Court’s February 20 decision regarding trade policy has introduced a new layer of legal risk to US trade practices. The ruling signals a shift where the effectiveness of trade measures depends not only on their scope but also on procedural adherence, expected duration, and potential legal challenges. The court’s action serves as […]
The Supreme Court recently ruled against the Biden administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs. The decision centers on whether the act grants the president the authority to levy tariffs, a power the Court concluded it does not. Victory for Congress and the Constitution The ruling is considered significant […]
The question of who ultimately bears the cost of tariffs has been a subject of debate. Recent analysis indicates that U.S. importers, rather than foreign producers or consumers, have primarily absorbed the additional customs duties imposed. Economic Analysis of Tariffs Economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York observed that foreign producers have largely […]
Guinea-Bissau has historically played a significant role in international cocaine trafficking. During the mid-2000s, the country gained notoriety as a potential “narco state,” with instances of washed-up cocaine being used for construction and traffickers openly displaying wealth. Current Cocaine Market The cocaine market in Guinea-Bissau is currently experiencing a boom, reportedly more profitable than at […]
Kenya has launched two new digital platforms, BiasharaLink and Deal House, aimed at facilitating cross-border trade and investment across Africa. The platforms are intended to transform African embassies into active hubs for trade deal origination and execution, supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The launch occurred at a high-level reception […]
The Access Bank Africa Trade Conference recently highlighted a shift in perspective regarding Africa’s economic trajectory, moving beyond discussions of potential to a focus on practical execution and building robust trade infrastructure. The conference emphasized the need for African institutions to proactively shape their own trade pathways and establish global standards. Keynote Address and Vision […]
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has selected eight startups for its inaugural Accelerator Programme, a three-month initiative designed to scale companies supporting intra-African trade and industrialization under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The program aims to foster innovation and address trade-related challenges across the continent. More than 1,600 applications were received from across Africa, […]
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), in collaboration with ApexBrasil, hosted the Kenya–Brazil Trade and Business Forum in Nairobi. The event aimed to foster new opportunities for trade, investment, and partnerships between businesses in Kenya and Brazil. Forum Focus The forum, led by KNCCI Economic Diplomacy Chair Cynthia Nyawira, highlighted the commercial […]
Kenya is set to host the inaugural Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya in Nairobi from May 4 to 6, 2027. This event signifies a major step in the country’s efforts to become a leading hub for agribusiness investment and global food trade. The announcement, made at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, formalizes Kenya’s selection as the official African host […]