<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1005" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WH675YVHBZPIZNYJUJB4CMI73E.avif" alt="" class="wp-image-550493"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A view shows a toll station on the Expressway undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis, in Nairobi, Kenya May 8, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Nov 5 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Kenya&#8217;s private sector saw a modest improvement in business conditions in October, as activity levels and employment returned to growth, an S&amp;P Global survey showed on Tuesday.



The headline Purchasing Managers&#8217; Index (PMI) rose to 50.4 in October from 49.7 in September, indicating a marginal upturn in the health of the private sector. A PMI reading above 50.0 signals growth, while below that level indicates contraction.



Business activity increased for the second time in three months, driven by rising sales and greater client interest, despite ongoing cash flow challenges and political uncertainty. Employment levels also rose for the first time since July, although the pace of job creation was mild.



&#8220;Despite the slight rise in output, many firms continued to struggle with cash flow constraints, tough economic conditions, rising costs and political uncertainty,&#8221; the survey reported.



Purchasing efforts accelerated, leading to the most significant increase in inventories since August 2023, as firms stocked up in anticipation of new customers. Input cost pressures remained mild, resulting in only a slight rise in average prices charged.



Confidence regarding future activity rose to a four-month high, with firms planning new outlets and investments in products and marketing. However, sentiment remained subdued compared to historical trends.



While input prices rose modestly, driven by higher tax payments and material costs, reduced fuel prices helped keep cost burdens lower than last year. As a result, the increase in selling prices was among the slowest in nearly four years.



(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Toby Chopra)

WH675YVHBZPIZNYJUJB4CMI73E

Kenya’s private sector activity returns to growth in October, PMI shows

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="521" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-820x521.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-516586" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-820x521.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-300x191.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-142x90.jpg 142w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-768x488.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-1536x976.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A teller handles U.S. dollar banknotes and Kenya shilling banknotes inside the cashier&#8217;s booth at a forex exchange bureau in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, February 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Nov 4 (Reuters) &#8211; The Kenyan shilling was steady against the dollar on Monday, as foreign exchange supply from tourism and tea exports matched demand from the manufacturing and oil sectors, one trader said.



The shilling traded at 128.50/129.50 to the dollar at 0656 GMT, the same as last Thursday&#8217;s closing rate. The markets were closed Friday for a public holiday.



(Reporting by Sonia Rao; Editing by Hereward Holland)

RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI

Kenya shilling steady on tourism, tea exports

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UGANDA-SHILLING.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-524644" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UGANDA-SHILLING.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UGANDA-SHILLING-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UGANDA-SHILLING-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UGANDA-SHILLING-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Uganda shillings. Uganda. (Photo by: Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Nov 4 (Reuters) &#8211; The Ugandan shilling was stable on Monday, drawing some support from muted hard currency appetite by merchandise importers, traders said.



At 0826 GMT commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,655/3,665, same level as Friday&#8217;s close.



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Hereward Holland)

UGANDA SHILLING

Ugandan shilling stable on muted FX appetite

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532392-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-510212" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532392-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532392-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532392-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532392-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532392-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532392-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A worker at a foreign exchange currency bureau counts 1000 Ugandan shilling banknotes in Kampala, Uganda, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Uganda&#8217;s central bank said it stands ready to act if the World Bank&#8217;s decision to halt new funding over the country&#8217;s passage of anti-LGBTQ legislation impacts the currency further. Photographer: Luke Dray/Bloomberg via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Nov 1 (Reuters) &#8211; The Ugandan shilling was broadly stable on Friday and appeared on a strong footing, with subdued hard currency appetite across the board, traders said.



At 0955 GMT commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,656/3,666, compared to Thursday&#8217;s close of 3,658/3,668.



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Hereward Holland)

Ugandan Economy Following Rate Cut

Ugandan shilling broadly stable on subdued FX appetite

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="472" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/T2GG5DOWQBNVBM4YVJ2KDX65FE-820x472.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-549004" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/T2GG5DOWQBNVBM4YVJ2KDX65FE-820x472.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/T2GG5DOWQBNVBM4YVJ2KDX65FE-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/T2GG5DOWQBNVBM4YVJ2KDX65FE-156x90.jpg 156w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/T2GG5DOWQBNVBM4YVJ2KDX65FE-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/T2GG5DOWQBNVBM4YVJ2KDX65FE-1536x884.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/T2GG5DOWQBNVBM4YVJ2KDX65FE-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: Kenya&#8217;s Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki speaks during a press conference in Kilifi county, Kenya March 27, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Nov 1 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Kenya&#8217;s new deputy president Kithure Kindiki was sworn in on Friday after a court lifted orders barring his inauguration following weeks of legal challenges by his predecessor, who was impeached by parliament last month.



The Senate voted to remove Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office in October on a handful of charges including gross violation of the constitution and stirring ethnic hatred &#8211; accusations that he rejects and has dismissed as politically motivated.



Kenya&#8217;s High Court had put a hold on Kindiki&#8217;s inauguration after Gachagua and his supporters filed over 30 court challenges to prevent his dismissal and replacement.



But the stay order was lifted on Thursday, with judges saying that the deputy president position should not remain vacant according to the constitution.



Gachagua&#8217;s legal battles extended months of political turbulence in the country, East Africa&#8217;s largest economy, that began with nationwide protests against unpopular tax hikes in June.



President William Ruto invited opposition members into his cabinet to create what he called a unity government in July in an attempt to ease tensions after demonstrators stormed parliament.



The political realignment also sidelined Gachagua, who had been a valuable asset for Ruto during his election campaign, helping secure a large block of votes from the populous Mount Kenya region. The two men have since fallen out.



Kindiki was a top contender to be Ruto&#8217;s running mate during the 2022 election and was appointed interior minister shortly after the president took office in September that year.



Ruto appointed Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi as interior minister late on Thursday.



(Reporting by Hereward Holland; Editing by Ammu Kannampilly, Sonali Paul and Angus MacSwan)

FILE PHOTO: Kenyan authorities to begin handing over bodies of cult massacre victims in Kilifi

Kenya’s new deputy president sworn in after challenge from predecessor

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="516" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/D4444TONOVL5XOCAT6N7A747YM-820x516.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-548729" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/D4444TONOVL5XOCAT6N7A747YM-820x516.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/D4444TONOVL5XOCAT6N7A747YM-300x189.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/D4444TONOVL5XOCAT6N7A747YM-143x90.jpg 143w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/D4444TONOVL5XOCAT6N7A747YM-768x483.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/D4444TONOVL5XOCAT6N7A747YM-1536x967.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/D4444TONOVL5XOCAT6N7A747YM-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kenya&#8217;s Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration Kithure Kindiki speaks during a joint press conference, with British Minister of State for Security Tom Tugendhat during his visit, in Nairobi, Kenya May 10, 2023. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Oct 31 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Kenya&#8217;s high court on Thursday lifted orders barring the swearing-in of newly appointed deputy president Kithure Kindiki,&nbsp;whose&nbsp;predecessor&nbsp;has launched&nbsp;legal challenges over his removal from office by impeachment.



&#8220;The office of the deputy president should not remain vacant,&#8221; Judge Anthony Mrima said,&nbsp;after&nbsp;the filing of&nbsp;over&nbsp;30 court cases by Rigathi Gachagua against his ouster.&nbsp;The decision could be appealed to the Supreme Court.



Earlier this month the Senate voted to uphold five out of 11 charges against Gachagua, including gross violation of the constitution and stirring ethnic hatred &#8211; accusations that he has denied and dismissed as politically motivated.



President William Ruto subsequently chose Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as his new deputy, but a court blocked his appointment.



Gachagua&#8217;s legal challenges extend months of political turmoil in Kenya, East Africa&#8217;s largest economy, that began with nationwide protests against unpopular tax hikes in June.



His impeachment followed a rift with Ruto that has soured their relationship since they ran together in an election two years ago.



(Reporting by Humphrey Malalo and Sonia Rao; writing by Elias Biryabarema; editing by Ammu Kannampilly, Alex Richardson and Mark Heinrich)

D4444TONOVL5XOCAT6N7A747YM

Kenya’s high court lifts order barring swearing-in of new deputy president

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/K2XDS6QNTRJ3NESUKLUN7X52ZI-1-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-548610" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/K2XDS6QNTRJ3NESUKLUN7X52ZI-1-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/K2XDS6QNTRJ3NESUKLUN7X52ZI-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/K2XDS6QNTRJ3NESUKLUN7X52ZI-1-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/K2XDS6QNTRJ3NESUKLUN7X52ZI-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/K2XDS6QNTRJ3NESUKLUN7X52ZI-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/K2XDS6QNTRJ3NESUKLUN7X52ZI-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: An employe holds loaves of bread at a supermarket in Nairobi, Kenya May 8, 2017. Picture taken May 8, 2017. REUTERS/Baz Ratner</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Oct 31 (Reuters) &#8211; Kenya&#8217;s inflation fell to 2.7% year-on-year in October, down from 3.6% a month earlier, the statistics office said on Thursday.



On a month-on-month basis, October inflation was 0.2%, the same as the previous month, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.



The Kenyan government targets an inflation rate of between 2.5% and 7.5% in the medium-term.



Kenya&#8217;s central bank slashed its benchmark lending rate to 12.00% from 12.75% earlier this month, in a move aimed at stimulating credit to the private sector.



(Reporting by Hereward Holland; Editing by Christina Fincher)

An employe holds loaves of bread at a supermarket in Nairobi

Kenya’s inflation falls to 2.7% year-on-year in October, stats office says

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="539" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YNW7WLFOZJOXJBVUR4VLTBHO4A-1-820x539.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-548558" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YNW7WLFOZJOXJBVUR4VLTBHO4A-1-820x539.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YNW7WLFOZJOXJBVUR4VLTBHO4A-1-300x197.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YNW7WLFOZJOXJBVUR4VLTBHO4A-1-137x90.jpg 137w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YNW7WLFOZJOXJBVUR4VLTBHO4A-1-768x505.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YNW7WLFOZJOXJBVUR4VLTBHO4A-1-1536x1009.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YNW7WLFOZJOXJBVUR4VLTBHO4A-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A general view shows the Nation Centre and Lonrho Africa building in central business district in downtown Nairobi, Kenya February 18, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, (Reuters) &#8211; The executive board of the International Monetary Fund has approved the seventh and eighth reviews of Kenya&#8217;s program, the IMF said on Wednesday, paving the way for the cash-strapped government to access a $606 million loan tranche.



The East African nation and staff of the IMF announced an agreement on the seventh review of its $3.6 billion program in June, but completion of the review at the board level and the subsequent disbursement were disrupted by deadly protests.



More than 60 people were killed in the violent protests which forced President William Ruto to abandon the government&#8217;s finance bill, which contained a slew of tax hikes.



&#8220;Kenya&#8217;s economy remains resilient, with growth above the regional average, inflation decelerating, and external inflows supporting the shilling and a buildup of external buffers, despite a difficult socio-economic environment,&#8221; IMF First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath said in a statement on Wednesday.



The IMF also called for improving governance and transparency in Kenya.



&#8220;The Kenyan authorities face a difficult balancing act of boosting domestic revenues to protect critical spending in priority areas while meeting heavy debt service obligations,&#8221; the IMF said.



The board review also included a component of lending to Kenya under its sustainability window, which is known as RSF.



The IMF&#8217;s support is seen as crucial for Kenya to be able to navigate its current liquidity challenges, which are mainly driven by high debt interest repayments.



Government officials have indicated that Kenya will seek another program with the IMF when the current one ends next April.



(Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Daniel Wallis)

YNW7WLFOZJOXJBVUR4VLTBHO4A (1)

IMF board approves Kenya’s reviews, unlocking access to $606 million

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WDAW6VDRWVMOBOWUM4K26AXQAE-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-548216" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WDAW6VDRWVMOBOWUM4K26AXQAE-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WDAW6VDRWVMOBOWUM4K26AXQAE-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WDAW6VDRWVMOBOWUM4K26AXQAE-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WDAW6VDRWVMOBOWUM4K26AXQAE-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WDAW6VDRWVMOBOWUM4K26AXQAE-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WDAW6VDRWVMOBOWUM4K26AXQAE-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">General view of the venue as Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud attends the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 29, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed</figcaption></figure>



RIYADH, Oct 30 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Saudi Arabia is in the advanced stages of talks about a stake in a copper mine in Zambia and is expecting a deal by the end of the year, the CEO of Saudi Arabia’s flagship mining company Ma’aden told Reuters on Wednesday.



“We are looking at Zambia, we are talking with a company there, with a mine there, so those are pretty advanced stage discussions,” CEO Robert Wilt, who is also vice chairman of Saudi Arabia’s international mining venture Manara Minerals, said.



&#8220;We&#8217;d have something wrapped up by the end of the year,&#8221; Wilt, speaking on the sidelines of the Future Investment Forum conference in Riyadh, said.



Sources told Reuters earlier this month that Manara, a joint venture between Ma&#8217;aden 1211.SE and Saudi Arabia&#8217;s $925 billion Public Investment Fund was closing in on a deal to buy a minority stake in Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals&#8217; Zambian copper and nickel assets.



The sources had said the Saudi company was in advanced talks to acquire between 15% and 20% equity in the Zambian assets with one of them estimating the stake at between $1.5 billion and $2 billion.



“Obviously, Africa is mineral rich with a lot of copper in the copper belt. So it just makes perfect sense, because the geographical proximity and our desire for copper to be looking in Africa,” Wilt said.



Manara has made significant investments in metals as part of Saudi Arabia&#8217;s efforts to secure minerals and expand Saudi Arabia&#8217;s mining sector.



The country&#8217;s growing mining industry is a key pillar in de-facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman&#8217;s Vision 2030 programme to diversify the economy away from oil dependency.



Manara&#8217;s first major foray abroad was a deal to become a 10% shareholder in Vale&#8217;s $26 billion copper and nickel spin-off Vale Base Metals in 2023.



Wilt said copper was becoming a &#8220;top priority&#8221; for Manara because it was a base metal like aluminum that would be increasingly in demand with the energy transition.



&#8220;The niche battery metals, while important, are not as fundamental to the success of the development of the downstream, but copper is essential.&#8221;



(Reporting by Pesha Magid; writing by Maha El DahanEditing by Tomasz Janowski and Jane Merriman)

Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia in advanced talks over Zambia copper mine stake, Ma’aden CEO says

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="429" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820x429.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-519304" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820x429.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-300x157.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-160x84.jpg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-768x402.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-1536x804.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A teller counts Kenya shilling notes inside the cashier&#8217;s booth at a forex exchange bureau in Kenya&#8217;s capital Nairobi, April 20, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Oct 29 (Reuters) &#8211; The Kenyan shilling was steady against the dollar on Tuesday as companies exchanged hard currency to make end of month payments, one trader said.



The shilling traded at 128.50/129.50 the dollar at 0818 GMT, LSEG data showed, the same as Monday&#8217;s closing rate.



(Reporting by Sonia Rao)

LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820×429

Kenyan shilling steady on month-end payments

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/UGANDA-SHILING.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-545991" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/UGANDA-SHILING.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/UGANDA-SHILING-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/UGANDA-SHILING-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/UGANDA-SHILING-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Uganda shillings. Uganda. (Photo by: Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Oct 29 (Reuters) &#8211; The Ugandan shilling was unchanged on Tuesday, with some inflows of hard currency from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) providing support to the local unit, traders said.



At 0936 GMT commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,660/3,670, same level as Monday&#8217;s close.



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Hereward Holland)

UGANDA SHILING

Ugandan shilling stable on charity FX inflows

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-506008" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ugandan shilling and US dollars in the draw at a foreign exchange currency bureau in Kampala, Uganda, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Uganda&#8217;s central bank said it stands ready to act if the World Bank&#8217;s decision to halt new funding over the country&#8217;s passage of anti-LGBTQ legislation impacts the currency further. Photographer: Luke Dray/Bloomberg via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Oct 28 (Reuters) &#8211; The Ugandan shilling traded flat on Monday, on the back of a general slump in appetite for hard currency across both importers and players in the interbank market, traders said.



At 0846 GMT commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,660/3,670, same level as Friday&#8217;s close.



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Hereward Holland)

Ugandan shilling flat on slump in appetite

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="429" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820x429-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-534014" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820x429-1.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820x429-1-300x157.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820x429-1-160x84.jpg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820x429-1-768x402.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A teller counts Kenya shilling notes inside the cashier’s booth at a forex exchange bureau in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, April 20, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Oct 25 (Reuters) &#8211; The Kenyan shilling was unmoved against the dollar on Friday, data from the London Stock Exchange Group showed.



The shilling traded at 128.50/129.50 to the dollar at 0644 GMT, LSEG data showed, the same as Thursday&#8217;s closing rate.



Traders expect the East African currency to remain in the same range through the end of the month.



(Reporting by Sonia Rao; Editing by Hereward Holland)

Kenyan shilling unchanged against dollar, LSEG data shows

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-506008" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ugandan shilling and US dollars in the draw at a foreign exchange currency bureau in Kampala, Uganda, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Uganda&#8217;s central bank said it stands ready to act if the World Bank&#8217;s decision to halt new funding over the country&#8217;s passage of anti-LGBTQ legislation impacts the currency further. Photographer: Luke Dray/Bloomberg via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Oct 25 (Reuters) &#8211; The Ugandan shilling was slightly weaker on Friday on the back of hard-currency demand from energy importers, traders said.



At 1029 GMT commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,663/3,673 to the dollar, compared to Thursday&#8217;s close of 3,660/3,670.



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Alexander Winning)

Ugandan shilling falls slightly on energy sector FX demand

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="604" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YDJE2WKUFZKPZBHQDZIBXPBFEA-1-820x604.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-546279" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YDJE2WKUFZKPZBHQDZIBXPBFEA-1-820x604.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YDJE2WKUFZKPZBHQDZIBXPBFEA-1-300x221.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YDJE2WKUFZKPZBHQDZIBXPBFEA-1-122x90.jpg 122w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YDJE2WKUFZKPZBHQDZIBXPBFEA-1-768x566.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YDJE2WKUFZKPZBHQDZIBXPBFEA-1-1536x1131.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YDJE2WKUFZKPZBHQDZIBXPBFEA-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: Daniel Chapo, presidential candidate of the ruling Frelimo party casts his vote during the general elections at Inhambane, in the southern Mozambique, October 9, 2024. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



MAPUTO, Oct 24 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Mozambique&#8217;s ruling party Frelimo has retained power in this month&#8217;s national election, extending its five-decade rule in the Southern African state as the opposition accused it of fraud.



Frelimo&#8217;s Daniel Chapo, 47, will succeed President Filipe Nyusi to become Mozambique&#8217;s fifth president since its independence from Portugal in 1975. Nyusi is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms.



Chapo won over 70% of votes, the electoral commission said on Thursday. Venancio Mondlane, backed by the Podemos party, came second with 20% of votes, displacing former rebel movement Renamo, which had been the official opposition party but whose candidate came third this time around.



In the parliament, Frelimo increased its number of seats to 195 out of 250, more than the 184 it had before.



Observers have said the Oct. 9 election was not free and fair. A European Union mission reported irregularities during counting and alteration of results at the local and district level, problems which have marred most polls since Frelimo first allowed multi-party elections in 1994.



The electoral commission has declined to comment on allegations of vote-rigging. A Frelimo spokesperson did not reply to requests for comment.



Shortly after Chapo was declared winner, Mozambique&#8217;s sole dollar bond, maturing in 2031, fell for a fourth day, TradeWeb data showed as investors assessed the risk of unrest. 



Mondlane, who holds sway over many of the country&#8217;s young voters and claims he is the true election winner, has already called for nationwide protests on Thursday and Friday. Groups of protesters started to gather in the capital Maputo after the result was announced.



Police on Monday used teargas and gunfire to disperse opposition supporters protesting the murder of a Podemos lawyer and party official two days earlier, raising tensions.



Chapo, a lawyer, is seen as a business-friendly choice who analysts say is likely to maintain the status quo, including a fight against Islamist insurgents in the north and partnerships with companies like Exxon Mobil and TotalEnergies, which are trying to get major gas projects off the ground.



The country of nearly 35 million people is struggling with a large debt burden and worsening climate shocks, including drought and cyclones.



(Additional reporting by Siyabonga Sishi and Siphiwe Sibeko in Maputo, Bhargav Acharya and Tannur Anders in Johannesburg, and Libby George in London;Writing by Nellie Peyton;Editing by Alexander Winning and Aurora Ellis)

FILE PHOTO: Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo casts his vote

Mozambique’s ruling party retains power in contested election

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="521" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-820x521.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-516586" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-820x521.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-300x191.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-142x90.jpg 142w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-768x488.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-1536x976.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A teller handles U.S. dollar banknotes and Kenya shilling banknotes inside the cashier&#8217;s booth at a forex exchange bureau in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, February 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Oct 24 (Reuters) &#8211; The Kenyan shilling was steady against the dollar on Thursday, as remittance inflows matched importer foreign exchange demand, one trader said.



The shilling traded at 128.50/129.50 the dollar at 0652 GMT, LSEG data showed, the same as Wednesday&#8217;s closing rate.



&#8220;We had expected that at the end of the month we would have flows that would drive the shilling one way or the other, but activity has really reduced,&#8221; the trader said.



(Reporting by Sonia Rao; Editing by Hereward Holland)

Kenyan shilling steady on remittance inflows

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="551" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/W3TRJMXBPRNATIXO27SFJRC77U-820x551.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-422104" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/W3TRJMXBPRNATIXO27SFJRC77U-820x551.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/W3TRJMXBPRNATIXO27SFJRC77U-300x202.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/W3TRJMXBPRNATIXO27SFJRC77U-134x90.jpg 134w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/W3TRJMXBPRNATIXO27SFJRC77U-768x516.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/W3TRJMXBPRNATIXO27SFJRC77U-1536x1032.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/W3TRJMXBPRNATIXO27SFJRC77U.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A participant stands near a logo of IMF at the International Monetary Fund &#8211; World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, October 12, 2018. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo</figcaption></figure>



WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Kenya has fulfilled all targets mandated by the International Monetary Fund in a review of its loan programme, the country&#8217;s central bank governor told Reuters on Wednesday, and expects to continue its engagement with the global lender after April.



Kenya agreed to a four-year loan with the IMF in 2021, and has also signed up for climate change lending, taking its total loan access with the Fund to $3.6 billion.



But deadly protests against planned tax rises forced the government to scupper its planned finance bill in June, leaving the heavily indebted government with a bigger budget deficit for this financial year, mounting unpaid bills, and a delay in disbursement of IMF funding.



&#8220;We&#8217;ve achieved all that was needed for the reviews to be completed,&#8221; Kamau Thugge, the head of the Central Bank of Kenya, told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Washington. &#8220;Obviously after the review there are still the targets for December.&#8221;



A staff level agreement on a combined 7th and 8th review of the country&#8217;s programme is scheduled to go the IMF&#8217;s executive board for a sign-off on Oct. 30, which will in turn trigger a payout of $611 million.



Asked whether the country was going to request another financing programme with the IMF after the current one runs out in April, Thugge said that would be the base case, though the size and duration were yet to be confirmed.



&#8220;It will depend on the balance of payments and needs, it will depend on the ambitiousness of the reforms that we agree,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But definitely, we will have our relationship going forward with the IMF.&#8221;



Speaking about the macroeconomic outlook, Thugge said inflation in Kenya continues to decline and the country had&nbsp;built up more foreign exchange reserves.



Inflation was set to decline below the 3.6% annual rate recorded in September, he said, adding that the country&#8217;s FX reserves currently stood at $8.6 billion, representing 4.3 months worth of imports. The central bank had said earlier in October that reserves stood at $8.25 billion.



More interest rate cuts also are on the cards,&nbsp;Thugge said, after policymakers slashed the benchmark lending rate by 75 basis points in October to 12.00%, following a 25-basis-point reduction in August &#8211; the first rate cut in approximately four years.



&#8220;It&#8217;s the desire of everybody for interest rates to come down,&#8221; Thugge&nbsp;said.



(Reporting by Karin Strohecker; Editing by Paul Simao)

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East Africa

Kenya’s private sector activity returns to growth in October, PMI shows

Kenya shilling steady on tourism, tea exports

Ugandan shilling stable on muted FX appetite

Ugandan shilling broadly stable on subdued FX appetite

Kenya’s new deputy president sworn in after challenge from predecessor

Kenya’s high court lifts order barring swearing-in of new deputy president

Kenya’s inflation falls to 2.7% year-on-year in October, stats office says

IMF board approves Kenya’s reviews, unlocking access to $606 million

Saudi Arabia in advanced talks over Zambia copper mine stake, Ma’aden CEO says

Kenyan shilling steady on month-end payments

Ugandan shilling stable on charity FX inflows

Ugandan shilling flat on slump in appetite

Kenyan shilling unchanged against dollar, LSEG data shows

Ugandan shilling falls slightly on energy sector FX demand

Mozambique’s ruling party retains power in contested election

Kenyan shilling steady on remittance inflows

Kenya fulfilled all targets in IMF review, central bank governor says

News Tips

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