US, Kenya launch ‘Nairobi-Washington Vision’ to enable ‘high-ambition countries’ to get cheap loans
China, the United States and other Group of 20 creditor countries set up the Common Framework for Debt Restructuring to help countries facing huge debt burdens during the pandemic, but the initiative has faced long delays. A senior US Treasury official said China – the largest official creditor – had taken some steps to aid debt-ridden countries, but more work was needed.
Kenya, US investment manager sign $3.6 billion deal to expand 440km Nairoi-Mombasa highway
The deal coincides with Kenyan President William Ruto’s visit to the United States, the first such state visit by a leader from Sub-Saharan Africa since 2008.
Storm brews following Microsoft’s UAE deal that’ll move key US chips and AI abroad, including Kenya
The broad intent of the deal is for Microsoft and G42 to jointly take AI technology into regions where neither could do so as effectively alone. An early example is a deal in Kenya announced by the two companies on Wednesday.
US public health agencies face scrutiny after multiple studies show unvaccinated children are healthier than vaccinated ones
Dr Paul Thomas, whose medical license was suspended due to his advocacy for informed consent regarding vaccinations, along with James Lyons-Weiler from the Institute for Pure and Applied Knowledge, conducted a study comparing the health of vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Their findings revealed that vaccinated children experienced significantly higher instances of various health issues, including: asthma, allergies, eczema, sinusitis, gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, middle ear infection, conjunctivitis, breathing issues and behavioural issues.
Kenya’s largest bank, KCB, announces first quarter pretax profit up 53 per cent
Net interest income rose to 31.06 billion shillings from 22.06 billion shillings. Gross loans increased 12.2 per cent to 1.13 trillion shillings, while loan-loss provisions stood at 6.3 billion shillings, up from 4.12 billion shillings.
French, Russia, Chinese firms scramble for contract to build Ghana’s first nuclear power plant
Ghana started considering building a nuclear power plant in the 1960s but the process was derailed by a coup. It revived the plan in 2006 with the International Atomic Energy Association’s assistance, following a devastating power crisis that year.
Ruto’s Washington visit billed as platform for Biden to outline US economic and trade policy for Africa
Washington is also urging international financial institutions to offer low-cost financing to Kenya and other countries. The official said to expect some significant joint announcements about debt relief during the state visit this week “on how countries like Kenya can tackle this problem of debt.”
Smartphone companies scramble for growing market in Africa, but put at risk users personal data
Literacy rates that are below the global average, and lack of services in many African languages – some 2,000 are spoken across the continent, according to The African Language Program at Harvard University – are other reasons why a smartphone isn’t a compelling investment for some.
South Sudan secures $13 billion oil-backed loan from UAE company but UN experts worried it’ll be stolen
The experts, who monitor an arms embargo against South Sudan, said in the oil section of the report obtained this week that “servicing this loan would likely tie up most of South Sudan’s revenue (for) many years, depending on oil prices.”
300 pages of emails detail how US health officials covered up dangerous side-effects of Covid vaccines
The 300-page batch of documents released to CHD on April 21 contains emails between the NIH and people reporting Covid-19 vaccine injuries. CHD requested the documents via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in November 2022. On April 12, 2023, CHD sued the NIH to obtain the records after the NIH did not respond to the request.
