From East African Industrial to NSE 20: The Forgotten Roots of Kenya’s Market Benchmark
The NSE 20 Share Index, Kenya’s oldest stock market benchmark, began in 1964 as the East African Industrial Share Index—tracking regional blue chips across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. It evolved into a purely Kenyan index after the collapse of the East African Community in 1977. Through market liberalization, privatizations, and financial crises, the NSE 20 has reflected Kenya’s shifting economic landscape. Though now overshadowed by broader indices, its legacy remains vital for historical analysis and regional market integration.
Uganda Goes to the Polls
U.S. House of Representatives Approves AGOA Extension
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 6500, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Extension Act, in a decisive 340-54 vote.
How Iran Revealed that Elon Musk's Starlink is Not Invincible
Following the events in Iran, one may be tempted to ask: will Starlink be reliable during a state-backed internet crackdown? Or will governments deploy military tech to impede a service that was revered as almost invincible?Iran’s Economic Crisis Deepens as Protests Spread Beyond Cities
Iran’s deepening economic crisis, driven by a collapsing currency, soaring inflation and shrinking fiscal space, has triggered protests that have spread from beyond major cities. As economic grievances increasingly merge with political demands, the unrest highlights mounting pressure on the government’s ability to stabilize the economy and contain widening social discontent.Trump’s Somalia Controversy Tests East Africa’s Stability
President Trump’s remarks dismissing Somalia sparked strong backlash from Somali communities worldwide and raised concerns about regional security implications. Somali leaders and citizens rejected the characterization, emphasizing ongoing efforts to rebuild their country. Security analysts warn that such rhetoric could fuel extremist recruitment, strain U.S.-Somalia relations, and heighten risks for Kenya by disrupting intelligence cooperation and amplifying domestic anti-Somali sentiment.Saudi Arabia Ends Kafala System, Freeing Kenyan Migrant Workers
Saudi Arabia has abolished its decades-old Kafala sponsorship system, freeing millions of migrant workers from employer control.US Under Fire During UN's Unstoppable Africa Summit for Failing Africa
During the ongoing Unstoppable Africa 2025 summit taking place in New York City, on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly, numerous high-profile speakers said the US' foreign policy [...]
Why the US Wants to Review its Relations with Kenya
Africa’s Quiet Resilience in a Fragmented Global Economy
Amid escalating geopolitical tensions and a slowing global economy, Africa is quietly emerging as an unlikely standout in global trade, particularly through stronger-than-expected export growth in the first quarter of [...]Why Kenya is Not Safe From the Middle East Conflicts
With the dust settling after recent missile exchanges between Iran and Israel and U.S. military activity simmering rather than escalating, Kenya is watching the unfolding tensions with cautious concern- not [...]Rwanda, DRC Commit to Joint Economic Future in Breakthrough Pact
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have committed to launch a Regional Economic Integration Framework, building on existing structures such as AfCFTA, COMESA, and the EAC, within three [...]
