Luke Anami

Kenya, Nairobi

Financial Journalist at The Standard (Kenya)

Financial Journalist at The East African, Nation Media Group. Nairobi

Articles

East Africa private sector lobby criticises Kenya trade deals

1 week ago | zawya.com | Luke Anami

Kenya’s bilateral trade deal with European Union is facing fresh scrutiny over claims that it violates the East African Community Common External Tariff. The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Kenya and the EU that came into force in 2024 after Nairobi signed a similar arrangement with the United Kingdom. Both deals are being assessed on the wavelength of Common External Tariff (CET), according to a brief from the East African Business Council, the bloc’s private sector lobby.
Kenya fails to shake off EU money laundering grey list as Uganda is delisted

1 week ago | zawya.com | Luke Anami

Kenya has been added to the list of high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering by the European Union, as Uganda got reprieve by being struck off the list. The EU released the updated list on Tuesday, as the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), Kenya’s Financial Intelligence Unit, raised the red flag on a number of suspicious transactions linked to money laundering.
Kenya woos Japan as market for its avocados

1 week ago | businessdailyafrica.com | Luke Anami

Kenya is wooing Japan as a market option for its avocados as it pitches trade opportunities during the ongoing Japan Expo 2025 in Osaka. A slice of the Japanese market would be a boost to Kenyan avocado producers, hit by shipping delays and plummeting European demand in 2024, as the country actively pursues new markets for its avocado exports, including China, India, Malaysia, and South Korea.
Kenya exempts more countries from eTA rules

2 weeks ago | zawya.com | Luke Anami

The push by the African Union (AU) for a borderless continent may have prompted Kenya to review its Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system multiple times. This week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced new changes that exempt more countries from eTA requirements. Introduced in 2024, the eTA faced criticism from the start - some viewed it as a visa by another name, while others questioned its practicality. The eTA fee is $30/£24 and is valid for 90 days.
EAC harmonises tax on alcohol, differ on fuel and tobacco

2 weeks ago | zawya.com | Luke Anami

The East African Community (EAC) has agreed to harmonise excise duty to be levied on alcohol, amid a push by the International Monetary Fund. But they disagreed on excise duties on tobacco and other nicotine products, non-alcoholic beverages, and fossil fuels. The bloc is looking to create a more unified market, reduce smuggling and prevent distortions caused by differing excise duty rates. The move approved by EAC Council of Ministers in 2019 but is yet to be fully implemented.
Comesa leads unified African stance on Trump tariffs

1 month ago | zawya.com | Luke Anami

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) is mulling a unified approach towards US tariffs. This comes as eight member states stare at trade challenges due to reciprocal tariffs instituted by US President Donald Trump on April 2 to address trade deficits and revive domestic manufacturing and industrial sectors.
Kenya firms miss out on EU funding for not registering IP rights

1 month ago | businessdailyafrica.com | Luke Anami

Kenyan innovators are missing out on funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) for not registering their intellectual property rights (IPR), a move that is critical in protecting their ideas and businesses. Visiting EIC board President Michiel Scheffer said intellectual property rights are now a requirement to get funding and encouraged Kenyan innovators to patent their works. “First, it’s a requirement to get funded. So if there is no IP, no funding.
Kenya looks to EU for more exports amid Trump tariffs

1 month ago | zawya.com | Luke Anami

In the face of the Trump tariffs, Kenya says it is looking to the European Union to absorb more exports under their Economic Partnership Agreement (Epa). US President Donald Trump in March announced a 10 percent tariff on goods from most African countries, prompting them to seek markets elsewhere.
Congo: Lobbies query US, EU mineral deals with African states

1 month ago | zawya.com | Luke Anami

Lobbies have criticised the recent decision by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to invite the United States government to a minerals-for-security deal. President Felix Tshisekedi, battling an M23 rebellion, reached out to the Donald Trump administration with a Ukrainian-style proposal in February. The proposed agreement would give US companies rights to mine strategic resources, including cobalt and uranium, while providing the Congolese government with military support.
Why Kenya risks censure by global labour body over rising deductions

1 month ago | nation.africa | Luke Anami

As Kenyans mark this year’s Labour Day, concerns are growing majority of salaried workers are taking home less than a third of their net salaries due to new statutory deductions in contravention of local and international labour laws. Under Kenya’s employment laws, an employer cannot deduct more than two-thirds of an employee's basic pay in a single month, a rule designed to protect employees by ensuring they have sufficient income for basic needs after deductions to support a decent living.