The East African Insider – Week 10th -16th January 2026

Introduction

This week's developments underscore a clear theme across Africa where governments are strengthening trade access, deepening strategic partnerships, and unlocking new investment pathways as the continent positions itself for the next phase of growth. At the continental level, the renewal of AGOA restores critical certainty for exporters and investors, reinforcing Africa's integration into global value chains. Country-specific moves reinforce this momentum. Tanzania is expanding South-South cooperation with Indonesia in agriculture and energy, Kenya is mobilizing World Bank-backed capital to de-risk green SME investments, and Uganda has secured a landmark dairy export deal with Nigeria that opens access to West Africa's import-dependent market. Rwanda continues to attract rising African-led investment, cementing its role as a Pan-African business hub, while the Democratic Republic of Congo is pursuing large-scale diversification through a USD 29 billion