The East African Insider – Week 24th -30th January 2026

Introduction

As January 2026 draws to a close, East and Central Africa continue to capture the attention of global investors with a series of landmark developments in finance, energy, infrastructure, and industrial expansion. This week's trends reflect a growing push for fiscal discipline, regional integration, and large-scale investments across the continent. Afreximbank's decision to exit its credit rating relationship with Fitch reignites the conversation around African-led rating models, emphasizing the need for context-sensitive assessments of multilateral institutions. In Tanzania, the long-awaited USD 42 billion LNG project nears its signing, positioning East Africa as an emerging hub for energy exports while the government mobilizes resources to fund ongoing infrastructure. Kenya's upgrade to B3 by Moody's signals improved macroeconomic stability, while Uganda accelerates its fiscal reform agenda with a sharp reduction in external funding and increased