Tag: SMEs
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Ghana to Roll Out VAT Reforms from Jan 2026, GRA Announces
Overview: What changes lie ahead? The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has confirmed that the country will begin implementing the Value Added Tax (VAT) reforms from January 1, 2026. This move follows the passage of the VAT Bill, 2025 and the subsequent presidential assent. The reforms signal a significant shift in how VAT is applied, collected,…
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Standard Bank Namibia Slashes Business Banking Fees for 2025
Standard Bank Namibia Announces Fee Reductions for Business Banking Standard Bank Namibia has announced a significant policy shift for its corporate and small-to-medium enterprise (SME) clients, promising reduced banking costs starting next year. The move, disclosed by the bank’s group business and commercial division, highlights a streamline of charges aimed at easing day-to-day transactional friction…
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Standard Bank Namibia Announces Free Inter-Account Transfers and Reduced Business Banking Fees
Standard Bank Namibia Announces Fee Reductions for Business Banking Standard Bank Namibia has unveiled a plan to reduce banking costs for businesses next year, a move the lender says is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and foster broader economic growth. A recent statement from the bank’s Business and Commercial division outlines significant…
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Open trade, digital investment: AI-driven trade could boost global commerce by 2040, says WTO
Open trade, AI, and growth: a path to 2040 A new report from the World Trade Organization argues that embracing open trade rules, investing in digital infrastructure, and developing AI-related skills could unlock substantial gains in global commerce. By 2040, AI-driven trade could rise by as much as 40%, reshaping how goods and services cross…
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Open Trade and Digital Investment: The Path to an AI-Driven Trade Boom by 2040, Says WTO
Open trade and digital investment: unlocking AI-led growth Smarter, faster, and more interconnected global commerce hinges on a coordinated approach that blends open trade rules with targeted digital investment and workforce upskilling. The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently highlighted that adopting artificial intelligence (AI) in trade processes—while preserving transparent and rule-based markets—could drive almost 40%…
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Global Demand Recovery Lifts Philippine Exports Into 2026
Overview: A Growing Path for Philippine Exports Philippine merchandise exports are regaining traction as global demand continues to recover, with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) signaling sustained growth into 2026. After a robust jump of more than 20% in November year-on-year, export momentum is expected to endure as key trading partners stabilize and…
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Daraja Impact Fund expands impact-linked financing in Tanzania
A bold step forward for financing in Tanzania The Daraja Impact Fund, launched in 2023 with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is expanding its reach in Tanzania. Backed by 10 million Swiss francs (about $12.5 million), the fund was created to provide flexible, impact-linked financing to small and growing businesses…
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Uganda Family Firms: Under 10% Survive Generations
Overview: A Quiet yet Severe Crisis for Uganda’s Family Firms Uganda’s economy is heavily shaped by family-owned enterprises. From small shops to mid-sized manufacturers, these businesses are the backbone of many communities. Yet new research by EPRC highlights a troubling reality: fewer than 10% of family-owned companies in Uganda survive beyond the founder’s tenure. As…
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Uganda Family Firms: Surviving Beyond Founders
Uganda’s Family Firms Face a Quiet but Severe Crisis Uganda’s economy is built on a tapestry of small and medium-sized enterprises, with family-owned businesses forming the backbone of many communities. Yet new findings point to a troubling generational challenge: fewer than 10% of these family firms survive beyond the founders. The trend threatens financial security…
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Governor Waiguru: How a Deliberate Policy Shift is Making Kirinyaga a Magnet for Investors
Overview: A deliberate shift toward inclusive, locally anchored development Kirinyaga is positioning itself as a magnet for investors and rural entrepreneurs, driven by a strategic policy shift championed by Governor Anne Waiguru. The administration emphasizes inclusivity, local ownership, and practical support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that anchor growth in the county. By aligning…