Tag: SMEs


  • Global Demand Recovery Lifts Philippine Exports Into 2026

    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…

  • Daraja Impact Fund expands impact-linked financing in Tanzania

    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…

  • Uganda Family Firms: Under 10% Survive Generations

    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…

  • Uganda Family Firms: Surviving Beyond Founders

    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…

  • Governor Waiguru: How a Deliberate Policy Shift is Making Kirinyaga a Magnet for Investors

    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…

  • CBN Recapitalisation: A Path to Nigeria’s $1 Trillion Economy by 2030

    CBN Recapitalisation: A Path to Nigeria’s $1 Trillion Economy by 2030

    Introduction: Banking Reforms at the Core of Nigeria’s 2030 Economic Dream As Nigeria eyes a bold milestone—the country reaching a $1 trillion economy by 2030—the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues to push ahead with its banking sector reforms. In particular, the ongoing recapitalisation drive is positioned as a central lever to unlock credit, attract…

  • CBN Recapitalisation to Drive Nigeria’s $1T Economy by 2030

    CBN Recapitalisation to Drive Nigeria’s $1T Economy by 2030

    Overview: Recapitalisation as a Catalyst for Growth The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has renewed its emphasis on banking sector reforms, with bank recapitalisation at the forefront. The objective is clear: strengthen the financial system, restore confidence, and set the stage for Nigeria to achieve a targeted $1 trillion economy by 2030. As with any…

  • Private Investment Halves in 6 Years: Pakistan’s Manufacturing Slowdown Signals Structural Challenge

    Private Investment Halves in 6 Years: Pakistan’s Manufacturing Slowdown Signals Structural Challenge

    Introduction: A Turning Point for Pakistan’s Manufacturing Sector Pakistan’s manufacturing sector, long hailed as a driver of growth, employment, and export potential, is confronting one of its most significant slowdowns in modern memory. Private investment in manufacturing has roughly halved over the past six years, a collapse that experts say could reshape the country’s economic…

  • KRA to Validate Income and Expenses in Tax Returns from January 2026: What it Means for Kenyans

    KRA to Validate Income and Expenses in Tax Returns from January 2026: What it Means for Kenyans

    Overview: A New Era of Tax Validation in Kenya The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a landmark shift set to begin on January 1, 2026: the validation of income and expenses declared in all individual and non-individual income tax returns. This policy move aims to strengthen tax compliance, reduce misreporting, and improve the accuracy…

  • Awash Bank’s Mesmer Digital Lending: A New Era for SME Financing in Ethiopia

    Awash Bank’s Mesmer Digital Lending: A New Era for SME Financing in Ethiopia

    Awash Bank Expands SME Financing with Mesmer Digital Lending Awash Bank has unveiled a new digital lending service designed to broaden access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Ethiopia. The Mesmer Digital Lending platform marks a significant shift toward streamlined, technology-driven lending that aims to reduce the traditional bottlenecks associated with SME…