Latest news with #Kenyan
Arabian Post
6 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Kenya Dominates East Africa–Europe Trade Surge
Trade between the European Union and the East African Community reached €7.7 billion in 2024, marking a robust surge in economic engagement. Data from the EAC Secretariat and the European Commission reveal that Kenya led this growth, accounting for 43 per cent of total EAC trade with Europe. Kenya's ascent to prominence has been propelled by its position as the region's primary link to European markets. Under the Economic Partnership Agreement initiated in July 2024, it became the first EAC member to implement the pact, which offers immediate tariff- and quota-free access for its exports into the EU, while Kenya gradually opens its market. The results are distinctly visible: Kenya accounts for nearly half of all EAC–EU trade and for 45 per cent of investments within the bloc. An analysis of trade flows underlines the shift. In 2023, Kenyan exports to Europe—including cut flowers, fruits and vegetables—totalled €1.2 billion, while EU exports of mineral and chemical products, machinery and appliances to Kenya reached €1.7 billion. This balance reflects the mutual benefits of the agreement and deepening bilateral ties. Kenya ranks as the EU's seventh‑largest African trade partner, with total trade climbing to €3 billion in 2023, a 16 per cent rise since 2018. ADVERTISEMENT Beyond Kenya, the broader EAC has also seen shifts. Collective trade grew 28.4 per cent to $8.86 billion, driven largely by the Kenya–EU EPA. Within the EAC, intra-bloc trade also grew by 13.1 per cent to $12.1 billion in 2023, representing 15 per cent of total EAC trade. Country-specific performance underscores varying trajectories. Uganda registered a remarkable 77 per cent surge in exports to global markets, reaching $6.34 billion in 2023. Tanzania and Rwanda, while showing moderate gains, still lagged behind Kenya's growth pattern. Burundi, South Sudan and Rwanda, classified as Least Developed Countries, continue to rely on the EU's Everything-but-Arms scheme, which offers duty-free entry for all goods except arms. The EPA's emphasis on sustainability and inclusivity adds a strategic layer to the agreement. It includes clauses on environmental conservation, labour rights and gender equality—portions unprecedented in prior EU agreements with developing economies. EU officials have indicated that Kenya's stability and regional influence underpinned its leading role in the EPA, which is intended to serve as a model for other EAC members. Trade analysts suggest that Kenya's rise reflects both domestic reforms and stronger supply-chain integration. Kenyan firms have adapted to the EAC's Common External Tariff and aligned export capacities with EU demand, particularly in horticulture and floriculture. According to agricultural sector experts, Kenyan producers have expanded certification and quality compliance to meet EU standards, enabling higher-priced access to premium markets. Nonetheless, challenges persist. Kenya continues to record a trade deficit with the EU—approximately €500 million in 2023—raising concerns about long-term sustainability. While exports of flowers, tea and vegetables are strong, reliance on imports of machinery and chemicals remains substantial. Furthermore, other EAC partners have yet to ratify the EPA, delaying full regional integration under the agreement. Policy experts argue that widening Kenya's success across the EAC will require infrastructure upgrades, logistical harmonisation and expanded value‑addition processes. They caution that without broader regional participation, Kenya could be left exposed to external market volatility and uneven benefits. European trade officials maintain that the Kenya–EAC partnership is central to the EU's Africa policy, dovetailing with commitments on democratic governance and green growth. The EU‑Kenya EPA, integrated into a broader strategic dialogue launched in June 2021, represents the most ambitious EU trade pact with a developing country to date. Kenya's achievement as the dominant node of East African trade with Europe reflects a blend of diplomatic foresight, institutional readiness and export agility. As the agreement matures and other EAC nations contemplate accession, the potential for a reconfigured regional economic landscape grows—but so do the complexities of harmonising economic strategies across six sovereign states.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Kenya's Kipyegon falls well short in bid for first sub-four-minute mile
Kenya's Faith Kipyegon fell short in her attempt to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes on Thursday when she clocked 4:06.42 in a Nike "Breaking4" project that, though faster than her own world record, will not be ratified. The 31-year-old triple world and Olympic 1,500 metres champion had needed to take more than seven seconds off her own 2023 world record of 4:07.64 but, despite a series of aids, managed just over one second. She was helped by innovative new kit, super-spikes and, crucially, a phalanx of mostly male pacers who blocked the wind on the four and a bit laps of the Stade Charlety track where she set her 1,500m world record last year. Dressed in a black one-pieced suit with black arm warmers, the diminutive Kenyan was swamped by her group of pacers, mostly men and all world class athletes themselves. In a pre-designed plan, a group of five men ran in a line in front of her as "the shield" with American double Olympic bronze medallist Grant Fisher on her shoulder. Live Events She was about on course at halfway but began to slip behind the coloured pacing lights inside the track and drifted on the final lap as she tied up over the last 200 metres. Those male pacers meant, just as with compatriot Eliud Kipchoge's sub-two-hour marathon run with "in and out" pacers in 2019, that the new mark will not be recognised as a world record. Kipyegon, however, was her usual upbeat self at the finish. "I'm tired but I feel good and I tried," she said, thanking the crowd of around a thousand people who had given her enthusiastic support. "That is why I was coming here - to try to be the first woman to run under four minutes. It's only a matter of time but I think it will come our way. If it's not me, it will be someone else. "So, yeah, I know one day, one time, a woman will run under four. I will not lose hope. I will still go for it and if there's not something like this, a special one, I think in a normal Diamond League, or anything, I will still go for it and I hope I will get it one day." Britain's Roger Bannister was the first man to go under four minutes in May 1954, with compatriot Diane Leather the first woman to break five minutes later the same month. The current men's record is the 3:43.13 set by Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999.
France 24
10 hours ago
- Business
- France 24
NBA Raptors drop Ujiri as president after 13 seasons
The 54-year-old English-born executive has British, Nigerian, Kenyan and Canadian citizenship. He was named the NBA's Executive of the Year in 2013 while with Denver, the only non-US winner of the award. "During his 13 seasons with the Raptors, Masai has helped transform the organization on the court and has been an inspirational leader off it," MLSE President and chief executive officer Keith Pelley said. "He brought an NBA championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city and ourselves. We are grateful for all he has done and wish him and his family the very best." The Raptors, however, went 30-52 this past season, missing the NBA playoffs for the third year in a row and fourth time in five seasons. They haven't won a playoff series since getting past Brooklyn in the 2020 opening round. "As we plan for the franchise's future, and its return to the NBA playoffs, a search for the successor as president of the Raptors, led by CAA Executive Search, will begin immediately." The move came a day after the NBA Draft and just ahead of next week's start of NBA free agency. The Raptors announced they would keep key front office personnel, including general manager Bobby Webster, who received a contract extension, the terms of which were not revealed. "We are confident that the Raptors organization, under the guidance of Bobby and his team, is in a great place," Pelley said. "They have a plan in place for next season and beyond as the team continues its rebuild, and we have confidence in their ability to execute and ultimately, to excel. "We feel the team is in a strong, stable place, and we believe the addition of a new president will continue to move the Raptors forward, towards our next NBA championship." Ujiri played his entire on-court career in Europe, including a stint with England's Derby Rams, before joining the Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets as a scout. He was hired by the Raptors as global scouting director and in 2008 became Toronto's assistant general manager. He returned to Denver in 2010 as executive vice president and general manager, the first African general manager in major American sports. The Nuggets won a club-record 57 games in 2012-13, with Ujiri being named the league's top executive, and Ujiri signed with the Raptors as executive vice president and general manager in May 2013.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NBA Raptors drop Ujiri as president after 13 seasons
Masai Ujiri has been dumped as president of the Toronto Raptors, the NBA club announced (MARK BLINCH) Masai Ujiri, who oversaw a 2019 NBA championship run, has been axed as president and vice-chairman of the Toronto Raptors, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) announced Friday. The 54-year-old English-born executive has British, Nigerian, Kenyan and Canadian citizenship. He was named the NBA's Executive of the Year in 2013 while with Denver, the only non-US winner of the award. Advertisement "During his 13 seasons with the Raptors, Masai has helped transform the organization on the court and has been an inspirational leader off it," MLSE President and chief executive officer Keith Pelley said. "He brought an NBA championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city and ourselves. We are grateful for all he has done and wish him and his family the very best." The Raptors, however, went 30-52 this past season, missing the NBA playoffs for the third year in a row and fourth time in five seasons. They haven't won a playoff series since getting past Brooklyn in the 2020 opening round. "As we plan for the franchise's future, and its return to the NBA playoffs, a search for the successor as president of the Raptors, led by CAA Executive Search, will begin immediately." Advertisement The move came a day after the NBA Draft and just ahead of next week's start of NBA free agency. The Raptors announced they would keep key front office personnel, including general manager Bobby Webster, who received a contract extension, the terms of which were not revealed. "We are confident that the Raptors organization, under the guidance of Bobby and his team, is in a great place," Pelley said. "They have a plan in place for next season and beyond as the team continues its rebuild, and we have confidence in their ability to execute and ultimately, to excel. "We feel the team is in a strong, stable place, and we believe the addition of a new president will continue to move the Raptors forward, towards our next NBA championship." Advertisement Ujiri played his entire on-court career in Europe, including a stint with England's Derby Rams, before joining the Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets as a scout. He was hired by the Raptors as global scouting director and in 2008 became Toronto's assistant general manager. He returned to Denver in 2010 as executive vice president and general manager, the first African general manager in major American sports. The Nuggets won a club-record 57 games in 2012-13, with Ujiri being named the league's top executive, and Ujiri signed with the Raptors as executive vice president and general manager in May 2013. js/nr
The South African
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: Amakhosi to lose out on 200-goal striker?
Kaizer Chiefs could lose out on top African striker Michael Olunga, who has netted 130 goals in Qatar in the past four years. The 31-year-old was previously linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs, but reports suggest he is close to joining a club in the United Arab Emirates. The Kenyan international has been linked with a move to the Glamour Boys since the previous transfer window. Amakhosi instead signed former SuperSport United striker Tashreeq Morris in January. The Kenyan striker is now a free agent having left Qatari giants Al Duhail but it looks like he won't be joining Kaizer Chiefs. He is reportedly on the brink of joining Emirati side Al-Nasr. Kenya's Michael Olunga became Al Duhail's all-time top scorer with 130 goals, having joined them four and a half years ago. He has scored over 200 goals in his professional career. Al Duhail confirmed the striker's departure in a heartfelt statement posted on their official website, praising Olunga's professionalism, discipline, and immense contribution to the club's recent successes. 'Olunga was an example of professionalism and discipline on and off the field, and contributed significantly to the club's numerous achievements and championships,' the club said. 'He left a clear mark on the club's history through his decisive goals and contributions to the first football team.' Olunga joined the Qatari side from Japan's Kashiwa Reysol in January 2021 and hit the ground running. During his time in Qatar, he attracted several teams, including Kaizer Chiefs however, the Kenyan striker remained with the Qatari team until 2025. 'I spent four amazing years with the club, filled with tremendous support and love both on and off the pitch,' Olunga said. 'I'm happy to have played for this great club; joining a club of Al Duhail's stature was a huge step for me.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
