<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-422955" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Uganda shillings. Uganda. (Photo by: Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Sept 18 (Reuters) &#8211; The Ugandan shilling was marginally weaker on Wednesday, undercut by some appetite for hard currency from the manufacturing and energy sector, traders said.



At 1040 GMT commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,715/3,725, compared to Tuesday&#8217;s close of 3,712/3,722.



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Hereward Holland)

GettyImages-924883576-1

Ugandan shilling slightly weaker on importer demand

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="521" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-820x521.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-516586" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-820x521.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-300x191.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-142x90.jpg 142w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-768x488.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI-1536x976.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A teller handles U.S. dollar banknotes and Kenya shilling banknotes inside the cashier&#8217;s booth at a forex exchange bureau in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, February 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Sept 18 (Reuters) &#8211; The Kenyan shilling fell against the dollar on Wednesday, data from the London Stock Exchange Group showed.



At 0747 GMT, the shilling traded at 129.05/125.25, compared with Tuesday&#8217;s closing rate of 128.50/129.50.



(Reporting by George Obulutsa; Editing by Bate Felix)

RLVCCF47LVIWPJR4O2PPITYMVI

Kenya’s shilling eases versus dollar – LSEG data

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="720" height="425" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ANCK25OQIFMHTJYACOM5XU5T24.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-498541" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ANCK25OQIFMHTJYACOM5XU5T24.jpg 720w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ANCK25OQIFMHTJYACOM5XU5T24-300x177.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ANCK25OQIFMHTJYACOM5XU5T24-152x90.jpg 152w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kenya shilling coins and notes are pictured inside a cashier&#8217;s booth at a forex exchange bureau in Kenya&#8217;s capital Nairobi, April 20, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Sept 17 (Reuters) &#8211; The Kenyan shilling was unchanged on Tuesday as dollar inflows from the tourism sector balanced demand from the manufacturing sector, traders said.



Commercial banks quoted the shilling at 128.50/129.50 per dollar at 0741 GMT, the same as Tuesday&#8217;s closing rate.



(Reporting by George Obulutsa)

ANCK25OQIFMHTJYACOM5XU5T24

Kenyan shilling holds steady with tourism and manufacturing dollar inflows

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="514" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/4E5JLNLLANP4HIWTHREINONFZQ-820x514.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-531665" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/4E5JLNLLANP4HIWTHREINONFZQ-820x514.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/4E5JLNLLANP4HIWTHREINONFZQ-300x188.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/4E5JLNLLANP4HIWTHREINONFZQ-144x90.jpg 144w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/4E5JLNLLANP4HIWTHREINONFZQ-768x482.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/4E5JLNLLANP4HIWTHREINONFZQ-1536x963.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/4E5JLNLLANP4HIWTHREINONFZQ-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A worker carries a bale of imported second-hand clothes past displayed apparel, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak at the Gikomba market in Nairobi, Kenya September 18, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Sept 17 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Kenya&#8217;s finance ministry forecasts a fall in the budget deficit to 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2025/26 fiscal year that starts next July, from 4.3% of GDP in the current fiscal year, a draft budget document showed.



President William Ruto scrapped tax hikes worth more than 346 billion shillings ($2.7 billion) in June in the face of youth-led demonstrations that created the biggest crisis of his two-year-old presidency.



The tax hikes were meant to increase revenue this fiscal year, but the government opted for spending cuts and more borrowing after they were pulled.



The budget deficit is expected to drop further to 3.3% of GDP in the 2026/27 fiscal year, the finance ministry said in the draft budget outlook paper seen by Reuters on Tuesday.



($1 = 128.5000 Kenyan shillings)



(Reporting by George Obulutsa; Editing by Alexander Winning and Ros Russell)

The global aftermarket for second-hand apparel amid COVID-19 crisis

Kenya forecasts budget deficit will fall to 3.5% of GDP next fiscal year

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-422955" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Uganda shillings. Uganda. (Photo by: Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Sept 16 (Reuters) &#8211; The Ugandan shilling was stable on Monday, drawing some support from inflows of dollars from remittances, traders said.



At 0920 GMT commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,710/3,720, the same level as Friday&#8217;s closing rate.



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by George Obulutsa)

Ugandan shilling stable as remittance FX inflows lend support

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2048" height="1365" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6YWINGPVCBJ6LCCI4MJOOGWZ5I-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-419784" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6YWINGPVCBJ6LCCI4MJOOGWZ5I-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6YWINGPVCBJ6LCCI4MJOOGWZ5I-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6YWINGPVCBJ6LCCI4MJOOGWZ5I-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6YWINGPVCBJ6LCCI4MJOOGWZ5I-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6YWINGPVCBJ6LCCI4MJOOGWZ5I-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/6YWINGPVCBJ6LCCI4MJOOGWZ5I-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kenya&#8217;s President-elect William Ruto speaks after the Supreme Court upheld his win in Nairobi, Kenya September 5, 2022. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Sept 16 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Kenya&#8217;s auditor general has started to examine the country&#8217;s debt to ascertain the amounts owed to various creditors, Finance Minister John Mbadi told Reuters on Monday.



The East African nation&#8217;s debt stands at 10.5 trillion shillings ($81.71 billion) but an audit of the borrowings was one of the key demands of anti-tax hike protesters that forced the government to abandon a number of planned tax increases in June.



The audit has already started, Mbadi said, but did not provide further details regarding the focus of the investigation or when a report is expected to be ready.



The auditor general is a constitutionally mandated independent office that is funded by the state.



During the height of the protests, President William Ruto appointed a committee to perform the audit. However, several appointees, including the head of the Law Society of Kenya, declined the appointments, saying the task should be carried out by the auditor general.



During his parliamentary vetting for the post, Mbadi had promised to ensure there is more &#8220;debt accountability&#8221; to help the public better understand the issue.



More than 50 people were killed in the protests, which forced President Ruto to abandon the government&#8217;s financing law.



It also led to a series of credit downgrades by the three main global ratings agencies.



A team from the International Monetary Fund is in the country on a fact-finding mission ahead of its board meeting to approve the latest review of Kenya&#8217;s programme and approve a disbursement of $600 million.



($1 = 128.5000 Kenyan shillings)



(Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

Kenya’s top court to deliver verdict on disputed presidential election

Kenya begins national debt audit, finance minister says

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="429" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820x429.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-519304" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820x429.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-300x157.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-160x84.jpg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-768x402.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-1536x804.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A teller counts Kenya shilling notes inside the cashier&#8217;s booth at a forex exchange bureau in Kenya&#8217;s capital Nairobi, April 20, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Sept 16 (Reuters) &#8211; Kenya&#8217;s shilling was steady on Monday, and was expected to gain ground, bolstered by dollar inflows from tea exporters, traders said.



Commercial banks quoted the shilling at 128.50/129.50 per dollar at 0750 GMT, same as Friday&#8217;s closing rate.



(Reporting by George Obulutsa; Editing by Bate Felix)

LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E

Kenya’s shilling stable; tea sector FX inflows to boost

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="530" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/XRWAJLZOAVK3DL2J5JMRWBBQ6A-820x530.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-433145" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/XRWAJLZOAVK3DL2J5JMRWBBQ6A-820x530.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/XRWAJLZOAVK3DL2J5JMRWBBQ6A-300x194.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/XRWAJLZOAVK3DL2J5JMRWBBQ6A-139x90.jpg 139w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/XRWAJLZOAVK3DL2J5JMRWBBQ6A-768x497.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/XRWAJLZOAVK3DL2J5JMRWBBQ6A-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/XRWAJLZOAVK3DL2J5JMRWBBQ6A.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A general view shows the Central Bank of Kenya headquarters building along Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi, Kenya November 28, 2018. REUTERS/Njeri Mwangi/</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Sept 16 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;The Kenyan central bank&#8217;s Monetary Policy Committee will hold its rate-setting meeting on Oct. 8, the bank said on Monday.



At its last meeting in August, the bank cut its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points to 12.75% from 13.00% previously.



(Reporting by George Obulutsa; Editing by Kim Coghill)

XRWAJLZOAVK3DL2J5JMRWBBQ6A

Kenya central bank to hold its next rate-setting meeting on Oct 8

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-506008" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1604532787-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ugandan shilling and US dollars in the draw at a foreign exchange currency bureau in Kampala, Uganda, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Uganda&#8217;s central bank said it stands ready to act if the World Bank&#8217;s decision to halt new funding over the country&#8217;s passage of anti-LGBTQ legislation impacts the currency further. Photographer: Luke Dray/Bloomberg via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Sept 13 (Reuters) &#8211; The Ugandan shilling was broadly stable on Friday with a slight bias on the stronger side, driven by scant appetite for hard currency, traders said.



At 0923 GMT commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,710/3,720, little-changed from Thursday&#8217;s close of 3,712/3,722.



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Aaron Ross)

Ugandan Economy Following Rate Cut

Ugandan shilling stable on scant hard currency demand

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="720" height="425" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ANCK25OQIFMHTJYACOM5XU5T24.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-498541" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ANCK25OQIFMHTJYACOM5XU5T24.jpg 720w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ANCK25OQIFMHTJYACOM5XU5T24-300x177.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ANCK25OQIFMHTJYACOM5XU5T24-152x90.jpg 152w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kenya shilling coins and notes are pictured inside a cashier&#8217;s booth at a forex exchange bureau in Kenya&#8217;s capital Nairobi, April 20, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Sept 13 (Reuters) &#8211; The Kenyan shilling edged lower against the dollar on Friday, according to data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), though it remained within a stable range seen over the past month.



LSEG data, as of 0854 GMT on Friday, showed the Kenyan shilling trading at 128.50/129.50 to the dollar, a slight dip from Thursday&#8217;s closing rate of 128.30/129.30.



Traders forecast the shilling to remain stabile in the upcoming week, following its strong rally earlier this year. The rally was attributed to easing concerns over a potential default by the East African nation on a $2 billion Eurobond due in June.



(Reporting by Hereward Holland; Editing by Bate Felix)

Kenyan shilling inches lower versus dollar, LSEG data shows

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/F4TO3YKQWNK6NCNXZJUQ2UEGC4-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-423316" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/F4TO3YKQWNK6NCNXZJUQ2UEGC4-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/F4TO3YKQWNK6NCNXZJUQ2UEGC4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/F4TO3YKQWNK6NCNXZJUQ2UEGC4-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/F4TO3YKQWNK6NCNXZJUQ2UEGC4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/F4TO3YKQWNK6NCNXZJUQ2UEGC4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/F4TO3YKQWNK6NCNXZJUQ2UEGC4-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: A man walks past the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, U.S., May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Sept 13 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;A team of staff from the International Monetary Fund is visiting Kenya on a fact-finding trip, the IMF said late on Thursday, part of efforts to craft a way forward in the wake of deadly protests that scuppered the government&#8217;s planned tax hikes.



President William Ruto abandoned this year&#8217;s finance bill in June, leaving the heavily indebted government with a bigger budget deficit for this financial year, mounting unpaid bills, and a delay in disbursement of IMF funding.



&#8220;This is a fact-finding mission and is part of our ongoing and constructive dialogue with the Kenyan authorities to find a balanced path forward,&#8221; Julie Kozack, the head of communications for the IMF, told a news briefing.



She did not provide more details, saying further updates will be given when the team completes its mission.



Kenya agreed a four-year loan with the IMF in 2021, and signed up for additional lending to support climate change measures in May 2023, taking its total IMF loan access to $3.6 billion.



The IMF requires regular reviews of reforms &#8211; in Kenya&#8217;s case every six months &#8211; before it releases tranches of funding.



Kenya reached a staff level agreement with the IMF in June on the seventh review of its programme, but the protest and ensuing withdrawal of the finance bill put a sign-off by the fund&#8217;s executive board, and subsequent payout, on hold.



Kenyan government officials have previously said they expect the IMF board to consider approving the disbursement of a $600 million tranche later this month, but no date has been set for a meeting to discuss this.



(Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Karin Strohecker and Christina Fincher)

FILE PHOTO: Man walks past the IMF logo at HQ in Washington

IMF staff in Kenya for fact-finding mission after protests

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="429" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820x429.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-519304" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-820x429.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-300x157.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-160x84.jpg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-768x402.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E-1536x804.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LYEEWJTJKRPK3GJPCKWFP3EK7E.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A teller counts Kenya shilling notes inside the cashier&#8217;s booth at a forex exchange bureau in Kenya&#8217;s capital Nairobi, April 20, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Sept 12 (Reuters) &#8211; The Kenyan shilling was flat on Thursday despite a slight pickup in foreign-currency demand, and traders said it was expected to remain in a tight range.



As of 0857 GMT, LSEG data showed the shilling at 128.50/129.50 to the dollar, the same as Wednesday&#8217;s closing level.



&#8220;We&#8217;re seeing some increased (dollar) demand from oils and corporates, but generally we&#8217;re stuck within a range. &#8230; It&#8217;s likely to stay that way for the next few days,&#8221; one trader said.



(Reporting by Hereward Holland; Editing by Alexander Winning)

Kenyan shilling stable and seen staying that way, traders say

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-422955" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-924883576-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Uganda shillings. Uganda. (Photo by: Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Sept 12 (Reuters) &#8211; The Ugandan shilling was little-changed on Thursday, but was under a little pressure from an uptick in appetite for hard currency by firms in the manufacturing and energy sectors, traders said.



At 0840 GMT commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,715/3,725, compared to Wednesday&#8217;s close of 3,713/3,723.



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Hereward Holland)

Ugandan shilling little-changed, under pressure

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TE3RFSDQENJTFFYC6SW6PIPCBE-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-529685" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TE3RFSDQENJTFFYC6SW6PIPCBE-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TE3RFSDQENJTFFYC6SW6PIPCBE-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TE3RFSDQENJTFFYC6SW6PIPCBE-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TE3RFSDQENJTFFYC6SW6PIPCBE-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TE3RFSDQENJTFFYC6SW6PIPCBE-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TE3RFSDQENJTFFYC6SW6PIPCBE-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters building is seen ahead of the IMF/World Bank spring meetings in Washington, U.S., April 8, 2019. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Sept 12 (Reuters) &#8211; The start of commercial crude oil production in Uganda is expected to propel economic growth into double digits in the next financial year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.



Uganda&#8217;s economy would race to 10.8% growth in the 2025/2026 fiscal year which starts in July, up from a projection of 6.2% in the previous period, the IMF said in a report published late on Wednesday.



&#8220;Growth is expected to strengthen, boosted by the start of oil production, which will make (a) lasting improvement (to) the fiscal and current account balances,&#8221; the IMF said in the report.



After nearly 20 years of delay, the east African country is finally expected to commence production and export of crude oil next year from fields in its west.



Commercial reserves were discovered in 2006 but a range of factors including disputes with oil firms over development strategy and lack of requisite infrastructure had delayed production.



At peak Uganda is seen pumping 240,000 barrels of oil per day from its reserves, which are estimated at 6.5 billion barrels.



The IMF said Uganda&#8217;s foreign exchange (FX) reserves had continued to decline, and urged intervention by the central bank including a &#8220;reduction in government imports, along with stepped up FX purchases and greater exchange rate flexibility.&#8221;



The country&#8217;s FX reserves fell to $3.2 billion in June, down from $3.7 billion in December 2023, because of the high cost of servicing debt, the government&#8217;s inability to secure cheap credit, and limited hard currency purchases, the IMF said.



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Hereward Holland and Lincoln Feast.)

FILE PHOTO: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters building is seen ahead of the IMF/World Bank spring meetings in Washington

Crude oil production to thrust Uganda’s economic growth into double digits – IMF

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NFMNXYOFQBOCDPJ4CHX7OU26YQ-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-529427" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NFMNXYOFQBOCDPJ4CHX7OU26YQ-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NFMNXYOFQBOCDPJ4CHX7OU26YQ-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NFMNXYOFQBOCDPJ4CHX7OU26YQ-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NFMNXYOFQBOCDPJ4CHX7OU26YQ-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NFMNXYOFQBOCDPJ4CHX7OU26YQ.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Uganda&#8217;s Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija displays a briefcase carrying National Budget 2024/25 before presenting it to the nation during a budget speech at Kololo airstrip in Kampala, Uganda, June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Michael Muhati/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Sept 11 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Uganda plans to issue new oil and gas exploration licences in the 2025/2026 (July-June) fiscal year to help boost investments in the sector and overall economic growth, the finance minister said on Wednesday.



The east African country&#8217;s last licensing round, launched in 2019 concluded early last year. It handed out the last two of five blocks on offer.



&#8220;Accelerating investments in oil and gas will be instrumental in contributing to faster growth of Uganda next financial year,&#8221; Matia Kasaija said in a speech laying out priorities for the country in the 2025/2026 financial year.



To achieve higher investments in the petroleum sector and overall growth, the government would issue additional exploration licences to increase production volumes, he said.



Uganda plans to start commercial production of oil next year from existing fields in the Albertine Graben basin in the country&#8217;s west.



The government says only about 40% of the Graben has been explored so far, where an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of oil have been found.



France&#8217;s TotalEnergies, with 56.7% equity is majority owner of the fields and its other partners include China&#8217;s CNOOC 0883.HK and state-run Uganda National Oil Company UNOC.



Kasaija also said Uganda&#8217;s debt load remained &#8220;sustainable,&#8221; despite credit downgrades by ratings agencies. He said the country was committed maintaining its debt to GDP ratio below 50%.



In late August, Fitch cut Uganda&#8217;s rating to B from B+, citing its &#8220;reduced access to concessional financing, high domestic borrowing costs and a decline in foreign-exchange reserves.&#8221;



Fitch&#8217;s move followed Moody&#8217;s that also downgraded Uganda&#8217;s rating to B3 from B2 in May, citing Uganda&#8217;s &#8220;diminished debt affordability.&#8221;



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Ros Russell)

NFMNXYOFQBOCDPJ4CHX7OU26YQ

Uganda say it will offer new oil exploration licences next fiscal year

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="429" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HCVRNAVJRJMOJBUK4XOB7PEJGY-820x429.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-506011" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HCVRNAVJRJMOJBUK4XOB7PEJGY-820x429.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HCVRNAVJRJMOJBUK4XOB7PEJGY-300x157.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HCVRNAVJRJMOJBUK4XOB7PEJGY-160x84.jpg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HCVRNAVJRJMOJBUK4XOB7PEJGY-768x402.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HCVRNAVJRJMOJBUK4XOB7PEJGY.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A teller serves a client with Kenya shilling notes at the cashier&#8217;s booth of a forex exchange bureau in Kenya&#8217;s capital Nairobi, April 20, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



NAIROBI, Sept 11 (Reuters) &#8211; The Kenyan shilling was unchanged against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, LSEG data showed, extending a recent period of stability that has lasted about a month.



At 1040 GMT the shilling was quoted at 128.50/129.50 to the dollar, the same as Tuesday&#8217;s closing level.



The currency rallied strongly in the first half of 2024 as concerns eased that the East African country would default on a $2 billion Eurobond that matured in June, but it lost momentum from April onwards.



(Reporting by Hereward Holland; Editing by Alexander Winning)

HCVRNAVJRJMOJBUK4XOB7PEJGY

Kenyan shilling unchanged against dollar, LSEG data shows

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UGANDA-SHILLING.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-524644" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UGANDA-SHILLING.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UGANDA-SHILLING-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UGANDA-SHILLING-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UGANDA-SHILLING-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Uganda shillings. Uganda. (Photo by: Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



KAMPALA, Sept 11 (Reuters) &#8211; The Ugandan shilling was stable on Wednesday, supported by muted demand for dollars as some players held onto their local currency to meet pending mid-month tax payments, traders said.



At 0933 GMT commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,710/3,720, same level as Tuesday&#8217;s close.



(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Hereward Holland)

East Africa

Ugandan shilling slightly weaker on importer demand

Kenya’s shilling eases versus dollar – LSEG data

Kenyan shilling holds steady with tourism and manufacturing dollar inflows

Kenya forecasts budget deficit will fall to 3.5% of GDP next fiscal year

Ugandan shilling stable as remittance FX inflows lend support

Kenya begins national debt audit, finance minister says

Kenya’s shilling stable; tea sector FX inflows to boost

Kenya central bank to hold its next rate-setting meeting on Oct 8

Ugandan shilling stable on scant hard currency demand

Kenyan shilling inches lower versus dollar, LSEG data shows

IMF staff in Kenya for fact-finding mission after protests

Kenyan shilling stable and seen staying that way, traders say

Ugandan shilling little-changed, under pressure

Crude oil production to thrust Uganda’s economic growth into double digits – IMF

Uganda say it will offer new oil exploration licences next fiscal year

Kenyan shilling unchanged against dollar, LSEG data shows

Ugandan shilling stable as pending taxes offer support

News Tips

Advertise With Us

East Africa

Ugandan shilling slightly weaker on importer demand

Kenya’s shilling eases versus dollar – LSEG data

Kenyan shilling holds steady with tourism and manufacturing dollar inflows

Kenya forecasts budget deficit will fall to 3.5% of GDP next fiscal year

Ugandan shilling stable as remittance FX inflows lend support

Kenya begins national debt audit, finance minister says

Kenya’s shilling stable; tea sector FX inflows to boost

Kenya central bank to hold its next rate-setting meeting on Oct 8

Ugandan shilling stable on scant hard currency demand

Kenyan shilling inches lower versus dollar, LSEG data shows

IMF staff in Kenya for fact-finding mission after protests

Kenyan shilling stable and seen staying that way, traders say

Ugandan shilling little-changed, under pressure

Crude oil production to thrust Uganda’s economic growth into double digits – IMF

Uganda say it will offer new oil exploration licences next fiscal year

Kenyan shilling unchanged against dollar, LSEG data shows

Ugandan shilling stable as pending taxes offer support

News Tips

Advertise With Us

Newsletters