East Africa Roundup — Markets, economy and corporate news from the region

EAST AFRICA- There were 40 private equity deals in the region with a reported value of $1.44 billion (Sh147 billion), up from 35 reported a year earlier worth $678 million (Sh69 billion) — Report. Read more…

KENYA- The Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) decision to hold the Kenya Bankers Reference Rate (KBRR) steady during its last policy meeting has left bankers without a clear interest rates-setting signal they need to protect their margins. CBK retained the rate at 9.87 percent. Read more…

KENYA- Cash remittances from Kenyans working abroad rose 9.3 per cent last year cushioning the shilling from further drop. Data from Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) shows diaspora remittances rose to Sh154 billion last year from previous Sh141 billion. Read more…

KENYA- The Kenyan shilling was steady against the dollar on Thursday, mainly due to limp demand for the U.S. currency. At 0635 GMT, commercial banks posted the shilling at 102.20/30 per dollar, unchanged from the previous day’s close. Read more…

TANZANIA- The government has welcomed proposals on the taxes the private sector thinks should be removed to unleash the potential growth of agriculture. Read more…

UGANDA- CBA Uganda has written to the Bank of Uganda (BoU) seeking the green light to launch a savings and loans mobile service by April in collaboration with MTN, one of the country’s leading telecommunications operators. Read more…