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Russia Moves to Block WhatsApp, New SME Platform 'Loam' Launches, and Instagram Head Testifies in Court
Russia is attempting to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to compel over 100 million users to adopt a state-owned surveillance application. Separately, a new digital payments and trade finance platform named Loam has been launched by Agridex International and Tradeflow Capital Management. Loam is aimed at supporting SMEs in Kenya and Africa, particularly in the agricultural and commodity sectors. In the US, the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, testified in a California court to defend his platform against claims it causes mental health damage to minors. Mosseri argued that extensive social media use is not addiction, though he described 16 hours of daily use as "problematic."
CIC Insurance Sells Land for KShs 1.8bn as Kenya's EV Fleet and Forex Course Demand Surge
CIC Insurance Group has generated KShs 1.8 billion from the sale of two land parcels near Tatu City and in Kajiado County, a move intended to bolster the company's financial standing. In other economic news from Kenya, the country's electric vehicle fleet reached 35,000 by the end of 2025, surging from 5,294 in 2024. This growth is primarily attributed to the widespread adoption of electric motorcycles and a rise in electric buses. Additionally, demand for forex trading courses is surging in Kenya, driven by a shift in how Kenyans view income and global markets toward structured education.
