A new wave of investment from US financial giants, including Bank of America and Citigroup, is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This investment, totaling over £1.25 billion, reinforces the city's growing reputation as a hub for financial technology.

• Bank of America will establish its first operation in Northern Ireland, creating up to 1,000 new jobs and designating Belfast as a "key hub" for financial technology and security operations.
• Citigroup has pledged an additional £1.1 billion investment across its UK operations, further expanding its presence in Northern Ireland, where it already employs over 4,000 people.
• The investments were announced ahead of President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK and are seen as a sign of international confidence in Belfast’s workforce and digital infrastructure, according to the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

African exports to China surged by 10.2 percent year-on-year to Sh512.5 billion ($39.66 billion) in the first seven months of 2025, driven by Beijing's removal of tariffs on various products. This policy has significantly boosted agricultural exports from several African nations, including Kenya.

• Kenya's macadamia exports to China are projected to reach 2,000 tons by year-end, with the first batch of 54 tons already shipped.
• Director-General for African Affairs Du Xiaohui of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the zero-tariff policy's impact on products like Kenyan avocados and Ethiopian Arabica coffee.
• Goods trade between China and Kenya increased by 11.9 percent in the first quarter of 2025 to 16.13 billion yuan ($2.24 billion), with Kenyan imports growing faster than Chinese exports.

Quality Meat Packers (QMP), a Kenyan meat processor, is expanding its export operations into Gulf Arab states and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This move involves significant partnerships to introduce halal-processed meat products to new international markets.

• QMP signed deals with Lulu Hypermarket and Nesto Group in the Gulf, and Kin Marché supermarkets in the DRC.
• Managing Director Diamond Velji emphasized placing a Kenyan brand on the global stage.
• The expansion into the Gulf targets countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, leveraging the region's nearly 85 percent food import dependency.
• Entry into the DRC through Kin Marché will focus on expanding into Kinshasa, a city with over 15 million inhabitants.
• QMP's product line includes halal-certified beef, lamb, mutton, and chicken, along with value-added products like cubes and samosas, catering to health-conscious and brand-aware consumers.