Kenya is facing intense pressure to secure the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) before its expiration on September 30, 2025, with both African and American stakeholders warning of significant economic repercussions.

• AGOA allows Kenya to export approximately $600 million annually to the U.S., with the apparel sector alone employing over 58,000 people directly.
• The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has urged Congress to renew AGOA alongside Haiti’s HOPE and HELP programs.
• Apparels Manufacturers and Exporters (EPZ) Sector Chair and Board Member of Kenya Association of Manufacturers Pankaj Bedi emphasized that "AGOA is not just a trade framework; it is a symbol of economic partnership."
• In April, Trump imposed a 10% blanket tariff on Kenyan goods, potentially overriding the prospects of AGOA renewal.

The global competition for critical minerals and rare earth elements, vital for clean energy and digital technologies, is intensifying, with Africa becoming a key focal point. This geopolitical scramble is reshaping supply chains and raising concerns about resource control.

• The U.S. lists 50 critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, nickel, and graphite, with rare earth elements crucial for advanced electronics and defense.
• China controls 76% of cobalt processing and 77% of graphite processing, highlighting supply chain concentration.
• Countries like China, the EU, the U.K., Australia, Canada, and the U.S. have introduced laws or strategies to secure these minerals, while Africa is developing its own Green Minerals Strategy, with countries like Zambia and South Africa creating national strategies.
• The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is central to the US-China trade war due to its vast mineral wealth.

A new report by Velex Advisory identifies the top five African countries offering the highest Return on Investment (ROI) for tech startups, highlighting their unique strengths and opportunities for growth.

• Kenya led in funding in 2024 with over $638 million raised, largely driven by fintech and climate tech, with companies like M-KOPA securing over $250 million.
• Nigeria, with its large consumer market of over 220 million people, saw startups raise around $520 million in 2024.
• South Africa attracted over $450 million in startup funding in 2024, with TymeBank's $250 million Series D round being a significant highlight.
• Rwanda is praised for its innovation-friendly environment and government support, despite lower absolute funding volumes.
• Egypt emerged as a key market with its young, digitally engaged population, and MNT-Halan secured $157.5 million in new capital.