Absa Bank Uganda Buys StanChart Unit; PZ Cussons Invests Sh150mn in Kenya; China Boosts Ethiopian Coffee Imports - October 2025

Several significant business deals have been announced across Africa. In Uganda, Absa Bank Uganda has signed an agreement to acquire the Wealth and Retail Banking business from Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, a move that will expand Absa's presence. In Kenya, PZ Cussons East Africa announced a significant investment of Sh150 million over the next year to enhance its local operations, including production and innovation to engage younger consumers. On the trade front, China has become the fourth-largest importer of Ethiopian coffee. This represents a significant jump from its seventh-place ranking two years prior, driven by a substantial increase in exports during the first quarter of Ethiopia's current fiscal year.