Kenya's Treasury is proposing a new tiered structure for the eCitizen convenience fee, potentially doubling the maximum charge from KES 50 to KES 100, aiming to replace the flat fee that was previously struck down by the courts.

• The proposed system introduces fees ranging from free for services under KES 99 to KES 100 for services over KES 100,000.
• This move by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi seeks to provide a legal basis for the fee following judicial challenges.
• The platform, run by three private companies, processes approximately KES 2 billion in transactions daily.

Kenya is set to retire physical motor vehicle logbooks on June 10, 2026, with the launch of the digital eLogbook on the eCitizen platform.

• This transition by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) aims to enhance service delivery and combat fraud.
• The eLogbook will be instantly generated, accessible via eCitizen accounts, and feature QR codes for real-time verification.
• The move is expected to streamline vehicle ownership transfers, asset financing, and deter the use of fake logbooks in criminal activities.

African governments are urged to elevate telecommunications to a core economic pillar and reduce taxes to enhance digital inclusion across the continent.

• The mobile sector contributed US$220 billion to Africa's economy in 2024, yet nearly 75% of people remain offline.
• Mr. Daddy Mukadi, Airtel Africa Chief Regulatory Officer and Chair of GSMA’s Africa Policy Group, is advocating for these changes.
• Key proposals include a two-to-three-year exemption on import duties for entry-level smartphones priced between US$40 and US$150.

Mastercard has partnered with Yellow Card to boost the adoption of stablecoin payments across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA).

• The collaboration will explore new stablecoin use cases including cross-border remittances, B2B payments, digital loyalty programs, and treasury management.
• Key individuals involved include Chris Maurice (speaking on behalf of Yellow Card) and Mete Güney (representing Mastercard).
• Pilot markets will initially include Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.