Ride-hailing users in Kenya will soon face higher fares following a directive from President William Ruto to implement minimum fare regulations for platforms like Uber and Bolt.

• The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is tasked with implementing the regulations.
• The move aims to cushion transport operators from escalating operating costs, particularly rising fuel prices.
• The directive follows pressure from drivers and matatu operators concerned about shrinking earnings due to fare competition and increased expenses.

At the Africa Soft Power Summit 2026, leaders discussed how Africa can gain a larger share of the global AI economy, moving beyond being just a consumer market.

• Leaders emphasized the need for Africa to control its own AI infrastructure, data, platforms, and capital, rather than solely consuming technologies developed elsewhere.
• Key figures like Alex Okosi (Managing Director for Africa at Google) and Snehar Shah (CEO of iXAfrics Data Centers) highlighted the continent's underrepresentation in digital infrastructure, despite vast untapped resources like Kenya's geothermal energy.
• Experts stressed that Africa must build its AI foundations around data, compute, and talent to address existing biases and capture long-term value, with financial institutions like Standard Chartered Bank Kenya exploring new financing models.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance plans to invest $189 million in a new initiative to boost local vaccine manufacturing in Africa. Locally produced vaccines are anticipated to be available starting in 2027.

• Gavi, the African Union, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention are collaborating on the Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA+) initiative.
• This initiative aims to address barriers to vaccine production and aims to procure up to 70 million vaccine doses from African manufacturers.
• The move comes after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted Africa's heavy reliance on imported vaccines, with the continent currently producing only 0.1% of global vaccine supply.

Kenya's workers are experiencing a significant drop in purchasing power, estimated at 12% over the last five years due to rising taxes and the high cost of living.

• Workers' purchasing power has declined by 10.7% to 12%.
• The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) is proposing a 5% reduction in Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) across all income tax bands.
• Statutory deductions include the 1.5% Affordable Housing Levy, 2.75% Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and higher National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contributions.