Senior U.S. officials have identified complex tax policies, high business costs, and regulatory bottlenecks as significant barriers hindering new American investments in Kenya. The concerns were raised during the Mandela Washington Alumni Forum on U.S.-Africa Commercial Partnerships in Nairobi.

• $3.3 billion: The estimated total of U.S. investment and trade linkages with Kenya in 2024.
• Sarah Troutman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, highlighted regulatory issues and high energy costs as major deterrents.
• The U.S. embassy is actively offering technical expertise to help Kenyan authorities simplify regulations, improve tax and customs administration, and create a more predictable investment environment.

India and the United Kingdom's Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) officially came into force on Wednesday, July 20, aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two nations.

• The agreement eliminates tariffs on 96.8 percent of UK tariff lines, offering Indian exporters easier access to the British market across sectors like textiles, leather, and engineering goods.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the pact, anticipating strengthened economic ties and a boost for Indian farmers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
• British businesses will see phased tariff reductions and quotas on products such as automobiles and better access to India's financial services, education, and government procurement markets, estimated at £90 billion annually.

AliExpress has been hit with a record €550 million fine by the European Union for failing to prevent the sale of illegal and unsafe products on its platform.

• The fine is the highest ever imposed under the Digital Services Act.
• The European Commission cited deficiencies in AliExpress's detection and enforcement systems.
• AliExpress, owned by Alibaba, stated the fine is "disproportionate" and plans to appeal.