Business

BEIJING | Xinhua | China’s private sector saw robust industrial output growth in the first quarter of 2025, with its investment in manufacturing and innovation-driven development also accelerating. The sector, constituting more than 90 percent of enterprises in the world’s second-largest economy, has forged ahead with steady expansion as the …

My perspective shifted, much like the blind man in the biblical story who shouted, “I can see!” COMMENT | IAN RUMANYIKA | For 12 years, I worked within the walls of the Uganda Revenue Authority, with a slogan before me, “Developing Uganda Together and the weight of responsibility”. My role …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Bankers Association (UBA) has launched the Anti-Fraud Consortium to combat financial cyber crimes.   The consortium brings together regulators, supervised financial institutions, payment providers, law enforcement, and the public to anticipate, detect, prevent and respond to financial fraud with clarity and consistency. Twinemanzi …

BEIJING | Xinhua | China is implementing a series of targeted measures to foster a favorable environment for private enterprises and promote growth in the private sector, said an official with the country’s top economic planner. These initiatives focus on easing financing constraints, boosting investment, promoting trade, enhancing talent development …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Airtel Uganda, in partnership with MOGO Uganda and Transsion Holdings, has launched an innovative smartphone financing initiative aimed at making quality smartphones more accessible and affordable to Ugandans across the country. In a bold move to address the persistent “device divide”, the economic barrier …

Nakasongola, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the business arm of the UPDF, has, in conjunction with STREIT (U) Ltd, launched their first armoured vehicle showroom outside their Nakasongola factory. NEC-Streit, a joint venture between the two companies, was formed in 2022 to produce armoured vehicles, …

The decision drew criticism from U.S. tech giants but was welcomed by consumers. BRUSSELS | Xinhua |  The European Union (EU) on Wednesday imposed fines totaling 700 million euros (798.7 million U.S. dollars) on American tech giants Apple and Meta, a move expected to intensify already strained transatlantic trade relations. …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | PostBank Uganda has recorded a 24% growth in its agribusiness loan book between 2023 and 2024, reflecting the bank’s robust commitment to transforming Uganda’s agricultural sector. “This growth is a testament to the success of PostBank’s strategic shift toward value chain financing and risk …

The West African nation is shaking up its gold sector with bold reforms aimed at keeping more wealth at home. But can it sustain investor confidence while tightening the screws on foreign miners? SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Mali is playing a high-stakes game with its gold sector, shaking …

Bell Flavors amps up Soroti’s De Chillaz 2-year Street Jam Soroti, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Easter Sunday in Soroti was anything but sleepy, as Bell Flavors turned De Chillaz Lounge’s 2nd Anniversary Street Jam into an unforgettable celebration. The open-air street bash had revellers sipping on complimentary and discounted …