Kenya’s President William Ruto has delayed signing a proposed trade agreement with China, amid pressure from the United States. The move reflects Kenya’s effort to balance strategic trade relations with both nations while considering broader diplomatic priorities. The delay comes as Kenya seeks to maintain access to key US trade programmes, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Thami Ngubeni spoke to Channel Africa’s Correspondent in Kenya, Alex Kiarie.

Kenya&rsquo;s President William Ruto has delayed signing a proposed trade agreement with China, amid pressure from the United States. The move reflects Kenya&rsquo;s effort to balance strategic trade relations with both nations while considering broader diplomatic priorities. The delay comes as Kenya seeks to maintain access to key US trade programmes, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Thami Ngubeni spoke to Channel Africa&rsquo;s Correspondent in Kenya, Alex Kiarie.

In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks & market updates.

In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks &amp; market updates.

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Africa in Business

Ruto delays signing proposed trade agreement with China amid pressure from the US

Ghana’s government paid $1.47 billion in 2025 to settle legacy energy sector debts, restoring a depleted World Bank guarantee and clearing arrears owed to power producers. The West African nation’s power sector has long struggled with unpaid debts, which contributed to widespread electricity outages.

 

Last year, President John Dramani Mahama pledged to reduce the $2.5 billion owed to independent power producers and gas suppliers. In response, the Independent Power Producers described the debt clearance as a major milestone, saying it will help restore financial stability and operational confidence across the sector. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Dr Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Chief Executive Officer of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Ghana.

Ghana&rsquo;s government paid $1.47 billion in 2025 to settle legacy energy sector debts, restoring a depleted World Bank guarantee and clearing arrears owed to power producers. The West African nation&rsquo;s power sector has long struggled with unpaid debts, which contributed to widespread electricity outages.
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Last year, President John Dramani Mahama pledged to reduce the $2.5 billion owed to independent power producers and gas suppliers. In response, the Independent Power Producers described the debt clearance as a major milestone, saying it will help restore financial stability and operational confidence across the sector. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Dr Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Chief Executive Officer of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Ghana.

Ghana's government paid $1.47 billion in 2025 to settle legacy energy sector debts

Just twelve days into 2026, the year is already unfolding at a rapid pace. Early January saw Venezuela’s oil industry plunge into geopolitical turmoil after a US military operation that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro on 3 January. In southern Africa, South Africa is marking a major milestone, celebrating more than 240 consecutive days without power blackouts. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has begun construction on what is set to become Africa’s largest airport, a flagship project designed to strengthen the country’s position as a regional aviation and logistics hub.

Against this backdrop, the International Monetary Fund projects that Africa will host more high-growth economies than any other continent in 2026. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open for Business and Africa Bounces Back. Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo.

Just twelve days into 2026, the year is already unfolding at a rapid pace. Early January saw Venezuela&rsquo;s oil industry plunge into geopolitical turmoil after a US military operation that led to the capture of President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro on 3 January. In southern Africa, South Africa is marking a major milestone, celebrating more than 240 consecutive days without power blackouts. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has begun construction on what is set to become Africa&rsquo;s largest airport, a flagship project designed to strengthen the country&rsquo;s position as a regional aviation and logistics hub.
Against this backdrop, the International Monetary Fund projects that Africa will host more high-growth economies than any other continent in 2026. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open for Business and Africa Bounces Back. Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo.

Africa projected to have more high-growth economies than any other continent in 2026

Egypt has signed renewable energy agreements worth a combined $1.8 billion with Norway’s Scatec and China’s Sungrow, as the country steps up its energy transition efforts. The first deal involves a 25-year power purchase agreement between the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company and Scatec, aimed at expanding renewable power generation.

The second agreement, signed with Sungrow, a leading global provider of battery storage technology, provides for the construction of a battery manufacturing plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. The deals support Egypt’s target of increasing the share of renewables in its electricity generation mix to 42% by 2030. Thami Ngubeni spoke to energy analyst Adil Nchabeleng and Professor Sampson Mamphweli, Head of the Energy Secretariat at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).

Egypt has signed renewable energy agreements worth a combined $1.8 billion with Norway&rsquo;s Scatec and China&rsquo;s Sungrow, as the country steps up its energy transition efforts. The first deal involves a 25-year power purchase agreement between the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company and Scatec, aimed at expanding renewable power generation.
The second agreement, signed with Sungrow, a leading global provider of battery storage technology, provides for the construction of a battery manufacturing plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. The deals support Egypt&rsquo;s target of increasing the share of renewables in its electricity generation mix to 42% by 2030. Thami Ngubeni spoke to energy analyst Adil Nchabeleng and Professor Sampson Mamphweli, Head of the Energy Secretariat at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).

Ruto delays signing proposed trade agreement with China amid pressure from the US

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