Business

Just a few years ago, it could answer questions or generate text. Today, it can write computer code, analyse vast amounts of data, create realistic images and videos, and help scientists discover new medicines and increasingly act on its own with little human supervision.

As cybercriminals increasingly target the valuable information stored inside smartphones rather than the devices themselves, basic security practices are no longer optional.

The directive mandates that all imported cargo be insured locally through the new digital system, replacing previous structures where importers often sourced cover externally.

The event, hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation, focuses on unlocking agri-tech solutions while addressing regulatory bottlenecks and financing gaps that continue to slow agricultural transformation across Africa.

Earlier in the year, inflation stood at 4.4 per cent in January, eased to 4.3 per cent in February, returned to 4.4 per cent in March before climbing steadily in the following months.

The acquisition was completed after the Court of Appeal lifted a conservatory order on June 26, allowing the transaction to proceed.

Perhaps most strikingly, an estimated two million children – around one in 10 – said they turn to AI for advice about things that worry them, while 13 million reported using it to help with schoolwork and homework.

The five-year investment plan aims to modernise agriculture, strengthen food security, create more than two million jobs and boost farmer incomes through a Sh1.081 trillion funding framework.

A ransomware attack on Apple supplier Tata Electronics has reportedly exposed more than 200,000 confidential files, including alleged iPhone 18 Pro designs, supplier data and Tesla documents, raising fresh concerns over global supply chain cybersecurity.

Djibril Tobe is a seasoned business leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning telecommunications, fast-moving consumer goods and consulting across multiple African markets, with a strong track record in driving transformation and commercial growth.

The feature, announced by YouTube on Monday, is being introduced within YouTube Studio and uses AI to understand the intent behind comments, helping creators quickly locate discussions, questions and feedback that would previously have been difficult to find using traditional keyword searches.

The latest lawsuit adds to growing regulatory scrutiny of the semiconductor sector as governments seek to ensure fair competition in industries critical to the global digital economy.

Google Gemini ranks second with 10.6 per cent, followed closely by Microsoft Copilot at 9.76 per cent. Perplexity accounts for 4.34 per cent, while Anthropic's Claude holds 3.11 per cent.

WhatsApp has confirmed that username reservations begin this week, enabling users to secure their preferred handle before the feature officially launches.

KIFWA has launched the Digital Marine Cargo Insurance Platform to help importers comply with Kenya's mandatory local marine insurance requirement, streamline cargo clearance and digitise trade compliance from July 1, 2026.

The authority warned that submitting applications for new or renewed licences does not automatically guarantee approval, as each application will undergo internal vetting to confirm accuracy.

The DPO comprises a $340 million (Sh44.08 billion) loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and $410 million (Sh53.14 billion) in highly concessional financing from the International Development Association (IDA), including support for refugees and host communities.

The development comes after the Court of Appeal last week lifted conservatory orders that had temporarily stopped the government’s planned sale of the 15 per cent Safaricom stake to Vodacom.

Petitioners argue the National Treasury has no constitutional mandate to raise revenue by selling public assets, urging the High Court to block the proposed 15 per cent Safaricom stake sale to Vodacom.

The Board of Directors said Mohamed was leaving the bank to pursue other career opportunities and announced that it would begin the process of recruiting a substantive Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

The utility says the move will help improve billing accuracy, strengthen revenue collection and support the growing number of high-power users.

FAO forecasts global cereal production to decline by two per cent in 2026 to 2.982 billion tonnes, marking the first drop after record harvests, although ample stocks are expected to cushion global markets from immediate shortages.

The Finance Bill had proposed moving the inputs from zero-rated to exempt status, a shift that manufacturers warned would have increased production costs by denying them the ability to recover input VAT.

Estimates that close to 655 million people globally still lack electricity, while about two billion rely on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking, exposing them to severe health risks.

Anthropic confirmed it had been notified by the US government that Mythos 5 could once again be deployed, but only to a carefully vetted group of organisations responsible for operating and defending critical infrastructure.

Major oil-producing countries in the Middle East have also accelerated production in response to the improved security situation.

President Ruto said the fund has also mobilised more than Sh6 billion in savings from beneficiaries who had previously been excluded from the formal banking system.

President William Ruto noted that Kenya's MSME financing gap stands at about Sh3 trillion, adding that the government alone cannot bridge the shortfall.

President Ruto said the government has also digitised thousands of public services to reduce bureaucracy and improve access for entrepreneurs.

Memory manufacturers are increasingly prioritising production of premium AI memory products because they generate significantly higher profit margins than conventional DRAM chips used in consumer devices.

The feature is expected to roll out gradually, meaning not all subscribers will see the prompt immediately.

The new prices will take effect on August 1, 2026, with Xbox console prices increasing by US$100 (about Sh13,000) for 512GB models and US$150 (about Sh19,500) for 1TB models worldwide.

As discussions continue, stakeholders are focused on ensuring that policy decisions are both technically sound and operationally feasible, with full implementation expected in November 2026.

The decision marks a significant victory for the National Treasury, which has argued that the suspension of the deal was undermining its financing plans and sending negative signals to investors.

The report recommends greater use of digital tools in governance, including artificial intelligence, data analytics and e-government platforms, alongside comprehensive digital literacy programmes to bridge the urban–rural technology gap

The RETRADE-EA programme will finance critical energy infrastructure alongside institutional reforms needed to facilitate efficient regional electricity trade.

The initiative is expected to contribute to broader regional economic integration by creating a stronger financial foundation for trade, investment and sustainable development across East Africa and the Horn of Africa.

WhatsApp is rolling out a new security feature that warns users about unknown contacts before a chat is opened, helping them identify potential scams, impersonation attempts, and suspicious messages before engaging.

Noting that cybercriminals are already exploiting AI to automate attacks and generate disinformation, she called for joint action among African governments, policymakers, innovators, researchers, industry leaders, cybersecurity practitioners and development partners to ensure a secure digital Africa.

The regulations require manufacturers to implement audited safety management systems covering the full life cycle of an automated driving system.

The President noted that the convention centre project is nearing completion and revealed that the next phase of development will include the construction of a hotel within the complex, followed by three additional hotels.

CBK described DhowCSD as a systemically important infrastructure aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, expanding digital access and improving monetary policy operations.

The report notes that the long-term decline in poverty has been driven largely by growth that created jobs, increased incomes and expanded access to essential services.

According to Standard Bank’s Psyche of Africa’s Wealthiest report, ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) are now being created at a faster pace in markets such as Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana, where entrepreneurship and adaptability are replacing inheritance as the primary drivers of wealth.

The allegations, outlined in a letter sent to US legislators and White House officials, claim that operators linked to Alibaba's AI division, Qwen, conducted approximately 28.8 million interactions with Claude between April and June this year.

A major constraint is fiscal and tax unpredictability, with frequent policy shifts and inconsistent incentives creating uncertainty for investors and weakening long-term planning for pharmaceutical manufacturers seeking to scale operations.

It attributes the contraction to a more than $8 billion (Sh1.04 trillion) reduction in a single year, 2025, driven largely by deep cuts from the United States following the closure of the USAID programme and broader reductions in development spending by Western donors, including Germany.

A Florida teenager said YouTube's addictive design contributed to depression, anxiety and sleep loss. Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok are also facing similar allegations about their impact on young users.

The report showed that most cyber offences reported in Nairobi involved intentionally withholding electronic payment delivered erroneously, unauthorised access to computer systems, computer fraud and cyber harassment.

The plan is anchored on three pillars: scale-up and diversification of local production capacity, accelerated regulatory reforms, and stronger demand generation to ensure market stability and investor confidence.