Author: Ableditor

From premium transport and corporate mobility to digital booking, Isura Car Hire and Tours founder Christopher Isura is building a business around changing customer expectations in Kenya’s car rental industry Kenya’s car hire industry is evolving as tourism, corporate travel and demand for convenient mobility create opportunities for businesses offering more than vehicle rentals. Customers increasingly seek reliable transport, flexible booking options and personalised experiences, from airport transfers and executive travel to weddings and luxury occasions. For Chris Isura, founder and chief executive officer of Isura Car Hire and Tours, meeting these expectations has become central to his entrepreneurial strategy.…

South African researchers have developed an artificial intelligence system that uses light itself to recognise information, a breakthrough that could contribute to faster and more efficient communications technologies. The research was conducted by scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) in Johannesburg and demonstrates how specially structured light can be analysed without first capturing a detailed image. The development, described by the university as a light-powered brain, combines principles from artificial intelligence and physics to identify information encoded in complex optical patterns. The research was published in the journal Nature Communications in October 2026. The team was led…

South Africa has recorded more than 6,000 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in 2026, prompting health authorities to strengthen disease surveillance and encourage vaccination to limit further transmission. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported 6,186 confirmed measles cases between December 29, 2025, and October 4, 2026. In its weekly measles and rubella surveillance report published on October 14, the institute said 553 additional measles cases had been detected since the previous reporting period. The figures highlight the continued public health challenge posed by measles, a highly contagious viral infection that can cause serious complications, particularly among young children and people…

South Africa’s private sector contracted in September as rising fuel costs, weakening demand and supply chain disruptions placed additional pressure on businesses, raising concerns about the country’s economic recovery. The S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 49.0 in September from 50.5 in August, signalling a return to contraction. A reading below 50 indicates that business activity is declining. According to data published on October 5, 2026, the downturn was accompanied by a sharp decline in new orders, with companies reporting weaker customer demand amid uncertainty over fuel prices and broader economic conditions. David Owen, principal economist…

ZAMBIA and the United States have signed a $2.49 billion health financing agreement aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, expanding the medical workforce and improving the country’s capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. The agreement, signed on October 8, 2026, provides for a US contribution of $1.52 billion, while the Zambian government has committed $975 million to its healthcare system over five years. According to the Associated Press, Zambia’s Health Minister, Roma Chilengi, said the agreement would support the recruitment of 40,000 healthcare workers during the implementation period. The proposed recruitment drive could help address staffing gaps in healthcare…

ZAMBIA has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a proposed $1.5 billion financing programme, marking a new phase in the country’s efforts to strengthen economic stability and sustain its recovery. The agreement was announced on October 9, 2026, following an IMF mission to Lusaka that took place between September 29 and October 9. According to Reuters, the proposed three-year Extended Credit Facility is intended to preserve macroeconomic stability, strengthen economic resilience and support Zambia’s development objectives. The agreement follows the expiry in January of Zambia’s previous $1.7 billion IMF programme, which supported economic reforms following…

ZAMBIA is stepping up efforts to digitise government services as the country seeks to improve public administration, reduce bureaucratic delays and expand access to essential services through technology. The Information and Communications Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ) has called for the integration of more public services into digital platforms, highlighting the potential of technology to make government operations more efficient. According to reports by the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), ICTAZ Board Committee Member for Operations Malita Kabukabu welcomed progress in implementing the Electronic Government Service Bus, while emphasising the need to connect more government services to the platform. The…

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) has urged Parliament to reject a proposed internet metering bill, warning that the legislation could increase internet costs, threaten digital jobs and raise concerns about consumer privacy. The private sector lobby argues that introducing internet metering could raise the cost of accessing online services, potentially placing an additional financial burden on households, entrepreneurs and businesses that depend on affordable internet connectivity. KEPSA has raised concerns that the proposed legislation could negatively affect Kenya’s digital economy, particularly businesses that rely on affordable and reliable internet to operate. Digital entrepreneurs, technology companies, online content creators and…

NAIROBI, Kenya — The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has increased fuel prices for the period running from October 15 to November 14, 2026, raising the cost of super petrol and diesel. Under the latest monthly review, super petrol prices have increased by Sh12.90 per litre to Sh226.90, while diesel prices have risen by Sh9.90 to Sh226.90 per litre. The new prices are expected to increase transport expenses for motorists, public service vehicle operators and businesses that rely on petroleum products to move people and goods. Higher fuel prices could also put additional pressure on household budgets as transport…

NAIROBI, Kenya — Airfares on (KQ) could increase following a Sh28 per litre rise in kerosene prices, raising concerns over the potential impact of higher fuel costs on the airline’s operating expenses. The increase could place additional pressure on the national carrier, which spent Sh45.5 billion on fuel in 2025, making fuel one of its major operating expenses. A sustained rise in aviation fuel prices could force airlines to review ticket pricing to cushion themselves against escalating costs. However, the extent to which Kenya Airways may adjust its fares will depend on prevailing market conditions, route profitability and the airline’s…