Insight type: Article

In 2024 and early 2025, global and African M&A activity reflected a clear trend: quality over quantity. While the number of deals declined, the total value of transactions rose, pointing to a focus on high-value, strategic investments.

Tanzania has set ambitious targets as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement, aiming to connect 8.3 million additional households to the grid, increase electricity access from 46% to 75%, and achieve a 75% renewable energy mix by 2030. Following the full commissioning of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project in April 2025, the country’s energy capacity has seen a significant boost, with hydropower now accounting for 67.4% of domestic generation.

In June 2024, Kenya found itself in a fiscal crisis of confidence. For the first time in recent memory, the President declined to assent to the Finance Bill — not with minor reservations, but with a sweeping rejection of all clauses. The move, dramatic and unprecedented, forced a national reckoning: had we taken the annual budget-making process too far from the people it is meant to serve?

Tanzania has experienced significant growth in foreign investments, largely due to the government’s efforts to create an investor-friendly environment. As a result, many legal and contractual documents are being entered into with foreign counterparties, some of which are executed outside of Tanzania. This article aims to highlight the legal formalities that must be followed to ensure that such documents are admissible as evidence in Tanzanian courts in the event of a dispute.

Africa currently accounts for 2–3% of the global M&A market value—a modest share that belies the continent’s immense potential. While foreign investors’ interest in Africa continues to grow, several structural challenges hinder the successful execution of deals. These include limited access to reliable information, currency volatility, diverse and often complex regulatory frameworks, lack of tax certainty, and, in some cases, local ownership requirements. 

Recently, the Kenya Revenue Authority (the KRA) has been aggressive in conducting post clearance audits. A post clearance audit refers to the review conducted by the KRA of the import transactions and records after goods have already been cleared and released from Customs control. The KRA employs post clearance audits as a vital tool to ensure compliance with the Customs legislation by the importers/taxpayers. Other reasons for conducting post clearance audits include protecting tax revenues by identifying revenue leakages and maintaining a level playing field for all the importers.

Africa’s agri-business export sector holds immense potential under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), but realising this promise requires overcoming persistent challenges. Internal infrastructure deficits, complex non-tariff measures, and global trade uncertainties, such as shifting U.S. tariff policies—remain key constraints.

Family businesses are the backbone of many economies worldwide. From small enterprises to large multinational corporations, family-run businesses play an indispensable role in shaping industries, providing employment and driving innovation. However, the unique nature of family dynamics can also pose significant challenges to business success and longevity.

Throughout this series, we have explored some of the most pressing issues that family businesses face: unlocking the family dynamic, remuneration, dispute resolution, corporate governance and profit extraction. In this article, we review how these elements interconnect and offer strategies for overcoming the challenges they present.