Kenya and Uganda are pushing to expand maize trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, with Kenyan Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Kagwe saying Uganda is well positioned to supply part of Kenya's maize requirements. However, Kagwe urged Uganda to strengthen post-harvest handling, particularly maize drying, to address concerns over moisture content and aflatoxin contamination, stressing the need for safe, aflatoxin-free grain in cross-border trade.

The Kenyan government has announced a package of measures to address a milk supply shortage that has reduced the availability of several processed milk brands on retail shelves. Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said inadequate rainfall in key agricultural zones had limited fodder supplies, creating the main bottleneck in raw milk production. Speaking at a press conference, Mueke said the state is working with dairy value chain stakeholders to support producers directly and stabilise supply lines.

Kenya's Industrialisation Principal Secretary Mukhwana said the country is reviewing trade ties with India, citing a 14-to-1 trade imbalance he said has roughly doubled since a similar figure was quoted four months earlier. According to Kenya Insights, the widening gap is likelier explained by Kenya recently making India a new fuel supplier than by Indian manufacturers declining to invest. The remarks came a day after President Ruto evicted Tata Chemicals from Lake Magadi.

Uganda's manufacturers are facing challenges such as high production costs, limited access to long-term capital, reliance on imported inputs, and fragmented supply chains. To address these issues, they are advocating for enhanced collaboration across supply chains, innovative financing solutions, and increased investment in value addition, according to The Independent.

Coffee farmers in Uganda's Greater Masaka region are calling for government intervention as a prolonged dry spell leaves their crops withering, according to NTV Uganda. The dry conditions are affecting both farms and households, raising concerns about the potential impact on Uganda's coffee exports, which surpassed eight million bags by July.

Kenyan President William Ruto has issued a directive targeting foreign-owned small businesses, causing anxiety among traders across East Africa, particularly Ugandans operating in Kenya. According to NTV Kenya, civil society organisations have challenged the move as unconstitutional. Commentator Kiwala Caroline Tahir, writing for Watchdog Uganda, argues the directive should serve as a wake-up call for Uganda to strengthen its domestic business environment so that its traders can build sustainable enterprises at home rather than depending on opportunities abroad.