Category
Finance
NCBA-Nedbank Buyout Clears Two More Regional Regulatory Hurdles
South Africa's Nedbank Group has received unconditional clearance from two major regional competition bodies — the CCCC and the EACCA — for its planned 66 percent acquisition of NCBA Group. The Sh110 billion deal, first announced in January, is now on track to close by the end of 2026.
Micro Traders Push M-Pesa Pochi Users Past Kenya's Business Tills
Safaricom's M-Pesa Pochi wallet has overtaken business tills in merchant numbers, reaching 2.1 million users by March 2026 — double its count from a year earlier. Fuelled by food vendors, kiosk owners, and boda boda operators, Pochi's 86 percent revenue growth signals a decisive shift in how Kenya's informal economy handles digital payments.
Iran-Israel War Fallout Deepens Kenya's Debt Servicing Burden
Kenya's debt-servicing burden is set to worsen as the Iran-Israel conflict drives borrowing costs higher across Africa. With interest payments projected to reach 1.25 trillion shillings and inflation climbing to 6.7 percent in May, Treasury CS John Mbadi has warned that a spending review may be unavoidable if hostilities continue.
Kenya Mobile Money Tops 53 Million as M-Pesa Faces 16% VAT Threat
Kenya's mobile money subscriptions surpassed 53 million in March 2026 even as the government proposes a controversial 16% VAT on M-Pesa transactions.
Kenya Raises Minimum Bank Capital Tenfold to KSh 10 Billion
Kenya has raised the minimum core capital for commercial banks from KSh 1 billion to KSh 10 billion, putting at least ten lenders under immediate pressure.
Kenya Opens Banking Sector to New Lenders After 10-Year Freeze
The Central Bank of Kenya has ended a decade-long ban on new commercial bank licences, opening the market to fresh competition from July 2025.
Kenya Bonds Go Global as CBK Launches Clearstream Market Link
Kenya's Central Bank has connected the country's bond market to international investors through Clearstream, removing local account barriers for global buyers.
Family Bank Hits NSE in Kenya's Biggest Listing in 17 Years
Family Bank shares soared 44% on their NSE debut, valuing the lender at KSh 43.24 billion in Kenya's largest private-sector listing in 17 years.
Kenya Adopts KESONIA as New Benchmark for Variable Loan Rates
Kenya's Central Bank replaced the CBR with KESONIA as the base rate for variable shilling loans, aligning the country with global financial benchmarks.