African payments system taps more States to grow trade, cut forex woes

For companies like Kenya Airways (KQ), the system offers a potential lifeline against persistent issues of blocked funds.

By 3 days ago

Mudavadi meets China's Wang Yi to formalise bilateral deals

Mudavadi’s visit follows President William Ruto's state visit to China in April, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined broad areas of cooperation.

By 2 days ago

Kenyan firms urged to join Algeria Trade Fair

Kenyan businesses have been urged to participate in the upcoming Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algeria.

By 4 days ago

State's double-speak as it blocks licence for top EU tour operator

Europe’s largest tour operator, TUI, has suspended its planned expansion in Kenya, including the development of new hotels, after being denied a crucial charter licence.  

By 5 days ago

Firms feel heat of cost of living crisis as Kenyans cut spending

The Stanbic PMI for May fell below the 50.0 mark for the first time since September last year, signalling a deteriorating economic health.

By 6 days ago

Over 700 firms seek CBK licence amid crackdown on predatory digital lenders

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) revealed the overwhelming interest as it announced the licensing of an additional 41 firms, bringing the total number of regulated lenders to 126.

By 7 days ago

CMA to shake up boards, C-suites of blue-chip firms with new rules

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) is set to crack down on errant listed firms with the new, stringent corporate governance regulations that are poised to become law.

By 9 days ago

Kenya joins China-backed UN-style mediation body

The body is heralded as the world's fastest intergovernmental organisation dedicated to mediation, designed to address state-to-state disputes.

By 14 days ago

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Ruto's economy: World Bank flags missing Gen Z jobs, rising poverty

The World Bank has delivered a mixed economic scorecard on President William Ruto's administration.

By 15 days ago

International mediation body offers 'faster, cheaper' path to justice

Ding said mediation offers a “win-win”solution compared to adversarial litigation or arbitration, which can strain diplomatic relations and drag on for years.

By 15 days ago

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How Africa is fighting global protectionism through AfCFTA

With global protectionism surging, Kenya and other African countries are increasingly looking towards intra-continental trade as a bulwark against this tide.

By 16 days ago

AI-powered humanoids likely to take over factories by 2027, Chinese firm says

The Shenzhen-based company, which specialises in robotics, is currently fine-tuning its research and development efforts to make this vision a reality.

By 16 days ago

Mbadi seeks Kenyans' help for inaugural post-Gen Z protest budget

In a public notice, Mbadi invited Kenyans to submit "budget tips or suggestions" for consideration ahead of his Budget Statement to Parliament on June 12, 2025. 

By 18 days ago

Economic resilience through AfCFTA: Inside Africa's new path to self-sufficiency

Kenya and other African countries are increasingly looking to intra-continental trade through the AfCFTA as a vital bulwark against a surging tide of global protectionism.

By 19 days ago

China-backed mediation body poised to reshape global disputes

This new body aims to offer a flexible alternative for resolving international disagreements amid rising global tensions and challenges to traditional dispute resolution systems.

By 21 days ago

Afreximbank roots for Caribbean-Africa Trade amid rising global tensions

Professor Benedict Oramah emphasised the urgency noting that despite deep historical bonds, trade between the two regions currently stands at less than 1% of their total exports.

By 21 days ago

Lessons Kenya can learn from China's ruling Communist Party

With over seven decades in power, the party emphasises the importance of remembering its "initial aspirations" – to wholeheartedly serve the people.

By 21 days ago

NCBA Group appoints new executive to lead Kenya unit

Tier one lender NCBA Group has appointed international banking executive James Gossip as the new managing director of its Kenyan unit. 

By 21 days ago

Kenya's top lender KCB posts Q1 profit of Sh16.53b, StanChart takes a hit

Kenya’s largest lender by assets, KCB Group, posted an after-tax profit of Sh16.53 billion in the first quarter of the year ending March.

By 22 days ago

Co-op Bank first quarter profit up 5.3pc to Sh6.9b amid expansion push

Co-op Bank has reported a by 5.3 per cent growth in profit after tax for the first quarter of 2025, driven by income growth, as the tier one lender expands its footprint across Kenya and South Sudan.

By 28 days ago

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CBK rejects banks' rate cap claims, digs in on Ruto's loan reforms

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has dismissed commercial lenders' claims that its proposed loan pricing reforms amount to a return to “interest rate capping.”

By 30 days ago

'Ni hao' Kenya roses!: China's flower lovers say yes

Currently, logistical hurdles mean Kenyan flowers are primarily sold on order in China, bypassing the dynamic auction system that defines Dounan's daily rhythm.

By 30 days ago

China's tea festival showcases poverty-fighting model for Kenyan farmers

An integrated approach to value addition, proactive market development, and comprehensive farmer support could offer insights for nations like Kenya.

By 1 month ago

Chinese wine makers aim for global dominance

Once primarily known for its consumption, the nation is now home to ambitious winemakers like Qingdao Huadong, setting their sights on global recognition.

By 1 month ago

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Showdown looms as banks reject CBK's cheap loans reform plan

Banking industry interprets this review process as a form of price control. Under the new radical reforms, the State also proposes to subject banks’ loan mark-ups to regulatory scrutiny.

By 1 month ago

Local banks bet on Pan-African payment system to spur trade

Kenya's leading lenders KCB Group and Equity Group, are strategically aligning with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System to capitalise on intra-African trade.

By 1 month ago

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Direct flights, SGR extension and trade top list of Ruto, Jinping deals

President William Ruto has wrapped up his state visit to China, during which he secured a series of agreements spanning infrastructure, healthcare, security, and trade.

By 1 month ago

Ruto seals China deals, eyes 25,000 jobs for Kenyans

President inks multi-million shilling agreements with seven firms to enhance manufacturing sector. He says country has intensified focus on innovation.

By 1 month ago

Shilling's rally set for dividends season dollar demand test

Listed firms have declared their dividend payouts and set crucial book closure dates for 2025.This is expected to test the resilience of the local currency as demand.

By 1 month ago

Ruto takes Kenya's wishlist to Beijing as trade winds shift

Kenya is one of the countries affected by the punitive tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration, which have sparked a global trade war.

By 1 month ago

Inside Ruto's high-stakes China visit amid raging global trade war

Analysts suggest President Ruto’s visit presents a unique opportunity for Nairobi to leverage the US-China fallout to Kenya’s advantage.

By 1 month ago

World Haemophilia Day: AAR operates special clinic to sensitise untreated bleeding disorders

The clinic aims to improve access to testing for haemophilia, a genetic condition affecting blood clotting in an estimated 1 in 10,000 people globally.

By 1 month ago

Ruto to seek more loans for stalled projects in China visit

Ruto is expected to seek Chinese support in reviving key infrastructure projects that have stalled, including the extension of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway to Malaba.

By 1 month ago

Afrexim pushes for Africa trade bloc as protectionism bites

The African Export-Import Bank is urging African nations to aggressively pursue internal trade integration through AfCFTA as a critical buffer against a rising tide of global protectionism.

By 1 month ago

SBM Bank Kenya swings to Sh12.4m quarter 1 net profit

SBM Bank Kenya Ltd posted an after-tax profit of Sh12.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, reversing a Sh370 million loss recorded last year.

By 1 month ago

Kenyan bankers partner with UK Institute to bolster credit risk management

The Kenya Bankers Association has joined forces with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment to elevate standards in credit risk management within Kenya's banking sector.

By 1 month ago

Kenya backs closer China-Africa ties amid global trade friction, urges diplomat retraining

A senior Kenyan diplomat has called for the retraining of African diplomats to effectively navigate the evolving international landscape.

By 1 month ago

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Trump taps Kenya for pacts in agriculture despite tariff spat

The Trump administration is now prioritising Kenya for food and agriculture agreements despite having imposed tariffs that have strained the trade partnership between Nairobi and Washington.

By 1 month ago

Chinese top milk producer Mengniu sees 'lots of opportunities' in Africa

Analysts see Kenya and other African countries with their significant milk deficit, as a particularly attractive market.

By 2 months ago

CBK rejects Trump currency manipulation claims amid Sh12.9b tariffs hit

CBK Governor Kamau Thugge said that CBK's interventions in the foreign exchange market were aimed at smoothing out volatility, not manipulating the shilling's exchange rate for trade advantage.

By 2 months ago