Business
-
Kenya Hits 84.1M Mobile Lines as Safaricom Extends Lead
Kenya’s active mobile subscriptions rose to 84.1 million in the three months to March 2026, reflecting a 7.4 percent increase from the previous quarter. The growth pushed the country’s mobile penetration rate to 157.7 percent, according to the latest sector statistics by the Communications Authority of Kenya for the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial…
-
KCB Opens 22,000 Agents to Airtel Money Customers
Airtel Money customers can now deposit and withdraw cash at more than 22,000 KCB Bank agents across Kenya following a new partnership between the two firms. The move is expected to expand access to financial services while strengthening interoperability in Kenya’s fast-growing digital payments ecosystem. Under the agreement, Airtel Money users will be able to…
-
Shelter Afrique profit rises 20% as lending surges
Shelter Afrique Development Bank reported a 20 percent increase in profitability in 2025 as the pan-African lender expanded financing for affordable housing and urban development projects across the continent. The institution posted a comprehensive profit of $2.14 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, up from $1.79 million recorded in 2024. The improved performance…
-
Funding Gap Threatens Africa’s Blue Economy Potential
Africa’s blue economy has the potential to contribute more than $405 billion annually and support 57 million jobs by 2030, but achieving that growth will require greater investment in marine conservation and coastal communities, participants at a major international ocean forum heard this week. Speaking during the 17th Monaco Blue Initiative and the 2nd Blue…
-
How free M-PESA transactions drove growth in digital payments
Free small-value transactions made up 58 per cent of all M-PESA activity in the 2025/2026 financial year as more Kenyans turned to mobile money for daily payments and transfers. According to Safaricom, the zero-rated transactions under the M-PESA Kadogo initiative reached 17.1 billion during the financial year whose results were announced on May 7. Under…
-
James Mwangi calls for technology-driven trade and inclusion at Africa CEO Forum
Equity Group Managing Director and CEO James Mwangi has called for stronger collaboration between governments, financial institutions and technology firms to support Africa’s digital economy and boost intra-African trade. Speaking during a Tech Breakfast hosted by Equity Group on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa CEO Forum 2026 in Kigali, Mwangi said Africa’s future growth…
-
KfW Becomes ATIDI Shareholder in Move to Boost German Investment in Africa
The German development bank KfW Development Bank has become the latest shareholder in the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance in a bid to strengthen the insurer’s capital base and its capacity to support trade and investment across Africa. KfW joins as the 13th institutional shareholder in ATIDI, a move that signals deeper economic ties…
-
Fuel Theft and Inefficiency Are Costing Kenyan Fleet Owners Millions
By Terry Gathoni Every litre of fuel lost without notice is money gone and for many Kenyan fleet owners, that loss is happening daily. At a time when fuel remains one of the biggest operating costs, even small leakages are adding up fast. Whether through inefficiencies or outright theft, businesses running trucks, vans, or service…
-
Equity Bank Dominates Banking Awards, Named Best Overall in Kenya
Equity Bank has taken the top position in Kenya’s banking sector, emerging as the Overall Best Bank at the Think Business Banking Awards after dominating multiple categories in the latest industry rankings. The bank secured first place in 10 categories, covering retail banking, product innovation, agriculture and livestock financing, asset financing, microfinance and corporate social…
-
EPRA Hikes Electricity Costs as Kenyan Power Bills Jump Up to 30%
Electricity pricing pressure has now fully caught up with households, with fresh adjustments by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) set to push April power bills significantly higher. The new adjustment is adding roughly Sh4.72 per kilowatt-hour above the base tariff and extending the cost burden that had already intensified through rising fuel prices.…
-
KRA Targets Mobile Money in Crackdown on Nil Tax Returns
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is tightening its grip on tax compliance by flagging mobile money transactions linked to taxpayers who continue to file nil returns despite active financial activity. The move signals a shift from trust-based filing to data-backed verification, as the authority leverages digital payment trails to uncover undeclared income and widen the tax…
-
The Man Aiming to Put Africa on the Dairy Map
Born and raised in a humble background in Tetu, Nyeri county, Alex Gathii watched his parents struggle to school him. As a reward to his parents Gathii worked hard in school, performingso well and later joined The University of Nairobi. At the University his passion for agriculture especially dairy farming became his core pursuit. Hegraduated…
-
KAM Welcomes 16-Month AGOA Extension, Calls for Kenya-US Trade Deal
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has welcomed a 16 month retrospective extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), saying the renewal will sustain Kenyan exports to the United States and support business continuity for both countries. In a statement issued Wednesday, KAM said the extension preserves preferential access for Kenyan goods to…
-
How Tanolope Consultancy Is Transforming Dairy Farming Across Africa
Tanolope Consultancy Limited is a leading dairy consultancy working with farmers and dairy enterprises across Africa to improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability. The firm provides dairy farm audits, feeding solutions, training programs, and dairy business advisory services designed for both smallholder and commercial dairy operations. The consultancy was founded by Alex Gathii, a dairy consultant…
-
Shelter Afrique Appoints New Board Leadership to Drive Growth
Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) has named Lionel Zinsou as Chairman of the Board and Said Athman Mtwana as Vice Chairman. The appointments were made during the Bank’s 149th Board meeting on 11 December. Zinsou, former Prime Minister of Benin and a seasoned economist, brings decades of experience in global finance, investment banking, and public…
-
Kenya Power Reports Record National Demand
Kenya’s electricity consumption has hit a new peak, rising to 2,439.06 MW on December 4, 2025, driven by surging industrial activity and increased customer connections across the country. The new milestone surpasses the previous peak of 2,418.77 MW, recorded on November 18, 2025, signalling the fastest growth in national electricity demand in recent years as…
-
Understanding Kenya’s New Loan Pricing Model Rolled Out by CBK
Kenya’s lending environment is entering a new phase following the Central Bank of Kenya’s rollout of a revised loan pricing framework. The new system changes how banks calculate interest rates, how borrowers are assessed, and how the total cost of credit is disclosed. Yhe changes are technical, but their effects will be felt across households,…
-
Kenya Power Shifts to Digital-Only Systems for New Connection
Kenya Power has officially stopped accepting manual electricity connection applications as it transitions fully to a digital system designed to accelerate service delivery, boost transparency, and enhance customer experience. Under the new directive, all individuals and businesses seeking new electricity connections must apply exclusively through the company’s online portal at https://selfservice.kplc.co.ke/public/, accessible via both computers…
-
Kenya Major Banks Announce Rollout of New Risk-Based Credit Pricing Framework
Three of Kenya’s largest lenders Co-operative Bank, Equity Bank, and Standard Chartered have issued public notices announcing their transition to the Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) revised Risk-Based Credit Pricing Model. The shift, which begins on 1 December 2025, will change how variable-rate Kenya Shilling loans are priced, with all existing facilities expected to transition…
-
Seven Women-Led Startups Get Sh9.1m from Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered has awarded Sh9.1 million in seed funding to seven women-led enterprises during the graduation of the eighth Women in Tech accelerator cohort run in partnership with Strathmore University’s @iBizAfrica. The programme aims to support women founders building technology-driven businesses with potential for scale. Participants receive training, advisory support and funding designed to strengthen…
About the Author
Search
Latest News
You May Have Missed
