Premium

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 Brian Ngugi 18 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 Brian Ngugi 20 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 Brian Ngugi 21 days 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 Brian Ngugi 1 month ago

Premium

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 Brian Ngugi 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 Brian Ngugi 1 month ago

Premium

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 Brian Ngugi 1 month ago

Lenders face penalties for hidden loan charges amid pushback on Treasury's role

CBK is intensifying its crackdown on hidden charges in the pricing of loans with a landmark proposal that will, compel mobile lenders to transparently outline all borrowing costs or face penalties.

By Brian Ngugi and Kamau Muthoni 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 Brian Ngugi 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 Brian Ngugi 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 Brian Ngugi 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 Brian Ngugi 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 Brian Ngugi 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 Brian Ngugi 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 Brian Ngugi 1 month ago

Premium

Tullow exit puts Kenyan firm Gulf Energy in driver's seat for oil riches

Company has been involved in lucrative State deals including G2G oil import tender. Tullow has been trying to get a strategic partner for its operations in Turkana fields.

By Brian Ngugi and Macharia Kamau 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 Brian Ngugi 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 Brian Ngugi 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 Brian Ngugi 1 month ago

Premium

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 Brian Ngugi 2 months 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 Brian Ngugi 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 Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

KCB cuts rates in boon for borrowers

In a public notice, KCB stated it would lower its base lending rate from 14.6 per cent to 13.85 per cent per annum.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

Premium

CBK cuts key rate again as bad loans climb to record Sh700b

CBK slashed the Central Bank Rate by 75 basis points to 10.00 per cent in March, down from 10.75 per cent in February.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

What Kenya can learn from China on how targeted approach lifted 800 million from poverty

At the heart of this strategy was the concept of "targeted poverty alleviation," championed by President Xi Jinping.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

CBK faces pressure over US tariff, currency manipulation claims

Monetary Policy Committee meets today to deliberate on key lending rate. CBK has previously denied claims of shoring up the shilling against the dollar.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

Premium

Jitters over Trump's 10pc tariff as data shows dip in EPZ jobs

The latest data shows 7,369 people lost their livelihoods in 2023.

By Brian Ngugi and Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

Tala feted as top digital lender in risk management

Kenyan fintech firm Tala has been recognised as the Best Digital Credit Provider in Risk Management at the inaugural Think Business Digital Lenders Awards 2025, the company said on Monday. 2

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

Africa urged to 'derisk' from US after Trump's tariffs

African nations, including Kenya, should strategically reduce their economic reliance on the United States and diversify their trade and industrial partners.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

Trump tariffs threaten Kenya's Sh72b exports

Kenyan exporters to the US face significant uncertainty after President Donald Trump announced a sweeping new set of tariffs, including a cumulative 20 per cent levy on Kenyan goods.

By Brian Ngugi and Macharia Kamau 2 months ago

Trump imposes 10pc tariffs on Kenyan goods

Kenyan exports to the US are set to be hit hard after President Donald Trump announced a 10 per cent tariff on all goods from Kenya.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

Ex-IMF adviser: Kenya should improve safety nets for the poor

A former adviser to IMF has called on Kenya to prioritise social safety nets while simultaneously expanding the economy through targeted international investment.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

Auto dealer Caetano banks on Chinese brand to boost locally assembled vehicles

Caetano will sell the locally assembled JMC Vigus pickups, utilizing Chinese-made Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits. The deal is expected to create jobs, facilitate skill development.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

Xi reaffirms open China, denounces protectionism in rare speech

President Xi Jinping, in a rare public address to global business leaders, sought to reaffirm China's commitment to open markets and denounced protectionist tariffs.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

Equity bank to pay record dividend after Sh46.5 billion profit surge

Equity Group has increased its dividend payout to a new record, rewarding shareholders with a larger return following a significant profit recovery.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

Chinese Professor addresses Dalai Lama's claims on reincarnation

A leading Chinese professor on Thursday addressed the Dalai Lama's recent controversial comments regarding the future of the reincarnation of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

Shareholders joy as more banks up dividends on surge in profits

Among the biggest beneficiaries are the Ndegwa and Kenyatta families, who will pocket Sh1.3 billion and Sh1.1 billion, respectively after NCBA booked a 21.9 billion profit.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

KCB diversifies MSMEs offering with acquisition of fintech firm

Kenya's largest bank by assets, KCB Group, has announced a strategic move to bolster its digital capabilities by acquiring a 75% stake in Riverbank Solutions Ltd, a homegrown fintech firm.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

Premium

Top lenders smile to the bank with Sh141 billion profits

Notably, Equity Group, Kenya's largest lender by customer base, and other mid-tier banks are yet to release their financials, suggesting the overall sector performance could be even more robust.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago

AAR expands dialysis services to meet demand

AAR Hospital is expanding its dialysis services in response to increasing demand, a trend reflecting the growing economic burden of kidney disease in Kenya.

By Brian Ngugi 2 months ago