The US has pledged to help Kenya build a critical minerals processing industry as Washington seeks to secure alternative supply chains to China, Reuters reports.
The push centres on Mrima Hill in Kwale, whose rare earth and niobium deposits have been estimated at US$ 62.4Bn, about KSh 8.08Tn.
Kenya says six firms, including two US consortia, are shortlisted to develop the deposit.
Washington says it wants minerals processed locally, with investment in processing facilities, skills and value addition rather than exporting raw resources.
The push centres on Mrima Hill in Kwale, whose rare earth and niobium deposits have been estimated at US$ 62.4Bn, about KSh 8.08Tn.
Kenya says six firms, including two US consortia, are shortlisted to develop the deposit.
Washington says it wants minerals processed locally, with investment in processing facilities, skills and value addition rather than exporting raw resources.
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Behind every GDP growth number is a simpler story: what Kenyans actually spend.
Swipe through to see:
→ How Kenya's growth numbers stack up
→ How much Kenyans are actually spending
→ Why household income and national growth are more connected than they seem
→ What it means for the policies shaping your payslip
Swipe through to see:
→ How Kenya's growth numbers stack up
→ How much Kenyans are actually spending
→ Why household income and national growth are more connected than they seem
→ What it means for the policies shaping your payslip
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🇧🇼| Botswana is set for its first IPO in nearly nine years after Continental Reinsurance launched a $156.1Mn share offer ahead of an October 5 listing on the Botswana Stock Exchange.
The offer is the first since CA Sales listed in 2017. About $30Mn will raise fresh capital for Continental Re, while $126.1Mn represents shares sold by existing investors.
The BSE Domestic Companies Index gained 9.71% in 2025 and is up 1.84% YTD through September 8.
The offer is the first since CA Sales listed in 2017. About $30Mn will raise fresh capital for Continental Re, while $126.1Mn represents shares sold by existing investors.
The BSE Domestic Companies Index gained 9.71% in 2025 and is up 1.84% YTD through September 8.
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Central Bank of Kenya has proposed tougher oversight for banks whose failure could pose a major risk to the financial system, as part of a wider overhaul of banking regulations.
➠ CBK is reviewing its Prudential Guidelines, Risk Management Guidelines and related guidance notes.
➠ A new draft framework will govern Domestic Systemically Important Banks, or D-SIBs.
➠ The review is aimed at strengthening banking-sector resilience and aligning supervision with international standards.
➠ Banks identified as systemically important could face additional regulatory and supervisory requirements under the final framework.
Public comments are open until November 7, 2026.
➠ CBK is reviewing its Prudential Guidelines, Risk Management Guidelines and related guidance notes.
➠ A new draft framework will govern Domestic Systemically Important Banks, or D-SIBs.
➠ The review is aimed at strengthening banking-sector resilience and aligning supervision with international standards.
➠ Banks identified as systemically important could face additional regulatory and supervisory requirements under the final framework.
Public comments are open until November 7, 2026.
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The Competition Authority of Kenya has approved Diageo’s US$ 2.3Bn sale of its 65% stake in East African Breweries Plc to Japan’s Asahi Group, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for the transaction, Reuters reports.
The regulator required EABL to reserve sufficient funds for outstanding liabilities and allocate 20% of cooler space in retail outlets to rival drinks.
The deal, announced in December 2025, has faced several court challenges and still requires remaining conditions to be met before control transfers to Asahi.
The regulator required EABL to reserve sufficient funds for outstanding liabilities and allocate 20% of cooler space in retail outlets to rival drinks.
The deal, announced in December 2025, has faced several court challenges and still requires remaining conditions to be met before control transfers to Asahi.
GDP growth, consumer spending, disposable income the terms can sound abstract. But the mechanism isn't complicated.
When households have more money left after bills and taxes, they spend it on food, transport, services, small businesses. That spending moves through the economy, supporting jobs and demand well beyond the household that spent it.
Kenya's consumer spending reached KSh 8.12 trillion in 2024, and remains one of the key drivers behind the country's GDP growth. This is also the economic logic behind PAYE relief: more take-home pay isn't just a personal win it's fuel for the wider economy.
When households have more money left after bills and taxes, they spend it on food, transport, services, small businesses. That spending moves through the economy, supporting jobs and demand well beyond the household that spent it.
Kenya's consumer spending reached KSh 8.12 trillion in 2024, and remains one of the key drivers behind the country's GDP growth. This is also the economic logic behind PAYE relief: more take-home pay isn't just a personal win it's fuel for the wider economy.
The Nairobi Securities Exchange has revised initial margin requirements for equity and index futures, with the new rates taking effect on Sept. 18, 2026.
Existing traders will need to top up accounts where margins rise or receive refunds where requirements fall.
➠ I&M Group: Dec. 2026 margin rises 32.4% to KES 1,125
➠ Britam: rises 25.0% to KES 250
➠ Kenya Power: rises 15.0% to KES 1,150
➠ Equity Group: rises 12.2% to KES 1,150
➠ KCB Group: rises 10.0% to KES 1,100
➠ Liberty Kenya: falls 16.7% to KES 250
➠ Absa Kenya: falls 10.0% to KES 450
➠ NCBA Group: falls 6.1% to KES 1,150
➠ Safaricom: falls 5.6% to KES 425
➠ NSE 25 Index: Dec. margin rises to KES 37,000, while Sept. 2027 is set at KES 48,900
Existing traders will need to top up accounts where margins rise or receive refunds where requirements fall.
➠ I&M Group: Dec. 2026 margin rises 32.4% to KES 1,125
➠ Britam: rises 25.0% to KES 250
➠ Kenya Power: rises 15.0% to KES 1,150
➠ Equity Group: rises 12.2% to KES 1,150
➠ KCB Group: rises 10.0% to KES 1,100
➠ Liberty Kenya: falls 16.7% to KES 250
➠ Absa Kenya: falls 10.0% to KES 450
➠ NCBA Group: falls 6.1% to KES 1,150
➠ Safaricom: falls 5.6% to KES 425
➠ NSE 25 Index: Dec. margin rises to KES 37,000, while Sept. 2027 is set at KES 48,900
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Kenya faces fresh fuel price pressure as Murban crude rises to $120 a barrel, up 43.7% from $83.52 on August 14, when EPRA announced its latest pump price review.
The surge comes as Houthi advances around Yemen’s Bab el-Mandeb Strait increase risks to a key Red Sea oil shipping route.
The corridor has become more important for Saudi exports as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.
Kenya imports refined petroleum products from Gulf suppliers, exposing landed fuel costs to higher crude prices, freight and insurance.
The surge comes as Houthi advances around Yemen’s Bab el-Mandeb Strait increase risks to a key Red Sea oil shipping route.
The corridor has become more important for Saudi exports as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.
Kenya imports refined petroleum products from Gulf suppliers, exposing landed fuel costs to higher crude prices, freight and insurance.
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Nigeria leads African equity markets in 2026 with a 69.92% gain in US dollar terms, followed by Zimbabwe, the BRVM and Tanzania.
Five markets have returned more than 50% YTD, while Kenya is up 30.62%. Malawi is the weakest performer, down 17.21%.
🇳🇬 Nigeria ➠ 69.92%
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe ➠ 59.01%
🌍 BRVM ➠ 58.68%
🇹🇿 Tanzania ➠ 56.22%
🇬🇭 Ghana ➠ 52.83%
🇺🇬 Uganda ➠ 44.82%
🇷🇼 Rwanda ➠ 40.84%
🇹🇳 Tunisia ➠ 39.70%
🇰🇪 Kenya ➠ 30.62%
🇪🇬 Egypt ➠ 25.12%
🇿🇲 Zambia ➠ 16.10%
🇳🇦 Namibia ➠ 14.49%
🇿🇦 South Africa ➠ 2.04%
🇧🇼 Botswana ➠ -1.72%
🇲🇦 Morocco ➠ -3.96%
🇲🇺 Mauritius ➠ -4.73%
🇲🇼 Malawi ➠ -17.21%
Five markets have returned more than 50% YTD, while Kenya is up 30.62%. Malawi is the weakest performer, down 17.21%.
🇳🇬 Nigeria ➠ 69.92%
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe ➠ 59.01%
🌍 BRVM ➠ 58.68%
🇹🇿 Tanzania ➠ 56.22%
🇬🇭 Ghana ➠ 52.83%
🇺🇬 Uganda ➠ 44.82%
🇷🇼 Rwanda ➠ 40.84%
🇹🇳 Tunisia ➠ 39.70%
🇰🇪 Kenya ➠ 30.62%
🇪🇬 Egypt ➠ 25.12%
🇿🇲 Zambia ➠ 16.10%
🇳🇦 Namibia ➠ 14.49%
🇿🇦 South Africa ➠ 2.04%
🇧🇼 Botswana ➠ -1.72%
🇲🇦 Morocco ➠ -3.96%
🇲🇺 Mauritius ➠ -4.73%
🇲🇼 Malawi ➠ -17.21%
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Dangote Industries has set September 30 for the groundbreaking of its planned $15 billion oil refinery in Lamu, Kenya, with construction expected to take about three years.
The project is designed for a capacity of about 700,000 barrels per day and is expected to serve Kenya and regional fuel markets.
The refinery would rank among Dangote’s largest investments outside Nigeria and forms part of its broader expansion across Africa.
The project is designed for a capacity of about 700,000 barrels per day and is expected to serve Kenya and regional fuel markets.
The refinery would rank among Dangote’s largest investments outside Nigeria and forms part of its broader expansion across Africa.
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Banks classified as Domestic Systemically Important Banks in Kenya would be required to hold an additional Common Equity Tier 1 capital buffer of 0.5%, 1.5% or 2.5% of risk-weighted assets under a new framework proposed by the Central Bank of Kenya.
CBK would assess banks annually using five measures:
- size
- interconnectedness
- substitutability
- importance to the domestic economy
- and complexity,
with size carrying a 40% weight.
Designated banks would also face enhanced supervision, quarterly stress testing and stricter recovery and resolution planning.
Newly designated banks would have up to 12 months to meet the higher capital requirement.
CBK would assess banks annually using five measures:
- size
- interconnectedness
- substitutability
- importance to the domestic economy
- and complexity,
with size carrying a 40% weight.
Designated banks would also face enhanced supervision, quarterly stress testing and stricter recovery and resolution planning.
Newly designated banks would have up to 12 months to meet the higher capital requirement.
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Crypto firms seeking access to Kenya’s banking system would face tougher checks under new rules proposed by the Central Bank of Kenya to strengthen safeguards against money laundering and other financial crimes.
Banks would have to verify that Virtual Asset Service Providers are properly licensed, assess whether wallet addresses and transaction IDs are linked to customer KYC records, and review controls around mixers, tumblers and other anonymity-enhancing services.
Banks would also assess blockchain analytics, counterparty VASPs, cross-border transfers and suspicious activity linked to ransomware, fraud, darknet markets and stolen virtual assets.
Banks would have to verify that Virtual Asset Service Providers are properly licensed, assess whether wallet addresses and transaction IDs are linked to customer KYC records, and review controls around mixers, tumblers and other anonymity-enhancing services.
Banks would also assess blockchain analytics, counterparty VASPs, cross-border transfers and suspicious activity linked to ransomware, fraud, darknet markets and stolen virtual assets.
Under CBK’s proposed Recovery Planning Guideline, banks would have to prepare for severe financial stress without assuming government funding or extraordinary central bank support will be available.
Emergency Liquidity Assistance would not qualify as a recovery option, while banks must identify credible measures to restore capital, liquidity and viability. The rule marks a shift from past interventions.
KDIC cites National Bank of Kenya as an example of a lender previously bailed out by government, while nine failed financial institutions were consolidated into state-owned Consolidated Bank.
Kenya has also resolved failures including Chase, Imperial and Dubai Bank through receivership, transfers or liquidation.
Emergency Liquidity Assistance would not qualify as a recovery option, while banks must identify credible measures to restore capital, liquidity and viability. The rule marks a shift from past interventions.
KDIC cites National Bank of Kenya as an example of a lender previously bailed out by government, while nine failed financial institutions were consolidated into state-owned Consolidated Bank.
Kenya has also resolved failures including Chase, Imperial and Dubai Bank through receivership, transfers or liquidation.
Kenyan banks’ quarterly profit before tax rose 6.5% QoQ and 19.2% YoY to a record KSh 88.9 billion in Q2 2026, from KSh 83.5 billion in Q1, as income growth outpaced costs and asset quality improved.
Quarterly income increased 3.1% while expenses rose 1.5%. Gross loans expanded 4.3% to KSh 4.65 trillion as the NPL ratio fell to 14.8% from 15.6%.
KCB Bank Kenya, Equity Bank Kenya and Co-op Bank Kenya generated KSh 45.8 billion in Q2 PBT, or 51.5% of sector earnings.
➠ Equity led with Q2 PBT up 46.5% QoQ to KSh 17.5 billion
➠ KCB posted KSh 18.0 billion, up 2.2% QoQ
➠ Co-op posted KSh 10.3 billion, up 5.1% QoQ
Quarterly income increased 3.1% while expenses rose 1.5%. Gross loans expanded 4.3% to KSh 4.65 trillion as the NPL ratio fell to 14.8% from 15.6%.
KCB Bank Kenya, Equity Bank Kenya and Co-op Bank Kenya generated KSh 45.8 billion in Q2 PBT, or 51.5% of sector earnings.
➠ Equity led with Q2 PBT up 46.5% QoQ to KSh 17.5 billion
➠ KCB posted KSh 18.0 billion, up 2.2% QoQ
➠ Co-op posted KSh 10.3 billion, up 5.1% QoQ
Total loans issued and outstanding at Kenyan banks crossed KSh 4.5 trillion for the first time in Q2 2026, rising 4.3% QoQ to a record KSh 4.65 trillion from KSh 4.45 trillion in March.
The loan book expanded by KSh 192.5 billion during the quarter and was 12.0% higher YoY.
Growth was concentrated in Trade, Personal and Household, and Transport and Communication.
KCB Bank Kenya held KSh 887.3 billion in net loans, Equity Bank Kenya KSh 447.3 billion and Co-op Bank Kenya KSh 430.1 billion.
Equity posted the fastest QoQ growth at 11.4%, followed by Co-op at 5.8% and KCB at 1.2%.
The loan book expanded by KSh 192.5 billion during the quarter and was 12.0% higher YoY.
Growth was concentrated in Trade, Personal and Household, and Transport and Communication.
KCB Bank Kenya held KSh 887.3 billion in net loans, Equity Bank Kenya KSh 447.3 billion and Co-op Bank Kenya KSh 430.1 billion.
Equity posted the fastest QoQ growth at 11.4%, followed by Co-op at 5.8% and KCB at 1.2%.