In a recent report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has cautioned that Kenya’s revised policy on procuring electricity from independent power producers (IPPs) specializing in renewable sources hinders new investments and impedes efforts to address the nation’s energy access deficit. The policy change, which saw the approval of the Renewable Energy Auction Policy (Reap) by […]

In a notable financial achievement, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has surpassed expectations by collecting KSh 11.76 billion in its second January Treasury Bonds tap sale, despite seeking KSh 15 billion. The bank floated both three-year and five-year treasury bonds during this auction, reflecting a strategic move to diversify its portfolio. This recent foray […]

Nairobi-based startup Octavia Carbon has successfully secured funding from Renew Capital, an Africa-focused impact investment firm, to advance its groundbreaking Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. The company’s mission is to combat climate change by actively developing, constructing, and deploying machines designed to extract carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere. Renew Capital’s investment in Octavia […]

In a significant development, the Central Bank of Kenya CBK) has announced a shift in its methodology for determining the official exchange rate. The institution has embraced a weighted average approach based on forex interbank trades, specifically utilizing the Volume-Weighted Average Price (VWAP) to enhance market functionality and potentially facilitate more accurate price discovery. The […]

Airtel Kenya has accomplished a remarkable milestone by securing its highest voice market share in over three and a half years, reaching 35.1%, equivalent to a staggering 7.8 billion minutes. This surge in market dominance has led to a decline in Safaricom’s share to a three-year low, reflecting the intense competition between the two telecommunications […]

In a groundbreaking move, Kenya has solidified its position as a frontrunner in cryptocurrency adoption on the African continent, marking a milestone by becoming the first country to implement taxes on digital assets. Kenyan legislators recently deliberated on the introduction of a 3% tax on cryptocurrency and non-fungible token (NFT) transfers, along with a 15% […]

In a significant development this week, the Jamaica Stock Exchange formalized a strategic partnership with the Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signaling a commitment to bolster ties with Africa. The MoU outlines ambitious plans aimed at elevating the financial markets through the introduction of innovative product offerings. Notably, […]

In a strategic move to remain competitive and attract new investment flows, unit trusts have raised their annual returns to align with the heightened rates offered on government treasuries and bank fixed deposits. An analysis of annual rates on shilling-denominated money market funds reveals returns ranging from 11.6 percent to 15.96 percent as of December […]

In a landmark move towards sustainable finance, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has entered into a strategic partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB). The joint initiative aims to cultivate best practices in climate finance within the local commercial banking sector, marking a significant step towards achieving a net-zero economy in Kenya. One of […]

In an effort to combat food insecurity and enhance agricultural productivity, a groundbreaking partnership has been formed between the British International Investment (BII) and the Shell Foundation. This collaboration aims to invest $2.6 million in SunCulture, a Kenyan company providing solar-powered irrigation systems to smallholder farmers. With approximately 9,000 smallholder farmers set to benefit, the […]