South Africa’s largest short-term insurer, Santam, has secured regulatory approval to establish a reinsurance branch office at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City — widely known as GIFT City — marking a significant step in the company’s international expansion strategy. The development signals more than geographic diversification. It reflects the growing importance of India’s International Financial Services […]
In a move that reflects both consolidation and innovation in the U.S. employee benefits market, Nationwide and Beam Benefits have expanded their long-standing partnership to offer dental and vision insurance products across 34 states. The arrangement significantly broadens access to benefits underwritten by Nationwide, quadrupling the number of states where these offerings are available. While […]
Daily transactions at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) surged to 26,169 this week — up sharply from 6,761 recorded before February 4. The inflection followed the rollout of M-Pesa-powered share trading via Ziidi Trader. In a matter of days, activity multiplied nearly fourfold. On February 9 alone, 7,962 of 14,300 equity deals were processed via […]
East Africa’s electric mobility market has reached an inflection point. In a development that signals growing institutional confidence in the region’s clean transport ecosystem, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has proposed an equity investment of up to $5 million (KES 645 million) in Arc Ride, a Nairobi-based battery-as-a-service (BaaS) startup. The investment is intended to […]
Stablecoins are rapidly emerging as one of the most preferred digital assets in Kenya and across Africa, reshaping cross-border payments, settlement systems, and treasury management in ways that are increasingly difficult for regulators and banks to ignore. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies that fluctuate wildly in value, stablecoins such as Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) are […]
A new Stablecoin Utility Report conducted by YouGov in partnership with BVNK, Coinbase, and Artemis surveyed more than 4,650 respondents across 15 countries who either hold or plan to hold cryptocurrencies. The findings offer a clear message: stablecoins are no longer a niche crypto tool. They are emerging as a parallel financial infrastructure — particularly […]
Kenya’s financial markets delivered a contrasting performance in the week ending February 19, highlighting shifting investor sentiment and evolving macroeconomic conditions. According to the latest bulletin from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), activity in the bond market surged sharply, while equity trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) slowed. Bond turnover in the domestic […]
Saudi Arabia has entered a new chapter in its economic transformation with the implementation of a revised real estate ownership law that significantly expands the ability of non-Saudi individuals and entities — both residents and non-residents — to acquire property in the Kingdom. The updated Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis, issued by royal […]
The Kenya shilling remained stable against major global and regional currencies during the week ending February 19, 2026, reinforcing the perception that Kenya’s foreign exchange market has entered a period of relative calm following years of volatility. According to data released by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the shilling traded at Ksh129.02 per U.S. […]
Malaysia’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the national economy, contributing nearly 40% of gross domestic product and employing almost half of the country’s workforce. Against this backdrop, Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad has unveiled a targeted initiative aimed at strengthening financial resilience among SMEs and enhancing protection for foreign workers. […]
Global government bond markets are reacting to rising geopolitical tensions and the potential inflationary consequences of the ongoing Middle East...
Investors Move to Cash-Like Assets U.S. money-market funds have surged to a historic milestone as global investors seek safety during...
Bitcoin’s Rise Sparks Broad Crypto Stock Rally Cryptocurrency-related stocks surged at the opening of the U.S. trading session as Bitcoin...
A major residential development on the outskirts of Nairobi is drawing significant public attention as urban professionals search for modern...
