Paramount Bank has crossed the Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) minimum core capital requirement of Sh3 billion, achieving a major regulatory milestone more than a month before the December 2025 deadline. The lender disclosed that its core capital reached Sh3.118 billion as of September 2025, a significant boost driven by a successful rights issue that raised Sh332 million from existing shareholders. With the enhanced capital position, the bank says it is now better placed to scale up its lending portfolio, accelerate digital transformation, and strengthen customer-focused solutions across retail, SME, and corporate banking.

The government of Kenya approved the South Lokichar Basin Field Development Plan (FDP), the first petroleum project in the country to advance from exploration to full development and commercial production. President William Ruto, who signed instruments for the plan’s submission to Parliament for ratification, termed the approval a historic moment that signals Kenya’s shift toward a modern, competitive, first-world economy anchored on diversified revenue streams. The FDP submitted to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) by Gulf Energy E&P BV (GE), a Kenyan-owned investor licensed to develop Blocks T6 and T7 in the Tertiary Rift Basin outlines how six major oil discoveries will be fully developed over a 25-year horizon.

Kenya’s fiscal space is tightening rapidly as high public debt and weak revenue collection push the country toward a critical economic turning point, the World Bank warns in its latest assessment. The findings are published in the Bank’s Country Focus Report, released Monday in Nairobi as part of the 32nd Kenya Economic Update. According to the report, Kenya’s public debt has surged to Sh12 trillion, equivalent to 68.7 percent of GDP, highlighting ongoing macroeconomic vulnerabilities that continue to strain government finances. The World Bank notes that a rise in the primary deficit added 1.3 percentage points to the growth in total public debt, with domestic borrowing once again dominating, reversing earlier trends.

When Nordin Mohamed Ibrahim was still in university, he got a chance to work at a real estate company. One day, he met a group of friends in the same industry over a casual coffee. What began as a simple conversation turned into the foundation of one of Nairobi’s fastest growing real estate companies. “Each of us was working for different developers. As a group of young people we decided to start something of our own. We believed that if we pooled our resources, we could build a real estate company.

Kenya Power has started nationwide deployment of an automated meter-reading system, marking one of its most significant steps yet in digitising customer billing and reducing persistent complaints over inaccurate invoices. The technology, based on Optical Character Recognition (OCR), allows field teams to scan meter displays using handheld devices instead of typing readings manually. The utility says the system will improve billing accuracy, cut operational delays and reduce human error, a long-standing pain point for postpaid customers. Nationwide Rollout Targets 1.8 Million Meters. The rollout follows a six-month pilot in Nairobi earlier this year.

Tanolope Consultancy has been awarded Starbrand Status 2025 in East Africa under the Pan-African Dairy Excellence and Impact Award category for its pioneering work in transforming Africa’s dairy sector. The firm, which focuses on dairy business development, farmer training, and production and distribution of feeds, has been recognized as the Dairy Industry Starbrand. Tanolope Consultancy currently operates across 12 African countries and internationally in the UK, US, and Australia. Speaking to JEDCA Media, Tanolope founder Alex Gitoga attributed the award to the company’s commitment to revolutionizing dairy production in Africa.

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) has announced it will implement the Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) newly issued Revised Risk-Based Credit Pricing Model (RBCPM), with the transition set to begin on December 1, 2025. The bank issued a public notice informing customers that all new local currency variable-rate loans taken from that date will be priced using the updated framework. According to the notice, lending rates for new variable-rate loans will be pegged on a Common Reference Rate, combined with a customer-specific risk-based premium, referred to as “K”. The Common Reference Rate will be aligned to the CBK policy rate under the Monetary Policy Implementation Framework.

Choice Hotels International has announced entry into the African market, unveiling plans to open three franchised hotels in Kenya by early 2026. The company’s global expansion ambitions is supported by a newly signed master development agreement that could see at least 15 more properties launched across sub-Saharan and southern Africa by 2030. The Kenyan portfolio will feature an Ascend Collection boutique property in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and two Nairobi central business district hotels under the Clarion and Quality Inn brands. The hotels are expected to tap into both business and leisure travel, strengthening Choice Hotels’ presence in one of Africa’s most dynamic hospitality markets.

Safaricom PLC has secured approval from the Capital Markets Authority to establish a Sh40 billion Medium Term Note Programme, a move that positions the telco to raise long term funding as it expands its operations and sustainability projects. The CMA approval was issued on 7 November 2025 under the Capital Markets Act and the Public Offers, Listing and Disclosures Regulations 2023. This allows Safaricom to issue a series of notes over time depending on market conditions and capital needs. According to a public announcement issued by the Board of Directors, the MTN Programme will enable the company to issue a range of instruments, including green notes, social notes and sustainability notes in multiple tranches.

KCB Group Plc posted a profit after tax of Sh47.3 billion for the nine months ending September 2025, powered by higher income across its business lines and tighter cost controls. The lender said the performance reflects strong resilience despite a difficult operating environment across its regional markets. The Group’s balance sheet expanded 2.6 percent to Sh2.04 trillion, a result the bank said underscores its stability even after completing the sale of National Bank of Kenya in May. On a like-for-like basis, assets were up 10.9 percent, signalling what KCB described as solid capacity to support customers across its seven markets.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has dismissed public concerns that new SIM card registration regulations require the collection of biometric data, insisting that no such directive has been issued to mobile operators. In a press statement, the regulator said recent commentary suggesting mandatory biometric capture was unfounded,adding that the revised rules published in May 2025 were designed to curb SIM-related fraud and strengthen trust in Kenya’s digital ecosystem. “The Authority has NOT issued any directives for the collection of biometric data by our licensees,” the statement read. The new regulations define biometric data broadly, covering elements such as fingerprints, DNA analysis, earlobe geometry, retinal scans and voice recognition.

Kakuzi PLC has been ordered to surrender 3,200 acres of its land after the National Land Commission (NLC) issued binding directives aimed at resolving long-standing historical land injustice claims involving communities around the company’s estates. In a notice to shareholders and the public, the company said the NLC had completed its investigative hearing and issued a set of binding recommendations intended to conclude long-running disputes involving communities living around Kakuzi’s land. “Kakuzi PLC is required to surrender 3,200 acres of appropriated land to settle the most vulnerable members of the claimants,” read the notice, outlining the NLC’s directive as the foundation of the final setlement.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) have announced the official commencement of the Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASP) Act, 2025. The Act gazetted on October 21, 2025 came into effect on November 4, 2025, and establishes a legislative and supervisory framework for Virtual Asset Service Providers, including measures to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing. According to the public notice issued jointly by CBK and CMA, the law designates both regulators as responsible for licensing, supervising, and overseeing VASPs operating in or from Kenya.

Pesapal and KCB Bank Kenya have partnered in a region-wide initiative that will digitize operations for more than 10,000 fuel stations across East Africa by introducing advanced digital tools to improve efficiency, transparency, and access to financing in the petroleum retail sector. The integrated platform automates key processes such as fuel dispensing, sales tracking, inventory management, payment processing, and reconciliation. By eliminating manual errors, reducing revenue leakage, and improving operational oversight. Through access to real-time operational data generated by the Pesapal system, the bank will be able to assess creditworthiness more accurately and extend tailored stock financing and working capital facilities to fuel dealers.

The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has approved the proposed acquisition of sole control of Mace Consult Holding Limited by Consult Bidco Limited, saying the deal is unlikely to weaken competition in Kenya’s project management consultancy market. In the notice, the Authority said it had given the approval unconditionally after determining that the merger would not raise competition concerns or negatively affect public interest. “The transaction is unlikely to lead to a substantial prevention or lessening of competition in the market for provision of project management consultancy in Kenya, nor elicit negative public interest concerns,”read the notice.

Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) PLC has announced the completion of the amalgamation of the general insurance businesses of Sanlam General Insurance Limited and Sanlam Allianz General Insurance (Kenya) Limited. The consolidation follows regulatory approval from the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) and the fulfilment of all other required corporate processes, culminating in the formal completion of the transfer on 1 November 2025. According to the announcement issued by the company’s board, Sanlam General Insurance Limited (the Transferor) and Sanlam Allianz General Insurance (Kenya) Limited (the Transferee) initiated the process on 1 August 2025, seeking approval from the IRA under Section 113 of the Insurance Act.

Kenyan men continue to control most mobile money transactions, exposing a stubborn gender gap despite rising financial inclusion, according to the latest Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) report. In 2024, men accounted for 61 percent of all mobile money transactions across leading platforms including M-Pesa, Airtel Money and T-Kash, leaving women with just 39 percent of total transaction value. This equates to men managing Sh5.3 trillion of the Sh8.69 trillion total, while women handled Sh3.3 trillion.The data highlights the persistent influence of men among higher earners in the country. CBK found that men initiate most transactions and at the same time lead in the amount of money they send.

Credit ratings agency S&P on Friday downgraded Senegal’s long-term sovereign credit rating to “CCC+” from “B-”, citing the increasingly fragile debt position of the West African nation. The agency also placed Senegal on “CreditWatch developing,” indicating that a further downgrade is possible if the government struggles to refinance upcoming commercial debt maturities. “Public-sector borrowing needs for 2026 are elevated, as is the level and cost of general government debt and the starting point for the budgetary deficit, making public finances precarious,” S&P said. Senegal’s public finances have deteriorated sharply since a new administration last year uncovered previously unreported liabilities accumulated under the former government.

Siaya County is moving to strengthen food and nutrition security for vulnerable households through strategic agricultural partnerships. The County’s Department of Agriculture has engaged with Academies Of Knowledge-Incubation For A Better Africa, known as AKIBA, to explore innovations aimed at improving crop production while reducing input costs. The discussions focus on adopting SUMA GROW’s microbial biological catalyst, a technology designed to enhance soil and plant health. The product works by boosting natural biological processes in the soil, which can increase crop yields and reduce the reliance on chemical fertilizers, excessive water use, and pesticides.

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has approved Acorn Holding Limited’s plan to establish a Build-to-Rent Development Real Estate Investment Trust (D-REIT), a move expected to accelerate the growth of affordable rental housing for Kenya’s young urban population. The new fund, known as the Acorn Build-to-Rent D-REIT (ABTR D-REIT), will allow investors to take part in the large-scale development of professionally managed rental properties tailored to the needs and preferences of young urban residents. To support the initiative, Sh2.2 billion (USD 17 million) in equity has been committed by three organisations. The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), through its project development arm InfraCo, contributed Sh1.3 billion (USD 10 million) as the anchor investment.

Kenyans registering new SIM cards may soon face unprecedented data collection requirements under the Communications Authority of Kenya’s (CA) proposed 2025 regulations. The new rules would compel subscribers to provide highly sensitive personal information, including DNA, blood type, and detailed biometric markers. Mobile operators would also be required to maintain comprehensive subscriber databases and submit them quarterly to the regulator. Critics have raised concerns that the regulations conflict with Kenya’s Data Protection Act, which emphasizes data minimisation and collecting only information that is necessary and relevant. The collection of genetic and biometric data exposes subscribers to significant privacy risks.

Salvo Grima Kenya Ltd has notified the COMESA Competition Commission of its plan to acquire a controlling stake in Noble Outlook Limited, signaling a major expansion of the Group’s operations in the region. According to the formal notice issued under Article 26(6) of the COMESA Competition Regulations, the company intends to purchase 22,500 ordinary shares, constituting 75 percent of the issued share capital of Noble Outlook Limited. The parties to the transaction revealed that the acquirer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Salvo Grima Group Limited, incorporated in Malta. The Group stated that it is in the business of wholesale distribution of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), and it currently operates a tobacco products distribution business in Rwanda and Libya.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) closed Week 46 (7–14 November 2025) mixed, with notable gains among select counters even as the broader market indices continued to weaken. Top Movers Uchumi Supermarket led the week’s gainers, surging 34.8 percent to Sh0.79, followed by Kenya Orchards at 26.3 percent. Eveready East Africa and Sameer Africa also posted strong weekly gains of 8.8 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. On the losing end, Flame Tree Group plunged 16.7 percent, while Centum Investment shed 7.3 percent . Uchumi’s strong weekly performance contrasts sharply with its –34.4 percent year-to-date return, highlighting the volatility around the retailer.

Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) has called for stronger Online protection for journalist stating the importance of digital safety and security as a crucial part of Journalistic work. Speaking on X during a meeting on online harassment in the media, AMWIK Executive Director Queenter Mbori emphasized the need of digital safety acknowledging the value of online platforms to journalist, she urged media houses and individual journalist to look on a safety measure in order to safely navigate these spaces. “Digital platforms are one of the most valuable resources that we have seen that can support and advance journalistic participation and growth in media industry.

East African Breweries PLC (EABL) has raised KES 16.76 billion in the first tranche of its KES 20 billion Medium-Term Note (MTN) Programme, following an oversubscription of more than 152 percent. In a statement, the brewer said it received applications amounting to KES 16.76 billion against the initial target of KES 11 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company’s credit position and performance outlook. “EABL received applications for Notes amounting to KES 16,764,220,000.00 against the original target of KES 11,000,000,000, representing an overall subscription rate of 152.4020 percent,” the company said.