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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

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Brian Ngugi

African payments system taps more States to grow trade, cut forex woes

For companies like Kenya Airways (KQ), the system offers a potential lifeline against persistent issues of blocked funds.

African payments system taps more States to grow trade, cut forex woes

Kenyan firms urged to join Algeria Trade Fair

Kenyan firms urged to join Algeria Trade Fair

State's double-speak as it blocks licence for top EU tour operator

State's double-speak as it blocks licence for top EU tour operator

Firms feel heat of cost of living crisis as Kenyans cut spending

Firms feel heat of cost of living crisis as Kenyans cut spending

Over 700 firms seek CBK licence amid crackdown on predatory digital lenders

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) revealed the overwhelming interest as it announced the licensing of an additional 41 firms, bringing the total number of regulated lenders to 126.

Over 700 firms seek CBK licence amid crackdown on predatory digital lenders

CMA to shake up boards, C-suites of blue-chip firms with new rules

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) is set to crack down on errant listed firms with the new, stringent corporate governance regulations that are poised to become law.

CMA to shake up boards, C-suites of blue-chip firms with new rules

Kenya joins China-backed UN-style mediation body

The body is heralded as the world's fastest intergovernmental organisation dedicated to mediation, designed to address state-to-state disputes.

Kenya joins China-backed UN-style mediation body

Ruto's economy: World Bank flags missing Gen Z jobs, rising poverty

The World Bank has delivered a mixed economic scorecard on President William Ruto's administration.

Ruto's economy: World Bank flags missing Gen Z jobs, rising poverty

International mediation body offers 'faster, cheaper' path to justice

Ding said mediation offers a “win-win”solution compared to adversarial litigation or arbitration, which can strain diplomatic relations and drag on for years.

International mediation body offers 'faster, cheaper' path to justice

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.

How Africa is fighting global protectionism through AfCFTA

AI-powered humanoids likely to take over factories by 2027, Chinese firm says

The Shenzhen-based company, which specialises in robotics, is currently fine-tuning its research and development efforts to make this vision a reality.

AI-powered humanoids likely to take over factories by 2027, Chinese firm says

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.

Mbadi seeks Kenyans' help for inaugural post-Gen Z protest budget

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.

Economic resilience through AfCFTA: Inside Africa's new path to self-sufficiency

China-backed mediation body poised to reshape global disputes

This new body aims to offer a flexible alternative for resolving international disagreements amid rising global tensions and challenges to traditional dispute resolution systems.

China-backed mediation body poised to reshape global disputes

Afreximbank roots for Caribbean-Africa Trade amid rising global tensions

Professor Benedict Oramah emphasised the urgency noting that despite deep historical bonds, trade between the two regions currently stands at less than 1% of their total exports.

Afreximbank roots for Caribbean-Africa Trade amid rising global tensions

Lessons Kenya can learn from China's ruling Communist Party

With over seven decades in power, the party emphasises the importance of remembering its "initial aspirations" – to wholeheartedly serve the people.

Lessons Kenya can learn from China's ruling Communist Party

NCBA Group appoints new executive to lead Kenya unit

Tier one lender NCBA Group has appointed international banking executive James Gossip as the new managing director of its Kenyan unit.

NCBA Group appoints new executive to lead Kenya unit

Kenya's top lender KCB posts Q1 profit of Sh16.53b, StanChart takes a hit

Kenya’s largest lender by assets, KCB Group, posted an after-tax profit of Sh16.53 billion in the first quarter of the year ending March.

Kenya's top lender KCB posts Q1 profit of Sh16.53b, StanChart takes a hit

Co-op Bank first quarter profit up 5.3pc to Sh6.9b amid expansion push

Co-op Bank has reported a by 5.3 per cent growth in profit after tax for the first quarter of 2025, driven by income growth, as the tier one lender expands its footprint across Kenya and South Sudan.

Co-op Bank first quarter profit up 5.3pc to Sh6.9b amid expansion push

CBK rejects banks' rate cap claims, digs in on Ruto's loan reforms

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has dismissed commercial lenders' claims that its proposed loan pricing reforms amount to a return to “interest rate capping.”

CBK rejects banks' rate cap claims, digs in on Ruto's loan reforms

'Ni hao' Kenya roses!: China's flower lovers say yes

Currently, logistical hurdles mean Kenyan flowers are primarily sold on order in China, bypassing the dynamic auction system that defines Dounan's daily rhythm.

'Ni hao' Kenya roses!: China's flower lovers say yes

China's tea festival showcases poverty-fighting model for Kenyan farmers

An integrated approach to value addition, proactive market development, and comprehensive farmer support could offer insights for nations like Kenya.

China's tea festival showcases poverty-fighting model for Kenyan farmers

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.

Chinese wine makers aim for global dominance

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.

Showdown looms as banks reject CBK's cheap loans reform plan

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.

Local banks bet on Pan-African payment system to spur trade

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.

Direct flights, SGR extension and trade top list of Ruto, Jinping deals

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.

Ruto seals China deals, eyes 25,000 jobs for Kenyans

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.

Shilling's rally set for dividends season dollar demand test

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.

Ruto takes Kenya's wishlist to Beijing as trade winds shift

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.

Inside Ruto's high-stakes China visit amid raging global trade war

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.

World Haemophilia Day: AAR operates special clinic to sensitise untreated bleeding disorders

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.

Ruto to seek more loans for stalled projects in China visit

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.

Afrexim pushes for Africa trade bloc as protectionism bites

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.

SBM Bank Kenya swings to Sh12.4m quarter 1 net profit

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.

Kenyan bankers partner with UK Institute to bolster credit risk management

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.

Kenya backs closer China-Africa ties amid global trade friction, urges diplomat retraining

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.

Trump taps Kenya for pacts in agriculture despite tariff spat

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.

Chinese top milk producer Mengniu sees 'lots of opportunities' in Africa

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.

CBK rejects Trump currency manipulation claims amid Sh12.9b tariffs hit

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 2 months ago

KCB cuts rates in boon for borrowers

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 2 months ago

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

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 2 months ago

CBK faces pressure over US tariff, currency manipulation claims

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 2 months ago

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

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 2 months ago

Tala feted as top digital lender in risk management

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