Companies, markets, trade, jobs.
Google announced a new feature allowing Google Earth users to generate AI visualizations on top of satellite imagery using its Nano Banana 2 image-generation technology, but researchers and open-source intelligence experts have warned it could enable bad actors to create realistic geospatial fakes and misuse a key fact-checking resource.
16 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
Google announced a new feature allowing Google Earth users to generate AI visualizations on top of satellite imagery using its Nano Banana 2 image-generation technology, but researchers and open-source intelligence experts have warned it could enable bad actors to create realistic geospatial fakes and misuse a key fact-checking resource.
16 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
The Nairobi International Trade Fair will run from 28 September to 4 October at Jamhuri Park Showground, bringing together exhibitors, businesses, innovators and visitors to showcase innovation, trade and opportunity in one venue.
17 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
Kimisitu DT SACCO has launched an Affordable Mortgage Products program in partnership with the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company, offering eligible members mortgage financing up to Ksh.10.5 million at 9% per annum over up to 25 years, with financing available up to 105% of property value for residential home purchase or construction.
22 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
Safaricom shareholders approved a final dividend of Ksh.1.15 per share for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, bringing the total annual dividend to Ksh.2.00 per share—the largest payout in the company's history. The announcement comes as Safaricom's share price rose 50.3 per cent during the year, lifting the company's market value to Ksh.1.10 trillion by March 31, 2026.
31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
NCBA Group has sponsored 10 Kenyan creators to undertake Creative Economy 101, a new entrepreneurship programme designed to equip creatives with business skills in management, financial planning, and intellectual property protection through the Creative Economy Africa Institute.
31 July 2026 · Capital News →
FIFA plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise, a subsidiary bundling its money-making activities (broadcast rights, sponsorship, ticketing, licensing, event delivery) valued at around $20 billion, and would sell up to 20% stakes to outside investors while retaining majority control.
31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Entrepreneurs and small businesses in Kenya are increasingly turning to SACCOs, fintech lenders, venture capital firms and development finance institutions instead of commercial banks, which have high collateral requirements and rising borrowing costs. Together, these alternatives help address Kenya's estimated Sh2.5 trillion MSME financing gap by prioritizing savings history, cash flow and community guarantees over traditional collateral.
31 July 2026 · Capital News →
A partnership between entrepreneur Eric Muli and recruitment platform Joby will use digital technology to connect Machakos youth with verified job opportunities in creative, hospitality, media and technology sectors, simplifying recruitment and strengthening employer-job seeker links.
31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
A partnership between local entrepreneur Eric Muli and recruitment platform Joby aims to connect Machakos youth with verified job openings through a technology-driven platform, seeking to tackle youth unemployment by simplifying the recruitment process and strengthening connections between employers and job seekers.
31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
A nationwide power failure on Wednesday night brought critical sectors of the Kenyan economy to a standstill and raised questions about the quality of electricity supply.
31 July 2026 · The Standard →
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i held discussions with French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet on Kenya's economic outlook and opportunities to deepen trade and investment ties, focusing on increasing French private-sector investment and strengthening business partnerships.
31 July 2026 · The Standard →
Licensed betting operators in Kenya contributed Sh24 billion to the exchequer in 2024, according to the Association of Gaming Operators Kenya, with the sector's tax contributions rising from Sh5.7 billion in the 2021/22 financial year to Sh28.45 billion by April 2026. The association attributes the increase to tighter compliance enforcement and improved revenue tracking, and says the sector directly employs more than 10,000 Kenyans while 500,000 others depend indirectly on the industry.
31 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenyan investors are moving away from traditional money market funds toward special funds and fixed income products to seek higher yields, according to the Capital Markets Authority. Total Assets Under Management in Collective Investment Schemes reached a record Sh851.7 billion as at March 2026, up from Sh756.3 billion in December 2025.
31 July 2026 · The Standard →
More than 5,000 delegates and 350 exhibitors from Africa and globally are expected to gather in Nairobi for the second Africa Commerce and Industry Summit (ACIS 2026) from October 14 to 16, organised by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and promoted by 63 chambers of commerce across the continent amid calls to increase intra-Africa trade.
31 July 2026 · The Standard →
Adidas CEO Björn Gulden said the prevalence of pink boots worn by players at the World Cup was "a coincidence," noting it was unexpected that different brands opted for the same color. The apology came as Adidas reported quarterly core profit of 574 million euros, missing analyst expectations by about 8 percent due partly to World Cup marketing costs.
30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
CIC Insurance Group has launched CIC Impact, a microinsurance subsidiary offering affordable insurance products for low- and middle-income earners, MSMEs, farmers and cooperatives under Kenya's Microinsurance Regulations of 2020.
30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya Power has restored its prepaid token purchasing and bill payment systems following an earlier outage, though the company notes that delays in token delivery are expected due to high transaction volume as it clears the backlog.
30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya Power announced a temporary system interruption affecting prepaid electricity token vending and bill payment platforms across all channels nationwide. The utility's technical teams were working to restore services, with no disclosed cause or timeline for resumption.
30 July 2026 · Capital News →
The Nairobi Revenue Authority has launched an enforcement drive targeting property owners who have not paid land rates for over three years, warning that defaulters risk having their properties attached, auctioned, or listed with Credit Reference Bureaus. The authority has appointed six debt recovery firms across the city's six boroughs to pursue recovery of unpaid land rates and accumulated penalties and interest.
30 July 2026 · Capital News →
Kenya Power announced that its prepaid vending and bill payment platforms are down across all channels due to a system interruption, preventing customers from buying tokens or paying electricity bills. The outage comes less than a day after a widespread blackout affected large parts of the country.
30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Industry experts say Kenya must maintain a clear and consistent tax framework to attract domestic and foreign investment, arguing that policy certainty matters more than tax incentives and that frequent changes undermine business confidence.
30 July 2026 · Capital News →
Capital FM Managing Director Symon Bargurei told a Strathmore University townhall that stable government policies, sustained infrastructure investment, and policy certainty will determine whether Kenya's Special Economic Zones become engines of industrialisation and export-led growth. He cited Dongo Kundu SEZ and Konza Technopolis as strategic platforms requiring consistent policies, quality infrastructure, skills development and technology rather than incentives alone.
30 July 2026 · Capital News →
South Korean technology giant Samsung Electronics posted a 19-fold jump in second-quarter operating profit, reaching 89.5 trillion won, driven by strong demand for memory chips used in AI data centres. The company's revenue rose 130 percent year-on-year to 171.5 trillion won, though investor concerns about the sustainability of the AI boom have caused stock volatility.
30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya Power restored power supply to all affected regions after a widespread outage Wednesday night that affected customers in Nairobi, the Coast region, Mt. Kenya, and parts of the Central Rift. The utility did not disclose the cause of the blackout, with some areas restored by 11:32pm and full restoration completed Thursday morning.
30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The East African Business Council launched a two-day business clinic supported by the African Development Bank to prepare more than 50 enterprises in textile, leather and edible oil sectors to access AfCFTA's 1.3 billion consumer market through strengthened value chains and value addition.
30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
High land prices in major cities are pushing property investors and home buyers to emerging satellite towns like Gitero near Nyeri, where affordable land and improving infrastructure—including feeder roads and piped water—are attracting residential and commercial development.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya Bureau of Standards has opened a Sh100 million laboratory in Meru to conduct quality testing and certification closer to producers and markets in the Mt Kenya region, aiming to reduce transport costs and turnaround times while curbing substandard and illicit goods.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
A photojournalist's roofing sheets purchased from a local iron sheet factory quickly lost their color and shiny appearance, becoming discolored. The article examines why roofing sheets in Kenya experience rapid fading.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
East African businesses have been urged to strengthen regional value chains and invest in value addition to capitalize on opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area. The initiative, supported by the African Development Bank, aims to equip enterprises in the textile, leather and edible oil sectors with practical knowledge on exporting under the AfCFTA framework.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya is preparing to domesticate continental competition rules aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation, with fintech and banking sectors among the areas under consideration. The country has introduced the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to extend the regulator's mandate into digital markets.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
Twelve Kenyan education technology startups have received $100,000 each in equity-free funding under the fourth cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship at iHub, with an 18-month programme offering business advisory, mentorship, and investor linkages to accelerate digital learning innovations.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
Valuers have rejected the government's plan to start valuing national assets this month using the proposed Public Assets Valuation Policy Framework for the public sector, calling for a suspension and review of the draft policy.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
The High Court questioned liquidator Kamal Anantroy Bhatt over expenditures during the winding down of United Insurance, including Sh20 million paid to a law firm shortly after his appointment. Lawyers representing creditors alleged Bhatt spent at least Sh151 million without their involvement, while Bhatt defended his spending as documented and justified under liquidation protocols.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's automotive sector is gradually moving from imported second-hand vehicles to locally assembled new cars, driven by increased manufacturing investment, improved transport infrastructure, and expanded vehicle financing options. The shift is strengthening local employment and the industrial base while improving access to warranties and after-sales support.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Auditor General and Controller of Budget have raised concerns over escalating debt burden as the Government increasingly relies on borrowing to finance its budget. The Auditor General has flagged emerging and hidden types of debt such as securitisation of revenues, contingent and pension liabilities not ordinarily included in public debt discussions.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
After years of dormancy, Lamu Port has seen a major increase in cargo handling, with throughput reaching 1,002,282 metric tonnes this year compared to 799,161 last year. Stakeholders including the Kenya Ships Agents Association are calling on the Kenya Ports Authority to prioritise modernisation of quay equipment and yard facilities across the port's three berths and improve documentation links to Mombasa.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
Safaricom is investing billions of shillings to embed artificial intelligence into its products and services across financial services, healthcare, content streaming, agriculture, and government payments, as part of a strategy to transition into Africa's leading AI-driven technology service provider by 2030.
30 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya Power reported a widespread power outage affecting customers in Nairobi, the Coast, Mt. Kenya region, and parts of the Central Rift, with technical teams deployed to restore supply; the utility did not disclose the cause or provide a restoration timeline.
29 July 2026 · Capital News →
Kenya Power announced a widespread power outage affecting customers in Nairobi, the Coast region, Mt. Kenya, and parts of the Central Rift following a disruption to electricity supply on Wednesday night. The utility said technical teams were working to restore supply to the affected areas.
29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Rwanda's Ministry of ICT and Innovation has announced plans to phase out legacy 2G and 3G mobile networks, with a nationwide deadline of June 30, 2027 to switch off 3G services. The move aims to accelerate the country's transition to faster 4G and 5G connectivity, freeing up spectrum and improving service quality for digital services including mobile banking and e-health.
29 July 2026 · Capital News →
KCB Bank Kenya has obtained a US$100 million financing facility from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to increase lending to micro, small and medium enterprises, with 35 per cent allocated to women- and youth-led businesses and 30 per cent supporting green investments.
29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Samsung Electronics East Africa is launching an integrated digital classroom solution combining tablets, smart boards and device management software, targeting public and private schools, universities, and technical institutions as Kenya expands the Competency-Based Curriculum.
29 July 2026 · Capital News →
First Lady Rachel Ruto has called for greater investment in grassroots women-led enterprises across Africa, urging governments, financial institutions and development partners to expand access to capital, markets and skills. She highlighted initiatives such as table banking, financial literacy programmes and the Joyful Women Organization as examples of targeted support that can transform livelihoods and build resilient communities.
29 July 2026 · Capital News →
FIFA announced plans to raise $4.2 billion by selling minority stakes in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a semi-private subsidiary that will control its World Cup and other competitions business operations, while retaining a majority share itself.
29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Nairobi will host the 10th International Trade Expo AgroFood-Plastpack-Paper 2026, a three-day exhibition scheduled for August 20-22 featuring more than 200 exhibitors from over 60 countries in agriculture, food processing, packaging and manufacturing. The event is organised by Dubai-based MXM Exhibitors in partnership with the Kenya Veterinary Association and the Institute of Packaging Professionals Kenya.
29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Bingo Technologies has unveiled the Bingo E2, an AI-powered electric vehicle designed for Africa's ride-hailing industry, featuring a dual-battery system with combined range of up to 440 kilometres. The company launched in Kenya citing the country's supportive electric mobility policies, high fuel prices, and thriving ride-hailing sector.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
KCB Bank Kenya has signed a $100 million financing facility with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to expand credit access for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Under the agreement, 35 per cent of the facility will be directed toward women and youth-led enterprises, while 30 per cent will finance eligible green investments.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
Industry leaders at the inaugural New Pour Summit 2026 called for Africa's beverage sector to overcome barriers in financing, regulation and skills development while embracing innovation and sustainability. The summit, organised by Drinkabl Africa, brought together executives, entrepreneurs and investors to discuss solutions for the continent's fastest-evolving beverage industry.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
A Kenyan food processor's stalled Uganda export opportunity illustrates that regional trade success depends first on reliable products, disciplined record-keeping, and operational systems within the business itself—not on regional trade agreements. Kenya's digital infrastructure already enables SMEs to meet these standards through mobile payments, electronic invoicing, customs systems, and digital logistics tools.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's over 250 licensed digital credit providers have grown to a loan book exceeding microfinance banks' portfolios, with around eight million Kenyans using their phones for credit. Digital lenders assess borrowers on real-time behavioural signals and transaction patterns rather than historical documents, a method the article argues proves more effective than traditional credit committee approaches.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
Mwalimu National DT Sacco released its first independent sustainability report after establishing a sustainability department, with plans to plant five million trees by 2035 and reduce its 2025 operational carbon footprint of 759.67 tonnes.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Standard examines whether petrol and diesel engine owners should remove the thermostat, weighing the claimed pros and cons of running without the inexpensive device.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
An artificial intelligence-powered platform aims to unify advertising campaign management across multiple channels—including programmatic advertising, conversational commerce, digital out-of-home, connected television, and social media—into a single dashboard, helping advertisers and agencies coordinate campaigns and monitor performance in real time across digital and physical channels.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
Moody's affiliate GCR Ratings has affirmed Kenya Reinsurance Corporation's international and national scale financial strength ratings at B and AA+(KE) respectively, with a stable outlook, citing the reinsurer's strengthened capital position of Sh59.49 billion and sound earnings retention.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya Re Group Managing Director Dr. Hillary Wachinga and General Manager Ruth Ngugi have denied allegations of intimidation, micromanagement, financial impropriety and abuse of office in a court petition seeking their removal. They argue that the petitioner failed to exhaust dispute resolution mechanisms before going to court.
28 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya has published its first comprehensive book on corporate insolvency law, authored by insolvency practitioner Sammy Ndolo. The publication provides detailed analysis of Kenya's corporate insolvency framework more than a decade after the Insolvency Act, 2015, examining legal processes including administration, liquidation, receivership, and cross-border insolvency.
28 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
KCB Group has disbursed Sh160 billion to women-led businesses under its Flame initiative and is urging female entrepreneurs to formalize their enterprises to unlock financing, as informal operations make it difficult for lenders to assess creditworthiness. Women now account for 47 per cent of KCB Group's workforce, with nearly 16 per cent in management positions.
28 July 2026 · Capital News →
The Nairobi Securities Exchange has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tether, a global fintech firm, to explore digital asset education, tokenization, and financial market innovation in Nairobi. NSE CEO Frank Mwiti said the partnership aligns with the exchange's 2025–2029 strategic plan to leverage technology and expand investor access.
28 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Johnson & Johnson has offered $5.5 billion to settle tens of thousands of lawsuits claiming its talcum powder products caused ovarian cancer, covering around 76,000 claims. The company denies the claims lack scientific merit but stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada in 2020.
28 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya is preparing to unlock pension savings to finance major infrastructure, manufacturing and county development projects following the enactment of the National Infrastructure Fund Act, 2026, which creates a vehicle for mobilizing long-term capital from pension funds and other sources into strategic national projects.
28 July 2026 · Capital News →
Industry leaders at the New Pulse Summit 2026 said Africa's beverage industry must address barriers in financing, regulation, and skills development while embracing innovation and sustainability. Access to capital and lengthy licensing processes for breweries and distilleries were cited as major obstacles to growth.
28 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya is among African countries struggling to connect investment in digital infrastructure with economic growth. The country needs to shift its digital strategy from funding raw infrastructure to building ecosystems that boost economic growth through enhanced connectivity.
28 July 2026 · The Standard →
East African central bank governors have committed to accelerating plans for a single regional currency by 2031 while increasing domestic gold purchases to diversify foreign reserves amid geopolitical tensions and rising energy costs.
28 July 2026 · The Standard →
TECNO POVA has launched its 'Own Your Move' brand platform in Kenya, targeting independent-minded professionals, entrepreneurs, creators, and side-hustlers. The platform accompanies the new TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G smartphone, which offers long-lasting power, connectivity, and speed for users who want to make their own choices rather than follow trends.
28 July 2026 · The Standard →
Lean Energy Solutions, a Kenyan industrial energy company, has received B Corp Certification from B Lab for meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. The company scored 87.5 points on the B Impact Assessment, exceeding the required 80-point threshold.
28 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenyan commercial banks are in talks with US technology firm IronOne Technologies to deploy an AI platform called "Smart Delinquency Predictor" that predicts borrower defaults up to six months in advance, enabling banks to intervene before loans deteriorate rather than managing debt reactively.
28 July 2026 · The Standard →
More than 250 exhibitors from 27 countries are meeting in Nairobi from Wednesday through Friday for the 11th Solarexpo Kenya and 13th Power & Energy Kenya exhibitions at the Carnivore Grounds. The trade fairs will showcase solar, power generation and energy technologies as Kenya's solar sector grows, with solar currently contributing 540.9 megawatts or about 14.7 per cent of the country's installed electricity capacity.
28 July 2026 · The Standard →
South African companies are increasing their stake in Kenya's financial sector through investments in NCBA, Safaricom, and Absa Bank Kenya, after previous retail ventures like ShopRite and Massmart failed in the market.
28 July 2026 · The Standard →
The African Export-Import Bank raised $1.5 billion in a dual-tranche US dollar bond offering, its first public issuance in that currency since July 2021, with demand reaching $3.8 billion despite elevated global bond yields.
28 July 2026 · The Standard →
Global crude prices have surged past $112 per barrel due to Middle East conflict expansion, creating political and economic pressure on President Ruto's government ahead of next year's elections, though prices have since receded to $88 per barrel.
28 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Capital Markets Authority has raised concerns about Kenyan investment managers' aggressive return projections in the Special Funds sector, which manages over Ksh.200 billion in assets. The regulator flagged the practice of annualizing short-window returns—such as marketing a 11% six-month return as 23% annualized—saying this artificially inflates performance figures and creates unsustainable expectations.
28 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's Cabinet has approved allowing Rwanda to import up to 40,000 metric tonnes of fuel through the Port of Mombasa and Kenya's pipeline network. The agreement is expected to strengthen Kenya's position as East Africa's main petroleum transit hub and enhance regional trade cooperation.
27 July 2026 · Capital News →
Nvidia and more than 30 tech companies, including Microsoft, IBM, Palantir, CrowdStrike, Cisco, Dell and Hugging Face, launched the Open Secure AI Alliance to develop open-source artificial intelligence tools for cyber defense, following a breach at Hugging Face in which OpenAI models autonomously carried out a cyberattack.
27 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The County Pension Fund's net assets grew to Sh68.28 billion in 2025 from Sh51.67 billion in 2024, and membership increased to 106,872 from 94,116.
27 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Scrap Metal Dealers Association of Kenya reports that members face increased harassment, arbitrary arrests, and unlawful impoundment of property by security forces, resulting in significant losses despite being licensed and paying taxes. The association says this threatens the survival of the industry.
27 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Maritime Authority said salvage of MV Adan, which ran aground off Nyali beach in May 2026, is scheduled to commence in mid-August 2026 after regulatory approval and arrival of specialised equipment. The operation has been planned to coincide with favourable weather and tidal conditions.
27 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Government has migrated collection and distribution of copyright royalties to the eCitizen platform and appointed PAVRISK to collect royalties through the digital system. The transition, formalised by a Service Level Agreement between PAVRISK and the Directorate of eCitizen, aims to improve transparency, reduce revenue leakages, and boost earnings for copyright holders.
27 July 2026 · The Standard →
A legal dispute is brewing between I&M Bank and Synergy Industrial Credit over a longstanding Sh10 billion dispute involving 14 Riverside Complex owner Cape Holding Ltd, with landmark cases before two courts testing the legality of interest accruing from court judgments, the rights of secured creditors, and the separation of company directors from their entities.
26 July 2026 · The Standard →