Kenya

In light of the recent challenges, how would you evaluate performance in the banking sector?

In 2016 the Kenyan banking sector experienced varying degrees of structural and regulatory turbulence. Following the receivership of Imperial Bank and Dubai Bank in 2015, the year started off with the fall of Chase Bank, a mid-tier lender, following liquidity challenges as a result of a bank run. This led to credit tightening in the inter-bank market, with smaller banks locked...

A young population with rapidly rising purchasing power forms a solid base from which the Kenyan insurance market can grow. While penetration remains relatively low, it is in line with most countries in the region and creates a welcoming, innovative environment for industry players. In 2016 Kenya was ranked as one of Africa’s most mature...

As part of Kenya’s Capital Markets Master Plan 2014-23, issued by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), the country aims to deepen and expand its capital markets. The strategy outlines a number of reforms, but chief among them is the launch of new instruments, which it is hoped will not only attract new capital – both from retail investors, as...

The Kenyan ICT sector has registered substantial growth over the years. In 2015 it contributed 0.9% to GDP. Telecoms continues to be an epicentre of growth, as witnessed in 2016. There has been enormous growth in the mobile communications industry, which has been a game changer.

The capital markets in Kenya have witnessed many years of sustained and rapid growth. This performance, phrased as one investor as “Africa in fifth gear”, reflects the broader macroeconomic fundamentals of the country’s economy, which is set to strengthen further in 2017 as a result of ongoing government spending on infrastructure and the...