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As the largest economy in the EAC and COMESA in terms of GDP, Kenya has positioned itself as a major economic power in the region and across sub-Saharan Africa. Traditionally a largely agrarian economy, Kenya has quickly entrenched its position as a manufacturing, logistical and technology hub in the region. As a market-based economy with a supportive domestic policy...

The government has a long history of intervening in Kenya’s banking industry. Before the financial sector was fully liberalised in the 1990s, state actors maintained a firm grip on credit allocation to various areas of the economy, only granting a greater share of funds to sectors it deemed to be strategically important. This approach, however...

Averaging 5% per year over the past decade, according to the most recent figures from the IMF, Kenya’s economic growth has been impressive. Revenue growth, however, has followed a more volatile trajectory and has often failed to meet government projections. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collected some KSh656.9bn ($6.4bn) in tax revenue in the second half of 2017, a figure...

The past year has been a challenging one for Kenya’s banks. As the full-year results for 2017 began to emerge, the effects of a new cap on lending interest rates become apparent, with most banks reporting reduced margins and profitability. A tighter lending environment, however, has encouraged banks to find alternative routes to revenue. Technological innovation, in particular...

With its large population, diverse economy and an insurance penetration rate of less than 3% of GDP in the first quarter of 2018, compared to a global average of more than 6%, Kenya holds significant promise as an insurance arena. Recent years have seen the government and the industry regulator attempt to realise this potential: key measures...