Africa's sustained growth in electricity demand comes despite volatility in global energy markets and elevated electricity generation costs resulting from higher fuel prices. Writes Ossama El-Khattib, Export Sales Director, El Sewedy Electric Industries, Egypt.According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Africa is projected to register the fastest growth in electricity demand worldwide in 2026, driven by expanding electricity access for millions of people, rapid industrialization, accelerating urbanization, and sustained economic development across the continent.
Category: Economy&Finance
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Kenya Moves to Merge Investment Zone Agencies
A proposed legislation before the National Assembly would fold Kenya's two investment-zone regimes into a single authority, though its most consequential feature is not the merger but a wide gap in how much of what these zones produce can now be sold to ordinary Kenyans.•The Kenya Economic Zones Bill seeks to dissolve the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) and the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA), replacing both with a single Kenya Economic Zones Authority.
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What the Gulf Oil Rollercoaster Means for Your Pocket and Your Portfolio
As the Gulf war escalates after the ceasefire between the US and Iran failed, businesses and households should plan for the possibility that Kenya's frozen pump prices are a temporary calm, not a new normal. Writes Rufas Kamau, Regional Market Analyst, FXPesa.Kenyan motorists have had a strange kind of luck this year.
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Multinationals, Tier One Banks Slash Borrowing Costs as Small Banks Hold High Ground
Average commercial bank lending rates in Kenya maintained a downward trajectory through June 2026, dropping to 14.38% from 14.49% in May, according to the latest interest rate data released by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).•The data reveals a stark divergence in credit pricing strategies across tier-one institutions and smaller lenders, highlighting how individual bank liquidity and risk appetites are shaping credit market dynamics.
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Africa’s Farmers Are Not Unbankable
Africa’s farmers do not need to be made bankable. They are already productive economic actors. What they need are financial systems intelligent enough to see them. Writes Abraham Nyabera, Co-founder, FarmFuzion.Africa’s farmers power one of the continent’s most important industries, yet remain among its least adequately financed participants.
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Daniel Ngumy Re-elected as ALN Kenya Managing Partner, Ensuring Continued Leadership Stability
Nairobi Tuesday 28 July 2026: We are delighted to announce the re-election of Daniel Ngumy as ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna Managing Partner with effect from 1 August 2026.ALN Kenya has been led jointly by Rosa Nduati-Mutero and Daniel Ngumy since 2022. Rosa took the considered decision not to seek re-election for a second term as Co-Managing Partner.
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Controller of Budget Accuses Treasury of Creating a Fund that Dodges Her Oversight
In a constitutional petition challenging the legality of the National Infrastructure Fund, the Controller of Budget accused her own government of designing it in a way that would escape her oversight.•In her affidavit filed before the High Court, Margaret Nyakang'o said the law establishing the Fund was built to cut her out of its finances, reducing to a rubber stamp the approval her office is constitutionally required to give before public money can be withdrawn from a fund of its kind.
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Helios Makes Progress on Controversial CAB Payments Deal as East Africa Reviews Takeover Bid
East Africa's competition regulator has opened an inquiry into private equity firm Helios Investment Partners' planned acquisition of London-listed cross-border payments company CAB Payments, in a deal that could reshape digital payment infrastructure serving Kenya and the wider region.•The acquisition would see Mara BidCo Ltd, a special purpose vehicle backed by Helios Investment Partners and Helios Fairfax Partners, acquire all outstanding shares in CAB Payments that are not already owned by Helios' earlier investment fund.
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Kenya Moves to Merge Water Storage and Irrigation Agencies
The Public Service Commission (PSC) will play a central role in determining the future of employees as the government moves to merge two state corporations under proposed changes aimed at streamlining Kenya's irrigation and water storage functions.•The proposed Irrigation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 provides that employees of the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA) will automatically transfer to the new National Irrigation and Water Storage Authority once the law takes effect.
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Kenya Softens Stablecoin Capital Rules, Keeps Reserve Mandate
Kenya has lowered the highest capital hurdle in its new virtual-asset regime, trimming the paid-up capital required for stablecoin issuers by 40% after industry consultation while leaving intact some of the framework's most consequential controls over digital-dollar businesses.•The National Treasury's March draft regulations indicated stablecoin issuers would need up to KSh 500 million in paid-up capital but updated regulations gazetted last week instead require KSh 300 million, reducing the single highest capital threshold in the licensing regime.