How Ownership Stakes Shape Influence in Bank Acquisitions
Banks around the world are increasingly taking equity positions in a range of financial firms, including fintech startups, payments platforms, niche lenders, and, in some cases, competitors. These moves go beyond pure financial investment, often forming part of a strategy to gain access to emerging technologies, expand distribution networks, or reach new customer segments. When […]
Where Savers Are Parking Cash as Rates Change
Kenyan savers are reallocating cash into higher-yield instruments as interest rates begin to ease from recent peaks, with Money Market Funds, Treasury Bills, SACCOs and select fixed deposits attracting most inflows heading into early 2026. This follows a period of weak returns on traditional savings accounts. By late 2025, average savings rates across commercial banks […]
How Fixed Deposits Compare Across Kenyan Banks
Fixed deposit rates in Kenya continue to show wide variation across the banking sector, as lenders compete for stable funding amid shifting monetary conditions. In 2025, several banks were offering annual returns above 10%, with the highest advertised rates reaching about 13.60%, well ahead of headline inflation, which averaged about 4.3% in mid-2024. The differences […]
Why Investors Are Choosing Money Market Funds Over Banks
Kenyan investors are steadily redirecting their savings away from traditional bank accounts toward Money Market Funds (MMFs), as returns, liquidity, and ease of access continue to tilt in favour of unit trusts. By early 2026, MMFs had reached about KSh 400 billion in assets under management, accounting for nearly 58.9% of all unit trust assets […]
How Trade Finance Supports Kenyan Enterprises
Trade finance remains a critical component of Kenya’s economy in 2026, underpinning more than 90% of global trade. Characterized by short-term, self-liquidating transactions often backed by physical goods, trade finance helps Kenyan firms manage liquidity, mitigate risk, and expand into international markets. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, these tools are central to […]
Fitch Credit Ratings Explained and What Each Level Means for Kenya
Fitch Ratings is one of the three major global credit rating agencies, alongside Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings. Its sovereign credit ratings measure a government’s capacity and willingness to service its debt obligations fully and on time. These assessments are forward-looking and are based on economic growth prospects, public debt levels, fiscal policy discipline, foreign-exchange […]
Why Safaricom Shiriki Pay Is One of a Kind Shared Digital Wallet
Safaricom has added a new layer to Kenya’s mobile money ecosystem with Shiriki Pay, an M-PESA feature that allows one user to grant another controlled access to spend directly from their wallet. Instead of transferring money each time, the primary wallet holder authorises a beneficiary to make specific merchant payments within set limits. The balance […]
How Banks Evaluate Small Businesses for Financing in Kenya
Kenyan banks approach small business lending with a strong focus on risk control. Unlike large corporates with audited disclosures and long operating histories, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operate with limited formal records. As a result, lenders rely on a combination of financial evidence, collateral coverage, and the personal standing of the business owner […]
What SMEs Should Know Before Opening a Bank Account in Kenya
Opening a business bank account is one of the first formal steps for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya. Beyond compliance, the account becomes the financial record banks, suppliers, and tax authorities rely on to assess how a business operates. The choice of bank, account type, and supporting documents can influence cash management, access […]
Which Kenyan Banks Serve Small Businesses Best
Kenyan banks serving small businesses are under growing pressure to move beyond credit provision and operate as full financial partners. By 2026, SME banking in Kenya is increasingly shaped by digital onboarding, integrated platforms, tailored financing models, and non-financial support that helps businesses manage cash flow, payments, compliance, and growth. Institutions that combine technology with […]