How Kenya Can Navigate Economic Shocks from the Middle East War
Kenya’s current “wait and hope” approach is not economically or politically feasible. Calm and calculated decisions have to be taken to avoid a deeper crisis.
Lessons from Japan's Keiretsu in Building Sophisticated Kenyan Conglomerates
Lessons from Japan’s Zaibatsu and their post-war successors, the Keiretsu, suggest that sophisticated conglomerates can play a central role in strengthening national competitiveness, expanding industrial capacity, and driving innovation.
How the World Is Handling the Worst Energy Crisis in Decades
Across the world, economies are staring at multifold crises triggered by the latest, ongoing conflict pitting Israel and the United States against Iran.
BBB- to Default: S&P and Fitch Rate Five African Nations
S&P Global Ratings downgraded Senegal's local currency sovereign rating four notches to CCC+ on March 27, 2026, citing gross financing needs of 26% of GDP, a suspended IMF program, and government debt estimated at 131% of GDP. In the same 48-hour window, S&P affirmed Morocco at investment-grade BBB- and Ghana at B-, while Fitch affirmed Tanzania at B+ Stable. Mozambique's selective default local currency rating was also affirmed alongside a CCC+ foreign currency rating with Negative outlook. The five actions were shaped by the Middle East war, IMF program access, and commodity exposure.
NSE Suffers Worst Week Since Covid 19 Week, Oil Shock Wipes KSh 231Bn From Market
The Nairobi Securities Exchange recorded its worst week since COVID-19, erasing KSh 231.17Bn across five consecutive losing sessions in the second largest weekly decline since 2008. The Banking Index fell 8.03%, posting its worst day since launch on Thursday. The NSE 10 lost 9.02%, also a record worst week. ABSA dropped 14.5%, KCB shed 10.5%, and Equity fell 9.8%. Brent crude closed above $106 after Iran rejected US peace talks, with Kenya facing a fuel price shock at the April 15 EPRA review. Foreign investors were net sellers at KSh 503.76M. Market cap fell to KSh 3,241Bn. YTD gains narrowed from 12.24% to 4.76%.Treasury CS Mbadi Rules Out New Taxes In Finance Bill 2026
Treasury is betting that tighter enforcement, digital tax collection and broader compliance can raise enough revenue to support the next budget.
Women, Older Kenyans and Low-Income Earners Most Anxious Over Debt-Old Mutual Report
Findings from the Old Mutual Financial Wellness Monitor 2025 indicate that about 40% of working Kenyans worry about their debt, a notable improvement from 53% a year earlier.Unlocking Kenya’s Economic Growth Through Competition Reform- OECD Peer Review Report
Kenya’s US$ 132 billion economy is dynamic but constrained by a restrictive regulatory environment and heavy state participation, which limit private sector growth. The 2026 OECD review finds that targeted competition reforms could unlock significant gains- boosting GDP and jobs- highlighting the need for stronger, more independent enforcement by the Competition Authority of Kenya.SHA Survives Constitutional Test, but Transition Flaws Persist
Although the judgment acknowledged weaknesses and irregularities in the process, it concluded they were not strong enough to invalidate the contract itself.Kenya Railways Posts KSh 28 Bn Loss on SGR Loan Costs
Kenya Railways Corporation narrowed its operating loss by 65% to KSh 581.5 Mn for the year ended 30 June 2025 as freight haulage hit a record 8.16 million tonnes and total revenue climbed 18.6% to KSh 30.52 Bn. SGR revenues grew 9.1% to KSh 19.42 Bn. The gains were absorbed by KSh 25.97 Bn in interest on the GoK on-lent SGR loan (originally China Exim Bank), leaving a net loss of KSh 28.17 Bn. The loan balance grew 4.0% to KSh 672.04 Bn. Negative equity widened to KSh 121.08 Bn. The Auditor-General issued a qualified opinion on six grounds including unsupported land and revenue inaccuracies.Kenya is Winning the Electric Mobility Race- M-KOPA Mobility GM
What stands out about Kenya's e-mobility reality and potential is not any single intervention, but the alignment between policy, infrastructure, and financing.
Nairobi Ranks 6th in Sub-Saharan Africa, 56th Globally, in New Attractiveness Index
Nairobi has been ranked 56th globally and sixth in Sub-Saharan Africa in a new Global Attractiveness Index, reflecting a mixed profile of economic strength alongside persistent infrastructure and social constraints.
