After Senegal’s Turbulent Triumph, East Africa Prepares for AFCON 2027
Senegal’s dramatic AFCON triumph was overshadowed by controversy, security concerns and accusations of unequal treatment, reigniting debates about fairness and trust in African football. As East Africa prepares to host AFCON 2027 for the first time in decades, the lessons from Senegal’s experience highlight that success will depend not only on infrastructure, but on transparency, equity and credible tournament governance.
Why the Global Payments Race Is Pushing Banks Toward PayTech Acquisitions
Banks are increasingly acquiring payment technology firms as competition intensifies for control of payments infrastructure, customer data, and low-cost liquidity.
Kenya’s Foreign Exchange Buffers Hit All-Time High Of KSh 1.61 Trillion
Kenya’s foreign exchange reserves rose to a record KSh 1.61 trillion (US$12.477 billion) in the week ended Jan. 15, 2026, CBK data shows. The stockpile is KSh 430.1 billion higher than a year earlier, a 36.5% increase, reflecting sustained net FX inflows and reserve accumulation. Import cover rose to 5.4 months, up from 5.3 in the prior week and above the four-month statutory threshold.
From East African Industrial to NSE 20: The Forgotten Roots of Kenya’s Market Benchmark
The NSE 20 Share Index, Kenya’s oldest stock market benchmark, began in 1964 as the East African Industrial Share Index—tracking regional blue chips across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. It evolved into a purely Kenyan index after the collapse of the East African Community in 1977. Through market liberalization, privatizations, and financial crises, the NSE 20 has reflected Kenya’s shifting economic landscape. Though now overshadowed by broader indices, its legacy remains vital for historical analysis and regional market integration.How Iran Revealed that Elon Musk's Starlink is Not Invincible
Following the events in Iran, one may be tempted to ask: will Starlink be reliable during a state-backed internet crackdown? Or will governments deploy military tech to impede a service that was revered as almost invincible?How Kenyan Businesses Can Stay Resilient and Risk-Proof in 2026
With improving credit conditions and steady GDP growth, 2026 presents a critical window for businesses to fortify their foundations while actively positioning themselves for long-term expansion.
LAPTRUST Imara I-REIT Issues Profit Warning on Lower Rental Income
LAPTRUST Imara I-REIT has issued a profit warning, cautioning that earnings for the year ending December 31, 2025 will decline by at least 25% compared with the previous period, driven mainly by weaker gross rental income. The warning marks a shift from 2024, when operating performance improved sharply but results were weighed down by non-cash property valuation losses. The REIT said the outlook is based on management accounts to October 2025 and did not revise distribution guidance, placing focus on the durability of rental cash flows going into 2026.Climate Activists Take Aim at TotalEnergies' Role In AFCON
As African countries tackle it out in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) held in Morocco, environmental activists are heightening their vitriol against TotalEnergies’,Safaricom’s Green Bond Rings in a New Era for Kenyan Investors
The NSE bell rang for Safaricom’s Green note on December 16, 2025, and a live trade in red-jacket tradition started the secondary market for the KSh 20.0Bn tranche.
Kenya GDP Growth Hits 4.9% in Third Quarter 2025 as Farms and Construction Recover
Kenya’s economy expanded 4.9% in Q3 2025 compared to 4.2% in Q3 2024 as agriculture, construction, and mining recovered.Malawi Stock Exchange Leads African Markets With 248% Gain in 2025
The Malawi Stock Exchange delivered Africa’s strongest equity performance in 2025, rising 247.63%, far ahead of all regional peers. The rally was driven by sharp repricing in a small group of heavyweight stocks, led by National Investment Trust, FMB Capital Holdings, NBS Bank, NICO Holdings, FDH Bank, and Press Corporation, many of which posted triple-digit gains. Thin liquidity, low free float, and rising investor demand amplified price moves, while high inflation and kwacha weakness pushed equities as a store of value. The surge reflected concentration and valuation reset rather than broad economic expansion.What Kenya Can Learn from South Africa’s Real Estate Playbook
South Africa shows us what a stable, well-structured property market can look like. Kenya shows what’s possible when innovation meets demand.
