Kenya’s Banks Still Have East Africa’s Worst Bad Loan Problem
Kenyan banks may have improved their asset quality in FY25, but the sector is still carrying the heaviest bad loan burden in East Africa, according to the FY25 Kenya Banking Sector Report by Wall Street Africa Group.
Kenya’s Banking Sector Splits Into Winners and Laggards
Kenya’s banking sector is no longer moving as one trade, according to the FY25 Kenya Banking Sector Report published by Wall Street Africa Group.KESONIA, Lower Rates, and the New Profit Test for Kenya's Banks- Wall Street Africa FY25 Kenya Banking Sector Report
After nearly two years of strong macro tailwinds, banks are now being forced to prove how much of their profitability was structural and how much was simply helped by high interest rates, elevated Treasury bill yields and foreign exchange volatility.Wall Street Africa Group Launches Inaugural Kenya Banking Sector Report
Wall Street Africa Group’s inaugural banking sector report shows that FY2025 marked the end of easy earnings for Kenyan banks. FY2026 now set to test which institutions can sustain performance in a lower-rate, tighter-margin environment.
Nigeria's Zenith Bank Completes Paramount Bank Kenya Acquisition
Zenith Bank Plc has completed the acquisition of Paramount Bank Kenya Limited, gaining its first East African foothold. The deal covers the bank's entire share capital plus subsidiaries PB Capital and Paramount Bancassurance. Paramount posted a KSh370 Mn profit in FY2025 on total assets of KSh17.11 Bn. The acquisition price was not disclosed.
Central Bank of Kenya Holds Rate Steady at 8.75%, Flags Middle East Conflict as Key Risk
The Central Bank of Kenya held its benchmark rate at 8.75% on April 8, pausing a record 10-consecutive-cut easing streak for the first time since June 2024. The MPC cited rising oil prices driven by the Middle East conflict, with Murban crude up from USD 63 in December 2025 to nearly USD 98 by late March 2026. Inflation stood at 4.4% in March, the current account deficit projection was revised up to 3.0% of GDP for 2026, and GDP growth was revised down to 5.3%.Afreximbank Commits US$10 billion to Shield African and Caribbean Economies
Afreximbank will avail US$10 billion under its Gulf Crisis Response Programme (GCRP) to insulate African and Caribbean economies, financial institutions and corporates from the impact of the ongoing Gulf crisis.
Kenya's FX Stability Anchors I&M Bank’s Push for Transparent, Real-Time Currency Trading via FX Direct
Kenya’s foreign exchange market has entered a period of notable stability, underpinned by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, rising diaspora inflows, and resilient export sectors, according to Henry Kirimania, Director of Global Markets at I&M Bank.
AfDB Outlook Report Projects Africa's GDP Will Grow by 4.5% GDP in 2027
Africa's real GDP growth is projected to stabilise at 4.3 percent in 2026 and grow further to 4.5 percent in 2027, the 2026 Africa Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook (MEO) reportIslamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBi) Launches ‘Essentials of Islamic Finance’ Book
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) has launched ‘Essentials of Islamic Finance’, a new book offering an in-depth analysis of the foundational principles of Islamic financeHF Group Completes Turnaround With Record Profit and Tier II Status
HF Group PLC posted a record profit after tax of KShs 1.42 billion for the full year ended 31 December 2025, the highest in the institution's history, as net interest income expanded 63.8% to KShs 4.36 billion. The result was driven by a 66% build-up in government securities to KShs 28.27 billion and a 22% reduction in the weighted deposit rate. Total assets reached KShs 82.40 billion. The banking subsidiary HFC was reclassified as a Tier II bank by the CBK in August 2025.Standard Investment Bank Profit Soars 966% to KSh 1 Bn as Mansa X, Ziidi Drive Record Year
Standard Investment Bank recorded a near-tenfold increase in profit to KES 1.040 billion for the full year ended 31 December 2025, up from KES 97.50 million, driven by a 202.5% rise in financial services revenue to KES 1.553 billion. The Mansa X Special Fund KES closed the year with total assets of KES 107.708 billion, delivering a 20.74% net return to clients. The Ziidi Money Market Fund, co-managed with ALA Capital for Safaricom, reported net assets of KES 15.48 billion for the 14-month period ended December 2025. SIB also broke ground on a KES 3 billion, 32-floor headquarters in Westlands, Nairobi.
