CBK Trims 2026 GDP Growth Forecast to 5.3% as Middle East Conflict Raises Energy and Current Account Risks
Kenya's economy grew an estimated 5.0% in 2025, up from 4.7% in 2024, but the 2026 growth projection has been trimmed to 5.3% from 5.5% as the Middle East conflict raises energy costs and widens the current account deficit. Headline inflation stood at 4.4% in March 2026, within the 2.5%-7.5% target range. The current account deficit widened to 2.4% of GDP, with the 2026 projection revised up to 3.0% of GDP. Forex reserves stood at USD 13,354 mn, equivalent to 5.68 months of import cover.
Middle East Conflict Deepens Strain on Kenya’s Economy- Stanbic PMI
The economic shockwaves from the Middle East war are beginning to show up in Kenya’s private sector, with the latest business survey pointing to a demand slowdown colliding with stubborn, locally rooted inflation pressures.
Two Kenyan Startups Earn Spot on Global Impact List
Two Kenyan startups, Bena Care and Chemolex, have been named among the ‘2026 Change 100’ – a global list recognizing high-impact ventures addressing pressing social and environmental challenges.Inside Advtech's Kenya Bet: 6,000 Students, KSh 1.29Bn Acquisition, and Plans to Double
In an exclusive interview with Kenyan Wall Street, Advtech Regional MD Horace Mpanza revealed Makini Schools has surpassed 6,000 students across seven Kenya campuses. The KSh 1.29 Bn Regis Runda acquisition is driving 17% enrolment growth. Cambridge demand is surging, with enrolments growing sevenfold since 2020. Mpanza confirmed ADvLEARN is live in Kenya with measurable maths improvement. A second Crawford campus is "not closed" as an idea.CBK Breaks 19-Month New Issuance Drought With 30-Year Bond
The Central Bank of Kenya is set to issue the FXD1/2026/030, a new 30-year Treasury bond with a 12.50% coupon maturing March 2056, the first fresh bond issuance in 19 months since September 2024. It is paired with a reopened savings development bond (SDB1/2011/030, 12.00% coupon, 14.9 years remaining) in a combined KSh 20Bn offer. The new issue extends the domestic yield curve by a decade and prices at exactly par with zero accrued interest. It is the third bond auction in April, bringing total monthly issuance to KSh 80Bn across two reopenings and a switch. Auction is 15 April, settlement 20 April.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.Nairobi Business Ventures Issues FY2026 Profit Warning
Nairobi Business Ventures PLC has issued a profit warning for the financial year ended 31 March 2026, flagging a minimum 25% decline in total earnings compared to FY2025. The SME-listed group, which operates across automobile servicing, aircraft maintenance, and industrial trading, attributed the shortfall to challenging market conditions across its segments. NBV becomes at least the 14th NSE-listed company to issue a profit warning over the past 12 months, joining CIC Insurance, Liberty Kenya, WPP Scangroup, Kenya Airways, and others across multiple sectors.Uchumi Calls First AGM Since 2018 as Survival Fight Continues
Uchumi Supermarkets has called its first annual general meeting since 2018, scheduled for 29 April 2026, where shareholders will adopt eight years of unadopted financial statements in a single sitting. The meeting comes as the company fights to avoid liquidation under a court-supervised CVA, with a Court of Appeal ruling on its disputed KSh 2.38Bn Kasarani land asset remaining the decisive factor in its survival. The company posted an operating profit of KSh 8.8Mn in FY2025 on revenue of KSh 86.29Mn, against total liabilities of KSh 9.8Bn.Kazakhstan, Oman, Open New Growth Markets for Kenya's Tea
Kazakhstan tea imports recorded an increase of 15.92 Million Kgs (186.92%) while Oman recorded an increase of 13.53 Million Kgs (320.14%).'County Revenues Are Not Subject to VAT' - Tax Tribunal
In a decision in a case between the County Government of Kiambu and the tax authority, the Tribunal set aside most of a disputed tax bill that had originally reached about Ksh 559.9 millionNSE Rebounds 1.93% but Foreign Investors Sell KSh 748Mn
The NSE snapped its five-session losing streak in Week 14, adding KSh 62.68Bn in market capitalisation as all indices rose, led by the Banking Index at +3.01%. The recovery came on thin volume, with equity turnover down 43% to KSh 2.74Bn. Foreign investors sold KSh 748M into the bounce, their heaviest weekly outflow since Week 11, with every session recording net exits. The top five counters held 82.29% of turnover. ABSA rebounded 8.82% after losing 14.5% in Week 13. Brent crude remained above $100 and the April 15 EPRA review looms. The KSh 62.7Bn recovered represents just 27% of Week 13's losses.Air Travel Under Strain as Flights Shrink and Fares Rise
Air travellers in Kenya are heading into a turbulent season, with fewer available seats and rising ticket prices emerging as the twin pressures reshaping the aviation landscape.
