PRIME Diaspora remittances record softest growth in 15 years CBK data shows Kenyans abroad sent home an average of about $420 million (Sh54.2 billion) per month in 2025, keeping inflows above the $400 million (Sh51.6 billion) mark despite tightening global...
PRIME Interbank market reforms boost Kenya dollar liquidity, says Absa The Global Code is maintained by the Global Foreign Exchange Committee (GFXC) as a set of guidelines to ensure an efficient wholesale foreign exchange market.
PRIME How CBK’s Sh9 trn liquidity mop-up stabilised shilling The shilling has been trading within a narrow band around the129 level to the dollar since August 2024, having defied a series of global shocks including US trade tariffs and conflict in the...
PRIME M-Pesa, UAE firm ink deal for stablecoin payments The partnership is the first major deal M-Pesa –owned by Safaricom and South Africa's Vodacom– has made in the blockchain and crypto sector.
PRIME CBK puts on sale 281 tonnes of old coins for smelting Kenya’s Central Bank is selling 281 tonnes of old coins for smelting to make way for new currency.
PRIME Treasury allows firms to sell digital coins for fundraising Kenya is tightening oversight of initial coin offerings with new draft rules to regulate fundraising through digital assets.
PRIME New remittance tax on Kenyans working in US starts New taxes in the US, Gulf and Europe could slow Kenya’s diaspora remittances in 2026, pressuring a key source of foreign exchange.
PRIME Roller-coaster year for crypto investors Kenyan crypto investors face a turbulent 2025 as Bitcoin swings, regulatory changes, and fraud shake confidence in the digital asset market.
PRIME Why shilling remained at Sh129 against dollar for record 16 months According to CBK projections, the country set to close the year with a balance of payments surplus of $1.94 billion (Sh250 billion).
PRIME Bitcoin revolution steadily shaping trade in Kibera Most adopters say they prefer Bitcoin to mobile money services to avoid transaction charges.
PRIME Stablecoins gaining popularity in the country Local traders are increasingly using stablecoins to pay for imports, while Kenyans in the diaspora are wiring money home using the tokens.
PRIME Taxes threaten to derail remittances from Kenya’s top sources in New Year Remittances are currently Kenya’s largest source of foreign exchange, generating more dollars than any of the country’s major exports, including coffee, tea, horticulture and tourism.
PRIME Diaspora remittances increase by Sh22.6bn as US policy risks loom CBK data shows that as of September, Washington accounted for 54 percent of Nairobi’s total inflows in 2025, at $2 billion (Sh263.7 billion).
PRIME Kenya ranked fifth globally in crypto transactions Report shows Kenya follows Ukraine, the United States, Nigeria and Vietnam in transactional crypto use.
PRIME How stable shilling has cooled banks’ forex trading fortunes The contraction in forex income across all top banks reflects subdued activity in currency markets after the shilling’s recovery
PRIME Global analysts see shilling weakening to Sh134 against dollar The shilling has been relatively stable since mid-2024, exchanging between 129 and 130 levels on increased dollar inflows from diaspora remittances, dollar-denominated borrowing, agricultural...
PRIME CBK under pressure to hold more dollars on rising imports CBK’s foreign exchange reserves stood at Sh1.59 trillion as of November 13, 2025, representing about 5.4 months of imports into the country.
PRIME Shilling weakens against dollar after being static for 5 months The shilling’s prolonged run at the 129 range, while good for businesses due to predictability of costs and earnings, has raised concerns recently from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that...
PRIME Remittances from Saudi fall on new permit rules Enforcement of the new policy for existing workers, including thousands of Kenyans, kicked in on July 5, while new recruits were put on the new regime from August 3.
PRIME IMF raises alarm over static Kenya shilling versus dollar The shilling has traded on a narrow range between Sh129.22 and Sh129.24 since the start of 2025, despite weakening against other major world currencies, including the euro and British pound at 12...
PRIME Why CBK is eyeing gold amid global buying binge CBK data shows the value of gold holdings surged by 40.8 percent to Sh238 million in the financial year ended June 2025 from Sh169 million the previous year, marking one of the largest percentage...
PRIME Forex reserves hit record Sh1.6trn on surplus Eurobond cash A $1.5 billion Eurobond sale has lifted Kenya’s foreign reserves to an all-time high, strengthening the shilling and easing debt-refinancing pressures.
PRIME Diaspora remittances increase by Sh15bn in nine months The 3.2 percent growth witnessed in the current review period is, however, slower compared to the 17.2 percent jump recorded in a corresponding period 2024.
PRIME CBK scouts vaults for gold as it moves to diversify reserves In April, the CBK Governor said the bank was “actively considering” adding gold to its reserves beyond the dollar and other currencies.
PRIME Stablecoins and why they are gaining popularity The appeal of stablecoins has been attributed largely to their ability to bypass traditional payment networks such as banks. This has ensured speed and cost efficiencies.
