Gov’t moves to modernise county markets, boost MSME competitiveness

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Investment, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui has outlined a comprehensive government strategy to modernise county markets and strengthen support for traders and small businesses, signalling a sharper policy focus on the informal and micro-enterprise sector as a driver of economic growth. Appearing before the Senate Plenary at Parliament buildings on May…

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President William Ruto with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to China-Photo|Courtesy

Kenyan exports gain duty‑free access to Chinese market under new trade deal

Kenyan exports will now enjoy duty-free access to the Chinese market, thanks to a new zero-tariff framework under the Kenya–China Early Harvest Agreement, which took effect on May 1, 2026. This agreement promises to provide Kenyan exporters with enhanced market access, expanding trade opportunities between the two nations. The Kenya–China Early Harvest Agreement is expected…

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Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi with Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu-Photo|Courtesy

Kenya, Japan move to deepen trade and investment ties

Kenya values its longstanding partnership with Japan, which has brought significant benefits across key sectors, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said. Mudavadi, who hosted  Japan’s Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu highlighted the countries’ shared commitment to deepening ties in trade, investment, development, and multilateral cooperation. Mudavadi praised Japan’s support through Official Development Assistance, especially in…

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Some of the Banks in Kenya. File image

Banking sector dominates NSE dividend season as sixteen listed firms line up billions for shareholders

Kenya’s banking industry is once again cementing its dominance as the engine of shareholder returns on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), with at least seven banks among sixteen listed companies that have declared or announced dividends in what is shaping up to be one of the busiest pay-out seasons of 2026. The declarations, compiled by…

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CIC Insurance Group CEO Patrick Nyaga-Photo|Courtesy

CIC Insurance pays Ksh 1.33bn to Co-op Bank in partial loan settlement

CIC Insurance Group has made a Ksh 1.33 billion partial repayment on a multibillion shilling loan owed to Co-operative Bank of Kenya, using proceeds from a land sale to ease a debt burden that had weighed on the insurer’s finances for years. The payment represents 27 percent of the outstanding loan, which stood at Ksh…

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Training participants pose for a commemorative photo after the first opening session of the training workshop-Photo|Courtesy

JKUAT hosts EU‑funded ITACA training to build sustainable entrepreneurial futures in Africa

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is hosting a series of advanced professional training workshops under the Italia Academia with Africa (ITACA) project, aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems across Africa. The programme, themed “Building Sustainable Entrepreneurial Futures,” brings together entrepreneurs, startup founders, and ecosystem actors for intensive courses designed to harness…

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Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises CS Wycliffe Oparanya handing over the Uwezo Fund and Youth Development Fund to groups in Lugari constituency-Photo|Hilda Atika

Government releases KSh13.6 million Uwezo Fund and KSh10.2 million Youth Fund to groups in Lugari

The Ministry of Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has disbursed KSh13.6 million under the Uwezo Fund and KSh10.2 million from the Youth Development Fund to women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Lugari constituency. Presiding over the issuance of cheques at Chevaywa Vocational and Training Centre, Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya urged beneficiaries…

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Make-up By Rose CEO Rose Ntongondu addressing journalists in Nairobi

Women-led enterprises driving innovation and economic growth across Kenya

Women are increasingly taking the reins of entrepreneurship, driving innovation and economic growth in the country. Globally, according to the World Bank, one-third of businesses worldwide have a woman among their principal owners. This number is steadily rising, with the number of startups with female founders doubling globally. Studies also suggest that women-led businesses are…

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The Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) CEO Rebecca Amukhoye

MESPT launches Ksh 7.2 billion plan to boost financing for farmers, MSMEs by 2030

The Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) officially launched its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, bringing together key stakeholders committed to transforming Kenya’s agricultural and micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) landscape, as the organisation moves to address deepening gaps in credit access, market linkages and climate resilience. The plan was unveiled at a stakeholder forum in…

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The image showing a person withdrawing money from an MPESA mobile money agent shop. Photo courtesy

Mobile money agent transactions hit 3-year low amid rising living costs

Kenyans are cutting back on the use of mobile money agents, with transaction values dropping to their lowest level in nearly three years as households grapple with rising living costs and shrinking disposable incomes. According to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the total value of transactions handled by telco and bank-linked…

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