Business & Finance - Sacco Review | The Leading Newspaper for Co-operative Movement in Kenya

Gov’t to waive import duty on first 100,000 electric vehicles, Says President Ruto

Sacco ReviewMay 23, 202603 mins

President William Ruto has announced that the first 100,000 electric vehicles (EVs) imported into Kenya will be exempt from import duty as part of the government’s efforts to accelerate the country’s transition to clean energy transport and strengthen the economy. The President said the tax waiver will apply to both private and commercial electric vehicles,…

Bankers Association warns Finance Bill 2026 taxes could undermine digital payments

Sacco ReviewMay 22, 202604 mins

Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) has cautioned against new tax measures proposed in the Finance Bill 2026, warning that levies on card transactions and digital payment services could sharply raise the cost of financial services and drive more Kenyans away from formal cashless systems. Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning,…

KEBS initiates public consultations on new regulations targeting substandard goods, faulty testing apparatus

Sacco ReviewMay 22, 202604 mins

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has initiated public consultations on a set of proposed regulations aimed at strengthening oversight in product certification, laboratory testing, and measurement systems. The draft proposals were unveiled during a stakeholder forum held in Meru, where participants raised concerns about the widespread circulation of substandard goods, inconsistent laboratory results, and…

1 / 1 – Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (Keproba) CEO Floice Mukabana speaking to the press after their forum on Wednesday..

Exporters decry high cost of production, call for reduction of tariffs to boost trade

Sacco ReviewMay 14, 202604 mins

A cross-section of Kenyan manufacturers and exporters have decried the high cost of production which they say drains their earnings. The traders now want the government to introduce incentives including lowering tariffs on most of the export products whose cost of production has been soaring. They spoke during the ‘Exporters Round Table’ talks attended by…

Employers’ federation warns rising business costs threaten jobs and investment

Sacco ReviewMay 9, 202603 mins

The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) has raised alarm over the escalating cost of doing business in Kenya, warning that the trend is undermining competitiveness, discouraging investment, and threatening job creation in the private sector. In a statement, FKE said enterprises across multiple industries are struggling under increased statutory obligations, regulatory burdens, and rising operational…

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

Sacco ReviewMay 6, 2026May 6, 202604 mins

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…

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

Sacco ReviewMay 4, 202605 mins

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…

Kenya, Japan move to deepen trade and investment ties

Sacco ReviewMay 4, 202603 mins

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…

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

Sacco ReviewApril 29, 202606 mins

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…

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

Sacco ReviewApril 27, 202605 mins

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…