Author: The Exchange

Safaricom PLC’s True Value in fiscal year 2025 is 16 times greater than its financial profit during the period. The telco’s True Value was enhanced by creating value for customers, agents and merchants through fintech M-PESA, increased investment in responsible citizen and social impact initiatives. Company contributed KES809 billion to Kenya’s GDP through its touch points in the various value chains. In an economy where Safaricom PLC products and services weave deep networks from corporate boardrooms, to government corridors, to the ever bustling SME sector, the company’s True Value in 2025 increased to $8.509 billion (KES1.1 trillion), the latest Sustainable…

Kenya Power attributes profit dip to lower tariff yields and the impact of a strong Kenyan Shilling against major currencies during the period. The Board of Directors has recommended the payment of a final dividend of KES0.80 per share. At the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya Power has been on a strong run this year, gaining by up to 222% year to date and closing last week at KES15.50. Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has experienced an 18 per cent decrease in net profit to $191.49 million (KES24.74 billion) for the trading year ending June 30, 2025 attributable to reduced…

AIM Congress 2026, which is poised to attract 25,000 participants, is structured around three main pillars: Global Markets, Future Economics and NextGen. Expo will highlight the critical importance of integrating innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in building more resilient and adaptable economies capable of sustained growth. The forum’s 2025 edition attracted 15,831 participants from 181 countries, including 207 government officials, nine heads of state, and 74 ministers The 15th edition of AIM Congress will be held in Dubai next year, shifting from the forum’s traditional base of Abu Dhabi, the Organizing Committee has said. Set to attract over 25,000 participants drawn…

Kenya joins Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in operationalizing Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCOO) system, a platform that simplifies the application, issuance, exchange, and verification of certificates. E-certificates calibrated to not only digitize trade but also smoothen intra-regional business by eliminating unnecessary costs and persistent delays. COMESA Director of Trade and Customs, Dr. Christopher Onyang, lauds the milestone, terming it advancement in the bloc’s push for trade integration. Across Comesa bloc, a fresh push to spur trade is underway with East Africa’s crown jewel Kenya joining hands with Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in embracing Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCOO)…

The Spark Accelerator Program has unveiled the second cohort of 10 startups that are poised to drive innovation and scale in Africa. The selected startups are: Mediakits.Io, WePlay Arcade, GoPay, FlexPay, QuePay, Leta.AI, Oye, DigiTax, Incourage Insurance Agency Limited and StockApp. The operate in broad segments of the economy including embedded finance, creative economy, future fintech, and SME productivity tools. Spark Accelerator program, an initiative backed by Kenya’s tech giant Safaricom has welcomed 10 startups into the second cohort of training, aiming at better reshaping the future of digital first economy across Africa. The 10 startups, which were selected from a…

Uncertainty over Agoa adds to a growing list of strained trade relations between Africa and Washington D.C., since Trump 2.0 that has been marked by aid cuts, immigration crackdown, visa denials, and punitive trade tariffs. Agoa is a landmark trade agreement that has been in operation for the last 25 years, allowing economies in Africa to ship goods into the U.S. market duty free. The end of Agoa could spell doom, shattering income streams and careers while throwing livelihoods into poverty. As September 30th, 2025 winds down, policymakers across Africa are searching for the fine print of a Trump White…

The World Alliance of International Financial Centres (WAIFC) has formally elected the Nairobi International Financial Centre (NIFC) as a full member of the World Alliance. The WAIFC is the leading global platform of international financial centres, and acts as a catalyst for collaboration, fostering financial innovation, and cooperating with international organisations. The election of NIFC serves to expand WAIFC’s membership, bringing the total membership roll to 21 full members. Kenya is fast evolving into a financial centre of global standing, positioning Eastern Africa as a strategic destination of investors, and a key player in the investment ecosystem akin to Morocco,…

Eastern Africa’s export performance has been buoyed by increases in key commodity prices such as gold, coffee and tea at a time when Trump tariffs are reshaping global business. In the region, DRC leads the charge with its exports to the United States increasing by more than a billion between April and July 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Ethiopia and Kenya also posted large increases in exports to the US, with a rise of 95% and 22%, respectively. At a time when economies globally are on edge, smarting from the negative impact of U.S. President Donald Trump…

On electrification, Africa needs to be ambitious. Striving towards SDG7, African leaders and international partners have set out to connect 300 million people by 2030. Renewable costs are falling fast. Solar prices are down nearly 80% over the past decade, enabling faster, cheaper deployment of mini-grids and home systems in remote areas. More than 50% of new connections will come from decentralised renewables. These are essential for rural ‘last mile’ areas where grid extension is slow and expensive. Funding needs are high. While almost $50 billion has been pledged, total needs exceed $90 billion by 2030 to achieve universal energy access. Government…

Tullow Oil Plc completes sale of Kenya assets, which had 463 million barrels of 2C resources as of 31 December 2024, to local firm Gulf Energy Ltd. British firm has received $40 million, reflecting the entire proceeds of tranche A as set out in the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA). Tullow retains a no-cost back-in right for a 30% participation in potential future development phases. After 14 years exploring oil and gas resources in Kenya, British firm Tullow Oil has sealed its exit from the East African country, leaving the job of advancing extraction to a local company Gulf Energy…