TechTrends Media

13/09/2026

A bank’s size is only part of the story. Its connections, role in payments and importance to households and businesses can determine how much disruption its failure would cause.

CBK is proposing a formal framework to identify Kenya’s systemically important banks, with annual assessments, additional capital requirements, quarterly stress tests and recovery and resolution plans. The proposal includes three capital buckets, with extra CET1 requirements ranging from 0.5% to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets.

The rules are still open for public comment.

Read the full analysis and share your perspective in the comments:

CBK is proposing additional capital, supervision and resolution-planning requirements for banks whose failure could threaten financial stability. The draft framework is open for public participation until November 7, 2026.

13/09/2026

A company can be doing well, yet its investors may still struggle to find a practical way out when their investment horizon ends. That gap is now drawing fresh attention in Kenya's capital markets.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange is exploring a secondary vehicle that could help private equity and development finance investors exit stakes in portfolio companies. The exchange is also working on a proposition for family-owned businesses navigating generational transitions, while NIFC is partnering on the broader effort to deepen market structures.

Could this make the NSE a more credible exit route? Read the full story and share your perspective:

The Nairobi Securities Exchange is exploring a secondary vehicle to help investors exit stakes in Kenyan businesses, with family-owned enterprises also in its sights. The proposal comes as institutions consider how to deploy domestic capital to deepen the country's exit market.

13/09/2026

A REIT built around an office building is familiar territory. But what happens when the asset is a data centre, a fibre network or a portfolio of telecom towers?

That question is gaining weight in Kenya’s capital markets. At the AmCham Kenya Business Summit, Peter Waiyaki of Mboya Wangong'u & Waiyaki Advocates called for REIT rules to accommodate modern infrastructure, revisit qualifying-income and lease requirements, and reconsider the 25% free-float threshold. The proposals come as dollar-denominated instruments such as TRIFIC add variety to the market.

Should Kenya’s REIT framework make room for a wider range of income-generating assets? Read the full story and join the conversation:

Kenya’s REIT market has expanded since the launch of ILAM Fahari I-REIT in 2015. At the AmCham Kenya Business Summit, Peter Waiyaki called for reforms covering infrastructure assets, qualifying income and public shareholding requirements.

13/09/2026

For many small businesses, the next big hurdle is not finding a market. It is finding financing that gives the business enough room to grow.

At Africa Capital Week 2026, Sidian Bank CEO John Okulo pointed to capital markets as a possible answer, saying a proposed FSD Africa bond could help package MSME debt and attract pension funds and other institutional investors. The idea is to share credit risk while creating access to longer-term, patient capital. Kenya’s banks already lend substantially to MSMEs, but Okulo argues there is room to do more.

Read the full story and join the conversation:

Sidian Bank CEO John Okulo says commercial banks need capital-markets support to expand MSME lending, pointing to a proposed FSD Africa bond designed to attract longer-term institutional capital.

11/09/2026

The Fan Edition story has changed. What began with the Galaxy S20 FE as a way to bring flagship hardware closer to a wider audience now puts more emphasis on the everyday Galaxy experience.

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE is officially available in Kenya, starting at KSh103,000. It combines a large 120Hz display, Galaxy AI features, upgraded cameras, long-term software support, a 24-month warranty and Care+ coverage. 📱

The question is whether this broader approach makes the FE a stronger choice for buyers seeking a premium Samsung experience without paying flagship prices.

Read the full launch details and share your thoughts:

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE is now official in Kenya, offering a large 120Hz AMOLED display, Galaxy AI, long-term software support, a 24-month warranty and Samsung Care+ from KSh103,000.

11/09/2026

I&M Bank's approach to data-driven decision-making. The full episode is up!

I&M Bank Ltd

11/09/2026

Imagine reading a post praising a government decision and thinking it’s your neighbor, only to find out a single person generated 50 identical versions using AI.

Anthropic’s latest global report reveals that political content pushing targeted narratives in Kenya was being mass produced using AI models. The political campaign made an effort to create the impression of genuine grassroots sentiments ahead of elections scheduled for 2027.

With the advance of artificial intelligence technologies, the task of telling apart real people’s opinions from those that have been produced by machines is becoming increasingly difficult.
Are we prepared to live in a world dominated by AI politics?

Anthropic's new report highlights Kenya's use of AI for fabricated social media posts ahead of the 2027 general election.

11/09/2026

Did you know that 87% of Kenyans now use AI at least once a week?

That makes Kenya one of the heaviest AI-using populations in the world well above the global average of 64%! From work tasks to daily navigation, Kenyans are moving fast with technology.

But there’s a catch: while we are mastering AI, satisfaction with basic digital government services is actually dropping. Most citizens are ready for smarter public tools, but job security and transparency remain big worries.

Are you using AI every week? What’s your biggest concern or biggest win with it so far?

Read the full story here and join the conversation:

Kenya has emerged as one of the world's most active adopters of AI, with 87% of citizens surveyed using AI at least weekly

11/09/2026

After serving as CFO since 2009 and stepping up as interim chief earlier this year, Yusuf Omari has officially been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Absa Bank Kenya.

With over two decades of experience in finance, strategy, and risk management, Omari has been instrumental in shaping Absa’s financial performance, digital transformation, and sustainable growth. Now, he steps into the top leadership seat with a strong mandate to deepen customer relationships and drive Kenya’s economic growth.

What are your thoughts on internal promotions for C-suite roles?

Check out the full details on what this means for Absa’s next chapter:

Absa Bank Kenya has appointed Yusuf Omari as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.

11/09/2026

Big conversations happening at ITW & Datacloud Africa 2026 in Nairobi.

Executives from Vodacom Tanzania and Fast Fibre are saying what a lot of businesses outside Nairobi and Dar es Salaam already feel: reliable internet and cloud services shouldn't be a big city privilege. As 5G and data-heavy apps spread into smaller towns, the fibre backbone has to follow fast.

There's also a hard lesson in here: after a double fibre cut disrupted connectivity across East Africa for days, Vodacom rebuilt its network around multiple routes and data centres, because resilience can't be bolted on after disaster strikes, it has to be built in from day one.

And AI? It's not a someday conversation anymore it's already reshaping how telecoms and enterprises operate.

Read the full story:

Executives from Vodacom Tanzania and Fast Fibre urge for digital infrastructure investment in East Africa beyond major cities.