Author: Lorine Otamo

Solar energy leader Sun King has launched its first African manufacturing facility in Tatu City, Kiambu County, marking a major milestone in its efforts to localise production and strengthen clean energy access across the continent. The 7,600-square-metre plant will produce up to 700,000 solar-powered and energy-efficient units annually, with capacity for future expansion. The facility integrates manufacturing, refurbishment, and warehousing under one roof, streamlining operations and enhancing supply chain efficiency. “Opening our own manufacturing facility in Kenya gives us the scale to deliver more efficiently, the flexibility to innovate faster, and the foundation to grow a resilient manufacturing ecosystem here…

Airtel Africa has announced plans to raise its FY2025 investment budget to USD 875–900 million, following a robust first-half performance that saw revenue surge 26% to USD 2.98 billion and pre-tax profit hit USD 656 million. The telco’s customer base grew by 11% to 173.8 million, with data revenue surpassing voice for the first time. “Our strategy has been focused on providing a superior customer experience… Digital innovation is a core focus,” said CEO Sunil Taldar. Airtel Africa H1’26 Performance Summary Metric Value Change (YoY) Total Revenue USD 2.98 billion +25.8% EBITDA USD 1.45 billion +33.2% Operating Profit USD 959…

East African Breweries PLC (EABL) has re-entered Kenya’s corporate bond market with a KSh 11 billion, five-year fixed-rate note priced at 11.80%, under its KSh 20 billion Medium-Term Note Programme approved by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) on 2 October 2025. “Interest rates have reduced significantly since we issued the last medium-term note in 2021, and we are of the considered view that this is an opportune moment to go back to the market,” said Risper Ohaga, EABL Group CFO. Offer Highlights Issue Size: KSh 11.0 Billion Coupon Rate: 11.80% Fixed (Semi-annual) Tenor: 5 Years (2025–2030) Bond Code: EABL-FXD01/01/2025/05 Status:…

Family Bank has received shareholder approval to list on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) in 2026. The decision was endorsed during the bank’s Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on Monday, paving the way for management to seek regulatory approvals from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). Listing Strategy: Unlocking Liquidity and Long-Term Value Family Bank plans to list by way of introduction, meaning it will offer its existing shares for trading without raising new capital. This approach allows current shareholders to trade freely on the NSE, enhancing liquidity and unlocking long-term value. “This listing…

Swiss-based Coca-Cola HBC AG has agreed to acquire a 75% controlling stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) for USD 2.6 billion, creating the world’s second-largest Coca-Cola bottling partner by beverage volume, behind Coca-Cola FEMSA. The deal expands Coca-Cola HBC’s footprint across 14 African markets, targeting the rising demand driven by younger consumers. Strategic Expansion Across Africa Coca-Cola HBC will acquire: Approximately 41.52% of CCBA from The Coca-Cola Company The entire 33.48% stake held by Gutsche Family Investments (GFI) This values CCBA at USD 3.4 billion in equity terms. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject…

Kenya’s diaspora remittances edged up slightly in September 2025, reaching USD 419.6 million, a 0.2% higher than the USD 418.5 million recorded in September 2024. Despite the modest monthly uptick, cumulative inflows over the 12 months to September 2025 surged by 7.6%, totalling USD 5.08 billion compared to USD 4.72 billion in the previous year. This sustained growth underscores the critical role of remittances as a pillar of Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings and a stabiliser for the balance of payments. Regional Contributions: North America Leads, Europe Gains A breakdown of the monthly inflows reveals consistent dominance by North America, which…