HapaKenya

Absa Bank Kenya and Vivo Energy Kenya have announced a strategic financing partnership aimed at empowering Shell service station dealers with tailored credit solutions to drive business growth and operational sustainability. The collaboration provides eligible Vivo Energy Kenya dealers with structured financing to pay land rent in advance and fund the construction of new retail sites.

Kenya Beyond Sight, is a new joint partnership between KCB Bank, RUBiS Energy Kenya, and the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB). The campaign has onboarded six prominent content creators, J-Supercharge, Denno Music, Sammy Brayo, Nancy Cosy, Chelah Richards, and Delvin Obara, to challenge societal perceptions around disability and travel, inspiring a more accessible approach to tourism across the nation. The five-day excursion takes the creators through Kenya’s Eastern and Coastal regions.

Two female engineering students from Kenya’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions have emerged victorious in the inaugural EV Explorers Rhino Charge 2026 Innovation Challenge. Caroline Mutheu and Esther Leja impressed judges with creative, technically sound solutions tailored to the practical demands of off-grid electric mobility.

Old Mutual Group has expanded its financial wellness drive in Kisumu with the launch of two new insurance products designed to improve affordability and customer convenience. The insurer introduced Motor-Rahisi, an option that allows motorists to split comprehensive motor insurance premium payments over three months. Additionally, the Group integrated Airalo eSIM functionality into Old Mutual Travel Insurance.

The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is entering a transformative new phase aimed at drastically scaling transaction volumes and accelerating adoption across the African continent. Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, PAPSS Chief Executive Officer Mike Ogbalu III outlined the platform’s shift from foundational infrastructure building toward deep market activation and widespread commercial usage.

Kenyan commercial banks are increasingly shifting their lending strategies from traditional primary production to value addition, aiming to plug local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into global supply chains. Leading this strategic pivot is Equity Bank, which is accelerating its push to transition grassroots businesses from raw material producers to competitive players in the global market.

Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL) has named Kennedy Mutula as its new Head of Marketing within the Commercial Function. The strategic appointment strengthens KWAL’s commercial leadership team as the company seeks to accelerate growth across its expanding portfolio of local and international beverage brands. Mutula transitions to KWAL from East African Breweries Limited (EABL), bringing a proven track record in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) marketing and strategy.

NCBA Group has expanded its digital offerings by launching a private motor insurance solution directly on the LOOP App. Developed through a collaboration between NCBA Group subsidiaries LOOP DFS and NCBA Insurance, the new feature allows users to compare quotes, complete underwriting, purchase coverage, renew policies, and access documentation within a single platform. The launch aligns with NCBA’s broader strategy to embed essential financial services into every day digital channels.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has finalized a US$ 50 million (€43.1 million) cross-currency swap agreement with the Co-operative Bank of Kenya, marking a major leap forward for Kenya’s financial markets. The agreement represents the first time the Kenya Shilling Overnight Interbank Average (KESONIA), the nation’s new reference rate for financial transactions, has been utilized in a live market swap.

Nairobi’s celebrated historical theatre movement, Too Early For Birds, is set to bring back its hit ninth edition, Shawry For Trees: The Wangarĩ Maathai Edition, for a rerun this September. First staged to critical acclaim in April, the production returns to the stage at the 800-seater Jain Bhavan Auditorium in Nairobi from September 25 to 27, 2026. The rerun coincides with the anniversary of Professor Maathai’s passing, a alignment the production team views as a powerful call to action.