Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) Kenya plans to sell its entire 83.67% stake in DTB Burundi to a consortium of Burundian investors, including the existing minority shareholder. The board approved the deal on Sept 20, citing a focus on core markets in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. DTB Burundi, operating four branches and among the country’s top ten banks, reported strong profitability in 2024 despite slight declines in loans and deposits. Completion awaits regulatory approvals.

KCB Group and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) signed an $800 million financing deal to operationalize the Vipingo Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kilifi County. Afreximbank will provide $500 million and KCB $300 million to support investors in manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics, and value-addition sectors. The framework offers project finance, trade facilities, guarantees, and advisory services. The initiative aims to attract domestic and foreign investment, strengthen export-oriented industries, and position Vipingo SEZ as a regional industrial hub.

Kenya aims to finalize a trade deal with the United States by the end of 2025, Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui said. The agreement, the first between Washington and a sub-Saharan country, seeks to secure exports after the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expires. Kenya exported $737 million in 2024, with 300,000 textile workers at risk.

The government revived the KSh 337 billion High Grand Falls Dam project along the Tana River, after its cancellation in July. Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said a new framework will be finalized within two weeks by the Ministry of Energy, KenGen, Kenya Power, and EPRA. The multipurpose dam is expected to generate 500 megawatts initially, rising to 1,000 megawatts, and provide 5,600 million cubic meters of irrigation water, supporting food security and lowering power costs.

Experts warned Kenya could lose billions in Gulf investment unless it reforms corruption, cuts bureaucracy, and modernizes its business environment. At the Gulf-Africa Investment Summit in Nairobi, stakeholders said outdated systems and graft deterred investors despite the UAE’s $800 million Galana Kulalu irrigation project and a pending $1 billion data center. They called for reforms to build trust, improve efficiency, and unlock opportunities in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and mining.

Kenya aims to lead Africa in medicine and vaccine production, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga announced. At a Vision 2030 investor breakfast, he highlighted the Kenya Biovax Institute as a key project to expand local pharmaceutical capacity. The government seeks international partnerships to scale production, create jobs, and enhance health security, positioning Kenya as a continental hub for medical innovation and supply resilience.

The Central Bank of Kenya launched the Banking Sector Cybersecurity Operations Centre (BS-SOC) to combat rising cybercrime. Governor Kamau Thugge said the centre will handle threat intelligence, incident response, digital forensics, and investigations. Operating under the 2024 cybercrime regulations and the CBK Strategic Plan 2024–2027, the BS-SOC will receive direct reports from banks following KSh 1.5 billion in cyber fraud losses in 2024.

The High Court ordered the auction of Eco Bank Kenya’s movable assets to recover KSh 284 million owed to the late Cabinet Minister Mbiyu Koinange’s estate. The ruling follows a June decision that found the bank had unlawfully permitted withdrawals from the estate’s account. Moran Auctioneers was instructed to carry out the sale within 15 days. The estate initiated legal action in 2024 to trace and reclaim the funds.