AfDB Outlook Report Projects Africa's GDP Will Grow by 4.5% GDP in 2027
Africa's real GDP growth is projected to stabilise at 4.3 percent in 2026 and grow further to 4.5 percent in 2027, the 2026 Africa Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook (MEO) report
Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBi) Launches ‘Essentials of Islamic Finance’ Book
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) has launched ‘Essentials of Islamic Finance’, a new book offering an in-depth analysis of the foundational principles of Islamic financeHF Group Completes Turnaround With Record Profit and Tier II Status
HF Group PLC posted a record profit after tax of KShs 1.42 billion for the full year ended 31 December 2025, the highest in the institution's history, as net interest income expanded 63.8% to KShs 4.36 billion. The result was driven by a 66% build-up in government securities to KShs 28.27 billion and a 22% reduction in the weighted deposit rate. Total assets reached KShs 82.40 billion. The banking subsidiary HFC was reclassified as a Tier II bank by the CBK in August 2025.
Standard Investment Bank Profit Soars 966% to KSh 1 Bn as Mansa X, Ziidi Drive Record Year
Standard Investment Bank recorded a near-tenfold increase in profit to KES 1.040 billion for the full year ended 31 December 2025, up from KES 97.50 million, driven by a 202.5% rise in financial services revenue to KES 1.553 billion. The Mansa X Special Fund KES closed the year with total assets of KES 107.708 billion, delivering a 20.74% net return to clients. The Ziidi Money Market Fund, co-managed with ALA Capital for Safaricom, reported net assets of KES 15.48 billion for the 14-month period ended December 2025. SIB also broke ground on a KES 3 billion, 32-floor headquarters in Westlands, Nairobi.Afreximbank Underwrites US$ 2.5bn in Dangote Refinery's US$ 4bn Loan
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has underwritten US$2.5 billion in the US$4-billion senior syndicated term loan in favour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP).Afreximbank Raises US$ 2bn in Oversubscribed Three-Year Loan
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has concluded a new three-year Dual Tranche Syndicated Term Loan Facility totaling US$2 billion equivalent.Family Bank Posts Record KSh 5.4Bn Profit Ahead of NSE Debut
Family Bank Group posted a record profit after tax of KSh 5.38 billion in the full year ended December 2025, up 55.4% from KSh 3.46 billion in 2024. Net interest income rose 46.1% to KSh 15.63 billion as total assets crossed KSh 208.7 billion. The lender raised KSh 8 billion through an oversubscribed private placement in December 2025, lifting core capital to KSh 24.4 billion. Family Bank is scheduled to list on the Nairobi Securities Exchange by introduction in May 2026, with Standard Investment Bank advising on the transaction.DTB Kenya Completes Burundi Divestiture, Subsidiary Profit Collapsed 56% in Final Year
Diamond Trust Bank Kenya has completed the sale of its entire 83.67% shareholding in Diamond Trust Bank Burundi S.A. to a consortium of primarily Burundian investors, closing a 16-year regional presence that began in 2009. The transaction, completed on 31 December 2025, followed regulatory approval from the Bank of the Republic of Burundi. DTB Burundi had contributed just KSh 50.6 million to group pre-tax profit in FY2024, down 56% year-on-year, as total assets contracted from KSh 5.9 billion to KSh 4.6 billion amid Burundi's 39% inflation environment.BBB- to Default: S&P and Fitch Rate Five African Nations
S&P Global Ratings downgraded Senegal's local currency sovereign rating four notches to CCC+ on March 27, 2026, citing gross financing needs of 26% of GDP, a suspended IMF program, and government debt estimated at 131% of GDP. In the same 48-hour window, S&P affirmed Morocco at investment-grade BBB- and Ghana at B-, while Fitch affirmed Tanzania at B+ Stable. Mozambique's selective default local currency rating was also affirmed alongside a CCC+ foreign currency rating with Negative outlook. The five actions were shaped by the Middle East war, IMF program access, and commodity exposure.KCB Kenya Appoints Peter Ng'eno as New Corporate Banking Director
KCB Group has appointed Peter Kipkorir Ng’eno as the Director Corporate Banking-KCB Bank Kenya, with effect from March 27, 2026, succeeding John OkuloNCBA Posts Record KSh 23.4Bn profit as Nedbank Takeover Looms
NCBA Group PLC posted a record post-merger profit after tax of KSh 23.39 Bn for the full year ended 31 December 2025, up 7.0%, driven by a 27.7% surge in net interest income to KSh 44.08 Bn as funding costs collapsed. Total dividend rose 29.1% to KSh 7.10 per share, the highest since the 2019 CBA-NIC merger. Nedbank of South Africa has tabled a $855 million bid for 66% of NCBA, valued at 1.4 times book. CMA waiver secured February 2026. CBK approval expected Q3 2026, with deal closure targeted late 2026.Sidian Bank Taps KCB's John Okulo as CEO to Steer Kenya's Fastest-Growing Bank
Sidian Bank has appointed John Okulo, currently Director of Corporate Banking at KCB Bank Kenya, as its new Managing Director and CEO effective 1 May 2026, subject to CBK approval. He succeeds Chege Thumbi, who retires on 30 June 2026 after nine years. The transition completes a full governance overhaul: former Cabinet Secretary James Macharia replaced Centum's James Mworia as chairman in October 2025, three new directors joined the board, and Centum exited entirely in March 2026. Okulo brings 28 years of experience across Standard Chartered, Stanbic, NCBA, and KCB, including founding NC Bank Uganda.
