China’s Helian Fashion Brands (HLA Group) has launched its first fashion retail outlet in Kenya at The Hub Karen in Nairobi, marking its entry into the African market.

• HLA Group offers blazers, jackets, coats, shirts, pants, jeans, shoes, and other accessories for men.
• Manager, Advertising & Promotions Ronnie Wee stated that HLA aims to provide fashionable design, high-quality products, and an excellent shopping experience.
• Founded in 2002, HLA Group has over 5,000 stores across China, Southeast Asia, and Japan, making the Nairobi store its first in Africa.

Kenyan manufacturers are expressing significant concern over increasing competition from foreign imports, primarily from Asia, which they warn could undermine local industries. This issue was highlighted at the 8th Kenya International Industrial Expo (KIIE) 2025 in Nairobi.

• Over 200 Chinese exhibitors and more than 6,000 trade visitors attended the expo.
• Akash Patel, Sales Manager at ABC Joint Silicone, noted that foreign firms benefit from economies of scale, making imports cheaper than local manufacturing.
• Kenyan businesses also face challenges from stringent licensing and certification requirements, increasing operational costs.

Tanzanian fintech NALA has entered the Kenyan market through partnerships with Equity Bank and Pesalink, aiming to accelerate its presence in one of Africa's most lucrative remittance corridors. This strategic move allows NALA to utilize existing payment infrastructures instead of seeking direct approval from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

• Remittances to Kenya reached a record KSh 640 billion in 2024, making them the country's second-largest source of foreign exchange.
• NALA was founded in 2017 by Benjamin Fernandes and specializes in low-fee transfers, already serving markets in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ghana.
• NALA’s entry follows a US$40 million Series A funding round last year, led by San Francisco venture firm Acrew Capital.