The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has officially approved KCB Group PLC's acquisition of Riverbank Solutions Limited, a transaction first announced in March 2025.

• The approval is subject to conditions, including KCB Group ring-fencing all third-party transactional customer and merchant data handled through Riverbank Solutions’ infrastructure.
• The notice, dated December 19, 2025, and signed by CAK Director-General David Kemei, mandates that KCB Group must not share or use this data beyond what is strictly necessary for Riverbank Solutions' operations.
• KCB Group is acquiring a 75 percent stake in Riverbank Solutions, a Kenyan financial technology company specializing in digital payments infrastructure.

Kenya's economy is projected to demonstrate resilience and growth into 2026, primarily fueled by strong domestic demand, increasing digital inclusion, and diversified trade relationships.

• The Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) Economic Outlook 2026 highlights easing inflationary pressures from a weaker US dollar and lower energy prices, potentially allowing the Central Bank of Kenya to reduce interest rates.
• According to Khatija Haque, Chief Economist for EEMEA at MEI, the outlook is "broadly constructive" due to Kenya's adaptability and strengthening trade with emerging markets.
• The World Bank forecasts Kenya's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow by 4.9 percent in 2026, up from 4.7 percent in 2024, with stable inflation around 5 percent this year.