The Kenyan National Treasury is implementing new measures to regulate predatory digital lenders, aiming to protect consumers from exorbitant interest rates and unethical practices.

• A strengthened licensing and oversight regime by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) now requires all Non-Deposit Taking Credit Providers (NDTCPs) to be licensed under a new Digital Credit Providers regulatory framework.
• Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, John Mbadi, detailed the reforms, emphasizing compliance with the Data Protection Act.
• As of December 2025, digital credit providers accounted for Sh110.5 billion, representing 2.4% of total credit advanced by lending institutions.

Pesalink, Kenya's instant payment network, has partnered with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to streamline cross-border payments across Africa.

• This collaboration enables instant, 24/7 transfers in local currencies, bypassing traditional correspondent banking.
• Key players include Pesalink, PAPSS (an Afreximbank initiative), and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
• The partnership aims to reduce the high costs and slow settlement times, which currently average 7-8% and three to seven business days respectively for intra-African transfers.

Naphtaly Kipchirchir Rono has been appointed the new Director-General of the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) for a six-year term.

• The appointment was announced by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.
• Naphtaly Kipchirchir Rono previously served as Head of Legal Affairs at the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
• His appointment comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, following its placement on the FATF grey list in 2024.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has submitted key documents to Parliament regarding the proposed sale of 15% of the government's stake in Safaricom to Vodacom South Africa.

• The government aims to raise approximately Sh204 billion ($1.57 billion) from this partial divestiture.
• Key documents tabled include the Cabinet Memorandum, sale and purchase agreements, and the valuation agreement.
• Proceeds from the sale are earmarked for the establishment of a National Infrastructure Fund to finance commercially viable projects.