The number of dollar-millionaires in Kenya saw a significant increase of up to 20 percent in 2026. This growth is highlighted in the latest Knight Frank Wealth & Investment Trends report.

• Up to 20 percent growth in the high-net-worth individual (HNWI) client base, defined as those with at least $1 million in liquid financial assets.
• The report was produced by Knight Frank, a global real estate consultancy.
• Despite the overall growth, the ultra-high-net-worth segment (portfolios between $501 million and $1 billion) showed a slight downward recalibration.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has licensed 25 new Digital Credit Providers (DCPs), increasing the total number of approved digital lenders operating in the country to 252.

• A total of 252 digital lenders have now been licensed by the CBK.
• The Central Bank of Kenya, led by Governor Kamau Thugge, is continuing a licensing process initiated in March 2022.
• Licensed digital lenders had issued 8.4 million loans valued at Sh150.56 billion by May 2026.

The National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) has initiated its search for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), marking a significant step towards operationalizing the government-backed investment vehicle designed to fund major infrastructure projects.

• The fund aims to manage up to Sh2 trillion in infrastructure investments.
• The CEO will report to the Board of Directors and is tasked with setting up the institution and implementing its investment strategy.
• The NIF, established under the National Infrastructure Fund Act, 2025, will finance projects in roads, railways, ports, energy, and agribusiness, drawing capital from various sources including government allocations and private investors.

Kenyan high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are prioritizing local investments over those in the United Kingdom and South Africa, driven by market familiarity and emerging opportunities.

• 60 percent of Kenyan HNWIs' residential property holdings are invested within Kenya.
• Knight Frank's latest Wealth & Investment Trends data reveals this trend.
• Emerging investment preferences among Kenya's wealthy include data centres (24 percent), farmland (29 percent), and logistics (18 percent).