Kenyan banks are being urged by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) to shift their focus from the volume of credit lent to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to the actual impact of this financing on businesses, jobs, and livelihoods.

• Banks have provided Sh246 billion in new loans to MSMEs by mid-2026, with a target of Sh500 billion by year-end.
• Key figures involved include CBK Governor Kamau Thugge and KBA Vice Chairperson Betty Korir.
• Discussions took place at the 15th Annual Banking Research Conference, emphasizing the need for climate resilience and green financing, especially in agriculture.

Faulu Microfinance Bank has upgraded its core banking system to expand its services beyond MSMEs and target larger businesses.

• The upgrade aims to increase the bank's capacity to scale services and handle evolving customer needs.
• Faulu CEO Julius Ouma stated the upgrade will enable better service for existing customers and room for new innovations.
• The bank will continue serving MSMEs while utilizing the new system for larger, more complex business operations, improving transaction, credit, and compliance handling.

Implementation challenges within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are hindering African businesses from fully realizing the trade bloc's potential.

• An estimated $5 billion annually in currency conversion costs impacts intra-African trade.
• The AfCFTA Secretariat, led by Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, highlights the need for improved cross-border payment systems, customs processes, and infrastructure.
• Initiatives like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) aim to facilitate payments using local currencies, but wider adoption and regulatory alignment are crucial.