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Kenyan investors explore Dangote Refinery IPO through NSE GDR

Bizna Team
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Kenyan investors explore Dangote Refinery IPO through NSE GDR

Kenyan institutional investors and capital market participants are exploring a proposed structure that would allow them to participate in the ongoing Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE Initial Public Offering (IPO) through the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

The proposal was discussed during a high-level institutional investor engagement convened by the NSE on September 29, 2026. The forum brought together investors and capital market stakeholders to examine a proposed inward, unsponsored Global Depositary Receipt (GDR) programme for the Dangote Refinery IPO.

The session was attended by Dangote Group President and CEO Aliko Dangote and members of his executive team.

The proposed transaction is being advised by a consortium comprising Renaissance Capital Africa, G&A Advocates LLP, Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited, Image Registrars, KSTB, Phanice Global and Newmark Group Limited.

How Lamu refinery investor Aliko Dangote became Africa’s richest man

Proposed GDR structure

A Global Depositary Receipt allows investors in one market to obtain economic exposure to shares of a company listed in another market without directly trading on the foreign exchange.

Under the proposed Dangote arrangement, the underlying ordinary shares would remain in custody in Nigeria, while corresponding GDRs would be made available for trading and settlement on the NSE in Kenyan shillings.

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) would remain the primary market for the underlying Dangote shares.

The proposed structure would therefore not amount to a direct listing of Dangote Refinery ordinary shares on the NSE. Instead, Kenyan investors would access the investment through GDRs representing the underlying Nigerian shares.

Programme could target up to US$300 million

Renaissance Capital Chairman David Kinyua said the proposed programme could target up to US$300 million in participation from Kenyan investors.

The programme remains subject to regulatory approvals, documentation, investor demand and final terms.

If approved and implemented as proposed, the transaction would be the first unsponsored inward GDR programme of its kind in Africa, according to Renaissance Capital.

NSE Chief Executive Officer Frank Mwiti said the initiative is intended to expand access to international investment opportunities through Kenya’s own capital-market infrastructure.

“Kenyan investors are already looking beyond our borders for investment opportunities,” Mwiti said, adding that the proposed structure would enable investors to access pan-African assets through the NSE, with trading and settlement in Kenyan shillings.

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How Kenyan investors would participate

Under the proposed arrangement, Renaissance Capital would act as lead transaction adviser, sponsoring broker and GDR issuer, subject to regulatory approval and final transaction terms.

Stanbic Bank Kenya would hold the underlying Nigerian shares in custody and support the GDR issuance.

Licensed Kenyan stockbrokers would serve as authorised selling agents. Their responsibilities would include collecting investor orders, conducting Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures and completing required investor checks.

The GDR issuer would determine final allocations according to a published methodology.

This structure would allow Kenyan investors to use local market infrastructure rather than directly opening brokerage arrangements in Nigeria.

Dangote IPO already underway in Nigeria

The proposed NSE mechanism comes as Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE conducts its IPO on the Nigerian Exchange.

The offer comprises 4.1 billion ordinary shares at NGN525 per share, with the IPO running from September 14 to October 13, 2026. The offer is expected to raise about NGN2.15 trillion if fully subscribed.

The proceeds are intended to support the refinery’s expansion programme, while the IPO is being positioned as an opportunity for wider ownership of the business.

The official IPO information confirms that the offer is open and that the minimum subscription is 10 shares at NGN525 per share.

Nigeria’s Central Bank gives Dangote Sh. 21 billion funding for oil refinery

GDR could reduce cross-border investment barriers

For Kenyan investors, the proposed GDR structure could simplify some of the operational requirements associated with investing directly in a foreign market.

Investors would potentially be able to trade the GDRs through the NSE and settle transactions in Kenyan shillings, while the underlying Dangote shares remain held in Nigerian custody.

Renaissance Capital Managing Director Stanley Kariuki said the structure would address some of the practical challenges investors face when accessing a foreign-listed security, including differences in markets, currencies and trading arrangements.

The proposed model brings together custody, registry, brokerage, legal and market infrastructure participants to support the cross-border investment mechanism.

Legal and regulatory framework

G&A Advocates LLP is advising on the legal and regulatory aspects of the proposed transaction.

The law firm said Kenya’s capital-market framework is capable of supporting the proposed GDR structure and described the initiative as an example of increasing sophistication in African capital markets.

However, the proposed programme is not yet available for investment. Regulatory approvals, documentation and final terms must be completed before the structure can be implemented.

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What investors should consider

The proposed GDR programme would create a new route for Kenyan investors to obtain exposure to a major Nigerian industrial company, but investors would still be exposed to the risks associated with the underlying Dangote shares.

These include share-price movements, company performance, market liquidity, regulatory changes and risks associated with the Nigerian market. GDRs may also involve specific costs and structural considerations that investors should understand before participating.

The Dangote IPO itself states that share prices can rise or fall and that dividends are not guaranteed. Investors are advised to review the official prospectus and risk factors before subscribing.

Kenya’s proposed GDR programme will similarly require investors to rely on the final approved documentation before making investment decisions.

A new cross-border capital-market channel

The proposed Dangote GDR programme comes at a time when African capital markets are increasingly exploring ways to facilitate cross-border investment and broaden participation in major African businesses.

For the NSE, the proposed transaction could provide a mechanism through which Kenyan investors gain exposure to a Nigerian-listed company without leaving the domestic trading environment.

For Dangote Refinery, the proposed structure could potentially broaden access to its IPO among investors elsewhere in Africa.

The immediate next steps will depend on regulatory approvals, final transaction documentation and investor demand.

Until those requirements are completed, the proposed NSE GDR programme remains an initiative under development rather than a completed investment product.

CBK licenses 29 more digital lenders as total number hits 281

Jane Muia
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CBK licenses 29 more digital lenders as total number hits 281

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has approved 29 additional digital credit providers, raising the number of regulated digital lenders in the country to 281.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 30, CBK said the latest approvals follow the licensing of 25 digital credit providers in July.

The latest licences were issued under Section 59(2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act, as the regulator continues its efforts to bring digital lending businesses under formal oversight.

“The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) announces the licensing of an additional 29 Digital Credit Providers (DCPs). This is pursuant to Section 59(2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act (CBK Act). This brings the number of licensed DCPs to 281 following the licensing of 25 DCPS announced in July 2026,” CBK said.

The regulator said it has received more than 900 applications from businesses seeking licences since March 2022, when the regulatory framework for digital credit providers took effect.

CBK said applications are being assessed on several fronts, including the applicants’ business models, consumer protection arrangements and the suitability of proposed shareholders, directors and management.

The review is intended to ensure that digital lenders comply with the law while strengthening safeguards for consumers who access credit through digital platforms.

“We urge these applicants to submit the pending documentation expeditiously to enable completion of the review of their applications,” CBK wrote.

Digital credit providers offer loans through electronic channels, including mobile applications and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) platforms.

Their products range from short-term personal loans to education and development financing, asset-backed credit and loans for businesses.

The sector has expanded significantly since regulation was introduced. CBK data shows that by August 2026, licensed digital lenders had issued 9,596,509 loans worth a combined Sh165.1 billion.

The licensing programme was introduced amid concerns about practices associated with previously unregulated digital lenders, including expensive credit, aggressive debt recovery methods and the improper handling of borrowers’ personal information.

CBK has continued to encourage members of the public to report digital lenders operating outside the regulatory framework.

Also Read: TSC opens applications for CEO position with Sh698,000 salary

Sweet potato farming: How farmers can avoid selling their produce at a loss

Jane Muia
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Sweet potato farming: How farmers can avoid selling their produce at a loss

Sweet potato farming is undoubtedly a profitable venture for farmers who approach it as a commercial enterprise rather than simply a subsistence crop.

With growing demand for food, livestock feed, and value-added products, farmers can earn good returns from the crop when they pay attention to production, quality and marketing.

However, some farmers continue to overlook sweet potatoes because of the perception that the tubers fetch low, almost throwaway prices in the market.

This often happens when large volumes of produce reach the market at the same time, leaving farmers with little bargaining power and forcing them to sell quickly before the crop deteriorates.

Farmers who have built profitable sweet potato enterprises, however, say the difference lies not only in how much they produce but also in how they manage their crop after planting.

Below are potato farming strategies that can help growers secure better markets and protect the value of their harvest.

Secure the market early

Successful farmers begin looking for buyers before the crop is ready for harvest. Establishing relationships with commercial buyers and, where possible, securing supply contracts gives growers greater certainty over where their produce will be sold.

Early market planning also enables farmers to understand when demand is strongest. This helps them avoid being forced to sell during periods of oversupply, when prices can fall sharply as many growers release their produce into the market at once.

Handle tubers carefully during harvesting

How sweet potatoes are harvested can have a direct impact on their selling price and shelf life. Cuts, bruises and other physical damage expose the tubers to decay, potentially reducing their value within a short period.

Farmers therefore need to handle the crop carefully during harvesting and avoid unnecessary skin damage. Keeping the tubers in good physical condition gives them a longer shelf life and makes them more attractive to buyers.

Grade the harvest

Uniformity is another factor that can determine the price a farmer receives. Commercial buyers generally prefer clean, well-sorted tubers of relatively uniform sizes, while mixed consignments can attract lower prices or fail to meet buyers’ specifications.

Sorting and grading should be done soon after harvesting. Separating the tubers according to size and quality allows farmers to target different markets and can help them access bulk buyers who are willing to pay more for consistent produce.

Cure and store properly

Proper curing can further protect the farmer’s investment. The process helps harden the skin of the tubers and allows minor injuries sustained during harvesting to heal, reducing the risk of deterioration.

After curing, sweet potatoes should be kept in a cool, dark and well-ventilated storage facility. Good storage conditions can reduce losses from rot and give farmers greater flexibility to hold their produce instead of selling immediately after harvest.

Also Read: Farmer turns dry Laikipia land into beef goldmine selling up to 100 cattle per month

How Lamu refinery investor Aliko Dangote became Africa’s richest man

Bizna Reporter
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How Lamu refinery investor Aliko Dangote became Africa’s richest man
Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote is planning a multi-trillion oil refinery project in Lamu, Kenya. This will be the first major project in the region for the man who is ranked as Africa’s richest man and the 35th richest person in the world.

According to Forbes, Dangote had a net worth of USD51.7 billion as at September 30, 2026. This was after an oversubscribed USD2.5 billion private placement pushed the net worth of Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote up USD20 billion to over USD50 billion.

How did Aliko Dangote get so wealthy? How did he build his wealth? Well, Aliko Dangote was born in Kano, Nigeria on April 10, 1957.  His family was well off. His great-grandfather had established one of Nigeria’s most successful peanut farms, and the family made a sizable fortune exporting peanuts to the Europe in the early 1900s.  Entrepreneurship was in Dangote’s blood, and he began selling candy, for a profit, while still in elementary school.  Fast-forward to today, and everything the 56-year old businessman is doing, is in service of his relentless quest to grow his wealth and the fortunes of Nigeria.

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Initially, he focused on building his business presence.  After graduating from Al-Azhar University in Egypt, with a degree in Business, Aliko Dangote launched his first company, The Dangote Group, a trading company primarily dealing in cement.  His family already had government connections, so he was able to secure the appropriate licenses quickly – a step that can often derail new ventures in Nigeria.  Then he took his business elsewhere.  He spent the next few decades working in South America, primarily Brazil.  He made a major amount of money “cementing” Brazil, a country that was, and still is, on the rise.  He bought multiple properties around the world, including homes in Atlanta.  However, he ultimately decided to return to Nigeria, and to focus on bringing business to his home country.

In the late 90s, he returned to Nigeria, where he backed the People’s Democratic Party.  After the PDP won the election, he used his clout to secure an agreement to build the biggest cement factory in the world — with the stipulation that the government would limit how much cement could pass through Nigeria’s ports.  They agreed, and suddenly, Mr. Dangote had taken his internationally successful cement business, and turned it into the only game in town. He spent $1 billion building the mine and an airstrip to go with it.  The company opened in 2008 and was an almost instant success.  He currently has over 25,000 employees in Nigeria, as well as operations in 14 other countries across Africa.

He owns 85 percent of publicly-traded Dangote Cement through a holding company. Dangote Cement has the capacity to produce 48.6 million metric tons annually and has operations in 10 countries across Africa.

Cement was only one aspect of the plan, however.  Aliko Dangote has been growing The Dangote Group bit by bit for the last decade.  The seemingly unflappable businessman has made a concerted effort to secure control of any resource or food that could be produced internally, instead of imported.  He now runs successful food processing, manufacturing, and freight arms, controlling the Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Cement, Dangote Flour, and a salt mine.  The sugar refinery has been especially successful, and 70% of the sugar used in Nigeria’s beverage and candy business comes from The Dangote Group.

It is the largest sugar refinery in Africa and the third largest in the world.  He also controls a large portion of Nigeria’s export of cocoa, sesame seeds, ginger, cotton, and cashews.  In addition to his food and cement-related ventures, he has also poured money in to real estate, textiles, transport, and telecommunications.

There is also Dangote Refinery. The refinery, which began construction in 2016, began its refining operations in early 2024. It has a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day (110,000 m3/d) and employs over 3,000 people.

In October 2025, Dangote announced ongoing expansion efforts which would increase the refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day. This would make it the largest refinery in the world based on current global refinery capacities. The expansion, estimated at USD14.3 billion, is expected to be completed by 2029.

MEDS launches MEDS Devane Company Limited as it marks 40 years of life-saving health solutions

Peninnnah M
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MEDS launches MEDS Devane Company Limited as it marks 40 years of life-saving health solutions

Nairobi, Kenya – Tuesday 29 September 2026: Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) today launched MEDS Devane Company Limited (MDCL), a new commercial company that opens MEDS’ trusted supply chain to Kenya’s private healthcare sector, as it marked 40 years of expanding access to quality, affordable health products in Kenya and beyond. MDCL opens for business on 1 November 2026.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale EGH launched MDCL, together with the new MEDS-Strathmore Supply Chain Academy, at the MEDS 40th Anniversary Celebration at a colourful ceremony in Nairobi.

The launch featured the live unveiling of MDCL’s logo and corporate colours and a walkthrough of its upcoming website, www.mdcl.co.ke.

MDCL will serve private hospitals, clinics, retail pharmacies, laboratories, corporates and distributors with quality-assured medicines, medical consumables, diagnostics, laboratory products, infection prevention and control solutions, orthopaedic implants, equipment and other specialized products, backed by traceable supply-chain systems. Its immediate focus is Kenya, with a longer-term ambition to serve selected markets across East Africa.

“As Kenya’s healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the private healthcare sector, pharmacies and other healthcare institutions require a commercially responsive partner that understands the urgency, complexity and responsibility of healthcare delivery,” said Rt. Rev. Benard Owuor, Chair of the MDCL Board of Directors. “MDCL has been established to meet this need.”

The company operates as a distinct, professionally governed commercial entity that will promote access to quality health products to a wider range of clientele. “Our ambition is not only to grow a successful company, but to grow a trusted company,” Rt. Rev. Owuor said. “We believe that commercial success and positive health impact can, and should, go together.”

MEDS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Wycliffe Nandama, who is also MDCL’s Acting General Manager, said the company was built around the needs of private providers. “Today’s healthcare customers need more than products on a shelf. They need quality assurance, dependable availability, timely delivery, professional support and a partner who understands that every product supplied can have a direct impact on patient care,” he said. “Our commitment is simple: quality products, reliable service and meaningful partnerships.”

The company is named after Rev. Sr. Joan Devane, the American medical missionary and pharmacist who founded MEDS in 1986 in a small warehouse in Ruaraka, Nairobi, stocking just 30 products. “Her legacy reminds us that healthcare is not simply about products and transactions; it is about service, trust, professionalism and the wellbeing of communities,” Rt. Rev. Owuor said.

Four decades on, MEDS stocks more than 2,000 health products and technologies, serves facilities in all 47 counties and has reached more than 10,000 clients. Its WHO-prequalified Quality Control Laboratory has supported quality assurance in more than 46 countries and analysed approximately 2,350 samples in 2025 alone. Its Health Systems Strengthening programmes reach more than 20,000 healthcare workers every year, a foundation the new Supply Chain Academy will build on. MEDS became a self-sustaining social enterprise in 2005, ending its reliance on donor funding.

Speaking at the celebration, Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale EGH commended MEDS for its role in quality assurance, noting its work with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on laboratory testing and post-market surveillance to detect substandard and falsified health products. “I want in particular to recognize MEDS for a contribution that may be less visible than the delivery of supplies, but is just as important: its commitment to quality assurance,” said CS Duale. He cited MEDS’ World Health Organization prequalification since 2009, ISO 9001:2015 certification and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, saying that maintaining such demanding standards over time “speaks to the discipline of its staff and the strength of its systems.”

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The Cabinet Secretary said faith-based facilities are indispensable partners in the Government’s universal health coverage agenda, with 876 faith-based health facilities holding active contracts with the Social Health Authority (SHA) and KSh 29.8 billion paid out against claims worth KSh 41.1 billion. “Universal health coverage is realised at the point of care. It depends on a facility being open, a health worker being available, a patient being able to afford treatment, and quality-assured medicine being there when it is needed,” he said.

“As you enter your fifth decade, I encourage you to preserve the values on which you were founded while investing in the capabilities the future will demand,” CS Duale told MEDS. “Kenya needs strong supply systems, skilled health workers and dependable, independent quality testing capacity. MEDS has an important role in each of these areas.”

“The strength of healthcare depends not only on the medicine itself, but also on the strength of the supply chain that carries it from innovation to the patient,” said Dr. Nandama.

The ceremony, held under the theme “Celebrating 40 Years of Life Saving Health Solutions – Legacy. Impact. Posterity.”, brought together representatives of MEDS’ founding institutions, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), alongside government, partners, suppliers and staff. Murang’a County Governor Dr. Irungu Kang’ata and Rt. Rev. Cleophas Oseso, Chairman of the MEDS Board of Trustees and Directors, also addressed the gathering.

Closing the launch, Rt. Rev. Owuor called on private healthcare providers to partner with MDCL for the same quality and affordability MEDS is known for.

“MDCL is built on trust and designed for tomorrow,” he said. “We are proud to launch a company that combines commercial sustainability with a lasting commitment to quality healthcare.”

Your chest pain could be a potential heart attack

Bizna Team
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Your chest pain could be a potential heart attack

Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort can be an indicator of serious and life-threatening conditions and should be evaluated promptly with minimal delay. It is critical to visit a hospital with a proper pathway for management of an acute coronary syndrome. This is a set of steps, based on the current scientific evidence, which guide the patient, family, health care professionals and other hospital staff involved in the patient’s care on efficient management of patients with chest pain. This helps ensure early identification of life.

What should I do if I develop chest pain/discomfort?

Chest pain, especially if it develops within a few minutes to an hour, needs urgent evaluation to rule out potentially serious causes. The recommended course of action is to present to a hospital which is capable of diagnosing and treating acute heart condition emergencies. You should go to the emergency department (casualty) and inform the medical staff immediately that you are experiencing chest pain /discomfort. It is recommended that you use the fastest means possible to reach the hospital.

What should I expect when I present to the hospital emergency department with chest pain?

The nurse and doctor who will attend to you will measure your blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation and temperature. You will be asked a few questions about your chest pain, perform a physical examination and an electrocardiogram (ECG) – a recording of the electrical activity of the heart. All this should be done within 10 minutes of your arrival.

The ECG forms the basis of early decision-making and helps the doctor decide whether you are having an acute heart attack (ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)), which is a type of heart attack resulting from total occlusion of the arteries that supply the heart muscles. An acute heart attack (STEMI) requires prompt treatment to re-establish blood flow in the blocked artery. Other tests you can expect to be done while in the emergency department include blood tests that check for heart enzymes, blood counts, electrolytes, a chest X-ray or CT scan of the chest and an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart).

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What is a heart attack?

A heart attack occurs when deposits in the arteries cause a blood clot to form, causing either partial or complete blockage in the artery. This blockage slows or blocks blood flow to the area of heart muscle supplied by that artery. If prolonged, the muscle can become damaged or die.

What symptoms accompany a heart attack?

A heart attack will present with symptoms like chest pain/discomfort, which typically occurs on the left side of your chest but can be anywhere between the neck and the umbilicus. It is often described as a squeezing pain or heaviness. Pain may sometimes be felt in either arm, the jaw, teeth, neck, upper abdomen or back. With a heart attack, you are also likely to have difficulty breathing, nausea or vomiting, sweating, dizziness or loss of consciousness/collapse.

In addition, some people suffer a stop of the heart (Cardiac arrest), usually because of an electrical heart rhythm problem, causing the heart to stop beating. This is often fatal if it occurs outside of a hospital, as it requires a special electric shock (defibrillation) to treat. These common presentations highlight the need to seek urgent evaluation for any chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of a heart attack.

How is a heart attack diagnosed?

There are two main types of heart attacks: an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTE-ACS). STEMI occurs due to the complete blockage of an artery and time is of the essence in opening up the blocked artery to prevent death and complications. The diagnosis of STEMI is made by performing a test on the electrical activity of the heart (ECG) within 10 minutes of patient arrival.

Blood will be taken for heart enzymes, but the doctor will not wait for the results to initiate treatment. An NSTE-ACS occurs due to partial blockage of an artery. The blockage is, however, severe enough to cause some muscle damage. An ECG may have some abnormalities, however usually the diagnosis is made on finding elevated heart enzyme levels called troponin. The turnaround time for the test from the lab is approximately one hour.

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What is the treatment for a heart attack?

For complete blockage (STEMI), the blocked artery should be opened up as soon as possible. Two options are available:

Primary Percutaneous Intervention (Primary PCI) – This procedure is performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (cathlab), which is a special X-ray suite. An interventional cardiologist passes a thin catheter through your wrist or groin into the heart, and a special dye (contrast) is injected into the heart arteries (coronary arteries). This is called a coronary angiogram and can help to visualize blockages in the arteries on the x-ray.

Once the problem is identified, a thin balloon is passed into the blockage and expanded, allowing the artery to open. A metal scaffold (stent) is then placed inside the artery to keep it open. This procedure re-establishes blood flow to the heart muscle. This is the gold standard treatment for heart attacks, and if done early provides the best results.

The second treatment is a clot-busting/dissolving drugs or thrombolytic. These are medications that are injected into a vein and work by circulating in the bloodstream and dissolving the clot in the heart. While thrombolysis is a very effective treatment, it may fail to reopen the artery, thus necessitating the patient to be taken for angioplasty anyway, rescue PCI. The risk of bleeding is high in thrombolysis, since it circulates in the whole body. Bleeding in the brain is the most serious consequence, and the doctor will go through a checklist for thrombolysis before administering the drug. Patients who are at high risk of bleeding may not be candidates for thrombolysis.

When can I resume sexual activity after a heart attack?

Most people have anxiety about returning to sexual intimacy after a heart attack. It is good to discuss with your cardiologist when it is safe to resume sexual activity. For most people, this may be possible once they can tolerate a moderate amount of physical exertion. Generally, this is after at least two to four weeks of having a heart attack. Some of the medications prescribed for your heart may interfere with your sex drive or ability to maintain an erection and achieve an orgasm.

If you feel this may be the case, please bring it up with your cardiologist to see if there are alternative medications. You should not stop any of these medications on your own accord. Medications which contain nitrates (e.g. nitroglycerine tablets, patches and sublingual sprays) may cause dangerous drops in blood pressure if taken together with medicines that treat erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra and Cialis. You should always discuss with your cardiologist before you use any of these medications.

STEM training linked to higher employment and earnings among young Kenyan women, new study finds

Bizna Team
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STEM training linked to higher employment and earnings among young Kenyan women, new study finds

Young women who took part in a targeted STEM TVET training programme were more likely to be employed and earn more than comparable young women who did not participate, according to new research presented in Nairobi.

The findings were presented at a policy briefing bringing together the researchers, policymakers, government officials and development partners to discuss what the evidence means for strengthening pathways from STEM training to employment for young women in Kenya.

STEEP participants recorded higher employment rates

The study, “Scaling STEM training can improve young women’s employment in Kenya,” found that 63% of women who participated in the STEM Education for Empowerment Project (STEEP) were employed, compared with 48% of applicants who were not selected and 52% of comparable young women who did not apply.

Econometric analysis estimated that participation increased the likelihood of employment by up to 26% compared with one comparison group and 18% compared with the other. Monthly earnings were estimated to be 22% higher.

“These findings show us what is possible when young women are given the opportunity to develop technical skills, confidence and practical workplace experience,” said Dr Phyllis Mumia Machio, co-author of the research.

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Training challenged traditional gender roles

“The girls were excited that they were defying societal expectations and doing things that were traditionally considered as mainstays for men. They were electricians, and they were plumbers, and they were excited to be doing the jobs,” Machio said of the research co-authored with Dr. Bernadette Wanjala.

STEEP is a four-year initiative supporting out-of-school adolescent girls from vulnerable backgrounds with technical and soft skills to prepare them for STEM training and employment.

The programme combined technical training, life skills, mentorship and work-based learning, with three cohorts trained between February 2024 and June 2025.

The training was conducted across six locations: Kakamega County, Kenyenya in Kisii County, Kisumu County, Mathira in Nyeri County, Sega in Siaya County, and Sero in Homa Bay County.

STEM training linked to higher employment and earnings among young Kenyan women, new study finds
STEM training linked to higher employment and earnings among young Kenyan women, new study finds

Market-relevant technical skills at the centre of training

The training included market-relevant technical pathways, including areas such as food and beverage production and service, electrical installation and wiring, plumbing and pipe fitting, and solar PV and electrical.

For some participants, the training challenged long-held assumptions about what jobs women can do.

One female participant captured this shift simply: “I’m happy because I’m a girl and I’m doing plumbing. Some people say that girls cannot be plumbers. By this gives me added joy.”

TVET and STEM skills give young Kenyan women a path to work and self-reliance

Certification and workplace barriers remain

However, the study also found that training alone does not remove the barriers women face when moving into employment.

Participants identified the short duration of training, lack of formal certification and the cost of NITA examination fees as challenges. Some who had completed training were unable to secure opportunities with formal companies because they did not have the required certification.

Participants also reported discrimination and harassment in male-dominated workplaces, highlighting the need for stronger safeguards as more women enter traditionally male occupations.

Skills development must extend beyond technical training

“Skilling alone is not the end goal. The programme approach is getting people skills, adjusting their attitude and giving them knowledge. We are not here to just share outcomes. We should ask ourselves, how will this evidence affect future programmes? What are we going to create tomorrow that comes from the evidence today?” noted Dennis Muchiri, CAP Youth Empowerment Institute (CAP YEI) representative, whose organisation implemented the programme.

Internships provide a bridge to employment

Internships emerged as another important bridge between training and employment.

The researchers found that practical workplace experience helped participants build confidence and, in some cases, move directly into employment.

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Women remain underrepresented in STEM training

The findings are significant against a backdrop of continued gender disparity in technical education.

Women account for only 38% of STEM enrolment in Kenya’s TVET institutions, according to data cited in the policy brief.

Researchers call for stronger STEM-to-employment pathways

The researchers recommend expanding the STEEP model to marginalised counties, embedding structured life-skills training and female mentorship into TVET STEM programmes, developing stronger public-private partnerships through the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) to provide internships linked to employment, and strengthening workplace safeguards for women entering STEM careers.

Programme supported by Canada and development partners

The study was funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and the Barrett Family Foundation and was led by Humber Polytechnic’s International Development Institute, with CAP Youth Empowerment Institute (CAP YEI) as the implementing partner in Kenya.

The research was supported by the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP) through its Learning and Knowledge Management Project, with funding from Global Affairs Canada.

The policy briefing provides an opportunity for government, training institutions, employers, researchers and development partners to consider how evidence from STEEP can inform future approaches to women’s participation in STEM, TVET and employment in Kenya.

John Kioli Kalua: A life dedicated to climate action, environmental stewardship and public service

Tonnie Mello
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John Kioli Kalua: A life dedicated to climate action, environmental stewardship and public service

Kenya has lost a committed environmentalist, climate policy expert and public servant with the passing of John Kioli Kalua, a Commissioner of the Nairobi Rivers Commission.

Kalua died on Monday, September 28, 2026, after suffering a sudden asthma attack while attending to his usual activities in Nairobi’s Central Business District. His family said efforts by people at the scene to assist him, including attempts to obtain an inhaler, were unsuccessful. He was subsequently pronounced dead by medical personnel.

His death has brought to an abrupt end a career spanning more than two decades and dedicated largely to climate change, environmental governance, energy policy and sustainable development.

A career built around environmental stewardship

Born in 1972 in Starehe, Nairobi, Kalua developed a professional career at the intersection of environmental policy, climate change and community development.

According to his parliamentary vetting records, he held a Bachelor of Education Arts degree from Maseno University, then a constituent college of Moi University and later obtained a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies, specialising in Climate Change and Sustainability, from Kenyatta University.

For more than 24 years, he worked in climate change and environmental policy, contributing to policy development at both national and county levels. The Nairobi Rivers Commission described him as an expert with extensive experience in drafting, advocating for and implementing environmental and energy policies.

He served as Executive Director of the Green Africa Foundation and chaired the Kenya Climate Change Working Group, positions that placed him at the centre of Kenya’s growing climate-policy conversation.

His work also extended beyond Kenya through initiatives focused on climate justice, renewable energy and energy access across sub-Saharan Africa.

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A contributor to Kenya’s climate policy framework

Kalua’s contribution to public policy was significant.

As a member of the National Climate Change Council, he was involved in work relating to the implementation of the National Climate Change Act of 2016 and the National Climate Change Action Plans. He also contributed to county-level environmental legislation, including the Kitui County Charcoal Management Act, the Kajiado Climate Change Act and the Narok County Environment Act.

His parliamentary vetting records show that his professional experience included work with a range of government, civil society and international development initiatives, including projects supported by organisations such as WWF and USAID.

He was also involved in research and knowledge development around energy access and climate change. His published work included A Review of Energy Access in Kenya and Impacts of Climate Change on Energy Security, published through the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

His final chapter: restoring Nairobi’s rivers

Kalua’s appointment to the Nairobi Rivers Commission placed him at the centre of one of Nairobi’s most consequential environmental challenges.

The Commission was established to help reclaim Nairobi’s rivers as part of the city’s blue and green infrastructure and improve the urban environment and quality of life.

Kalua brought to that assignment decades of experience in climate policy, environmental governance and sustainable energy.

Only recently, he represented the Commission in discussions around the restoration of Nairobi’s river system and nature-based solutions for addressing flooding, pollution, environmental degradation and public health challenges.

In July 2026, while representing the Nairobi Rivers Commission at the launch of a Nature-based Solutions Strategic Framework, Kalua emphasised that restoring Nairobi’s rivers would require coordinated action and sustained investment rather than isolated projects.

That message captures much of the philosophy that defined his professional life: environmental challenges require long-term thinking, sound policy, collaboration and sustained implementation.

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A public servant whose work extended beyond titles

Kalua’s career illustrates an important dimension of public service: much of its impact is not always visible to the wider public.

Policy experts, advocates, researchers and technical leaders often work behind the scenes, helping shape legislation, institutions and programmes whose effects may only become evident years later.

Kalua’s work in climate change and environmental policy placed him in that category.

He worked across government, civil society, development organisations and community-oriented initiatives. His professional record reflects a career spent building bridges between policy and implementation, particularly around issues that have become increasingly important to Kenya’s future: climate resilience, clean energy, environmental protection and sustainable development.

A legacy written in policy and institutions

The measure of Kalua’s contribution is therefore not only the positions he occupied, but also the institutions, policies and conversations to which he contributed.

His work formed part of Kenya’s evolving response to climate change. His involvement in national climate institutions connected him to the country’s legislative and policy architecture. His environmental advocacy contributed to broader conversations around climate justice and energy access. And his final public assignment with the Nairobi Rivers Commission connected his career directly to the restoration of one of Kenya’s most important urban ecosystems.

His passing comes at a time when Nairobi continues to confront flooding, pollution, encroachment on riparian areas and the broader effects of climate change. The work he was involved in therefore remains unfinished.

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Remembering John Kioli Kalua

John Kioli Kalua leaves behind more than a résumé of professional appointments.

He leaves behind ideas, policies, institutions, partnerships and a body of work built around the belief that Kenya’s environmental future requires deliberate stewardship.

For his colleagues in the Nairobi Rivers Commission, the Green Africa Foundation, the Kenya Climate Change Working Group and the wider environmental community, his death represents the loss of a colleague and fellow advocate.

For Kenya, it is the loss of a professional who devoted much of his working life to an issue that will increasingly define the country’s development trajectory.

The Nairobi Rivers Commission described his death as sudden and unexpected and asked Kenyans to keep his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers.

As the country mourns, perhaps the most fitting tribute to John Kioli Kalua is to continue the work to which he devoted his life: building a Kenya that is more environmentally responsible, climate-resilient and sustainable for generations to come.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Top 10 banks dominating Kenya’s lending market

Jane Muia
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Top 10 banks dominating Kenya’s lending market

Kenya’s banking sector expanded its lending in 2025, with the total value of outstanding gross loans rising to Sh4.35 trillion by December, up from Sh4.07 trillion a year earlier.

The 6.8 per cent increase points to stronger credit activity across the economy, according to the Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) Bank Supervision Annual Report 2025, released on September 22, 2026.

The country’s 10 largest lenders accounted for Sh3.61 trillion of the industry’s total gross loans, equivalent to about 83 per cent of the overall loan portfolio.

Credit demand was concentrated in four areas of the economy, including personal and household lending, trade, manufacturing and real estate. Together, these segments accounted for 72.1 per cent of banks’ total gross loans.

KCB Bank Kenya maintained a substantial lead over its peers, with its gross loan portfolio crossing the Sh1 trillion mark. Equity Bank followed with Sh462.49 billion, while Co-operative Bank ranked third at Sh440.40 billion.

Top 10 banks by gross loans
  1. KCB Bank Kenya — Sh1.01 trillion
  2. Equity Bank Kenya — Sh462.49 billion
  3. Co-operative Bank of Kenya — Sh440.40 billion
  4. Absa Bank Kenya — Sh337.31 billion
  5. NCBA Bank Kenya — Sh303.89 billion
  6. Stanbic Bank Kenya — Sh289.65 billion
  7. Diamond Trust Bank Kenya — Sh244.88 billion
  8. I&M Bank — Sh238.63 billion
  9. Standard Chartered Bank Kenya — Sh162.00 billion
  10. Family Bank — Sh118.55 billion

The increase in lending comes as banks continue to serve households and businesses across sectors, with consumer financing, commercial activity, manufacturing and property-related investments remaining major drivers of demand for credit.

Also Read: Full list of Tier 1, 2, and 3 banks in Kenya

TSC opens applications for CEO position with Sh698,000 salary; how to apply

Jane Muia
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0
TSC opens applications for CEO position with Sh698,000 salary; how to apply

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has invited applications for the position of Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, offering a five-year contract that comes with a monthly gross salary of Sh698,600 and a range of additional benefits.

In a notice issued on September 29, the commission said the successful applicant will serve as its chief executive and oversee the implementation of its policies, decisions and strategies.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Article 250 (12) of the Constitution, the Commission is seeking applications from qualified candidates for the position of the Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, who, in performance of the functions and duties of office, shall be responsible to the Commission. The Secretary shall be the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, responsible for implementing the Commission’s policies, decisions, and strategies,” read part of the announcement.

The Secretary will also head the TSC secretariat and serve as the commission’s accounting officer and custodian of its records.

Among the responsibilities attached to the position are overseeing the execution of commission decisions, assigning and supervising staff, coordinating the implementation of TSC’s mandate and ensuring adherence to public ethics and values.

The position became vacant after the tenure of former Secretary and CEO Nancy Macharia ended on June 30, 2025. Evaleen Mitei has been serving as the acting Secretary and CEO since then.

Qualifications

TSC requires applicants to be Kenyan citizens and hold a university degree in education from an institution recognised in Kenya.

Candidates must also have at least 10 years of relevant experience in areas including education, administration and management, public administration, human resource management or financial management.

Applicants are further required to satisfy the leadership and integrity requirements set out under Chapter Six of the Constitution.

The successful candidate will serve for five years and may be considered for one further five-year term.

Salary and benefits

In addition to the Sh698,600 monthly gross salary, the CEO will receive a monthly airtime allowance of Sh15,000 and an annual leave allowance of Sh50,000.

The medical package provides inpatient cover of up to Sh10 million and outpatient cover capped at Sh300,000. It also includes maternity benefits of Sh150,000, as well as dental and optical cover of Sh75,000 each.

The officer will also be entitled to a service gratuity equivalent to 31 per cent of annual pensionable emoluments for the period served.

The benefits package includes group life insurance and group personal accident cover, with each providing coverage equivalent to three times the officer’s annual pensionable emoluments.

The CEO will also be eligible for a car loan of up to Sh6 million and a mortgage facility of up to Sh30 million, both at an interest rate of three per cent per annum, subject to applicable regulations and availability of funds.

The mortgage can be repaid over a period of up to 20 years, while the car loan has a maximum repayment period of five years.

The commission will additionally provide an official vehicle with an engine capacity of up to 3,000cc.

Medical cover will extend to the office holder, one spouse and up to four fully dependent children below the age of 25.

Application process

Interested candidates are required to download and complete the application form available on the TSC website.

Applications should be accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae, certified copies of the applicant’s National Identity Card or passport, academic and professional certificates, and relevant testimonials.

Completed applications may be submitted through the TSC recruitment portal, emailed to [email protected], or delivered by hand to the office of the Commission Chairman at TSC House, Tower Wing, third floor, Kilimanjaro Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi.

The deadline for submission is Friday, October 30, 2026, at 5pm East African Time.

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