Britam convened more than 100 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Thika on May 13, 2026 for its Biashara Network forum, a nationwide engagement series aimed at helping entrepreneurs navigate economic pressures and pursue growth opportunities.

The forum, held under the theme “Unlocking SME Potential and Growth in Kenya: Profits Under Pressure,” brought together business owners from multiple sectors alongside financial experts and partners including the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and HFC Limited, according to a statement from the company.

The meeting comes as SMEs remain central to Kenya’s economy and employment. Britam cited Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data indicating the country has more than 7.4 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The company added that the sector employs over 14.9 million people, contributes between 30% and 34% of Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP), and accounts for more than 90% of private enterprises, based on KNBS figures.

Britam Chief Operating Officer Leonard Chirchir said the insurer’s approach is to pair engagement with solutions for entrepreneurs. “Thika is built on the resilience, determination, and innovation of hardworking entrepreneurs who wake up every day to create jobs, grow industries, and keep our economy moving. At Britam, we are proud to walk this journey with SMEs by providing solutions that not only protect their businesses today, but also secure a better tomorrow for generations to come,” Chirchir said.

James Muriithi, CEO of Savannah Mabati Ltd and the forum’s chief guest, told attendees that adaptation and investment decisions would shape business performance despite tighter margins. “Profits may be under pressure, but opportunity is not lost. The businesses that will define Kenya’s future are those willing to adapt, invest in relationships, embrace technology, and remain consistent even in difficult seasons. SMEs are not small players in the economy; they are the engine that powers Kenya’s growth story,” Muriithi said.

Britam said it chose Thika for its role in Central Kenya’s economic corridor, citing the town’s agricultural and industrial activity as well as its proximity to Nairobi and established entrepreneurial culture.

For Kenya’s business landscape, such forums highlight the increasing focus by financial services firms and business associations on non-credit interventions—such as training, networking and partnerships—to address operational challenges facing SMEs. In a high-cost environment, entrepreneurs typically seek support on risk management, access to finance, and business continuity planning, areas that insurers and lenders can influence through products and advisory programmes.

Britam said the Thika forum forms part of a broader nationwide initiative to support entrepreneurs through knowledge-sharing and partnerships. The company did not provide details on the next locations or dates for subsequent sessions, but indicated the Biashara Network will continue as a countrywide engagement.

Safaricom, through its foundations, has launched “Capture the Good”, a national photography and videography challenge that will invite creators to document community projects in education, health, economic empowerment and environmental conservation, the company said on May 12, 2026 in Nairobi.

According to the press release, entries are open at https://capturethegood.safaricom.co.ke/ until May 30, 2026. Participants will select from 250 projects, visit project sites and produce visual stories showing the projects’ impact. The initiative is being run in partnership with the Photographers Association of Kenya (PAK) and the Photojournalists Association of Kenya (PJAK), with Vivo named as the mobile photography partner.

The programme outlines a multi-stage judging process. Safaricom said submitted work will be reviewed by a judging panel, which will select 90 regional winners for a masterclass. After refinement and resubmission, a second judging round will produce 18 national winners whose work will appear on the Capture the Good website.

Safaricom Group Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the company was seeking to use creators’ perspectives to document community change. “We live in a visual world, often enhanced by a photo or a video, building believability, relatability and connections, while allowing the rest of society to live through these stories. These platforms enable us to share stories of transformation, while humanizing the spaces where we serve our communities. We rea now looking to see these stories of impact through their lens,” Ndegwa said.

Safaricom said the challenge will also include public voting. It stated that three winners in each category will be awarded photographer and videographer of the year prizes, with cash awards of KES 1 million for first place, KES 750,000 for second place and KES 500,000 for third place. The press release added that total rewards will amount to KES 20.4 million, including cash prizes, airtime, vouchers and merchandise, alongside data offers intended to support submissions.

The competition is scheduled to run until August 14, 2026, when Safaricom said it plans to crown winners and stage an exhibition of selected works.

The launch also included an education infrastructure announcement. Safaricom said the M-PESA Foundation broke ground for an ICT laboratory at Kisumu Boys’ High School valued at KES 12.5 million, which it said would support learning and innovation for more than 1,800 learners.

For Kenya’s creative economy, the challenge is likely to intensify competition around documentary-style content tied to development programmes and corporate social investment, while strengthening links between creators and institutional funders. The involvement of PAK and PJAK also suggests an emphasis on technical standards and journalistic approaches as creators seek to translate field visits into publishable photo and video narratives.

Next milestones include the May 30, 2026 submission deadline, the regional shortlisting and masterclasses, followed by final judging and public voting ahead of the planned August 14, 2026 awards and exhibition, according to Safaricom.

Jubilee Health Insurance and the Sikh Council of Kenya on Monday launched a tailored community medical cover targeting members of the Sikh community in Kenya, including their families and businesses, in a move the insurer says is aimed at widening access to private medical insurance through organised groups.

The scheme was announced in Nairobi on May 13, 2026, according to a press release issued by Jubilee Health Insurance. It is the first in what Jubilee described as a series of partnerships designed to extend healthcare access through organised affinity groups.

Under the new arrangement, members will access healthcare through collective participation and pooled risk, a model Jubilee says is intended to improve affordability compared with individual plans. The cover includes inpatient and outpatient benefits, with inpatient limits ranging from KES 250,000 to KES 10 million, the partners said. Eligibility runs from children as young as 38 weeks to adults aged 65 years and above, while enrolment will be facilitated through appointed agents within the community structure.

The launch comes as Kenya’s healthcare costs rise and insurance penetration remains a challenge, factors that have made it harder for many households to pay for cover on an individual basis. Jubilee said it is seeking to use existing networks such as communities, associations, SACCOs, professional bodies and faith-based organisations as distribution and trust channels for structured insurance solutions.

Speaking during the announcement, Jubilee Health Insurance CEO and Principal Officer Njeri Jomo said insurers need to design products around how people live and organise themselves. “Healthcare should not feel out of reach. We are seeing a powerful shift where communities and affinity groups are becoming gateways to access,” Ms Jomo said.

She added that the approach is intended to go beyond price. “But affordability is only the entry point. Organised communities give us a platform to do something more important: embed preventive care, simplify referrals, and design care pathways around real member journeys,” she said, arguing that healthcare costs require better system design and that partnerships such as this can support that shift.

Jubilee Holdings Limited Chairman Zul Abdul said increasing insurance uptake will require models that align with Kenya’s long-standing practice of pooling resources. “In our society, the culture of pooling resources — whether through harambees, SACCOs, or other community structures — is deeply rooted,” Mr Abdul said. “This presents a powerful opportunity to design solutions that enable people to come together and pool risk in a structured way.”

Sikh Council of Kenya National Chairman Gurdeep Singh Flora said the partnership reflects the community’s tradition of shared responsibility. “Our community has always believed in standing together and supporting one another. This partnership reflects that spirit by ensuring our members and their families can access healthcare with dignity, peace of mind, and financial protection,” Mr Flora said.

For Kenya’s health insurance market, community-based schemes could help insurers reach groups that are currently underserved by retail channels, while potentially lowering acquisition and administration costs through group enrolment. However, the long-term performance of such products will depend on pricing, claims experience and how well prevention and referral pathways are implemented within the benefit design.

Jubilee said the community model is designed to complement, not compete with, the Social Health Authority framework by providing structured private cover for participating households. The insurer also signalled that more community-led healthcare solutions are in the pipeline as part of its strategy to expand healthcare inclusion through trusted ecosystems and organised communities.

KCB Foundation has partnered with Hivos, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Somo and United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) to launch the European Union-funded “Tujenge Pamoja” initiative aimed at accelerating Kenya’s transition to a circular green economy.

The programme was launched in Nairobi and will be implemented under the EU SWITCH Africa Green Programme, according to a statement from the partners. It seeks to shift enterprises away from the linear “take–make–dispose” model toward circular approaches anchored on repair, reuse, recycling and resource efficiency.

Under the initiative, the partners said the programme will support 3,200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt sustainable and commercially viable circular business models. It also aims to strengthen 40 Business Support Organizations (BSOs) as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to serve as innovation and enterprise development hubs across the country.

The launch comes as Kenya continues to face rising waste management and climate pressures, while MSMEs remain central to employment and economic activity. Circular economy programmes are increasingly being positioned by development partners and private sector institutions as a way to reduce waste while opening new opportunities in recycling, green manufacturing and sustainable services.

Mendi Njonjo, Director at KCB Foundation, said the programme is intended to strengthen MSMEs through financing and skills. “This programme is about economic resilience, dignity and opportunity for millions of Kenyans whose livelihoods depend on MSMEs. By empowering small businesses with green financing, innovation, and skills, we are building enterprises that can compete, create jobs, and drive Kenya’s transition to a more inclusive and circular economy,” Njonjo said during the Nairobi launch.

Henriette Geiger, European Union Ambassador to Kenya, said the shift could unlock economic opportunities alongside environmental gains. “The transition to a circular economy is not only an environmental imperative, but also a major economic opportunity for Kenya. Through ‘Tujenge Pamoja’, we are strengthening innovation, supporting MSMEs, creating green jobs, and promoting inclusive growth that leaves no one behind,” Geiger said.

According to the partners, the programme also aims to create green jobs—particularly for women and youth—reduce waste streams and greenhouse gas emissions, and improve access to green financing through catalytic funding mechanisms to help enterprises scale environmentally responsible solutions. The initiative includes a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) focus that prioritises women-led, youth-led and marginalised enterprises.

Key value chains targeted include plastics and packaging, organic waste management through composting and biogas solutions, and sustainable textiles, the statement said.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the initiative signals continued momentum in linking MSME support to climate and resource-efficiency outcomes, with potential downstream effects across waste management, manufacturing inputs and consumer goods. By strengthening business support organisations and TVET institutions, the programme could also influence workforce skills and the availability of advisory services for firms shifting to circular models.

The partners said the initiative aligns with Kenya Vision 2030, the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production, and SDG 13 on climate action. Next steps will include rolling out enterprise support and capacity-building activities through participating organisations and training institutions.

Jubilee Health Insurance (JHIL) and the Sikh Council of Kenya on Monday, May 12, 2026, launched a community-based medical cover for members of the Sikh community in Kenya, extending to families and businesses. The insurer said the product is part of a broader strategy to grow health insurance access by distributing cover through organised affinity groups rather than relying only on individual retail plans.

According to the press release, the scheme uses a pooled-risk model that allows members to participate collectively, which Jubilee Health Insurance said can make medical cover “more affordable and sustainable than traditional individual plans.” The cover includes inpatient and outpatient benefits, with eligibility ranging from children as young as 38 weeks to adults aged 65 years and above. Inpatient benefit limits start at KES 250,000 and go up to KES 10 million, the company said.

The partners said enrolment will be supported through appointed agents within the community structure, leveraging existing community networks for distribution and administration.

The launch comes as Kenyan households face rising healthcare costs while medical insurance penetration remains low, a gap insurers have been trying to address through alternative distribution channels such as employer schemes, SACCO-linked products and association-based covers. Jubilee Health Insurance said many Kenyans already rely on trusted groups—such as associations, SACCOs, professional bodies and faith-based organisations—for support, and that these structures can be used to widen access to private health insurance.

Speaking at the announcement, Njeri Jomo, CEO and Principal Officer at Jubilee Health Insurance, said product design needs to reflect how people organise their lives and livelihoods. “Healthcare should not feel out of reach. We are seeing a powerful shift where communities and affinity groups are becoming gateways to access. By designing solutions around how people naturally organise themselves - through faith, profession, or shared identity - we are making healthcare simpler, more affordable, and more human,” Jomo said, according to the statement.

Jomo added that cost reduction alone is not the end goal. “But affordability is only the entry point. Organised communities give us a platform to do something more important: embed preventive care, simplify referrals, and design care pathways around real member journeys. Healthcare cost in Africa is fundamentally a system-design problem, and partnerships like this are where the next generation of value in health insurance will be created,” she said.

Zul Abdul, Chairman of Jubilee Holdings Limited, said increasing insurance uptake will require models aligned to how communities already pool resources. “In our society, the culture of pooling resources - whether through harambees, SACCOs, or other community structures - is deeply rooted. This presents a powerful opportunity to design solutions that enable people to come together and pool risk in a structured way,” Abdul said. He added that the company’s focus on organised groups is “deliberate” as it seeks to expand access to insurance protection.

Gurdeep Singh Flora, National Chairman of the Sikh Council of Kenya, said the partnership reflects the community’s values of collective support. “Our community has always believed in standing together and supporting one another. This partnership reflects that spirit by ensuring our members and their families can access healthcare with dignity, peace of mind, and financial protection,” Flora said.

Jubilee Health Insurance said the community-based model is designed to complement the Social Health Authority (SHA) framework rather than compete with it, by providing structured private cover that strengthens household protection for participating members.

For Kenya’s health insurance market, community-led schemes could provide insurers with a channel to reach groups that may not easily buy individual policies, potentially improving risk pooling and retention through trusted networks. However, the long-term performance of such models will depend on pricing discipline, claims management and the ability to maintain broad participation within the affinity group.

Jubilee Health Insurance said this is the first in a series of similar partnerships it plans to roll out. The company did not disclose expected enrolment targets, premiums or provider network details in the statement.

Kenya Airways (NSE: KQ) and Rubis Energy Kenya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) refinery in Nairobi, a project the companies said would be Africa’s first dedicated SAF facility. The companies announced the agreement on 12 May 2026 in Nairobi, saying the facility will be sited near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to connect production with existing fuel infrastructure and airline demand.

In a joint statement, the partners said the MOU sets the framework for “joint engineering, financing, and operation” of a facility designed to produce lower-carbon aviation fuel using local waste feedstocks. The signing was witnessed by President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron during the Africa Forward Summit, according to the news release.

The project will use Dragonfly’s modular refinery technology to process feedstocks including used cooking oils, waste animal fats and other vegetable oils, the companies said. The planned facility is expected to have a production capacity of 32,000 tonnes and requires an estimated investment of about KES 8.4–9.8 billion (€60–70 million), based on figures provided in the release.

The announcement comes as airlines and fuel suppliers globally face increasing regulatory and investor pressure to cut emissions, with SAF widely viewed as an important near- to medium-term option for reducing aviation’s carbon footprint. For Kenya, a local SAF supply chain would also touch multiple sectors, including waste collection and processing, logistics, manufacturing, and airport fuel distribution.

Kenya Airways Acting Group Managing Director and CEO George Kamal linked the project to aviation decarbonisation and current fuel consumption at JKIA. “The expansion of air transport is linked to a growing share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport consumes 2.9 million litres of jet fuel every day, an amount equal to filling the tanks of 52,727 family cars,” Kamal said.

Kamal said the airline currently relies on imported jet fuel and framed the proposed refinery as a way to produce an alternative locally. “While we currently depend entirely on imports, this refinery allows us to produce a sustainable, local version of that fuel,” he said, adding that SAF would support the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) net-zero CO₂e emissions target by 2050.

Rubis and Dragonfly said the project will include skills development and a target timeline for commissioning. Jean-Christian Bergeron, Co-Managing Partner of Rubis and CEO of Rubis Énergie, said, “Our priority will be technology transfer and ensuring that training is provided for local skills development so that the facility, and associated supply chains, will be operated and managed by Kenyans.”

Dragonfly intends to bring the facility online within 24 months, according to the release. Karl W. Feilder, CEO of Dragonfly, said, “The critical advantage of this project is that a Dragonfly refinery can be sited close to both the feedstock and the consumers of the fuel, and utilise the existing Rubis infrastructure to provide a long-term daily supply of SAF to Kenya Airways at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.”

If executed, the refinery could position Nairobi as an early SAF production hub in East Africa, with implications for airline operating costs, supply security, and the development of a formal market for waste oils and fats. However, key details—such as final investment decision timing, project ownership structure, feedstock supply contracts, pricing, and regulatory approvals—were not disclosed in the statement.

The partners said the MOU provides the basis for engineering and financing work to proceed. The next milestones will include detailed project development, securing funding, and concluding arrangements for feedstock supply and offtake, as the proponents work toward the 24-month commissioning target cited by Dragonfly.

Kenya Airways has partnered with Trace as the official airline partner for “Africa Forward — Le Concert,” a cultural event linked to the Africa-France Summit programme set for May 12, 2026 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi, according to a press release dated May 11, 2026.

The airline said the arrangement will see it support travel logistics for “hundreds of accredited travelers,” including artists, management teams and production staff arriving in Nairobi from multiple African and European cities. The event is being held under the patronage of President William Samoei Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, the organisers said.

The concert’s line-up includes African and French diaspora artists such as Yemi Alade, Fally Ipupa, Youssou N’Dour and Abigail Chams, among others, according to the statement.

The partnership places Kenya Airways at the centre of a high-profile summit-linked programme that blends diplomacy, culture and international travel flows. For Kenya’s aviation and hospitality ecosystem, summit-related events typically increase demand for flights, accommodation, ground transport, event production services and security, while also serving as a showcase for Nairobi as a meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination.

Captain George Kamal, Ag. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Airways, said the airline views the arrangement as part of its role in facilitating cross-border movement tied to major moments on the continent. “At Kenya Airways, we believe that travel is about more than moving from one destination to another but rather about enabling the moments that bring people, culture, and opportunity together,” Kamal said. “Africa Forward — Le Concert is one of those defining moments, and we are proud to play our part in welcoming Africa and the world to Nairobi and reinforcing our broader commitment to customer value and innovation.”

Olivier Laouchez, Executive Chairman at Trace, said the partnership is intended to support delivery of the event across audiences. “Trace and our Kenyan partners are proud to produce Africa Forward to place African creativity at the centre of a global conversation,” Laouchez said. “Partnering with Kenya Airways allows us to deliver that vision with the care and the connectivity this moment deserves and inspire audiences at scale.”

Organisers said the partnership will also extend to Trace’s “Futuristic Outfit Competition,” where two winners will receive complimentary return air tickets. The press release did not disclose the value of the tickets or routes covered.

In audience estimates provided by the organisers, Africa Forward — Le Concert is expected to host 4,500 VIP guests at the venue and reach an estimated 500 million viewers globally through Trace television channels and digital platforms, as well as TV5 Monde, YouTube, TikTok and African national TV networks. The press release did not provide an independent methodology for the viewership estimate.

For Kenya Airways, the deal highlights the commercial and brand value of strategic partnerships tied to large international gatherings, which can generate incremental passenger traffic while reinforcing Nairobi’s status as a regional hub. For Trace and other media platforms, Nairobi-based productions offer a route to pan-African distribution and advertiser interest aligned to music, fashion and youth culture audiences.

The next milestone will be the staging of the concert on May 12, 2026, alongside associated travel movements into Nairobi and broadcast distribution across partner networks and digital platforms, as outlined in the press release.

Safaricom PLC (NSE: SCOM) has launched Season 5 of its Chapa Dimba youth football tournament in Kisumu, rolling out new pathways that include international competition exposure, tertiary scholarships and expanded technology-enabled scouting for grassroots players.

The company said the fifth season, launched at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, will feature an All-Star team of 32 players selected from the tournament to represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden. Safaricom described the Gothia Cup as the world’s largest youth football tournament and said the move replaces the international bootcamps used in previous editions.

The tournament will also provide tertiary scholarships to 150 outstanding players through the Safaricom Citizens of the Future programme, according to the press release.

Safaricom said it has adjusted the tournament’s eligibility age bracket to 15–18 years from 16–20 years in previous seasons, stating that the change is intended to support earlier talent identification and placement into professional football structures in Kenya and abroad.

“We are intentionally building pathways that combine sports, education, and technology to empower the next generation. Our goal is not just to develop footballers, but to nurture well-rounded young people who can positively transform their communities and the country,” said Peter Ndegwa, Group CEO, Safaricom PLC.

On player assessment, Safaricom said it will expand the use of technology for scouting and performance analysis. After introducing AI-powered GPS vests in the previous season, the company said it will now deploy VeO Cameras and MyScout AI devices beginning at county level. Safaricom said the tools will enable data-driven scouting by tracking metrics such as movement, positioning, intensity and sprint performance, and will support the creation of digital player profiles accessible to clubs and scouts.

“This season, we are taking technology deeper into grassroots football because we believe no talent should go unnoticed. Through data and digital player profiling, we are creating more structured pathways for young players to access opportunities locally and globally,” Ndegwa said.

Safaricom said Season 5 will be held across eight regions and organised in five stages: ward level, county level, inter-county level, regional level and national finals. Registration is open for both boys’ and girls’ teams via the Chapa Dimba website, the company said.

National winners in both boys’ and girls’ categories will each receive KES 1 million, Safaricom said, adding that county and regional prizes and individual awards—including Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer and Best Goalkeeper—will also be issued.

The tournament is run in partnership with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Safaricom said in its notes to editors. The company positions the programme as part of its wider youth empowerment agenda, implemented alongside initiatives including the Safaricom Foundation, M-PESA Foundation and Citizens of the Future programme.

For Kenya’s sports and business ecosystem, the latest changes signal a tighter link between corporate sponsorship, education outcomes and measurable talent pipelines. Expanded scouting tools at county level could also increase the visibility of players outside traditional urban centres, while the Gothia Cup pathway provides a defined international platform for elite youth talent.

Safaricom said Chapa Dimba, launched in 2017, has produced players who have progressed into local and international football, including Benson Omalla, Bryton Otieno, Austine Odongo, Derrick Oketch, Jentrix Shikangwa, Marion Serenge and Mercy Akoth, among others. The company also said some former participants have represented Kenya at international competitions, including the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Next, the tournament will proceed through its ward-to-national structure, with the All-Star selection and scholarship beneficiaries expected to emerge from the season’s scouting and performance assessments, Safaricom said.

Vivo Energy Kenya’s Shell Club loyalty programme cleared outstanding medical bills for new mothers at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi on May 8, 2026, as part of Mother’s Day activities, the company said in a statement.

Vivo Energy Kenya, which distributes and markets Shell-branded products and services in the country, said the support was intended to ease the financial burden on families and recognise the role of mothers in society. The firm did not disclose the value of the bills settled.

The initiative was framed around the 2026 Mother’s Day theme, “The Great Unburdening,” which, according to the statement, emphasises the need to support mothers by reducing daily responsibilities and emotional and social pressures.

In Kenya, maternity-related healthcare costs can be a significant household expense, particularly for low-income families and those without comprehensive health insurance coverage. Pumwani Maternity Hospital is one of Nairobi’s largest public maternity facilities, serving high patient volumes and often drawing patients from across the city and neighbouring counties. Corporate-led bill-clearing initiatives have become a common form of support for public hospitals and patients facing treatment-related debt.

Peter Murungi, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Kenya, said the programme was structured to provide targeted relief at a major public maternity facility.

“Motherhood is one of life’s most important journeys, and this Mother’s Day, we wanted to celebrate mothers in a meaningful and impactful way. Through Kameivana Na Shell Club, we are proud to stand with families at Pumwani Maternity Hospital by easing some of the financial burden and sharing in their joy,” Murungi said.

The company said the activity was delivered through Shell Club, its customer loyalty programme, which it described as combining rewards with social impact initiatives. Vivo Energy Kenya added that it plans to continue investing in health-focused programmes and pursuing opportunities that support social and economic progress.

For Kenya’s downstream petroleum marketers, loyalty programmes have increasingly become a key tool for customer retention as competition intensifies across retail fuel networks and adjacent convenience services. Tying such programmes to community initiatives can also form part of broader corporate social responsibility strategies, particularly in health and education, sectors that continue to attract private support amid constraints on public resources.

Vivo Energy Group operates in multiple African markets under the Engen and Shell brands and reported a network of more than 4,000 service stations across 28 markets, according to the statement’s company notes.

Going forward, Vivo Energy Kenya did not outline whether the Pumwani initiative will be replicated at other facilities or become an annual programme. However, it said Shell Club will continue running initiatives linked to health and community wellbeing.

Safaricom PLC (NSE: SCOM) on Thursday announced financial results for the year ended March 31, 2026, reporting Group service revenue of KES 414.1 billion and net income of KES 100 billion, as it maintained growth in Kenya while scaling its Ethiopia operations.

In a press release dated May 7, 2026, the telecoms and mobile money operator said it will pay a total dividend of KES 80.1 billion, equivalent to KES 2 per share, comprising an interim dividend of KES 0.85 per share and a proposed final dividend of KES 1.15 per share, subject to shareholder approval. Safaricom said the total dividend represents a 66.7% increase from the previous year.

The company said customer numbers across the Group reached 71.6 million during the period, reflecting operations in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Safaricom’s results matter for Kenya’s business landscape because the company is one of the Nairobi Securities Exchange’s most heavily traded counters and a major contributor to corporate tax receipts and household income through dividends. The operator is also a key channel for digital payments and credit through M-PESA, which underpins significant volumes of retail transactions and small business cashflows.

Peter Ndegwa, Group Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom PLC, said performance in Kenya helped offset headwinds in Ethiopia. “We delivered strong performance, with acceleration in the second half, surpassing Group guidance with outstanding Kenya performance offsetting the impact of currency reforms and the timing of market repair actions in Ethiopia,” Ndegwa said.

In Kenya, Safaricom said service revenue grew by 10% to KES 400.8 billion, while earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose 15.3% to KES 182.3 billion.

Adil Khawaja, Chairman, Safaricom PLC, said the Group maintained profitability while continuing investment in Ethiopia. “We have sustained strong growth in service revenue, driven by double digit growth in Kenya and accelerated growth in Ethiopia, while maintaining profitability despite continued investment in Ethiopia,” Khawaja said. He added that the company was “beginning to see the benefits of scale in Ethiopia, with improving commercial momentum and narrowing start up costs.”

Safaricom said Ethiopia contributed 12.5% of the Group’s service revenue growth during the year. The company reported that subscriber numbers in Ethiopia rose to 13.6 million, with network coverage reaching 60% of the population supported by 3,504 sites. Safaricom also reported that service revenue in Ethiopia grew 86.6% to KES 14.1 billion.

Mobile data revenue rose 18.3% to KES 92.9 billion, while M-PESA revenue increased 13.4% to KES 182.7 billion, according to the company. Safaricom said M-PESA in Kenya had 41 million active customers during the year under review.

The performance underscores continued consumer demand for mobile broadband and the centrality of mobile money to Kenya’s payments ecosystem. For investors, the announced dividend implies sustained cash generation, although the final payout remains subject to approval. For the wider market, Safaricom’s Ethiopia trajectory remains a key variable in the Group’s medium-term profitability as the operator balances capital expenditure, regulatory changes and currency considerations in the new market.

Dilip Pal, Group Chief Finance and Innovation Officer, Safaricom PLC, said the company will continue investing in capacity and systems while moving into the next year of its strategy. “We continue to invest in our network and IT systems to support capacity upgrades and user experience. Ethiopia's performance shows reduced losses relative to the previous period, greatly boosting Group performance,” Pal said.

Safaricom said it would move into the second year of its Vision 2030 strategy, with the proposed final dividend expected to be tabled for shareholder approval in line with company and regulatory requirements.