Tech Trends KE
TechTrendsKE is a leading Kenyan news blog that covers technology and business trends, product and service reviews in Kenya and across Africa.
Apr 28, 2026 at 02:25PM
Kenya has started producing its own bank and SIM cards after a new manufacturing plant opened in Nairobi, reducing reliance on overseas suppliers and tightening control over critical payment infrastructure. The facility, operated by SecureID Kenya, produces EMV-standard bank cards, telecom SIMs and government identity materials. For financial institutions and mobile operators, the shift is …
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Apr 28, 2026 at 02:06PM
Kenya’s push to streamline public services through technology is entering a new phase, with Jessy Maruti outlining a plan to connect systems, expand broadband access, and tighten cybersecurity across government. The newly appointed head of the ICT Authority says the immediate goal is to reduce service delays and make state platforms easier for citizens and …
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Apr 28, 2026 at 01:49PM
At a moment when Africa’s digital infrastructure can already handle mass-scale transactions, attention is turning to a different constraint: policy alignment. Discussions at the Connected Africa Summit in Nairobi placed less emphasis on new technology and more on the rules shaping how that technology is used across borders and institutions. Infrastructure Is No Longer the …
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Apr 28, 2026 at 12:30PM
M-PESA, Safaricom’s flagship mobile money service, now processes roughly Sh100 billion, approximately $800 million, every single day, CEO Peter Ndegwa has revealed. Speaking at the Connected Africa Summit in Nairobi, the CEO disclosed that the service now handles over 500 million transactions daily. To support this unprecedented volume, he said Safaricom has deployed a next-generation …
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Apr 28, 2026 at 06:09AM
NBC Tanzania has teamed up with Visa to roll out the NBC Visa Business Platinum Debit Card, introducing the country’s first premium debit card tailored for businesses. Designed for business clients, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the card offers enhanced payment capabilities and access to premium services that were previously unavailable in Tanzania’s business …
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Apr 28, 2026 at 04:29AM
Nairobi-based technology company WildMango has announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI, making it one of the American AI giant’s first small and medium business (SMB) partners on the African continent. The deal, announced on Tuesday, will see WildMango support the distribution, integration, and localisation of OpenAI’s products and services across Africa. Through the collaboration, WildMango …
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Apr 28, 2026 at 04:13AM
The Connected Africa Summit 2026 officially opened today in Nairobi, bringing together government leaders, policymakers, regulators, ambassadors, development partners, investors, and technology innovators from across Africa and beyond to chart the next phase of the continent’s digital transformation. Held under the theme “Uniting Africa’s Innovation for an Inclusive Digital Market,” this year’s Summit builds on …
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Apr 27, 2026 at 03:44PM
Equity Bank has taken the top position in Kenya’s 2026 Think Business Banking Awards, placing it ahead of peers across multiple segments in this year’s industry evaluation. The recognition reflects broad performance across retail services, lending categories, and institutional programs, at a time when banks are being judged on both growth and adaptability. The lender …
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Apr 27, 2026 at 03:33PM
Electricity users across Kenya are paying more for power starting this week after new cost components were added to monthly tariffs, raising the overall unit price of electricity. The changes come from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which updated billing factors to reflect movements in fuel prices, exchange rates, and water usage in generation. …
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Apr 27, 2026 at 03:20PM
A group of Kenyan manufacturers and energy startups is lining up a combined Sh5.6 billion capital raise as cleaner cooking moves further into the mainstream. The companies are engaging international backers to finance scale, with plans tied to higher output and a broader mix of products. BURN Manufacturing has set a Sh1.3 billion target. Ignis …
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Apr 27, 2026 at 03:01PM
Digital lender Tala has introduced stricter identity checks for its Kenyan users, requiring updated personal details before access to loans continues. The move aligns with compliance directives from the Central Bank of Kenya, which mandate tighter borrower verification across digital credit platforms. Customers must now upload a valid national ID and complete a real-time selfie …
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Apr 27, 2026 at 02:32PM
Lilian Nyawanda has taken charge of Kenya Revenue Authority with a narrow window to close a widening revenue gap, setting out a plan anchored on systems rather than policy overhaul. Her appointment follows the exit of Humphrey Wattanga, leaving her to manage collections in the final stretch of the financial year. By the end of …
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Apr 27, 2026 at 08:51AM
Access to safe drinking water remains a significant public health challenge across Kenya. Many households searching for a water purifier in Kenya are primarily concerned with contaminants such as fluoride, salinity, and microbiological risks in their local water supply. A large proportion of households rely on water sources carrying elevated levels of chemical contaminants, dissolved …
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Apr 27, 2026 at 05:12AM
Africa Tech Summit London, the leading African tech conference in Europe, returns to the London Stock Exchange on May 29, 2026, for its landmark 10th edition – celebrating a decade of convening Africa’s most influential tech leaders, global investors, regulators, and innovators, while charting the next era of growth for the continent’s digital economy. The …
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Apr 27, 2026 at 05:06AM
Payments technology company Cross Switch has announced the appointment of Gillian Koinange as Head of Business Development, East Africa. The company says the appointment reinforces its commitment to accelerating growth and deepening its presence across the region. Gillian brings over two decades of experience driving revenue growth and building strategic partnerships across Africa, with a strong …
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Apr 27, 2026 at 04:48AM
For many parents and guardians, the back-to-school season begins in the small, quiet moments. It could be in the kitchen before sunrise, in thoughts on the way to work, or in the numbers tallied repeatedly in their heads. From school fees to uniforms, books, transport, and pocket money, it is never just a single bill …
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Apr 25, 2026 at 03:59PM
Fintech leaders, banking executives, telecom operators, regulators, and blockchain players will converge in Nairobi for the 4th edition of the Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference (KBCC 2026). Scheduled for May 14–15, 2026, the conference is expected to attract over 1,500 participants from across Africa and beyond, bringing together key stakeholders shaping the future of finance …
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Apr 25, 2026 at 05:25AM
Ahead of the official launch of the Kenya AI for Disability Project, members of the media were invited to a special media tour at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) in Kasarani on Friday morning, bringing together government leaders, innovators and ecosystem partners committed to using technology to advance disability inclusion in Kenya. The …
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Apr 24, 2026 at 04:49PM
Liquid Intelligent Technologies has closed a $660 million refinancing package, anchored by a $300 million Eurobond that was oversubscribed 2.5 times. The Eurobond, listed on Euronext Dublin and issued under Rule 144A/Regulation S, provides Liquid with the international credentials that institutional buyers require. But it was only one piece of a larger transaction. The broader …
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Apr 24, 2026 at 04:32PM
Google has released new search trend data revealing a significant shift in how Kenyans are using technology to learn, upskill, and grow. The March 2026 trends point to a rising focus on technical literacy and automated learning, as Kenyans increasingly position themselves for opportunities in the global digital economy. The data shows that interest in …
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Apr 24, 2026 at 04:27PM
Jumia Kenya on Wednesday brought together vendors, brand partners and senior executives at Best Western Hotel, Nairobi, as it kicked off preparations for its 14th anniversary, set to be marked later in June this year during the 2026 Jumia Anniversary sales campaign. The vendor engagement forum, sponsored by global technology brand Xiaomi, focused on helping …
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Apr 24, 2026 at 11:32AM
The vivo V70 FE is built around battery life, display size, and steady everyday performance. It features a 7000mAh battery, a 6.83-inch AMOLED panel, and a 200MP main camera. The vivo V70, positioned above it, takes a different approach with a stronger Snapdragon chipset, a more flexible camera system that includes telephoto zoom, and higher-end …
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Apr 24, 2026 at 11:05AM
Craft Silicon is expanding its footprint beyond ride-hailing, building a payments and banking software business that now spans more than 30 markets across Africa and Asia. The company, best known locally for Little, says enterprise software and digital transactions are driving a growing share of its cross-border activity. Founder and chief executive Kamal Budhabhatti said …
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Apr 24, 2026 at 10:31AM
The Kenya Revenue Authority has begun pursuing small businesses that rotate mobile money paybills and tills to avoid declaring income, tightening enforcement on a segment long seen as difficult to tax. Acting Commissioner-General Lilian Nyawanda said the authority is now identifying traders whose transaction activity does not align with their tax filings. The practice involves …
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Apr 24, 2026 at 10:07AM
Orange S.A. and Safaricom PLC are building toward the same idea: one app that brings payments, telecom services, and digital products into a single interface. The viability of super apps in Africa now rests less on concept and more on execution. Early rollouts show both momentum and strain, with growth ambitions colliding with the realities …
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Apr 24, 2026 at 09:39AM
Absa Bank Kenya has set aside between Sh2 billion and Sh3 billion annually for technology, tying its investment plans to a steady rise in customer activity on mobile and online platforms. The lender says most transactions now take place away from its physical network, a pattern that has hardened over recent years and is shaping …
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Apr 23, 2026 at 11:47AM
African corporates are set to gain valuable insights into how to maximize opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at the third AfCFTA Training Programme, scheduled to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from 16 to 18 June 2026. The programme, organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the American University in …
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Apr 23, 2026 at 11:17AM
A high-profile delegation of African policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, and technology leaders joined more than 450 global participants this week at MIT’s Innovation in Global Growth Markets: Prosperity through Entrepreneurship Conference, signalling the continent’s growing weight in international conversations on innovation and economic development. Hosted by the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, the …
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Apr 23, 2026 at 11:07AM
Africa’s top policymakers, technology executives, and innovators will gather in Nairobi later this month for the Connected Africa Summit 2026, billed as the continent’s most senior digital economy gathering of the year. Organised by the ICT Authority of Kenya, the four-day summit runs from April 27 to April 30 at The Edge Convention Centre, opening …
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Apr 23, 2026 at 10:32AM
Yellow Card, the largest licensed stablecoin infrastructure provider operating in emerging markets, has published its 2026 Report on Data Protection and Artificial Intelligence Governance in Africa. The report offers a sweeping look at how regulatory frameworks across the continent are maturing and what that means for financial institutions deploying stablecoins and AI-powered payment systems. It …
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Apr 23, 2026 at 09:55AM
Across Africa, artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from being a futuristic concept to a daily reality. Banks are using it to detect fraud, logistics firms to optimise routes, hospitals to support diagnostics, and government departments to manage citizen records and service delivery. This raises interesting questions about the continent’s infrastructure readiness. Instead of asking whether …
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Apr 23, 2026 at 09:29AM
Accelera Digital Group (ADG) has been named the 2026 Google Cloud Partner of the Year for Sub-Saharan Africa, marking its second consecutive win after receiving the continental award in 2025. The recognition highlights ADG’s strategic role in accelerating Google Cloud adoption and expanding its footprint across the region. The company specializes in delivering core cloud …
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Apr 23, 2026 at 08:05AM
Safaricom has released version 5.1.5 of My OneApp on the Google Play Store, addressing key user complaints in what the telco is framing as a direct response to customer feedback. The update restores the Favourites tab within the transactions section, allowing users to save and quickly access frequently used contacts, and brings enhancements to the …
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Apr 23, 2026 at 06:11AM
Kenya Airways has unveiled a strategic partnership with Kenyan professional golfer Njoroge Kibugu, marking a deliberate move to elevate Kenya’s presence in the global sports and premium travel market. Kibugu, one of the country’s most exciting emerging golf talents, has steadily built his profile through standout performances on regional and international circuits, including the Magical …
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Apr 23, 2026 at 06:04AM
Samsung Kenya has officially rolled out three Galaxy S26 branded buses at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), placing its newest flagship device at the heart of one of East Africa’s busiest travel hubs. The flag-off was led by Evelyne Munene, Samsung’s Head of Mobile Experience, alongside the Kenya Airways team, and the buses are now …
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Apr 22, 2026 at 09:22AM
Kenya’s innovation ecosystem has earned global recognition after four local startups- Comana, Duck, ReportsAI, and VunaPay were selected for the 10th Google for Startups Accelerator Africa cohort. Chosen from nearly 2,600 applicants, they form part of the final group of 15, with an acceptance rate below 1%. The selected Kenyan startups are leveraging Artificial Intelligence …
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Apr 22, 2026 at 07:41AM
vivo has officially teased the upcoming vivo V70 FE, a smartphone positioned squarely at socially active users who live to capture and share moments on the go. Anchored by a 200-megapixel main camera with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), the device is being marketed as an AI-powered travel portrait companion built for everything from city breaks …
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Apr 22, 2026 at 03:28AM
Visa has been unveiled as the Lead Partner for CRAFT Addis 2026, signaling a major push toward strengthening Africa’s creator economy and scaling the continent’s creative sector globally. The partnership with Creative Arts for Transformation (CRAFT) reflects a strong alignment between the festival’s mission and Visa’s global efforts to empower creators through financial and digital …
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Apr 21, 2026 at 02:37PM
Lenders in Kenya could soon be barred from raising a customer’s credit limit without first reviewing their current financial position, under proposed consumer protection rules from the Central Bank of Kenya and the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority. The draft framework introduces stricter checks aimed at ensuring borrowers can sustain additional debt before it is approved. …
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Apr 21, 2026 at 01:43PM
Kenyan TV manufacturer Vision Plus has announced a new partnership with global smart TV software developer Whale OS, in a deal that will see AI-powered entertainment systems rolled out across locally made televisions all over the country. The agreement between the two companies has positioned Vision Plus as the first East African brand to ship …
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Apr 21, 2026 at 11:54AM
Recruitment and HR solutions firm BrighterMonday Kenya has announced a new partnership with Kenya’s security sector aimed at strengthening corporate security leadership while expanding employment opportunities for young people across the industry. The collaboration seeks to build leadership capacity within the security ecosystem while creating structured pathways for youth to access work-readiness training and meaningful …
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