Petitions to Beijing

Hi 👋🏽 It's Brian from The Kenyan Wall Street.

In today's newsletter, we take a closer view on trade. Why is Kenya lobbying hard for China to allow greater access to its agricultural produce?

Meanwhile, exporters are anxious as Kenya intends to appeal a decision by the regional court scrapping its trade deal with Europe.

Petitions to Beijing 

By Brian Nzomo 

Kenya’s latest attempt to coax Beijing into lowering agricultural tariffs comes as its export landscape grows increasingly unsettled. Chinese officials are in Nairobi again, nodding politely while Kenya asks for the market access it’s been promised for years. Meanwhile, a quieter worry lurks in the background: the once-reliable U.S. market is slipping, nudged away by Washington’s inward turn and protectionist theatrics, and a growing preference for nearshoring over far-flung African supply chains. Kenyan officials won’t say it aloud, but the anxiety is visible. One major trade partner delaying, another drifting. At this moment, the country’s trade diplomacy feels more like a scramble to keep familiar doors from slowly closing.

Read the article here >>>>>

Saving the European Trade Pact

By Fred Obura

Kenya has moved swiftly to appeal a recent East African Court of Justice suspension of its trade pact with the European Union, a decision that has unsettled exporters ahead of the peak season. The government insists it acted within regional rules, invoking the “variable geometry” principle to press forward independently. With Europe still Kenya’s largest export destination, the stakes are high for fruits, flowers, and vegetables that rely on duty-free access. Officials are balancing legal maneuvering with investor reassurance, signaling that policy stability remains a priority.

Read the full story here »»»»»

HF Group Extends Profit Rally in Q3

By Harry Njuguna

HF Group has posted a remarkable rebound, more than doubling its Q3 profit amid a four-year recovery trajectory.

Financial Snapshot:

🟢 Net profit jumped to KSh 988.7 million, up 104.6% from Q3 2024.

🟢 Operating income expanded to KSh 4.496 billion, driven by higher net interest income of KSh 3.201 billion.

🟢 Core capital soared fivefold to KSh 9.243 billion, providing a robust buffer against past loan impairments.

🟢 Gross non-performing loans eased slightly to KSh 11.09 billion, signaling early progress in loan clean-up.

🟢 Total assets grew to KSh 79.94 billion, while customer deposits rose to KSh 54.74 billion.

Read the full financial analysis here >>>>>

CONVOS : From the UN to Urbanizing Kenya 

By Chelsy Maina

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, has traded the diplomatic stage for Kenya’s urban development scene, joining the board of Tatu City’s parent company. Her four decades in foreign service, spanning postings from Liberia to Geneva, inform her approach to leadership and negotiation in the private sector. Known for what she calls “gumbo diplomacy,” she believes in the quiet power of conversation over a shared meal. Reflecting on a career shaped by unpredictability, she emphasizes adaptability, compassion, and the value of people above all else.

Read the article here >>>>>

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