Regulating the Bandwidth: What the new proposed amendment says...

Kenya’s latest internet reform bill aims to swap unlimited access for a metered, state-regulated model—complete with user ID logs, billing audits, and steep fines. It's a vision of connectivity where every byte is counted, reported, and possibly held against you.

I am Brian from The Kenyan Wall Street and these are our day's business stories:

Regulating the Bandwidth: Why MPs Want ISPs to Change Billing System

In a move that could fundamentally reshape Kenya’s digital terrain, Aldai MP Marianne Kitany has sparked a national debate with a bold legislative proposal: scrap flat-rate internet and bring in metered billing.

The Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill 2025 would force ISPs to track every user’s data usage in real time, assigning “internet meter numbers” much like electricity accounts. Although it has been pitched as a transparency reform to protect consumers from vague caps and shadowy billing practices, critics warn it could suffocate smaller ISPs and throttle internet access for low-income users.

The new rules also bundle in sweeping KYC mandates — demanding full personal data from subscribers and cloaking ISPs in a regulatory jacket more suited to banks than broadband internet providers. The bill’s promise of transparency clashes uneasily with its silence on data security and its hefty KSh 5 million fines for non-compliance, leaving privacy advocates wary of an Orwellian overreach. Here is the analysis »»»»»

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Profits and Pressure: Inside the Banking sector’s balancing act

In the first quarter of 2025, Kenya’s banking sector posted a strong comeback, recording KSh 73.5 billion in pre-tax profits—a 25.8% jump from the previous quarter—driven largely by aggressive cost-cutting despite declining income.

Yet, this rebound conceals growing fault lines: Non-performing loans (NPLs) surged to a 20-year high of 17.4%, reflecting deepening borrower distress, especially in household, trade, and construction sectors. With gross NPLs rising 6.6% against a modest 0.6% uptick in total lending, the long-term trend—more than doubling since 2015—signals entrenched economic strain.

Still, the industry’s buffers appear solid: liquidity stands at 58.4%, and capital adequacy at 20.1%, well above statutory minimums. While these cushions enable resilience, the outlook remains tense, with 38% of lenders expecting further NPL deterioration by mid-year. Behind the figures is a cautious industry, bracing for credit risk while trying to sustain momentum »»»»»

A Cold Shoulder : How European Visa Rejections Cost Kenyans

In 2024, nearly 19,000 Kenyans were denied Schengen visas—losing a staggering KSh 234.7 million in non-refundable application fees. As Europe tightens its gates, critics say the system disproportionately penalizes hopeful travelers from lower-income nations. The process, skewed in favor of the wealthy, quietly drains billions from African pockets under the guise of bureaucracy. Meanwhile, Europe courts Africa for trade, but slams the door on its people. Here is the story »»»»»

CAPITAL MARKETS  

🔸 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐓-𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝟐-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐰𝐬, 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝟑𝟔𝟒-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝟏𝟎%.

The 91-day T-Bill rate fell to 8.32%, matching its lowest level in 22 months, while the 182-day eased to 8.58%, marking a 25-month low. In contrast, the 364-day paper edged slightly higher, remaining stubbornly above the 10.00% threshold.

🔸Valour Inc. has appointed GulfCap Investment Bank as its transaction advisor to cross-list over 65 digital asset ETPs on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Pending CMA approval, the listing will offer Kenyan investors access to regulated crypto-linked products in Kenya Shilling.

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