- Kenya met Sthe tandard Bank Group for talks on the economy and financing.
- Discussions focused on debt control, growth, and private sector support.
- Treasury officials highlighted steady economic performance in 2025.
- The bank’s role in Eurobond deals and infrastructure was acknowledged.
- President Ruto also held separate talks with the bank at State House.
The Kenyan government has stepped up economic discussions with Standard Bank Group as it pushes for stable growth and responsible financing.
The talks brought together senior Treasury officials and top leaders from the African banking giant to review Kenya’s current position and future direction.
The discussions were held on Tuesday at the National Treasury offices in Nairobi.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi led the meeting, joined by Principal Secretary Dr Chris Kiptoo.
The Standard Bank delegation was headed by Group CEO Sim Tshabalala, alongside Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan Regional CEO Dr Joshua Oigara.
During the meeting, CS Mbadi said Kenya’s economy has remained stable despite pressure from both global and local challenges.
He revealed that the country recorded a 4.9 per cent economic growth in the third quarter of 2025.
Key sectors such as agriculture, construction, trade, and services played a major role in driving this performance.
The Treasury noted that inflation has continued to ease closer to the desired range.
This improvement followed coordinated actions between fiscal and monetary authorities aimed at protecting consumers while keeping prices under control.
Officials said the balance has helped support local demand without weakening economic stability.
CS Mbadi reaffirmed the government’s plan to tighten spending and manage public finances carefully.
He said reforms are ongoing to increase revenue collection, reduce waste, and handle public debt in a more sustainable way.
According to him, Kenya’s medium-term plan remains focused on stability, private sector growth, and safe financing options.
Principal Secretary Dr Chris Kiptoo said part of the meeting focused on Kenya’s recent Eurobond activities.
He noted that Standard Bank played a key role as a Joint Lead Manager and Bookrunner in those transactions.
The moves helped manage debt pressure, extend repayment timelines, and boost investor confidence in Kenya’s markets.
Standard Bank CEO Sim Tshabalala praised the government for staying disciplined during a difficult global economic period.
He said ongoing reforms and new financing approaches have helped strengthen trust in Kenya among investors.
The bank also reaffirmed its interest in supporting infrastructure and capital market development.
A day before the Treasury meeting, President William Ruto met Sim Tshabalala at State House, Nairobi.
The meeting was also attended by Stanbic Bank Kenya CEO Joshua Oigara and board chairman Joseph Muganda.
The discussions focused on the role of African financial institutions in supporting the continent’s development.
President Ruto said African banks understand local politics, policy, and development needs better than foreign lenders.
He encouraged stronger cooperation between governments and regional institutions to fund long-term projects.
The president also praised Standard Bank for supporting the National Infrastructure Fund and public-private partnerships.
Both engagements highlighted strong cooperation between Kenya and major financial institutions.
The government said its goal is to maintain discipline while still investing in key growth areas.
As Kenya looks ahead, leaders say partnerships like these are vital for building a stable, investor-friendly economy that supports long-term development.
