The Central Bank of Kenya have announced that Kenyan banks have restructured loans amounting to KSh1.63 trillion, equivalent to 54.2% of the total banking sector loan book by the end of December 2020.

In March last year, the Central Bank introduced emergency measures in the banking system in order to offer relief to borrowers affected by the pandemic.

By the end of 2020, personal and household loans amounting to KSh 333 billion had their repayment period extended. Banks also restructured loans amounting to KSh 1.29 trillion issued to sectors like trade, manufacturing, agriculture, and real estate.

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The percent of gross non-performing loans to gross loans increased to 14.1% in December 2020 from 12% in December 2019. The percent of gross non-performing loans to gross loans measures the health of the banking system and a high percent shows that banks are struggling to recover issued loans and interest on the loans.

The pandemic adversely affected businesses in Kenya and limited their ability to repay loans. According to the Central Bank, Kenyan banks registered an increase in non-performing loans in the transport and communication sector, agriculture sector, and the real estate sector in 2020.

Despite the sharp increase in non-performing loans in the past year, the Central Bank of Kenya says Kenya’s banking sector “remains stable and resilient, with strong liquidity and capital adequacy ratios.”

The Federal Government of Somalia has lifted the one-year-long ban on miraa imports from Kenya.

Somalia had stopped the importation of miraa last year when international flights were suspended due to fear of the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, but when international air travels resumed, miraa importation from Kenya was still restricted while a different variety from Ethiopia was allowed into the country.

However, Somalia has imposed certain conditions for the commodity to be admitted in the country which includes traders obtaining import licenses from the government as well as paying the appropriate duties.

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Other demands Somalia gave Kenya ahead of lifting the blockade of miraa import includes:

*Kenya treating them as an equal

*Kenya desisting from interfering with their internal affairs

*Kenya to apologize for airspace violation

*Kenya to allow in goods including fish, rice, sugar, honey, meat and milk.

*Kenya must stop forcing flights from Somalia to make a detour to Wajir for inspection.

However, Kenya’s efforts to look for an alternative market in Djibouti are yet to bear fruits.

The private investment arm of the world bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has loaned a KSh1.1 billion to Kioo Limited to help the company mitigate the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kioo limited is based in Tanzania and is the largest producer of glass bottles in East Africa. The company which mainly supplies glass bottles to beverages companies has been adversely affected by the closure of bars and restaurants in some East African countries as well as the restrictions on public gatherings.

The IFC loan will provide the company with much-needed capital to continue operating even in a challenging environment.

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Kioo limited will use the funds to pay employees and invest in energy-efficient machinery to reduce its carbon emissions.

Kioo limited supplies glass bottles to more than 12 African countries including some island nations in the Indian Ocean. The company is also keen to protect the environment and aims to install energy-efficient machinery in its Dar es Salaam factory in order to cut down on carbon emissions.

IFC has been supporting Small and Medium Enterprises in East African through loans and equity investments.

In addition, the financial organization has over $5 billion invested in African businesses and financial institutions.