Topicals



We research widely to deliver unique insights.


Recent Topicals

Nairobi Metropolitan Area Commercial Office Report 2024

Mar 17, 2024

In 2023, we published the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Commercial Office Report 2023 themed ‘Persisting Tenant’s Market’. The report provided an in-depth analysis of the sector's performance in 2022, along with insights into future prospects and investment opportunities. According to the report, the sector experienced notable improvements, with average rental yields reaching 7.6% in 2022, up by 0.3% points from the 7.3% recorded in 2021, attributable to increased occupancy and rental rates. Occupancy rates also saw a significant uptick, rising by 1.8% points to reach 79.4% in 2022, compared to 77.6% in 2021. Despite some firms continuing to adopt work-from-home policies, the demand for office space remained robust as more firms resumed full operations. Asking rents and prices increased to an average of Kshs 96 and Kshs 12,223 per SQFT respectively in 2022, from Kshs 94 and Kshs 12,106 per...

Kenya Retirement Benefits Scheme 2023 Review

Mar 10, 2024

According to the ACTSERV 2023 Retirement Benefits Schemes Investments Performance Survey, segregated retirement benefits schemes recorded a 3.1% return in 2023, up from the 2.3% recorded in 2022. The increase was largely supported by the performance of offshore investments made by the schemes which recorded a significant 10.6% gain to 18.0%, up from the 7.4% gain recorded in 2022, on the back of positive investor sentiment from higher valuations, and the shilling depreciation which made for better earnings prospects from foreign currencies. Additionally, in H1’2023, the retirement benefits schemes’ Assets under Management increased by 12.4% to...

FY’2023 Unit Trust Funds Performance

Mar 3, 2024

Unit Trust Funds (UTFs) are a type of Collective Investment Scheme that pool funds from various investors to collectively invest in a diversified portfolio of assets, managed by a Fund Manager, with the aim of generating returns for the investors. These funds are overseen by expert fund managers who allocate the collected capital into a diverse range of securities like equities, bonds, or other approved financial securities. The goal is to yield returns that align with the fund’s specific objectives. Following the release of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Quarterly CIS Report-Q4'2023, we examine the performance of Unit Trust Funds for the period ended 31st December 2023. These funds have seen consistent growth in total Assets Under Management (AUM) and are one of the preferred investment choices in Kenya. Additionally, we will delve into the performance of Mo...

Affordable Housing Agencies Report

Feb 25, 2024

Housing is guaranteed as an Economic and Social right by the Constitution of Kenya 2010, as outlined in section 43(1)(b), “every individual has the right to accessible and adequate housing, as well as to reasonable standards of sanitation”. This provision underscores the entitlement of every individual to accessible and adequate housing. Therefore, the government has a responsibility to provide adequate housing to its citizens and is obligated to implement policies and initiatives aimed at addressing housing needs as well as the living standards across the country. To address the housing shortage, both the Jubilee and Kenya Kwanza governments initiated their housing agendas through The Big Four and the

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Progress Update in Kenya

Feb 18, 2024

Kenya's Real Estate sector has been a significant contributor to the country's GDP, growing at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.5% for the past 5 years. In Q3’2023, the sector expanded by 5.4%, reaching Kshs 785.9 bn compared to Kshs 743.4 bn recorded in the same period in 2022. This surge in growth highlights the sector's increasing importance, with its contribution to the national GDP reaching 10.5%, up from 10.0% in the previous quarter. Several factors have contributed to the Real Estate sector's growth, including; i) the government’s continued emphasis on the affordable housing agenda, ii) aggressive expansion strategies pursued by both local and international retailers, iii) rapid population and urbanization growth rates, iv) the reopening and expansion of the hospital...