The IMF Precautionary Credit Facility 2018
Sep 16, 2018
Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded their review under a precautionary Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), which was extended to Kenya on 14th March 2016. The SBA is a lending arrangement extended by the IMF to member countries in emerging markets in need of financial assistance in case of occurrence of exogenous shocks such as drought, increase in global oil prices or changes in international financial markets. Previously, we had highlighted the IMF’s various forms of lending and the reasons why Kenya may benefit from the IMF standby facility (for more information, see our focus on Kenya’s IMF Standby Facility), while in this focus we shall highlight on the possible economic implications of missing out on the IMF’s precautionary credit facility. In a press statement after the visit, the IMF stated that their mission to assess the Kenyan ec...Mombasa Real Estate Investment Opportunity August 2018
Sep 9, 2018
In line with Cytonn’s expansion strategy, we continue to carry out market analysis for various regions in Kenya and Sub Saharan Africa in order to identify lucrative investment opportunities for our investors. In 2018, we have released the Nyeri Real Estate Investment Opportunity 2017, Kisumu Real Estate Investment Opportunity , and the Nakuru Real Estate Investment Opportunity topicals in January, July and August, respectively, In 2017, we released the Kampala Real Estate Investment Opportunity and the Ac...Cytonn’s Kenya Real Estate Sector Retail Report 2018
Sep 1, 2018
In October 2017, we released the Kenya Retail Sector Report - 2017, themed “Cautious Optimism in the Face of Turbulence”, which focused on the performance of the retail real estate sector in Kenya in 2017. According to the report, the retail sector in Kenya was an attractive investment opportunity with average rental yields of 8.3% countrywide and 9.6% in Nairobi compared to other sectors such as the residential sector at 5.6% and office sector at 9.1%, driven by a growing middle-class population seeking aspirational lifestyles, high GDP growth rate, which averaged at more than 5.0% p.a over the previous five-years, and increased infrastructural developments opening up new areas for development. This week, we update that report with our Kenya Retail Sector Report - 2018. The report is based on findings from research conducted in 8 nodes in the Nairobi Metropo...Status of Rate Cap Review in Finance Bill, 2018
Aug 26, 2018
This week we revisit the interest rate cap topic following the proposed amendments to the Finance Bill, 2018, tabled by the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Planning in the National Assembly during its second reading. According to the chair of the committee, the proposed amendments were based on deliberations of the committee and the comments received during public awareness and stakeholder participation forums conducted between 1st – 3rd August 2018, following the first reading of the Finance Bill, 2018 on 3rd July 2018. The Finance Bill, 2018, during its first reading, proposed the repeal of section 33B of the Banking Act, which would result in the elimination of the Central Bank’s powers to enforce an interest rate cap in banks and other financial institutions. However, based on the committee’s deliberations and input from the public, the committee is now of the view that, (i) the upper limit on interest rate cha...Aug 19, 2018
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently concluded their visit to Kenya where they were holding discussions with the Kenyan Government on the second review under a precautionary Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), which was extended to Kenya on 14th March 2016. The SBA is a lending arrangement extended by the IMF to member countries in emerging markets in need of financial assistance, normally arising from financial crisis. In a press statement after the Kenyan visit, the IMF stated that their mission to assess the Kenyan economy achieved significant progress, but it remains uncertain if Kenya’s access to the standby facility will be extended as talks with the government are set to continue. As such, this week we are focusing on whether Kenya needs the facility. In this note we shall address the following items: The IMF’s available programs and engagement with Kenya, The IMF’s visit to Kenya in...