Konza Technopolis, in partnership with Delta Motor Sports, successfully hosted the highly anticipated Easter Weekend “Race Wars” motorsport event, further cementing its position as a dynamic and evolving smart city. The two-day spectacle drew over 1,500 attendees, including motorsport enthusiasts, innovators, creatives, and industry stakeholders, reflecting the growing intersection between technology, lifestyle, and experiential events in Kenya.
The event delivered an adrenaline-filled showcase, featuring 40 high-performance racing cars competing across multiple categories, including rolling races and dig races along Konza’s half-mile streetscape. Beyond speed and competition, Race Wars represented a powerful fusion of sport, innovation, and digital culture, aligning with Konza Technopolis’ vision to build a future-ready city that integrates work, life, and play.
Industry leadership emphasized the strategic significance of the partnership, noting that the choice of venue reflects a forward-thinking approach to positioning motorsport within a controlled, safe, and world-class environment. The collaboration not only elevated the professionalism of the event but also demonstrated how infrastructure within smart cities can support large-scale, high-impact experiences while generating meaningful economic value for surrounding communities.
Konza Technopolis leadership reinforced that the event is a clear expression of the city’s broader mission—to go beyond being a hub for innovation and become a vibrant ecosystem where creativity, talent, and global-standard events thrive. By blending motorsport with digital experiences and cultural engagement, the event showcased how smart cities can redefine urban living and create new opportunities across technology, media, and the creative economy.
As Kenya continues to advance its digital transformation agenda, events like Race Wars signal a new era for sports and entertainment in the region. They highlight the role of strategic partnerships and innovative urban spaces in shaping immersive, youth-driven experiences, while positioning the country as a regional leader in technology, creativity, and modern sporting culture.
Konza Technopolis Hosts High-Energy “Race Wars” Event
Africa is Not Behind on AI. It is Building Differently
AI EVERYTHING KENYA x GITEX KENYA arrives in Nairobi, 19-21 May 2026
The narrative of Africa as a passive consumer of AI technology is no longer accurate and the executives who still believe it are making the wrong strategic bets.
- Kenya leads the world in ChatGPT adoption and use.
- Data centre investment on the continent is set to triple by 2030.
- 49 African governments just signed an AI declaration in Kigali.
1. THE FULL ADOPTION PICTURE
Let us start with the numbers that reframe the entire conversation. 42.1% of Kenyan internet users aged 16+ use ChatGPT monthly, making Kenya the world’s number one country for ChatGPT adoption, ahead of the United States, Japan, and China. This is a structural signal about how a young, mobile-first, English-proficient population deploys AI to close resource gaps rather than augment existing ones. [DataReportal Global Statshot, July 2025]
The distinction between these two countries matters.
- South Africa scores higher on enterprise AI readiness metrics because it has more established corporate infrastructure.
- Kenya’s ChatGPT number reflects something different: grassroots, individual-level AI integration driven by a median population age of 20 and 92% smartphone penetration. [Tech Review Africa, 2025]
These are two different markets, two different opportunity structures, and executives who conflate them will misread both.
“AI systems should be able to reflect our diversity, languages, culture, history, and geographical contexts.”
— Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid أماني أبوزيد , AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy
2. WHY THIS MATTERS
On 19–21 May 2026, Kenya hosts Africa’s largest public-private AI event — AI EVERYTHING KENYA x GITEX KENYA, accelerated by GITEX GLOBAL.
Over three days across the Sarit Expo Centre and KICC, the event brings together governments, enterprises, startups, and investors across four flagship experiences:
- INCLUSIVE AI EVERYTHING SUMMIT [SS1] (19 May | Sarit Expo Centre) – High-level dialogue on Africa’s role in the global AI race.
- AI EVERYTHING KENYA EXPO [SS2] (20–21 May | KICC) – Africa’s most advanced AI showcase.
- Co-located shows
- North Star Kenya – Africa’s largest AI startup and digital investment festival.
- FDX Kenya – Africa’s premier platform for institutional finance and digital assets.
The event is also hosted in partnership with Kenya’s Office of the Special Envoy on Technology, signalling a broader national shift: technology is a pillar of economic and diplomatic strategy.
3. AT A GLANCE
10,000+ Tech executives expected across three days
75+ Countries represented
100+ Active investors and VCs
500+ Enterprises and startups exhibiting
Sectors on stage span AI, Cybersecurity, Fintech, Telecom, Cloud, Data centres, Health tech, and EdTech.
4. The Key Takeaway
Whether you are a founder, investor, corporate innovator, or policymaker, this is where Africa’s next chapter gets written. The partnerships, deals, and ideas coming out of this event will shape industries for years.
Startup Kenya is proud to be an Official Media Partner for AI EVERYTHING KENYA × GITEX KENYA. In the coming weeks, we will bring our community focused coverage in the lead-up to the event, highlighting the sectors, startups, and conversations shaping this moment.
Follow Startup Kenya as we spotlight the founders, sectors, and opportunities to watch ahead of the event.
Planning to attend? Start here:
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Zenith Bank PLC Enters Kenyan Market by Acquiring Paramount Bank Limited
Zenith Bank Plc has officially entered the Kenyan banking market following the completion of its 100% acquisition of Paramount Bank Limited on April 7, 2026. The move marks a significant milestone in the Nigerian lender’s long-term growth strategy and signals a deepening of cross-border banking expansion into East Africa. It also reflects increasing confidence in Kenya’s financial sector as a strategic gateway to the region.
The acquisition follows an earlier announcement in November 2025, when Zenith Bank disclosed its intention to expand into East Africa and began pursuing regulatory approvals. With all approvals now secured, the deal represents a successful execution of that vision, positioning the bank to establish a strong foothold in one of Africa’s most dynamic banking markets while reinforcing its presence across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Regulatory clearance was granted by the Competition Authority of Kenya, which determined that the transaction would not negatively impact competition within the sector. As part of the approval conditions, Zenith Bank committed to retaining all 78 employees of Paramount Bank for at least 12 months, ensuring operational continuity and workforce stability during the transition. Final approvals were also received from the Central Bank of Kenya and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
This entry into Kenya aligns with a broader trend of Nigerian banks expanding regionally, joining players such as Access Bank (Kenya) PLC, United Bank for Africa, and GTBank Kenya already operating in the market. The acquisition provides Zenith with immediate access to corporate banking, SME lending, trade finance, and retail banking capabilities, while also unlocking opportunities tied to East Africa’s growing trade networks and digital financial ecosystem.
Founded by Jim Ovia, Zenith Bank continues to strengthen its global footprint with operations spanning West Africa and international presence in key markets such as the UK, UAE, China, and South Africa. The integration of Paramount Bank is expected to enhance customer offerings over time while maintaining short-term service continuity, positioning the combined entity to capitalize on innovation, regional connectivity, and evolving financial services demand across East Africa.
Uchumi Supermarkets Appoint Three New Board Directors
Uchumi Supermarkets Ltd has announced its 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for April 29, 2026, to be held virtually at 10:00 a.m. The notice signals a critical moment for the retailer, which remains under a Company Voluntary Arrangement as it continues its recovery journey. Shareholders have been called upon to participate and confirm attendance, with the AGM expected to address key governance, financial, and strategic matters shaping the company’s future.
A central focus of the meeting will be the presentation and adoption of audited financial statements covering the extended period from 2018 to 2025, alongside reports from the Chairperson, Directors, and Auditors. Notably, the Board has not recommended the payment of dividends for this period, underscoring the company’s continued focus on financial stabilization and restructuring. The AGM will also provide shareholders with an opportunity to engage on performance trends and the broader recovery strategy.
Leadership restructuring will be a major highlight, with shareholders set to elect new directors to fill existing vacancies on the Board. Among those proposed are John Mwara, Anne Makori, and Rebecca Juma, while several outgoing directors, including former chairman George Karanja, Baiju Shah, and John Karani, will not be seeking re-election. These transitions reflect ongoing efforts to refresh governance structures and strengthen oversight as the company navigates a complex turnaround phase.
Operationally, Uchumi is showing early signs of financial recovery. Recent financial disclosures indicate a significant improvement in revenue, which rose to KSh 123 million for the year ended June 2025, alongside a net profit of KSh 8.8 million—a notable turnaround from a KSh 49.7 million loss in the previous year. Growth in other income streams, particularly from leasing arrangements such as the Lang’ata Hyper outlet, has also contributed to improved performance, signaling a shift toward more sustainable revenue models.
Despite ongoing challenges, the upcoming AGM represents a pivotal opportunity for Uchumi to reinforce stakeholder confidence, align leadership, and build momentum toward long-term stability. With governance changes, improving financial indicators, and a renewed operational focus, the company is positioning itself for a gradual but strategic recovery within Kenya’s competitive retail sector.
Synkron Africa Launches Industrial Automation Training Center in Nairobi
@Synkron Africa has officially launched its Industrial Automation Training Center in Nairobi, a strategic initiative aimed at equipping engineers across East Africa with hands-on expertise in automation systems. The facility provides practical training on technologies used in manufacturing, energy, and other industrial sectors, including programmable logic controllers, variable frequency drives, control logic, and automation diagnostics. The center also offers certification from leading technology providers such as Siemens, ensuring participants gain recognized credentials alongside practical experience.
The establishment of the Synkron Training Center addresses a longstanding challenge in the region, where engineers previously had to travel abroad for specialized industrial automation training. By providing local access to world-class technical programs, the initiative allows more engineers to acquire advanced skills efficiently and cost-effectively. Industry experts emphasize that this approach will significantly expand the pool of skilled professionals capable of implementing and maintaining complex automation systems across multiple sectors.
Kenneth Mantu BSc(Hons), GMEBK, GMIEK, MIED, DipM, MCIM, MMSK, Group CEO of Synkron Africa, highlighted that the center is part of the company’s broader effort to support regional industries with specialized engineering services. He noted that training locally not only reduces costs but also enables companies to upskill entire teams, improving operational efficiency, minimizing downtime, and driving greater value for customers. The center’s focus is practical, delivering real-world skills that engineers can directly apply in commercial industrial environments.
The training initiative also reinforces the importance of industry-led education alongside academic programs. By collaborating with technology providers and drawing on extensive experience in over 46 African countries, Synkron Africa ensures that participants gain insights into the latest automation practices and solutions. This approach helps engineers understand how systems operate in real operational environments, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
The training programs will target key sectors relying on automation, including manufacturing, power generation, cement, healthcare, and other critical infrastructure industries. Structured certification programs, practical workshops, and a digital learning system will provide engineers with a trackable pathway to mastering automation systems, strengthening the technical capacity across East Africa. The launch of this center marks a significant step toward empowering regional engineers and advancing industrial innovation.
Moses Kuria Appointed New CEO of M-TIBA
CarePay Group has announced a leadership transition with the appointment of Moses G. Kuria as Acting Chief Executive Officer of CarePay International and M-TIBA. In his new role, Kuria will oversee the overall leadership of the organization and guide the execution of CarePay’s strategic priorities as the company continues expanding its digital health insurance technology platform across the region.
Kuria brings deep institutional knowledge and experience to the role, having served within CarePay for the past decade. Most recently, he held the position of Group Chief Financial Officer, where he played a key role in strengthening the company’s financial strategy and operational foundation. Prior to that, he served as Managing Director of M-TIBA in Kenya, contributing to the growth and development of the platform’s digital health financing model.
Alongside this leadership change, CarePay has appointed Irene Nafula as Acting Managing Director of M-TIBA Kenya. In this capacity, she will oversee the Kenyan business operations, including strategic partnerships, operational performance, and client delivery. Nafula previously served as Commercial Director at M-TIBA, where she led partner engagement and enterprise growth initiatives.
Nafula brings more than 15 years of experience in the healthcare sector, spanning product development, operations, and service delivery. Her leadership is expected to support the continued expansion and strengthening of M-TIBA’s role in enabling accessible and sustainable health financing solutions for individuals and institutions in Kenya and across the region.
The appointments follow the departure of former Group CEO Pieter Prickaerts after nearly seven years of leadership. During his tenure, he played a significant role in shaping CarePay’s growth strategy and expanding its international footprint. As the organization enters its next phase, the new leadership team is expected to build on this foundation and continue advancing digital health financing solutions that support more inclusive and sustainable healthcare systems.
Rebecca Mbithi Appointed New MD at Ecobank Kenya
Ecobank Kenya Limited has appointed Rebecca Mbithi, former CEO of Family Bank Ltd, as its new Managing Director, effective February 9, 2026, pending approval by the Central Bank of Kenya. This leadership transition comes as Josephine Anan-Ankomah assumes a new role as Regional Executive for Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, highlighting Ecobank’s focus on strategic succession planning and strengthening regional leadership.
Mbithi brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience across financial services and other sectors. During her tenure at Family Bank, she successfully led multi-year turnaround and growth strategies, demonstrating her capability to drive operational efficiency and sustainable performance. Her experience also includes serving as a board director at NCBA Group Kenya and as Vice Chairperson of the Kenya Bankers Association, reflecting her deep involvement in the banking ecosystem.
Educationally, Mbithi holds an MBA in Strategic Management from United States International University – Africa, providing a strong foundation for leading complex banking operations. Her appointment is seen as a strategic move to further enhance Ecobank Kenya’s governance, performance, and customer-focused innovation in a competitive financial services landscape.
The bank has seen remarkable growth, with a profit before tax of Sh734 million in the third quarter of 2025, up from Sh132.9 million in 2022. This performance was driven by improved cost control, operational efficiency, and strategic leadership, underscoring the importance of experienced executives in steering sustainable growth. Ecobank’s board expressed confidence that Mbithi’s leadership will continue to strengthen the bank’s position in Kenya.
Mbithi’s appointment reflects Ecobank Kenya’s commitment to empowering visionary leaders who can navigate both local and regional opportunities. With her proven track record, she is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing the bank’s strategic objectives, driving growth, and enhancing value for stakeholders across Kenya and the wider African market.
Fanesta Expands to East Africa, Opens Nairobi Showroom
Fenesta Windows, India’s largest windows and doors brand, has officially entered the East African market with the launch of a state-of-the-art showroom in Nairobi. The move marks a significant milestone in the company’s international expansion strategy and signals growing investor confidence in Kenya’s evolving construction and real estate sector. The Nairobi showroom will serve as a strategic hub for delivering globally benchmarked fenestration solutions tailored to regional architectural and climatic demands.
The new facility showcases Fenesta’s premium portfolio, including uPVC and aluminium windows and doors, solid panel doors, and façade solutions engineered for durability, energy efficiency, and modern architectural performance. Designed to perform across varied climatic conditions, the products respond to increasing demand for high-performance building materials that balance aesthetics, functionality, and long-term reliability. The showroom also features complementary offerings in partnership with Neoplan Limited, including premium security doors and interior solutions, creating a consolidated destination for modern building and lifestyle needs.
Fenesta’s leadership emphasised that East Africa’s rapid urbanisation and architectural transformation present strong opportunities for innovation-led building solutions. The company expressed confidence in Kenya’s construction growth trajectory and underscored its commitment to collaborating with architects, developers, and homeowners to raise standards in quality, reliability, and execution. The expansion reflects a long-term engagement strategy aimed at supporting better building performance and sustainable development across residential and commercial projects.
With over two decades of expertise, installations in more than 500,000 homes, and over 5 million units installed globally, Fenesta brings deep technical capability and operational scale into the region. Backed by DCM Shriram LTD., the company operates through a network of over 400 dealers and services hundreds of cities across India, alongside an expanding international footprint in markets such as Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Ghana, and now Kenya. Its end-to-end service model spans survey, design, manufacturing, delivery, installation, and after-sales support.
As Kenya’s property development sector matures and demand rises for energy-efficient, durable, and design-forward solutions, Fenesta’s entry positions Nairobi as a gateway for further East African expansion. The showroom launch not only strengthens trade ties between India and Kenya but also reinforces Nairobi’s standing as a regional centre for innovation in construction, design, and sustainable urban growth.
KCB,Visa Launches Business Credit Card for Kenyan SMEs
KCB Bank Group has partnered with Visa to introduce a new Business Credit Card tailored specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises in Kenya. The launch reflects a strategic push to empower SMEs with smarter financial tools that improve cashflow management, strengthen expense control, and simplify payments for everyday business needs. As SMEs continue to anchor Kenya’s economic growth, access to flexible and structured financing solutions remains critical.
The new business-focused credit card provides SMEs with a revolving credit line and up to 45 days of interest-free credit, offering much-needed breathing room for working capital management. By easing short-term liquidity pressures, the solution allows entrepreneurs to focus on scaling operations rather than constantly managing cash constraints. Businesses can also choose between a Kenya Shillings or US Dollar card, enabling seamless handling of both local and international transactions.
Beyond access to credit, the solution is designed with structured expense management in mind. It includes employee cards with customised spending limits, detailed monthly reconciliation statements, and clear separation between personal and business expenses. These features enhance transparency, strengthen internal controls, and improve financial discipline within growing enterprises that often struggle with visibility on spend.
Cardholders will also benefit from Visa Commercial Offers, unlocking access to global and local merchant discounts that help reduce operational costs. As more SMEs digitise their procurement, payments, and service subscriptions, these savings can directly improve margins and support sustainable business growth. The solution aligns with KCB’s broader digital and innovation strategy aimed at delivering seamless, customer-centric financial services.
According to KCB and Visa leadership, the partnership is focused on enabling faster, more efficient payment systems that reduce downtime and unlock growth opportunities for businesses. By combining access to financing, smarter expense management, and global payment capabilities, the KCB-Visa Business Credit Card positions SMEs to operate more efficiently and contribute even more strongly to Kenya’s evolving digital economy.
Konza Technopolis Joins Global Seven Future Cities Initiatives
Konza Technopolis has been confirmed as an official participant in the global 7 Wonders of Future Cities initiative, positioning Kenya’s flagship smart city project on an international platform focused on the future of urban living. The programme, led by New7Wonders, highlights emerging and planned cities that are redefining how people will live, work, innovate, and interact in the decades ahead.
The 7 Wonders of Future Cities initiative builds on the legacy of New7Wonders’ global public engagement campaigns and shifts the focus toward long-term urban transformation. Rather than ranking or competing cities, the platform promotes dialogue and global awareness around sustainable urban planning, economic growth, environmental responsibility, and improved quality of life. Konza’s inclusion signals recognition of its strategic vision and its alignment with global conversations about smart, resilient, and innovation-driven cities.
As a key pillar of Kenya’s Vision 2030 agenda, Konza Technopolis has been designed to serve as a hub for technology, research, digital enterprise, and knowledge-based industries. Its participation in the initiative places it alongside other internationally recognised urban developments and reinforces Kenya’s ambition to become a leading innovation and technology destination on the continent. The recognition elevates the visibility of East Africa’s smart city aspirations within the global urban development ecosystem.
New7Wonders President Jean-Paul de la Fuente described Konza as a worthy representative of dynamic change emerging from one of Africa’s most exciting socio-economies. Konza Technopolis CEO John Paul Okwiri, OGW, MBA, MCIPS noted that the recognition provides a valuable opportunity to showcase Kenya’s smart city journey to a global audience and to strengthen its positioning as a regional centre for innovation and digital enterprise.
Through digital platforms and public engagement campaigns, the initiative seeks to connect policymakers, planners, investors, and citizens in shaping future-ready urban models. Konza’s participation underscores the growing importance of African cities in global development conversations and highlights the continent’s role in designing inclusive, sustainable, and technology-enabled urban futures.
