Njuguna Ndung'u: Brief overview of the Kenyan banking sector
Remarks by Prof Njuguna Ndung'u, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, at the launch of
the FirstRand Bank Representative Office in Kenya, Nairobi, 2 May 2012.
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Honourable Njeru Githae, Minister for Finance of the Republic of Kenya;
Mr. Sizwe Nxasana, the Chief Executive Officer, FirstRand Bank Limited;
Mr. Lloyd Muposhi, the Chief Representative Officer, FirstRand Bank Limited
Representative Office in Kenya;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is my great pleasure to join you this evening for the official launch of the FirstRand Bank
Representative Office in Kenya. At the onset, I wish to acknowledge the presence of Hon.
Njeru Githae, the Minister for Finance of the Republic of Kenya. His presence gives this
function the great significance it deserves. Further, I wish to thank the Chief Executive
Officer, Mr. Sizwe Nxasana, for inviting me to this auspicious occasion. We are glad that the
FirstRand Bank Ltd has a physical presence in Kenya.
Ladies and Gentlemen: I am delighted to note that the Kenyan Banking sector has
continued to attract a lot of interest from international financial players. To this end, the
number of licensed representative offices of top international banks has steadily grown from
one (1) in 2008 to four (4) in 2011. Moreover a fifth institution was granted an approval in
principle on 5th March 2012 to establish a representative office in Kenya. I therefore applaud
this interest as it anchors well with Kenya's Vision 2030 that will make Kenya the premier
regional financial services hub. For this reason, financial development and deepening will be
strong outcomes.
Financial infrastructure in Kenya can be considered complete. Banks; Microfinance
Institutions; currency centres; credit reference bureaus; agency banking; risk-based
supervision are indicators that the financial infrastructure in Kenya is now in place: with
banks rolling out branch networks across the region supported by initiatives like agency
banking and an appropriate information sharing mechanism allows the financial sector to
grow. Then the other arms of Pension, Securities and Insurance are moving in the same
direction.
Ladies and Gentlemen: It is worth noting that the Kenyan banking sector has remained
resilient despite the dynamic macro environment it 3
operates in. This is evidenced by the impressive profit before tax of Ksh.89.3 billion
(USD1.08 billion) for the year ended December 2011. This was a 20.4% increase from
Ksh.74.3 billion (USD895 million) returned in the same period in 2010. The number of banks
is growing to create strong banks: mergers will be required, but that is a market outcome.
Ladies and Gentlemen: I would like to assure the banking sector and other market players
that the Central Bank will continue to support the market development by providing an
enabling environment for growth in the banking sector. Allow me to outline the thrust of the
initiatives we shall continue to inculcate to ensure the sector operates efficiently, effectively
and soundly. The initiatives will be anchored on three pillars:
 First, strengthening Financial Stability, Supervisory and Regulatory Framework. In
particular, CBK will adopt a consolidated supervision approach to take cognisance
of the growing pan-African nature of the Kenyan banking sector.
 Second, enhancing Financial Integrity in the Banking Sector so as to ensure that the
financial systems are safeguarded against money laundering and financing of
terrorism.
 Third, promoting Financial Inclusion for financial deepening and development in line
with the aspirations under the Kenyan Vision 2030.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: Finally, allow me once again to applaud
FirstRand Bank Limited for establishing a physical presence in Kenya through a
representative office. As the Central Bank we are ready to support you as you develop your
business not only in the Kenyan market but also on the Eastern African side.
With these remarks, it is now my pleasure to welcome Honourable Njeru Githae, Minister for
Finance of the Republic of Kenya to make his remarks and officially launch the
Representative Office of FirstRand Bank here in Kenya.
Thank you.