South African firms are intensifying their investments in Kenya's corporate sector, with planned acquisitions totaling approximately Sh413 billion. This strategy aims to use Nairobi as a gateway into East and Central Africa. Notably, Absa Group has announced intentions to increase its stake in Absa Bank Kenya from 68.5 percent to a higher percentage.

Kenya led Africa in mergers and acquisitions by deal value in the first half of 2026, with companies and investors striking transactions worth $1.44 billion (KSh186.4 billion), according to DealMakers AFRICA as reported by TechTrendsKE. The figure places Kenya ahead of larger markets such as Nigeria, though the result is reportedly driven largely by a small number of major deals linked to billion-dollar ambitions in banking and regional expansion.

On June 30, 2026, Vodacom Group of South Africa finalized the acquisition of a 15 percent stake in Safaricom Plc, marking the largest transaction in the history of the Nairobi Securities Exchange. This deal has raised concerns as it is reported that KES 437 billion was left unclaimed, and the CEO of Safaricom has remained silent throughout the process, according to Kenya Insights.

Absa Bank Kenya and Unilever Kenya have entered into a KSh 4 billion financing agreement aimed at improving access to working capital for distributors and retailers. This initiative is intended to enhance Kenya's consumer goods value chain and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

On June 30, 2026, Vodacom Group finalized its acquisition of a 15 percent stake in Safaricom Plc, marking the largest transaction in the history of the Nairobi Securities Exchange. This deal concluded despite efforts from courts and petitioners to delay it, raising concerns among the public regarding the implications of the sale and the lack of communication from Safaricom's CEO.

Family Bank has officially joined the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) as of June 23, 2026, through a listing by introduction at a reference price of Sh18 per share. This move has brought to light longstanding questions regarding ownership concentration, governance expectations, and shareholder liquidity for one of Kenya's longest-traded over-the-counter banking stocks, according to TechTrends KE.