- Kenya Bankers Association 3rd Annual Banking Research Conference to be Officially Opened by Governor of the Central Bank Prof Njuguna Ndung’u
Nairobi, September 18, 2014: The Kenyan banking industry has over the past decade registered impressive progress with regard to innovation – especially on the back of information and communication technology. This has been buttressed by the industry remaining adequately capitalised, stable, a strong impetus to extend outreach through expansion within and outside Kenya, and embracing of agency banking and mobile internet banking. These developments are grounded on the banking industry’s principle function of financial inter mediation – channeling savings towards investments in the sectors that drive Kenya’s sustainable economic development, including manufacturing, agriculture, real estate and construction. The bigger scheme of the banking industry being at the centre of the economy’s growth aspirations requires a careful examination of the intermediation process. In light of this, the Kenya Bankers Association will hold its 3rd Annual Banking Research Conference on 25th and 26th September at the Safari Park Hotel. Themed Putting Banking at the Centre of the Economy’s Sustainable Growth, the conference will bring together stakeholders from the banking and financial services sector, academia, policy formulation organs as well as representatives of the public and private sector. Making the announcement, the Kenya Bankers Association Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Habil Olaka noted that the annual research conference has quickly become a key calendar event in the local banking industry, and was increasingly attracting the attention and participation of more researchers. “The discussions and conversations that arose from last year’s conference continue to lay a solid foundation for the advancement of the banking industry and we can only expect better as this conference continues to gain traction,” noted Mr. Olaka. The two-day conference will be officially opened by the Central Bank Governor Prof Njuguna Ndung’u who will give the keynote address. KBA Chairman Mr. Joshua Oigara will also be in attendance, in addition to representatives from KBA’s 45 member banks and other invited stakeholders, including policy makers from the private and public sector. “The interplay in the intermediation process needs to motivate perspectives on how the banking industry will play an increasingly bigger role towards the realisation of the economy’s growth aspirations,” noted conference convener Mr. Jared Osoro, who is also the head of the Centre for Research at KBA.
Key papers to be presented at the conference this year are:
- – Modelling the Risk in Financing Agribusiness in Kenya – Philip Ngare, University of Nairobi; Martin Kweyu and Chris Huka, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
- – The Role of Credit in turning Agriculture into Agribusiness in Kenya: Gender And Environmental Sustainability Perspectives – Wambui R. Wamuthenya, Institute of Development Studies, University of Nairobi.
- – Sustainability in the Banking Industry in Kenya – Francis Kariuki, Strathmore University
- – Private Sector Credit Demand Function for Kenya: An Empirical Determination – Jared Osoro and David Muriithi, KBA Center for Research on financial Markets and Policy
- – Local and International Dimensions to Credit Provision by Commercial Banks in Kenya – Roseline Misati and Anne Kamau, Central Bank of Kenya
- – Innovative Financing of Housing for Sustainable Growth: Modeling Incremental Financing Strategies In Housing – Pater Makachia, the Technical University of Kenya
- – Housing Price Index for Kenya: A Conceptual Framework – Jared Osoro and David Muriithi- Kenya Bankers Association Center for Research on financial Markets and Policy.
Visit working paper series to access the published papers from the 2012 and 2013 conferences.
About the KBA Centre for Research on Financial Markets and Policy
The Centre for Research on Financial Markets and Policy was established by the Kenya Bankers Association in 2012 to offer an array of research, commentary, and dialogue regarding critical policy matters that impact on financial markets in Kenya.
The Center sponsors original research, provides thoughtful commentary, and hosts dialogues and conferences involving scholars and practitioners on key financial market issues. Through these activities, the Center acts as a platform for intellectual engagement and dialogue between financial market experts, the banking sector and the policy makers in Kenya. It therefore contributes to an informed discussion that influences critical financial market debates and policies.
