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Opinion: Why the Future of Customs is Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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Alioune Cis
By Alioune Ciss, Chief Executive Officer, Webb Fontaine (www.WebbFontaine.com). Until recently, the modernisation of customs processes was a race to digitise paperwork and automate manual workflows. With that phase largely complete, we are entering a far more consequential era: the shift from automated systems to agentic ones. We are moving toward systems that not only follow rules,...
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Radisson Hotel Group Surpasses 100 Hotels in Africa, Accelerating 2030 Growth Ambition

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Radisson Hotel Group has reached a significant milestone in Africa, with more than 100 hotels across the continent in operation and under development. Radisson Blu continues to anchor the legacy footprint. At the same time, the Radisson brand is the fastest riser, supported by a strong conversion engine and a concrete pipeline that continues to translate into openings. Building on this momentum, the Group has signed over 15 new hotels and roughly 2,500 rooms in the last 12 months, including new market entries in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. This week, Radisson Hotel Group is also attending FHS Africa (www.FutureHospitality.com) in Nairobi, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its presence and strengthening strategic partnerships across the continent. Over the past five years, Radisson and Radisson Blu have ranked among the most signed brands in Africa, with one of the highest shares of cumulative openings. The last 12 months set a new benchmark with more than 2,500 rooms signed and multiple market entries. Priority growth markets remain Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria, where the Group is deepening its presence and widening its brand distribution. Ramsay Rankoussi, Regional Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, commented: “We’ve crossed the 100-hotel mark in Africa by staying true to our plan, focusing on where we can lead, moving fast on quality conversions, and partnering with owners who share our ambition. The next phase is about depth in Morocco and Nigeria, a smarter footprint in South Africa, and a stronger resort offering that matches where travelers want to go. Our pipeline is built to open, not just to announce. That is why our conversion share is high, our time to market is short, and our brands are gaining ground in the cities and resort destinations that matter most.” Nigeria shows the model’s resilience. The Group now holds a strong position in the country with 13 hotels in operation and pipeline, while Abuja is carrying a significant active pipeline with three hotels totaling 458 keys. South Africa is being reshaped with priorities in Cape Town, targeted growth in secondary cities such as Durban and Pretoria, and a sharper focus on leisure corridors that include Kruger National Park, Sun City, and the Garden Route. The Group plans to enter Zanzibar and is considering lodge, safari, and affiliation opportunities across Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia to meet the rising demand for nature-led experiences. Conversions remain a core lever for scale and speed. In the last five years, more than 15 hotels, equal to almost 3,000 rooms, joined the portfolio through conversion. This helped the Group lead openings across the continent while keeping brand standards high and owners in mind. Recent signings show the extensiveness of this strategy, with a balanced pipeline of city hotels, resort destinations, and quick-to-market conversions. These signings span the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Morocco, including Radisson Blu Kinshasa and three Radisson hotels in Lubumbashi, Radisson Harare, Park Inn Victoria Falls, Radisson Collection Lagos Atlantic, as well as new additions in Casablanca with Radisson Blu Resort & Conference Center Bouskoura, a first Radisson brand hotel in Rabat, and further expansion in Marrakech. Key signings include: Democratic Republic of the Congo Radisson Blu Hotel, Kinshasa Upper-upscale flagship in Gombe Opening late 2026. Set on Boulevard Colonel Tshatshi in the Gombe district, the hotel will offer 110 keys, including suites and a Presidential Suite. Guests can choose from a lobby bar, an all-day dining restaurant, and a pool bar. Wellness includes a gym, massage rooms, and an outdoor pool with a terrace. Meetings and events feature a modern event hall with a pre-function area. The address is well connected, 32 kilometers from N’djili International Airport, 10 kilometers from N’Dolo Airport, and 6 kilometers from Gare Centrale. Radisson Hotel Lubumbashi Panoramic city stay in the DRC’s second city Opening mid-2027. Located on Revolution Road Avenue, the hotel will feature 97 keys, including junior suites and a Presidential Suite. Dining spans a lobby bar, an all-day dining venue, and a rooftop bar and grill with city views. Three flexible meeting rooms and a pre-function area support business and social events. Facilities include a gym and a swimming pool. The location sits near Kipopo Lake, Lubumbashi Golf Club, and La Plage, and is 12 kilometers from Luano International Airport. Radisson Blu Apartments Lubumbashi Upscale apartment living in Lubumbashi’s prestigious Quartier Golf Targeted for 2030. A 160-room property located in Quartier Golf, one of Lubumbashi’s most upscale residential districts, near Kipopo Lake and surrounded by luxury homes and key landmarks including Lubumbashi Golf and La Plage. Planned amenities include a specialty restaurant and bar, a pool bar, and a gym, offering a premium stay experience for extended-stay and leisure travelers. Radisson Airport Hotel Lubumbashi A strategically located airport hotel designed for ease and connectivity Set to open in 2028, this 105-room property will be located just 6 kilometers from Luano International Airport, around a 10-minute drive, making it well positioned for business travelers, transit guests, and airline crews. Planned facilities include a restaurant, lobby bar, pool bar, meeting rooms, and a swimming pool, combining practicality with a welcoming hospitality experience close to the airport. Egypt Radisson Resort Ain Sokhna Groove A large-scale Red Sea resort in one of Egypt’s growing leisure destinations Planned for 2029, Radisson Resort Ain Sokhna Groove will offer 469 rooms, including 50 family rooms, as part of The Groove Ain Sokhna mixed-use development. Located along the Red Sea coast, around 30 kilometers south of Ain Sokhna and approximately 150 kilometers from Cairo, the resort is expected to feature private beach access, a spa, gym and fitness center, several restaurants, plus a ballroom and meeting rooms, catering to both holidaymakers and events demand. Radisson Serviced Apartments COY Sheikh Zayed City Flexible extended-stay accommodation in a fast-growing hub of Greater Cairo Expected to open in 2030, this 120-key serviced apartments property, including six one-bedroom units, will form part of the COY development in Sheikh Zayed City. With a location just 13 kilometers from Sphinx International Airport and 14 kilometers from the Great Pyramids of Giza, the development sits close to major commercial, leisure, education, and healthcare destinations. Planned amenities include a coffee lounge, bar, kiosk, and meeting and event space integrated into the wider co-working environment. Morocco Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center, Casablanc a Bouskoura Conference-ready address beside Palm Golf A 119-key hotel with eight suites, a rooftop restaurant, and a dedicated conference center. Event facilities include two boardrooms, while a spa and a large outdoor pool cater to leisure travelers. The hotel is located 20 kilometers from Mohammed V International Airport and next to Palm Golf Palmeraie Country Club. Radisson Hotel & Apartments Rabat Technopolis Dual-component hub in the capital’s innovation park A two-building project in Technopolis, 25 minutes from central Rabat. The hotel will offer 140 rooms, four dining venues, a pool, and a meeting and events space. The adjacent serviced apartment building adds 56 units. Technopolis connects businesses with leading education and research centers, creating a strong base for corporate demand. Radisson Blu Resort Marrakech Ben Akil Low-rise bungalows with views of Atlas Mountains Opening early 2028. A 17-hectare estate featuring 80 bungalow-style accommodations, each with an outdoor terrace. Larger typologies include private pools. The resort sits beside Royal Golf Marrakech and is a 15-minute drive from the city center. Nigeria Radisson Hotel Aba A new internationally branded hospitality destination for Aba Targeted for 2031, Radisson Hotel Aba will introduce 120 rooms, including six junior suites, in a prime riverside location along the Aba River near key transport corridors. The hotel will become the first Radisson-branded property in Aba and the Group’s third branded hotel in Nigeria. Plans for the hotel include a gym, swimming pool, and several meeting rooms, serving both business and local demand. Sam Mbakwe International Airport in Owerri is approximately 56 kilometers away, or a 1 hour and 10 minute drive. Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Yenagoa A conference-focused hotel in the heart of an emerging Nigerian business center Scheduled for 2027, the property will feature 196 rooms, including 16 junior suites, four executive suites, and two Presidential Suites, in Yenagoa, a city that is steadily strengthening its role as an administrative and commercial hub in southern Nigeria. Located near government institutions, business districts, and Bayelsa International Airport, approximately 33 kilometers or 40 minutes away, the hotel is set to benefit from the area’s ongoing infrastructure and hospitality growth while meeting rising demand for accommodation, meetings, and large-scale events. Radisson Collection Hotel, Lagos Atlantic Refined lifestyle luxury on the oceanfront of Lagos’ leading business district Targeted for 2029, Radisson Collection Hotel, Lagos Atlantic will feature 107 rooms, including 16 executive suites and one Presidential Suite, on a prime oceanfront site on Victoria Island. As Lagos’ main financial and commercial district, Victoria Island is home to multinational companies, corporate headquarters, embassies, and strong year-round business activity. Located approximately 33 kilometers from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, around a 45-minute drive, the hotel will mark the second Radisson Collection property in Lagos. South Africa Radisson Serviced Apartments Umhlanga A modern serviced apartment offering in the heart of Umhlanga’s business district Planned for 2029, Radisson Serviced Apartments Umhlanga will introduce 155 rooms in a newly built development within Umhlanga Ridge, one of the area’s most established commercial and lifestyle hubs. The property will be within walking distance of Gateway Theatre of Shopping and close to major office precincts, including Umhlanga Ridge Business Park, La Lucia Office Park, and Glass House Office Park. Comprising studios and apartments, the project is designed to meet growing demand for high-quality extended-stay accommodation in the district. Zimbabwe New market entry Radisson Serviced Apartments, Harare Prime Borrowdale address for extended stays Targeted for end-2028. A 147-key serviced apartments project within a master development near Maxwell Road in Borrowdale. The neighborhood is known for luxury residences, upscale shopping at Sam Levy’s Village, and entertainment at Borrowdale Racecourse. Planned amenities include a café and bar, a gym with sauna, and a pool with a deck. Set to be the only internationally branded hotel apartment offering in the area. Park Inn by Radisson Victoria Falls Resort A resort destination near one of the world’s most iconic natural landmarks Expected to open in 2029, Park Inn by Radisson Victoria Falls Resort will offer 150 rooms, including five suites, in a setting overlooking Zambezi National Park. Located just 5 kilometers from Victoria Falls, around a 10-minute drive, the resort will be ideally positioned near one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, a destination that attracts more than 350,000 international visitors each year. With year-round waterfall views, adventure tourism, and access to safari experiences in the surrounding national parks, the property will cater to both leisure travelers and tour groups. Victoria Falls Airport is located approximately 22 kilometers, or a 23-minute drive, away. Leading with the most diverse footprint across the continent, with presence in more than 30 African countries, Radisson Hotel Group blends depth in focus markets with selective entry into new destinations each year.
Radisson Hotel Group has reached a significant milestone in Africa, with more than 100 hotels across the continent in operation and under development. Radisson Blu continues to anchor the legacy footprint. At the same time, the Radisson brand is the fastest riser, supported by a strong conversion engine and a concrete pipeline that continues to translate into...
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Family Bank profit after tax jump 55.4pc to Sh5.38bn

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The lender’s balance sheet also strengthened, with net loans and advances growing by 14 percent to Sh105.9 billion, supported by a 19.9 percent rise in customer deposits to Sh151.88 billion. “The year 2025 marked a pivotal start of our five-year strategic plan which is anchored on compelling customer propositions & digital transformation. We continued to invest in digital capabilities and optimization of our distribution network to enhance customer experience and improve our product offering, positioning the Bank for sustainable growth,” said Family Bank CEO Nancy Njau. “Our continued investments in our employees through capacity building and enabling work environment greatly contributed to the good performance. Partnerships with Development Finance Institutions strengthened our capacity to lend to key sectors such as SMEs, agribusiness and manufacturing, contributing to the expansion of our loan book,” she said
Family Bank has reported a net profit of Sh5.38 billion for the full year ending December 2025, up from Sh3.5 billion recorded in a similar period in 2024. The profit after tax, representing a 55.4 percent growth, was driven by stronger revenues from both interest and non-interest income streams. Net interest...
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Consolidated Bank posts Sh217mn in profits

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“This performance demonstrates the impact of the strategic efficiency measures we implemented across the business, which have enabled significant cost savings. Maintaining these efficiency levels will remain a priority going forward,” said acting Chief Executive Officer Dominic Murage. “Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) remain central to our business model and portfolio, and we intend to deepen our support for them. Additionally, as a government-owned institution, we are uniquely positioned to support public sector financing needs. We aim to strengthen our collaboration with government agencies, parastatals, universities and ministries to position Consolidated Bank as the preferred banking partner for the public sector,” he added. The bank’s total assets grew by 11 percent to Sh19.5 billion from Sh17.5 billion in 2024, driven largely by a 29 percent increase in investments in government securities to Sh8.2 billion from Sh6.4 billion.
Consolidated Bank, which is fully owned by the Kenyan Government, has posted a 261 percent growth in profit after tax to Sh217.5 million for the full year ending December 31, 2025, an improvement from a loss of Sh135 million in 2024. Profitability was boosted by a  38 percent rise in net interest income to...
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Avenews, FPCK roll out financing for farmers

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Industry players say limited access to timely financing has remained a major bottleneck in the sector, often disrupting supply chains and leading to post-harvest losses, especially for perishable goods. FPCK estimates the fresh produce sector currently supports more than three million livelihoods, with potential to scale further if structural challenges such as access to credit are addressed. Analysts note that such solutions could improve efficiency in agricultural value chains, reduce reliance on expensive informal credit and support expansion of Kenya’s horticulture exports.
Agri-fintech firm Avenews has partnered with the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPCK) to roll out a financing solution aimed at addressing cash flow challenges in the country’s fresh produce sector. The initiative introduces an invoice discounting model that allows suppliers to access working capital within hours of delivering produce, helping them avoid long...
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Qwetu hostels owner Acorn posts Sh1.5bn profit

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“Despite prevailing macroeconomic headwinds, the ASA REITs have maintained stable operational performance, supported by good occupancy and continued focus on balance sheet management,” said Executive Director Mathew Maina. Acorn’s total student accommodation portfolio now stands at nearly 21,000 beds, while assets under management (AUM) across the two REITs grew by 11 percent to Sh29.3 billion. The firm said it will focus on expanding its income-generating portfolio in 2026 through acquisition of new assets, debt optimization, and improved operational efficiency.
Acorn Investment Management Limited has reported a Sh1.52 billion profit for the full year ending December 31, 2025, representing a 9.2 percent increase compared to 2024. The growth was supported by improved performance across its student accommodation real estate investment trusts (REITs). Income from the Acorn Student Accommodation Income REIT (ASA...
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I&M Group net profit up 24pc to Sh19.8bn

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I&M Group posted a 24 percent rise in net profit to Sh19.8 billion for the year ending December 31, 2025, driven by strong performance across its Kenyan and regional subsidiaries. Total revenue grew by 19 percent to Sh60.3 billion, supported by a 16 percent increase in net interest income to...
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Sidian Bank taps KCB’s John Okulo as its CEO

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Sidian Bank Board Chair James Macharia said Thumbi leaves behind a strong legacy, having led a major transformation of the lender. “Mr. Thumbi has had a distinguished banking career spanning over three decades. During his tenure at Sidian Bank, he led a significant transformation of the business, including significantly growing the Bank’s Trade Finance portfolio, increasing the branch network to fifty branches and expanding digital banking and foreign exchange income streams,” Macharia said. He added that the bank strengthened its operations, improved customer experience, and achieved strong growth under Thumbi, culminating in its elevation to a Tier II bank in September 2025. In the year ended December 31, 2025, Sidian Bank posted a 502 percent jump in net profit to Sh1.73 billion. The growth was driven by higher interest and non-interest income, with net interest income rising by 54.4 percent to Sh4.4 billion, while non-interest income surged by nearly 129 percent to Sh3.8 billion.
Sidian Bank has appointed John Okulo as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2026. Okulo joins from KCB Bank Kenya, where he currently serves as Director of Corporate Banking, overseeing strategic client relationships, financial performance, and risk frameworks. He will replace Chege Thumbi, who is set...
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KCB secures Sh12.5bn for SMEs-linked green financing

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About 60 percent of investments will focus on climate adaptation, particularly climate-resilient agriculture and water management technologies, while 40 percent will go towards mitigation efforts such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. Through the facility, KCB will deploy flexible credit products, blended finance structures, and digital lending platforms to scale access to financing for underserved populations. “This is a bold step to scale climate finance. By targeting MSMEs and smallholder farmers, we are ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to a climate-resilient future,” said Paul Russo. The funding comes as Kenya faces rising climate vulnerability, with over 80 percent of its land classified as arid and semi-arid. These regions frequently experience droughts and floods, causing economic losses estimated at about 3 percent of GDP annually. KCB has been ramping up its green financing efforts, having assessed loans worth Sh578.3 billion for environmental and social risks last year. This brings the cumulative total assessed since 2020 to over Sh1 trillion under its Environmental and Social Due Diligence framework. The bank also disbursed Sh50 billion in green loans in 2025, increasing its green portfolio share to 25.84 percent from 15 percent in 2023, with investments spanning energy transition, blue economy, e-mobility, and climate adaptation initiatives.
KCB Bank Kenya has secured Sh12.5 billion from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to support green projects owned by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and farmers. The blended finance initiative, comprising concessional lending, a guarantee, and a grant, will fund value-chain and gender-inclusive interventions. These include adoption of solar-powered and clean cooking technologies,...
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KCB names Peter Ng’eno new Corporate Banking Director

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With over 20 years of experience in the banking sector, Ngen’o holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) degree from the University of Nairobi. In his new role, Ng’eno will be tasked with driving growth in the bank’s corporate banking segment, leveraging the Group’s scale and capabilities.
KCB Bank Kenya has appointed Peter Kipkorir Ng’eno as new Director of Corporate Banking, effective March 27, 2026, following the departure of John Okulo. Ng’eno, whose appointment is subject to regulatory approval, previously served as Executive Head of Client Coverage and Business Development in the Corporate Banking Division since February 2022.
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