The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced the extension of operating hours for the Kenya Electronic Payment and Settlement System (KEPSS), the country’s Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) platform. Effective July 1, 2025, KEPSS will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on all business days, replacing the current schedule of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This move follows extensive consultations with stakeholders and is aligned with the National Payments Strategy 2022–2025, which seeks to modernize Kenya’s financial infrastructure.
Key Benefits of the Extended KEPSS Hours:
- Enhanced Convenience: Businesses, government agencies, and financial institutions will benefit from more flexibility in processing payments, improving cash flow and reducing end-of-day settlement risks.
- Support for a 24/7 Economy: The longer operational window helps bridge the gap between traditional banking hours and the needs of a digital economy, while enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness as a regional financial hub.
- Greater Financial Inclusion: By widening the settlement window, more individuals and institutions can participate in the formal financial system.
- Global Alignment: The extension aligns Kenya with global best practices, fostering regional integration and cross-border payment interoperability.
The CBK reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the national payment system remains secure, efficient, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of Kenya’s growing economy.
