Government Borrowing

The government expected to borrow Kshs 317.7 bn from the domestic market for the 2017/18 financial year and Kshs 206.0 bn from the foreign market, while KRA had a revenue collection target of Kshs 1.7 tn for the 2017/18 fiscal year

(i)      The government surpassed its domestic borrowing target for the 2017/18 fiscal year, having borrowed Kshs 390.2 bn against a target of Kshs 297.6 bn

(ii)     According to the FY 2018/19 Budget, the total borrowing target for the 2018/2019 financial year is Kshs 558.9 bn down from Kshs 620.8 bn, in a bid to reduce Kenya’s public debt burden which stood at 55.6% of GDP as at 2017, 5.6% above the East African Community (EAC) Monetary Union Protocol, the World Bank Country Policy and Institutional Assessment Index, and the IMF threshold of 50.0%, but well below the 74.0% mark considered a signal for debt unsustainability

The total borrowing requirement to plug in the budget deficit is expected to decline to Kshs 558.9 bn from Kshs 620.8 bn, with domestic borrowing estimated at Kshs 271.9 bn 8.6% lower than the 2017/2018 fiscal year’s target of Kshs 297.6 bn, in a bid to reduce Kenya’s public debt burden. With the rate cap still in place, we expect the government to be under no pressure to borrow due to the reduced competition from the private sector. However

should the cap be repealed as per the national treasury’s recommendation, coupled with high maturities expected in the 2018/2019 Financial Year currently at Kshs 1.1 tn, the government may be under pressure to borrow, as we expect upward pressure on interest rates thus it may no longer have an easy time collecting funds from the domestic market. However, with the Treasury’s efforts to increase revenue collections and reduce expenditure as per the IMF directive , this might be mitigated.

Inflation

Inflation expected to average 7.5% compared to 8.0% last year

Inflation has averaged 4.2% in the first 6 months of 2018 compared to 9.8% experienced in a similar period in 2017. Y/Y inflation in June 2018 increased to 4.3% in June from 4.0% in May mainly due to the base effect, however, m/m inflation declined by 0.9% due to a 2.2% decline in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Drinks’ Index driven by a decrease in prices of some food basket items outweighing increases in others

Inflation in H2’2018 is expected to experience upward pressure, partly due to the base effect, and the expected rise in fuel and transport prices with the introduction of 16.0% VAT on petroleum products as from September 2018 and other tax reforms proposed under the Finance Bill 2018. However, we expect Inflation to average 7.0% in 2018 down from 8.0% in 2017 and within the government target range of 2.5% - 7.5%.

Currency

(USD/Kshs)

To remain stable supported by dollar reserves

The Shilling has appreciated by 2.3% against the USD YTD to 100.8 and by 0.4% since the last meeting, due to increased inflows from principal exports and diaspora remittances, and positive sentiments given the current high level of forex reserves, at USD 8.9 bn (equivalent to 5.9 months of import cover).

The Shilling has remained resilient and continued to appreciate despite the dollar index having gained 2.6% YTD

Kenya’s forex reserves currently stand at USD 8.9 bn (equivalent to 5.9 months of import cover) and sufficient to cushion the economy from unforeseen short-term exogenous shocks.

Kenya’s current account deficit improved to 8.9% of GDP in Q1’2018, from 11.3% recorded in Q1’2017 due to export growth outpacing the growth in imports, growing at 7.1% compared to the 6.5% increase in imports.

We expect the currency to remain relatively stable against the dollar, supported by, (i) stronger horticulture export inflows driven by increasing production and improving global prices, (ii) improving diaspora remittances, and (iii) the ample reserves with the IMF having extended the standby credit facility of USD 1.5 bn (approx. 1 month import cover) by 6 months, to allow for review. Key to note, the  IMF recently completed the performance  review and handed over the report findings to the government but they are yet to be published

GDP Growth

GDP growth projected to come in at between 5.3% - 5.5%

Kenya’s economy expanded by 5.7% in Q1’2018, higher than 4.8% in Q1’2017. This was due to;

i. recovery in agriculture, which recorded a growth of 5.2% due to improved weather conditions,

ii.     improved business and consumer confidence,

iii.   increased output in the real estate, manufacturing, and wholesale & retail trade sectors, which grew by 6.8%, 2.3% and 6.3%, respectively

GDP growth is projected to come in between 5.4% - 5.6% in 2018 driven by recovery of growth in the agriculture sector, continued growth in the tourism, real estate and construction sectors, and growth in the manufacturing sector

Private Sector Credit Growth

Private sector credit growth expected to remain low, below the 5-year average of 14.0%

The latest data from CBK indicates that private sector credit growth came in at 2.8% in April 2018, higher than 2.0% in March 2017, and still remains below the 5-year average of 14.0%

Private sector credit growth is projected to remain low this year if the interest rate cap is maintained as banks will continue with the stringent credit risk assessment framework thus limiting lending to riskier borrowers. The Draft Financial Markets Conduct Bill, 2018 tabled in parliament only addressed consumer protection, but did not address the interest rate cap. The IMF recommendation of re-looking at the Act, was however endorsed by the National Treasury in the financial year 2018/2019 budget and is still waiting for approval by the National Assembly. Even with the repeal of the rate cap, the Kenya Bankers Association estimates, the market adjustment would not be instantaneous

Liquidity

Liquidity expected to remain high given heavy maturities of government securities and following the capping of interest rates

Liquidity levels in the money markets have slightly improved as indicated by a decline in the weekly average interbank rate to 4.8% in June from 5.1% in May

(i)      Broad Money supply (M3) growth has improved to 7.6% in May from 5.5% in April,

(ii)     Liquidity is still expected to remain high, given the heavy maturities of domestic debt in the 2018/2019 financial year as well as continued government spending through the various infrastructure investments, with the main focus being on the Big Four Agenda.