NAIROBI, Kenya– The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced an expansion of operating hours for the Kenya Electronic Payment and Settlement System (KEPSS), a critical move aimed at enhancing the speed and efficiency of large-value transactions across the country.
Effective July 1, 2025, KEPSS will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on all business days, an increase from the current 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. window.
The extension excludes weekends and public holidays.
“This change follows extensive consultation with participants of the system and is aligned with the goals outlined in the National Payments Strategy 2022–2025,” CBK said in a statement released Wednesday.
CBK said the extended hours would offer participants earlier access and more time for the settlement of time-sensitive payments.
The regulator noted that the longer operating window will allow businesses, government agencies, and financial institutions greater flexibility in managing cash flows, reducing end-of-day risks, and supporting operations across different time zones.
Additionally, CBK emphasized that expanding KEPSS hours aligns with international trends where central banks are modernizing their payment systems to enhance cross-border integration and financial inclusion.
