Businesses in Kenya are set to enjoy longer and more flexible payment windows after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) announced that operating hours for the Kenya Electronic Payment and Settlement System (KEPSS) will be extended, effective July 2025. 

The new hours will run from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on all business days, replacing the current 8:30 am to 4:30 pm schedule.

This move, which starts from July 1, 2025, is expected to improve how businesses manage their payments, particularly those involving large amounts or that are time-sensitive. 

For many companies, the end-of-day rush to complete transfers and the anxiety of missing the settlement cut-off time has long been a challenge.

The extended hours offer more room to initiate and complete transactions, giving businesses greater control over their cash flows. 

“Longer operational hours will bridge the gap between traditional banking hours and the demands of a modern economy,” CBK stated.

“This facilitates seamless transactions and increases the competitiveness of Kenya as a regional financial hub.” 

The change will improve liquidity and reduce the risk of delays that often disrupt business operations.

This is particularly beneficial for sectors like logistics, wholesale trade, manufacturing, and agriculture, where timely payments to suppliers and partners can make or break deals.

This change helps reduce the stress of end-of-day banking rushes and enables companies to respond faster to urgent payments. 

The move is also expected to have a ripple effect on the overall economy, with the ability to process payments over a longer period each day, banks and payment service providers will likely see an increase in transaction volumes.

That means more efficient movement of money across the economy, higher productivity, and potentially improved investor confidence.

In an increasingly digital and globally connected economy, the longer hours bring Kenya’s financial system closer to international standards. 

Digital economy 

According to the Central Bank, the change supports Kenya’s shift toward a 24/7 digital economy and is part of its broader National Payments Strategy 2022–2025. 

“By enabling earlier initiation and later completion of large-value and time-sensitive payments, this move will support the country’s transition towards a 24/7 digital economy,” said CBK in the official press statement. 

The longer operational window also makes Kenya more competitive as a regional financial hub. Many cross-border payments are constrained by time differences and varying banking hours.

With KEPSS now open for 12 hours on business days, local financial institutions will be better positioned to align with regional and international markets, improving the speed and reliability of cross-border transactions. 

In addition to supporting businesses, the move enhances financial inclusion. People with limited access to banking during traditional working hours—such as small-scale traders, gig workers, and those in remote areas—can now complete payments earlier in the morning or later in the evening.

This could increase participation in formal financial systems and reduce the reliance on cash. 

The extension of KEPSS hours mirrors global trends where central banks in other countries are updating their payment systems to be more responsive and accessible.

Kenya joins this shift, showing a commitment to modernising its financial infrastructure and keeping up with the fast-changing demands of a digital economy. 

CBK confirmed that the extended hours will apply on all regular business days, excluding weekends and public holidays.

By expanding the time window for settlements, CBK is ensuring that the financial system continues to evolve in step with the needs of Kenya’s businesses and economy.