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Kenya overtakes Nigeria in African M&A value for H1 2026
Kenya has overtaken Nigeria as Africa's leading merger and acquisition (M&A) market by value during the first half of 2026. According to DealMakers Africa data, Kenya's M&A deal value surged 670.5% year-on-year, reaching $1.44 billion. This growth was driven by significant transactions, most notably Nedbank's proposed $855 million acquisition of a 66% stake in NCBA Group.
In contrast, Nigeria's M&A deal value experienced a sharp decline of approximately 89%, falling to $105.8 million. While Nigeria maintained a higher volume of individual transactions with 39 deals compared to Kenya's 25, the total value was significantly impacted by currency instability and investor caution.
Beyond M&A, Kenya's export economy is seeing a shift toward regional trade. In the first quarter of 2026, Africa accounted for 41.7% of Kenya's merchandise export earnings, up from 36.9% the previous year. This growth in intra-African trade is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of Kenya's export economy, supported by the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
Entities
Diageo · Kenya · NCBA Group · Nedbank · Nigeria
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Africa absorbed 41.7% of Kenya's merchandise export earnings in Q1 2026. www.biia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Nigeria recorded 39 M&A transactions in H1 2026, while Kenya recorded 25. digitalchew.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Nigeria's M&A deal value fell approximately 89% to $105.8 million in H1 2026. digitalchew.com · www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kenya's M&A market value rose 670.5% year-on-year in H1 2026 to $1.44 billion. digitalchew.com · www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Nedbank proposed an acquisition of a 66% stake in NCBA Group valued at $855 million. digitalchew.com · www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk