CBK Extends RTGS Hours to Support Longer Transaction Window
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced a revision to the operating hours of the Kenya Electronic Payment and Settlement System (KEPSS), which handles the country’s Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transactions. With effect from July 1, 2025, the system will now operate from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays, replacing the current 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. window.
The change follows stakeholder consultations and forms part of ongoing efforts under the National Payments Strategy 2022-2025. It is designed to accommodate the needs of financial institutions and businesses handling large or time-sensitive payments.
The extended hours will allow earlier initiation and later completion of transactions, improve alignment with international banking cycles, and support cross-border payments. It also reflects a broader shift towards longer transaction windows in both local and global financial systems.