Nairobi — China has approved Standard Bank Group and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) to operate Africa's first Renminbi (RMB) clearing hub, a move expected to make trade and payments between China and African countries faster and cheaper.

The approval by the People's Bank of China will allow businesses to settle transactions directly in Chinese yuan instead of routing payments through the US dollar or other currencies.

The hub will serve the 19 African markets where Standard Bank operates.

Richard de Roos, Head of Operations for Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank, said the new arrangement will improve cross-border trade between Africa and China.

"This new service will provide our clients with transparent, efficient and cost-effective payment solutions between China and Africa, supporting trade and investment between the world's most dynamic economies."

For Kenya, the development could lower transaction costs for businesses importing goods from China and exporters selling products such as tea, coffee and avocados to the Chinese market.

China remains Kenya's largest source of imports, with the country importing goods worth Sh642.9 billion in 2024, while exports to China stood at Sh32.8 billion, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.