Kenya in Focus

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De La Rue in Kenya

De La Rue has been working with Kenya since before the country’s independence and is immensely proud of the relationship and history it has developed with the Kenyan people and their government. During this time, the company has delivered many varied and significant projects including the first national identity card system and most notably, the print and production of Kenya’s banknotes.

In 1991, De La Rue was quick to take advantage of a Kenyan government initiative designed to promote Kenya as a centre for international trade and made significant investment in a modern factory to print banknotes and other security products. After 25 successful years in production, the site now employs hundreds of Kenyan people and the banknotes made in the facility are circulated in more than 30 countries worldwide, a tribute to the skill and dedication of the local workforce employed by De La Rue. The Nairobi factory also produces cheque books and a wide range of other security documents and was the first in the region to be credited for Visa Card and MasterCard personalisation, having recently invested in the latest chip & pin smart technology and capabilities.

1.25 billion
Kenyan shillings into the local economy every year

3000 employees
in the extended supply chain
 

Kenyan business in Kenya
for Kenya and for export

The most secure print site
across Africa (ISO14298)

National security

A national currency is the expression of a nation’s sovereignty. Control over its production and distribution is therefore of major interest to its government. Having a banknote facility in-country has benefitted the Kenyan Central Bank through enhanced security, reduced risks, improved control and the certainty of supply. Production within their own borders is an enviable position for any national currency, allowing smaller, more frequent and manageable deliveries, avoiding costly air freight and the long and potentially hazardous transport by sea.


Securing borders

De La Rue also works in close partnership with the Kenyan authorities on the delivery of the nation’s passport. Seeking to protect national borders and citizen identities, the Department of Immigration Services recently unveiled their new ePassport with enhanced designs incorporating the latest security features and design techniques and also a new style polycarbonate bio-data page. The new system and document went live in August 2017, making Kenya the first member state of the East African Community (EAC) to launch a fully compliant ePassport, meeting both ICAO global specifications and those additional requirements set by the EAC themselves.

Investing in country

In August 2016, De La Rue announced it had signed an agreement to enter into a joint venture with the Government of Kenya. Strengthening and building on the existing relationship, the new joint venture will see the Nairobi facility enhanced and turned into a Centre of Excellence for banknote and security printing for the Group and will continue to supply both the domestic and export markets with high value products.

Currently employing in the region of 300 local people, De La Rue has contributed extensively to the local economy over the last two decades through factory investment, the payment of taxes, wages and local purchases. In addition, technology development, skill transfer education support, sponsorship and a wide array of charitable activities also benefiting the local community.

Local Partners and Affiliates

De La Rue are proud members of the Kenyan business and manufacturing community.

Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM)
Institute of Human Resource Management (HRM)
Federation of Kenya Employers
Kenya Institute of Management (KIM)
National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)
Institute of Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (ICPAK)
The East Africa Association
Kenya Bankers Association
KUPRIPUPA - Union