Nairobi, Aug. 4 -- Commercial banks are betting on traders and builders as the country's drivers of economic expansion, channelling more than half of fresh credit into commerce and construction businesses.

Trade, building and construction sectors accounted for Sh195.5 billion, or 54.22 percent, of new net credit in the year to May 2026, data by the Central Bank of Kenya shows, while manufacturers continued repaying loans.

This came in a period when bank lending to the private sector rose by Sh360.6 billion compared with Sh75.2 billion the year before.

Trade emerged as the biggest beneficiary after absorbing Sh153.5 billion in additional credit, or 42.6 percent of all new private-sector lending created during the year, signaling where l...