The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Toronto Centre to strengthen the skills and capacity of financial supervisors and regulators through specialised training and professional development.
The agreement was signed by CBK Governor Dr. Kamau Thugge and Toronto Centre President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Babak Abbaszadeh on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 16, 2026.
According to the CBK, the partnership will support capacity building through the Central Bank of Kenya Institute of Monetary Studies (CBK-IMS), which provides a platform for training and research in monetary policy and financial sector development.
The collaboration aims to enhance the technical expertise of professionals responsible for supervising and regulating financial institutions. Strong supervisory capacity is important in helping regulators monitor financial-sector risks, maintain confidence in the banking system and ensure institutions operate within established regulatory frameworks.
Financial regulators face increasingly complex challenges arising from technological innovation, evolving financial services and emerging risks across banking and other financial markets. Continuous professional development can help supervisors adapt to these changes and strengthen their oversight capabilities.
Toronto Centre is an organisation that focuses on developing the leadership and technical capabilities of financial-sector regulators and supervisors, particularly in emerging and developing economies. The partnership provides a framework for collaboration with CBK through its Institute of Monetary Studies.
The MoU was signed during the 2026 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, held in Bangkok from October 12 to 18. The meetings bring together central bank governors, finance ministers, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss global economic developments, financial stability and other international economic priorities.
For Kenya, the agreement adds to efforts to build the technical capacity of financial-sector professionals as regulators respond to changes in domestic and international markets. However, the CBK announcement did not specify the agreement’s duration, funding arrangements or the number of regulators expected to benefit from the training.
