Nairobi International Financial Centre or Nairobi Tax Haven? - A review of the Nairobi International Financial Centre Bill

"Nairobi International Financial Centre or Nairobi Tax Haven? - A review of the Nairobi International Financial Centre Bill" examines the provisions of the draft bill that aims to establish Nairobi as the financial hub for the East and Central African region. The paper critiques key provisions of the bill, focusing on tax provisions and benefits, arbitrary application processes, secrecy of financial firms, qualified activities under the centre, and tax and economic implications. Drawing lessons from a case study of a defunct international financial centre in Ghana, the paper assesses the ability of the Nairobi International Financial Centre Bill to confer the proposed benefits while mitigating risks related to domestic resource mobilization.