The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced a planned system upgrade that will temporarily halt real-time payment transactions later this week, affecting high-value settlements across the country.

In a notice to customers, CBK said the upgrade will begin on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 1:30 pm, during which Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) services will not be available until Monday, August 25, 2025.

To avoid disruptions, customers have been advised to complete their transactions by 12:30 PM on Friday.

“Dear Customer, the Central Bank of Kenya will upgrade its systems on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 1:30 PM, impacting RTGS payment processing. Please ensure all RTGS payments are made by 12:30 PM on that date. Normal services will resume on Monday, August 25, 2025,” read the communication from CBK.

The temporary shutdown means businesses, contractors, and individuals who fail to clear payments before the set deadline will have to wait for three days before the services are restored.

RTGS is a vital platform for transferring large sums of money in real time and is widely relied upon by banks, businesses, and government agencies for interbank settlements, corporate transfers, and other high-value payments.

Any delays could affect contractual obligations and time-sensitive business operations.

The upgrade comes just over a month after CBK extended the RTGS operating hours starting July 1, 2025, a move that provided greater flexibility for users and supported the push towards a 24/7 digital economy.

The extension had been welcomed as a step towards aligning Kenya’s financial system with global standards in real-time settlements.