Kenya's national lottery chair plans an international operator tender by end of 2026
The chair of Kenya's National Lottery Board, Dr Farida Karoney, says she expects to issue an international tender for a national lottery operator by the end of 2026. She aims for a working lottery, online and in person, by the end of 2027.
This is a Kenyan state lottery plan, not an online casino story, and it does not affect which sites accept South African players. It matters as a sign of how other African countries are building their own regulated gambling frameworks while South Africa still has no licensed online casino route under the National Gambling Act. South African readers can use it as context when comparing how different countries handle gambling and where profits go.
What was said
Dr Farida Karoney, chair of Kenya's National Lottery Board, has said she wants a functioning national lottery by the end of 2027. According to iGaming Afrika, she expects an international tender to be issued by the end of 2026 and then plans to choose an operator through Kenya's procurement process.
The lottery would allow both online and physical participation. Money raised would go to public benefit projects, including community development, sport, research and social investment.
How the operator would be chosen
The successful operator would have to set up a base in Kenya, install the technology and hire staff before any tickets are sold. The chair acknowledged that these stages will take time. The board appointed RSM Eastern Africa and QLOT Consulting in August to advise on contracts and tender documents.
Background and timeline
As reported, the National Lottery Act came into effect in December 2023. Dr Karoney was appointed chair in August 2024 and the other directors in late 2024. The board has built an enterprise management system, a strategy and a human resources framework. Recruitment of remaining staff is expected to start in late December or early January, with the management team complete before the end of 2026.
The board is also running a nationwide survey on what games Kenyans would want and how much they might spend, and the chair expects results before the tender.
What it means for South African players
Nothing changes for your play today. The story shows African regulators setting up state-run products with a stated public purpose. Our guide to how gambling is regulated for South African players and our casino reviews remain the best place to check what is and is not verified about sites you might use. Lotteries and casino games both carry real risk of loss, so set a budget before you play.
What to watch next
Look for the tender notice itself, the survey results and any rules on who may bid. All three are plans, not done deals, and dates may move.