The promoters of the prestigious Financial Reporting (FiRe) Award have officially launched the 2026 edition, with this year’s theme, “Advancing High-Quality Financial and Sustainability Reporting for Sustainable Growth.”
It reflects a growing global shift toward broader corporate accountability beyond traditional financial disclosures.
The FiRe Award, widely regarded as the most prestigious financial reporting recognition in East Africa, is jointly organised by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB), the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), and the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA).
ICPAK CEO and FiRe Award Executive Committee Chair CPA Dr. Grace Kamau described the award as more than a recognition exercise.
“The FiRe Award is more than a recognition award, it is a catalyst for building a culture of transparency, accountability and long-term value creation. As expectations around financial and sustainability reporting continue to evolve, organisations that embrace high-quality disclosures position themselves to earn greater stakeholder confidence, attract investment and contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s sustainable economic growth,” she said.
She also invited organisations across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors to participate.
CMA CEO Wyckliffe Shamiah underscored the timely nature of this year’s theme, linking sustainability reporting directly to investor confidence and capital attraction.
“Companies that report transparently on their sustainability practices build more trust with investors, attract more capital, and position themselves for long-term resilience. Participating in the FiRe Award is not just about winning recognition, it is about benchmarking against the highest standards of disclosure,” he said.
On the public sector side, PSASB CEO FCPA Georgina Muchai highlighted a significant development on the international stage, noting that the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board recently issued its first Sustainability Reporting Standard on climate-related disclosures, set to take effect on January 1, 2028.
“Sustainability reporting is emerging as the next frontier of public sector accountability,” she said, describing the shift as a response to citizens demanding greater transparency on how governments create economic, social, and environmental value.
RBA CEO Charles Machira called on all pension schemes to take part in this year’s awards, describing high-quality reporting as foundational to securing member funds and building long-term trust.
“Elevating our reporting standards isn’t just about regulatory compliance, it is foundational to building long-term stakeholder trust, securing member funds, and driving sustainable growth across the entire industry,” he said.
NSE CEO Frank Mwiti added that recognising excellence in reporting strengthens investor confidence and reinforces Kenya’s position as a competitive investment destination.
“By recognising excellence in reporting, the Award strengthens investor confidence, attracts capital inflows, and reinforces Kenya’s position as a competitive and attractive investment destination,” he said.
The FiRe Award has been running annually for several years, recognising the best reporting entities across East Africa in a gala evening hosted by its joint promoters.
Organisations across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors are invited to participate in the 2026 edition.
