De La Rue is a British Company that manufactures polymer and security printed products such as tax stamps and banknotes.
Though the company is headquartered in Basingstoke, England, it has been in Kenya even before the country got its independence.
Since its establishment, the company has produced some noticeable projects in the country including the production of the first national ID and most notable, printing and production of Kenya’s banknotes.
It also produces checkbooks, a variety of security documents. Apart from Kenya, the Nairobi-based company also produces these banknotes for more than 30 countries worldwide.
The company was the first in the region to be credited for Visa Card and MasterCard personalization after it invested in the latest chip & pin technology and capabilities.
The company’s benefits to the country
Apart from just producing financial instruments for the country, De La Rue benefits the country in some other way.
Its presence in the country has benefitted the Kenyan Central Bank by enhancing security and improved control of the banknotes in the country. It has also allowed the CBK to reduce risks, and provide certainty of the banknotes in the country.
The production of money within the country has provided an enviable position for any national currency, allowing smaller, more frequent, and manageable deliveries hence saving the country transport cost and other risks of importing money from overseas.
Since the company works closely with Kenya’s migration department on the delivery of Kenya’s passports, the company has helped the country protect its national borders and identify its citizens.
