Thursday, November 28African Digital Business Magazine

Kenya News

Kenya News

Business, Kenya News, Nigeria News, South Africa News

Deal value increases in South Africa and Nigeria in the first half of this year

Baker McKenzie’s latest analysis of Refinitiv data shows that the value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the first half 2021 (H1 2021) soared in South Africa, and that deal value also increased in Nigeria in the first six months of 2021, but Kenya experienced a slight decrease in both deal value and volume in H1 2021. South Africa  The value of M&A transactions in South Africa in H1 2021 amounted to USD 52 billion, with 169 deals announced in the period. Compared to the first half of 2020, transactions volumes decreased by 8% but deal value increased by 958% in the first half of 2021. Refinitiv data shows that the volume of domestic transactions increased slightly to 80 deals, a 10% increase year on year (Y-o-Y). Domestic transactions in South Africa in H1 21 were worth USD 46....
Agriculture, Kenya News

GM cassava promises higher yields and profits for Kenyan farmers

Cassava farmers in Kenya are set to reap more yields and earn higher profits from their crops as the East African country prepares for the rollout of a genetically modified (GM) cassava variety that can fight off two of the most devastating diseases affecting the crop in the region. The government’s approval in June for environmental release to conduct National Performance Trials (NPT) for cassava varieties offering disease-resistant traits marks the penultimate stage before the superior variety is finally released to farmers. Free seed material is just one of the many benefits that lie ahead for cassava farmers in the country once the improved crop is approved for release to farmers. “This cassava will be free to the small-scale farmers,” said Dr Catherine Taracha, Director of Biotechnolo...
Towards a circular economy for plastics, where it does not become waste
Kenya News, Main

Towards a circular economy for plastics, where it does not become waste

Plastic, plastic, plastic everywhere! Not a place you can turn to without being greeted by the sight of plastic. Plastic is a doubled edged sword. It is very much a part of our lives, being a packaging material for many of the products we consume and also being a primary or secondary raw material for many items including electronics, furniture, motor vehicles, planes and ships. Its affordability and availability makes it the natural go to for manufacturers and producers seeking to maximize return on investment. At the same time, plastic presents serious challenges to almost every nation. Just what do you do with plastic when you no longer need it? Hide it, burn it, bury it, dump it or simply toss it away? Each of these choices comes with a steep price on ecosystem health and environmental ...
Kenya News, Medicine

Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI) unveils consumer study report on Royco Mchuzi Mix (Beef), endorses product as safe

The Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI) has released a landmark consumer study report on Royco Mchuzi Mix (beef) brand, revealing that the product is safe and the ingredients in the mix have scientifically proven health benefits as spices and herbs. KNDI, in collaboration with Unilever Company, engaged in a self-regulation study of Royco Mchuzi Mix with a focus on its effect on common health claims. This was done to educate the Kenyan public on the health and dietary claims associated with the product. The study, conducted by KNDI, entailed a value chain process analysis at Unilever Company Limited Factory as well as a cohort study on common health claims associated with consuming Royco Mchuzi Mix. The research was geared towards educating the public on good dietary and ...
Kenya News, Main

Growth in changing times, not really the utopia for thousands of youth

The new world order is in existence. A lot of young people are held back from greatness by limitations and ceilings that they have set for themselves. Thus, they are constrained from reaching their full potential. They believe that there is no space for being value-driven leaders and entrepreneurs in the modern world. Accordingly, they rely on shortcuts to make them ‘successful leaders’ and ‘rich entrepreneurs’ in the shortest time possible. For them, “the end justifies the means”. Failure to recognize the need for personal growth and development in the changing times could be the leading cause of their frustrations. The Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t made it easier either. Various changes have occurred over the last years, and technology has been critical to these changes. The changing times i...
Kenya News, Main, Nigeria News, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Women Can Add $14.57 Billion to E-Commerce in Africa: IFC Research

Africa’s e-commerce market could grow by more than $14.5 billion between 2025-2030 according to an IFC report published today. The report finds this can be achieved by increasing the number of women selling on online platforms and by providing them with better training and financial support to help them match sales made by men. The report, Women and e-commerce in Africa, found that COVID-19 has accelerated the growth of e-commerce and digital entrepreneurship in Africa and that more women have embraced digital business. However, it also noted that more can be done to promote women’s entrepreneurship and help women overcome e-commerce challenges. For example, e-commerce marketplace platforms are well-positioned to target women-owned businesses with training, and to encourage women’s partici...
Kenya News

Kenya is in Transition to a Circular Economy: KEPSA Report Shows

Sustainable Inclusive Business, the knowledge centre under the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Foundation, in partnership with TheRockGroup, a sustainable consultancy firm, has published an industry report on Kenya’s efforts to transition to a more sustainable and circular economy. It was launched at the Africa Business Week by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency on Thursday May 27, 2021 Dubbed, ‘Kenya is in Transition to a Circular Economy: A quick scan of the trends and opportunities for businesses in the circular economy and resource efficiency space’, the report provides an overview of status of circular economy trends in Kenya, existing gaps, and available opportunities. It further showcases Kenya’s business climate and policy framework and highlights relevant organizations contri...
Kenya News

97% of internet users in Kenya use WhatsApp; here’s how businesses can reach them (By James Bayhack)

By James Bayhack The COVID-19 pandemic has left many customer service departments under immense pressure to meet client expectations while keeping response times low. This is particularly important in competitive industries like eCommerce, travel and hospitality, where customer service is a priority. To address this challenge, companies must enable their support staff with the right tools and channels to meet and exceed customer expectations. WhatsApp should be one of these support channels for your business. According to the Global Web Index’s 2020 Social Media User Trends Report (https://bit.ly/3bG5209), Kenya has the highest percentage of monthly WhatsApp users compared to the rest of the world, with an astonishing 97% of internet users who use WhatsApp every month. WhatsApp is clea...
Kenya News

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (18 May 2021)

469 people have tested positive to the disease, from a sample size of 6,244 tested in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate is now 7.5%. Total confirmed positive cases are now 166,006 and cumulative tests so far conducted are 1,752,693. New cases by County; Kisumu 102, Nairobi 77, Mombasa 27, Kericho 27, Siaya 18, Busia 18, Meru 17, Kisii 16, Nyeri 14, Kitui 13, Nyamira 12, Kilifi 12, Nandi 11, Uasin Gishu 10, Turkana 9, Bungoma 8, Makueni 8, Kakamega 7, Kiambu 7, Nakuru 6, Homa Bay 6, Murang’a 5, Embu 4,Laikipia 4, Machakos 4, Vihiga 4, Taita Taveta 3, Bomet 3, Kajiado 3, Trans Nzoia 3, West Pokot 3, Kirinyaga 2, Migori 2, Tharaka Nithi 2, Isiolo 1 and Marsabit 1. 43 patients have recovered from the disease, 29 from the Home Based & Isolation Care, while 14 are from various health...
Energy, Green Energy, Kenya News, Startups, Tanzania News

Solar Cow- a Samaritan for the Children in Need

The relief of indigence is the primary goal in bringing about a positive change in the lifestyles of children in Africa. To this day, 1 in every 5 children in Africa is devoid of the right to education owing to child labor. Since electricity is a dire need of people even in the utmost rural areas, many low-income families rely on kerosene lighting and exorbitantly expensive charging stations (taking up to 15% of their monthly income) to meet their energy needs, forcing children to toil hard to contribute to their income. That’s why YOLK invented ‘The Solar Cow’ – one of Time Magazine’s 100 Best Inventions of 2019. It’s a solar charging system installed in schools in the backward regions of Africa, allowing children to charge portable batteries called ‘Solar Milk’ while they attend class an...