Author: David Indeje

Ayagigs is a curated multi-purpose African talent marketplace for the Future of Work. In Africa, they are positioning themselves as an avenue where they match businesses with vetted professionals. In Kenya, for instance, the online gig economy is expected to grow by 33 per cent over the next five years, to $345 million in 2023, employing a total of 93,875 gig workers, representing a growth rate of 27 per cent, according to a study conducted by Mercy Corps. On the other hand, Aya Founder Eric Annan says Mastercard Foundation projects the total available market for Digital Professional services to be…

Kenyan processors on Wednesday called for self-regulation and harmonization of rules and standards with all stakeholders to promote trust among consumers on fortified foods.  Speaking during a multistakeholder workshop on strengthening African processors of fortified foods (SAPPF)  the players said food fortification is “more important now, more than before, and there was the need to test everybody not just the big players”. SAPPF is a TechnoServe program that takes a holistic approach to address technical challenges and works to strengthen the enabling environment that promotes the competitive, healthy, and effective production of fortified foods. The workshop was taking in lessons…

Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi posted better-than-expected results for the fourth quarter of 2021, with a 21.4 percent rise in revenue and 39.6-percent growth in profit.  The company reported a 40 percent jump in adjusted net income to $702 million in the last three months of 2021. For the 2021 financial year, Xiaomi reported total revenue of 328.3 billion yuan, 33.5 percent higher compared with revenue made in 2020.  “2021 was a year of outstanding revenue and profit growth for Xiaomi,” Mr. Lei Jun, Founder, and CEO of Xiaomi Tweeted. https://twitter.com/leijun/status/1506252238510968832?s=20&t=tSyVFNeXm3u9VBxYB4xNtA The smartphone maker says it managed to grow its worldwide…

Daikin Industries, a Japanese airconditioning systems manufacturer, will finally be expanding in Kenya as part of its global strategy to increase its footprint across the emerging markets. Its entry was delayed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  “Kenya has been globally highlighted as the new hot spot for business growth and Daikin is poised to partner in this economic & infrastructural development,” Daikin Industries said in an emailed statement Tuesday. The East African market has great potential for air conditioning penetration, which will be supported by the Daikin production facilities in India, according to Daikin India Chairman and managing…

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari won the Formula One season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday after reigning champion Max Verstappen was forced out with engine trouble with just two laps remaining. https://twitter.com/Charles_Leclerc/status/1505638629619740684?s=20&t=ST8sr7EbAoPuEKYey-t-8A Carlos Sainz made it a Ferrari one-two while Lewis Hamilton snatched third place for Mercedes after Sergio Perez added to Red Bull´s disastrous day by spinning out of the race on the last lap. “That’s exactly how we should start the season. One-two baby, one-two. Mamma mia,” Leclerc said on the team radio. https://twitter.com/Carlossainz55/status/1505617819446263813?s=20&t=ST8sr7EbAoPuEKYey-t-8A Once the race trophy was in his hands, Leclerc said: “I’m so happy. We knew…

Naivasha-based Keroche Breweries is set to settle a KSh957 million tax dispute with Kenya Revenue Authority in 24 months starting from January 2022. The development comes after a week-long engagement between the two. “The addendum agreement which sets the stage for the reopening for production of the Naivasha based brewery will see Keroche settle an undisputed tax amount of Sh957,000,000 over a period of twenty-four (24) months starting from January 2022,” KRA said in a statement. Earlier, the brewer had appealed to KRA  to grant it a grace period of 18 months to clear taxes in arrears while paying the…