Author: David Indeje

Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar, announced in a CNBC Africa interview that the company is preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of its Airtel Money business in the first half of 2026, delayed from an earlier timeline due to market volatility. The move aims to unlock value for investors and capitalise on Airtel Money’s robust growth, with a 30% CAGR over five years and a valuation estimated at $4 billion in 2024, reports say. Airtel Money, a key player in African fintech, reported $994 million in revenue for the fiscal year ending March 2025, up 18.8% (29.9% in constant…

Safaricom PLC reported an 11.2% increase in total revenue to KES 388.7 billion ($3 billion) for the financial year ending March 31, 2025, with net income rising 10.8% to KES 69.8 billion. The company will distribute KES 48.08 billion in dividends, comprising a final dividend of KES 0.65 per share and an interim dividend of KES 0.55 per share. The performance was driven by innovation across Safaricom’s product portfolio, expansion into Ethiopia, and over KES 18 billion invested in education, health, environment, and economic empowerment initiatives over the past five years. This period also marked the completion of Safaricom’s five-year…

The smartphone market is filled with options, but finding a cost-effective device with key features can be tough. Enter the HMD Arc from HMD Global provides essential smartphone functionality at an affordable price. With its repairable design, long-lasting battery, and smooth Android experience, the HMD Arc is a reliable companion for everyday users. Design and Repairability One of the standout features of the HMD Arc is its emphasis on repairability. In a world where devices are often designed to be disposable, HMD is taking a different approach.  The HMD Arc features a design that allows users to easily replace parts…

Kenya’s economic growth slowed to 4.7% in 2024 from 5.7% in 2023, driven by global headwinds, tight financial conditions, and fading post-pandemic momentum. This marked the weakest annual expansion since the 2020 pandemic-induced contraction of -0.3% and, excluding that year, the slowest since 2013’s 3.8% growth amid post-election uncertainty. The deceleration stemmed primarily from a contraction in construction and mining and quarrying, alongside slower growth in most sectors, except manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, public administration, education, health, and taxes on products. GDP by Sector: Contribution to Nominal GDP (2020–2024) Sector 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024* Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing…

Kenya’s private sector recorded its strongest growth in 27 months in April, driven by robust sales and heightened business activity, according to the Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) released on Tuesday. PMI Signals Robust Expansion The PMI rose to 52.0 from 51.7 in March, marking its highest level since January 2023. A PMI above 50.0 indicates expansion, while below 50.0 signals contraction. The surge was fueled by a sharp rise in customer demand, leading to the fastest growth in new orders since February 2022. “The April PMI shows Kenya’s private sector expanding at its fastest pace in over…

Married women in Kenya, driven by economic, career, and family planning pressures, account for the majority of induced abortions, often resorting to unsafe methods due to legal and access barriers. A 2023 report by the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Guttmacher Institute, estimates 792,694 induced abortions, with 78.6% (approximately 623,058 cases) among married women. This translates to an abortion rate of 57 per 1,000 women aged 15–49. Titled Incidence of Induced Abortions and Severity of Abortion-Related Complications in Kenya, the report indicates that 78.6% of these abortions (approximately 623,058 cases)…