Author: David Indeje

The first blockchain educational institution in Eastern Africa  Funtrech, and US-based blockchain certification company, Blockchain Training Alliance (BTA) have entered into a strategic partnership in building an ecosystem of emerging technologies in Africa. The development was announced during the official Funtrench launch in Nairobi. This partnership puts Kenya as one of the African countries besides South Africa and Nigeria where BTA accredited blockchain courses are offered. The collaboration with BTA will enable Funtrench to offer a wider range of certified blockchain-related courses in Kenya and to create a talent pool of individuals that are savvy in industry 4.0 technologies. Kingsley…

Toyin Umesiri is an entrepreneur and the convener and founder of the Trade with Africa Business Summit. In 2017, she made the big leap from corporate America into full-time entrepreneurship to focus on increasing trade between the United States (US) and Africa. After over a decade of working in corporate America at Walmart & Whirlpool Corporation. She helps to increase trade with Africa through Nazaru, LLC, a US based company that helps African Exporters and Importers to become more visible on the global market. Who is Toyin Umesiri and can you tell us more about your passion and purpose? I grew…

Kenya’s listed Telco Safaricom (NSE:SCOM) has partnered with AliExpress, the business-to-consumer e-commerce marketplace of Alibaba, to allow Kenyans shop on its platform and pay with M-Pesa. The partnership targets micro-traders in the country who source for goods and other supplies from manufacturers in China and signifies Safaricom’s continued push to position M-Pesa as a global mobile money transfer and payments platform. https://twitter.com/khusoko/status/1105350066833948673 “Our more than 21 million customers can now enjoy the safety, reliability, and convenience of M-PESA when shopping on AliExpress, a leading, global e-commerce marketplace. This partnership seeks to connect Kenyans to even more business opportunities by enabling them…

Barclays Bank of Kenya (NSE:BBK) managing director Jeremy Awori has revealed that on the question of mergers and acquisitions being witnessed in the financial sector, the bank is contemplating acquisitions in the fintech space. “Our 10-year ambition of taking back the banking industry is on course. Our interest will be an acquisition in the fintech space,” said Awori when the bank announced a 7.1% y/y growth in Earnings per Share (EPS) to Ksh 1.37 for its Financial Year 2018 results. He said they were clear on their growth strategy that aims at “ Being profitable and has positive returns to their…

Barclays Bank Kenya has posted a 7% Profit After Tax (PAT) growth driven by a balance and market share perspective through its non-funded income according to its Chief Finance Officer. Its pre-tax profit in 2018 rose to Ksh 10.65 billion from Ksh 10.36 billion a year earlier and its profit after tax rose to Ksh 7.416 billion from Ksh 6.926 billion in 2017 Non-funded income rose 15% to 9.7 billion and net interest income increased 1%  to Ksh 21.99 billion shillings. “The business delivered a strong performance in 2018. The board is pleased.” Charles Muchene, Chair Board of Directors. Barclays…

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 with 149 passengers and eight crew on board crashed en route from Addis Ababa to Nairobi on Sunday. No survivors were found at the scene. A spokesperson said 32 Kenyans and 17 Ethiopians were among the 157. “The group CEO who is at the accident scene right now regrets to confirm there are no survivors. He expresses his profound sympathy and condolences to the families and loved ones of passengers and crew who lost their lives in this tragic accident,” Ethiopian airlines said in a statement. Ealier, the Ethiopian Airlines confirmed the crash and said the…