Author: David Indeje

Rwanda will allow visa-free travel for all Africans to boost free movement and trade within Africa. President Paul Kagame announced this at the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council in Kigali, where he highlighted the potential of Africa as a unified tourism destination. “Any African can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish, and they will not pay a thing to enter our country,” Kagame said.  “We should not lose sight of our own continental market. Africans are the future of global tourism as our middle class continues to grow at a fast pace…

A study by the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) has revealed how disinformation and misinformation spread during Kenya’s 2022 general election and affected the electoral process and democracy.  The study, titled “The Impact of Disinformation and Misinformation on Media and Democracy in Kenya”, was unveiled on the 2023 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. The study involved 108 respondents, including journalists, media workers, election observers, politicians, and civil society organization officials.  It found that false information influenced candidate choices, voter turnout, and public perceptions of the election’s fairness. It also eroded trust in political institutions, electoral processes, and the…

Kenyan telecommunications companies have inaugurated East Africa Device Assembly Kenya Limited (EADAK), the country’s first local phone assembly plant, in Athi River.  The plant, which has the capacity to produce up to 3 million units annually, is a realization of the government’s commitment to establishing a local smartphone assembly.  The devices, retailing for Ksh 7,499, will be available at Faiba shops, dealer stores, Safaricom shops, and the Masoko online platform.  The factory is expected to create between 300 and 500 direct jobs.  Opened the East Africa Device Assembly Kenya and launched locally assembled devices, Mavoko, Machakos County. pic.twitter.com/U0zXS9Nyyq — William…

Airtel Money has revised its transfer and withdrawal transaction charges in Kenya, effective October 25, 2023.  The revised transaction costs will result in over 17.9 million of their subscribers transacting large amounts on the mobile money platform, incurring higher withdrawal charges.  Specifically, customers withdrawing between Ksh50,000 and Ksh250,000 will now be charged Sh300 at Airtel agents, marking a Ksh30 increase from the previous rate. “It is worth noting that additionally, the withdrawal charges and cost of transferring money to other networks will remain significantly affordable compared to current market rates,” said Ms Anne Kinuthia-Otieno, managing director at Airtel Money Kenya,…

Online accommodation platform Airbnb has reaffirmed its commitment to Africa’s tourism industry by establishing a $500,000 fund. The fund aims to support non-profit organizations that promote economic empowerment, digital access, and sustainability. Velma Corcoran, Regional Lead of Middle East, Africa at Airbnb, stated, “Africa is home to some of the world’s most unique, culturally rich, and diverse destinations and homes.” “We aim to be part of solutions that enable more African families and communities to attract guests from around the globe and showcase more of what Africa has to offer.” This fund is part of a pledge that includes supporting…

Absa Bank Kenya plans to double its sustainable finance allocation to KES120 billion, expanding investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green building sectors within two years. This is part of the lender’s renewed commitment to sustainability. The bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Abdi Mohamed, revealed that about Ksh 60 billion has already been advanced in sustainable finance this year, which includes green and inclusive finance components. For instance, USD 10 million has been allocated for climate-smart agriculture. This initiative is part of a larger commitment to climate finance, with Ksh 25 billion set aside for this purpose. Additionally, Ksh…