Author: Korir Issa

Absa Bank Kenya PLC has unveiled a three‑month campaign aimed at accelerating card usage and deepening customer engagement in digital payments, aligning with the country’s steady shift towards a cashless economy. Driving Card Adoption Amid Rising Usage The initiative, dubbed “Play Your Cards Right,” encourages both existing and new customers to embrace cashless transactions using Absa debit and credit cards for everyday purchases. The launch comes as Central Bank of Kenya data shows POS transactions hit 41.2 million in the first half of 2025, up 4% from the same period in 2024, while ATM withdrawals continue to decline. Kenya Card…

Sun King, the world’s leading off-grid solar energy company, has unveiled a refreshed logo as part of a broader brand transformation. The new identity reflects the company’s growing product portfolio—from solar home systems and high-capacity inverters to pay-as-you-go smartphones—designed to deliver reliable, affordable energy and technology across Africa and Asia. “Our refreshed logo reflects our commitment to our customers—to deliver more affordable solar for their homes, more appliances that make life easier, and more power to support the businesses, schools, and communities they depend on,” said Anish Thakkar, Co-Founder of Sun King. “Switch to More!” Campaign Launches To mark the…

Britam Holdings Plc, Kenya’s largest publicly listed insurer by market value, is preparing to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of its pan-African growth strategy.  “It’s public that we’re looking at Congo,” said CEO Tom Gitogo. “We intend to close this up as soon as possible because the opportunities that exist in the insurance space in DRC are enormous.” Britam views sub-1% insurance penetration across African markets as a major opportunity. “We are not yet even scratching the surface,” said Chairman Kuria Muchiru. “If we targeted a penetration of 15 per cent in the next five years,…

Nairobi-based Poa Internet has secured US$4 million (KSh 517 million) in debt financing from Finnfund, a Finnish development financier, to accelerate the rollout of affordable broadband services across Kenya. The investment will support Poa’s mission to close the digital divide by expanding high-speed internet access to underserved communities. Backed by Nokia Fibre, Poa Targets Underserved Estates The funding will enable Poa Internet to scale its infrastructure, with Nokia serving as the preferred fibre technology partner. The ISP currently holds 13% of Kenya’s ISP market share, having added 23,461 new subscribers in the June quarter alone. “With Finnfund’s financing and Nokia’s…

Kenya Airways (KQ) has reported a net loss after tax of Kes 12.15 billion for the first half of 2025, marking a dramatic reversal from the Kes 513 million net profit recorded during the same period in 2024. According to the airline’s consolidated income statement: Total income fell from Kes 91.49 billion in H1 2024 to Kes 74.5 billion in H1 2025 Operating loss stood at Kes 6.24 billion, compared to a Kes 1.3 billion operating profit last year Operating margin dropped to -8.4%, down from 1.4% Loss before tax reached Kes 12.17 billion, with a taxation benefit of Kes…

Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM) has restarted the local assembly of Volkswagen vehicles at its Thika plant, marking a renewed push to strengthen Kenya-Germany industrial cooperation and expand Kenya’s footprint in regional automotive manufacturing. The facility is now producing the Volkswagen Touareg, Tiguan, and T-Cross models under a Level 2 Completely Knocked Down (CKD) arrangement, a move expected to boost localisation, create jobs, and transfer modern automotive technologies into the Kenyan market. “Germany recognises the critical role that the automotive industry plays in driving economic development,” said Alexander Fierley, Germany’s Deputy Ambassador and Trade Counsellor, during a visit to KVM. “Our…