Author: Korir Issa

Equity Group Holdings Plc has announced its proposed acquisition of 91.93 per cent of the issued share capital of Compagnie Générale De Banque (Cogebanque) PLC Ltd.  The purpose of the acquisition is to eventually merge the operations of Cogebanque with EGH’s existing banking subsidiary in Rwanda, Equity Bank Rwanda Plc. “By acquiring Cogebanque, Equity Group will be able to expand its footprint and consolidate its position in Rwanda,” said James Mwangi, chief executive at Equity Group in a notice. Equity Bank said it intends to extend an offer to the remaining shareholders to acquire all their shares in Cogebanque, aiming…

Business activity in Kenya’s private sector slowed for a fourth straight month in May, a private business survey showed. The Markit Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) came in at 49.4, up from 47.2 in April 2023, signalling the slowest deterioration of the business environment, mainly attributable to the elevated inflationary pressures. Readings above 50.0 signal an improvement in business conditions in the previous month, while readings below 50.0 show a deterioration. “Inflationary pressures meant weak demand; new orders declined, as did output in the manufacturing and wholesale and retail sectors,” said Mulalo Madula, Economist at Standard Bank. “Input…

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Kenya says it is taking significant steps to combat plastic pollution.  The company has adopted the initiative created by The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) to build a World Without Waste by actively promoting a responsible culture of proper waste segregation, collection, and recycling across Kenya. The company noted that in Kenya, it has been a significant voluntary member of PETCO (now PAKPRO) since 2018, the first Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) in Kenya.  CCBA believes it is important for companies to take responsibility for post-consumer packaging that goes out in the market and urges all manufacturers and…

The Bob Collymore Foundation (BCF) has announced that it will be holding its very first jazz festival on July 1, 2023, at the Carnivore Grounds.  The event will kickstart a series of jazz festivals for the Kenyan market dubbed the Bob Collymore International Jazz Festival Series (BCIJF).  The festival aims at nurturing the continued growth of the Kenyan jazz market while building opportunities for underprivileged audiences and children to experience the transformative power of music.  BCIJF Festival Director Wambui Collymore has expressed optimism about the venture, saying that it will provide opportunities for over 300 underprivileged youth to build their…

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro already has three levels of ambient sound control which can be adjusted from the Galaxy Wearable app. “With the enhanced ambient sound feature, we hope to bring a transformative listening experience to people who are hard of hearing. We believe everyone should enjoy the wonders of technology and communication, irrespective of their hearing abilities,” said Mr Charles Kimari, Director of Mobile eXperience Samsung East Africa. “This isn’t just about a product, it’s about how we can make life more inclusive, supportive, and enjoyable for all our customers. With the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, we’re striving…

Diageo Plc, the world’s largest spirits maker, has launched the Africa Digital Hub in Kenya to accelerate its digital transformation plans in Africa. The hub will be based at the East African Breweries Limited (EABL) headquarters in Garden City Office Park, Nairobi, and will be headed by Ms. Waithera Kabiru, formerly the Head of Media Futures at EABL. Waithera is a seasoned marketing practitioner with specialist capabilities in media and digital. Over the last 18 years, she has led successful marketing campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa with start-ups, small and medium-sized companies and multinational organizations. The hub will focus on key…