Yellow Card, Africa’s largest licensed stablecoin-based infrastructure provider, has appointed Gillian Darko as Vice President of Strategy. A seasoned executive with a track record at JP Morgan Asset Management, PwC, and JUMO, Darko steps into the role after serving as Chief of Staff and Director of Strategy at the fintech firm. Reporting directly to the CEO, she joins the executive leadership team to spearhead Yellow Card’s long-term growth strategy, innovation roadmap, and market expansion efforts across Africa and other emerging regions. “Stepping into this role is about seizing the momentum we’ve built and accelerating it,” said Darko. “My focus is…
Author: Khusoko
Khusoko
Khusoko provides market insights into Africa's business investment as well as global trends that impact East African businesses.
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has often been asked why ticket fares in Africa have been on the rise, more than doubling from pre-COVID to date. A Paradox of Growth and Inaccessibility As an aviation industry trade association, such enquiries do not come as a surprise. Africa has the lowest GDP per capita but the highest ticket fares for similar distances compared to other continents. The promise of affordable air travel remains a distant dream for many Africans, despite the fact that connectivity is fostering economic development and cross-cultural interaction. Aviation’s Economic Power vs. Passenger Realities The aviation industry contributes…
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has appointed Nicholas Clarke as Managing Director and Partner in its Nairobi office, effective 1 July 2025. The appointment reinforces BCG’s commitment to deepening its presence in East Africa and supporting the region’s development ambitions. Nicholas is a core member of BCG’s Social Impact and Public Sector practice areas. His work focuses on economic development, including investment acceleration, trade promotion, and industrial growth. He collaborates extensively with donors, foundations, and multilateral institutions to deliver large-scale transformation programmes across Africa. Global Experience and Academic Credentials Before relocating to Nairobi, Nicholas was based in BCG’s New York office…
Coca-Cola says Luis Felipe Avellar will assume the role of president for its Africa operating unit, effective September 1. He currently leads the company’s Mexico operations within the Latin America unit. Avellar succeeds Luisa Ortega, who will transition to her new role as president of Coca-Cola’s Europe operating unit. He will report directly to Henrique Braun, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Luis has had an outstanding career that includes extensive leadership across Latin America,” Braun said. “He also brings valuable experience from his previous tenure in Africa, and I’m excited to see him return to Johannesburg to help…
The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) has named Carol Koech its new Vice President for Africa, effective August 1, 2025. Carol brings over two decades of leadership experience spanning energy transformation, sustainability, and regional private-sector growth. She previously served as Strategy Director for Sustainability and Thought Leadership at Schneider Electric, where she helped scale global energy access programs reaching over 50 million people. “Carol’s appointment marks a powerful step forward for GEAPP’s work in Africa,” said Woochong Um, CEO of GEAPP. “She brings a deep understanding of Africa’s energy landscape, a passion for equity and access, and…
Africa is a rich frontier of creative expression, brimming with innovative storytelling, fresh interpretations of timeless themes, and imaginative takes on universal human issues. Whether driven by necessity, shaped by inclination, or born of natural talent, Africans have long approached the world in uniquely original ways. Yet when it comes to converting these ideas into careers, businesses, and sustainable industries, much work remains. Africa’s creators have had limited access to global markets, and even when they break through, they rarely benefit fully or retain control over how their ideas evolve. Correcting this imbalance demands deliberate, strategic interventions. Encouragingly, several initiatives…