Author: Khusoko

Khusoko provides market insights into Africa's business investment as well as global trends that impact East African businesses.

The International Coffee Organisation (ICO) council call for an immediate action to be taken on the historically low international coffee price. Through a declaration from the World Coffee Producers forum consortium being held in Nairobi on how to improve standards and shorten the distance between farmer, roaster, barista and consumer, “The current social and economic crisis created by extremely low international coffee prices has come to a point where the coffee value chain – as a whole – cannot just continue talking about it, without taking serious and immediate action. Kenya is hosting the 124th Session of the International Coffee…

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The Prize aims to spotlight entrepreneurs across Africa from both technology-driven and traditional industries with a special focus on small enterprises, female entrepreneurs, and those doing work to improve local communities The application process for the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative, the $10 million contest launched by Alibaba Group Executive Chairman Jack Ma to inspire an entire continent of entrepreneurs, is now officially open. The ANPI is a prize competition will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs over the next 10 years. The Prize aims to support and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy…

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Little Cab, a ride-hailing app has has announced the introduction of ‘Little Hour’ riders for its customers in a bid to grow their market share. The taxi-hailing service Little powered by Safaricom, on Wednesday said “Our aim at Little is to make every day commute affordable for every Kenyan and we will leave no stone unturned until we achieve it.” The 50% off incentive will mean no price escalation for the customers during peak travel hours – – Happy Hour timing – 5AM-7AM, 12PM-1PM and 10PM-11PM daily. “Now ride a Little at fares lower than usual, in Little Hours.Whether you are…

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National Bank of Kenya (NBK) has issued a profit warning, citing ‘increased loan impairment charges beyond initial projections’ and the cost of restructuring. The listed banker now joins Kenya Power, Kenya Re,  Unga Group, Crown Paints, UAP, Britam, Sameer Africa, Bamburi Cement, Mumias Sugar and Sanlam in the list of firms that have issued warnings due to a difficulty in the operating environment. “NBK earnings for the period ended December 31 will be at least 25% lower due to… increased loan impairment charges beyond initial projections due to a revision of the valuation and values recoverable from the non-performing loan portfolio,”…

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A Euronext Amsterdam listing is expected to attract incremental tech investor capital which is well-aligned to our growth ambitions. Naspers, a multinational internet and media group headquartered in South Africa has announced its intention to list on Euronext Amsterdam with a secondary, inward listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in South Africa. The firm also owns a large stake in Tencent, said it would rehouse its holding in the Chinese internet company and other international investments in a separate European listing. Bob van Dijk, Naspers Chief Executive Officer, said listing a new, global consumer internet group on Euronext Amsterdam ‘is…

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The Capital Markets Authority Markets Authority (CMA Kenya) Board has approved guidelines for setting up a regulatory sandbox for the fintech startups in Kenya. This hub will help the companies build innovative products at a lower cost. “We welcome fintech firms and innovators to apply for admission to the Regulatory Sandbox. Where they are successful, they will have a 12-month period to deploy and conduct live-tests of their innovative products, solutions and services”, CMA Chief Executive Mr. Paul Muthaura said. The Sandbox is expected to also accelerate CMA’s understanding of emerging technologies, support adoption of an evidence-based approach to regulation…

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