Month: August 2019

Microsoft has appointed Harvard trained Jack Ngare as the managing director Africa Development Centre in Kenya that the company launched in May 2019.

With more than 15 years of experience in various business functions, Ngare joins Microsoft from Finserve Africa part of Equity Group where he served as managing director.

Ngare brings a wealth of in-depth knowledge around topics like management, telecommunications, financial services and emerging technology. Prior to his work at Finserve Africa, Ngare held the position at Stanbic Bank, NIC Bank, as well as spending seven years at British Telecom with assignments in the UK, Saudi Arabia, Peru and Japan.

He holds a Master’s degree in management from Harvard University, a Master’s degree in advanced computer science and a Bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Leicester.

“The ADC is unlike any other existing investment on the continent, helping us better listen to our customers, develop …

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has today launched the SADC industrialization week ahead of the upcoming Summit of SADC Heads of state.

This is the fourth SADC industrialization week and it is running under the theme; A Conducive Environment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, Increased Intra-regional Trade and Job Creation.

The event isbeing held from the 5^th – 9^that the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es salaam. It highlights ongoing regional efforts to realize the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063.

Speaking at the launch, President Magufuli, who took office in 2015 on the industrialization ticket said Tanzania will continue to push the industrialization agenda as the key to national development especially through agricultural value chains which in turn opens up new employment opportunities for youth in the country.

Known as SADC Industrialization Week (SIW), the event has attracted over 3000 compnaies for the …

Beyond Capital, an impact investment fund that partners with portfolio companies in East Africa and India, has recently added to its diverse and accomplished Board of Directors.

With the appointment of Nairobi-based development banker Samuel Mugoya, Beyond Capital will expand its presence and impact in the East African region. Samuel joins a multicultural group of professionals hailing from the financial, legal, and entrepreneurial sectors, that have volunteered to serve as directors and share their diverse experiences to ensure that Beyond Capital optimizes its impact in East Africa and India.

“Our Board of Directors is an integral part of Beyond Capital’s mission of partnering with social enterprises that are finding sustainable ways to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems,” said Eva Yazhari, CEO of Beyond Capital. “Each board member provides their own mindset and invaluable contributions based on their extensive business backgrounds and personal passions.”

Beyond Capital as an …

Pewin Group has inked deals worth Ksh7.3 billion(US$70.8million) with business firms from Belarus during a Belarus Kenya Business Forum in Nairobi.

The firm signed an MoU to distribute tractors and set up an assembly plant with a Belarusian firm, Afttrade DMCC. They also signed an MoU to distribute fish feeds and set up a processing fish plant for the local and export market with BelinterBox.

The memorandum which is funded locally by Family Bank and the Government of Belarus will see Kenya benefitting from the new technology, exchange programmes and access to best practices in agricultural industry.

“This is a historic day for Pewin Group and Kenya. The Belarus tractors are globally renowned for their performance in general agricultural work including sowing, harvesting and transportation. In support of the Big 4 Agenda, this MoU means that small scale farmers can now access reasonably priced tractors with the latest technology and …

Kenya has reaffirmed its continued push for the closure of all ivory trade markets across the world.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta says the country will continue with its campaign against the reopening of markets for animal trophies especially ivory.

The campaign is being supported by 31 other African states grouped under the African Elephant Coalition (AEC).

The First Lady spoke at an ivory burning site inside the Nairobi National Park where she presided over the official launch of the CITES CoP18 Awareness Campaign.

READ ALSO:How eBay and IFAW ban on African Ivory stood for a decade

CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora while CoP18 is the acronym for the Conference of Parties to the CITES.

The CITES CoP18 global conference is scheduled for this month in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Today we are lobbying and petitioning for the closure of all …

The Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB) and the Korean Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation (KIND), have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on infrastructure financing in the region.

KIND is a newly established organization by the Korean Government to proactively support global public-private partnerships and infrastructure and urban development for sustainable growth in emerging markets, with the Africa office headquartered in Nairobi.

KIND President and CEO Kyong-goo Hur noted that since the world is facing drastic climate changes and rapid urbanization today, the need for infrastructure investment is emerging greater than ever with the gap between infrastructure demand and supply hardly to be filled in the near future.

“The highest priority, therefore, has been attached to infrastructure investment not only in Korea but also in other numerous countries on this globe,” President Kyong-goo added.

Furthermore, KIND is now ready to serve as a facilitator …

The International Wines and Spirits Record (IWSR), notes that whisky consumption in Kenya grew by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.7% in the five years 2013 to 2018. This is expected to grow by another 18.8% in the next four years to 2023.

But whatever is registering a greater notice among the elite Kenyan communities is the growth of aged brands with some Kenyans even requesting for a 72-year-old whisky. This has been categorized as a small group of consumers in the region who have a special taste on premium beverages as well a disposable income allowing populations to have high-end brands during leisure.

Macallan, a premium brand brewed since 1824 has been identified as the global leader in terms of value for whisky in its category.

In October 2018, a bottle of Macallan 60-Year-Old scotch whisky set a record when it sold at auction for $1.1 million. …

By Giza Mdoe

 Wide angle AI Triple Camera

You have not experienced the wonders of a smartphone until you experience the Phantom 9.We are not just talking of the usual fingerprint in-display sensors,motion sensing and screen rotating gyroscope, we are going the extra mile and introducing Artificial Intelligence Triple Cameras complete with auto sensors and a wide angle photography capability.

The AI Triple Camera (16MP+2MP+8MP) has one camera in the front for your amazing never to miss selfie moments and two cameras in the rear for even clearer, wider angle pictures.

“With the amazing AI triple camera plus other wonderful features, we are proud to say it was worth the wait. Photography enthusiasts and business professionals will find that is a great addition to their work and entertainment toolbox,” said Stephen HA, the Managing Director of TECNO Mobile.

He was speaking at the global launch of the …