Author: Jack Oduor

Key findings reveal a significant gender gap in digital technology use, with young African women often pressured to abandon social media The “Youth in Digital Africa” report calls for government investment in infrastructure and skills development Young African Women also face higher rates of online harassment and bullying Societal norms and bullying have seen young African women lag in adopting digital technologies, a new survey has revealed. The report titled Youth in Digital Africa: Our connections. Our choices. Our future. has been released by Caribou Digital in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The report compiles personal narratives from young people…

The World Bank has approved a $1.2 billion loan to support policy and institutional reforms to address structural constraints in Kenya’s public finances. On climate, the financing will support Kenya’s investments in green public transport systems. Kenya’s $1.2 billion DPO facility is funded through a combination of financial instruments Kenya has received a loan of $1.2 billion ( about KES156 billion) from the World Bank to help the country address short-term fiscal pressures and accelerate green initiatives. The new $1.2 billion Kenya Fiscal Sustainability and Resilient Growth Development Policy Operation (DPO), is the first in a series of three. According to the multilateral…

Burger Consumption in 2023 topped on March 10th recording the highest orders in Kenya Kenya ranks number in Sub-Saharan Africa for the highest number of burger orders delivered in the past 12 months. Chicken burgers remain the most popular, with ‘double’ burgers being the norm, and the Smash burger trend sweeping Kenya with a staggering 444 per cent growth. Kenya has topped sub-Saharan Africa for the highest number of burger orders delivered in the past 12 months. Insights contained in Glovo’s annual report on burger consumption in Kenya show that Kenya saw a 35 per cent increase from May 2023 to…

Kenyan Shilling drop to Sh100 against the dollar will mirror the pre-2020 levels  A weak shilling means costly imports and the burden is often passed to the consumers. The exchange rate affects how much we earn from exports. Kenya Shilling strengthening against the US dollar to the pre-2020 level of about 101 can only be realised sometime in September, according to market analysts. The latest monetary update by the international research body, Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU), shows the US dollar will remain bullish against the local currencies for much longer amid the high Fed rate which will be maintained for…

Sustainable Agriculture Farming Practices have been identified as the only way to ensure food security in the future Crop Life International launched its flagship commitment, the Sustainable Pesticide Management Framework (SPMF) program in 2021 Kenya has made significant strides in pesticide management by integrating global best practices into its new pesticide law. Kenya is among the nine countries in the world undertaking a $13 million (Sh1.7 billion) agriculture funding program over the next five years. The funding is aimed at supporting sustainable agriculture farming practices in the selected member states mostly targeted towards reducing harm caused by pesticides. According to…

Green Student Housing in Kenya has not received much traction in the past few years. Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan Chief Executive Dr Joshua Oigara said that the facility is at an advanced stage. The lender has so far mobilised about $122 million for green or sustainability-linked facilities Stanbic Bank and MiDA Advisors will be partnering with real estate developer Acorn Holdings, to mobilise $700 million in long-term blended finance commitments for green student housing in Kenya that are affordable. If successful the blended finance deal would mark one of the largest impact investment transactions in Kenya, with long-term…

Asset financing firms in Kenya remain unregulated, the only exception among the seven countries in which Watu Credit operates. This revelation came out during an ongoing inquiry by Kenya’s Finance and National Planning Committee on asset finance companies. In the probe, the CEO of Watu Credit acknowledged that Kenyan law lacks regulation of businesses operating in this market segment. Purchasing assets directly can be expensive and risky and hold a company or individual back from expansion. Asset financing, therefore, provides a great option to acquire the assets an individual or business needs without shouldering hefty expenditures. The asset financing structure has…

Kenya’s education sector is set to receive nearly $32 million of investment from the United States to support new partnerships between the two countries. part of the investment, $850,000, will go towards supporting the Ed-tech Africa initiative The funding includes a new $24.5 million early-grade literacy program. USAID Counselor Clinton White signed the deal alongside Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Mudavadi. STEM education is a teaching approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics related fields. Kenya’s education sector is set to receive nearly $32 million of investment from the United States to support new partnerships between the two countries.…

Kenya lands $ 1 billion investments for digital Infrastructure investment from Microsoft and G42. Among the top priorities is the construction of a green data center. This facility is to be built by G42 and its partners. The initiative will enhance internet connectivity through investments in marine and terrestrial fiber cable infrastructure. During Kenyan President William Ruto’s visit to the US, Tech giant Microsoft & G42, an Emirati AI company, announced a $1B investment in Kenya to support its digital transformation. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Republic of Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, is…

The Africa Fintech Accelerator program has increased the number of women-led startups The Accelerator program, launched in June 2023, is aimed at uplifting the digital economy in Africa The list, is majorly dominated by West and Central African states that command 11 enterprises. Only one Kenyan fintech startup has made it through into the second cohort of Visa’s Africa Fintech Accelerator program. Out of the possible 20 only CheckUps Medical Hub, an Embedded health Kenyan startup, made it to the shortlist. Tanzania got two representatives and Ethiopia also got one. The list is majorly dominated by West and Central African…