Author: Kang'ethe Njoroge

• Air France has announced an increase in daily non-stop flights between Paris and Nairobi from four up to seven effective 15 June 2023.  
• An increase in seat capacity in Kenya this year attributed to increased leisure travel between Charles de Gaulle and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
• The route expansion is also aimed at benefiting French and Kenyan companies, especially in horticulture, pharmaceuticals, and other businesses that depend on air transport.

Air France, the French national carrier, has announced an increase in daily non-stop flights between Paris and Nairobi from four to seven effective 15 June 2023.

The extension affirms the airline’s presence and commitment not only in Kenya but across Africa, and marks its 5th anniversary in Kenya since resuming the Charles de Gaulle Airport to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport route in 2018.

Air France-KLM General Manager for East and Southern Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana, based in Nairobi, Marius …

• The challenge of improving access to energy will be addressed at the upcoming Enlit Africa conference and expo when it returns to Cape Town from 16–18 May 2023.
• The conference keynote session focuses on Africa’s just energy transition and the importance of ensuring that energy access is a central outcome of that transition.
• A flagship annual industry event since 2000, Enlit Africa offers more than 5000+ attendees, representing the entire power and energy value chain.

The challenge of improving access to energy will be addressed at the upcoming Enlit Africa conference and expo when it returns to Cape Town from 16–18 May 2023. The conference keynote session focuses on Africa’s just energy transition and the importance of ensuring that energy access is a central outcome of that transition.

“We believe that the issue of energy access cannot be ignored,” says the event’s content director Claire Volkwyn, adding: “With figures predicting …

• Bamburi Cement PLC has appointed Mohit Kapoor as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective April 1, 2023, subject to regulatory approvals.
• An electrical engineer, marketer and supply chain expert by profession, Kapoor was the Country CEO for Holcim Qatar prior to this appointment.
•  Seddiq Hassani concludes his 5 year tenure leaving behind a stable and resilient brand.

 Bamburi Cement PLC has appointed Mohit Kapoor as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective April 1, 2023, subject to regulatory approvals amidst dwindling profits.

Kapoor succeeds Seddiq Hassani, who has served as the company’s CEO since his appointment on February 9, 2018, and ends his five-year tenure on March 31, 2023.

An electrical engineer, marketer and supply chain expert by profession, Kapoor was the Country CEO for Holcim Qatar prior to this appointment. He has also served as the Head of Growth and Innovation at Holcim India, the Managing …

● Hospital Sente is available to all Airtel Money customer via *185*7*6#.
● Hospital Sente offers hospital cash pay out to beneficiaries upon inpatient hospitalization at
any accredited hospital for up to 10 nights within a policy year.
● The product offers a funeral benefit which provides cover to the member on death due to
natural or accidental causes.

Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited (AMCUL) has  partnered with Prudential Assurance Uganda Limited and insurtech firm Turaco Insurance Brokers LTD to provide ‘Hospital Sente’, a low-cost hospital cash insurance product with Funeral Benefits, aimed at increasing access to insurance for underserved communities, and low-income individuals and families.

The cover aims to ease Airtel’s customers financial burden associated with hospital admissions and death. Hospital Sente offers beneficiaries with a cash pay-out if they are hospitalised. It is designed to provide affordable coverage for unserved individuals and families conveniently through Airtel’s Mobile money …

• Sub-Saharan Africa recorded music market revenue grew by 34.7 percent in 2022 becoming the fastest growing market in the world.
• SSA growth was largely driven largely by a significant boost to revenues in the region’s largest market, South Africa that grew 31.4 percent.
• Recorded music revenues grew in every region around the world in 2022.

Sub-Saharan Africa recorded music revenue market grew by 34.7 percent in 2022 becoming the fastest growing market in the world in the period under review, according to International Federation of Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide latest report.

Figures released on Tuesday shows that SSA growth was largely driven by a significant boost to revenues in the region’s largest market, South Africa that grew 31.4 percent.

“It continues to be a very exciting time for music in Sub-Saharan Africa. In an incredibly nuanced market with lots of different cultures …

• Economic experts are of the view that the banking crisis that spooked investors and sent shockwaves around the world could ultimately be beneficial for global financial markets.
•  DeVere Group CEO Nigel Green says banking crisis could ultimately prove to be beneficial for global markets. 
•  The emergency lifelines being thrown to banks by regulators and governments, among others, appear to have now halted contagion within the sector.

The banking crisis that spooked investors and sent shock waves around the world could ultimately be beneficial for global financial markets.

This is according to Nigel Green, the CEO and founder deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory, asset management and fintech organizations who says the banking crisis could trigger a vital intervention from governments to stabilise the markets.

Green says the emergency lifelines being thrown to banks by regulators and governments, among others, appear to have now halted contagion within …

• Kakuzi Plc has posted a profit of $6.4 million for the financial year ended 31st December 2022, a 62 percent increase compared to the previous year.
• Total sales revenue amounting to $33 million, up from $24.5 million posted the previous year,  boosted by higher production of avocados and additional sales for forestry, livestock, and blueberry produce in the local market.
• Kakuzi shareholders will enjoy an 8 percent per share dividend paid at $0.18 (Sh24)rate as recommended by the board.

Agricultural firm Kakuzi Plc has posted a profit of $6.4 million for the financial year ended 31st December 2022, a 62 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Total sales revenue grew to $33 million up from $24.5 million posted the previous year, boosted by additional sales for forestry, livestock, and blueberry produce in the local market.

Kakuzi shareholders will enjoy an 8 percent per share dividend paid at $0.18 (Sh24) …

• Kenya has allocated $514 million in road improvements across the country.
• This is a 22.2 percent increase in the funds allocated for road maintenance for the full year FY2021/2022. 
• KeNHA is set to receive the largest share of the budget totalling to $212 million

Kenya has allocated $514 million in road improvements across the country for the year 2022/2023, a 22.2 percent increase in the funds allocated for road maintenance for the 2021/2022 full year. 

Latest data from the Kenya Roads Board Annual Public Roads Programme 2022/2023 report indicate that money was allocated to Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and Roads Sector Investment Programme Gaps (RSIPG), for the purpose of maintenance and restoration of public roads. 

According to the report, KeNHA is set to receive the largest share of the budget totalling to $212 million with …

• NCBA in partnership with the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) has rolled out a home acquisition initiative that will enable Kenyans own a home at affordable interest rates.
• The proposition will allow NCBA customers to own homes starting from 9.5 percent interest rate. 
• The mortgage loan will be used to acquire new homes or to construct for residential purposes, in major towns across the country.

NCBA in partnership with the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) has  rolled out a home acquisition initiative that will enable Kenyans own a home at affordable interest rates.

The proposition will allow NCBA customers to own homes starting from 9.5 percent interest rate with up to 25 years repayment and 105 percent home financing, with a limit of a loan amount of up to Sh6 Million to be issued.

The mortgage loan will be used to acquire new homes or to construct for residential purposes, …

• In Kenya, 37,000 metric tonnes of plastic get into the Indian ocean annually causing devastating disruption in our marine ecosystem.
• The successful innovations developed through the Afri-Plastics Challenge have paved the way to revolutionise Africa’s approach to reducing reliance on plastic.
• Out of the 9 shortlisted start-ups, five were women-led, and two from Kenya won a total of £500,000.

Kenya scored big at the inaugural Afri-Plastics Summit & Awards ceremony when five out of a total nine start-ups scooped £2M as part of the Afri-Plastics Challenge, a continent-wide plastics innovation challenge worth £4.1M.

The awards were the culmination of a four-year initiative designed by Challenge Works and funded by Global Affairs Canada to recognize trailblazing innovators that are tackling the global plastics problem and protecting the ocean. Out of the 9 shortlisted start-ups, five were women-led, and two from Kenya winning a total of £500,000, demonstrating the role women play …