Author: Kimani Chege

Kenya and Jamaica enjoy close relations as shown by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent visit to Jamaica and a growing number of Jamaican musicians thronging into East Africa. However, distance and connecting flights have always been a problem. However, after the successful test of Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to New York, Kenya is looking to expand into this market with an idea of trans Atlantic flight to Caribean. Kenya Airways already has well-established routes to West African countries of Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Ivory Coast which could be used as stop-overs to the Caribean. This can also open up…

A region in Tanzania that focused on improving obstetric care services potentially averted an estimated 2,100 maternal deaths between 2011–2018, according to data released by the CDC Foundation. The data include the results of treatment provided by all emergency obstetric care facilities in the Kigoma Region, where maternal deaths were among the highest in Tanzania, a nation which has the sixth-highest number of maternal deaths in the world. The Maternal and Reproductive Health in Tanzania Project began in 2006 as a collaborative effort with the Tanzanian government to prevent maternal deaths and increase access to emergency obstetric care and other reproductive health services by upgrading…

The National Bank of Ethiopia today granted the first financial services license to a foreign-owned company, Ethio Lease, as the Ethiopian Government delivers on its promise to gradually liberalize the economy and create jobs. Increasing foreign direct investment is a centerpiece of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s reform agenda to increase private sector growth in a country where an estimated 75% of the 100+ million population are under 30 and the average age is 18. Ethio Lease will address the equipment and foreign exchange shortages facing Ethiopia by providing local businesses with access to high-quality equipment, allowing businesses to grow their operations and thereby creating jobs…

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…

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…

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…

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…

A nation-wide tree planting initiative kicked off on the morning of Monday 29th July aimed at breaking the world record of planting 200 million saplings on a single day. India currently holds the world record. They, however, beat that record and planted 350 million trees with hours. Officially launched by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in May, the nation-wide reforestation program, also popularly known as green legacy, is aimed at recovering the trees and forests that have been lost over the years. Getahun Mekuria, Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, tweeted estimates of the number of trees being planted throughout…

For Jacqueline Wambui, a resident of Nairobi, living with the HIV virus has been a challenge. As an activist and a person living with the virus, she has gone through several treatment regimens as she manages her condition. However, none seem to have worked better than the new approved WHO recommended medication. The World Health Organization recommends dolutegravir (DTG)-based treatment as the preferred first-line regimen for people living with HIV. Jacque currently runs the Advocacy and Communications function at the network. Her educational background is in HIV counseling and training. She is an HIV positive activist with a special interest in…

East Africa Fruits, an innovative social enterprise that supports smallholder farmers in Tanzania through the trade and marketing of fresh produce and grains, has recently been named a Certified B Corporation. The company joins a global community of almost 3,000 businesses working in 150 industries in more than 60 countries for this prestigious recognition. Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. As consumers increasingly demand that businesses use their influence as a force for good, Certified B Corporations are at the…