Author: James Wambua

James Wambua is a seasoned business news editor specializing in various industries including energy, economics, and agriculture. With a comprehensive understanding of these industries across Africa, he excels in delivering accurate and insightful news coverage that keeps readers informed about key developments and trends.

Health Product Access in Africa

New report identifies 24 leading Africa-focused supply chain innovators who are at the forefront of this transformation. These innovators have partnered with over 100 manufacturers and 75 public health institutions, reaching more than 50,000 providers and directly delivering health products to approximately nine million consumers. Collectively, these supply chain leaders have generated nearly $200 million in annual revenues. A new wave of innovation is powering health product access in Africa, reshaping how medical products are accessed across the continent. Despite the formidable challenges posed by economic pressures and declining investments in technology, a select group of innovators is rising to…

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gender diversity

Though encouraging that the number of female CEOs has risen from 230 (9.6%) in 2023 to 310 (11.1%) in 2024, these numbers show a tech segment that is still heavily dominated by men. Interestingly, smaller ecosystems such as Zambia, Rwanda, and Senegal are outperforming traditional hotspots like South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya in terms of female leadership. Between January 2022 and June 2024, startups with female co-founders raised $747M, representing just 11.9% of the total, while those led by female CEOs secured only $289M. The African tech ecosystem, renowned for its dynamic growth and innovative potential, is transforming. Yet,…

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South Africa's private sector

In July, South Africa’s private sector posted the quickest fall in output and new orders since March Official statistics show that the country’s inflation was at a near four-year low. Business confidence was however at the highest levels since February 2022. As South Africa stepped into the second half of 2024, the country’s economy continued to face challenges, with the private sector contracting for the second month in a row. The latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report from S&P Global paints a complex picture—while the contraction deepened in July, there are also signs of optimism that could signal a brighter…

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Kenya protests

Kenya protests led to a steep decline in business activity in July. Kenya’s private sector reported backlogs of work build-up and lengthened supplier lead times. In the month under focus, however, rates of inflation remain muted. July 2024 has proven to be a turbulent month for Kenya’s economy, as widespread protests wreaked havoc on the nation’s private sector. The resulting decline in business activity and output has raised concerns about the long-term implications of political instability on Kenya’s economic health. According to the Stanbic Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey Kenya protests, which started in June with calls for the…

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money laundering

Jersey has just been recognized as a global center for responsible finance, demonstrating its commitment to combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The island’s achievement has far-reaching implications for the global financial system, including for economies in Africa struggling with money laundering. African countries can take lessons on how to establish robust legal and regulatory frameworks for AML from Jersey to help plug vulnerabilities in their financial systems. The scourge of money laundering continues to be a serious pain point for authorities across Africa, with many countries struggling to fight illicit flows albeit with persistent risks. Currently, South Africa, the…

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US market

 Until now, the top five agricultural exports from Africa to US stores are coffee, cocoa, fruits and vegetables as well as seafood. AmCham tips savvy traders in Africa to explore exporting new and unique products such as ancient grains, Specialty Meats, superfoods and natural oils. These products not only cater to the growing consumer demand for new and diverse products but also supports sustainable and ethical sourcing practices. As the contours of global trade continue to take shape, Africa, a continent bursting at the seams with unique resources is increasingly taking center stage. Africa’s array of unique products—if harnessed optimally—can…

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startups in Africa

Startups in Africa have attracted over $1.2 billion in financing this year. Experts note that debt financing for startups in Africa is increasingly taking centre stage. In July, startups d.light, Va1U, Terrapay as well as Cartona all settled on debt financing to boost operations. Startups in Africa have defied the odds in declining global capital flow, attracting a record $420 million in financing in July. This funding, which excludes exits, takes to $1.2 billion the amount of money channeled to startups in Africa this year and is the highest on record in 14 months. “The numbers were heavily skewed by…

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green mobility Watu Africa

This year, Watu is set to introduce 10,000 electric motorbikes in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Watu has committed to enhancing its electric vehicle funding portfolio to 40 percent in three years and to finance the acquisition of 500,000 electric motorbikes by 2030. The firm has entered into a partnership with Uganda-based GOGO Electric, to power the design and development of Africa’s first fit-for-purpose electric boda bike. As the global call for the protection of the environment grows louder, the need for individuals, companies, and governments to promote sustainable development such as the adoption of green mobility solutions is gathering pace.…

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startup funding in Africa

<matahari88 daftar < matahari88 < viral99 < viral99 login < viral99 daftar This milestone is, however, delayed given that startup funding hit $1 billion in April 2023, as early as February in 2022 and May in 2021. One of the outstanding investments were d.light’s new $176 million securitization deal to enhance the uptake of solar powered equipment in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Another record was Egypt-based MNT-Halan’s $157.5 million raise to fuel their expansion. With five months to go to the end of 2024, the state of startup funding in Africa looks promising with new businesses attracting over $1 billion…

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AI in Agriculture

hidden backlink hidden backlink AI in agriculture is being used to drive the sourcing of real-time data, perform predictive analysis, and run algorithms that optimize farming practices. In South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, ITIKI, an innovative project is tapping indigenous environmental knowledge among African communities, integrating it with AI to predict droughts with better precision. GSMA: AI in agriculture is poised to enable the deployment of innovative digital financial solutions such as credit and insurance products for millions of farmers. In Africa, a continent of over 1.2 billion people, agriculture remains the primary economic activity, accounting for 17 percent of…

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