Author: Wanjiku Njugunah

• Jubilee Insurance has allocated KSh 40 million over the next four years to support 168 students in accessing high school education
• The scholarship, funded by Jubilee Children’s Fund, covers full high school education and supplementary needs such as school uniforms
• The Jubilee Children’s Fund has enrolled 85 additional students in 2023, while the first cohort of beneficiaries will sit for the national secondary examinations this year

Jubilee Insurance has allocated KSh 40 million over the next four years to support 168 students in accessing high school education.

The scholarship, funded by Jubilee Children’s Fund, covers full high school education and supplementary needs such as school uniforms.

The Jubilee Children’s Fund has enrolled 85 additional students in 2023, while the first cohort of beneficiaries will sit for the national secondary examinations this year.

Challenges facing access to secondary education in Kenya

Access to education is a basic human right. However, many …

• Bidco Africa wants to work with farmers in Kenya to meet its growing demand for some of its crucial raw materials
• The giant manufacturer and marketer of a variety of products including cooking oil said it wants suppliers of soybeans and sunflower seeds amid the rising demand for its products
• The Kenyan-based company said it is seeking partners to supply them with 30,000 metric tons of the products
• Bidco revealed that it was already working with 25,000 farmers across the east African region, but that high demand for the products had led to a decrease in its supplies

Bidco Africa said it is looking to work with farmers in Kenya to meet its growing demand for some of its crucial raw materials.

On February 19, 2023, Bidco Africa, a giant manufacturer and marketer of a variety of products including cooking oil, said it wants suppliers of soybeans and sunflower seeds …

• WorkPay has received KSh 341.3 million (US$2.7 million) from international investors to expand in Africa
• The Kenyan HR and payroll solution said the pre-series A round was led by several companies including Acadian Ventures, Fondation Botnar, P1 Ventures, and Kara Ventures
• The funding will assist WorkPay to expand in 40 countries in Africa

WorkPay, a Kenyan human resource (HR) and payroll solution startup WorkPay, has received KSh 341.3 million from international investors to expand in Africa. The startup offers cloud-based human resources management and payroll solution for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Africa.

On February 22, 2023, WorkPay announced that the investment, a pre-series A round, was led by several companies including Acadian Ventures, Fondation Botnar, P1 Ventures, and Kara Ventures.

The funding will assist WorkPay to expand in 40 countries in Africa.

Commenting on the funding, WorkPay CEO and Co-Founder Paul Kimani told TechCrunch that the company has …

• The Kenyan real estate industry recorded a bounce back in 2022 after two years of a sharp drop during the COVID-19 pandemic
• The Status of the Built Environment Report 2023 noted that the pandemic was an eye-opener, making people appreciate the need for spacious rooms, clean air, and sufficient parking, leading to improved quality of spaces in property development
• The economy’s recovery has significantly contributed to the rise in the price of land and houses while also reviving the rental market
• Infrastructural developments across various parts of the country have also been a significant factor in property prices

The Kenyan real estate industry recorded a bounce back in 2022 after two years of a sharp drop during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report has shown.

The Status of the Built Environment Report 2023 noted that most people reserved their savings to support their livelihoods rather than investing in sectors such …

• Kakuzi Plc to double Avocado exports to China following an engagement with Dalian Yidu Group, a major Chinese importer of fresh fruits and vegetables
• The firm said it is set to enhance its exports to China once the harvest season opens late next month
• Kakuzi has also expanded its Avocado orchards by a further 60 hectares, up from 927 hectares at a KSh120 million investment cost, to expand production 
• The firm posted KSh 341.3 million in net profit in the six months that ended June 2022, thanks to increased sales, particularly against the firm’s strategic Avocado and Macadamia crops

Kakuzi Plc has confirmed plans to double Avocado exports to China following an engagement with Dalian Yidu Group, a major Chinese importer of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Kakuzi Plc Managing Director Chris Flowers said the firm is set to enhance its exports to China once the harvest season opens late next …

• CFAO Motors has introduced a new hatchback model dubbed Suzuki Baleno into the Kenyan market, at a cost of KSh 2.73 million
• The Suzuki Baleno is powered by a 1500cc petrol engine that delivers robust performance and fuel efficiency
• Customers can also acquire the vehicle through financing options through major financial institutions in Kenya

CFAO Motors, formerly known as Toyota Kenya, has introduced a new hatchback model dubbed Suzuki Baleno into the Kenyan market, at a cost of KSh 2.73 million.

On February 14, 2023, the company announced that the move is intended to help the firm meet the growing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles in Kenya.

The Suzuki Baleno is powered by a 1500cc petrol engine that delivers robust performance and fuel efficiency.

The new sporty and stylish model also features a 4-speed automatic transmission, 360-degree camera plus Heads Up Display, 6 airbags, LED headlights, 9-inch infotainment system display, and …

• Jubilee Insurance has partnered with USIU-Africa to launch a regional mentorship program to help students better prepare for the workplace
• The program is expected to impact 100 students from various disciplines this year, with a targeted number of 300 students over the next three years
• The program will be implemented by the USIU-Africa Placement Career Services team who will train 50 Jubilee Insurance staff members from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania on mentoring skills

Jubilee Insurance has partnered with the United States International University–Africa (USIU-Africa) to launch a regional mentorship program to help students better prepare for the workplace.

The program is expected to impact 100 students from various disciplines this year with a targeted number of 300
students over the next three years.

The program will be implemented by the USIU-Africa Placement Career Services team who will train 50 Jubilee Insurance staff members from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania on mentoring …

• Norfund invested US$32 million in Kenya in 2022 and plans to further increase financing to local enterprises seeking growth support in 2023
• The fund said it would continue to invest in the region, focusing on profitable enterprises with the potential to contribute to economic and social development
• Norfund is owned and funded by the Norwegian Government and has a portfolio of US$372 million invested in Kenya across various sectors of the economy

The Norwegian Investment Fund (Norfund) invested US$32 million in Kenya in 2022 and plans to further increase financing to local enterprises seeking growth support in 2023.

On February 9, 2023, Norfund said it would continue to invest in the region, focusing on profitable enterprises with the potential to contribute to economic and social development.

Norfund helps build sustainable businesses that would not otherwise be developed because of the high risks involved by providing equity and other risk capital …

• OPPO has announced plans to launch its latest mobile phone line, OPPO Reno8 T, in Kenya
• The company said that Reno8 T would bring a level up in an ultra-clear imaging system, stylish design, powerful performance, and a smooth all-around experience for its users
• The range will include both the 5G and 4G variations to give a more flexible choice for users with a seamless top-notch experience
• In 2022, OPPO Kenya launched a series of phones under the Reno series, including Reno7 and Reno8

Chinese consumer electronic manufacturer OPPO is planning to launch its latest mobile phone line, OPPO Reno8 T, in Kenya.

OPPO Kenya said the latest addition to the Reno series brings a level up in ultra-clear imaging system, stylish design, powerful performance, and a smooth all-around experience to its users.

The range will include both the 5G and 4G variations to give a more flexible choice for …

• The infrastructure sector in Kenya has made major progress in the last six months, with activity reaching an all-time high
• The second phase of the expansion of Mombasa Port was completed in June 2022, with the government reverting port activities into the port in September 2022 from Naivasha
• Kenol-Marua Road is a section of Africa’s Great North Road, and its expansion is expected to improve bilateral trade between Kenya and landlocked Ethiopia
• Improvements to Terminal 1B of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport were completed during the review period

Kenya’s infrastructure sector has made major progress in the last six months, with activity reaching an all-time high.

For starters, the second phase of the expansion of Mombasa Port was completed in June 2022. As a result, the government reverted port activities to the Port of Mombasa in September 2022 from Naivasha.

According to the Kenya Market Update report by Knight Frank, the …