Author: Wanjiku Njugunah

• Global smart device brand OPPO says plans are in motion to launch its latest phone OPPO Reno 8 series in Kenya
• The company said the new series would provide strong durability, reliable performance, and a smooth all-around experience for users
• The Reno8 5G is powered by Dual Sony Flagship Sensors and several AI-enhanced imaging features such as Ultra Night Video and Night Portrait
• OPPO said the new phone would take its ‘customer-centric’ approach one step further by leveraging pioneering technology to deliver a seamless and user-friendly experience 

Global smart device brand OPPO says plans are in motion to launch its latest phone OPPO Reno 8 series in Kenya.

In a statement, the company said the new series would provide strong durability, reliable performance, and a smooth all-around experience for users.

The Reno8 series will comprise the Reno8 5G and the Reno8.

OPPO Reno8 5G features the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 5G-integrated …

• 5G is the world’s fifth generation of wireless technology
• The network is superior to other networks and is up to 100 times faster than 4G
• There have been no adverse health effects linked to exposure to wireless technologies 

Kenya and many other countries around the world are currently working on availing the 5G network for their citizens.

The network, which is the fifth generation of cellular networks, is already being implemented in the East African nation, even though slowly.

So what exactly is 5G, and why should people care?

The Exchange Africa spoke exclusively with Oppo Kenya Product Manager Ernest Teigut to understand what exactly 5G is and why it is important as below:

What is 5G?   

5G is the world’s fifth generation of wireless technology.

The network is superior to other networks and is up to 100 times faster than 4G. 5G provides higher speed, lower latency and greater …

• Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has entered a new deal to drive the sustainable development and growth of the automotive industry in Kenya
• The partners said that the goal would be achieved by scaling up production, increasing trade, and driving the global competitiveness of Kenya’s automotive industry
• Kenya’s automotive industry is set to increase its market share locally and regionally

Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has partnered with the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) to drive the sustainable development and growth of the automotive industry in Kenya.

The partners said that the goal would be achieved by scaling up production, increasing trade, and driving the global competitiveness of Kenya’s automotive industry.

AAAM CEO Dave Coffey predicted that with a progressive policy, Kenya’s automotive industry is set to increase its market share locally and regionally.

“The increased focus on building value chains and enhancing trade shall spur the demand for …

• KCB Bank Kenya and BasiGo Ltd have partnered to offer the bank’s customers access to flexible financing options to purchase electric cars
• Customers will get up to 90 per cent of funding with an extended repayment period of 36 months
• Customers will have access to embedded tracking and fleet management gadgets already installed on the electric bus and insurance financing

KCB Bank Kenya and e-mobility startup BasiGo Ltd have partnered to offer the bank’s customers access to flexible financing options to purchase electric cars.

According to the deal, customers will get up to 90 per cent of funding with an extended repayment period of 36 months.

The deal will also help customers reduce their greenhouse emissions and enhance their ability to respond to climate change through adaptation and mitigation measures.

In addition, customers will have access to embedded tracking and fleet management gadgets already installed on the electric bus and …

• Business activity in Kenya increased in September, helped by the conclusion of the general election 
• The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) commissioned by Stanbic Bank shows that the growth in business activity in Kenya was the first recorded in seven months 
• As a result, the headline index posted in September was at 51.7, up sharply from 44.2 in August.
• The reading signalled a renewed and modest improvement in overall business conditions.

A new report has shown that the conclusion of the general election in Kenya led to increased business activity in the country in September.

According to the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) commissioned by Stanbic Bank, the growth in business activity in Kenya was the first recorded in seven months.

Business activity in Kenya was supported by customer demand growth following the general elections’ end.

It was also supported by an improvement in supply chains, encouraging firms to purchase more …

• The Global Business Magazine Awards has awarded AAR Insurance Kenya the Most Innovative Insurance Mobile App Kenya 2022
• The Kenyan insurer has also been named the Best New Fully Digital Insurance Company, Kenya, 2022
• AAR said the awards cement their aggressive approach towards being a technology-first operation model to make products and services accessible to their customers easier

Kenya’s AAR Insurance has been named “Most Innovative Insurance Mobile App Kenya 2022″ & “Best New Fully Digital Insurance Company Kenya 2022” by the Global Business Magazine Awards.

On October 3, 2022, AAR Insurance Kenya Acting Principal Officer Hosea Kiprop said the awards cement their aggressive approach towards being a technology-first operation model to make products and services accessible to their customers easier and seamless through the press of a button.

The awards honour business innovators, market disruptors, and leaders from all over the world. They are organised by a Dubai-based publication …

• Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) has embarked on a sensitisation programme targeting insurance companies to integrate them into the upgraded Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP)
• KenTrade’s newly upgraded platform is aimed at enhancing maritime trade efficiency
• It will also ensure faster processing of documents and claims, thus leading to a reduction in the cost of doing business and a subsequent improvement in service delivery standards

Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) has embarked on a sensitisation programme targeting insurance companies to integrate them into the upgraded Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) to enhance maritime trade efficiency.

KenTrade ICT Director Anne Waweru said the integration of insurance companies’ systems with TFP will ensure a seamless submission of the marine cargo certificate to regulatory agencies.

It will also ensure faster processing of documents and claims, thus leading to a reduction in the cost of doing business and a subsequent improvement in service delivery standards.

“This …

• A STIHL East Africa report has now shown that farmers using power tillers can significantly reduce labour costs and increase the productivity of their farms
• The report shows power tillers can reduce labour costs by 60 per cent and increase farm productivity by 50 per cent
• It adds that a power tiller is the best choice for small and marginal farmers. It replaces animal power more effectively and helps in raising the demand for human labour

A new report has now shown that farmers using power tillers can significantly reduce labour costs and increase the productivity of their farms.

The report by STIHL East Africa shows power tillers can reduce labour costs by 60 per cent and increase farm productivity by 50 per cent.

It adds that a power tiller is the best choice for small and marginal farmers. It replaces animal power more effectively and helps in raising the …

• A TransUnion report shows that the rate of suspected digital fraud attempts from Kenya in the year’s second quarter (Q2) decreased by -27 per cent compared to the same period last year
• The rate of suspected digital fraud attempts originating from Kenya declined across half of the industries tracked
• TransUnion observed the largest declines from Kenya-based transactions in communities, which include online forums and dating at -70 per cent, telecommunications at -42 per cent and insurance at -20 per cent

A new report now shows that the rate of suspected digital fraud attempts from Kenya in the year’s second quarter (Q2) decreased by -27 per cent compared to the same period last year. The performance was against a -14 per cent decline shown globally.

According to TransUnion’s quarterly fraud analysis, the rate of suspected digital fraud attempts originating from Kenya declined across half of the industries tracked.

The rate of …

• Kenyans have reacted to the news that Safaricom would restructure its popular Fuliza overdraft facility
• Under the deal, customers will be able to borrow less than KSh 1,000 and not pay a maintenance fee for the first three days
• Safaricom and its partners, KCB Group and NCBA Group said the move would benefit more than 80% of M-Pesa customers who seek to complete their payment transactions with Fuliza credit

Kenyans have reacted to the news that Safaricom would restructure its popular Fuliza overdraft facility, allowing customers borrowing less than KSh 1,000 not to pay a maintenance fee for the first three days.

On September 28, 2022, Safaricom and its partners, KCB Group and NCBA Group, said the move would benefit more than 80% of M-Pesa customers who seek to complete their payment transactions with Fuliza credit.

Safaricom also said customers who borrow above KSh 1,000 would also get a 10 …