• The Kenyan government owes media companies $10.8 million (Sh1.7 billion) in pending media bills.
• Kenyan media companies have, however, been challenged to become innovative during the tough economic times and reinvent their operating models to remain competitive.
• Kenya’s media industry is among the sectors worst hit with the changing business models according a 2023 report by Oxford university and Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.

The Kenyan government has offered to pay media organizations $10.8 million (Sh1.7 billion) which it owes in pending media bills, a move that will significantly help them address financial struggles within the sector brought about by the changing media landscape.

Media organizations in Kenya have been grappling with cash flow challenges due to outstanding payments from the State, leading some companies to resort to employee layoffs and substantial budget cuts as a consequence of mounting financial difficulties.

This situation arises at a time when …

• The Banking Sector had shares worth US$50,126 (Sh7.9 million) transacted which accounted for 63.34 percent of the day’s traded value at Nairobi Securities Exchange.
• In 2021, 8.7 million shares were traded worth $1.5 million (Sh242 million), while 2022 saw the number rise to 17.6 million shares valued at $4 million (Sh630 million).
• In the nine-month period leading up to September 2023, the NSE ranked as the least performing African bourse in dollar terms, underscoring the impact of foreign withdrawals and global shocks.

Trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange began 2024 on a four-year low on Tuesday, with 897,000 shares traded, signaling low confidence among investors.

The value of the shares dropped to $79,314 (Sh12.5 million), compared to 2023 when the bourse opened trading with 1.73 million shares, equivalent to $21,467 (Sh33.8 million). It is the first time in four years that the NSE began with less than a million shares …

• Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority will examine corporate governance reporting templates and assessment methods for all its issuers.
• This initiative ensures continued relevance in the financial landscape while enhancing accuracy to align with global standards.
• The industry watchdog is also exploring integrating sustainability into the listing requirements.

The Capital Markets Authority in Kenya is poised to conduct a comprehensive regulatory examination of corporate governance reporting templates and assessment methods for all its issuers. This initiative aims to ensure ongoing relevance in the financial landscape and enhance accuracy to align with global standards.

Details contained in the regulator’s latest report indicate that this exercise will promote transparency, accountability, and investor confidence in the capital markets sector. This came when the bourse recorded an overall improvement in corporate governance practices in the 2022/2023 financial year.

According to the CMA, during the review period, the annual weighted overall score by all issuers experienced …

• The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) Share Value dropped from from US$60.3 million in September 2022 to US$33.3 million in September 2023.
• The NSE 20 Share Index also declined from 1,718 points in September 2022 to 1,508 points recorded in September 2023.
• Nairobi bourse hit by turbulence as investor sell off persisted in favour of other lucrative markets in the nine months to September 2023.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange took a hit in the past year losing US$26.9 million (KSh4.2 billion) in the value of shares traded to reach US$33.33 million (KSh5.2 billion).

Latest data contained in the Quarterly Gross Domestic Product Report released by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that despite the drop, the number of shares traded recorded a rise.

The review period saw the Nairobi bourse hit by turbulence as investor sell off persisted in favour of other lucrative markets, this saw NSE ranked the worst …

• One of the convenient instruments for shielding investment portfolios from market uncertainties is South African gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
• South African Gold ETFs represent a distinctive investment vehicle designed to provide investors with exposure to the gold market without the complexities of owning physical gold.
• These ETFs are created to mirror the movements in the price of gold, typically denominated in the South African rand.

Embarking on the realm of gold investment often stands as a pivotal shield for portfolios during periods of financial fluctuations and market uncertainties. One of the convenient instruments for such a purpose is South African gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

In this article, we delve into the prospects of investing in gold in South Africa, discussing potential benefits, risks, and the necessary steps to initiate engagement in this exciting market segment.

Understanding South African Gold ETFs

South African Gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) represent a distinctive …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has committed an additional $938 million to Kenya as part of a strategy to stabilise the country’s economy.…