Browsing: Kenya

Kenya and Somalia have agreed to normalise bilateral relations starting with the restoration of the issuance of travel visas on arrival arrangement for citizens of the two nations.

The restoration of the visa on arrival arrangement is aimed at enhancing free and unhindered movement of people and commerce between Kenya and Somalia.

READ ALSO:Is oil wealth pitting Kenya against Somalia?

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed of the Federal Republic of Somalia on the sidelines of the just concluded Nairobi ICPD25 summit.

During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the invaluable relations that exist between Kenya and Somalia and agreed to explore avenues of strengthening bilateral and diplomatic ties between Nairobi and Mogadishu for the benefit of the citizens of the two nations.

President Mohamed conveyed his gratitude to President Kenyatta for the role Kenya continues to play in the …

The Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA), the bilateral organisations housed by Africa Development Bank and drawing membership from the G8 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK and the US) has released a new report that shows a significant increase in financial commitments for infrastructural development in Africa.

Among the key findings of the report was an increase in financing commitments across all sectors, with a notable increase in the energy sector, which attracted financing commitments worth $43.8 billion, an all-time high and a 67% increase on the 2015-2017 average. The ICT sector also saw record commitments in 2018 of $7.1 billion, mostly from the private sector.

 the ICA’s Infrastructure Financing Trends in Africa 2018 report shows that financing of infrastructure in Africa reached a new high of $100.8 billion in 2018, a jump of about a quarter on 2017 and 38% up on the 2015-2017 average.

Mike …

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has launched a new initiative to boost gender equality and female economic empowerment. The aim of SheInvest is to mobilise EUR 1 billion of investment that can benefit millions of women across Africa with better access to finance and by making sustainable infrastructure services and products work for them.

This initiative was launched simultaneously at the Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg and at the EIB headquarters in Luxembourg.

Building on experience in northern and sub-Saharan African countries as well as in gender-focused lending, the EIB will step up efforts to further invest in projects, sectors and markets that have a transformative effect on gender equality and can increase the capacity of women and girls to participate in the economy and labour market.

“Unlocking the potential of women is key to boosting Africa’s economic growth. In several African countries many women still lack access to basic …

Distributed Power Africa (DPA), a subsidiary of the Econet Group of companies, and Econet is a Pan African Technology, and Telecommunications group, operating in more than 20 African countries, is installing a 1MW solar system for Africa Data Centres’ facility in Nairobi, Kenya.

 According to DPA, this is the third installation it is deploying this year for Africa Data Centre, with the first phase having been completed in May and currently working on phase 2. Africa Data Centre is the continent’s first and largest network of interconnected, carrier and cloud neutral data centre facilities, rapidly expanding across the region. While serving Africa’s largest domestic and international customers, Africa Data Centre has become a leader in deploying sustainable technologies across its facilities in Africa.  

Africa Data Centre’s Nairobi is also the first carrier-neutral facility in the East Africa region, and its largest and most connected operation, with a total of 2000 …

Global Chinese technology company-Vivo has stamped its mark in the Kenyan market by setting its regional offices in Nairobi.

The firm has also unveiled the new V17 pro Smartphone in the Kenyan market.

According to the firm, the new V17 pro houses a total of 6 cameras on the front and back that allow users to redefine their selfies with the industry’s first 32mp dual pop-up front camera, a powerful upgrade to Vivo’s iconic elevating front camera.

V17 pro also houses cutting-edge features such as the super AMOLED ultra FullView display, professional-grade 48mp AI quad camera, plus stunning makeover features created to compliment the lifestyle of today’s young and stylish consumers.

Speaking during the event that was attended by senior government and private sector players in the telecommunications sector, Vivo Kenya CEO Arthur Xian said: “The creation of V17 pro once again showcases our strong consumer-centric innovation approach. The new …

Kenya is urging Polish investors to take advantage of a government push to provide basic and affordable healthcare for the country by investing in various aspects of the healthcare system. This was part of the discussions going on at the 2nd Kenya–Poland Health Summit held under the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) office in Nairobi together with the Polish African Business Association (PAfBA).

The Managing Director of Kenya Investment Agency (KenInvest) Dr. Moses Ikiara noted that Kenya was providing an ideal environment for investment in the health sector with the GDP of the health sector growing at an annual rate of 11% higher than the national growth.

He also noted that Kenya had key parameters that would make it ideal for health techs to thrive. “Kenya ranks only second to Ivory Coast in ease of doing business, we have the highest internet penetration in Africa as well …

East African based WeFarm the digital network for global small-scale agriculture, have announced it has raised $13 million in a Series A financing round led by Silicon Valley venture capital firm True Ventures.

This financing round will help Wefarm further scale its network of 1.9 million farmers, and its newly created Marketplace, to connect farmers in Africa, even those without internet access, to the information, products and services they need to be more successful. Investing alongside True Ventures are AgFunder and June Fund, among others. The company received significant follow-on investments from LocalGlobe, ADV and Norrsken Foundation.

Founded in 2015, Wefarm is on a mission to create a global eco-system for small-scale agriculture. With more than 1 billion people directly involved in small-scale farming, it is the biggest industry in the world. Wefarm is building the network of trust for those farmers.

Wefarm Marketplace allows farmers to easily access quality …

The US government in Kenya is working to counter the growing influence of China locally and regionally by developing grassroots-based initiatives that will spur US business investments and address slow growth rates in rural areas.

The initiative is in line with a bigger agenda by the US government to instill dominance in key global locations mainly in Asia, Africa and Latin America where China has made significant inroads in socio-political and economic development.

The US ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter announced that his government through Prosper initiative that was announced by US President Donald Trump last year will work with 8 pilot counties dubbed ‘Prosper Counties’ to spur growth. These counties selected on the basis of high economic potential, effective governance practices, and a commitment in creating an enabling environment for business growth.

“We’re going to put forth projects that have meaning to Kenyans. Our shared goal is to pave …

Ethiopia will soon start importing cheaper refined oil from South Sudan to cover the more expensive product from the Middle East.

Ethiopia’s State Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Koang Tutlam announced on Wednesday that the move will save Addis Ababa 15 per cent to 20 per cent on the $3.4 billion it spends importing an estimate of four million tonnes of refined products.

While speaking to the media attending South Sudan Oil and Gas Conference in Juba, Mr Tutlam said, “We import almost all of our oil and other refined products from the Middle East, but owing to the proximity of about 200km between the oilfields of Pagak and Adar and the Ethiopian border, we stand to save so much.”

Mr Tutlam further added that Ethiopia exports hydroelectric power to South Sudan and will soon export about 400MW to Kenya.

The oil and gas conference was organised by South Sudan’s …

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has agreed to invest in Kenya’s Big Four projects, a boost to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ambitious plan.

Investment by the fund will go a long way in helping realization of the Big 4 which incorporates revamping manufacturing sector, providing affordable housing, universal health care and food security for Kenyans.

READ ALSO:World Bank affirms support for Kenya’s Big 4 

The SFD has undertaken to rally similar organisations in the Middle East to invest in Kenya’s economy.

The announcement was made in a meeting between Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani and the Vice President and Managing Director of SFD, Dr Khalid Bin Sulaiman Alkhudairy.

Mr Alkhudairy said the Saudi Fund was keen in investing in Kenya’s affordable housing projects besides power, roads and education where it has already invested.

READ ALSO:Dubai owned bank expands network in Kenya

Alkhudairy said he appreciates that Kenya has …