Browsing: Safaricom Plc

• Safaricom has requested telco industry watchdog, the Communications Authority (CA) to block satellite internet providers, such as Elon Musk’s Starlink, from operating independently within Kenya.
• Kenya’s largest telco argues that allowing satellite providers to operate independently could lead to challenges in enforcing compliance with local laws.
• Safaricom insists satellite ISPs should only be allowed to operate under the license rights of a local company.

A fierce battle is looming in Kenya’s internet service provider (ISP) industry, with Safaricom PLC, the region’s largest telecommunications operator, requesting the Communications Authority (CA) to block satellite internet providers, such as Elon Musk’s Starlink, from operating independently within the country.

This development sets the stage for what could turn out to be a fierce contest over the control of Kenya’s lucrative internet market, as telco heavyweights Safaricom and Starlink vie for dominance in a rapidly digitizing economy.

Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and …

• From January to March, investor confidence improved notably due to the stabilisation of the domestic currency (Kenyan Shilling), according to the Capital Markets Authority (CMA).
• The Capital Markets Soundness Report indicates a more stable shilling, which consequently positively influenced the equity markets, which improved compared to the quarter ending December 2023.
• The four market indices, NSE20, NSE25, NASI, and NSE10, closed at 1752.43, 2975.42, 113.09, and 1155.41 points respectively, an increase from 1,501.16, 2,380.23, 92.11, and 907.51 points.

Kenyan shilling on the rise

Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) was among the top African performers in the first quarter of 2024, buoyed by improved investor confidence that reduced outflows.

From January to March, investor confidence improved notably due to the stabilisation of the domestic currency (Kenyan Shilling), according to the Capital Markets Authority (CMA).

The Capital Markets Soundness Report for the period under review indicates a more stable shilling, which consequently positively …

• Safaricom recognized for its outstanding people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, diversity and inclusion, and employee well-being.
• The telco first received the Top Employer certification in 2022 and has retained it for three consecutive years.
• The certification comes just a few months after the company was ranked the third-best employer in Africa by an American business magazine, Forbes.

Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, Safaricom PLC, has, for the third consecutive year, received recognition as a top employer in both the country and across Africa.

The most recent certification for the year 2024, awarded by the Top Employers Institute (TEI), underscores the Nairobi Securities Exchange listed company’s HR policies and people practices.

The TEI program certifies organizations based on their participation and results in a comprehensive HR best practices survey covering 20 topics across six HR domains. These domains include people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, diversity and inclusion, and …

• Market insights firm Stears says Kenya might not be attracting sufficient fintech investments due to the near-monopoly of tech giant Safaricom PLC.
• On average, Kenya accounted for 8 percent of fintech investments made on the continent between 2019 and 2023. At the same time, Nigeria got 39 percent, Egypt’s 16 percent, and South Africa’s 20 percent.
• Historically, Nigeria has led fintech funding on the continent, enjoying special attention from investors.

Kenya has not been prioritized by fintech investors as much in the last five years compared to other key African markets such as Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa.

These revelations are highlighted in a report by Stears, a market research company headquartered in Nigeria that specializes in African investments.

According to the report, Kenya, on average, represented only eight percent of fintech investments in the continent between 2019 and 2023. In contrast, Nigeria accounted for 39 per cent, Egypt …

• The first index which comes into effect immediately is the NSE 10 Index. This will monitor the performance of Safaricom, and lenders Co-op, Equity and KCB.
• It will also monitor KenGen, EABL, Kenya Re, Absa, Centum and NCBA Group stocks, which complete top ten listed firms. 
• The bourse has also unveiled the NSE-BI which is set to launch on October 1. The new index will focus on the bond market.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) will track the performance of its top ten listed firms and monitor the bond market using two new market indices. The first index, which comes into effect immediately, is the NSE 10 Index. This will monitor the performance of the equities of telco Safaricom, and lenders Co-op Bank, Equity and KCB.

It will also monitor the equities of KenGen, EABL, Kenya Re, Absa, Centum and NCBA Group which complete the set of top …