The approval of the use of thin-SIM technology by both the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the Central Bank of Kenya will change the booming mobile banking in Kenya forever. At early stages, the mobile phone market leader Safaricom blocked the use of the technology by Equity Bank and the battle ended up with the Parliamentary Committee on Communication and Energy over its security and use. Now the regulators have given operators the greenlight after it became clear that nowhere has it been reported that thin SIM intercepted traffic of the primary SIM card. Yet controversy over this…
Author: Editor
AFTER ESTABLISHING A strong market position in Europe in just three years, Wiko has launched its portfolio of 10 phones in Kenya. Kenyan consumers are among the first in Africa to enjoy the “French touch” experience that has become a phenomenal success story across Europe. Whether a technology savvy user, a regular user or a beginner, Wiko has a phone for everyone. “Wiko is confident that the combination of stylish design, technology, quality and pricing will be a huge success here,” said Marcel Van de Pas, International Business Director, Wiko Global, speaking at the launch. Its flagship model is…
FAMILY BANK has embarked on an expansion drive, riding on emerging business opportunities in counties. It plans to open at least 10 new branches before the end of the year, adding to its network of 78 branches across the country. According to the bank’s Managing Director & CEO Peter Munyiri, the devolution path and emerging opportunities remain a key driver to the bank’s growth strategy. He says the expansion is in line with the county banking roadmap aimed at optimising the devolved governance structure. The bank, which started as a building society in 1984 and converted into a…
EMERDIS, A UK technology distribution company, announced plans to venture into the Kenyan market by introducing IT security, connectivity and data storage solutions. The company will be targeting the rapidly increasing number of small- and medium-sized businesses. Emerdis Director Mark Neville said: “As small- and medium-sized businesses in Kenya, like the rest of Africa, continue to grow, they are creating a demand for enterprise-level capacity and performance in their IT Infrastructure but find the cost of traditional enterprise providers prohibitive and impractical for their IT budgets”. Kenya is the IT hub of East Africa and the fastest growing in terms of technology adoption and will act…
Academy for African Filmmakers has been launched in partnership with MOFILM Unilever has launched a new initiative to train and empower Kenyan filmmakers. Under the Academy for African Filmmakers (AAF), the consumer goods manufacturer is seeking to develop filmmaking expertise among participants who will work on live Unilever briefs and stand a chance of getting funding. Unilever has partnered with MOFILM, a global community of filmmakers that aims to inspire filmmakers and help them further their careers, to offer an intensive three-day course which will run in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa in December 2014.…
Kenya’s life insurance industry poised for growth as new entrant pledges to invest Sh1.5 billion to consolidate business Prudential Plc, Britain’s biggest insurer by market value, has shaken Kenya’s insurance market with the takeover of Shield Assurance Company Ltd. Prudential Africa immediately announced that it will invest Sh1.5 billion in the next one year to expand market share, signalling a bruising battle ahead for mainstream rivals. With the changes, at least 500 customers of Shield Assurance have a reason to smile as Prudential has set aside Sh200 million to pay pending benefits. The buyer will honour…
The regional fight against counterfeit drugs got a major boost after USAID Kenya Pharma donated testing equipment and a management system worth Sh36 million. Following the delivery of two Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography machines, the testing capacity of Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), the Catholic church-funded drugs supplier, has now doubled to 120 samples every month. Additionally, the Laboratory Information Management system that was part of the system will enable the supplier, which also has a World Health Organisation certified laboratory to generate information on the prevalence of counterfeit and substandard drugs in the region.…
East Africa Data Centre says demand for more storage space is growing The East Africa Data Centre has announced a Sh1bn expansion plan to meet rack space demand that has forced it to ration allocation to customers. The Westlands-based electronics data centre with operations in East and Central Africa, will now be extended to four floors, totalling 2000 square metres. According to the EADC General Manager Dan Kwach, the expansion has been necessitated by the demand for more storage space from corporates. “We had to ration the rack space when we were selling the…
As more Kenyans spend a significant part of their lives in tall public buildings, the new landmarks are raising a collection of concentrated and heightened security risks. Commercial buildings have high human traffic and a lot of valuable property housed in an environment where movement is restricted by elevators and stairways, according to Mr Tony Sugden, the CEO of Warrior Security, a specialist in integrated risk solutions, including for oil and gas producers and for the United Nations in South Sudan. For these reasons, US companies typically spend over $1 million (Sh85 million) a year on…
Tosha Petroleum will invest the funds over the next three years A KENYAN PETROLEUM DEALER is seeking to tighten its grip on the energy sector and is banking a Sh1 billion investment across East Africa to increase its market share. Tosha Petroleum, which unveiled a new identity, will invest the funds over the next three years in rolling out 30 flagship service stations across Eastern Africa and introduction of branded energy products. Tosha Petroleum Managing Director Abdisirat Khalif said the rebrand was symbolic of the renewed focus in further deepening the company’s activities across the region. “As we celebrate…