United Bank for Africa (UBA) has rolled out two Mastercard electronic payment solutions in order to deliver cashless solutions to Kenyans. The UBA Debit Mastercard and UBA Mastercard Platinum cards will help improve financial inclusion in the country with focus on innovation, financial literacy and customer protection. The Platinum card will offer UBA customers with several benefits including legacy lifestyle gold tier membership, shopping and shipping discounts, Mastercard discounts among others. In line with its strategic vision, UBA is introducing innovative payment solutions that aim at meeting the needs of people across Africa. The Debit Mastercard gives the cardholder full…
Author: NBM CORRESPONDENT
SAP Skills for Africa has launched its first-ever East African programme at an event held in Nairobi. Skills for Africa is a skills development initiative between SAP Africa, its customers, and various public and private sector partners. It focuses on training and certifying graduates in a broad spectrum of SAP software and business solutions and applications, and securing opportunities for placement at regional SAP partner and customer organizations. According to Meena Confait, Head of Skills for Africa at SAP Africa, this year features the first expanded East African programme with the participation of partners and customers from Kenya as well…
By Isaac Swila Despite the tough economic times the country has experienced in the past year, the Central Bank of Kenya, in its prognosis, is upbeat that the inflation rate will steadily fall in coming months. CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge said last month that inflation is likely to reduce within the “preferred range” as food prices “keep falling”. “We expect in the next two months inflation will continue to come down but within this quarter it will breach the 7.5% mark,” Njoroge told journalists at a press briefing, adding, “…We are on solid ground that this (inflation) will be coming…
The award- winning non-profit organization, Mowgli Mentoring, has finally established its presence in sub-Saharan Africa after predominantly working in the Middle East and North Africa. The organization focusses on economic and social change by empowering entrepreneurs, especially women and youth, through their accredited mentoring methodology. Mowgli’s will look to expand further into the SSA region starting from Kenya, which will host the organization’s regional headquarters. “Our entry into Sub Saharan Africa and particularly Kenya, which has a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, is ultimately to support the people driving economic and social change,” said Kathleen Bury, CEO of Mowgli Mentoring It is…
The Anti-Counterfeit Agency is planning to go big on consumer education and installation of punitive penalties on infringement of intellectual property laws as it destroys fake goods worth Ksh. 24 million. The state agency tasked to fight trade in counterfeits has today announced it will soon begin interrogations on how best to address the changing face of counterfeiting in the market. ACA Executive Director, Elema Halake said the agency’s biggest concern when it comes to fighting this form of illicit trade should go beyond the protection of industries and manufacturers – to the protection of human life and safety. “We…
The award- winning Africa Plantation Capital – one of the APC Group’s associated companies – has now expanded its operations in Kenya with the acquisition of one more large piece of land for the creation of Phase 2 of its high value bamboo plantation operations. From inception, it has been the Group’s policy to invest in research and development, and examine the latest technologies in order to create new products and markets. In line with this policy, Africa Plantation Capital, together with KEFRI, is now ready to start a pilot programme to study the possibility of growing agarwood in the…
Every five years, we go to the polls to decide whom we think should lead our country. In the past, elections have been bad for the country, as they have led to economic slowdowns that have stayed for months afterwards. For example, in 2007-2008, the post-election violence saw the Kenya’s economic growth come to a crawl. Often times, elections create uncertainty in the market, which is never a good condition for the economy. Markets hate nothing more than uncertainty as it causes investors to adopt a stance of “wait and see”. Not knowing what the elections will bring, investors tend…
BY TERRY MWANGI If the thought of vintage clothes gives you visions of a seated grandma knitting, you need to loosen up a little. Vintage is beautiful and timeless. It comes with a hint of permanence, class, and another wearer. Here are the reasons why you should invest your hard earned cash on vintage. Unmatched Quality There is no comparison between today’s fashion and vintage. Vintage clothes were created with heightened attention, which included more handwork, better fabrics and maximum focus on detail, including generous hems and exquisitely crafted buttons. Uniqueness They don’t make things like they used to! Vintage…
BY TOM ODHIAMBO Every now and then I meet someone trying to sell me retirement insurance. I often feign ignorance about the supposed need to ‘secure’ my future. The young man or woman – the salesmen are generally young – would advise me about the vagaries of life, warning me, “You don’t know what could happen to you when you retire; you may fall sick; you may have no one to rely on for upkeep; you may end up poor, etc.” Of course I know something about saving today for tomorrow. I studied economics at high school and university. And…
BY NBM WRITER A globally acclaimed investment economist is optimistic that Kenya’s economy will rebound soon after the elections. Sanlam Group Investment economist, Mr Arthur Kamp, in an analytical presentation noted that the Kenyan and regional economies are exhibiting resilience ahead of the general elections with clear signs of a swift take-off post August. “Assuming certain conditions, this should hopefully be a good time to make your capital markets and related structured investments as the market is seemingly on an artificial lull, ahead of the General Election,” Kamp said. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey 2017, Kenya’s Gross…