Recently, Kenya joined the world in celebrating Girls in ICT Day, a day dedicated to inspiring and empowering young women to embrace technology as a tool for inclusive digital transformation. Through a webinar last month, organised by the Digital Platforms Kenya (DigiKen) programme—funded by the Joint SDG Fund and led by UN Women in collaboration with Pwani Technogalz and the Northern Innovation and Empowerment Hub (NieHub)—there was a rallying cry to dismantle barriers and create opportunities for girls and women in this digital era. Despite progress in education and technology, the gender gap in STEM fields remains stark. Globally, women…
Author: Antony Mutunga
Antony Mutunga
Antony Mutunga holds a Bachelors degree in Commerce, Finance from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He previously worked for Altic Investment & Consultancy before he joined NBM team in 2015. His interest in writing ranges from business, economics and technology. He is also our lead researcher in matters business.
The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) is expected to continue leading the pack in the Sub-Saharan African region in terms of projected growth. According to the latest economic survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), WAEMU’s real GDP is projected to grow at 6.6 per cent, as East Africa’s EAC-5 follows close behind with a projected growth of 5.9 per cent. Both regions are also expected to see an increase compared to their growths in 2024, whereby WAEMU saw its real GDP grow by 6.2 per cent while EAC-5, which is comprised of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania,…
The Scottish government is actively encouraging its businesses to explore the vast opportunities presented by African markets, recognising the continent’s potential as a hub for growth and innovation. Through an upcoming initiative organized by the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) in partnership with Scottish Development International (SDI), the government is providing Scottish companies with the tools and knowledge needed to expand into Africa. The online event dubbed SABA Briefing: Unlocking Global Opportunities with SDI is scheduled for 29th May 2025 and aims to demystify market entry, showcase success stories, and facilitate connections between Scottish firms and African partners. This briefing…
Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader with African roots, has taken a bold step toward advancing artificial intelligence (AI) innovation across the continent by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Zindi, Africa’s largest professional network for data scientists. This strategic partnership aims to leverage Cassava’s cutting-edge GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) infrastructure and Zindi’s dynamic data science platform to accelerate the development of AI solutions tailored to Africa’s unique challenges. Together, the two organizations will collaborate on initiatives that empower local developers, startups, and enterprises to harness AI for meaningful impact. According to Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies,…
In Nairobi, the skyline tells only part of the story. Behind the cranes and glass towers lies a regional transformation, as East Africa’s real estate sector emerges as a bright spot in the global investment landscape. As Nairobi’s Pullman Upperhill Hotel hosted the 12th East Africa Property Investment (EAPI) Summit, the mood reflected the sector’s surprising resilience and ambitious future. Against a backdrop of cooling interest rates and surging capital inflows, the sector has continued to rely on technology, urbanization, and shifting lifestyles to rewrite the region’s property playbook. From Nairobi’s logistics hubs to Dar es Salaam’s affordable housing projects,…
Urban forests and green spaces are emerging as vital tools in the fight against climate change and inequality in African cities, according to the Johannesburg Declaration 2025. The declaration, issued at the close of the 2nd African Forum on Urban Forests (AFUF), highlights the transformative potential of well-planned green spaces in building resilience, promoting health, and fostering inclusive communities across the continent. Africa’s rapid urbanization, coupled with the expansion of informal settlements, climate change impacts, and environmental degradation, presents urgent challenges. The declaration, which was issued in March 2025 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)…
Berkshire Hathaway, one of the largest corporations in the United States, has announced the appointment of Greg Abel, Berkshire Vice Chairman of non-insurance operations, as the new President and CEO, effective 1st January 2026. He will be taking over from Warren Buffet, 94, who remains in his post as Chairman of the board. The appointment, which followed a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors, represents the most significant leadership change in the company since Buffett himself took the helm in 1965. The promotion solidifies Abel’s position as the operational architect behind Berkshire’s sprawling non-insurance businesses, which include critical infrastructure…
Kenya’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape is set for a major transformation as the country’s sole electricity distributor, Kenya Power, prepares to roll out 45 new charging stations across a number of strategic counties. The ambitious infrastructure project, targeting Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, and Taita-Taveta, is set to address one of the critical barriers to EV adoption in the country: the lack of EV charging infrastructure. With most EV charging stations located in urban areas, EV adoption has been quite slow and only evident in cities such as Nairobi. Due to poor infrastructure, most areas in the country are…
After having its monopoly on token meters challenged last year, Kenya Power has increased the cost of meter replacement and postpaid-to-prepayment meter retrofitting, attributing the rise to operational expenses. The new rates, which have already taken effect, are more than quadruple the previous rates and are set to negatively impact customers seeking these services. According to Eng. Rosemary Oduor, General Manager of Commercial Services & Sales, the cost of a single-phase meter will now retail at Sh15,000, increasing from Sh3,300, while three-phase meters now cost Sh25,000, up from Sh12,000. On the other hand, retrofitting postpaid meters to prepaid systems has…
Nairobi has become the new home for the World Bank’s freshly appointed Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, Ndiamé Diop. He takes the baton from retiring Vice President Victoria Kwakwa, at a time that the institution is looking to deepen its commitment to localized leadership and client-focused service delivery. Mr Diop steps into the new role at a critical juncture for the region, which is grappling with both immense challenges and transformative opportunities. His relocation to Kenya’s capital symbolizes a strategic shift toward proximity-based governance, ensuring the Bank’s operations remain tightly aligned with the realities of the communities it…