African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) has launched a Gender in Agrifood Systems Policies (GASP) Program to help promote gender-responsive policies while fostering equitable and resilient agrifood systems across Africa. The program comes as a relief especially to many mid-career African women professionals who generally contribute significantly to agriculture employment across Africa, yet they often face barriers such as limited access to land, credit, training, and markets. Addressing these challenges through gender-responsive policies is essential to boosting productivity, enhancing food security, and supporting sustainable economic growth. Over the course of the program, participants from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya,…
Author: Victor Adar
Victor Adar is a seasoned journalist with a Diploma in Mass Communication (Print) from the Technical University of Mombasa. He has previously worked with Reuters, Go Places travel magazine, and Aden Associates International. Since joining NBM in 2012, he has become a key member of the editorial team, covering enterprise, corporate affairs, HR, and technology.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) announced on Monday, June 30, that a technical glitch in their system led to taxpayers being granted an additional five days to file annual returns—the first such extension since the week-long extension under former KRA chief John Njiraini in 2012. While the deadline extension is a welcome move, it is likely that many taxpayers will still fail to file returns by the new deadline of July 5, whether knowingly or unknowingly. It remains to be seen how this will play out. Though the extension took effect four days ago, Kenyans continue to express frustration on…
In an era marked by massive fraud cases and inflated costs in procurement deals that drain public resources, all government deals are better done digitally. It is on the back of this that beginning this July, procurement will be done on a digital platform to ensure transparency and above-board processes, President William Ruto says. Speaking at the end of the Third National Executive Cabinet Retreat at the KCB Leadership Centre in Kajiado County last week (on Friday 20 June), President William Ruto warned that any public official responsible for loss of public funds would be held personally accountable. “We should…
As the surge in travel activity continues into 2025, visa applications submitted for various countries have reached record-high volumes. According to a joint report by VFS Global and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Africa’s travel and tourism industry could contribute up to $168 billion to the continent’s economy and generate at least 18 million new jobs. However, the report notes that such growth depends on supportive policies, including improved air infrastructure, streamlined visa services, and enhanced tourism marketing. With demand for visa appointment slots rising, scammers are taking advantage by posing as employees, intermediaries, or agents of legitimate…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast emerging as a transformative force in Kenyan healthcare, particularly in simplifying clinical decisions and improving the overall quality of medical care. In many rural and peri-urban clinics, junior doctors are often forced to make complex medical decisions without access to senior mentorship or specialist support. This frequently leads to delayed diagnoses, suboptimal treatment, and inconsistent adherence to clinical guidelines. The good news is that AI is increasingly being used to assist in diagnosing illnesses by examining patient data, medical imaging, and other inputs to detect patterns and anomalies that may indicate specific conditions. With the…
CFAO Mobility Kenya has signed a partnership with Sharia-compliant Almasi Financial Services Limited to boost the transport and logistics sector by offering entrepreneurs affordable access to heavy commercial trucks. The financing package covers a range of robust vehicle models, including Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Buses, Hino, and Sinotruk. Under the deal, customers can access up to 90 per cent financing, repayable over 60 months at competitive rates. “Through this arrangement, our customers will not only enjoy a convenient payment plan but also a simplified, accessible path to acquiring critical business assets, with a Sharia-compliant financing partner. This is an empowering offer…
As Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi read the Sh4.24 trillion budget speech to a barely full National Assembly on the afternoon of 12 June, most Kenyans and various stakeholders were certain the government would not introduce new taxes, as has often been the case. Mr Mbadi, the second CS to head the Treasury during a period marked by rampant wastage, corruption, pilferage, and ballooning public debt, also addressed concerns around over-taxation, the rising cost of living, economic stabilisation, and the need to support struggling businesses. According to a recent analysis by audit, advisory and tax firm PwC, Mr Mbadi’s budget…
A proposed 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on solar equipment under Kenya’s 2025 Finance Bill could increase the cost of a typical off-grid solar home system by Sh2,000, according to GOGLA, the global association for the off-grid solar industry. GOGLA warns that the tax could shrink Kenya’s off-grid solar market by 20 per cent within a year and reverse gains made in expanding electricity access, especially in underserved areas. The organisation also cautions that over 10,000 jobs are at risk if the VAT is implemented. Patrick Tonui, GOGLA’s Head of Policy, noted that a similar move in 2020–2021…
The constituent companies of Reportage Properties LLC, Reportage Properties Limited and Shree Satya Sankalp (SSS) Developers Limited, have unveiled a luxurious affordable housing project dubbed “DG JKIA” designed to set new bench-mark in the real estate investments space. Reportage Properties, a division of SSS Developers on Saturday, June 7, broke ground at the DG-JKIA site, a first of its kind luxury hotel apartments investment where customers will own property operated and serviced inside a hotel in close proximity to the international airport. Present were SSS Developers CEO Mr Jay VALA, Chairman of the consortium Mr Elly Owuor, Cabinet Secretary ICT…
Family Bank has relocated its Ngara branch to the ground floor of Blue Hut Hotel on Park Road, Ngara, in a bid to enhance support for the business community through a more convenient, accessible, and secure location. The branch relocation reflects the lender’s ongoing commitment to supporting SMEs by optimising its branch network to better serve its customers. The new location is designed to meet the needs of small businesses, market traders, and individuals—offering modern, accessible, and customer-focused banking facilities. “Ngara’s growing commercial importance, led by small traders and wholesalers serving the CBD and greater Starehe sub-county, presents a promising…