Author: CEO AFRICA

Embrace modern technology for rainwater harvesting

CEO AFRICA

By Simon Thomas, Megapipes Solutions Country Director The ongoing short rains have given us a reprieve from months of drought, one of the worst in over 40 years, but freedom is not yet here. The time is ripe for putting words into action on mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. One way we can do this is by beginning to harvest rainwater, especially in our urban areas. The timing could not be better because at present, millions of litres of water will be wasted in the form of surface…

Private sector innovation for the public good: why NGOs should embrace the digitisation of payments and collections

CEO AFRICA

By  Annalisa Plachesi, UK & EU GDO Relationship Manager, MFS Africa    Digital payments have fundamentally transformed lives across Africa by providing access to financial infrastructure and enabling innovation. More jobs have been created, leading to higher incomes that help sustain economies and millions of households.   For the most part, however, that innovation has resulted from private-sector initiatives. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Non-governmental organisations across the continent should also embrace the digitisation of payments. In doing so, they can deliver funds directly to a broader…

Huawei steps up solar specialists training

CEO AFRICA

Huawei is ramping up the process of growing the Kenyan pool of trained solar engineers and technical specialists amid an upward tick in energy prices and demand for solar powered electricity connections. The firm has announced a new program known as Thousand Digital Power Talents to add 1,000 professionals to the growing national pool of solar specialists. This move, said the company’s President of Southern Africa Digital Power Business Mr. Xia Hesheng, is designed to bridge the gap in trained and certified professionals that has been dogging the renewables energy sector. Huawei…

Bank of Kigali quarter three Profit up 18.4% to KES5 billion

CEO AFRICA

The Bank of Kigali (BK) Group has announced an 18.4 percent increase in net profit to KES5 billion for the period ended September 30 2022. The strong profit growth for the Nairobi Securities Exchange and Rwanda Stock Exchange listed lender was driven by an increase in interest earnings, transactions income and a significant drop in loan loss provisions. Total interest income grew 9.9 percent to KES16.5 billion, helped by a 4.4% expansion in net loans and advances to KES119.6 billion. “We are happy to see improvement in asset quality despite…

SBM Bank Posts 30% Growth in Net Loans and Advances

CEO AFRICA

SBM Bank Kenya Limited’s net loans and advances increased year on year by 30% from KShs. 27.9 Billion in Q3’2021 to KShs. 36.3 Billion in Q3’2022 supported by increased lending to its customers. The Bank reported a Total Asset position of Kshs. 82.3 Billion as of 30 September 2022, a 1.7% increase compared to the KShs. 80.9 Billion reported in a similar period last year. The customer deposit balances increased by 2.2% from KShs. 54.3 Billion in Q3’2021 to KShs. 55.5 Billion in Q3’2022 supported by growth in the customer base…

StarTimes upgrades bouquets ahead of festive season

CEO AFRICA

Pay Television Company StarTimes Media is set to enrich subscriber’s viewing experience following the introduction of a bouquet upgrade campaign that will see subscribers on both terrestrial and satellite platforms enjoy automatic access to higher bouquets at the cost of lower bouquets for the first 15 days upon renewal of their monthly bouquets of choice. StarTimes will offer more premium channels for every subscription renewed where subscribers on terrestrial platform’s Nyota bouquet will for the initial 15 days access content reserved for Basic bouquet while subscribers on Basic will access…

Safaricom, Huawei lead African operators in drive for universal internet by 2035

CEO AFRICA

African telecommunication service providers have set a new target to deepen internet connectivity by at least 35 percent by the year 2035. The pledge, signed by several operators including Kenya’s Safaricom, South Africa Telkom, Tunisia Telecom, Huawei technologies and the Africa Telecommunications Union, took place during the Fourth Broadband Africa Forum. Executives from the African Union (AU), Africa Telecom Union (ATU), major operators, major vendors, and consultants agreed that fiber optic cabling will maintain its lead as the preferred technology to drive connectivity. John Omo, General Secretary of the ATU,…

57th AERC Biannual Workshop chart a path to a more resilient recovery

CEO AFRICA

African economies have been urged to include food security, climate change mitigation and adaption framework in the economic agenda. This was said during the African Economies Research Conference (AERC) 57th Biannual Research Workshop.   Speaking at the event, Cabinet Secretary of the National Treasury and Economics Planning in Kenya, Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, reiterated the need for governments across the continent to focus on protecting private investments, recovering the health in infrastructure, education and nutrition as part of recovery from the multiple shocks that.   “We can accelerate African economic recovery…

Kenyans To Save Upto KES 231,000 On LG Products as End-Year Festive Season Offers Kick-Off

CEO AFRICA

Kenyans can save upto KES 231,000 across select LG electronics appliances and electronics from today until the end of 2022. This follows an announcement by LG Electronics on product discounts ranging from between 10 per cent to 25 per cent across select products aimed at giving consumers the best customer experience and enabling them to live the better life they deserve. Besides, the move seeks to offer consumers an opportunity to access appliances and electronics that will ensure they get the best experience of the ongoing Black Friday celebrations, World…

EAST AFRICA’S Top Firms To Be Honoured In Kampala In A Key International Leadership Awards

CEO AFRICA

Leading firms in East Africa are set to be honored in a major international SMEs and Mid-sized firms international award dubbed Pacesetters Awards which comes after the feting of notable firms in East Africa. This year’s regional awards ceremony shall be held at Serena Hotel Kampala Uganda.  It will bring together firms from 10 countries in the Eastern African region including top SMEs and mid-sized top institutions from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania among other Eastern African countries.  Pacesetters Award (PSA) is an annual Industry leadership Recognition program organized by Jubilant…