Kenyan Wallstreet

In this episode of The Startup Show, Briter Bridges Founder Dario Giuliani takes us through their growth from one innovation map on a Friday evening in 2018 to a full-scale business intelligence startup covering emerging markets and specifically Africa. Dario further breaks down the themes from their recent reports titled The State of Fintech in Emerging Markets and The State of Technology and Inv...

Last week, the NSE experienced a flat activity on the NASI, with other market indices declining. The NSE 20 was down 4.38 points, closing the week at 1858.87 basis points, while the NSE 25 was down by 0.18 points to close the week at 3586.44 points following a decline in some companies trading flat like Bamburi Cement and Unga Group. Highlights News of Unga group internal restructuring dropped its...

In this episode, the Hisa Team discusses what the Lamu port launch means for trade and how the project faces questions tied to the precarious pipeline and the dead-end that is the coal plant. We then delve into matters Safaricom, its dominant stake in the consortium, Vodacom's weighing to sell part stake in M-Pesa and high transaction charges. Finally, were close the episode with a conversation on...

In this episode, Group Executive Director at Equity Group Holdings PLC and Angaza Awards Finalist Mary Wangari Wamae talks about the importance of coordinated effort to encourage more women to occupy top management positions. She reflects her transition from law to banking, spearheading the group's listing in various countries in the region and growing the bank's balance sheet from Ksh 4 billion i...

In this episode, Leadwood Energy Founder and Managing Director, Elsie Mbugua explains the shift in the energy trading industry over her 15 year career spanning stints in Goldman Sachs, J.P Morgan and in different continents from US to London and now Africa. She further talks about the shift in investments from fossil fuels to renewable energy and the increasing need for environmental, social and c...

In this episode, Quantainsure and Quantarisk co-founder and Angaza Awards Finalist Pooja Bhatt highlights the importance of reflecting and documenting achievements, making her mark in the insurance industry and mentoring young people. She also talks about how recognizing the accomplishments of women gives younger women a chance to aspire for greatness and mentions women that inspire her.  Thi...

A nanny search, a random pitch, and a cleaning service platform. SweepSouth Co-founder Aisha Pandor tells the story of how her nanny's holiday break and a convoluted journey of finding a short-term replacement inspired her to build a platform that connects homeowners with home service providers offering cleaning, among other services. Aisha chats with Mwakaneno Gakweli on the early days of scaling...

Last week, the All-share index dropped by 3.12%, 5.3 basis points likely backed by the decline of Safaricom, a market mover whose price fell by 3.43% week on week, closing at Ksh 39.40 on Friday. Banks accounted for 60.92% of the market activity while Safaricom did 32%. NBV and Crown Paints topped the gainers list, moving 12.1% and 8.89%, respectively. On the losers side, Scangroup dropped by 8.85...

NCBA Bank Rwanda Chief Executive Office and Angaza Awards Finalist Lina Higiro chats with Ally Mwakaneno Gakweli on her career journey, the challenges she faced, and her milestones. In the podcast, Lina highlights the different forms of acknowledging the contributions of women in companies and how highlighting the achievements in public inspires other capable women. Lina closes the episode by disc...

4G Capital CEO Wayne Hennessy-Barrett discusses the Neobank's experiences in extending working capital credit to small businesses during COVID-19 and how partnerships with Citi and Mastercard provided the necessary raft for small businesses. Wayne says it is essential for the government to offer a protective framework for creditors and a favourable tax policy for businesses. Finally, he highlights...

In this episode, Peter Ndegwa talks about the transition to a fully fledged technological company and how it will impact its employees. He also reflects on his one year at the CEO seat and talks about moving the company beyond connectivity. Safaricom Chief Customer Officer Sylvia Mulinge talks of Integrating M-PESA into Amazon and a possible content partnership with the e-commerce giant.

In this episode, Angaza Awards Finalist Dr Millicent Omukaga, an Advisor-Women Empowerment and Financial Inclusion at African Development Bank Group, talks to Ally Mwakaneno on the importance of highlighting the achievements of women and how to bring to the surface women who are changing industries in the background. Millicent also shares how her career experiences brought the conscious need to in...

In this episode, the Hisa Team discusses implications of higher interests in US markets on companies and investors. They also share their insights on the need for regulation in cryptocurrency, and how regulation could promote use cases for crypto as large corporations venture into the space. Finally, the team shares their sentiments on the two sides of Safaricom's entry into the Ethiopia market, i...

In this episode, the Hisa team discusses the Bamburi cement results for 2020. Bamburi's numbers look good, but it could still do better, compared to its Tanzanian counterparts. Cement demand grew by 23%, but the company's revenues dipped 5.2%, showing higher competition in Kenya, especially in pricing, which has dropped its market share in Kenya. The cement market is likely to continue its price w...

In this episode, the Hisa team discusses developments in local markets last week, including the performance of banking sector stocks, and the Crown Paints rights issue. They also talk about commodity prices, and returns in other markets in Africa and the world. Banks had good results for Q1 and  an optimistic outlook going forward, buffered by low NPL deterioration where banks were adequately...

Kenya is improving its relations with its neighbors, evident in the talks with Somali and Tanzania. The infrastructure initiatives, especially with Tanzania could be a nice way to make up for the lost SGR connection to DRC through the Northern Corridor. Africa could have a better chance negotiating with US and the UK as a bloc, but that would require addressing internal inconsistencies in trade po...

Ally Mwakaneno Gakweli talks to Her Majesty's Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa Emma Wade-Smith on what it will take to rebuild trade between Africa and the United Kingdom in the pandemic and post-Brexit. Emma also highlights initiatives in place by governments from both regions to boost trade relations, UK's support for African entrepreneurs, and mechanisms to include women in the African info...

Bitzlato Chief Marketing Officer Oleksandr Honcharenko talks about expanding into the African Crypto market, why Africa is ripe for Crypto and creating communities of cryptocurrency enthusiasts. 

Last week, the All-share index gained 2.4% in the wake of regulation seeking to ease listing. However, there are risks like a looming capital gains tax hike that will push the cost of investing and political risks with the upcoming election. Safaricom's dominance on the NSE is bordering a threat, where a suspension of trading due to material announcement would likely affect the whole exchange. Bri...

In this episode, Ally Mwakaneno talks to TLcom Founder and Managing Partner Maurizio Caio on the algorithm of a great investment, why Africa's young startup ecosystem needs more venture capital, what is likely to be the next giant after fintech. Maurizio also tells the story behind TLcom's founding, its investment in portfolio companies like Autochek, Twiga, and uLesson. Highlights: A great invest...

Safaricom today announced that it is part of a consortium bidding for the telecommunications licences in Ethiopia, a high risk, high reward move since it only targets the telecommunication market. The move could drive its earnings in the short and mid-term, extrapolating Safaricom's growth in other markets.  Athi River Mining Cement is calling it quits, following its debt-fueled expansion and...

In this episode, the minimum tax pause is a good break for small businesses. However, the conservatory orders only bar KRA from collecting the tax, which could change given that the agency appealed the ruling. The MTN and Cocacola listing on the RSE and JSE could present an opportunity for investors to look into regional markets. It also challenges other exchanges in the region like the Nairobi Se...

In this episode, Nuru Mugambi shares her experience in rising ranks in the banking sector, the importance of recognizing women who are shaping their financial institutions and the financial sector and taking up opportunities like the Angaza Awards. Nuru also speaks of how remuneration, strategic opportunities, leading task forces, and promotions are key to recognizing women and overall talent in c...

BAT's decline could augur well for investors willing to buy the stock for the long term. Jubilee's underwriting business mimics the underwriting business across the industry, which is not as profitable. Jubilee's premium investment in government securities differentiates it from the industry, which largely invests premiums in equities, making it an outlier. However, the company's dividend payout r...

The government's requirement for international ICT Companies to have at least 30% local ownership could be interesting for investors and give the government more control over the data they obtain and how they use it. EPRA's decision to maintain pump prices hit retailer's margins, although the regulator attributed the move to a weaker dollar. This is likely to affect lower-scale Oil Marketing Compa...