Author: Lorine Otamo

Swiss-based Coca-Cola HBC AG has agreed to acquire a 75% controlling stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) for USD 2.6 billion, creating the world’s second-largest Coca-Cola bottling partner by beverage volume, behind Coca-Cola FEMSA. The deal expands Coca-Cola HBC’s footprint across 14 African markets, targeting the rising demand driven by younger consumers. Strategic Expansion Across Africa Coca-Cola HBC will acquire: Approximately 41.52% of CCBA from The Coca-Cola Company The entire 33.48% stake held by Gutsche Family Investments (GFI) This values CCBA at USD 3.4 billion in equity terms. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject…

Kenya’s diaspora remittances edged up slightly in September 2025, reaching USD 419.6 million, a 0.2% higher than the USD 418.5 million recorded in September 2024. Despite the modest monthly uptick, cumulative inflows over the 12 months to September 2025 surged by 7.6%, totalling USD 5.08 billion compared to USD 4.72 billion in the previous year. This sustained growth underscores the critical role of remittances as a pillar of Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings and a stabiliser for the balance of payments. Regional Contributions: North America Leads, Europe Gains A breakdown of the monthly inflows reveals consistent dominance by North America, which…

Royal Enfield, the world’s oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, has officially landed in Kenya. On Wednesday, the company celebrated the grand opening of its first Royal Enfield Exclusive Store at Rosslyn Riviera Mall, Nairobi, a major milestone in its East African expansion strategy. The new showroom, launched in partnership with Ganatra Plant & Equipment Limited (GPE Ltd), offers Kenyan riders access to Royal Enfield’s full range of mid-size motorcycles from 350cc to 650cc. All key models are available for test rides and purchase, including the Bullet 350, Classic 350, HNTR 350, Meteor 350, Himalayan 450, Guerrilla 450, Interceptor, Continental…

Kenya’s leading travel management company, Hemingways Travel, has expanded into Rwanda, celebrating 70 years of service excellence and signalling a bold new chapter in East African travel. The move reflects Hemingways ambition to deepen its regional footprint and position itself as a top-tier player across the continent, serving both leisure and corporate travellers with a blend of personalised service and cutting-edge technology. “Our journey over the past 70 years has been about building trust and delivering an individualized touch that sets us apart,” said Ross Evans, CEO of Hemingways Hospitality Group. “As we look ahead, we see tremendous opportunities in…

Ilara Health, a Kenya-based healthtech company focused on affordable diagnostics and digital healthcare solutions, has announced a significant workforce reduction as part of a strategic restructuring plan. Founded in 2019, Ilara Health partners with over 3,000 primary care clinics across 46 counties in Kenya, reaching more than 6 million patients annually. The company cited tough market conditions and delayed funding commitments as key drivers behind the decision to streamline operations and focus on its most cash-generative business lines. “This is a difficult moment for our team,” said Emilian Popa, Co-founder and CEO of Ilara Health. “We know that any potential…

Equity Bank’s latest trade mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo is more than a business tour—it’s a strategic rollout of its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP), a private sector stimulus framework designed to catalyse inclusive growth across the continent. The five-day mission, which began Monday, brought together delegates from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Poland, Germany, the U.S., and Congo. It’s the 15th DRC-focused mission out of 40 conducted by Equity Group in the past four years. Agriculture: Mechanisation Meets Market Demand Delegates toured Jambo Farming Company, a 4,500-hectare maize farm planning to expand into wheat. “We…