Author: David Indeje

The World Bank Group said on Thursday it has decided to discontinue publication of its “Doing Business” rankings of country business climates after a review of data irregularities in the 2018 and 2020 reports. In a statement, the World Bank said that after the irregularities raised ethical matters involving former bank staff and board officials, it will work on a new approach to assessing countries’ business and investment climates. The irregularities in Doing Business reports had affected four countries: China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan. According to the review findings, the initial Doing Business 2018 report, China had…

Kenya Breweries Limited has initiated the second phase of the Raising the Bar recovery program targeting 850 bars and eateries across the country by the end of November 2021. This follows a successful phase one that saw the onboarding and retrofitting of 169 outlets around the Nairobi Metropolitan area with Covid-19 safety elements and equipment with a further 100 outlets being targeted by end of September 2021. “By bringing international best practices, providing access to training and Covid safety equipment, KBL aims to help bars, pubs and restaurants to open their doors again and to do so in a safe…

LG Electronics (LG) has increased its market share in the East African region with a new store in Nairobi, Kenya.  Located at Thika Road Mall (TRM) the store projects to increase its sales backed by technical expertise before and after-sales to attract and retain customers.  https://twitter.com/LGE_EastAfrica/status/1438131393058508804?s=20 The new outlet brings to four the number of Brandshops in partnership with its distributor Opalnet. Other stores are in Nairobi at Kenrail Towers & Adlife Plaza respectively and one in Mombasa along links Road Nyali. LG Electronics East Africa Managing director Sa Nyuong Kim said the growing demand for home appliances is putting…

Chevron Brands International LLC (Chevron)  has signed have signed a long-term license agreement with Manufacturing Limited (AML) of the Tristar Group for the production, distribution, and marketing of Caltex TM lubricants in East Africa. The deal strengthens Chevron’s presence in East Africa. According to the agreement, the existing relationship with Africa Fuels & Lubricants Ltd (AFAL), also of the Tristar Group, seeks to leverage the synergy of Caltex’s strong brand strength and AML’s extensive market reach to successfully carve out a share in the competitive East Africa lubricants market. “This new agreement also includes lubricants blending options for future expansion,”…

As the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on economies and livelihoods, 31 million more people were pushed into “extreme poverty”, according to The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation fifth annual Goalkeepers Report. The report provides a snapshot of progress against the United Nations sustainable development goals. However, despite the challenges of millions of more people confronting poverty and economic inequities, there is optimism on the ability of governments and individuals to persevere in the midst of the pandemic. “In so many ways, the pandemic has tested our optimism. But it hasn’t destroyed it,” Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, co-chairs of…

For the first time ever, after fuel prices remaining unchanged for the fourth consecutive month, prices shoot up in the latest review by Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority. Effective October 14, 2021, a litre super petrol will retail at KSh7.58, KSh7.94 for a litre of diesel, and KSh12.97 for kerosene. Consequently, Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene will retail at KSh134.72, KSh115.60, and KSh110.82 per litre respectively in Nairobi. The impact is felt as a result of the state not drawing from its fuel price stabilization fund established in June by the National Treasury. The Ksh 1.4 billion fund was…