Author: David Indeje

Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi for the first time became the world’s second-largest vendor by handset shipments ahead of Apple in Q2, 2021 according to the latest numbers from research firm Canalys. According to the report, it accounted for 17 per cent of the global market. Its performance was lifted by strong sales in Latin America, Africa and Europe. “Xiaomi is growing its overseas business rapidly,” said Canalys Research Manager Ben Stanton. “For example, its shipments increased more than 300% in Latin America, 150% Africa and 50% in Western Europe. And as it grows, it evolves. It is now transforming its…

Remittance inflows hit a record high of $305.9 million in June, a 20.4 per cent increase supported by higher flows from the US. According to Central Bank data, the June numbers were higher compared to USD 288.5 million in June 2020 and USD 315.8 million in May 2021. “The cumulative inflows in the 12 months to June 2021 totalled USD 3,383 million compared to USD 2,809 million in the same period in 2020, a 20.4 per cent increase,” the CBK said. In the month, the United States remained the largest source of remittances into Kenya, accounting for 58.8 per cent…

Kenya on Saturday will launch an ambitious drive for inoculating over 3.4 million children against polio within five days. The second phase of the vaccination campaign targets 13 ‘risk counties’ according to the Ministry of Health.  https://twitter.com/MOH_Kenya/status/1415629788530814979?s=20 They include Garissa, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kitui, Lamu, Machakos, Mandera, Mombasa, Nairobi, Tana River and Wajir counties.  According to UNICEF, Kenya remains at risk of polio due to low immunisation coverage resulting from Covid-19 interruptions, porous borders with high-risk countries and high population movements.  “The 13 counties identified as high-risk had not had their three rounds of routine Polio vaccination, as part…

The Standard Bank of South Africa says it has made a proposal to acquire insurer Liberty Holdings. The leader currently has a 54 per cent stake in Liberty Holdings. In a statement, Standard Bank said that it has enjoyed a strategic relationship with Liberty, thanks to a “highly successful and valuable bancassurance arrangement”. It now wants to offer “an increasingly wide range of financial and associated services”. In the proposed transaction, Liberty shareholders are being offered R25.50 in cash per share, together with 0.5 Standard Bank shares per Liberty share held. Standard Bank Group CEO Sim Tshabalala said: “The integration…

Linkham Group a UK based insurance firm on Thursday, said it has completed the acquisition of Resolution Insurance. In February, Linkham Group increased its shareholding in Resolution Insurance after the purchase of 100 per cent of the equity holding in the Kenyan insurance company from private equity impact investment firm, Leapfrog Investments.  Linkham Group Chief Executive Officer Michael Cranfield said the acquisition is part of the Mauritius headquartered firm’s Africa expansion plans. “As part of the acquisition, we are committing to invest in the business and have consequently appointed Peter Nduati to spearhead management and business growth efforts with immediate…

Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) has issued a new Telecommunications Operator License to the Global Partnership for Ethiopia. GPE is a partnership between Vodacom Group, Vodafone Group, Sumitomo Corporation and CDC Group, led by Kenya’s Safaricom. According to ECA, the Telecommunications Operator License has been given to “The Global Partnership for Ethiopia” which has registered its local company with the name: Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC. “Hence, the ECA has granted a nationwide full-service Unified Telecommunications Service License to the Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC effective from 9 July 2021, valid for a term of fifteen (15) years from the Effective Date, and…