Author: David Indeje

Standard Chartered Bank has agreed to sell its consumer banking business in Ivory Coast to Coris Group, a pan-African banking group. The deal, which was announced by Standard Chartered Africa and the Middle East (AME) CEO Sunil Kaushal and Coris Group Chairman Idrissa Nassa, is subject to regulatory approvals and the transfer of business. “This agreement marks a milestone in Standard Chartered’s journey in the AME region towards streamlining the business and providing further impetus to our delivery of best-in-class services and expertise to our clients,” Kaushal said. “The successful conclusion of the Bank’s strategic divestments will see us double…

In 2012, Chris Kantai started his humble journey in the hospitality industry, working as a dishwasher in the scullery of a restaurant. But within him, a spark ignited. This is the story of how Chris transcended the confines of the scullery to become one of Kenya’s most celebrated mixologists, shaking and stirring his way to the top of the cocktail scene. His path wasn’t without its challenges. Early on, he faced the societal stigma attached to bartending. “My mother wouldn’t even meet me when I told her I was a mixologist,” Chris recalls. But his passion was undeterred. He honed…

M-PESA plans to launch physical debit cards in partnership with Visa, the global digital payments giant.  The new cards will allow M-PESA customers to make purchases beyond its virtual GlobalPay offering. “As part of this strategy, Safaricom has achieved PCI DSS compliance, which builds on our strategic partnership with Visa, expanding M-PESA’s payment capabilities to include card issuing and acquisition,” M-PESA Africa said. “PCI DSS compliance enables M-PESA to begin offering tap-to-pay card payments for more than 60 million customers, 5 million businesses, and 100,000 developers across our entire ecosystem.” In line with our purpose of transforming lives, we are…

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Safaricom have launched the second edition of the #BongaForLife campaign to protect and empower forcibly displaced women and girls and their host communities from gender-based violence (GBV). According to data, GBV affects 1 in every 3 women globally and can have devastating consequences for survivors and their families. Refugee women and girls are especially at risk of rape, sexual assault, and exploitation, especially during emergencies that cause mass displacement. “Gender-based violence is a serious challenge for forcibly displaced people, and UNHCR is committed to their well-being and safety. Through the #BongaForLife campaign, we ask…

The Federal Republic of Somalia joined the East African Community (EAC) on Friday after signing the Treaty of Accession at State House, Entebbe, Uganda. Somalia’s President Sheikh Hassan Mohamud and the Chairperson of the EAC Heads of State Summit, President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, signed the treaty. Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni witnessed the ceremony, along with the EAC Secretary General, Hon. (Dr.) Peter Mutuku Mathuki, and other dignitaries. President Mohamud expressed his pride and commitment to regional integration. He said, “Today is a moment of immense pride as I signed the Treaty of Accession of the Federal…

Jumia Technologies, the leading African e-commerce platform, is making a strategic shift by shutting down its food delivery operations across all seven of its markets by the end of 2023.  Jumia currently operates its food delivery business in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Ivory Coast “It’s a segment that’s very difficult across the world, with very challenging economics and big losses. It’s also a segment that is extremely competitive across the world and Africa,” Chief Executive Officer Francis Dufay said in a statement. “The economics are tough in this market because the costs are very high and there…