MSMEs are facing an existential crisis. The economic impact of the COVID-19 has been as bad as we had feared … possibly worse. About 17% of businesses surveyed by MSC in India, Indonesia, Kenya, and the Philippines have closed due to local restrictions and low demand for goods and services, while micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the informal sector fared worse. A recent World Bank report suggests that in Kenya, one-third of household-run MSEs have not been operating for months. Declining income and rising expenses is a double whammy for enterprises in such trying times. On the demand side,…
Author: Khusoko
Khusoko
Khusoko provides market insights into Africa's business investment as well as global trends that impact East African businesses.
Multichoice Kenya walked away with five coveted awards at the fourth edition of the Kuza Awards held recently by the Communication Authority (CA). The 2021 edition brought together dozens of broadcasters from the country’s news and entertainment industry in a gala afternoon that celebrated the best in technological innovation during a difficult operating period. Multichoice Kenya’s mass-market video entertainment brand, GOtv clinched two critical compliance awards, the Compliance Award for Subscription Broadcasting Service Provider and also emerged overall winner in the compliance award for Broadcast Signal Distributor. The Compliance Award recognised service providers that operated within licensing requirements, complied with routine regulatory…
World number two Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the French Open “I never wanted to be a distraction…” “This isn’t a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago. I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my wellbeing is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris. “I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer. More importantly, I would never trivialise mental health or use…
Campaign for Safer Alternatives (CASA) calls for the ban lifting of taxes on electronic cigarettes, oral tobacco and nicotine products. The pan-African non-governmental membership organization dedicated to achieving 100 per cent smoke-free environments in Africa says government taxes on safer alternative nicotine products are condemning 2.8 million Kenyans to smoke toxic tobacco. “Prohibitive taxes on nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes are putting these safer options out of reach for millions of smokers who are desperate to quit,” CASA Chairman Joseph Magero said in an emailed statement as the world marked World No Tobacco Day on Monday. “It’s an illogical pro-cigarette policy…
Kenya on Sunday extended the nationwide 10 pm to 4 am curfew for another 60 days. This is effective from May 28 to stop the spread of coronavirus infections. The curfew which currently runs between 10 pm and 4 am will be in place until 27 July. “This Order shall apply during the hours of darkness between ten o’clock in the evening and four o’clock in the morning with effect from the 28 of May 2021 and shall remain in effect for a period of sixty days thereof,” read a legal notice dated May 28, 2021, signed by Interior CS…
Outsized external inflows from international financial institutions and commercial financing are expected in the coming month. This flash note assesses the lumpy inflows against the FY20/21 budget outturn. We estimate an aggregate KES 264.1Bn from both multilateral and commercial financing (Eurobond IV). (Figure 1) that is expected in the final month of this fiscal year (June 2021). Undoubtedly, these flows will support KES stability in the near term. As per our 10M20/21 Fiscal performance topical note, we noted external financing in April increased by KES 46.7Bn, which comprised of KES 33.7Bn initial IMF disbursement for its ongoing 38-month program with the remainder (KES 13.0Bn)…