The COVID-19 vaccine candidate (KBP-COVID-19; NCT04473690) will become one of a number of potential vaccines to have progressed beyond pre-clinical testing. The study is designed to enrol a total of 180 healthy volunteers who will be divided into two age cohorts, age 18-49 and age 50-70. Each group will then be subdivided into low and high dose treatment groups (N~45) and randomized 2:1 to receive either the low dose (15 μg KBP-COVID-19 vaccine + 0.5 mg adjuvant) or placebo, or high dose (45 μg KBP-COVID-19 vaccine + 0.5 mg adjuvant) or placebo. Results from the study are expected mid-2021 and,…
Author: Khusoko
Khusoko
Khusoko provides market insights into Africa's business investment as well as global trends that impact East African businesses.
Amidst calls for social distancing and avoiding the use of cash owing to curb the spread of Covid-19, the Government has moved to charge Kenyans for opting for safer online shopping; a most counter-productive policy. January 2021, the Kenya Revenue Authority will start levying a digital services tax. This will apply to all online platforms where buyers and sellers interact. 1.5 per cent will apply to the gross value of the purchase. So, for instance, if you buy anything on Jumia, Amazon, or take a ride in a Littlecab, you will on top of your bill, pay an extra 1.5…
Benishangul-Gumuz (Benishangul) regional state has become one of the most significant strategic places in Ethiopia especially since Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is being built over Blue Nile Basin in the regional state. Benishangul is the second smallest regional state covering almost 20,000 square kilometers located in western Ethiopia along the Sudanese border. GRED covers one tenth of the total regional state’s size, it lies just 15 KM east of Sudan. 800, 000 people live in the regional state according to the Ethiopian National Statistics bureau, a multi-ethnic society from almost all parts of Ethiopia. The area where GRED lays…
Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Monday announced the appointment of Daniel Kiptoo as Acting Director-General following the sacking of Pavel Oimeke. His appointment on the recommendation of the Cabinet Secretary of Energy Charles Keter takes effect immediately. Prior to his appointment, Mr Kiptoo was Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Energy and State Department of Petroleum and is the Chairman of the Government’s First Oil Committee. “Kiptoo has vast experience in the energy and petroleum sectors, with a bias in policy formulation, regulation and project and structured finance. He was instrumental in the drifting of the Energy…
New leadership team to champion initiatives to promote economic recovery Alternative Circle Chief Executive Officer Kevin Mutiso has been elected as the Chairperson of the Digital Lenders Association of Kenya (DLAK). The members also re-elected Tala’s Regional General Manager Mr Ivan Mbowa as Vice. Both will serve for one year term. Mr Mutiso has previously served as a member of the board since the establishment of the Association in 2019. Speaking after his election, Mr Mutiso said DLAK will maintain its focus on constructive engagement with the government in developing responsible regulation and deepening financial inclusion. He also committed to…
Happy Jamhuri Day! Today, we commemorate 57 years of our independence and nationhood as People. On this day, in 1963; the Union Jack of Britain came down and we hoisted our beautiful National Flag. On the same day in 1964, the Dominion of Kenya became an independent Republic. And that same night, the British Governor of Kenya departed from our land, marking the end of 78 years of colonial rule. On that memorable day, the journey to create, build and nurture a nation commenced. As we celebrate our independence day today, we must also pay allegiance to the two symbols of our…