MC

Business Journalist, Producer, PR Practitioner & MC/Moderator

[Standard Investment Bank @investwithSIB]

What is driving the growth of the Mansa-X Special Fund? 🌍📈

According to @_NahashonMungai, SIB Executive Director, Global Markets and Portfolio Manager of Mansa-X Special Fund, it’s a mix of evolving investor behaviour and the need for something different.

Investors wanted access to opportunities beyond geographical borders. Mansa-X responded to this shift by offering a diversified, globally oriented investment approach that aligns with the aspirations of today’s investor.

Today’s Kenyan investor is globally exposed, digitally connected and increasingly looking beyond traditional investment opportunities. And with a track record of delivering above-average returns over the years, more investors are taking notice. He had this conversation with @mainachegemc, the host of @KTNNewsKE's Trading Bell.

Watch the conversation in the link below to hear what is driving the Mansa-X growth; https://t.co/JCDs2P7dIB

#BeAMansa #InvestWithSIB #TradingBell #KTN #GlobalInvesting

[KCB Group Plc @kcbgroup]

What happens when the opportunity doesn’t go as planned?​

For Peter Ng'eno, partnership means staying at the table, being honest , learning from the experience and finding a way forward together.

🎙️ Watch here:- ​https://t.co/Ev1Mrwu9as

#LionsShare ​@chegemaina

[The Trading Bell @thetradingbell]

@BatKenya is growing beyond its domestic market, with 70% of volumes exported. MD, Sidney Wafula discusses revenue growth, stronger exports, operational efficiency, modern oral nicotine products and the rising threat of illicit trade.

Watch: https://t.co/SC3bnYiH8L

[MC @mainachegemc]

𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊
𝟏. @KenyaPower 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐒𝐡𝟐𝟓𝐁𝐧: Profit after tax rose 2.1% to KSh24.99Bn in FY2026 as revenue reached KSh238.24Bn. Borrowings fell to KSh79.82Bn and the company proposed a KSh1.20 final dividend.

𝟐. @CBKKenya 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬: Banks could face an additional capital buffer of up to 2.5% during periods of excessive credit growth, alongside new recovery planning requirements.

𝟑. @SafaricomPLC 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐲: Safaricom said it was reviewing the High Court ruling that nullified the Government’s sale of its 15% stake to Vodacom and ordered the shares restored to the State.

𝟒. @CMAKenya 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝟏𝟓 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: The regulator warned investors against 15 entities it said were unlawfully soliciting money without required licences or approvals.

𝟓. 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐒𝐡𝟒.𝟓𝐓𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐬: Gross loans rose 4.3% to KSh4.65Tn in Q2 2026, while quarterly profit before tax reached KSh88.9Bn.

𝟔. @NSE_PLC 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐏𝐎: The NSE is seeking to enable Kenyan and East African investors to participate in the IPO, while discussions are underway on a potential Nairobi cross listing.

𝟕. @WatuCredit 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐒$𝟕𝐌 𝐟���𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: The asset financier secured fresh debt funding to expand lending for motorcycles, three wheelers, smartphones and electric motorcycles across selected African markets.

𝟖. 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞: After a strong rally, the equities market recorded a broad based correction amid profit taking, rising global bond yields and renewed interest rate concerns.

𝟗. 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐔𝐒 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬: Kenya pitched minerals processing, manufacturing and value addition to US investors while highlighting seven priority investment sectors.

𝟏𝟎. 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐈𝐈𝐁 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞: Kenya asked the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to consider Nairobi for its Sub Saharan Africa regional office as the country seeks new infrastructure financing sources.

𝟏𝟏. @StanChartKE 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐒$𝟐𝟎𝐌: Signature Select, the bank’s multi fund investment platform, reached US$20Mn in assets under management within four months of launch.

𝟏𝟐. @Boeing 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐀𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐦: Boeing projects African passenger traffic will grow 5.8% annually over the next two decades, with airlines potentially requiring 1,165 new commercial aircraft.
~ @kenyanwalstreet
#BusinessHighlights #KenyaBusiness #EastAfrica #Banking #CapitalMarkets #Investment #Economy

[MC @mainachegemc]

𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 FSD Africa 𝟯𝗥𝗗 𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘

1. 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 - 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺. Africa’s domestic savings pools are growing, but too little of that capital is reaching productive investments. The challenge is building the systems and structures that connect available capital to bankable opportunities. The conference repeatedly came back to the need to fix this “transmission mechanism.”

2. 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 - 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶��𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 ��𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵. One of our audience polls showed pension funds as the biggest perceived pool of untapped capital for Africa’s development. But investors need more than opportunities. They need bankable projects, clear cash flows, credible governance, appropriate risk protection and a route to liquidity.

3. 𝗪𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 - 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀. Whether it is thematic bonds, securitisation, guarantees, pooled vehicles or infrastructure funds, the opportunity is to create structures that can be repeated and scaled. Shared documentation, predictable regulation and standardised processes can make the next transaction easier than the last.

4. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 - 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗵���𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. One of the clearest lessons from the thematic bond discussions was that sustainability labels cannot compensate for weak credit, unclear repayment structures or poorly prepared projects. First identify the investable opportunity and establish how investors will be repaid. Then build the thematic element around it.

5. 𝗦𝗠𝗘𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺. Individual SMEs are often too small and expensive to assess for institutional investors. Aggregation, better data, standardised due diligence, stronger governance and lower transaction costs can turn thousands of small businesses and receivables into investable pools.

6. 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 - 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹. We need practical progress on approvals, disclosure, KYC, market infrastructure and currency risk. The starting point is stronger domestic markets, followed by genuinely connected regional markets.

My biggest message: We don’t just need more capital. We need better machinery for moving the capital we already have.

And that means moving from conversation to execution.

Thank you to FSD Africa for the opportunity to moderate the Conference, and all the speakers, panellists, participants and partners who made the two days such a rich conversation.

#SCMC2026 #FromCapitalToAllocation

[MC @mainachegemc]

1. 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝟰𝟱% 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 - third-party research cited by BAT puts illicit trade at 45% of the cigarette market at the end of 2025... meaning roughly one in every two cigarettes smoked in Kenya is illicit. BAT estimates this represents about KSh12 billion in lost government revenue annually.

2. 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗵𝘂𝗯 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗔𝗧 - about 70% of BAT Kenya’s volumes are exported, accounting for roughly half of its revenue. The company currently has around 30% spare manufacturing capacity, creating room to grow exports further... but management says tackling illicit trade in the domestic market is critical to unlocking that opportunity.

3. 𝗕𝗔𝗧 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 - the domestic market remains under pressure from illicit trade, while export markets have shown greater stability. With Kenya already serving as one of BAT’s two strategic manufacturing hubs in Africa, management sees further opportunity to strengthen its regional export role.

4. 𝗕𝗔𝗧 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 - shareholders received an interim dividend of KSh10 per share, the same as the previous year and double the amount paid in the comparable period two years earlier. Wafula says the focus remains on revenue growth, productivity, prudent cash management and continued shareholder value creation.

Catch the full conversation with Sidney Wafula, Managing Director, @BatKenya, on @thetradingbell here https://t.co/AsNeLzBM2X

[MC @mainachegemc]

The world of work is changing too fast.

How do we prepare this and future generations with skills that actually work?

Not just skills that earn them qualifications but skills that help them contribute meaningfully to businesses, solve problems, adapt to change and build businesses of their own. That was one of my biggest takeaway from three days of conversations.

A few things stood out:

1. Industry must help shape the skills it needs - not wait until graduation to start looking for talent.
2. Learning must go beyond the classroom. Real workplaces, real problems and mentorship matter.
3. Training systems must keep up with change. And that means trainers must keep learning too.
4. Our skills agenda must match our economic ambitions. If we know the industries we want to build, are we preparing people with the skills to build them?

We shouldn't only prepare young people for the jobs that exist today. We should prepare them to create value, and opportunities in the world that is emerging.

What pleasure and learning moderating the three-day International TVET Conference 2026 last week together with the Sheila Mwanyigha in a room full of experts preparing the young generation for a better competitve globe!

#SkillsDriveCompetitiveness #TVETConference2026 #SkillsThatWork #FutureOfWork

[MC @mainachegemc]

What does it take to build a business that survives uncertainty and emerges stronger from it?

1. Uncertainty has to be managed — but it can also be an opportunity. The first job is survival: protect liquidity, manage risk and build buffers. But once you've weathered the storm, you have to ask: Where is the opportunity that others aren't seeing?
2. Growth needs to be sustainable. Peter put it beautifully: advance, fortify, then advance again. Growing aggressively means little if you haven't secured what you've already built.
3. Resilient businesses are able to adapt. Sometimes resilience means making uncomfortable decisions ...cutting costs, tightening credit terms or changing direction quickly even when you don't have all the information.
4. The strongest businesses look for opportunity in difficult times. One example Peter shared really stood out: a business facing dollar liquidity challenges changed its strategy, expanded across East Africa and moved into export-oriented agribusiness to create hard-currency inflows and reduce its FX risk.
5. Your banker should be a partner before the storm, not only when it arrives.
The strongest relationships are built in good times so that when the difficult times come, you can sit across the table and work through the problem together.
Favourite takeaway: You don't have to get every decision right. What matters is your ability to absorb the shock, learn, adapt and keep moving.

My chat with Peter Ng'eno, Director of Corporate Banking at KCB Kenya on The Lion’s Blueprint. There’s much more in the conversation here

[KCB Group Plc @kcbgroup]

What separates businesses that survive uncertainty from those that emerge stronger?

Peter Ngeno and @chegemaina sit down to unpack resilience, growth, risk and opportunity on The Lion’s Blueprint.

Watch here:- https://t.co/eEcvCM5SYU

#TheLionsBlueprint #ForPeopleForBetter

[MC @mainachegemc]

𝗞𝗦𝗵𝟰.𝟰 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻! That's @BatKenya's profit before tax for the first half of 2026.
The Trading Bell sat down with BAT Kenya's new Managing Director Sidney Wafula for a conversation on the company's half-year performance, the challenges facing the business and what lies ahead.
▪️His overall assessment of BAT Kenya's half-year results — and what stood out most
▪️The pressure facing the domestic market and what BAT is seeing from Kenyan consumers
▪️The growing importance of exports and Kenya's potential as a regional manufacturing hub
▪️ Illicit trade and whether enough progress is being made to tackle the problem
▪️ What more needs to happen to genuinely turn the tide against illicit cigarettes
▪️ BAT's journey towards a smokeless future and what that means for the Kenyan market
▪️ And his priorities as he takes the helm of one of Kenya's oldest and most established companies
Coming up this Tonight at 8:00pm on @thetradingbell, @KTNNewsKE @ktnhome_ .

#TradingBell #BATKenya #Business #Manufacturing #KenyaEconomy #Leadership #CapitalMarkets

[MC @mainachegemc]

Looking forward to moderating the 3rd Sustainable Capital Markets Conference in Nairobi.
@FSDKe
#SCMC2026 #FromCapitalToAllocation #CapitalMarkets #Africa #DomesticCapital

[MC @mainachegemc]

𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋���𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊
𝟏. 𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐇𝐢𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐊𝐒𝐡 𝟒.𝟐𝟖𝐓𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐩 𝐚𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝: The Nairobi Securities Exchange added KSh116.11Bn in a week to reach a record KSh4.28Tn valuation. Banking stocks led the strongest weekly market advance since June despite continued foreign investor selling.

𝟐. 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐚 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐘𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐟 𝐎𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐄𝐎: The long-serving insider was confirmed as Managing Director and CEO after serving in an interim capacity since July. Omari joined the bank in 2004 and becomes the latest major leadership appointment in Kenya’s banking sector.

𝟑. 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐒$𝟓𝟎𝟎𝐌 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐔𝐒 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Ahead of the AmCham Business Summit 2026, Kenya set a target of at least US$500Mn in new American investment commitments, with the focus shifting from announcements to actual project delivery, jobs and economic activity.

𝟒. 𝐂𝐁𝐊 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚’𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬: The regulator is proposing a framework to identify Domestic Systemically Important Banks whose failure could threaten financial stability. Designated banks would face additional capital requirements to strengthen their ability to absorb losses.

𝟓. 𝐖𝐒𝐀 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐓𝐅 ��𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: The NSE granted conditional approval for the WSA Banking Index ETF, bringing Kenya’s first locally domiciled ETF closer to trading. The product will offer investors diversified exposure to the banking sector through a single listed security.

𝟔. 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐒$𝟑𝟑.𝟑𝐌 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: The Kenyan electric-mobility company secured fresh funding to expand its battery-swapping and electric motorcycle operations into Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

𝟕. 𝐁𝐨𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐀𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐦: Boeing projects African passenger traffic will grow by 5.8% annually over the next two decades, faster than the global average. African airlines could require 1,165 new commercial aircraft as incomes, urbanisation and travel demand rise.

𝟖. 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝟏𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐒𝐡𝟏𝟗𝐁𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: The mobility platform says it has invested more than KSh19Bn in Kenya since entering the market in 2016, connecting over 8 million riders and creating income opportunities for more than 170,000 drivers and couriers.

𝟗. 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐚–𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐮 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝: A Mauritius-based firm plans to build a 60-terabit-per-second communications cable linking five landing stations along Kenya’s coast, from Mombasa to Lamu, with service targeted for 2028.

𝟏𝟎. 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐈𝐈𝐁’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎��𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞: The government is seeking to position Nairobi as the Sub-Saharan Africa base for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as Kenya looks to unlock new financing for infrastructure and connectivity projects.

𝟏𝟏. 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚-𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲: The government warned that visa-free entry does not give foreigners permission to work, trade or operate businesses in Kenya without the required permits, amid concerns over foreigners operating in local retail and small businesses.

𝟏𝟐. 𝐔𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚’𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬: The Bank of Uganda has strengthened internal controls following security incidents, including the theft of equipment and earlier unauthorised changes to the country’s payment systems.

[MC @mainachegemc]

1. 𝗬𝗨𝗦𝗨𝗙 𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗜 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 — as he takes over as CEO, Omari says the strategy is already in place; what will differentiate Absa is the discipline to deliver it. His message to the team is simple: execution, execution, execution.

2. 𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗬𝗔’𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗖𝗥𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 — Omari points to relatively stable inflation, interest rates and the exchange rate as important positives. But he says the bigger challenge remains on the fiscal side, particularly managing government spending and deficits.

3. 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗕𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗬𝗔’𝗦 𝗕𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 — from roads and airports to housing, Omari sees significant room for private capital to participate in projects with strong underlying economics. He believes public-private partnerships can ease pressure on government finances while opening new investment opportunities for banks and pension funds.

4. 𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗕𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬 — 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗔𝗦 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞 — Omari says one of the biggest mistakes international investors make is treating Africa as though it were a single country. With 54 sovereign states, each market has different risks, regulations and opportunities. His call: investors should “come to ground” and assess individual markets on their own merits.

5. 𝗔𝗕𝗦𝗔’𝗦 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗥 — Omari says technology, digital innovation and AI are not the end goal. They are tools to better serve customers. As CEO, he says he wants his legacy to be defined by customer obsession and putting customer needs at the centre of every decision.

6. 𝗔𝗕𝗦𝗔’𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝗔 𝗛𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗘 — his appointment as an internal candidate, after nearly two decades in the business, is also a statement about developing talent from within. Omari says the appointment gives employees confidence that organisations can deliberately build and prepare their own future leaders.

For more of this, catch my full conversation with @AbsaKenya @thetradingbell CEO Yusuf Omari on The Trading Bell here https://t.co/EBqJBduZuK

[MC @mainachegemc]

New role. Big responsibility. The road ahead.
Congratulations to @YusufYusufomari, the new CEO and MD of @AbsaKenya. Our conversation coming soon on @thetradingbell

[MC @mainachegemc]

1. 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗮𝗿���𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 — Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui Ministry of Investments,Trade and Industry argues that Kenya cannot build wealth by continuing to import goods it can produce locally. Government is looking at incentives, concessional financing, special economic zones and policies around key sectors to deepen local production.

2. 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮’𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 — he pointed out that about 95% of Kenyan tea is still sold in bulk, with limited branding and value addition, meaning Kenya captures only a fraction of the final value. The push now is to ensure Kenyan products earn more through processing, identity and branding.

3. 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗗𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 — Kinyanjui says investment interest is growing across manufacturing, banking, insurance, agriculture and energy. He cited billions of dollars in investment commitments and says Kenya is increasingly positioning itself as a destination for international capital.

4. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗦𝗘 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮’𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 — the CS wants more successful Kenyan manufacturers to list, arguing that public markets can help businesses raise capital, solve succession challenges and finance regional expansion. As he put it, “You’d rather own 1% of a big company than 100% of a small company.”

5. 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 — investors cannot plan for the long term if key taxes and duties keep changing. Kinyanjui argues that some major tax decisions affecting industry should remain stable for several years to give businesses the certainty needed to invest.

6. 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁... 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝘂𝗯 — the bigger ambition is to position Kenya as a base for companies manufacturing not just for the local market, but for the wider African continent.

Catch the full conversation here: https://t.co/tJaPqJjhOV

[MC @mainachegemc]

Africa is not a country. It cannot be priced like one.

My biggest takeaway from the conversation at the #BullishAfrica #AmCham VVIP Dinner.

Too often, Africa is viewed as one uniform risk. Yet, as Yusuf Omari aptly pointed out, the opportunities, risks, regulatory environments and realities differ from country to country.

Frank Mwiti reminded us, sophisticated investors make decisions based on timely, accurate and quality information.

That is why this conversation matters.
We must tell Africa's story. But we must tell it accurately.

Narratives shape perception. And perception influences decisions.

But incomplete information can lead to something even more consequential: Opportunity being mispriced.

You cannot price an opportunity correctly if you do not understand it.

Perhaps that is the intelligence gap we need to close.

Thank you, @ericasuma, for bringing together such an important conversation and an exceptional room of leaders and decision-makers.

Africa isn't the risk. The intelligence gap is.
@kenyanwalstreet

#BullishAfrica #Africa #Investment #CapitalMarkets #Leadership

[MC @mainachegemc]

I’ve always believed that the most important conversations in business are not just about what was achieved but how it was built, and what it takes to sustain it.

In Season 1 of @KCBInKenya The Lion’s Share, we went behind some of the significant deals shaping business and markets. We met the people behind the decisions and explored the thinking that turns ambition into action.
https://t.co/SCYEUgJLl0

But building a business is a different conversation altogether.

A deal may open the door. Capital may provide the fuel. But what happens after? How do you turn an idea into an institution? How do you grow without losing your way? How do you make the right decisions when the environment keeps changing?

These are the conversations we are taking on in the next chapter.

The Lion’s Blueprint is about the thinking behind building something that can grow, adapt and endure.

And I can’t wait for you to see what we’ve been working on.

Coming soon.

[MC @mainachegemc]

Congratulations @YusufYusufomari on your appointment!
@AbsaKenya

[MC @mainachegemc]

@MachariaTe16624 Nice angle

[MC @mainachegemc]

MANSA X & THE RISE OF SPECIAL FUNDS
1. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 — they are a distinct class of collective investment schemes that can pursue different investment strategies. Mansa X, for example, is a multi-asset, long-short strategy fund, giving investors exposure across global equities, commodities, metals, fixed income, ETFs and other instruments.

2. 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 — Nahashon says the remarkable growth of Mansa X reflects a changing investor. Kenyans increasingly want access to global opportunities rather than limiting their portfolios to property, local deposits, etc.

3. 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗶���𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 — perhaps one of the biggest surprises is that the bulk of Mansa X investors are not necessarily institutions or high-net-worth individuals. According to Mungai, ordinary retail investors form the majority of the fund, which has now grown to about KES 210 billion.

4. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 — having your property, bonds, shares and other investments all tied to Kenya means your entire portfolio is exposed to the same country risk. Mungai argues that global diversification is becoming increasingly important for Kenyan investors.

5. 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 — one of the key arguments around special funds is valuation. A globally diversified multi-asset fund should not simply be compared with a Kenyan money market fund. The question, Mungai says, should be: what assets is the fund investing in, what risks is it taking and what is the appropriate benchmark?

6. 𝗡𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝘂𝗯 — Mungai believes Africa does not necessarily lack capital; it lacks enough credible platforms and products through which that capital can be deployed. With supportive regulation, innovation and the right incentives, Nairobi could play a much bigger role in mobilising regional and global capital.

7. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 — persistent inflation could keep the cost of capital elevated for longer, affecting company earnings and sectors that depend heavily on financing. Add unresolved geopolitical tensions and supply-chain disruptions, and portfolio managers still have plenty to worry about.
Full conversation here:
https://t.co/k4Y5vSKw8m
@thetradingbell @investwithSIB