Author: Newsroom

In Brief
Newsroom

Co-op feted for listening to small businesses

Co-operative Bank Group has emerged top among African peers in serving small business and has been awarded by the SME Finance Forum the SME Financier Of The Year In Africa – Gold Award at the Global SME Finance Awards 2023. Co-op Managing Director Dr Gideon Muriuki has said they won the award at the Global SME Finance Forum currently underway at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai, India, on their responsive service to small businesses. “In collaboration with IFC and other partners, we have taken time to listen, study and build a most competitive value proposition for SMEs intended to support them realise the goals

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NewsTechnology
Newsroom

Kenyan hate speech chatbot gets global recognition

Build Up, a Kenyan tech start-up that works to fight online hate speech led by Caleb Gichuhi has been nominated for the 2023 Global Pluralism Award. Build Up emerged at the top ten from among 200 applications across 60 countries for its unique approach to addressing hate speech and polarization. Build Up partners with peacebuilding organizations around the world to design and implement technology-based solutions to conflict. Among its creations are a chatbot that fights online misinformation. It has helped deliver voter education via WhatsApp bot to remote communities.  Mr Gichuhi, being from Kenya, has worked with different peace actors across Africa to respond to…

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Plastics Kenya
In Brief
Newsroom

Apple iPhone 15 lineup comes with faster chips

Apple has officially unveiled its iPhone 15 lineup, ushering in a new era of smartphones that promise improved features across the board. The grand unveiling at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, marks a critical moment for the tech giant as it seeks to rebound from a recent dip in sales over the past few quarters. While the iPhone 15 series doesn’t bring groundbreaking technological leaps, it introduces a range of enhancements such as the camera system camera system. With enhanced sensors and computational photography advancements, users can expect even better photo and video quality. Additionally, Apple has incorporated faster processors and a new charging system.

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Corporate
Newsroom

Absa expands digital services to Kenyans in the diaspora

Absa Bank Kenya has taken a step in facilitating financial services for Kenyan in the diaspora with the expansion of its digital platform. The move aims to simplify banking, savings, and payment needs for both existing customers and non-customers living and working abroad. Through Absa self-service platform, Kenyans abroad can complete the onboarding process within minutes using their mobile phones or the bank’s online platform. Regardless of whether they are already Absa Bank customers or not, individuals can easily access the Absa Banking app or visit the bank’s website to complete the registration and start transacting seamlessly. Abdi Mohamed, the Managing Director of Absa Bank

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Maudhui House News
EAC & The Horn
Newsroom

Pan-African bean researcher PABRA wins $100,000 prize

For its role in revolutionizing agriculture and food security across Africa, the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) has been awarded the prestigious Africa Food Prize for 2023. The announcement was made during the 2023 African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) held in Tanzania, with the prize recognizing PABRA’s role in the development of numerous bean varieties that have significantly improved farm productivity, nutrition, and profitability while meeting the ever-increasing consumer demand for this vital crop. PABRA’s work in the field of bean research and development has led to the release of over 650 improved bean varieties, each endowed with diverse favorable characteristics. These varieties have not

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Women in Retail Kenya
In Brief
Newsroom

Majid Al Futtaim unveils ‘Women in Retail Council’

Majid Al Futtaim, owner of retail chain Carrefour in Kenya, has launched ‘Women in Retail Council Kenya’ council seeking to empower its female workforce at Carrefour and champion diversity and inclusion within the organisation. This move signifies Majid Al Futtaim’s efforts towards redefining the workplace for women in the industry; providing a platform enriched with support, resources, and opportunities for personal and career development. The council aims to foster a conducive work environment and create development opportunities for all female colleagues. Participants will be provided with a programme that includes training, mentoring, career guidance, and advice, as well as in-depth retail industry product knowledge.      Christophe

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Shelter Afrique
ClimateNews
Newsroom

Shelter Afrique leads the charge for climate-resilient housing

Nairobi-based pan-African housing financier, Shelter Afrique, is spearheading an ambitious vision for Africa’s cities, one that champions climate-resilient housing, affordability, sustainability, and enhanced mobility. At the ‘Integrated Liveable African Cities’ session of this week’s Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, hosted by Kenya in collaboration with the African Union Commission, Shelter Afrique’s Managing Director, Thierno Habib Hann, urged governments across the continent to embrace climate-resilient housing. Mr Hann also called on governments to initiate incentives that revolutionize the production of affordable homes while minimizing construction costs. Affordable housing projects He cited examples of climate change integration in national development plans, stating, “For instance, Kenya considers climate…

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Sama
TechnologyWomen in Business
Newsroom

Sama to train 2,000 youth and women for global AI projects

At least 2000 youth and women are set to get Artificial Intelligence skills from outsourcing giant Sama as the company aims to transform Kenya into a global AI powerhouse, aligning with government initiatives and unlocking opportunities for underserved communities. Sama says it will hire and train young individuals for computer vision projects catering to Fortune 500 companies. The initial wave of 600 participants in Nairobi has already been hired and is currently undergoing training. The remaining 1,500 individuals are slated to join in the coming weeks, forming part of Sama’s dynamic team of over 3,000 staff in Nairobi dedicated to computer vision AI projects for

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Jubilee Insurance CoverBora
Corporate
Newsroom

Jubilee’s CoverBora aims to tackle healthcare affordability crisis

In an effort to reshape the medical coverage landscape in Kenya, Jubilee Health Insurance has today launched CoverBora Medical Cover. The comprehensive and affordable inpatient solution is a significant step towards promoting inclusive healthcare for individuals and families across the country. Healthcare landscape in Kenya has been marred by challenges related to affordability, with many families forced to rely on out-of-pocket payments for medical services. According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2022, just one in four Kenyans has some form of health insurance. Shockingly, the report estimates that Kenyans spend a staggering Kes150 million annually in out-of-pocket payments for healthcare, pushing nearly a million

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In Brief
Newsroom

Kenya unveils hybrid maize seeds without pollen

Kenyan scientists have released a new maize production technology that will rely on hybrid genes that do not produce pollen to cut cost of generating seeds. Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation in partnership with Corteva Agriscience, the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa, Qualibasic Seed and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center have announced the release of three FNP hybrids (CHKM21W002, CHKM21W003 and CHKE21W001) which are adapted to low soil fertility conditions. The technology designed for Africa following trials in Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe under the Seed Production Technology for Africa (SPTA) utilizes a dominant non-pollen producing maize gene, Ms44, to create

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