In this episode recorded on 26.03.2024, we host Lawrence Kimathi, Group Director Finance - KCB, as we break down the bank’s 2023 financial performance. We also cover NBK’s sale, subsidiary performance, dividends, the G2G oil deal, and the bank’s 2024 outlook. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:00 Local vs Multinational Banks 00:04:00 FY23 Results Overview 00:07:54 Customer Deposits, Gross Loans, and NPLs 00:18:35 NBK 00:23:10 Interest...

In this episode recorded on 25.03.2024, we host Kihara Maina - Regional CEO and Billy Ng'etich - Acting CFO from I&M Group as we break down I&M Group’s 2023 financial performance. We also cover interest income trends in a rising interest rate environment, monetizing digital transactions, risk-based pricing model, unlocking shareholder value, and subsidiary performance. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:04 Overview of FY 23...

In this episode recorded on 19.03.2024, we host Yusuf Omari - Finance Director, Absa Bank Kenya, to deep-dive into the bank's FY 2023 results. We also cover FX depreciation, exposure to government securities, risk-based pricing model, the cost of risk, and mark-to-market losses. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:23 Overview of the FY 2023 Results 00:03:24 FX Depreciation and Exposure to Government Securities 00:07:13 NPLs and Preference...

In this episode recorded on 29.02.2024, we host Nankunda Katangaza - Co-founder and Director, Hook Tangaza, John Kamau - Associate Director Financial Crime Advisory, PwC EA, and Titus Kariuki Senior Manager Financial Crime Advisory, PwC EA to unpack the repercussions of Kenya's greylisting by The Financial Action Task Force (FATF). We also cover the issues Kenya needs to address to get off the grey list, measures to protect against financial crime, cryptocurrency as an attractive channel for...

In this episode recorded on 06.03.2024, we host Dennis Musau - Chief Finance & Value Officer, Stanbic Bank to delve into the bank's FY 2023 earnings results. We also cover the loan book, NPLs, participation in the G2G program, the impact of Kenya’s graylisting by FATF, dollar access in the market, SBG Securities’ performance, dividends, and share buybacks. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introductoin 00:06:46 2023 Performance Overview 00:10:04 Loan...

In this episode recorded on 14.02.2024 and hosted by Ramah Nyang - Business Journalist, Bloomberg, we are joined by Julians Amboko - Business Journalist, Nation Media Group and Churchill Ogutu - Economist, IC Group to discuss Kenya's recent Eurobond issuance and buyback. We also cover borrowing from the domestic market vs the international market, issuing Eurobonds at a fixed vs floating rate, and expectations from the Finance Act and Finance Bill 2024. Subscribe to get notified when we make...

In this episode recorded on 08.02.2024, we are joined by Toddy Thairu - Director and Lead Consultant, Astute Consulting and Zach Munyi - Head of Public Policy, East African Breweries PLC for a discussion about the implications of the 2023 Finance Act amendments on excise duty. We also cover how Kenya compares to the rest of the East African region, excise duty changes in the Finance Act 2023, and the impact of stamp and excise duty on EABL’s financial performance. Subscribe to get notified...

In this episode recorded on 22.01.2024, we are joined by Churchill Ogutu - Economist, IC Group and Julians Amboko - Business Journalist, Nation Media Group for a discussion on the latest IMF report on Kenya. We also cover the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy (MTRS), broadening the tax base, currency depreciation, and Eurobonds. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction  00:02:26 Why Does Kenya Need the IMF? 00:05:09 Takeaways From IMF’s Sixth Review...

In this episode recorded on 19.12.2023, we are joined by the Kenya Power team of Rosemary Oduor - GM, Commercial Services & Sales and Raphael Ndolo - Ag. GM, Network Management to better understand Kenya's electricity value chain. We also cover electricity generation, power demand, blackouts, IPPs, compensation for damage, and carbon trading. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00  Introduction 00:07:06 The Electricity Value Chain 00:09:38 Electricity...

In this episode recorded on 20.12.2023, we are joined by Dr. Priscilla Njako - Manager - Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), Willy Kimani - Director, RETRAK Kenya, and Ishmail Bett - CEO, Association of Kenya Suppliers for an in-depth discussion on buyer power and its potential abuse. We also cover the role of the Competition Authority of Kenya, the recent KES 1.1B penalty meted out to Carrefour, the sanctity of contracts, and retail trade dispute settlement. Subscribe to get notified when...

In this episode recorded on 30.11.2023, we are joined by Ronak Gadhia, Managing Director, Banks at EFG Hermes Kenya, as we take a deep dive into the Kenyan Banks' Q3 2023 results. We also cover the Kenyan debt situation, subsidiary performance, dividend expectations, and the creation of bad banks to deal with non-performing loans. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction  00:01:00 Banks’ Q3 2023 Performance 00:06:49 Kenyan Debt 00:10:33 Loan Books,...

In this episode recorded on 22.11.2023 and hosted by Joe Mwaniki, we are joined by Ernest Muriu - Audit Partner, Ernest & Martin Associates and Hakamba Wangwe - Chief Manager eTIMS, KRA for a conversation on the implications of the mandatory eTIMS registration. We also cover turnover tax registration, exemptions from electronic tax invoices, implications of failing to onboard on eTIMS, and capacity building for KRA staff. Below are some nuggets from the podcast: “If you are working in an...

In this episode recorded on 10.08.2023, we are joined by Tim Staermose - Founder, African Lions Fund as we explore investing in equities in Tanzania. We discuss the structure of the Tanzanian market, finding investors, moving funds across jurisdictions, and the Africa Lions Fund’s performance. Below are some nuggets from the podcast: “The beauty of funds management is that it is very scalable. Those fixed costs don't rise commensurately with the assets under management, they might rise a...

In this episode recorded on 17.08.2023, we are joined by James Muraguri - CEO, Institute of Public Finance as we seek to understand Kenya's budget-making process and how to participate in it. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:14 Institute of Public Finance  00:05:45 Overview of the Budget Process 00:23:15 Is The Budget Process Short-Term Oriented? 00:31:42 Tools to Help Citizens Understand And Participate in the Process 00:36:33...

In this episode recorded on 28.11.2023, our guest host, Mark Masai, is joined by Florence Nyokabi - MD Human Resources, Stanchart West Africa and Oscar Nganga - Enterprise Sales Manager, SeamlessHR (East Africa) in a conversation on how you can attract the best talent. We also cover the value of seeking talent globally, automation in recruitment, legal and regulatory challenges in international recruitment, and emerging trends in cross-border recruitment. Subscribe to get notified when we...

In this episode recorded on 09.11.2023, our guest host, Ramah Nyang, is joined by Wangari Muikia - MD, Expertise Global and Johnson Nderi - Corporate Finance and Advisory Manager, ABC Capital to talk about the state of the Kenyan Economy. We also discuss planning for 2024, public debt, buying back the 2024 Eurobond and the huge debt service. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:57 Macroeconomic Assumptions in Planning for 2024 00:08:43...

In this episode recorded on 13.09.2023, we host Eric Musau - Executive Director, Research at Standard Investment Bank and Ronak Gadhia - Managing Director at EFG Hermes Kenya to dissect Kenyan banks' H1 2023 earnings. We also cover the banks’ non-performing loans, the forex market, and the future outlook. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:56 High-Level Thoughts on the Results 00:06:20 Loan Books 00:10:18 NPLS 00:24:06 International vs...

In this episode recorded on 28.09.2023, our guest host, Phares Kariuki - Pure Infrastructure CEO, is joined by Moses Kemibaro - Dotsavvy Founder and CEO, Tim Kipchumba - Questworks Co-Founder, and Kennedy Kachwanya - kachwanya.com Tech Mega Trend Analyst on a conversation about the current startup landscape in Kenya. We also cover the trajectory of startups in the last two decades, raising money vs generating revenues, building beyond the media hype, and cash-conscious marketing...

In this episode recorded on 03.08.2023, we host Nanjira Sambuli - Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Bright Mawudor - Founder, AfricaHackOn, and Tyrus Kamau - a cybersecurity consultant to explore Kenya's cybersecurity posture. We also cover the recent DDoS attacks that paralyzed critical infrastructure, the role of various institutions in cybersecurity, and the basic steps individuals should take in protecting themselves against cyber attacks. Subscribe to get notified when...

In this episode recorded on 05.09.2023 and hosted by Rhina Namsia, we are joined by Tom Coleman - Informa Markets’ Exhibition Director and Cynthia Makarutse - Informa Markets’ Conference Director on a discussion about Medic East Africa, redefining healthcare delivery in the region, and the upcoming Healthcare East Africa 2.0 Summit. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:36 East Africa’s Healthcare Overview 00:04:17 Technology and Emerging...

In this episode recorded on 28.07.2023, we host the Centum Group CEO, Dr. James Mworia, to discuss the Group’s FY 2023 results. We also cover capital allocation, the Two Rivers’ pivot, payroll lending through Jafari, and opportunities in the current economic environment. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:49 ESG Report 00:02:03 Centum’s Businesses 00:07:18 2023 Financial Performance 00:10:14 Two Rivers’ Pivot 00:15:29 FY ‘22 Financial...

In this episode recorded on 21.06.2023, we host Dorcas Mugambi, the Head of Trade Finance at Co-operative Bank, to discuss the business financing solutions that the bank offers, requirements to qualify for trade financing, challenges faced in accessing financing, and the sectors that the bank covers. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:19 Trade Financing Solutions 00:12:07 Export/Import Business Solutions 00:17:38 Challenges Accessing...

In this episode recorded on 04.05.2023, we hosted the WPP-Scangroup CEO, Patricia Ithau, to discuss her career journey and the lessons she has picked. We also covered WPP-Scangroup’s business model and performance, sourcing new clients, measuring campaign performance, and staying relevant in the age of social influencers. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:58:00 Career Journey and Lessons Learned 00:16:49 WPP-Scangroup’s Business Model 00:22:57 Market Share,...

In this episode, we host Lawrence Kimathi, Kenya Commercial Bank’s Group CFO, to discuss the Group’s Q1 2023 financial results. We cover the 98% increase in loan loss provisions, deceleration in investment in government securities, the performance of the Group’s subsidiaries, and the Group’s Q2 outlook. Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post. Show Notes 00:00:00 Highlights 00:01:08 Loan Loss Provisions 00:02:58 Non-Performing Loans 00:05:21 Investment in Government...