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Kenya

A collection of 27 posts

OP-ED - Lessons from 25 Years of Africa’s internet story: a preview of Russell Southwood’s reflections

Digital Transformation

OP-ED - Lessons from 25 Years of Africa’s internet story: a preview of Russell Southwood’s reflections

Drawing from an upcoming African Tech Roundup podcast, this op-ed unpacks Russell Southwood’s reflections on lessons, blind spots and enduring questions.

OP-ED - The education of April Long: a Chinese entrepreneur's humbling lessons building for Africa's $286 billion trade gap

OP-ED - The education of April Long: a Chinese entrepreneur's humbling lessons building for Africa's $286 billion trade gap

After a decade in East Africa, fintech founder April Long reflects on the tough pivots, misread assumptions, and modest wins behind building Pyxis for Africa-China trade.

OP-ED - KCB Group builds on groundwork laid by 'Gov-preneurs' in Ethiopia as banking liberalisation accelerates

OP-ED - KCB Group builds on groundwork laid by 'Gov-preneurs' in Ethiopia as banking liberalisation accelerates

Following Safaricom's lead, KCB's imminent Ethiopian entry leverages policy frameworks informed by 'Gov-preneurs' who embedded with government to safeguard 'fin-sovereignty'.

OP-ED - As Starlink disrupts broadband incumbents in urban Africa, is carrier neutrality the answer?

OP-ED - As Starlink disrupts broadband incumbents in urban Africa, is carrier neutrality the answer?

Beyond monopolies and satellite hype, carrier-neutral infrastructure offers the continent a potential third path amid global internet connectivity upheavals and geopolitical uncertainties.

OP-ED - Awkward investment realities: the case for backing 'boring' business in Africa

Market Intelligence

OP-ED - Awkward investment realities: the case for backing 'boring' business in Africa

As African tech investments plateau, Balloon Ventures' $14 million SME portfolio reveals an uncomfortable truth: 'boring' traditional businesses might be outperforming venture-backed startups in real economic impact.

POD - Impact theatre check: Balloon Ventures' contrarian sensibilities to SME financing in East Africa

Impact Investing

POD - Impact theatre check: Balloon Ventures' contrarian sensibilities to SME financing in East Africa

Joshua Bicknell, co-founder of Balloon Ventures, discusses how the financial institution is challenging conventional investor logic by backing "boring businesses" to create sustainable employment in East Africa.

POD - This Is Connectivity a la VC with Accion Venture Lab's Jasiel Martin-Odoom

This Is Connectivity

POD - This Is Connectivity a la VC with Accion Venture Lab's Jasiel Martin-Odoom

Discover how Accion Venture Lab's Africa Investment Officer blends digital savvy with authentic relationship-building to find and fund some of the continent's most promising fintech startups.

POD - Savvy product-led innovation: Evah Kimani's vision for digital insurance in Africa

POD - Savvy product-led innovation: Evah Kimani's vision for digital insurance in Africa

In this podcast conversation, Evah Kimani unpacks how she’s channelling over 18 years of expertise into curating partnerships that fuel Britam's growth and digital innovation strategies.

OP-ED - Reimagining African healthcare access: Britam's director of partnerships & digital on 'insurable moments'

OP-ED - Reimagining African healthcare access: Britam's director of partnerships & digital on 'insurable moments'

Andile Masuku weighs Evah Kimani's insights on how Africa's traditional risk-sharing practices shape Britam’s growth strategy, striking a balance between institutional scale and grassroots innovation in insurance delivery.

OP-ED - Why Ochich Magero traded philosophy for fintech in agro-processing

OP-ED - Why Ochich Magero traded philosophy for fintech in agro-processing

Ochich Magero shares insights from his journey, evolving from philosopher to fintech founder, with a mission to transform financial inclusion for agro-processors across Africa.

OP-ED - Failing forward: translating public setbacks into fresh starts

OP-ED - Failing forward: translating public setbacks into fresh starts

MarketForce's closure underscores the importance of sustainable growth. Co-founder Tesh Mbaabu's openness paves the way for new beginnings.

OP-ED - Michael Kimani on lobbying for blockchain legislation in Kenya

OP-ED - Michael Kimani on lobbying for blockchain legislation in Kenya

Kenya's Blockchain Association advances digital asset regulation, spearheaded by director Michael Kimani. Kimani takes us behind the fray.

40: Why Is South Africa Looking To Regulate Services Like WhatsApp?

MTN South Africa

40: Why Is South Africa Looking To Regulate Services Like WhatsApp?

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] African policy makers are struggling to come to grips with the opportunities and threats presented by various important innovations being spurred by technological advancement — this as they carry out the unenviable task of safeguarding

32: The Angani Saga Sets Silicon Savannah Ablaze

32: The Angani Saga Sets Silicon Savannah Ablaze

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] Kenya’s tech scene aka Silicon Savannah is on fire! At least, that’s according to commentators like Brenda Wambui, who’s recent blog [https://medium.com/@brendawambui/corruption-in-the-silicon-savannah-9e393a00aa0e#.ml0heolg0] posted on Medium threw

24: What's The Big Fuss About Apple Ad Blockers?

24: What's The Big Fuss About Apple Ad Blockers?

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] As avid consumers of new media, it’s hard not to love the ad blocking features Apple has worked into iOS9 [http://www.forbes.com/sites/billrosenblatt/2015/09/21/apples-ios-9-ad-blocking-new-piracy/] , and the clever

22: "Cashflow Rules Everything Around Me" Alludes iROKOtv's Jason Njoku

22: "Cashflow Rules Everything Around Me" Alludes iROKOtv's Jason Njoku

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] Launching a start-up in Africa is not for the faint-hearted. Very few promising ventures - even those that achieve solid traction, can expect to land Silicon Valley type investment offers that might allow a

20: What Defines An African Startup?

20: What Defines An African Startup?

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] Back in Episode 3 of the African Tech Round-up [https://www.africantechroundup.com/what-is-a-startup-african-tech-round-up/] we asked the question: “What is a startup?” A lively discussion ensued— inspired by an eloquent piece written by David

19: Does Africa Need More Cheap Smartphones?

19: Does Africa Need More Cheap Smartphones?

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] For many recently married couples, the diamond engagement ring is one of their biggest assets — albeit an emotional asset, symbolising love and lifelong commitment. In financial terms, it isn’t an asset at all,

18: Scary Software Upgrades

18: Scary Software Upgrades

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] Microsoft [http://microsoft.co.za] certainly got millions of people excited a while ago when they announced that their latest version of Windows would be free. However, Windows [http://www.microsoft.com/en-za/windows/

17: Importance Of Accurate Data For Africa

17: Importance Of Accurate Data For Africa

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] There is no doubt that "wherever there is chaos, there is opportunity". A popular conspiracy theory suggests that the lack of quality data on the African continent suits devious corporate and government

16: Hackathon Hype Or Help?

16: Hackathon Hype Or Help?

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] You know it’s a slow news week when the week’s biggest news involves the CEO and the CFO of South African telecoms firm, Neotel, going on leave. Granted, it is “special leave”

15: What Are You Going To Do When They Come For You?

15: What Are You Going To Do When They Come For You?

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] Think back to high school. Remember how the new dude always got all the girls whispering, or how the new girl got all the boys trying to walk her home? Now, if the newbie

14: Are Kenya And Ethiopia Violating Citizens' Privacy?

14: Are Kenya And Ethiopia Violating Citizens' Privacy?

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] Many people are conflicted about the need for “cyber mercenaries” like Hacking Team [http://www.hackingteam.it/] to exist. Blind idealism might contend that it is simply not right for corporatised hacking syndicates with

13: Nest.vc Launches In Africa

13: Nest.vc Launches In Africa

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] Everyone loves a good love story. Especially when things go according to plan: start-up founder meets venture capitalist with deep pockets, tons of real-world experience, great contacts and, of course, a tried and tested

10: Game Over For Startup Seed Funds?

10: Game Over For Startup Seed Funds?

Subscribe on iTunes [http://bit.ly/2cl7ISa] | Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3Z3LxMD9ilV0cMYc9c9MMe] Nigeria's "company that builds companies", Spark [http://spark.ng/], announced last week its plans to drop some startups it invested in [http://www.jason.com.ng/post/121575257885/spark-and-the-state-of-angel-investing-in-africa] . This