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100% We can't be adding races in other locations if you continue to ignore Africa. The rest of the world just takes from Africa, no one gives anything to Africa. There's a huge amount of work that needs to be done there. - Lewis Hamilton

Kenya is set to debut its first sci-fi series, *Subterranea*, premiering on 26 September 2024 on Showmax. Directed by the acclaimed Likarion Wainaina, known for the award-winning film *Supa Modo*, this eight-part Showmax Original explores the psychological dynamics of human behavior in an isolated setting. Wainaina, whose previous work has earned over 50 international awards, continues to push boundaries with this groundbreaking series. *Subterranea* follows eight participants in a psychological experiment, confined in an underground bunker to study the effects of close-quarter isolation. As the world outside collapses, the participants must navigate their new reality, dealing with themes of human psychology and behavior amidst the backdrop of a crumbling world. The series boasts a stellar cast of Kenya’s top actors, including Foi Wambui, Peter Kawa, and Nice Githinji (Her/Hers), alongside Kalasha nominees Melvin Alusa and Melissa Kiplagat. Philippa Ndisi-Herrmann makes her acting debut, joined by Makena Kahuha, Biko Nyongesa, Pauline Komu, Dadson Gakenga, and newcomer Chintu Chudasama. *Subterranea* not only marks a significant milestone in Kenyan television but also delves into profound themes such as mental health, institutional failures, and societal issues often overlooked on screen. Co-produced by Likarion Wainaina and series creator Brian Munene, the show aims to offer a fresh perspective on sci-fi, blending imaginative science with deeply human stories. #Subterranea #Showmax #KenyanTV #SciFiSeries #LikarionWainaina #BrianMunene #MentalHealth #KenyanCinema #FilmIndustry #TelevisionInnovation To read more: https://zurl.co/0ZKN

Sasai Fintech, a fintech business under Cassava Technologies, has entered into a significant partnership with Airtel Money Uganda to extend zero-fee financial transfers to more African markets. This collaboration marks a major step in offering users in the United Kingdom and South Africa the ability to send money to recipients in Uganda without incurring any fees. The initiative, which began in May with Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, will now expand to other high-traffic Airtel markets including Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia. This strategic move aims to enhance the accessibility and affordability of remittance services across the continent, aligning with Sasai Money’s mission to provide seamless financial solutions. The partnership allows recipients to withdraw funds free of charge from their Airtel Money wallet, addressing the challenge of high remittance fees and the risks associated with informal money transfer channels. With $100 billion in remittances flowing into Africa in 2022, this collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between formal and informal transfer methods, ensuring greater security and cost-effectiveness for users. Darlington Mandivenga, CEO of Sasai Fintech, emphasized the importance of this partnership in accessing one of Africa’s largest remittance markets, highlighting the commitment to improving financial inclusivity and efficiency for users across the continent. #SasaiMoney #AirtelMoney #FinancialTransfers #Remittance #Africa #Fintech #ZeroFees #CassavaTechnologies #EconetGroup #BankingInnovation TO read more: https://zurl.co/ZItF

Ecobank Uganda has announced a strategic partnership with Ria Money Transfer, a global leader in cross-border remittance services, to enhance remittance options throughout Uganda. This collaboration will enable customers to receive funds directly into their Ecobank accounts, with the flexibility to collect cash transfers at any Ecobank branch or through the bank’s extensive sub-agent network across the country. The partnership aims to streamline the process for both account holders and non-account holders, providing more accessible and efficient remittance services. By integrating Ria’s extensive network with Ecobank’s infrastructure, Ugandans can now benefit from improved options for sending and receiving money, whether they are in Uganda or abroad. Muliisa Grace, Managing Director of Ecobank Uganda, emphasized the significance of this collaboration for Ugandans both at home and in the diaspora, particularly in the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Middle East. She highlighted the partnership’s role in addressing the growing demand for seamless financial solutions and enhancing the security and efficiency of remittance services. Mr. El Hadj Malick Seck, Managing Director of Ria Money Transfer – Africa, underscored the importance of this partnership within Ria’s global network, which spans over 580,000 locations in nearly 200 countries. He pointed out that this collaboration is a crucial step in providing greater convenience for Ugandans sending money back to their families, reinforcing East Africa's significance in Ria’s operations. #EcobankUganda #RiaMoneyTransfer #RemittanceServices #FinancialInclusion #EastAfrica #CrossBorderPayments #GlobalRemittance #Uganda #Diaspora #BankingInnovation To read more: https://zurl.co/S0p6

Interswitch Group, a leading Nigerian fintech company, has partnered with ELIE TECHNOLOGIES INC, known as Tuma, to launch Tumatap, an innovative contactless payment solution in Kenya. This collaboration aims to streamline payment processes for merchants and customers, focusing particularly on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that form the backbone of Kenya’s economy. Tumatap transforms any Android or iOS smartphone, or even a feature phone, into a point-of-sale (POS) system, eliminating the need for additional hardware. This technology allows MSMEs to accept contactless payments effortlessly, using devices they already own. The convenience of Tumatap ensures faster checkouts and improved customer satisfaction. The Tumatap system facilitates transactions by allowing customers to simply tap their card or device on a merchant's smartphone. Local processing is employed to keep transaction costs lower compared to international systems, and the data collected provides merchants with valuable insights into customer behavior and business performance. Operating under the Central Bank of Kenya’s regulations, Interswitch has been authorized to process card transactions for Tumatap merchants. This partnership merges Tuma’s soft PoS technology with Interswitch’s robust card processing and fraud protection capabilities. Wesley Masinde from Tuma highlights how this initiative will empower small businesses in Kenya and advance financial inclusion. #Interswitch #Tumatap #Fintech #PaymentSolutions #FinancialInclusion #Kenya #MSMEs #ContactlessPayments #TechInnovation To read more: https://zurl.co/uidA

Absa Bank Kenya has recently added 159 new jobs in the first half of 2024, aligning with its strategic objective to enhance customer acquisition and service delivery. This hiring surge is focused on customer-facing roles, particularly in sales and positions that interact directly with customers, reinforcing Absa's commitment to expanding its market presence. The bank views this talent investment as essential to driving its growth ambitions in a competitive banking environment. In addition to bolstering its workforce, Absa Bank Kenya is making significant investments in technology and digitization. The bank aims to streamline operations and elevate customer experiences by integrating digital platforms, branches, and agency networks. This approach ensures seamless and consistent interactions across multiple channels, enabling Absa to meet customers at every stage of their banking journey. Absa’s expansion strategy also includes opening new branches, such as the recent addition at Business Bay Mall in Eastleigh and the upcoming branch at Rupas Mall in Eldoret. These openings not only create job opportunities but also solidify Absa's footprint in strategic locations, enhancing its ability to serve a broader customer base. The multi-channel approach combines physical branches with digital and agency services, positioning Absa to reach customers effectively and efficiently. Financially, Absa Bank Kenya has demonstrated strong performance, with a 29% increase in profit after tax, totaling Kshs 10.7 billion in the first half of 2024. The bank continues to invest heavily in technology, with Kshs 3 billion dedicated to infrastructure upgrades aimed at boosting core banking and back-office systems. These investments underscore Absa’s focus on operational efficiency, customer service excellence, and robust growth in the competitive Kenyan banking landscape. Yusuf Omari Abdi Mohamed #AbsaBankKenya #CustomerAcquisition #BankingInnovation #DigitalTransformation #JobCreation #KenyaBankingSector #FinancialServices To read more: https://zurl.co/MmxG

Bob Morgan Services Ltd. (BM SECURITY) has appointed Michelle Morgan as its new CEO, succeeding Neil Morgan, who will transition to the role of Chairman after eight years of leadership. Michelle Morgan, formerly the Executive Director overseeing the company's technology division, BM Systems, brings over seven years of experience in the security services industry. Her previous role was pivotal in driving BM Security’s digital transformation and positioning the company as a leader in technological advancements within the sector. Before joining BM Security, Michelle Morgan had a notable career in media, working with leading Kenyan media houses such as Royal Media Services Limited, Mediamax Network Ltd, and Ebru Africa. Her media career includes serving as the lead anchor for 1PM business news from 2012 to 2014 and later anchoring at Ebru Africa and Mediamax. As of February 2024, BM Security is among the 763 licensed private security firms in Kenya, holding a 5% market share. The private security sector in Kenya is competitive, with G4S leading with a 19% share, followed by KK Security, Security Group, and others. Michelle Morgan’s appointment marks a new chapter for BM Security, expected to leverage her expertise to further drive innovation and growth in the security services industry. #PrivateSecurity #Leadership #SecurityServices #DigitalTransformation #Kenya #BM_Security #MichelleMorgan #Innovation #Technology To read more: https://zurl.co/JGmJ

The World Bank has appointed Qimiao Fan as the new Country Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda. Fan will oversee the implementation of sector and project work in these countries and report directly to the World Bank regional vice president. His role includes managing the relationship with the four borrowing member countries alongside the World Bank’s resident mission representatives. Fan, who succeeds Keith Hansen in this position, has been with the World Bank Group since 1991 and has held various senior roles. His previous positions include Country Manager for Cambodia and Country Director for Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Most recently, Fan served as Director of Strategic and Corporate Initiatives. As Kenya increasingly relies on the World Bank for development support amid limited external financing, Fan will be at the helm of managing the country’s relationship with the lender. Kenya is currently benefiting from a multi-year Development Policy Financing Facility (DPF), with a recent disbursement of Sh155 billion ($1.2 billion) to fund development and green projects. Fan is expected to be based in Nairobi, where the World Bank Group’s regional office is located. His appointment comes at a pivotal time, with Kenya anticipating further disbursements from the DPF in 2025 and 2026 to support ongoing development initiatives. #WorldBank #Kenya #DevelopmentFinance #Leadership #QimiaoFan #InternationalDevelopment #ProjectManagement #AfricaDevelopment To read more: https://zurl.co/hPzk

Villgro Africa has announced a significant investment in Thalia Psychotherapy, a leading mental health service provider based in Kenya. This partnership is set against a growing demand for accessible and affordable mental health care across Africa, as Thalia continues to innovate in addressing the region's mental health challenges. Thalia Psychotherapy, with its services utilized by over 4,000 clinics and impacting more than 3 million people, is poised for rapid expansion. The company aims to reach 58 million people within the next two years, leveraging Kenya's Universal Health Care initiative and partnerships with other African governments to extend its impact. Villgro Africa’s CEO and co-founder, Wilfred Njeru, emphasized the critical nature of mental health in Africa, describing Thalia’s innovative and scalable model as ideal for making a substantial difference across the continent. The investment will support Thalia's growth into seven additional African markets, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda, through the development of a result-based financing model such as an impact bond. The collaboration also highlights Thalia's commitment to enhancing mental health care accessibility through advanced technologies and services, including AI-driven diagnostics and anonymous support platforms like Ajala Mobile. This partnership represents a pivotal step forward in improving mental health care access and reducing stigma in Africa. #MentalHealth #Investment #Healthcare #Africa #Innovation #VillgroAfrica #ThaliaPsychotherapy #UniversalHealthCare To read more: https://zurl.co/Cf3N

Nutanix, a leader in hybrid multi-cloud software, has announced plans to significantly increase its investments in Africa to meet the rising demand for its services across the continent. The company is optimistic about the growth prospects in Africa and has recently appointed Sven Schoenaerts as the channel head for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to spearhead these efforts. Sven Schoenaerts emphasized the continent’s potential, noting Nutanix’s established presence in key markets such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa. He highlighted the strong demand for Nutanix’s solutions and the company’s commitment to collaborating with local channel partners to expand its market footprint. Nutanix is focused on driving growth by investing in customer success and developing its partner ecosystem. The company aims to help customers navigate their hybrid multi-cloud journeys while capitalizing on the opportunities presented by market shifts, such as VMware’s acquisition by Broadcom. As Nutanix continues to enhance its presence in Africa, it plans to focus on acquiring new clients and expanding its services to meet the evolving needs of the region’s dynamic market. #Nutanix #HybridCloud #MultiCloud #Investment #Africa #TechGrowth #ChannelPartner #CloudSolutions To read more: https://zurl.co/s0QL