Kenya Says Election Jitters Pose Risks to Growth Prospects

Kenya Says Election Jitters Pose Risks to Growth Prospects

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Political uncertainty surrounding Kenyan elections next month and a dry-up in banks’ lending to businesses and individuals could hurt the short-term growth prospects of East Africa’s biggest economy, according to the Treasury. The Aug. 8 elections may create uncertainty that could weaken foreign and local investor confidence, Treasury Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge said in a statement on the ministry’s website on Thursday. “The economy remains vulnerable to the shocks emanating from the…

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Blind’ Preparations Seen Stoking Risk of Kenyan Vote Unrest

Blind’ Preparations Seen Stoking Risk of Kenyan Vote Unrest

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Less than a month before Kenyans are due to go to the polls, electoral authorities are behind on everything from printing ballot papers to finalizing a voter list. That risks a disputed outcome and unrest a decade after post-election violence engulfed the East African nation. While the Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission says the vote will take place Aug. 8, there has been a court appeal over the ballot…

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World’s Biggest Mobile Carriers Defeated as Africa Promise Fades

World’s Biggest Mobile Carriers Defeated as Africa Promise Fades

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Back when African countries were auctioning off mobile licenses by the boatload to serve the region’s young, tech-savvy population, investing in the continent’s fast-growing economies seemed like a no-brainer. Some of the world’s biggest wireless carriers rushed in. Now they’re wondering if they made a mistake. Increasing government and regulatory scrutiny, as well as a lack of expansion opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa, are making it harder for operators such…

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Barclays Kenya `Open Minded’ on Takeovers as Industry Wilts

Barclays Kenya `Open Minded’ on Takeovers as Industry Wilts

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Barclays Bank of Kenya Ltd. is ready to make acquisitions in East Africa’s largest economy as the industry struggles to cope with interest-rate caps that have cut profit and curbed lending and regulators urge the industry to consolidate. “Are we open to acquiring? Absolutely,” Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Awori said in an interview on Wednesday in Nairobi, the capital. “So you’ll either be looking to acquire capabilities you don’t have, which will…

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XSML invests in Monishop, Congo-Kinshasa

XSML invests in Monishop, Congo-Kinshasa

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – XSML, the fund manager active in Central & East Africa, announced its investment in Monishop sarl (Monishop), a well-known supermarket in Kinshasa, DRC. Since inception Monishop has grown to become the leading supermarket in Kinshasa in terms of product offering and overall store experience, with bank, fast-food and pharmacy facilities on the same premises. The investment supports Monishop to build a new large supermarket in the center of Kinshasa. Monishop…

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Kenya Reviews Mining Laws as Industry Struggles to Grow

Kenya Reviews Mining Laws as Industry Struggles to Grow

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenya is reviewing its mining code, a year after enacting new legislation, as it seeks to attract investment into an industry that’s barely grown over the past five years. The government is working with the U.K. Department for International Development-funded Extractives Hub to come up with a revised law that balances investor returns with government-revenue needs and international best practice, Mines Secretary Dan Kazungu said. The review is expected to be…

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Kibo Capital invests in Blowplast Limited

Kibo Capital invests in Blowplast Limited

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Africa-focused private equity fund manager Kibo Capital Partners is backing Blowplast Ltd, a plastic packaging company based in Kenya. As part of the deal, Christoph Evard, who led the deal for Kibo, will take a seat on the company’s board. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The capital will be used to fund Blowpast’s expansion plans for East Africa and beyond. The company, which was founded in…

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