Many African seaports have suffered from underdevelopment, inadequate port infrastructure, congestion, and inefficiency. This has necessitated the development of a proper mechanism to help alleviate the challenges; resulting in the development of the dry port concept. Dry ports, are a new concept in Africa, having originated in Europe and North America. Dry ports are intermodal...
The rapid growth in global trade which has seen complex supply chain structures being put up, has cemented the role of logistics in the industry. Logistics is a critical component in supply chain management (SCM), as it helps in planning and coordinating movement of products in an effective, safe and timely manner. The end goal...
According to a recent report released by OECD/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project, dubbed “A Progress Report on Amount A of Pillar One”; there is an ongoing development to update and fundamentally reform the international tax rules by 137 members of the OECD (Organization for Economic and Corporation Development) who joined the statement on...
Infrastructure development is a key driver of progress in Africa, as well as a critical enabler of productivity and long-term economic growth. Closing the infrastructure financing gap estimated at $100 billion per year is critical for the continent’s economic development, people’s quality of life, poverty eradication, and business expansion. Africa’s infrastructure deficit can be divided...
Supply chain management (SCM) refers to all the steps and processes involved in the lifecycle of a product, right from its conception, creation, distribution, up until its consumption. At each stage of the life cycle, supply chain managers are tasked with maintaining efficiencies in the production processes and ensuring timely deliveries to the consumers. Over...
According to research by Oleg S. Pianykh, the potential contribution of machine learning (ML) to healthcare operations and management has largely been unexplored. It is therefore against this backdrop that the operational sphere of healthcare has much to benefit from machine learning. It is noted that the major hurdle healthcare systems face is managing patient...
The global food and grocery industry has experienced tremendous disruption, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. As highlighted in our previous article on “Digital transformation in the food and grocery delivery industry in Kenya”, this disruption was experienced in an array of industries leading to the “tech-celeration” of digital innovations. Five years of technological advances were...
An increase in access and adoption of internet as well as recent events such as the Covid-19 pandemic that limited people’s movement have catalyzed a rapid transition into online banking across Africa. Today it is possible to get a loan from a bank without ever seeing the inside of its halls. Leveraging on this market-driven...
Independently, governance, risk and compliance (GRC) have always been of concern to businesses especially those in the financial services who face numerous regulations. GRC is an approach to management that looks at the 3 principles holistically throughout the entire organization. Under GRC all three components have to be implemented collectively, as opposed to having just...
Globally, markets are starting to embrace online grocery shopping, even though the rate of adoption is slow. Multiple retailers are expanding their offerings into online grocery shopping. In Europe, some of the retailers are Tesco and Ahold. In the US, some examples include FreshDirect and Amazon Fresh while in Kenya, some of the retailers offering...
Despite Africa’s economic and political volatility, geographical complexities, and infrastructural gaps, global business interest in the continent is continuously blooming. Among the key drivers of this interest are a population that is fast growing & urbanizing, increasing digital & mobile access, innovations and large reservoirs of key natural resources (arable land and minerals). In the...
The climate agenda has brought the human race to the realization that climate change is borderless and no one can escape the climate crisis. However, the true realization is that, on a global scale, the climate consequences are not evenly felt, with some being more adversely affected than others. The least contributors to carbon emission...
The AVCA Venture Capital In Africa Report 2021 released in April this year paints a picture of a rising economic block; and enhanced investor confidence in the growth potential for businesses across Africa. As per the report, USD 5.2 billion was raised by 604 unique companies in 2021, a 104% growth from the 319 VC...
In the past years, the private sector’s role in climate finance was focused on mitigation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; but today, the private sector’s role is becoming increasingly relevant in the global adaptation debate. The private sector accounts for roughly 86% of all global investments. In developing countries, up to 90% of the population...
Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) also referred to as consumer packaged goods can be defined as products that sell quickly in large quantities at a relatively low price because of their high demand or perishability and are consumed on a regular basis. They are categorized into processed foods, prepared meals, beverages, baked goods, fresh foods, frozen...
Taxation plays a critical role in modern states by enabling provision of public services (roads, justice system, defense, healthcare and education among others), spur economic growth, harmonizing unfavorable competitive environments and protection of the population’s well-being. Kenya thrives as an economic powerhouse in East Africa and the home of innovations popularly referred to as the...
The apparel and textile industry globally has been growing rapidly with clothing production doubling to account for 60 per cent of the overall textile production over the last 16 years. The fast fashion trend has been the key growth driver for the industry, as it has made it increasingly possible for retailers to bypass wholesalers...
In today’s world, most businesses focus on the day-to-day activities of their operations and lose sight of the internal progress tracking and performance review. Without a well-thought-out budget, a company risks being lost in a dark alley of utter chaos with no clear action plan to guide it. The budget tool links strategies to objectives,...
World Trade Organization (WTO) estimates that about 80% of the trade conducted globally relies heavily on trade finance. The annual global trade finance market is valued at about USD 5.2 trillion; and it forms the backbone upon which international business transactions are carried out. Trade finance can simply be described as financing of international and...
The world of cyber security is changing rapidly with new threats and remedies coming up every day. Employees are not able to keep up with these technological advancements every day; especially those without a technology background and not working within the information technology (IT) departments in their organizations. It is therefore paramount for organizations to...