Kenya tops EA bloc in impact investments
Kenya has become the top regional destination for investors putting money in impact investments that target both social and financial gains, a new study shows.
The report, which looked at regional impact investments made between 1998 and 2004, says Kenya accounted for nearly half of the $9.3 billion (Sh930 billion) invested.
The report, produced by the UK Department for International Development (DfID), the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) and Nairobi-based Open Capital Advisors found Kenya had impact investments worth $4.2 billion (Sh420 billion) which is 46 per cent of the amount that went to the region.
Kenya: U.S. Investors to Seek County Deals
A group of US investors attending the sixth Global Entrepreneurship Summit have expressed interest in seeking business opportunities and partnerships outside Nairobi.
The investors who arrived in the country on Monday, five days ahead of this weekend's summit, have held forums with the business community in Nairobi.
Led by the US National Business League, the team of 20 said it will visit Mombasa, Nakuru and possibly Baringo and Bomet counties.
Obama calls for more intra-Africa trade
Barack Obama has called for an increase in intra-African trade alongside a renewed economic engagement with the United States, arguing that countries on the continent can do much more to build links with neighbouring states.
“The biggest markets for your goods are often right next door. You don’t have to just look overseas for growth, you can look internally…it shouldn’t be harder for African countries to trade with each other than it is for you to trade with Europe and America,” he said.
Hong Kong venture capital firm opens Africa base in Nairobi
Hong Kong based investment incubation firm- Nest- opened its first office in Africa, in Nairobi.
The venture capital firm is seeking to provide access to funding and making introductions to successful entrepreneurs. The firm primarily targets investments that are typically seed or startup phase companies.
According to a statement from the firm, the office is its first in Africa and is expected to serve the entire continent.
The firm will be headed by Aaron Fu as the Managing Partner in Africa. Mr Fu was previously Standard Chartered Bank’s head of digital banking in Africa where he spearheaded the financial institution’s digital sales framework across the continent.
