Kshs. 300 / Ushs. 9000 Tshs. 6000 / RWF. 2200 ISSUE 23 / 2018
INSIDE ENTREPRENEUR WHO LOVES ALL THINGS BEAUTY AND COSMETICS SAGE: MARKET LEADER IN CLOUD BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS THREE EARLY INDUSTRY ADOPTERS OF AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGIES
LIQUID TELECOM DIGITIZING AFRICA
ADIL EL YOUSEFFI, CEO, LIQUID TELECOM KENYA. www.destinafrica.co.ke
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Editor’s note
Emerging Technologies Shaping the Future of Businesses
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ecently, Oracle held its Impact Technology Summit in Nairobi geared towards driving awareness of emerging technologies and their impact on business. The Summit, which brought together business leaders and domain experts focused on how emerging technologies are influencing business innovation. According to Corine Mbiaketcha Nana, Managing Director Kenya Hub covering East, Central and West Africa at Oracle, emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and Blockchain are changing the way companies do business at every level, across every function, in ways we are only starting to imagine. This comes at a time when Liquid Telecom Kenya, in partnership with Sigfox, plans to build and deploy a nationwide IoT network covering up to 85 per cent of the Kenyan population. According to the company’s Head of IoT Strategy, the network will allow Kenyans to develop their own homemade solutions for the many unique socio-economic and business challenges they face. According to Guido Verweij, Travelport’s regional managing director, Africa, such emerging technologies are also transforming the travel experience. The future of creating experiences lies in the transformative impact of IoT, Mobile, Big Data, AI, and cloud computing, which are powering the travel industry to offer more than just a trip. Apparently, it’s the high time for business leaders to see emerging technologies as disruptive opportunities rather than challenges. There is no doubt that such technologies will enable significant leaps forward in terms of efficiency, innovation and competitiveness in business.
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Contents 22.
YOUNGPRENEUR
16. 5. EDITOR’S NOTE 10. GET INSPIRED 12. CORPORATE NEWS
24. INSPIRING WOMAN
Equity Bank WeFarm Redstor
16. TECHNOLOGY MTN Business Kenya: A One Stop Shop for Connectivity and Enterprise Solutions
20. REAL ESTATE At Moran Ridge, You Get More Out of the Investment You Make
22. YOUNGPRENEUR
Reaching for the Stars
Entrepreneur Who loves all Things Beauty and Cosmetics
26. COVER STORY Liquid Telecom Taps into Emerging Technologies in a bid to Digitize Africa
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Africa 8 Editor-in-Chief : SUSAN ARMSTRONG
GET 25% OFF
EDITORIAL Features Editor JENNIFER NYAWIRA Features Editor SHABAN AHAB Assistant Editor ALEX NYAMU Digital News Journalist JOE
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Art Direction & Design CAITLIN SHARON Graphic Designer FELIX CONTRIBUTORS Nikki Summers Corine Mbiaketcha Nana Reuben Kimani Hasnain Noorani Guido Verweij Mukaindo A. Mwaniki
MARKETING & DIGITAL Head of Digital and Marketing JACKSON THUITA Digital Content Producer AMANDA Digital Coordinator KATE ISSAH FINANCE & OFFICE MANAGEMENT Accounts – accounts@destinafrica.co.ke Head of Sales & Media STEVE – steve@destinafrica.co.ke
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Published by Forafrica Media P. O. Box 74298-00200 Nairobi, Kenya. Cell: (+254) 774 680 871 / (+254) 739 553 074 E-mail: info@destinafrica.co.ke Website: www.destinafrica.co.ke Destin Africa
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© 2018 Destin Africa published by FORAFRICA MEDIA. Copyright subsists in all work published in this magazine. Any reproduction or adaptation, in whole or in part, without written permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited and is an act of copyright infringement which may, in certain circumstances, constitute a criminal offence. www.destinafrica.co.ke
Contents 28. SAGE
28.
Sage: Market Leader in Cloud Business Management Solutions
30.
OPINION
32. AUTOMATION 32. REAL ESTATE 34. HOSPITALITY 36. ENERGY 38. HEALTH & FITNESS Contraceptives: More Awareness Needed to Increase Uptake
40.
40. MOTOR 2018 NISSAN KICKS
42. TRAVELWISE These Five Technologies are Transforming the Travel Experience
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Africa
Get Inspired
provoking quotes by entrepreneurs and executives “When I was younger there was something in me. I had passion. I may not have known what I was going to do with that passion, but there was something-and I still feel it. It’s this little engine that roars inside of me and I just want to keep going and going.” ~ Sheila Johnson “Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.”
“One of the challenges associated with a company becoming large is that companies become hierarchical. They become bureaucratic. They become slow. They become risk averse.” – Kenneth C. Frazier “No company can afford not to move forward. It may be at the top of the heap today but at the bottom of the heap tomorrow, if it doesn’t.” -James Cash Penney, founder, JC Penney
– Andy Rooney, journalist “The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving.”
“Almost everything worthwhile carries with it some sort of risk, whether it’s starting a new business, whether it’s leaving home, whether it’s getting married, or whether it’s flying in space.”
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, writer/ statesman
– Chris Hadfield, astronaut
“The road back may not be as short as we wish,... But there are solid reasons to feel confident about the future.”
“Employees want to feel inspired by their leaders…hire individuals who will lead by example.”
– Richard Parsons
- Jody Kohner, VP of Employee Marketing & Engagement, Salesforce
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
– Mark Twain
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Africa 12 Corporate News
Equity Bank Group CEO, Dr. James Mwangi.
Equity Bank Ranked 35th Most Solid Bank in the World
806th position This shows that the financial institution has moved seven places up, compared with the 806th position placed last year
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quity Bank is among The Top 1000 Banks in the World in a report released by the Banker Magazine.
According to the ranking, Equity Bank was placed first in Kenya, an improvement from last year’s 2nd position and number 799 globally with $848 Million in Tier 1 capital*. This shows that the financial institution has moved seven places up, compared with the 806th position placed last year.
In other categories, the bank ranked number 11 on Return on Assets*, 35th on soundness* based on Capital Assets Ratio*, 44th based on Profits on Capital* globally. Equity’s ranking in Kenya was based on Return on Assets and Capital Assets Ratio and 14.63% increase in Tier 1 capital YOY. The ranking is an indication that Equity Bank remains robust, despite the challenging operating environment. The Bank has already developed and adopted a
sustainable business model to cushion the business as well as boost value creation for shareholders. Innovation has proved to be a great enabler in driving growth and already registering efficiency gains from digitization.
According to The Banker, Africa’s economic fortunes improved over the 2017 review period following a difficult couple of years in which lower commodity prices hit the performance of the Africa continents’ largest markets. The Banker July 2018 edition features the Top 1000 World Banks ranking, which has been setting the industry benchmark since 1970. The ranking provides each bank’s performance, strength and stability. This helps track bank performance, identify banking partners for the future and track the big movers and new arrivals by benchmarking on their size, growth, profitability (Return on assets, return on capital and cost to income ratio) as well as advantage in terms of Capital to assets ratio.
World’s Largest Farmer-to-Farmer Network, Wefarm, Reaches Over One Million Users and Sends More Than One Million Questions and Answers
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One in five farms in Kenya and Uganda now uses the network to share intel and answer one another’s questions
efarm, the world’s largest farmer-to-farmer digital network, has announced it has reached over 1.1 million users across Kenya and Uganda. Moreover, for the first time, farmers have asked and answered more than one million questions through Wefarm in a single calendar month. That means, Wefarm enables a farmer to share vital information they couldn’t get anywhere else – for free, in their own language, and without any internet – every 1.6 seconds.
With one in five farms in Kenya and Uganda using the network, the company plans to expand into the rest of Africa in 2019, beginning with Tanzania. Wefarm’s network allows small-scale farmers to ask each other questions on anything related to agriculture and then receive bespoke content and ideas in response. Farmers can ask questions in any language and messaging is free of charge. If farmers don’t have internet access (as many do not), they can access Wefarm via SMS on their mobile phones. Wefarm’s machine learning algorithms then match each question to the best suited responder.
The average time it takes for a farmer to receive an answer to their question is under six minutes – even for farmers without internet. Knowledge shared on Wefarm can help farmers produce
higher quality product, increase yields, gain insight into pricing, tackle the effects of climate change, diversify agricultural interests, and source the best seeds, fertilisers, and loans.
Wefarm’s NLP libraries are the first of their kind in the world; this model can identify three regional African languages – Kiswahili, Luganda, and Runyankore – in addition to English. This means, unlike with other agtech networks, Wefarm users don’t need proficiency in English. This increases reach and access. “Hitting one million farmers is the first step in our global expansion and we’re expecting growth to accelerate quickly from here on out,” said Kenny Ewan, CEO of Wefarm, “Wefarm now shares more content than Stack Overflow and has more content contributors than Wikipedia. Now that we’ve demonstrated that our network works on a mass scale, we’re looking towards our commercial vision for 2019 and beyond, which may include both data intelligence services and the creation of a marketplace that puts farmers needs first.”
“Wefarm is an extraordinarily ambitious and impactful business using the power of technology to connect small-scale farmers throughout Africa,” said Jon Callaghan, cofounder of True Ventures. “We are very pleased with their growth and success.” www.destinafrica.co.ke
Africa 14 Corporate News
Redstor Expands in Kenya Following Huge Interest in Disruptive Data Management Platform
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edstor, a leading South Africa-based cloud data management SaaS business, is expanding its operations in Kenya after seeing the company’s market share grow by around 50% annually in the last four years.
The company is not only looking to strengthen its presence in the Kenyan market but also its partnership with Internet Solutions, who currently are the sole distributors of Redstor’s data management and backup solutions in Kenya. As part of its long-term strategy to accelerate revenue with renewed focus on the growing Kenyan market, the company has appointed Angela Kasandi as a Channel Account Manager who will be stationed at Internet Solutions.
Ms Kasandi will be looking to increase Redstor’s client base and enhancing the service the company provides to current Internet Solutions customers in Kenya, as well as exploring future business opportunities in the country.
Shaun Searle, Country Manager for African regions at Redstor, said: “Since we first entered the Kenyan market in 2014, we’ve gained numerous relationships with organisations who are recognising great value in Redstor’s pioneering cloud data management service. Consequently, we are investing further in the region. We now have Angela as a local resource in Kenya.” “Angela will be specifically focused on adding further value to our existing client base as well as new business acquisition in the form of lead generation and opportunity www.destinafrica.co.ke
qualification,” he added. Angela is Redstor’s first dedicated resource on the continent outside of South Africa. As the company continues to expand, further appointments are planned in Mozambique and in other regions.
In her new role representing Redstor at Internet Solutions, she is looking forward to: “Bringing in new customers, solving customers’ problems and giving them peace of mind by ensuring they receive the best possible service from Redstor.” Through the partnership, Internet Solutions and Redstor are looking to capitalise on the growing interest and demand in data management and backup solutions in Kenya to grow their revenues.
Commenting on the new developments, Internet Solutions Managing Director Richard Hechle said that the company was keen on embracing strategic partnerships that will help the firm introduce data management and backup solutions that enhance its value proposition to clients.
“Since we started our partnership with Redstor in 2014, we have been able to introduce to our clients in this market a set of world-class, leading-edge products and services, that deliver the future of data management, now,” he said. Hechle noted that going forward, the two companies will be focusing on making it easier for organisations to access and manage their data wherever it is stored, empowering IT departments while reducing costs, simplifying deployment and billing, improving security and compliance and providing borderless visibility of the entire data estate.
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Africa 16 Technology
Festus Kiragu, acting managing director, MTN Business Kenya.
MTN Business Kenya: a One Stop Shop for Connectivity and Enterprise Solutions The company recently invested on a state-of-the-art tier III data centre
established using the most rigorous engineered IP networks to meet the business needs of its customers
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By Jennifer Nyawira hen MTN Business entered the Kenyan market in 2009, its mandate was to provide business solutions that would enable its Corporate and SME customers to not only do more but realize efficiencies in their businesses. The company’s stellar growth is evidence that it derives fulfillment in customer www.destinafrica.co.ke
satisfaction. “We endeavor to provide exceptional and proactive customer service as we understand that what we offer is critical to our customers,” says Festus Kiragu, acting managing director, MTN Business Kenya. MTN made its entry into Kenya after acquiring UUNET Kenya, which it then rebranded to MTN Business Kenya. UUNET was previously owned by Verizon Wireless, an American data solutions provider.
Since then, the company has invested heavily in the Kenyan market. “In 2017, we invested over $2 million in the state-of-theart data centre in Nairobi, and a further $1 million in a backup facility in Mombasa,” reveals Mr. Kiragu. “We have also invested over $15 million in our fibre network in four major towns – Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret.”
Its eight year presence in Kenya has seen it grow into a brand to reckon with in the technology industry today. “We plan to continue investing in this market since Kenya is a critical market within the region and many multinationals headquartered here,” observes Mr. Kiragu. MTN has an extensive connectivity footprint with presence in 24 markets across Africa and the Middle East.
Shifting focus to enterprise solutions MTN has shifted from just focusing on connectivity to enterprise solutions, a move that was informed by various factors.
everywhere you go “We realized that connectivity is a gateway or an enabler for business and not purely an end in itself. For us to maximize the potential of this market, we must ensure our customers stay ahead of the competition by providing services that drive their businesses.” The company also wants to help its customers leverage efficiencies and not primarily deal with something that is not in their core business such as information technology.
Mr. Kiragu further says that organizations are keener on accessing ICT as a service as opposed to tying heavy CAPEX on IT assets that have to be refreshed every so often to stay ahead of the curve. Connectivity in this business is now a commodity. The prices are declining every day and with margins considerably dropping. Although this is a benefit for the customers, since they are continuously paying less, service
providers must innovate and bring new products into the market to remain afloat.
Products A key enterprise solution that MTN is delivering is Cloud services. We are enabling organizations to create virtual servers and virtual datacenters on our infrastructure where they can seamlessly install their business applications and launch products in a record time. Previously, a company would take not less than six months to procure the server hardware and install requisite applications, a process that we have now reduced to hours. The flexibility to scale up capacity on the go and affordable “pay as you use” model is what our customers value the most. We have invested in applications guided by demand from the market. Some of these include Backup and DR as a service. With traditional disaster recovery solutions,
businesses have had to figure out what their budget can support and make tough decisions about which applications to be or not be covered. We have simplified this process and technology’s complexity of replication for our customers by providing disaster recovery as a service where customers can recover their IT services on MTN cloud incase of disaster and they only have pay an affordable monthly subscription.
The other solution is MTN IP business voice service -a solution that allows customers to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection as opposed to a regular phone line. This gives organizations value of being able to make free calls across the organization branch offices, allow employees flexibility of moving with their office line and receive calls on any device be it fixed desk phone, smart device or PC. Some of our customers have recorded a drop of over 60% on www.destinafrica.co.ke
Africa 18 Technology Additionally, having a large footprint in Africa and the Middle East allows MTN to help its customers who would want to expand in the region and internationally. For instance, a bank that wants to go regional will also get MTN across the borders.
Furthermore, MTN Business invests heavily in its people. “We realized that our industry is service driven. Yes, we are providing something tangible but it is mostly service – internet and data center.” In regards to this, the company invests on its engineering team through training on the latest products in the market.
Road ahead The industry is characterized by various emerging trends including the Internet of Things (IoT) and Business Intelligence and Analytics. “We are currently evaluating which trend can work best for the Kenyan market so that we can bring it here locally in the next one year or so.”
The company will also continue to seek key partnerships with international vendors including Microsoft and Cisco to bring their products in the Kenyan market.
Ready to serve you.
telephone call costs by migrating from traditional architecture to MTN voice solution.
The solution is based on managed hosted PBX. Being a hosted service, it enables businesses significantly reduce any capital expenditure, maintenance and total network costs, simultaneously increasing access to converged applications. In 2017, as earlier mentioned, MTN Business launched a state-of-the-art tier -111 data centre designed and built based on Uptime Institute standards and Telecommunications Industry Association 942 standards. “As such, companies will no longer need to store their own data as it can be very expensive. That is where we come in.”
Recently, the company also invested in a backup site in Mombasa so as to give customers an added comfort that their data has been backed up somewhere else. www.destinafrica.co.ke
In 2017, MTN partnered with Microsoft to provide Office 365 suit according to business’ needs. These are Microsoft office apps- Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook - posted on the cloud. “This has given us a new level of impetus in the market as it allows customers to buy as they grow,” observes the managing director. An organization pays for only what they have used as the pricing model is pay-asyou-go. This plays a major role in the SME market, since previously they were almost financially locked out of digitization due to the huge capital investment required to have their own servers.
Differentiation “What sets us apart is our customer service. Since we have been in this market for several years offering essential services, we have invested in a 24/7 customer service team that sits even on weekends and holidays to answer calls and solve any customer queries.”
Another expectation is leveraging more on geographical presence. Being in 24 markets, the company plans to continue expanding to give its customers seamless services across the markets they operate in. “We want to deliver a digital world to our customers, to allow them access ICT as a service without the complexity of managing technology, and free up their time and resources for them to focus on their core business.”
MTN is typically known as a corporate service provider, but Mr. Kiragu says the company has an added focus on SME. It recognizes that Kenya is 60- 70 percent SME market, and they are the ones driving the economy. In this regards, the company has structured its products in a way that an SME of two or three users is able to access them on the cloud at very affordable cost. “We have also realized that the government is a big user of ICT, for instance the Huduma Centers. We therefore, want to tap into the public sector going forward,” concludes Mr. Kiragu.
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Africa 20 Real Estate
At Moran Ridge, You Get More Out of the Investment You Make The private developer offers fully serviced plots, guaranteeing buyers a return on their investment By Jennifer Nyawira
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ocated in Isinya, Kajiado County, Moran Ridge is a private estate designed on 43 acres of land. It’s the first phase of the 220 acre piece of land owned by the company.
The estate has 285 fully serviced eighth and quarter acre plots. “We offer amenities that guarantee buyers a return on their investment, including a boundary fence, water (borehole), electricity, gate and gate house, and roads,” says Ken Kahara. The developer has also offered extra features including a community centre (Moran Park), Kindergarten, and a commercial area comprising of shops, carwash and a clinic. These extra features create an ideal neighbourhood for a dream home. Furthermore, when you buy into Moran Ridge, you get four free unique house designs – two bungalows and two Maisonettes.
The project, which broke ground in 2016, has had great reception. “People have been very excited about Moran Ridge, particularly those who came in during the construction of the road; they bought on the spot,” reveals Kahara. So far, 50 per cent of the plots are sold out. www.destinafrica.co.ke
The investments which have been put in place so far, according to Kahara, shows the seriousness of the project. Moran Ridge is ideal for people who want more value out of the investment they make. It also targets those who are currently renting and want to own houses outside the congested Nairobi, in a spacious space where children can play. The company has formed strategic partnerships with Home Afrika Limited, who are in charge of sales & marketing, and Kara Group Limited, responsible for design and construction.
Controlled development Moran Ridge is a controlled development that is designed for people who want to build. That’s why; clients are issued with free house designs upon purchase of a plot. However, investors are not limited to those designs, but there are a set of guidelines that they must meet while constructing.
The idea behind the controlled development came from the understanding that the value of land is determined by that of its neighbours. “Making sure people construct the same type of houses means that we are able to maintain the project’s value.” Home opportunities “At Moran Ridge, we don’t consider ourselves as selling plots, but homes opportunities.”
The developer has also structured a project that not only retains its value, but also increases in value. This is what prompted the provision of various services that go beyond the basic needs of an estate. The services are of high quality as explained by Kahara. “While building the roads for instance, we have gone an extra step by excavating the black cotton soil; a process that is quite expensive. We have done the base with hardcore and finished
The plots are offered at highly discounted prices and flexible payment plans. An eighth acre plot sells at Sh 795, 000, and a quarter acre at Sh 1.5 M
Ksh.1.5 M
up with murram. The aim is to offer our clients the value addition that comes with quality roads.”
The idea behind this is to make it easier to construct a tarmac road in future, besides, ensuring durability within the project.
“We also extended out another 1.6 kilometres of roads serving the community, besides building dams, as water was a major issue in the area.” Flexible payment plans The plots are offered at highly discounted prices and flexible payment plans. An eighth acre plot sells at Sh 795, 000, and a quarter acre at Sh 1.5 M.
Clients are required to pay a 10 per cent deposit, and the rest is spread out over two years. “We are however very flexible, and are able to adjust accordingly depending with clients’ needs. At the end of the day, we want people to own homes.” Price includes legal fees, stamp duty and title deed.
By ensuring that every plot has a beacon and a title deed, is a 100 per cent money back guarantee that the developer is selling genuine property. This is unlike other players in the industry who sell property, but take a long time prior to delivering title deeds. Risk measures The real estate industry is growing at a higher rate this year compared to 2017, especially after the long electioneering period and the handshake. The graph is going up, something that presents greater opportunities. With the implementation of Vision 2030, political stability and the Presidents Big Four Agenda, the market is expected to grow going forward.
Despite these opportunities and developments, Kahara says that there are many things that investors should put into consideration prior to buying property.
To start with is doing an extensive due diligence. It involves doing a search on a property that is on sale, site visit and buying land from a genuine company. There is also the issue of documentation. Filling the right documentation step by step is important to make sure your property is secure. That includes letter of offer, agreement of sale or purchase, land transfer documents, and title deed.
Road ahead Kahara points out that ability to buy property is the biggest challenge in Kenya, especially now loans and mortgages have become had to secure. It’s therefore upon developers to structure out payment plans to enable buyers to slowly own property. In regards to this, Moran Ridge plans to build houses and allow customers to rent with the intent of eventually owning the property. The developer is also big on construction
technology and innovative house solutions, with the intention of providing housing at the best prices, while maintaining quality.
“We are currently in talks, through one of our companies, to start constructing 3D-printed houses. We are also considering the steel technology,” offers Kahara. The idea is to embrace more sustainable construction methods, by moving away from sand and cement, which have currently been overharvested. In fact, some counties such as Kitui have banned sand harvesting. “We also hope to partner with the government, which is keen in constructing affordable housing in its bid to actualize the Big Four Action Plan. We plan to take advantage of the incentives that the government is offering to private developers to enable them deliver more houses,” concludes Kahara.
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Africa 22 Youngpreneur
Entrepreneur Who loves all Things Beauty and Cosmetics
I
’m a passionate beauty entrepreneur, who loves all things beauty and cosmetics. I manage a cosmetic company, BlushinGirl Tools. I’m a wife, sister, friend and mother. I love connecting with people and exchanging ideas. In my spare time, I listen to a wide genre of music. I also love gardening.
www.destinafrica.co.ke
I started out as a makeup artist in 2006, while still pursuing my undergraduate degree. I’ve always been a very active person. I always find ways to keep myself busy during my spare time so, I enrolled for professional makeup training during one of the semester’s holidays. After that, I
Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do
humid weather in most African countries. Secondly, our customers feel a sense of connection to our products because of their names for example Safarigirl, Lenana, Jtown fever, Zindzi among others. I recall a customer telling me that she bought our Lenana lipstick just because she used to live on Lenana road in Nairobi! She was excited to see a product named so close to home! I get the most satisfaction when our products satisfy customers’ need. When we receive feedback from customers, we are able to determine what they like about the product and what concerns they have, so we can improve on the products. It’s a satisfying feeling knowing that people are interested in the brand.
Shola Ade-Okafor, Product Development Manager, BlushinGirl Tools.
set up my makeup business offering mostly bridal makeup services.
BlushinGirl Tools is a Cosmetic company that offers high quality colour cosmetics designed specifically for African skin tones. We pay particular attention to the pigmentation and ingredient composition of our products to suit the African skin tone, and the humid weather on most parts of the African continent. The company aims to inspire ladies to embrace their beauty, versatility and love themselves as they are. Inspiration The “company” has been around since 2006. However, BlushinGirl Tools, the product line was born in 2015. I was inspired to launch the product line because of a gap I noticed in the cosmetic market in Nairobi at the time. I had a couple of students taking a professional makeup artist course my business was offering. However, I couldn’t find a very essential
product to complete their makeup kit after searching for several months in the market. Initially, I tried to source internationally, but it came with a few challenges and high cost. It was a good time to launch the product line I had been putting off for a quite a while. I would say the product launch is a highlight in my career. It started small and every day, I see growth and receive amazing feedback from customers, most of them are repeat customers which is a very positive thing. I’m so glad and grateful for the support. Telling the African story BlushinGirl Tools is a cosmetic company that tells the African story. Firstly, our products are designed specifically to compliment African skin tones. The ingredient composition is tailored to give our customers best user experience in the
Nonetheless, nothing comes easy in this world and in business, challenges are inevitable. However they make you think of alternative ways to get the job done. Challenges have a way of making you want to give up, it can be hard sometimes but I try to stay positive. I take a break and take time to think and pray and most times, I’m able to think of alternative ways to handle the situation. Future aspirations Our future plans are to expand BlushinGirl Tools across the African continent, as well as the product line to offer more to our customers. Our goal is to have BlushinGirl Tools products on the shelves of major beauty retailers in all African countries in the next few years.
Piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs Believe in your dreams! We all have unique gifts and talents, nobody on earth can execute your dream like you will. If you have that nudge to start a business, I will say by all means go for it with all the drive and passion you can muster. I’ll leave you with a quote by Mary Kay, founder, Mary Kay Cosmetics. She is a business icon that inspires me.
“Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” www.destinafrica.co.ke
Africa 24 Inspiring Woman
Reaching for the Stars Gaceri Kirimi is a budding Kenyan Entrepreneur reaching for the stars and striving to make her company not only about the money, but about making lifetime connections and impact in the market place. She is the co-founder of Destello Laundry, a cleaning services company helping Nairobi’s busy professionals and families to deal with the chore of doing laundry each week How did you get started as an entrepreneur?
T
he entrepreneurial bug was hot in the blood. It was just a matter of time before it erupted and manifested itself. I have had a share of ventures, but the one that made me get shivers and goose bumps was after my co-founder Muthoni Okuthe and I, on a lunch date one afternoon, toyed around with the idea of starting a laundry business as a side hustle... Destello Laundry Cleaning Services was born and as they say, the rest is history.
Tell us more about Destello Laundry Cleaning Services? Destello Laundry Cleaning Services is a proudly Kenyan, premium on-demand wash and fold laundry service in Nairobi. We pride ourselves in offering a superior customer experience to our clients while taking care of their laundry needs. We offer professional, reliable, quality laundry services to upwardly mobile young professionals, families and small businesses.
www.destinafrica.co.ke
What inspired you to start Destello? The lack of reliable and affordable laundry services in Nairobi inspired us greatly.
What with the unreliable Mama Fuas?
We wanted to give our clients reliable convenience and a superb Destello sparkle Experience, which would literally knock their socks off for another wash with us!
Why Destello?
We greatly value our clients and stemming from this, their feedback on our service is invaluable and taken with all the weight it requires. Client feedback helps us to improve on our operations while making sure our clients get full value for their money. We understand that our clients value their items and we are always honoured to have them trust us do their laundry, and as such, we always assure them that we love their clothes as much as their do and put in stringent measures to loose only the dirt!
Achievements so far?
Oh my! If there’s anything I have learnt in business is that it is not easy… Celebrating Destello’s small wins gives us the strength to push on, to be better than yesterday. We started out with just a handful of clients, now we have a small army of clients who are mesmerised by the quality of our work and keep sharing our name. We are forever grateful to them. We started out with one household machine, no drier, working from home, no employees yet here we are making it one sparkle at a time! When you believe in your dream, and your brand, everything is possible.
Any challenges faced?
Most definitely! Challenges in business, and in life so to say are given, however how you deal with them give you the muscle to live to fight another day or simply crash you…
Starting out, our biggest challenge was how to get clients on board. We had initially targeted salons as our main segment but with time we realised that this segment was not our visionary client and we had to
regroup and re-strategise. Furthermore, since we had no proper physical address, getting people to trust us with their dirty laundry in the literal sense was another challenge that sparkled away once we started getting five star reviews on our facebook page!
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur? Seeing how far Destello has come, small strides, but growing each day into a super brand. Seeing our clients almost cry when we close especially for the December holidays, makes us know that we are indeed a lifesaver and our clients more than appreciate our services. Besides, learning from our mistakes and using those as learning curves to improve on our operations. Most of all the “Thank you very much” feedback always lights up our world as we take great pride in our work of adding a sparkle to your laundry!
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company? In the very present, we are trusting God to open up doors for us to move to a bigger space which will allow us to buy more machines, which will in turn reduce our turnaround times and overall increase capacity to spread the Destello sparkle to even more clients! Seeing Destello brand grow to be the preferred on-demand laundry service provider beyond Kenya will definitely be a high!
What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up? Starting a business is no easy fit, it’s an adventure worth going for, that brings both joy and tears in equal measure, but we must never give up; no one got anywhere by giving up! To top it all, you must believe in your brand, you can’t sell something that you don’t believe in! www.destinafrica.co.ke
Africa 26 Cover Story
Adil El Youseffi, CEO, Liquid Telecom Kenya.
Liquid Telecom Taps into Emerging Technologies in a bid to Digitize Africa
Plans are underway to roll out the IoT technology, in partnership with Sigfox, a first in the region
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iquid Telecom Kenya recently announced that it will be rolling out the first nationwide Internet of Things (IoT) network covering up to 85 per cent of the Kenyan population. To achieve this, the company has partnered with Sigfox, a global IoT service and network provider in 45 countries that has pioneered low cost, low energy consumption, and long range IoT networks.
The IoT relates to the interconnection – via the Internet – of computing devices that are embedded in everyday objects, which can send and receive data at speed. The network will allow objects to be connected
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By Jennifer Nyawira – be it cars, soil, animals, sewage lines, street lights or water points among others.
If the Wildlife Society for instance wants to track rhinos in a certain conservancy, they can use the IoT network, which is costeffective. In the same vein, the network can be connected to sewer lines to predict and control the outbreak of cholera.
“By getting this information, individuals and policy makers will be able to make better decisions, be it in the business world or any other field,” says Adil El Youseffi, CEO at Liquid Telecom Kenya. According to Adil, the introduction
of a Sigfox “Low Power Wide Area Network” (LPWAN) means that the cost of connectivity and network roll out will be low making it possible to track large volume of data. The new network runs on the free ISM band 868MHz and will cost Kenyans as little as Sh100 ($1) per year per device or sensor, depending on usage. Liquid Telecom Kenya is tapping into emerging technologies that are changing the way companies do business at every level and across every function. “We are always looking on how we can bring ICT solutions that can help solve our customers’ challenges and help them tap into available opportunities.”
provide cloud services to businesses of all sizes,” notes Adil.
Network security With the increasing number of attacks on corporate information systems via hacking and viruses, current world businesses are even more in need of protecting their network and services. According to Adil, Liquid Telecom takes network security seriously. “We are not in the business of a one-time transaction, but our customers are there for the long run. We have to make sure they are satisfied with our services and that their data is secure.” The company’s expansive fibre network that covers Africa’s fastest-growing economies will play a major role in the IoT roll out. The network currently spans over 50,000 km across borders.
Adil believes that demand for the new technology is there both from the existing and future customers. Reports also indicate that the solutions have been proven to be necessary and have been taken up very fast in other markets. “As Liquid Telecom, we are happy to be bringing this technology first in the Kenyan market,” he observes. The company has a footprint of 11 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is no doubt that growth in IoT technology is impressive, with experts predicting that there will be 27 billion IoT devices globally by the end of next year.
State-of-the-art data centre Liquid Telecom Kenya has the largest state-of-the-art data centre that meets international standards. The East Africa Data Centre is among those in east and central Africa certified by the prestigious Uptime Institute in the United States. Adil says that the Tier III Certification is proof that it delivers 100 per cent uptime in its electricity supply, cooling and IT systems. Additionally, the company has been running the widest network in the country for over 10 years, allowing it to have a strong position in the market.
“We also try very hard to ensure we always have our customer on our mind, emphasizing on their needs and making sure we deliver to such needs not only from an operational point of view, but also looking into their future,” avers the CEO. Furthermore, Liquid Telecom has a strong and appreciated brand name, and it’s endeavoring to live up to that position.
“The assets, the brand name and customer focus are our three main strengths,” says Adil.
Biggest cloud player Liquid Telecom is the largest player in the cloud computing space. “Our aim is to drive our customers’ digital transformation. They are demanding more and more cloud services since they see the benefits.” Cloud services allow customers to focus more on their core business. They also increase flexibility as customers are not required to invest in hardware. The company has partnered with Microsoft, and through Office 365, it is able to offer office applications and other productivity services that are cloud enabled, allowing customers to work smarter.
“Over the last 18 months, we have endeavored to offer state-of-the-art cloud solutions. Africa’s cloud is liquid, and that makes me feel we are in a position to
That is proven by the fact that the company’s data centre has not only received the Uptime Institute certification, but it’s also ISO certified.
The Microsoft cloud services, which Liquid Telecom is bringing into the market, are also known for their resilience in security. In addition to this, the company has designed its own security solutions that have been received very well in the market. Emerging technologies Customers are currently looking for more flexibility and high bandwidth in terms of IT solutions and connectivity respectively.
People are for instance seeking for fast internet connectivity, which will offer more efficiency for their businesses. Additionally, they want to run most of their applications online or on the cloud, which must be secured and redundant. In this regard, Liquid Telecom endeavors to remain ahead of competition by offering relevant cloud services to its customers. With the most extensive network in subSaharan Africa, the company offers very competitive bandwidth, in terms of pricing and fast connectivity. “When a business gets a certain bandwidth from us, it is fully dedicated to them; as opposed to selling it to several other people. This originates from our efforts to offer quality and reliable services to our customer base,” he concludes. www.destinafrica.co.ke
Africa 28 Technology
Nikki Summers, Regional Director, Sage East Africa.
Sage: Market Leader in Cloud Business Management Solutions
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age is the market leader in cloud business management solutions with three million global customers. Our solutions enable clients to re-imagine their business and stay ahead of their competition. Our integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems combine social, mobile and real-time technology to put live information at clients’ fingertips, so they can make fast, informed decisions. Our Sage Business Cloud offering is designed to be the only cloud platform
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By Nikki Summers that businesses will ever need. Sage Business Cloud offers a powerful set of products for small business accounting and advanced financial management, including industry-specific enterprise management software. Customers can join the platform at any stage of their business journey and continue to grow as their needs evolve. Another way we are differentiating ourselves is through the extensive investment we are making in our channel, localisation of our software and on-theground infrastructure. We have offices
in several key markets in the Middle East and Africa, and a well-developed partner network. We have also localised our software for the tax and regulatory landscape in all our core markets. Software business solutions on offer
Sage Business Cloud Accounting One solution that brings all aspects of midsized business’s operating environment together, providing full control over its financial situation as well as its relationships with customers, suppliers and employees.
Sage Business Cloud Enterprise Management Enterprise Management delivers faster, simpler and flexible business management, at a fraction of the cost and complexity of typical enterprise ERP systems. From procurement to warehousing, production, sales, customer service and financial management, it introduces a better way to manage the entire business, on a global scale. Sage 100 Evolution and Sage 200 Evolution One solution brings together all aspects of mid-sized business’s operating environment, providing full control over its financial situation as well as its relationships with customers, suppliers and employees. Sage 300cloud With Sage 300cloud, business owners are connected to their entire operation by a single, integrated solution. Our technology and processes form a streamlined and efficient solution for small to mid-market companies with up to several hundred users. Cloud space Today, we have a cloud-ready suite of products following the journey of a business all the way from start-up, to scale-up, through to enterprise, across the golden triangle of accounting, payments and payroll. All these cloud solutions can now be accessed through Sage Business Cloud. The benefits for clients are significant – faster deployment, flexibility, lower infrastructure costs, less reliance on in-house IT skills, the ability to turn IT from capital expenditure into operational expenditure, and access to world-class technology for businesses of all sizes.
That said, everything we do starts and finishes with building customers for life by offering them choice, support, expertise and innovation. That means championing their causes, offering them options rather than forcing change upon them, and letting them know we’ll be ready to support them when they are ready to move to the cloud.
Emerging trends Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI is not only increasing the pace of automation, it’s also helping businesses find patterns in complex data, enabling faster information discovery and empowering decision-makers to generate smart forecasts. In one of our global surveys, 66% of accountant respondents said they would invest in AI to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks. Chatbots, like Sage’s Pegg, are becoming popular in accounting as consumers become more comfortable asking computers questions. By simply asking Pegg who still owes them money, for example, businesses will have an instant overview about where they stand with debtors.
outpacing the competition to gain market share.
Providing the very best cloud technology will unlock huge opportunities for growth and help our customers be more successful through a deeper, enduring relationship with Sage. East Africa is a key market for us, and we will keep focusing on growing our business here through a combination of innovative technology and local, on theground skills and support.
Big data and IoT (Internet of Things) Big data and data analytics have allowed us to interact with data in new ways, while IoT allows us to instantly and automatically capture information, like business kilometers and expense receipts. This information can be presented visually, to provide new insights into the business and help you make better decisions. Our solutions are ready to help customers manage these opportunities.
Road ahead When we speak to business owners, entrepreneurs, and executives, they all tell us their biggest challenge is to find the time they need to focus on the things that really matter to them - innovation, customer service and growth. I often hear them say they wish they could spend fewer hours balancing books, preparing reports and recording transactions. Our vision is to be an enabler for them – to provide them with the tools they need to respond rapidly to a changing market, reduce their admin headaches, enhance productivity, and ultimately, become more profitable and efficient. This message is resonating with customers is our market. We will be focusing on building on our momentum in the region, with a view to
Nikki at a glace Nikki Summers leads the Sage business in East Africa. She is responsible for the growth and positioning of Sage in East Africa, a fast-growing territory that the company has targeted for strategic investment in the years to come.
Before assuming this role, Nikki was responsible for growing Sage One into the leading cloud-based accounting brand for Small & Medium Businesses across East and West Africa.
Nikki joined Sage in January 2008 as a marketing executive who drove marketing for Sage Pastel International across 52 countries. Just over a year later, she established a local office to manage the East Africa region from a Support, Sales and Marketing point of view. www.destinafrica.co.ke
Africa 30 Automation
By Corine Mbiaketcha Nana
Three Early Industry Adopters of Autonomous Technologies
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utomation has already transformed industries in which complexity and performance demands must meet the challenges of fewer available resources, narrower profit margins and expanding product volumes. Examples include the car manufacturing industry, online reservation systems in the travel industry, the introduction of ATMs by the banking industry and more recently, automated mobile money kiosks.
Now the future is beginning to move to autonomous technologies: driverless vehicles, self-tuning databases, delivery robots and the like. While automation involves programming a system to perform specific tasks, autonomous systems are programmed to perform automated tasks, accommodate for variation and self-correct or self-learn with little or no human intervention. In effect, autonomous is the next level of automation. True autonomous solutions can, once powered on, fully operate on their own to make decisions that are not only the most efficient for the user but, because of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), might even suggest a better outcome.
Previous technology waves, such as the internet, have actually served to introduce greater complexity into organisations. Autonomous technology differs by bringing to life the idea that technology can manage itself without human intervention. Autonomous technology doesn’t hide complexity behind new technology, it resolves complexity. www.destinafrica.co.ke
2030 A 2016 McKinsey report predicts that by 2030, as many as 15 percent of cars sold will be fully autonomous, up to 50 percent electrified and up to 10 percent shared (reducing sales of privateuse vehicles)
Which industries are ahead of the autonomous curve? These three industries stand out for me:
Manufacturing: Leading manufacturers are looking to invest in autonomous robots to transform supply chains, particularly ones with lower-value and potentially dangerous or high-risk tasks, as the technology becomes more accessible and reliable. For example, robots with haptic sensors that are able to recognise items through touch, can grasp objects as fragile as eggshells and assemble products with multi-surface parts. A report by the World Bank points out that developing countries’ traditional path to development, often driven by manufacturing, may be at risk because the criteria for becoming an attractive production location are changing. The report explains that companies are beginning to favour locations that can better take advantage of new technologies such as advanced robotics, smart factories, the Internet of Things (IoT) and 3D printing to produce traditional manufactured goods. However, opportunities remain for developing countries, as long as governments take appropriate policy actions on the three Cs: competitiveness, capabilities, and connectedness.
Healthcare: Kenya is already one of the global leaders when it comes to delivering healthcare services and advice via digital platforms, and the potential exists for healthcare providers and their patients to reap further benefits from semiautonomous systems as well.
For example, chatbots powered by artificial intelligence schedule appointments and provide relevant, easy-to-understand information about medical conditions, while sensors monitor patients remotely and electronically transmit collected information to health professionals.
The latest digital innovations are reshaping how healthcare organisations deliver patient services, improve outcomes,
enhance clinician satisfaction and manage costs more effectively.
Automotive: The self-driving car is the most well-known autonomous machine, and can navigate roadways as well as detect and respond to traffic signals, pedestrians, impediments and other vehicles, using a combination of techniques such as GPS, lasers and odometry.
A 2016 McKinsey report predicts that by 2030, as many as 15 percent of cars sold will be fully autonomous, up to 50 percent electrified and up to 10 percent shared (reducing sales of private-use vehicles). Those advances will lead to a new economy centered on mobility, by gathering information on traffic, route preference and safety, as well as analysing usage trends to determine demand for additional services. The mobility economy will be about e-commerce, monetisation and personalisation, all of which need massive amounts of data storage. Autonomous vehicles will end up generating hundreds of exabytes of data each year, and companies need to consider where that data is going to go and how to extract value from it. The benefits of autonomous technology are both incremental and revolutionary. It can drive efficiency, freeing up human resources and generating quick wins that can be reinvested in further implementations. Staff now have the time to use their knowledge of system and functions to proactively change and improve them.
Widespread adoption of autonomous systems is only now becoming possible because of recent advances in AI. For companies in the industries mentioned above, it’s now just a matter of when they will adopt AI and autonomous systems, not if. The author is the Managing Director Kenya Hub covering East, Central and West Africa at Oracle
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Africa 32 Real Estate
By Reuben Kimani
Group Investing Among Millenials, is an Easier Way to Become Homeowners
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It was not raining when Noah built the Ark”, this is a popular saying coined by Howard Ruff. It is a call to prepare yourself for a future occurrence by ensuring that you are well equipped to handle it better and get through it more easily. Majority of Kenyans begin looking for housing and investment opportunities when they are over 30 years. This is the time they begin to look for properties near their businesses and places of work. In summary; • 74.4% of persons employed in the formal sector in Kenya earn Kshs 50,000 and below per month. • Chama investments is an easier way for young people to pool resources.
• Youth groups can target agricultural rich areas such as Nakuru, purchase land and venture into agriculture to create a constant food supply and ultimately gather enough profits to build their own homes. • Group contributions should not lie idle in a bank account rather they should be invested in an asset such as land that appreciates by the day.
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30 years It is time we encourage young people to embrace Group/Chama investments early in life because it is an easier way to pool resources for land investment before the age of 30 years
This pressure results to the need of massive housing especially to the young population aged between 25-35 years; they begin looking for affordable land they can turn into homes. However, at this age the available properties in the market are expensive and unaffordable to them. This crisis has been experienced in Kenya and it resulted to the launch of the Affordable Housing agenda late last year. To solve this crisis 500,000 housing units are set to be built by the government. It is time we encourage young people to embrace Group/Chama investments early in life because it is an easier way to pool resources for land investment before the age of 30 years. Investment groups are formed by individuals who pool their funds to invest together on a consistent basis. They come up with strategies of ensuring that each member benefits from the investment they agree to undertake. This is an excellent way for young people to begin investing, they may agree on the amount of money to contribute to achieving a common goal. In Kenya, for example, young people may agree to purchase a piece of land in an area such as Nakuru and venture into agriculture for a beginning and later engage in the construction of their own homes and settle their families. 74.4% of persons employed in the formal sector in Kenya earn Kshs 50,000 and below according to The Kenya Bureau of Statistics. Some of those who earn this amount are able to invest as an individual.
However, it is easier to invest as a group because of lower investment risk. A group provides multiple shoulders to lean on and help carry the burden of investment. For example, a group of 10 young people may agree to share different roles when implementing a project such as agriculture where some can work on the farm while the rest go out to market their products.
This creates a shared responsibility rather than having a single investor managing the whole investment. A group also provides an opportunity to brainstorm the different ideas that may be implemented as compared to individuals where you have no one to challenge the viability of your idea.
Investment groups also cultivate a culture of saving among the millennials. The small contributions made by individuals in a group will gradually create a culture of saving among them and if they decide to invest in land they can easily be turned into homes or for commercial purposes that will generate income for the group members. This will prevent the last minute rush to acquire properties when old age has already knocked in. Financial planning is also well cultivated in groups due to existence of rules that ensure the members adhere to their contributions either on a weekly or monthly basis. This inculcates a culture of financial discipline that ensures the continuity of financial planning even in old age. In real estate, for example, the returns are assured in short and long term. Real estate companies have identified the strengths that lie in groups and you find some giving an attractive offer for groups who purchase a certain number of plots, for example, buy 10 plots and get 1 free. This is a clear indication that the contributions made by these group members are millions but they have not been put to productive use. It is therefore important to join a group that you share a common vision such as a group that aims at purchasing land or construction. This will ensure that your contributions are not in a bank account, rather, the money is invested in an asset such as land that appreciates by the day.
In conclusion, if young people target an area such as Nakuru and invest in land as a group, it is easier for them to venture into agriculture and create selfemployment. This could be in poultry keeping, potatoes, vegetables, peas etc. and create supply to Nakuru Town which is massively growing due to infrastructure and population growth. Gradually they will have pooled enough resources to widen their investments and venture into the construction of their individual houses. This will ensure that they are well able to settle in their own homes without having to rent for longer periods of time. The author is the CEO, Username Investment Limited.
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Africa 34 Hospitality
By Hasnain Noorani
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t’s hard to believe it’s been more than ten years since the 2007/2008 political skirmishes which almost brought Kenya’s economy to its knees forcing consumers to focus on reducing their expenditures. Now, for the first time since 2008, it looks like the hotel and hospitality industry is returning to normal — whatever normal is. It’s in deed heartening to see statistical evidence, which shows occupancy rates are on the rise and holiday makers are travelling again (Jumia Travel and hospitality report of 2018).
For many Kenyan millennials, the world is their oyster. When it comes to sampling life’s best delights, they spend a fortune. The roller-coaster ride has been tumultuous and the leisure and hospitality industry has been forced to adapt, driven by technological advances and shifting consumer preferences. More recently, the role of the millennial holiday makers is also spurring significant change in all facets of the hotel business in East Africa and Kenya in particular. Every smart brand is targeting millennials, so why should it be any different in the luxury and hospitality space? Millennials include anyone born between the early Eighties, an era predating cell phones, and the early 2000s, the Internet age. Although there was an epic jump in technology during those 20 years, most millennials have one thing in common — a disruptive mind-set. They are a free-thinking, individualistic generation. Bursting into their careers shortly after university means that they enjoy high disposable income long before they have any meaningful financial obligations. This www.destinafrica.co.ke
Millennial Reshaping Hospitality Industry
For millennials, finding and booking their holiday experience online is the best option they have, as is the possibility to pay via mobile
way, the largest fraction of their money is frittered away on random expenditure. Thus, the group is largely influencing the leisure and hospitality market, since leisure is not a luxury but a necessity to them.
The great challenge for hotel and hospitality brand owners seeking to capture the affiliations of millennials is how to communicate to a generation with shifting preferences and loose brand loyalties, and for whom no single channel appears to predominate. Yet amid this apparent uncertainty, the one factor that plays a role in almost every aspect of millennial consumption is the rise of online platforms. Social media is a major influencer when it comes to the spending decisions of millennials. For millennials, finding and booking their holiday experience online is the best option they have, as is the possibility to pay via mobile. A seamless mobile first experience that enables them to make the booking and payment from one device is a sure win for businesses that are targeting them. In fact, most of them buy products and services based on online conversations with social media being the biggest contributor and influencer.
What this signals for hospitality brands is that consumption has a different meaning for Millennials. “Consuming products and brands is not just a way to say who you are but a way to define who you are,�. This is why millennials are more engaged than previous generations with self-expression. Beyond that, millennials typically value experiences over things, which translate to the leisure experience. The millennial state of mind is also global, being highly digital and having disposable income to invest in travels and connectivity, millennial luxury consumers are exposed to very similar stimuli and can participate in the same global conversations and experiences. Even in those countries that were historically less open to other cultures, millennials have the opportunity to share experiences with people from all over the world. No culture is impermeable to the millennial wave! The writer is the Managing Director and Founder of PrideInn Group of Hotels
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Africa 36 Energy
By Jennifer Nyawira
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on-renewable natural resources cannot be replenished in our lifetimes. They include fossil fuels, metal ores and earth minerals among others. Fossil fuels, which include oil, coal and natural gas, is the main source of energy, making up approximately 84 per cent of energy consumed worldwide. In Kenya, petroleum is the main source of commercial energy and has, over the years, constituted roughly 80 per cent of the country’s commercial energy requirements. The consumption of nonrenewable energy sources is set to rise in the country considering that the mining of oil is underway in Turkana County. In the same vein, The Ministry of Energy recently identified Mui basin and Taru basin, two areas with possible commercially exploitable quantities of coal. What does it mean for our country and the world at large? Are the economic gains made more than the harm made to the environment? Can the world really find a balance between economic and environmental sustainability?
There is no doubt that, mining nonrenewable energy has brought more harm than good to the environment and that may worsen going forward. In regards to this, we should stop mining nonrenewable resources for the sake of human consumption. Climate Change Non-renewable resources are a major contributor of climate change. Research has shown a major relationship between the escalating effects of climate change and the mining and consumption of non-renewable energy. When fossil fuels are burnt, they produce carbon which is www.destinafrica.co.ke
Why we Must Quit Fossil Fuels
Renewable energy including wind and sun (natural energy) is an alternative that can cater for current and future demands a greenhouse gas. Releasing greenhouse gas into the atmosphere results in global warming that causes disastrous changes to the environment.
Currently, the climate system has changed; it is warming at a very high rate. It has led to intensified tropical storms, extreme drought and frequent wildfires. Climate change has threatened agriculture and wildlife. While countries the world over are proposing to reduce emissions to below 2°C, the question still remains, is that really achievable? Certainly, immediate action is required to mitigate global warming emissions failure to which, more damage will be made to the environment. Like many other countries, Kenya experienced one of the worst climatic changes in 2017, something that fueled severe drought and hunger across the country. According to Macharia Kamau, Kenya’s permanent representative to the United Nations, climatic events have taken on a rather different pattern now because of climatic change.
Pollution Burning fossil fuels releases harmful gases into the atmosphere. It means that the air we breathe is contaminated and may pose serious health problems. People vulnerable to air pollution include those with heart diseases, lung diseases, pregnant women and the elderly. Furthermore, fossil fuels cause water pollution. In the City of Flint for instance, water is a big problem. Scientific research has evidenced that water sources are contaminated with lead, zinc and copper among other toxic pollutants. Much of the toxins have even surpassed the set standard. That has exposed many of the residents to major health issues that they have to deal with on a daily basis. Most of the people have resulted to bottled water in their daily use. Is that even affordable or sustainable in the long-term? In addition to humans, water pollution poses a major threat to aquatic animals such as fish.
Environmental justice Pollution is related to adverse health and economic effects. Evidence has shown that most of the people who bear the burden of such impacts are the poor. In the United States, for instance low-income and the minority groups are the most affected. This led to the support of environmental justice movement led by President Clinton in 1994. However, that did not solve the issue since environmental pollution and the associated health effects remain a major problem to date. It means a lot of injustice is happening in the world since some communities are carrying a major burden than they can bear. Mining and consumption of non-renewable resources by the society to maintain its lifestyle, establishing plants and landfills in lowincome areas and pollution caused while transporting finished products affects poor communities disproportionately. Energy use There has been increased demand for energy in the current time and it is estimated to increase going forward.
Fossil fuels acts as the main energy source globally. Increase in demand means that mining of non-renewable resources will also rise, increasing the associated negative impact. The fact that these energy sources can be depleted needs a new thinking of coming up with alternative energy. Renewable energy including wind and sun (natural energy) is an alternative that can cater for current and future demands. Kenya is at the limelight in its efforts to exploit renewable energy. Plans are underway to increase the generation of wind power with the construction of the Lake Turkana Wind Power project. Once operational, the wind farm will provide 310MW of reliable, low cost energy to Kenya’s national grid. Additionally, the construction of the northern Kenya solar power plant is almost complete. It’s the largest of its kind in East Africa and is expected to boost Kenya’s move towards renewable clean energy.
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Africa 38 Health & Fitness
By Dr. Mukaindo A. Mwaniki
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ontraceptives have for long been surrounded by a myriad of myths and misconceptions that have to some extent influenced their uptake. Research has proven that women are most comfortable and likely to continue longer with contraceptives suggested by specialists, as long as they are well informed and can make their own choice. Many girls and women gather information from social circles backed up by the internet and seek confirmation and guidance from a health care provider Contraceptives can be classified under two categories; non-hormonal and hormonal. Non-hormonal contraceptives include male and female condoms, cervical cap, or diaphragm, copper IUD (coil), natural birth control and sterilization. Sterilisation is tubal ligation in women and vasectomy in men. Among hormonal methods of birth control are pills, injections, contraceptive patches, implants and the hormonal IUD or coil. The level of effectiveness, health, age, side effects, cost and lifestyle are some of the basic concerns looked into before deciding on a contraceptive. In line with the 2018 theme for World Contraceptive Day “It’s your life, it’s your responsibility” family planning is a personal affair. A major concern amongst the majority of women is weight gain for those considering a hormonal birth control. Stories from friends may deter you from some methods. Truth is that there is no consistent effect of contraceptives on weight gain. Other factors such as genetic potential, variation in activity level,
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Contraceptives: More Awareness Needed to Increase Uptake
There is need for policy and implementation dialogues to address these gaps to increase uptake of contraceptives alteration in diet or change in metabolism are more likely to result in variations in weight.
There has been a lot of speculation about the effects of birth control methods on women’s libido. At present scientific evidence is conflicting as to whether contraceptives affect sex drive. Although the majority of women on hormonal contraceptives report no change in libido a very small proportion may report a reduction. However, other factors may have a greater role in this. For example, a woman’s satisfaction with the relationship, stress levels and hormonal fluctuations are critical gatekeepers to her sex drive. Contraceptive methods are safe, provide good protection against pregnancy but nothing is perfect; failure rates are very low and depend on the method used. For example, instances of women conceiving while on the contraceptive coil are very rare but have received most coverage. A reason can be a downward displacement, or even expulsion of the coil due to contractions of the uterus during menstruation. As a preventive measure, women usually receive instruction on how to check for position of the coil. If there is any doubt if the coil is well positioned in the womb a visit to the clinician is required.
Another common myth is that women using coils are more prone to pelvic infections. Research evidence confirms that insertion of a coil does not increase the risk of acquiring pelvic infections. However, if a coil is inserted into a womb with ongoing, often asymptomatic infection, the infection will flare. This may lead to the
mistaken assumption that the coil caused the infection.
“Will this method make me infertile? or will it delay conception once I have stopped using it? are two common questions. No contraceptive method other than sterilization causes infertility. Contrary to this, ovulation and fertility resumes soon after contraceptive use. We advise couples to be patient and tailor their expectations appropriately. Even without prior contraceptive use a healthy couple may take a year or more to conceive. However, couples with or without history of contraceptive use are advised to have a check-up just to be sure all is well if they have not conceived after a year of regular unprotected intercourse. Emergency contraceptive pills (e-pills) are among the most misunderstood and hence abused contraceptives in the Kenyan market. There are several emergency contraceptive pill choices. However the most commonly used e-pill contains the hormone Levonorgestrel. It is 98 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy if taken at the earliest but within 72 hours of sexual activity. The e-pill is more likely to fail if taken after 72 hours of sex, in obese women or if taken repeatedly over short durations. Unknown to majority of people the copper coil is an alternative emergency contraceptive that is more than 99 per cent effective and works if fitted up to five days after unprotected intercourse. Whether inserted as an emergency contraceptive or at a regular visit the copper coil continues to offer long-term reversible contraception. Here is a run through the commonest birth control options. Natural birth control methods is a group of methods that work primarily based on understanding the female reproductive cycle and the fertile window. They offer a choice for couples not willing or able to use other contraceptive options. Because these methods require a very predictable, regular cycle, partner co-operation and a lot of consistency, their typical failure rate fluctuates significantly and can be quite high. Condoms have the advantage of being widely available, especially for the male condom, as well as being able to help prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
However they fail on average about a fifth of the time mostly due to inconsistent or incorrect use. Implants are small flexible plastic rods about the size of a matchstick embedded with hormones that are implanted under the arm skin. They can last 3 or 5 years. They are amongst the most effective contraceptive methods preventing pregnancy more than 99.9 per cent of times.
The commonest contraceptive injection is the three monthly ‘depo’ injection. It is related to the implants in hormone content but is slightly less effective. The contraceptive patch is a good substitute for those who may wish to take contraceptive pills but are unable to sustain daily taking. The woman sticks the small adhesive patch on her skin and changes it every seven days. If fixed on dry skin it will withstand taking a bath and even swimming. Male and female sterilization are permanent birth control options for couples who do not wish to have more children. They entail a small cut to block the fallopian tubes in women or semen passages in men. Both can be performed in an outpatient clinic. Sterilization if fraught with many misconceptions. The commonest are that tubal ligation diminishes a woman’s libido, causes excessive lubrication during sex or causes menopause. For vasectomy, men express fear that it will diminish their ‘maleness’ and libido. None of these is true.
There are many couples who although not on any form of contraception, do not wish to conceive now. This high unmet need for family planning is due to many factors including lack of knowledge, fear of side effects and partner or religious opposition. These barriers affect adolescents worse than any other age bracket. Additionally, frequent stock-outs of some or all methods and lack of subsidisation for some methods e.g. hormonal coils, reduces alternatives available to couples especially in the lowest income brackets. There is need for policy and implementation dialogues to address these gaps to increase uptake of contraceptives. The author is a Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi.
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GREAT DRIVE
motor
2018 NISSAN KICKS www.destinafrica.co.ke
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Affordable Subcompact Suv
he subcompact SUV market is so hot, Nissan just launched a second mainstream subcompact crossover: the Nissan Kicks. It’s three inches shorter than the Nissan Rogue Sport and comes with a healthy dose of technology and safety features. Even at 169 inches long, Kicks is comfortable in back for adults. Forward emergency braking is standard. A simplified configurations list caps the all-in price at $22,265. It also limits you to front-drive, a 125-hp engine, no sunroof, no leather upholstery, and no on-board navigation, which few entry-level-car buyers want anyway. To keep costs down (Nissan says), the base model comes without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Out on the road, the Nissan Kicks drives smoothly. It has all the power you need for city driving and merging on most freeway on-ramps. Only the brave will do much two-line country-road passing. Zero to 60 mph is on the order of 9 to 10 seconds. Drag-race the cars in the Kicks segment, and the most likely outcome is “called on account of darkness.” At a svelte 2,672 pounds versus 125 horsepower (and 115 pound-feet of torque), the power-to-weight ratio is a reasonable 21:1 (pounds per hp). The Kicks is rated at 33 mpg overall. The electric power steering feel is light. Expansion bumps make the car bounce a bit, a factor of the short, 103-inch wheelbase, rather than inherent suspension flaws. Active ride control (see below) on the top-line SR minimizes the bumps. Mostly you get in, buckle up, and drive comfortably. The rear seat room is surprisingly good, both in leg room and head room. Cargo space is 25.3 cubic feet, or better than on what Nissan considers the key competitors: Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Kona, Kia Soul, and Toyota C-HR. The optional Bose eight-speaker audio system is quite good, and the two surround speakers in the driver’s headrest can be tuned for the driver or the entire car. Technology and the Trim Walk The Nissan Kicks line is easy to understand: two trim lines with no options packages other than paint, plus a third, range-topping, trim line with an optional premium package. The safety and driver assist features are baked into the trim lines.
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Africa 42 TRAVELWISE
These Five Technologies are Transforming the Travel Experience
Recently, Guido Verweij, Travelport’s Regional Managing Director for Africa, addressed over 100 senior members of travel agencies at The Kenya Association of Travel Agents’ (KATA) inaugural Annual Convention on the topic of technologies transforming the travel experience. This article is a summary of the presentation, penned by Mr. Verweij
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he whole notion of what today’s hyperconnected travellers want, and what they value, has changed. While cost, choice and convenience are still significant, booking decisions are now based on the experience. Right from the moment that a traveller thinks about a trip, to planning it, booking it and living it, we in the travel industry must deliver a convenient, personal, endto-end experience.
Competition in the industry is fierce. Disruptive business models delivering new kinds of inspirational experiences have changed the landscape, overthrowing longstanding monopolies and causing travellers to question their loyalty. We believe the future of creating experiences lies in the transformative impact of five key technologies: The Internet of Things; Mobile; Artificial Intelligence; Big Data and Cloud Computing. These technologies are powering the travel industry to offer more than just a trip. We call this evolution in travel retail ‘Distribution 4.0’ - the travel industry’s implementation of the fourth industrial revolution.
The Internet of Things (IoT) The IoT relates to the interconnection – via the Internet – of computing devices that are embedded in everyday objects, which can send and receive data at speed. Growth in the technology is impressive, with experts predicting that there will be 27 billion IoT devices globally by the end of next year. www.destinafrica.co.ke
Guido Verweij, Travelport’s Regional Managing Director for Africa.
The IoT is fundamentally changing the travel experience. Sensor-based baggage solutions, for example, can send push notifications to tell travellers when their bag is loaded, when it arrives and where it is being transferred to. In addition, hotels are using IoT technology to know if a room is empty by getting intelligent sensors to help detect occupancy. As growth in IoT devices continues, so will the number of possibilities the travel industry will have to enhance the experience it delivers. Mobile More than two-thirds of the world’s
population, 5 billion people, are now connected to a mobile service. According to a recent report, Kenya is leading globally in share of internet traffic coming from mobile phones – overtaking Nigeria, which topped the list in 2017. This is attributed to the high smartphone penetration rate, which stands at 41 million, with a reach of 90 per cent of the adult population. Our own research conducted with 11,000 respondents from 19 countries revealed just how vital the mobile is for contemporary travellers. Not only do 33 percent of travellers book their trips on a mobile device, but 62 percent say digital boarding passes and e-tickets make
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Africa 44 TRAVELWISE
travelling much easier, and 46 percent say a good digital experience is important when choosing an airline.
It’s important to note that the demand for mobile engagement isn’t just coming from leisure travellers. Another Travelport study showed that business travellers now count being unable to access booking information across their devices 24/7 as one of their biggest gripes. Today, when travelling, your mobile is always with you. It offers a means of continuous, one-to-one engagement, enabling different offers and the availability of services to be tailored to your specific preferences, often through its connection to the IoT. Many airlines, hotels and travel agents are already utilising this to improve the travel experience, while opening new lines of revenue, but you can expect many more to follow in the future. Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI refers to computers or machines performing tasks that would normally require human intelligence to carry out.
This could, for example, be learning lessons, making decisions, or recognising and interpreting speech. www.destinafrica.co.ke
At Travelport, we believe AI is the golden ticket that can unlock insights to create the personalised, tailored and customised experience travellers crave. Advanced AI solutions, for example, can eliminate the need to be reactive, allowing businesses to become more proactive and strategic through predictive capabilities – i.e. recommendation engines that suggest real-time entertainment options based on individual preferences. By constantly informing a travel AI, training it and providing it with access to the richest, most extensive real-time data sets, opportunities to deliver personal, frictionless travel experiences become endless.
Big Data According to IBM, 90 percent of all data has been created inside the last two years. The ways we share, analyse and absorb information through technology have now exploded to the point where big data’s usage is far more commonplace.
Big data carries many opportunities for the travel industry. With customers creating valuable data at every stage of their journey, travel companies can collect and connect these data points to improve the customer experience.
To utilise this data, we need access to significant quantities of computing power. Some of this can be provided by cloudbased infrastructure.
Cloud computing Cloud computing technology provides the infrastructure to compute vast amounts of data quickly, affordably and on-demand. It is the glue that holds the travel industry together by enabling data and content to be moved with relative ease, as well as computed and delivered as close to the point of consumption geographically as possible.
Cloud technology ultimately provides the bandwidth to scale and perform efficiently, even during intense peak periods, whilst simultaneously delivering cost efficiencies for travellers.
To conclude We should be excited about what the future of the travel industry holds. In the fourth industrial revolution, delivering the right kind of travel experience is going to rely on practically applying the technologies described here. The onus now falls on us to be enterprising enough to grasp the opportunities gifted to us by technology.
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