Envisioning a cheaper world

Kenya's #1 newsletter among business leaders & policy makers

It's Brian from The Kenyan Wall Street.

On today's edition of the ‘Daily Brief’, we dig into President Donald Trump's push for interest rate cuts and oil price reductions globally.

Also…we look at why small businesses in Kenya are now warming up to insurance covers

Let's get into it…

FINANCE

☂️ How Political Tension, Economic uncertainty are luring businesses to insurance 

Screengrab from WYLDE Insurance & Awareness Report

Small and Growing businesses (SGBs) are increasingly taking insurance against political and economic risks as a hedge against loss of revenue and property, a new survey by WYLDE International and AAR has found.

But hold up…the survey reveals that there is still more work to be done as 58% of small and growing business owners not considering taking insurance in the future while 24% are not sure. Since 2023, violent protests and chaos have intensified leading to destruction of property and resultant losses. With these apparent risks, there is demand for insurance but businesses still cite high premiums, delayed claims, and complex policies as major hindrances.

GLOBAL ECONOMY

🌐 Head to Head : Trump, Powell, and the Fed

President Trump speaking at WEF in Davos, Switzerland

Newly inaugurated US President, Donald Trump, is pushing the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to ease monetary expansion. A decision that would influence the rest of the world to follow suit.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump revealed plans to deregulate the US business space by cutting taxes and seeking fairer trade dynamics with other countries. Enterprises will benefit from this move, but Trump believes that the monetary policy should accompany this incentive for growth. Despite the Fed’s commitment to independence, President Trump’s first term saw a tug-of-war between his administration and the reserve institution.

Today's Poll

What are your expectations of President Donald Trump's policies for the global economy?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Yesterday's Poll Results 

Is the Startups Bill going to benefit the innovation ecosystem or is it another Trojan horse for increased government control on businesses?

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ It is beneficial (11.76%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 It is unwarranted intervention (88.24%)

🛢️ Oil prices may fall…but Kenya may not benefit 

An oil rig

President Donald Trump also urged OPEC to reduce oil prices in line with his energy objectives. Consequently, Kenya’s supplier UAE Murban declined 2.1% week on week from to trade at US$81.91 per barrel.

The global benchmark Brent Crude declined by 3.1% to trade at US$78.39 as WTI eased 3.6% week on week to trade at US$74.74 per barrel.

⬇️ However, Kenya may not experience a drop in pump prices as it signed a deal with 3 state-owned Gulf companies in April 2023 as a temporary measure to help ease foreign exchange pressures.

PUBLIC POLICY

🏦 Govt Seeks KSh 70bn in Reopened Infrastructure Bonds

The balance

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is seeking KSh 70 billion from two reopened infrastructure bonds to finance projects in the current fiscal year.

The reopened 14 year paper, which was first issued in 2022, has a remaining time to maturity of 11.8 years and a 13.9% coupon rate, while the 17 year paper with a 14.3% coupon rate has 15.1 years to maturity. Under CBK’s amortised redemption structure, the apex bank will pay back the bonds to investors in parts over the life of the bond, instead of all at once.

💵 Brand New Money!

⏱️Also Read

MOBILITY 

🚕 Inside Bolt’s KShs. 14bn Plan to Transform Safety for Riders and Drivers

Bolt

In November 2023, online taxi platform – Bolt – purged over 5,000 drivers for not complying with safety guidelines. However, ride hailing company realized that being more proactive in its measures would have a greater impact in transforming the sector into a reputable haven that customers can trust.

Over the next three years, Bolt will invest KSh 14 billion in raising awareness of their safety features and scaling up preventive measures. Dimmy Kanyankole – General Manager Bolt Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya spoke to Brian Nzomo about these plans

▶️ Video of the Week 

“If we wish to preserve a free society, it is essential that we recognize that the desirability of a particular object is not sufficient justification for the use of coercion.”

~ Friedrich Hayek, Austrian Economist

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Have a great weekend!