The Clogged Loan Taps and a concerned Treasury

Hello 👋 

Here is Brian from The Kenyan Wall Street.

Our leading stories today :

▶️ Treasury CS John Mbadi’s displeasure with banks

▶️ The cost of Living Marginally Goes Up in November - KNBS Inflation figures

▶️ We have analysed how wages and earnings play out in different sectors of the economy

▶️ The National Carrier KQ plans to make flight booking more easier through digital transformation

🏦 CS Mbadi Turns Heat on Banks on Borrowing Costs

The government is worried about deteriorating financial health of many Kenyans despite positive economic fundamentals, Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi has said. According to the CS, despite healthy reserves, stable shilling, low inflation, exports looking positive and an average economic growth projected this year, many Kenyans still don’t have money to spend. CS Mbadi said to avail money to businesses, the government is also working on releasing monies owed to the private sector. Why are banks reluctant to lend Kenyans money despite CBK interest rate cuts?

🧐 Also have a look at …

🍞🌽📉 Cost of Living Marginally Goes Up in November

The cost of living went up marginally in November compared to October following an increase in The Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Index by 0.6%. November data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics puts the inflation rate in November at 2.8 per cent compared to 2.7 per cent in October.

Here's how some of the commodities Kenyans rely on to survive performed : 

The prices of grocery goods such as potatoes (Irish), onion (leeks and bulbs) and cabbages decreased by 2.8, 2.7 and 2.6 per cent, respectively, between October 2024 and November 2024. Here's is why these figures matter…

📊 Education Sector Leads In Individuals Earning More than KSh 100,000 – KNBS

More than 89,000 workers in the education sector earned more than KSh 100,000 per month in 2023, compared to 81,000 workers in 2022 – according to the latest data from KNBS. This 9.8% increase in high wage earners shows that schools and higher learning institutions retain their dominance as key employers in the country.Earnings in the sector were highest in Kenya in 2023, standing at KSh 564.5 billion compared to KSh 539.6 billion in 2022. Read this article to see the wage distribution in Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Finance…

✈️ Kenya Airways Bets on Revamped Website, Digital Focus to Reform Customer Experience

The global airline industry is undergoing a technological revolution – tapping on online booking, mobile applications, and AI-driven personalization – to provide convenient and accessible services for customers. Kenya Airways (KQ) is reinventing its platforms to allow enhanced customer engagement and provide prospective travellers greater freedom to manage their own flights. In a virtual interview with Andrew Barden of The Kenyan Wall Street, KQ’s Head of Digital Commerce Mwajuma Salim stated that the decision to revamp the airline’s website was informed by a range of issues they had identified. Here is a short article detailing the key points in the conversation…

On the trading floor…

Stories you missed 

Opinions & Commentaries 

🌾 Investing in Agriculture in Africa Has an Information Problem - Abraham Augustine explains why investments in agriculture in Africa suffer the most from a deficit of information compared to most other sectors on the continent.

🛢️The Fierce Urgency of African Energy Banks - NJ Ayuk helps us understand why African states and the private sector need to fund the African Energy Bank, an institution which is focused on funding African energy projects.

📱 Top Digital Banking Apps in Kenya - Sylvia Jemutai unpacks what you need to know about the digital banking in Kenya.

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