Under its three-year plan, iMara 3.0, I&M Bank hopes to increase its nationwide presence to 100 outlets by the end of the next year The bank noted that the current expansion drive, which will increase the number of branches to 61, focuses on important economic areas nationwide The lender has been growing its retail appeal by permanently removing fees on transactions from the bank to mobile money wallets like M-Pesa and Airtel Money TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers profound insights into Kenyan and global economic trends. I&M Bank Kenya intends to open nine additional branches this quarter as part of its efforts to expand its retail banking operations. I&M Bank CEO Gul Khan during the opening of
Category Archives: BUSINESS-FINANCE
Mar
Response One Ghana Limited, a leading provider of electronic security and emergency response services, is proud to announce the launch of its Alarm Intervention Team, a high-tech, rapid-response unit designed to react swiftly to alarm activations, deter crime, and provide crucial support to law enforcement. This state-of-the-art intervention unit will work closely with the Ghana Police Service, enhancing public safety by reducing response times and reinforcing national crime prevention efforts. The launch of this team represents a significant advancement in security operations in Ghana, integrating cutting-edge technology, real-time monitoring, and direct law enforcement collaboration to create a safer environment for homes, businesses, and communities. Advanced Technology for Real-Time Security Response The Alarm Intervention Team is equipped with the latest security and communication technologies to ensure seamless operations and swift, evidence-backed
Feb
Japanese transport operators are expanding luggage delivery services, including between train stations and airports, to address luggage congestion as the country continues to face overtourism in major cities. In January, the airport and rail operators in Nagoya ran a luggage delivery trial for tourists on certain flights, according to Japan News, the English edition of the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper. Under the trial, tourists would drop off their luggage at the Meitetsu Nagoya railway station. Staff would measure and check the luggage before they were sent to the airport in Nagoya. Tourists on direct flights to Hong Kong or those transiting via Taipei could then travel around Nagoya without bringing along their luggage and receive them upon returning to their home airports, according to Japan News. The delivery fee under the
Feb
Ghana’s economic growth remains heavily dependent on the mining and oil sectors, raising concerns about the country’s slow structural transformation and limited job creation, experts have said. Speaking at the launch of the Productivity, Employment and Growth Report in Accra on February 24, 2025, Government Statistician Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim stressed the need for Ghana to rethink how labour and capital are combined across all sectors. He noted that while productivity has improved over the past three decades, much of the growth has been driven by extractive industries, which contribute significantly to GDP but create few jobs. “The data shows that while productivity has increased, much of this progress is confined to the mining sector, which does not generate enough employment opportunities,” he said. “If Ghana wants to double its
Feb
£3,000 rents cause housing fears near nuclear plant George King BBC News, Suffolk Reporting from Leiston, Suffolk Zoie O’Brien/BBC Linda Druce from Druce Estate & Letting Agents said Sizewell C was a reason for rent increasing in Leiston Residents fear being priced out of a Suffolk town due to the construction of a nuclear power plant, with the rent on some family homes doubling to more than £3,000 a month. The development of Sizewell C – which is under way and predicted to conclude by 2031 – will require a workforce of 7,900 people, with about two thirds moving from outside the area. Some people in Leiston, which is about three miles (5km) from the power station, have spoken out about the rise in rents, with one saying “landlords are
Feb
Aww, Roomies! Congratulations are in order for rapper Yung Bleu and his wife, Tiemeria — they have confirmed they’re expecting a baby boy! RELATED: Yung Bleu Publicly Apologizes To His Wife Following Online Relationship Drama, Later Deletes His Statement Yung Bleu & His Wife Tiemeria Confirm They’re Expecting Their Fourth Child Yung Bleu announced the big news right before Valentine’s Day, going all out with heart balloons, luxe gifts, and a decked-out spot full of blue balloons that spelled out “IT’S A BOY.” Bleu gave his fans a sneak peek at his sweet, romantic setup with a carousel of videos on Instagram. He even dropped a caption saying, “Can’t help who you love 🤷 Happy Vday big mama lol !” Tiemeria was all smiles, soaking it up as she unwrapped
Feb
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 14 – Four suspects linked to the ongoing investigations into financial mismanagement at the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCCO), where billions of shillings were embezzled, will remain in custody pending the determination of their bail terms on February 18. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) identified the four suspects as George Magutu Mwangi, Mercy Muthoni Njeru, George Ochola Owino, and Jackline Pauline Atieno Omolo. According to the DCI, the suspects, arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts, are facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Section 317 of the Penal Code, and stealing by directors or officers of companies, contrary to Section 282 of the Penal Code. They are also accused of making a false document, contrary to Section 347(a), as read with
Feb
Nigerian fintech Raenest has raised $11M in Series A funding to expand its reach across Africa. Led by QED Investors, the funding round also got participation from pan-African VC firms Norrsken22, Ventures Platform, P1 Ventures, and Seedstars. The fintech startup will look to deepen its presence in Nigeria and secure licenses in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and the U.S. What is Raenest As Africa’s tech ecosystem continues to blossom, more people from the region are landing remote jobs with big tech firms and global startups. However, receiving payments remains an obstacle for many freelancers and remote workers. They struggle to open accounts that accept U.S. dollars, face slow invoicing and payment processes, and it doesn’t help when their foreign employers use incompatible payment platforms. Related Post: Nigerian B2B Payment Startup, Klasha
Feb
Many Hong Kong residents are heading to jewellery shops to sell – or buy – gold after the precious metal hit a record-high price this week. Gold has surged more than 10 per cent on the global market this year, reaching a record US$2,942.70 per ounce (28.3 grams) on Tuesday. That is on top of a 26 per cent increase last year – the biggest annual gain in 14 years. The price in Hong Kong has risen in tandem, hitting HK$27,040 per tael (US$3,466 for 37.9 grams) on Tuesday, which is 35 per cent higher than at the beginning of last year. The rise is benefiting jewellery shops. Fook Tai Jewellery Group, which has seven retail shops in Hong Kong, is among those seeing a rush of customers. Most want
Javier Milei waves a chainsaw during a campaign rally in San Martin, Buenos Aires province, Argentina in September 2023. Photo: LUIS ROBAYO / AFPSource: AFP Argentina recorded a monthly inflation rate of 2.2 percent in January, the lowest in 4.5 years, the INDEC national statistics agency said Thursday, in a boost for budget-slashing President Javier Milei. Inflation, the perennial bugbear of South America’s second-biggest economy, was down from 2.7 percent in December, it said, and January was the fourth straight month in which prices rose by less than 3 percent. Year-on-year, January inflation came in at 84.5 percent, said the INDEC — the first time in two years it was under 100 percent, but still one of the highest in the world. By the end of 2024 inflation was at
Feb
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week as employers continue to retain workers despite resurgent inflation and elevated interest rates. The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell by 7,000 to 213,000 for the week ending February 8, the Labor Department said Thursday. Analysts projected that 215,000 new applications would be filed. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of layoffs. The four-week average, which smooths out some of the week-to-week volatility, inched down by 1,000 to 216,000. Despite showing some signs of weakening during the past year, the labor market remains healthy with plentiful jobs and relatively few layoffs. Last week, the Labor Department reported that U.S. employers added 143,000 jobs in January, significantly fewer than December’s 256,000 job gains. However, the unemployment rate ticked down
Feb
Volvo is looking for a U.S.-based battery supplier for the EX90 electric SUV. The EX90 is built in South Carolina but its batteries come from China’s CATL. Because of the increased import tariffs on Chinese batteries, Volvo was forced to increase the EX90’s price. Volvo was forced to hike the starting price of its flagship electric SUV, the EX90, even before it hit the showroom floor. Because of the increased tariffs on Chinese-made batteries, the Volvo EX90 now starts at $81,290 including shipping, $3,300 more than originally intended. Despite the EX90 being built in South Carolina, its high-voltage battery pack is made in China by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL). That might not be the case for long, though, as Volvo is looking for an American battery supplier that would
Feb
Renault unveils a trio of all-new electric vans. The Estafette E-Tech, Goelette E-Tech and Trafic E-Tech share the same 800V platform. They go on sale next year. With over half a million vans to its name, the Estafette was a staple of Renault’s commercial vehicle lineup between 1959 and 1980 before being retired. Now, the French automaker has revived the iconic Estafette nameplate for a brand-new, all-electric commercial vehicle based on a newly developed 800-volt skateboard architecture. And that’s not all because the Estafette is joined by two other historic names—the Goelette and Trafic—in an aggressive push from Renault toward the electrification of the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment in Europe. All three models share the same underpinnings that were designed by Renault’s subsidiary Ampere. Each is front-wheel drive and
Feb
President Donald Trump’s Department of Transportation just dealt a blow to a key federal program that funds the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the U.S. In a letter to state transportation departments titled “Suspending Approval of State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans,” the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) notified states that their plans to deploy charging infrastructure under the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program were no longer approved. Under the NEVI program, states need to submit plans to the FHWA ahead of each fiscal year, outlining how they plan to use the funds. During the Biden administration, the FHWA approved the first four (out of five) years of state plans, for fiscal years 2022 through 2025. Although that funding was essentially unlocked by states, not all
Feb
The United States continues to dominate the global wealth landscape, with eight of the 10 wealthiest billionaires based stateside. However, the Forbes 2024 list shows that of the nearly 3000 billionaires worldwide, only 17 are Black. Regardless, Black entrepreneurs continue to defy the odds despite the obstacles stacked against them. According to 2021 Census data , Black-owned businesses in the U.S. generated $206 billion in annual revenue and supported 3.56 million U.S. jobs. There are 13 Black billionaires in the United States today. This elite group of leaders has carved out successful careers in media, sports, technology, finance, and entertainment. As we celebrate Black History Month in February, we delve into their journeys to success, showcasing their inspirational stories. David Steward The wealthiest Black American—with an estimated net worth of $11.4B—David Steward grew up in the