The Mwango Capital Podcast

In this episode recorded on 28.09.2023, our guest host, Phares Kariuki - Pure Infrastructure CEO, is joined by Moses Kemibaro - Dotsavvy Founder and CEO, Tim Kipchumba - Questworks Co-Founder, and Kennedy Kachwanya - kachwanya.com Tech Mega Trend Analyst on a conversation about the current startup landscape in Kenya.

We also cover the trajectory of startups in the last two decades, raising money vs generating revenues, building beyond the media hype, and cash-conscious marketing strategies.

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Show Notes

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:31 Trajectory over the Last Two Decades

00:18:13 Raising Money vs Generating Revenues

00:24:41 Disconnect Between Funding and a Good Investment

00:28:08 The Storytelling Problem

00:42:08 Bad Investments vs Bad Markets

00:54:16 Building Beyond the Media Hype

01:05:25 Challenges in the Fundraising Market

01:15:33 Cash-Conscious Marketing Strategies

01:23:25 Building Resilient Businesses

In this episode recorded on 03.08.2023, we host Nanjira Sambuli - Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Bright Mawudor - Founder, AfricaHackOn, and Tyrus Kamau - a cybersecurity consultant to explore Kenya's cybersecurity posture.

We also cover the recent DDoS attacks that paralyzed critical infrastructure, the role of various institutions in cybersecurity, and the basic steps individuals should take in protecting themselves against cyber attacks.

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Show Notes

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:00 Is Kenya Ready?

00:09:48 DDoS Attacks and Paralyzed Critical Infrastructure

00:22:54 Availablity of Tech Talent

00:32:40 Securing Government Infrastructure

00:36:40 Legislature’s Role

00:45:44 Way Forward for Kenya

00:51:10 Recommendations for the Private Sector

01:01:17 Media’s Role

01:07:59 Steps In Protecting Against Cybersecurity Threats

In this episode recorded on 05.09.2023 and hosted by Rhina Namsia, we are joined by Tom Coleman - Informa Markets’ Exhibition Director and Cynthia Makarutse - Informa Markets’ Conference Director on a discussion about Medic East Africa, redefining healthcare delivery in the region, and the upcoming Healthcare East Africa 2.0 Summit.

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Show Notes

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:36 East Africa’s Healthcare Overview

00:04:17 Technology and Emerging Trends

00:07:07 The Healthcare East Africa 2.0 Summit

00:10:45 What to Look Forward to

00:12:57 Informa Markets’ Role

00:15:47 Summit Details

00:18:01 Advice for Those Joining Healthcare

In this episode recorded on 28.07.2023, we host the Centum Group CEO, Dr. James Mworia, to discuss the Group’s FY 2023 results. We also cover capital allocation, the Two Rivers’ pivot, payroll lending through Jafari, and opportunities in the current economic environment.

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Show Notes

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:49 ESG Report

00:02:03 Centum’s Businesses

00:07:18 2023 Financial Performance

00:10:14 Two Rivers’ Pivot

00:15:29 FY ‘22 Financial Statements Restatement

00:23:24 Dividends and Share Buybacks

00:28:31 Payroll Lending, NPLs, and the Finance Act

00:40:07 Current Focus

00:46:30 Opportunities in the Current Environment

In this episode recorded on 21.06.2023, we host Dorcas Mugambi, the Head of Trade Finance at Co-operative Bank, to discuss the business financing solutions that the bank offers, requirements to qualify for trade financing, challenges faced in accessing financing, and the sectors that the bank covers.

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Show Notes

00:00:00 Introduction

00:04:19 Trade Financing Solutions

00:12:07 Export/Import Business Solutions

00:17:38 Challenges Accessing Trade Financing

00:25:06 Banking Right

00:30:02 Sectors Covered

00:36:28 Collateral

00:39:32 Default Rates

00:44:09 Financing Requirements

In this episode recorded on 04.05.2023, we hosted the WPP-Scangroup CEO, Patricia Ithau, to discuss her career journey and the lessons she has picked.

We also covered WPP-Scangroup’s business model and performance, sourcing new clients, measuring campaign performance, and staying relevant in the age of social influencers.

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Show Notes

00:58:00 Career Journey and Lessons Learned

00:16:49 WPP-Scangroup’s Business Model

00:22:57 Market Share, Competition, and Sourcing New Clients

00:26:04 Measuring Metrics

00:30:58 Company Performance and Areas Of Growth

00:39:48 Analysis Paralysis and the Plan for W. African Markets

00:44:54 Influencers Value

00:47:05 Brand-Defining Categories

00:50:52 Staying Relevant in the Age of Social Influencers

00:57:34 Thoughts on Share Buybacks and Delisting

01:04:03 Advice to Young People and Closing Thoughts

In this episode, we host Lawrence Kimathi, Kenya Commercial Bank’s Group CFO, to discuss the Group’s Q1 2023 financial results. We cover the 98% increase in loan loss provisions, deceleration in investment in government securities, the performance of the Group’s subsidiaries, and the Group’s Q2 outlook.

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Show Notes

00:00:00 Highlights

00:01:08 Loan Loss Provisions

00:02:58 Non-Performing Loans

00:05:21 Investment in Government Securities

00:06:54 Risk-Based Pricing

00:07:19 Performance of Subsidiaries

00:08:36 Statutory Loan Loss Reserves

00:09:41 NBK and Q2 Outlook

In this episode recorded on 20.04.2023, we hosted Jackson Muli, the principal officer at Kenya Orient Life Assurance, to discuss the company’s business and future prospects.

We also covered the basics of insurance and assurance, the implementation of the new NSSF Act, the impact of IFRS 17 on the insurance business, and investments.

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Show Notes

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:30 Insurance vs Assurance

00:05:39 Insurance Industry Players

00:12:53 Growth Strategy

00:15:12 Jackson’s Career Journey

00:17:21 Challenges and Opportunities

00:28:20 NSSF Act Implementation

00:35:30 IFRS 17's Impact

00:38:58 Claims Settlement and Eligibility for Cover

00:46:10 Getting into the Insurance Industry

00:47:28 Revenue Generation and Investments

00:53:41 Future Outlook and Closing Thoughts

In this episode recorded on 27.04.2023, we host Mark Bohlund, Senior Credit Research Analyst at REDD Intelligence, to discuss Kenya's rising Eurobond yields and the impact on Kenya's bid to raise a Eurobond next year.

We also cover the sell-off in the market, the likelihood of defaulting on the upcoming Eurobond payment, and strategies for managing maturing Eurobonds.

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Show Notes

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:54 Eurobonds

00:05:09 Taping into The Eurobond Market

00:06:21 Rising Yields on the Kenya Eurobond

00:09:55 Drivers for Market Sell-Off

00:11:28 Managing Maturing Eurobonds

00:18:47 Likelihood Of Default

00:24:16 Challenges in Borrowing in the Domestic Market

00:30:39 Tanzania Getting into the Bond Market

00:38:53 Uganda's Domestic Market

00:43:41 Closing Thoughts

In this episode recorded on 29.03.2023, we are joined by the Stima Sacco CEO Dr. Hassan Gamaliel and Customer Service Manager Gloria Chaponda to discuss the Sacco’s business model. We also cover joining the Sacco, its scale and solvency, system changes, and handling the resulting challenges.

Show Notes

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:13 History

00:04:41 Size and Scale

00:13:06 System Changes and Communication Issues

00:32:28 Solvency

00:40:50 Becoming A Member

00:46:18 Islamic Finance Products

00:52:29 Business Model

01:07:56 Transferability of Shares

01:15:07 CEO’s Career Journey

01:23:50 Closing Thoughts