Category: LOCAL

A new survey from WorldRemit, a leading digital remittances company within the Zepz Group, has found that nearly half of migrants wish that Mother’s Day was celebrated on the same day around the world – pointing to the cultural difficulties faced by those who live in a different country to their mother.

Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates across the world, ranging from the second Sunday of February in Norway to the 15th of October in Malawi. In Kenya, Mother’s Day is observed on the second Sunday of May, with this year’s celebrations being marked on May 14th.

The survey was conducted in February with over 1,000 participants from the United Kingdom with a focus on understanding how migrants celebrate their relationship with their mothers.

Mother’s Day Timings Across the World

The most popular dates for Mother’s Day celebrations are the fourth week of Lent in March (such as in the United Kingdom and Nigeria), and the second Sunday in May (such as in the United States of America, South Africa, and Australia).

The survey found that while 93% of respondents celebrate Mother’s Day, nearly one third (27%) agree that it is easy to forget when Mother’s Day is celebrated in their family’s country of origin.

While the majority of respondents (46%) celebrate Mother’s Day on the day their country of residence celebrates, a third (33%) of respondents noted that they celebrate Mother’s Day twice a year; recognising the celebratory date in their family’s country of origin, in addition to the country they currently reside in.

Nearly half of respondents (46%) agree that they wish that Mother’s Day was celebrated on the same day around the world.

The Impact of Mothers

WorldRemit knows that mothers and motherly figures serve as the golden thread through many of our lives, often shapeshifting as our confidante, advisor, friend, and caretaker.

WorldRemit’s survey found that 96% of respondents agree that their mother has been influential in shaping them as a person. In addition, 95% of respondents agree that their mother had helped them to get to where they are in their lives currently. Finally, 94% of respondents agree that their mother supports them in their life choices.

When asked to describe their mother in three words, responses from participants included “trustworthy”, “devoted”, “strong”, and “selfless”.

Gifting on Mother’s Day

WorldRemit’s survey revealed that the most popular way to celebrate Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom is by sending a gift, which 69% of respondents stated is how they would mark the day. Other popular celebrations included eating out and a family visit.

Flowers were revealed as the most popular gift choice, with 59% of respondents citing that they planned on giving flowers on Mother’s Day. 46% of participants noted that they would be sending their mother money on Mother’s Day.

This Mother’s Day, WorldRemit encourages you to celebrate your mother or motherly figure; perhaps by sending her a small gift, or a written note of appreciation to say “thank you”.

To all mothers across the world, WorldRemit thanks you for making a world of difference.

·         With the new fibre materials, the LG OLED evo series TVs require only 40 per cent of the plastic that is used in LCD TVs of the same screen size.

·         LG has effectively curbed its plastic use by 20,000 tons this year and is expected that LG will achieve a waste plastic recycling effect amounting to 3,200 tons yearly, regarding TV products alone

LG Electronics 2023 OLED evo series TVs have been certified as environment friendly, receiving certifications for Reducing CO₂¹ and Measured CO₂² pointing to LG’s ongoing environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts for plastic waste reduction.

The certification, received for the third year in a row was issued by Carbon Trust and the Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS), the former being a global climate consultancy created to accelerate the move to a ‘Net Zero’ future, while SGS is the leading global testing organization dedicated to certifying environmentally sustainable products. Both institutions inspected the entire 2023 OLED evo series product stage from production and delivery to disposal.

Commenting on the recognition, LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company’s Product Development Division lead Baik Sun-pil noted that the product boasts lighter weight, and stronger durability, applying composite Fibre material and metal.

“These materials contribute to less plastic use, with the LG OLED evo series TVs requiring only 40 per cent of the plastic that is used in LCD TVs of the same screen size. Thanks to these efforts, LG has effectively curbed its plastic use by 20,000 tons this year. Besides, the product is designed this way to ensure viewers can enjoy immersive viewing experiences while reducing impact in all production stages for a greener, healthier environment at the same time. As a company, we commit to continue to pursue a broad range of ESG initiatives and responsible practices, as the firm leader of the OLED TV market.” Said Baik Sun-pil

Thanks to the composite fibre material, select models from the latest OLED evo series are around 20 per cent lighter than an LCD TV of the same screen size, contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions in transit.

Additionally, the back cover of LG OLED evo models, QNED TVs and NanoCell TVs released in 2023 are completed with recycled plastic material which uses more than 30 per cent of used plastic. With such efforts, it is expected that LG will achieve a waste plastic recycling effect amounting to 3,200 tons yearly, regarding TV products alone.

LG OLED TVs are also made with fewer components than conventional LCD TVs. The smaller number of parts required for each LG OLED product is a result of the TVs’ unique, self-lit display technology, which removes the need for a separate backlighting structure. A reduced parts count also means fewer resources used per unit, as well as less plastic and e-waste to contend with at the end of the TVs’ operational life.

Since its initial launch in 2013, LG OLED has continuously raised the industry bar, introducing pioneering display technologies such as OLED evo and groundbreaking form factors including the world’s first rollable TV, LG SIGNATURE OLED R, as well as the bendable LG OLED Flex.

This year, which marks the 10th anniversary of LG OLED, sees several new additions to LG’s diverse lineup of self-lit TVs, headlined by the stunning models from the 2023 OLED evo series. LG OLED evo series TVs are currently available in 125 countries worldwide.

LG has earned a place in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for 11 consecutive years and has received the ‘Comprehensive A grade’ from the ESG Evaluation and Rating Announcement of Korea ESG Standards Institute (KCGS) for 2 consecutive years.

The Coca-Cola system in Kenya awarded the seventh winner with a year’s worth of food shopping in Nairobi.

Zaccheus Ngereso, a Kibera resident in Nairobi was announced as the winner in the ongoing promotion.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Zaccheus Ngereso said, “This is important to me, together with my family and  those that I serve. I am a pastor by profession, and you know this involves a lot of hosting. Before I won I had played this game a couple of times and even in the previous years. I would urge my fellow Kenyans not to give up when they have not emerged a winner in the first attempt, their time is coming.”

The campaign, which runs for 12 weeks, offers consumers a chance to win over 50 million Kenya Shillings worth of prizes, including cash (mobile money), airtime, and shopping vouchers.

To participate, consumers need to buy a 1L, 1.25L or 2L bottle of Coca-Cola, Fanta, or Sprite and check under the green cap for a code. They will then need to send an SMS with the unique code found under the green cap to 40111 for a chance to win instant prizes and be entered into a draw for more prizes. The SMS to 40111 is free.

In addition to the grand prize of a year’s worth of food shopping other prizes include instant cash, airtime and shopping vouchers, enabling consumers to share meal moments with their loved ones. The promotion seeks to inspire Kenyans to continue enjoying meal moments together with a Coca-Cola.

Grand prize winners will be contacted through a dedicated customer care number to be advised on their winnings. To take part in the competition, consumers must be eighteen years and above and registered users of Safaricom, Airtel & Telkom.

Huawei technologies has ramped up its drive to replace diesel generators with an enhanced set of smart solar power solutions that include utility scale plants for commercial and residential users amid increased power shortages and rising electricity prices.

The utility-scale solar facility is one which generates at least 4MW of electricity that is fed into the national grid.

Speaking at the FusionSolar Forum 2023 yesterday, Leo Chen, President of Huawei Sub Saharan Africa, said that the urgency to transition to more solar power generation was being accelerated by power shortages and rising energy prices.

“With a heavy investment in R&D, we’ve developed the most comprehensive set of full-scenario smart PV solutions for utility-scale large plants and energy storage facilities for commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftops, residential rooftops, data centres, and smart microgrids in rural areas,” said Leo.

He indicated that to address the power deficit issue and boost a digital and sustainable future for the country, Kenya will need to invest in blended financial facilities for the funding of alternative energy installations, making it more accessible to a wider population. At the same time, the government will also have to broaden the flow of participation by upskilling people in the technology of renewable energy systems.

Implementing the utility scale solar plants is expected to hasten the growth of solar contribution to the country’s energy mix. It comes at a time when Kenya is positioning itself to raise its installed solar power generation capacity to 600 MW by 2030, up from less than 100 MW currently.

Data from the Kenya National Electrification Strategy 2018 shows that out of 10.8 million households targeted for connection under the last mile program, 9.7 million are within 15km of existing grid network while 1.1 million are located further and are best served by off-grid energy.

Kenya, said Leo, is suited for this technology due to its high insolation rates with an average of 5-7 peak sunshine hours and receives an average daily insolation of 4-6kWh/m2.

Grid connected solar systems covering an area of 15-20 km2, about 3% of the Nairobi County, could provide 3801 GWh of electrical energy a year.

He explained that by doing this, more flexible energy generation solutions that are close to the point of use can be applied and the transmission and distribution setup can be minimised, thus saving costs and losses.

Chen Guoguang, President of Huawei Smart PV Product Line echoed his sentiments, adding that, with Huawei’s innovative solutions, it has achieved a very impressive carbon footprint globally.

“By the end of 2022, Huawei Digital Power has helped our customers to offset 340 million tons of CO2 emissions, roughly the same as planting 470 million trees,” he said.

Huawei technologies, he added, currently powers 25% of the world’s PV capacity, and is well positioned to play a growing role in the evolution of the industry.

·         The company also recorded Kes 2.08 trillion in total revenue being the second-highest first-quarter revenue in the company’s history.

·         The LG Home Appliance & Air Solution business unit recorded the highest revenues of Kes.819.04 billion with an operating profit of Kes 104.17 billion.

LG Electronics Inc. (LG) has reported a Kes153.15 billion profit for the first quarter of 2023, the third highest first-quarter profitability in the company’s history.

Revenue for the same period is reported at Kes 2.08 trillion, the second-highest first-quarter revenue in the company’s history. The record growth in revenue is attributed to improved business structure and operational efficiency despite the profitability being impacted by challenging global economic conditions.

Commenting on the results, LG Electronics Inc CEO William Cho said, “The company’s business structure improved with its continuously expanding B2B segment and non-hardware business areas, such as content and services, which are achieving significant growth.”

From a business unit perspective, the LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company recorded the highest revenues of Kes.819.04 billion with an operating profit of Kes 104.17 billion. The business unit recorded its highest first-quarter revenues, with operating profit exceeding Kes 102.12 billion in sales for the first time.

Continuous growth was driven largely by the rapid expansion of the B2B segment, fueled by sales of energy-efficient heat pump-enabled products as well as energy storage systems. LG’s industry-leading heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions for homes and businesses deliver strong performance and energy efficiency that reflect current European market trends based on tighter environmental regulations.

“The company will focus on maintaining the competitiveness of its premium appliances as well as strengthening its mass-tier appliance lineup in response to the polarization of market demand, along with managing cost structure to enhance profitability”. Said Cho.

The appliance business expects to see continued growth by focusing on the expanding B2B segment and accelerating the service segment including the rental and care service business, which has reached an average annual growth rate of 30 per cent in South Korea over the past 5 years.

The LG Home Entertainment Company recorded first-quarter sales of Kes 343.14 billion with an operating profit of Kes 20.46 billion attributed to effective management of operational costs through enhanced demand forecasting.

Despite lower global TV demand caused primarily by challenging economic conditions in Europe, the company saw increased sales of the growth of content and services businesses based on LG’s webOS smart TV platform, while strengthening operation competitiveness. Premium 2023 product launches, led by innovative products such as LG OLED evo TV models, are expected to maintain the company’s competitive edge. At the same time, the global launch of “Lifestyle Screens,” delivering differentiated designs and features, is expected to boost sales and drive the premium TV market. The LG OLED Objet Collection Posé TV will be launched in over 40 countries this year.

The LG Vehicle Component Solutions Company achieved first-quarter sales of Kes 244.08 billion with an operating profit of Kes 5.51 billion being its highest first-quarter revenues ever.

Continuing the profitability momentum from last year’s fourth quarter, continuous efforts to strengthen the global supply chain led to further increased profitability in the first quarter as the value of accumulated orders for auto parts reached Kes 8.17 trillion. Despite the cloud of uncertainty affecting the overall global automotive industry, demand for electric vehicles is forecasted to expand. The company will sustain its competitive edge based on a stable portfolio made up of in-vehicle infotainment systems, e-Powertrain, headlamps and distinctive solutions.

The LG Business Solutions Company saw improved first-quarter revenues of Kes 151.15 billion

with an operating profit of Kes 6.71 billion. Stable growth is driven by proactively responding to academic season demand with competitive products including the new Ultraslim LG gram laptop computers, while product competitiveness and operational efficiencies also improved.

The company plans to focus on expanding its information display business by developing customized solutions and discovering potential customer demand. The company also plans to accelerate the development of new business segments, especially in South Korea, as robots (LG Future Park in Gumi) and electric vehicle chargers (LG Digital Park in Pyeongtaek) are being fully integrated into LG’s production systems.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), today, announces the issuance and implementation of the Kenya Quick Response Code Standard 2023 (KE-QR Code Standard 2023; or the Standard). The Standard will guide how Payment Service Providers and banks (institutions) that are regulated by the CBK will issue Quick Response (QR) Codes to consumers and businesses that accept digital payments.

QR Codes are machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares containing information that provide an alternative option for initiating and accepting digital payments made by customers at various points of sale, such as supermarkets, general stores, shops, among other outlets. The implementation of the Standard, and use of standardised QR Code-enabled payments, will bring practical benefits to businesses and customers. Customers will now be able to make digital payments in an easy, fast, convenient, and secure manner using QR. Previously, customers had to manually input different payment codes and numbers, hence creating friction and cumbersome payment processes that are prone to errors.

The Standard will also promote inclusion by enabling institutions of various sizes and customer focus to increase adoption digital payments. In the long-term, use of standardised QR Codes will facilitate launch of innovative products and deepen the benefits already enjoyed by customers making payments across various institutions and mobile money networks (interoperability).

The Standard, which is based on the EMVCo QR Code Specification, has been developed through collaboration between CBK, Payment Service Providers, banks, card schemes, among others. The Standard will be rolled out in a phased approach as these players align their operations to requirements set out in the Standard and increase customer awareness.

Issuance of the Standard marks an important step in the implementation of the National Payments Strategy 2022 – 2025. The Strategy was launched in February 2022 to, among other things, support the adoption of key standards and align Kenya’s National Payment System to global best practice. With the launch of the QR Standard, Kenya is joining other leading markets that have implemented the standardized approach to issuing QR codes for facilitating payments. These countries include, Philippines, Jordan, South Africa, Singapore, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, India, and China.

Mozilla Africa Mradi in collaboration with Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) have entered into a partnership to support tech-startups in Nairobi County.

This is part of a new Mozilla grant making mechanism dubbed Mozilla African Innovation Mradi, which is designed to promote innovation led by and grounded in the unique needs of users on the African continent.

The partnership is in the background of the Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge that will be held in June 2023 in Nairobi.

Mozilla’s Africa Mradi Innovation challenge will identify and support Kenyan tech entrepreneurs/startups and tech-students through an acceleration programme that will provide; technical support, access to grants and ultimately, market access for their products.

“Exploring and developing new projects, technologies, and products grounded in open innovation that produce a meaningful impact on the African internet ecosystem is at the heart of our work at Mozilla Corporation”, said Alice Munyua, Senior Director Africa Mradi.

Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation week that will be held on June 26th and 27th 2023 at Nairobi. The initiative is part of the Africa Mradi which aims to leverage Mozilla’s role as stewards of the open web to promote models of innovation that are grounded in the unique needs of users in the African continent.

Kenya is the regional ICT hub of East Africa, with the country being a leader in broadband connectivity, general ICT infrastructure and home to more than 300 tech start-ups.

Through the Innovation Challenge, Mozilla seeks to support this ecosystem to ensure that youth innovators across Kenya  have access to information and knowledge needed to establish and run profitable startups.

“ Nairobi City County Government will be working with Mozilla Africa Mradi in two key areas; in conducting a situation analysis of all our tech-start-ups and to build capacity of tech innovators in Nairobi City County so as to ensure they have equal opportunities and platforms to showcase their innovations, are exposed to how venture capital investments work and trained on startup accelerator opportunities available to them in Africa” said Governor Johnson Sakaja.