The Mwango Capital Podcast

In this episode recorded on 20.03.2025, we host the Absa Bank Kenya CFO, Yusuf Omari, to break down Absa Bank's 2024 performance.We cover revenue growth, cost management, investments in digital transformation, capital requirements, acquisition strategy, and the company’s future outlook.Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:01:03 Yusuf’s Career Journey00:03:56 Short-Term vs Long-Term Loans00:06:47 FY24 Financial Performance00:09:48 Revenue Growth, Cost Management, and Efficiency00:16:26 Asset Quality and Loan Losses00:21:16 Economic Environment, Profitability, and Balance Sheet Insights00:29:01 Dividends, Capital Requirements, and Acquisition Strategy00:34:14 Investments in Digital Transformation00:37:12 Medium and Long-Term Goals00:43:29 Personal Reflections, Professional Growth, and Future Outlook Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on 21.03.2025 and hosted by Ramah Nyang, we are joined by Boniface Kamiti, Manager - Consumer Protection at the Competition Authority of Kenya, to discuss consumer protection in Kenya.Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction and Overview of CAK’s Role00:07:11 Key Consumer Rights00:09:21 Common Issues and Recourse00:13:08 Digital Lending and Non-Disclosure00:25:45 Procedures and Advice to Consumers00:37:07 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on 25.02.2025, we are joined by Absa Life Assurance Kenya Managing Director and Principal Officer, Githanji Waiguru, to break down life insurance and its role in securing your financial future.Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:02:15 Cultural Influences in Insurance00:04:49 Journey of Absa Life in Kenya00:11:59 Relationship with Absa Group00:13:32 Low Insurance Penetration in Kenya00:21:44 Assurance vs Insurance and Basic Concepts in Life Assurance00:27:39 Products for Freelancers and Support During Difficult Times00:34:19 Investment Component in Assurance00:35:50 Solutions for Chamas00:37:30 Premiums and Affordability00:41:16 Getting Started with Absa Life00:42:43 Future Outlook and Closing Remarks Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on 06.03.2025 and hosted by Ramah Nyang, we are joined by Stanbic Holdings' Chief Financial & Value Officer, Dennis Musau, to break down the banks’ FY 2024 performance.Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:00:38 Cost of Funds00:02:41 Net Interest Margins and Private Sector Credit Growth00:09:31 Impact of Tax Policy00:12:48 NPLs and Recovery00:20:26 Rate Transmission and Risk-Based Pricing00:26:46 Risk Exposure on the G2G Oil Import Arrangement00:31:57 Agriculture Sector Outlook00:35:39 FX Risks and Commodity Exports00:37:32 South Sudan Oil Exports Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on 07.02.2025 and hosted by Ramah Nyang, we are joined by Churchill Ogutu - Economist at IC Group, and David Rogovic - VP and Senior Credit Officer at Moody’s, to discuss credit ratings and their impact on African economies.We also cover their significance, perceived bias, impact on debt restructuring, and the feasibility of an African credit rating agency.Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:01:53 Credit Rating Basics00:06:33 Significance of Ratings in Investing00:10:36 Perceived Bias in Credit Ratings00:12:22 Changing the Outlook00:15:26 Data Quality Challenges00:27:35 Impact of Debt Restructure on Credit Rating00:30:49 Feasibility of an African Credit Ratings Agency00:37:46 Final Remarks Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on 30.01.2025 and hosted by Nicole Njuguna, we are joined by Co-operative Bank’s Diaspora Banking Manager, Edison Mochiemo, to discuss the top investment opportunities available for diasporans.We cover the various products tailored for them, common challenges encountered, emerging investment trends, and exiting investments.Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:01:10 Investment Opportunities Available in Kenya for Diasporans00:06:38 Common Challenges and Mitigation Strategies00:15:06 Best Return on Investment Options00:18:27 Preferential Rates and Incentives00:20:28 Emerging Investment Trends00:22:39 Products Tailored for Diasporans00:25:53 Partnerships00:27:54 Exiting Investments and Succession Plans00:34:04  Loans For Investment Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on 05.02.2025, we host EABL’s CFO, Risper Ohaga, as we unpack the firm’s half-year 2024/25 results in detail. We cover the impact of macroeconomic factors on the company’s operations, supply chain management, capital expenditure, and the focus in 2025.Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:01:20 Impact of Macroeconomic Factors00:04:31 Top-Line Growth00:08:47 Impact of Tax Changes00:14:12 CAPEX00:16:28 Dividends00:18:40 Payables and Receivables00:20:09 Supply Chain Management, Ethanol Sourcing, and Global Tariffs00:25:38 Premium Brands and Consumer Spending00:29:00 2025 Focus Areas00:32:59 Reflections and Final Thoughts Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on 23.01.2025, we host Asman Mugambi, CEO of Jubilee Life Insurance, to explore strategies for smarter financial planning in 2025 and beyond. We also cover Jubilee Life Insurance and its products, risk management, misconceptions about life insurance, and regulation in cryptocurrency.Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:03:25 Jubilee Life Insurance and its Products00:10:40 Retirement Planning Advice00:14:49 Flexibility in Contributions00:16:31 Investment and Risk Management00:20:28  Financial Planning for 2025 and Beyond00:22:51 Life Insurance Misconceptions00:27:28 Freelancers and Gig Workers00:29:21 Regulation and Investment in Cryptocurrency00:33:53 Impact of NSSF Act of 2013 on Retirement Savings00:38:46 Closing Remarks Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on 06.02.2025, we host the Stima Sacco CEO, Gamaliel Hassan, to learn how SACCOs operate, their benefits, and how to leverage them for financial growth.Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post.Key Quotes“More than 40% - 45 % of the money that we earn as a profit, is paid back to our membership.”“Even as you look at what is being given to you as a return, the first question you should always ask yourself is ’The place I've put my money, is the money safe?’ Return is secondary. You have given a principal amount to somebody, can that principal sum be guaranteed that if you need it, you're going to have it? So number one, ‘Is the money safe?’ Number two, ‘If I want my money back, am I going to get it?‘ Number three, ‘Is the money accessible?’ And then lastly, let's talk about the aspect of return, and this goes without saying, if the return is too good, normally think twice. If somebody is offering you a return of 30%, ask them, what are you trading in to give you such a return.”“Guarantee is not an obligation. You're not obligated to guarantee anyone. Only guarantee the people that you know very well, you know where to find them, probably their families, something about them, their character. Because guarantorship is about character.”“When you join the SACCO, there are two very important disclosures. Disclosure number one, your shares are not refundable but they are transferable. So if you have shares in a SACCO, correctly as stated, those shares, you cannot come and say, refund me the shares. Those shares will always be part and parcel of the share capital of that SACCO, and that is by law and by regulation. However, those shares can be transferred…The second disclosure is on the deposits that I've talked about, the monthly deposits. Those monthly deposits are indeed withdrawable. You can be able to withdraw them. However, there's a catch around it. By law, you can withdraw them by giving a 60-day notice. So you give 60 days’ notice and say, I'm withdrawing, and within 60 days you must get your money back.”“The best thing you can give somebody is the ability to make income. You don't want to be giving handouts to people. You want to show somebody how to make money. The best thing is to showcase to people how money can work for you, and the share capital is a classic example of that.“Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:02:11 Understanding Saccos and their Operations00:11:50 Joining a Sacco00:16:18 Stima Sacco Products and Benefits00:27:49 Interest Rebates, Dividends, and Loans00:44:55 Guarantees and Loan Repayment00:51:47 Exiting a Sacco00:58:22 Stima Sacco Financials01:04:52 Diaspora Members01:06:00 NPLs and Financial Discipline01:17:27 Closing Remarks Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on 14.01.2025, we are joined by Hawi Abwonji - Research Analyst at ArvoCap Asset Managers, Stephanie Kimani - Economist, and Sunil Sanger - MD, Orion Advisory Services as we explore 2024 economic trends and the outlook for 2025.Subscribe to get notified when we make a new post.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:02:42 Macroeconomic Environment in 202400:06:57 Equity Market’s Performance00:10:34 Bonds Market00:16:06 Investor Perspective on Emerging Markets00:18:57 Government’s Creditworthiness00:28:49 Investors’ Concerns in 202500:32:26 2025 Outlook00:54:00 Closing Thoughts Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe