The Mwango Capital Podcast

Hosted by Mwango Capital

Business Management

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172

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Jul 2026

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About the show

Breaking down businesses and understanding markets in East Africa mwangocapital.substack.com

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60 recent

July 27, 202652 min

The Finance Act 2026

In this episode recorded on July 7, 2026, we sit down with Ann Magondu (Senior Tax Manager, Deloitte ), Joyce Oriedi (Senior Manager, Tax and Legal Services, PwC Kenya ), and Akinyi Gikonyo (Tax Consultant, KAM ) to unpack the Finance Act 2026, its role in funding Kenya's KSh 1.11 trillion fiscal deficit, merchant service fee withholding taxes, VAT & excise shifts, and EAC cross-border tax implications. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:35 Impact of Finance Act 2026 on Households and Businesses 00:06:27 Withholding Tax on Merchant Service Fees and Interchange Fees 00:12:57 Indirect Transfers and Foreign Investors 00:16:11 Dividends to EAC Citizens and Trade Tensions 00:21:55 Changes to the VAT Act 00:28:44 Changes to the Excise Duty Act 00:32:21 Import Protection for Manufacturers 00:38:40 Public Participation 00:46:59 E-bikes and Solar Power Systems Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

July 20, 20261 hr 4 min

Ask Arvocap Anything

In this episode recorded on June 30, 2026, we are joined by Wilson Wariari (Co-Founder & CIO, Arvocap Asset Managers ) and Jesse Ochieng’ (Analyst) to break down the mechanics of goal-based asset management in Kenya. We dive into how Arvocap scaled its AUM to KES 14.26B, their active fixed-income trading philosophy, hurdle-rate performance fees, and how funds like Eurofix and Almasi are broadening market access for retail investors. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:31 Gaps Arvocap is Addressing 00:10:17 Assets Under Management Growth Breakdown 00:13:53 Alpha Drivers and Sustainability of Returns 00:26:55 Fees 00:28:19 Almasi Fund 00:33:17 Lock-in and Liquidity 00:38:26 Global Equity Fund 00:47:35 Eurofix Fixed Income Fund 00:57:06 Goal-Based Investing and Closing Remarks Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

July 8, 202639 min

Understanding Family Medical Cover with AAR

In this episode recorded on June 18, 2026, we sit down with Justine Kosgei (CEO & Principal Officer, AAR Insurance ) and James Kamau (Group Head of Distribution, AAR Insurance ) to break down the mechanics of the newly structured FAARMILY Suite. We dive into how automated AI claims adjudication is capping premium inflation, the extension of senior health cover entry up to age 80, and how the insurer is flexing its products to accommodate non-traditional family structures and diaspora clients. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:03 Key Gaps that FAARmily Suite Addresses 00:08:04 Dependants and Documentation 00:10:45 Accessibility and Sustainability 00:13:53 Wellness Programs 00:15:51 Maternity and Seniors Eligibility 00:18:39 Transition of Junior Covers to Adult Covers 00:20:35 Future-proofing the Business through Tech 00:23:38 Non-traditional Families and Diaspora Customers 00:36:16 Future of Family Medical Covers Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

June 23, 202650 min

Best Practices in Filing Tax Returns

In this episode, recorded on June 16, 2026, we sit down with the tax and legal consulting team from Ushuru : Beatrice Njeri , Eddah Nyamweya , Derrick Muchoki , and Valentine Gaya, to break down essential best practices for individual and corporate tax submissions. We dive into the realities of real-time E-TIMS validation under Section 23A of the Tax Procedures Act, expose common bank statement exposure points, and outline the exact steps taxpayers must take when responding to a KRA audit notice or default assessment. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:13 Common Filing Challenges 00:06:04 eTIMS 00:11:57 Penalties & Interest 00:16:55 Freelancers and Consultants 00:19:20 KRA Audit Triggers 00:25:48 Turnover Tax 00:28:55 Handling Audit Notices/Assessments 00:44:23 Return Amendments 00:46:48 Closing Remarks Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

June 17, 20261 hr 1 min

Bonga na CEO Centum Investments

In this episode, recorded on June 4, 2026, we are joined by Centum Investment Company Group CEO, James Mworia , to unpack the three strategic evolutionary phases of Centum since 2009, the interplay between its real estate and private equity portfolios, and how the company successfully retired its holding company debt to enter a harvesting phase dedicated to driving sustainable shareholder value. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:18 Centum Investment Model 00:05:57 Debt Strategy 00:13:54 Real Estate Holdings 00:17:20 Two Rivers 00:24:20 Private Equity Portfolio 00:31:00 Capital Allocation 00:34:59 Share Buyback Program 00:38:29 NAV Gap 00:51:42 Strategy and Pitch Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

May 29, 202651 min

TRIFIC’s Green I-REIT

In this episode recorded on May 19, 2026, we are joined by Brenda Mbathi, CEO of TRIFIC SEZ , and Pius Muchiri , MD of Nabo Capital , as we unpack the structure, strategy, and investment opportunity behind the green-focused I-REIT. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:30 Broad Overview of TRIFIC 00:04:02 Why a Dollar-Denominated I-REIT 00:08:39 Use of Funds, REIT Structure, and Offer Size 00:18:25 USD Yield Return vs T-Bills 00:21:17 Tenant Mix and Debt Strategy 00:25:12 Green Certification, Demand, and Leasing Pipeline 00:31:21 Investor Interest and Liquidity 00:39:11 Cost Control, Vision, and Scale 00:45:16 Key Details on the I-REIT and Closing Remarks Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

May 28, 202641 min

Car and General FY25 Results

In this episode recorded on May 12, 2026, we are joined by Car & General (C&G) Chief Executive Officer, Vijay Gidoomal, to unpack the group's FY25 financial performance, the rebound of the boda-boda sector across Kenya and Tanzania, and how the business is navigating EV disruptions and leveraging artificial intelligence to build a competitive moat. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:17 Business Streams 00:03:54 Regional Business Footprint 00:08:07 Recovery of the Two-wheeler Business 00:10:41 Margins and Cost Efficiency 00:13:56 Investment in AI 00:23:00 Profitability and Cash Flow 00:24:49 Dividend Policy 00:27:40 EV Market 00:38:13 Closing Remarks Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

May 21, 202637 min

Unpacking Delmonte Kenya's Footprint

In this episode recorded on May 5, 2026, we are joined by DelMonte Kenya Managing Director, Wayne Cook, as we unpack the company’s 60-year history in Kenya, its KES 100B economic footprint, vertically integrated export model, and its ongoing community relations and sustainability interventions. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:04 History of Del Monte Kenya 00:08:14 Del Monte’s Business Model 00:12:48 Local Distribution and Exports 00:14:48 Scale and Economic Impact 00:17:53 Relationship with Fresh Del Monte Group 00:20:36 CapEx and Growth Plans 00:24:39 Community Relations and Human Rights 00:28:06 Sustainability Metrics 00:34:19 Outlook, Innovation, and New Product Lines Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

May 17, 202651 min

SanlamAllianz Unpacked

In this episode recorded on April 30, 2026, we are joined by SanlamAllianz Life Kenya CEO, Jacqueline Karasha , as we unpack the group’s recent corporate restructuring, FY2025 financial performance, and the strategic opportunities within Kenya’s life insurance and digital pension markets. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:05:15 New Group Structure 00:07:53 Uptake of Life Insurance 00:12:24 Embedded Insurance Products 00:15:41 Akiba Plus Retirement Product 00:18:42 Dividends and Strategy 00:24:12 Digital Distribution 00:28:48 Reaching the Informal Market 00:42:48 Investment of Policyholder Funds 00:47:03 Industry Outlook Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

May 11, 202655 min

Financing What Matters in Kenya's Budget

In this episode recorded on April 29, 2026, we are joined by economist Stephanie Kimani and the Institute for Public Finance (IPF) team of Dr. Peter Nguhiu, Veronica Ndegwa , and Martin Kabaya , to unpack the credibility of Kenya's budget, the structural constraints of debt service, and the sustainability of health and social protection financing. Show Notes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:16 Budget Credibility Problem 00:05:53 Debt Service Wiggle Room 00:08:04 Healthcare Funding Gap 00:15:05 Tax Proposals to Fund Healthcare 00:27:08 Fiscal Sustainability of SHIF 00:33:02 School Feeding Gaps 00:42:51 Budget Priority Recommendations 00:45:56 Limited Trust in the Domestic Debt Market 00:50:10 Policy Change Recommendations Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe