Online platform connects lenders with borrowers

Ubapesa chief executive George Wasike (left) with technical officer Ronald Mutuku during the interview at their Nairobi offices on April 23. PHOTO | Salaton njau | NMG 

By JAMES KARIUKI

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Summary

• Ubapesa has been offering online short-term loans mainly to civil servants and owners of small businesses, who require urgent cash to meet immediate needs.

Virtual work station firm carves out its niche in Africa

Mr Ian Kabiru. FILE PHOTO | NMG 

By JAMES KARIUKI

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Summary

• Ian Kabiru started the enterprise as a cyber cafe but competition drove him to look for alternative opportunities.

Losing our airline jobs plunged us into business

Constantine Mwanga, managing director of Mangrove Travels and Tours, in his office at Zion Mall, Eldoret. PHOTO | COURTESY 

By STANLEY KIMUGE

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Summary

• In 2009, the aviation industry was going through a stormy ride leading to mass job losses.
• Constantine Mwanga teamed up with Joseph Chacha, who had also lost his job at the airline, to form their company which they named Mangrove Travels and Tours.

Mushroom farming connects electrician to good income line

John Muchura at his mushroom farm in Juja, Kiambu County. photo | courtesy 

By ZABLON OYUGI

Summary

• John Muchura, 37, trains over 30 farmers on button mushroom farming.
• Currently, he is harvesting over 20 kilos of button mushrooms per day which he sells at Sh600 per kilo earning him Sh12,000.
• On a good day, he can collect up to 100 kilos of the mushrooms which can earn over Sh60,000 a day.

How to turn your hobby into a business

A girl plays a violin. One can turn a hobby into a serious venture. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NMG 

By NDIRANGU NGUNJIRI

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Summary

• The problem is that most of us are afraid of taking action because we are afraid of failure.

More focus needed to drive growth of vehicle assembly

A segment of manufacturing in Kenya that has not received deserved attention is the locally assembled motor vehicle sector. FILE PHOTO | NMG 

By RITA KAVASHE

Summary

• The manufacturing sector is one of the key pillars of Kenyan economy.

The significance of manufacturing to any economy in the world cannot be understated.

Kenya tech company gets Sh260m funding

Africa’s Talking CEO Samuel Gikandi. PHOTO | Francis Nderitu 

By ANNIE NJANJA

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Summary

• The new funding brings the total investment received by Africa’s Talking to Sh860 million ($8.6 million), in addition to Sh600 million ($6 million) by International Finance Corporation (IFC).
• Founded in 2010, Africa’s Talking provides platform for businesses and developers who want to integrate mobile communication and payment services to their applications.
• Samuel Gikandi, CEO and co-founder of Africa’s Talking, said the new capital injection will help the firm to scale up its operations on the continent.