Taxing times 🪧
#212: The measure of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. - Mahatma Gandhi
Hello Venturer,
Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year? Time seems to be on fast-forward. But for many across Africa, the past six months haven't been a smooth ride. Instead, economic anxieties have dominated the headlines, spilling over into real-life struggles for everyday people.
This is why this week, thousands of Kenyans took to the streets in protest against the country’s proposed Finance Bill 2024. This proposed legislation aims to increase levies on various goods and services. While the government may have its reasons, Kenyans fear the bill will only worsen the situation – driving up the cost of everyday essentials and widening the gap between rich and poor. So why exactly is the government looking to sign this bill, and why are Kenyans so worried? This week, we uncover the back story of the Kenyan protest.
Suotunimi Orufa
Features Writer, Ventures Africa
What’s new?
All you need to know about Kenya’s Finance Bill protest
This week, thousands of Kenyans came out to protest against a proposed finance bill. The Finance Bill 2024, introduced in May, is a new bill that seeks to increase levies on a broad range of goods and services. Read more.
Rethinking fintech distribution in Africa: The role of ‘undiscovered founders’
Flashy new tech companies and cutting-edge tech get a lot of buzz. But for investors, the real excitement lies in booming tech hubs, areas where new companies are constantly popping up, fueled by money from around the world. Read more.
World Economic Forum identifies top 10 emerging technologies to address global challenges
In addition to promising major benefits to societies and economies, these emerging technologies must also be disruptive, attractive to investors and researchers, and expected to achieve considerable scale within five years. Read here.
Here are three big stories from Africa’s business and policy landscape you (probably) didn’t miss but should keep in mind.
Soft power - To attract, persuade, influence, and shape preferences through culture. Nigeria has effectively done this through entertainment. Our music, films, and content transcend borders, commanding global attention. As master storytellers, we leverage new technologies to amplify our cultural influence. Please read our latest magazine issue to learn more.
Our Weekly Collectibles
Find out how the world’s greatest businessman drove his newspaper into a ditch in The Real Story of the Crisis at The Washington Post.
Discover people from all walks of life and get radically transparent about their finances in Other People's Pockets.
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