Report on the forage and feed product flow in Kenya (Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Siaya Counties)

Kenyan economy expanded 4.7% in 2017 and 6% in 2018 (World Bank, 2018). This growth was mainly supported by growth in agricultural output, among other steady economic growths such as industrial activity and service sectors. Agriculture is a huge contributor in terms of GPD with livestock taking a key position in this contribution. There is high demand for livestock products, which in turn creates a high demand for forage and feed. The availability of forage and feed is challenged by inadequate rainfall, overstocking, lack of knowledge and technology among others. However, famers are becoming persistent by using various ways in order to counter these challenges; among them production, conservation and purchase of forage and feed. This study examines the flow of forage and feed in selected counties in Kenya. A mixed research technique was applied using questionnaire as instrument of choice to conduct interviews with livestock farmers. The study found that most of the forage and feed consumed by livestock in these areas comes from respondents’ family lands. The study also found that most of the livestock diet is comprised of crop residues. Almost all the respondents in the counties agreed that planning forage and feed is not an expensive endeavor. Almost all the respondents said that buying forage and feed is an expensive engagement across the four counties. There is therefore room to increase productivity in terms of quality and quantity of forage and feed in these counties, through forage and feed farming

A Universal mobile money transfer platform

Mobile money transfer is among some of the fastest growing sectors in Information. It provides openness to all mobile service providers; any user from any mobile service provider is able to use the solution. It allows for batch sending of money to a group of Technology today. With its continued usage, come new challenges that need to be addressed. Among some of those challenges include the need for a mobile money transfer service that allows transfer of money across all mobile service providers, provide a link to a customer’s other electronic sources of money and also allow the user to push money to a group of people with a single transaction. Nexcash is proposed as a platform that allows for the transfer of funds across various network service providers efficiently and effectively using a mobile phone. It provides a link between the user’s mobile accounts to other electronic sources of money that they have, particularly banks. It also allows batch sending of money. Among some of the functionalities it has include: sending of money to either an individual or a group, withdrawal of money from Nexcash accounts, deposit of money to Nexcash account, transfer of money to user’s different accounts. Nexcash runs on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks. The user interacts with the application using their mobile phones, to which transaction menus are forwarded by the application depending on some key-word that the user sends to the application. Nexcash brings in four new benefits into the money transfer solutions industries. It provides link to a user’s bank accounts which allows a user to perform transactions in their bank accounts using their mobile phones. It provides standardized transaction charges regardless of the mobile service provider that your SIM card is subscribed to

Allocating Scarce Resources Strategically - An Evaluation and Discussion of the Global Fund's Pattern of Disbursements

BACKGROUND: The Global Fund is under pressure to improve its rationing of financial support. This study describes the GF's pattern of disbursements in relation to total health expenditure (THE), government health expenditure (GHE), income status and the burden of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. It also examines the potential for recipient countries to increase domestic public financing for health. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 104 countries that received Global Fund disbursements in 2009. It analyses data on Global Fund disbursements; health financing indicators; government revenue and expenditure; and burden of disease. FINDINGS: Global Fund disbursements made up 0.37% of THE across all 104 countries; but with considerable country variation ranging from 0.002% to 53.4%. Global Fund disbursements to government amounted to 0.47% of GHE across the 104 countries, but again with considerable variation (in three countries more than half of GHE was based on Global Fund support). Although the Global Fund provides progressively more funding for lower income countries on average, there is much variation at the country such that here was no correlation between per capita GF disbursements and per capita THE, nor between per capita GF disbursement to government and per capita GHE. There was only a slight positive correlation between per capita GF disbursement and burden of disease. Several countries with a high degree of 'financial dependency' upon the Fund have the potential to increase levels of domestic financing for health. DISCUSSION: The Global Fund can improve its targeting of resources so that it better matches the pattern of global need. To do this it needs to: a) reduce the extent to which funds are allocated on a demand-driven basis; and b) align its funding model to broader health systems financing and patterns of health expenditure beyond the three diseases

Adoption of Equity Derivative Markets in Kenya

A project Report submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA)The purpose of the study was to establish the perceived benefits derived from the equity derivative market, the critical success factors that might affect the adoption of efficient and successful equity derivative markets and the measures that could be adopted for a successful equity derivative market in Kenya. The descriptive and inferential study design was applied to a target population of 19 NSE member firms as well as CMA staff. Data was collected by use of questionnaires in May and June 2014. The data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics and inferences drawn by use of correlation analysis. Data was presented by use of tables and graphs. The findings indicate that equity derivatives would create efficiency in the capital markets especially due to the increased market scrutiny, price discovery mechanisms for the underlying equity instruments as well as boost fund performance. Additionally the financial instruments would increase investment opportunities both in the local domain and the international financial market. Consequently the instruments would reduce market transaction costs and investor risks as well as market volatility. Equity derivatives would offer employment opportunities, increase scrutiny in the capital markets thus fostering fair transactions, offer a variety of investment opportunities to investors as well as increase stability and liquidity in the capital markets. The most prominent challenge posed by the introduction of equity derivatives would be market capitalization, market turnover especially on the levels of liquidity. In addition the complex nature of the instruments would require skilled personnel in the sector, unfortunately a deficiency in skilled personnel was a challenge foreseen. The monetary and fiscal policy in their current state would not be efficient in the handling of the market. Additionally, the lack of good political resolve would’ve impeded the development of the equity derivative market coupled with single ownership and dispute resolution mechanism; unless these were resolved the equity derivative market would not thrive. The measures that needed to be set up prior introduction of Equity derivatives were; training of derivatives handlers and the sensitization of the investors. There was a crucial need to enact specific laws in a bid to foster investor trust. Full demutualization of the market as well as formation of joint ventures was crucial in that it was bound to promote investor trust and benefit from information and physical hardware respectively. Full information disclosure was vital for the market growth. In addition there was a need to cultivate good political will to foster investments as well as creating autonomy in the supervisory body mandated with policing this specific market. The recommendations from the study were; a need for government intervention to create awareness to investors and foster the training of investment advisors, the government also needed to set up sound financial infrastructure especially in the monetary and policy frameworks in a bid to influence the macro-economic policies and consequently have an increase in local investments as well as foreign investments, the need for enactment of laws specifically targeting equity derivative markets as well was a major factor that needed to be addressed before the establishment of the equity derivative market

An empirical analysis of factors affecting financing accessibility for small and medium - sized enterprises

This thesis investigates the challenges small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face in accessing finance and proposes potential policy solutions to improve access. The research comprises three empirical projects, utilizing various econometric techniques and data sources to offer a holistic understanding of SME financing. The first project examines the effects of external audits, international standard certification, and government contracts on SMEs' financial access. The findings reveal that external audits and international standard certification positively influence SME financing, while procurement of government contracts has a negative impact on financial access. The second project explores the impact of adopting International Financial Reporting Standards for SMEs (IFRS for SMEs) on their financing. The results demonstrate that IFRS for SMEs adoption significantly enhances financial access. The third project investigates the consequences of interest rate caps (IRC) on SME financing, emphasizing their unintended repercussions. The study indicates that IRC can adversely affect SME financing, particularly for smaller enterprises, due to the policy's restrictive nature. The thesis concludes that factors such as institutional quality, financial development, corruption perception, and collateral requirements pose considerable challenges to SME financing. It proposes practical policy solutions, including enhancing institutional quality, fostering financial development, reducing corruption levels, and re-evaluating the reliance on collateral requirements. Policymakers should also consider alternative approaches like credit guarantees, loan subsidies, and risk-sharing mechanisms to encourage SME financing. In conclusion, this thesis provides valuable policy recommendations to promote SME financing in developing countries. The findings can inform policymakers, industry practitioners, and academics about potential solutions to SMEs' challenges. Future research could examine the influence of political instability, cultural factors, and technological advancements on SME financing and assess alternative policies' effectiveness in various contexts. The research methodology utilized in this thesis incorporates diverse econometric techniques and data sources, ensuring robust and comprehensive results

Fifteen countries with the highest Global Fund contribution to government relative to total government health expenditure.

<p>Fifteen countries with the highest Global Fund contribution to government relative to total government health expenditure.</p

Miscellaneous financing indicators of 22 selected recipients of Global Fund grants.

<p>Miscellaneous financing indicators of 22 selected recipients of Global Fund grants.</p

Fifteen countries with the highest Global Fund contribution relative to total government health expenditure.

<p>Fifteen countries with the highest Global Fund contribution relative to total government health expenditure.</p

Scatter plot of per capita GF disbursement (US$ AER) and burden of disease score.

<p>Scatter plot of per capita GF disbursement (US$ AER) and burden of disease score.</p

Fifteen countries with the highest Global Fund contribution relative to THE.

<p>Fifteen countries with the highest Global Fund contribution relative to THE.</p