BUSINESS SCHOOL TO REVIEW AFRICANS PRIVATE DATA

Mary is a promising biotechnologist, a career she has held since her graduation with first class honors undergraduate degree over sever seven years ago. A role earning her the respect of family, friends and peers constituting the international scientific community. In spite of all these achievements and recognition she however seems unsettled – which is not surprising for scientists- but her demeanor speaks of a woman whose spirits are on free fall. Strikingly beautiful in a crimson red figure hugging dress she is a sight to behold and it is her hope that on this third attempt she will finally attract the attention  of the data analyst sitting across at her favorite restaurant; Geek. Frustration once gain sets in on this occasion as had been the case in the previous two occasions and as now customary she reaches out and grabs her smartphone, a constant always responding and ever faithful companion; perhaps also the only tangible assurance that she is not as lonely as the situation makes her seem. Unlocking the screen lock she momentarily gets back into a steamy chat she has been having with a gentleman whose bio pricked her curiosity while browsing through the profiles of eligible bachelors on a dating site. A process which is rudely interrupted by a pop a message requesting her to back up her chat data. She subconsciously checks on the box [Include videos and other media files] and clicks on the back up icon oblivious just as millions of other Kenyans are on the exact location of storage of her chat data, what it entails to store such data or the guarantee that such data will remain safe private and confidential.

Her Data is part of the 8.6 Zettabytes of data transferred via the internet in the year 2017, an almost twin fold increase from the 4.7 Zettabytes of data transferred two years previously; a figure that is expected to rise to 10.7 Zettabytes by the end of 2018 (Cisco Global Cloud Index 2015-2020). Mary is also not aware of that part of this data was recently analysed by her crush, the data analyst whose name is Joseph a few weeks ago at the request of the Head of the Human Resource Department in effort to curb the high staff turnover through the development of employee satisfaction retention initiatives tailor made from what the employees frequently browsed privately on the internet. An I.P address and access to the server housing the information transferred via the office wireless network suffice to say is all that is required and apart from the few employees who use mobile operator data for personal internet use, no employee is spared.

While many concur that data is fundamental to the digital economy and for various economic reasons needs to be kept flowing, concerns continue to mount on what quantity of that data should be allowed to flow freely.

The flooding of internet traffic has washed to the shore various challenges and opportunities, these to include shoring up the capsized wreckage caused by tides altering the traditional methods of doing research, the weak legal framework governing the transparency of how data is analyzed, processed and shared, other challenges to include those related to business to business trade in personal information as well as appropriate fines leveled against telecommunications companies which occasionally fail to protect consumer data from cyber-attacks.

A new agreement between leading telecommunications company Liquid Telecomm  subsidiary East Africa Data Centre and Strathmore Business School a few days ago which will see the Centre; the region’s largest and only tier 3  data Centre company furnish the newly launched

Strive Masiyiwa, Chairman Econet Wireless, and Dr Njenga, Dean Strathmore Business School, left Ben Roberts, CTIO Liquid Telecom

Africa Analytics Centre with dedicated rack space and colocation services; the deal will also see establishment of a direct fiber link between the Data Centre and the Business School, a conduit that will provide nourishment and offer impetus for the growth of various s data analytic services employing the use of data mining techniques, exploratory data analysis and other emerging big Data analysis techniques geared towards helping business unlock the full potential from the benefits derived from big data.

The Business Schools dive into the murky not fully appreciated and understood depths of opaque data processing  will however soon elicit the backlash of various consumer rights protection groups and lobbies, a factor that will soon force the repeal of various existing local laws, regional conventions governing the cyber space and data Protection of Data privacy to conform to internationally approved and accepted steps involved in data management in addition to creating easy avenues for legal redress in case of private data breaches and is the case with Mary.

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Sends Mission to Kenya

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) willhave a business mission program in Kenya scheduled for 5^th– 7^th February 2018. This is a business mission for Japanese entrepreneurs and companies who want to start up business or consider setting up their branches in Kenya.The mission consists of 16 members from 12 companies and organizations. In this mission, Japanese companies will visit i Hub incubation center, Safaricom, the local venture enterprise in Naivasha,etc, to learn what is happening in Kenya and how the leading-edge business models through using mobile money are penetrating in Kenya.

Apart from visiting Kenyan companies and incubation centers, JETRO will hold their Entrepreneur Business Forum on 6^th February where they will be sharing information on Kenya’s start-up business environment, the regulation and the procedure of setting up the company, business model studies with the mission members and the guests. The event will be graced by Ken Invest CEO Dr. Moses Ikiara, who will make a presentation on the business environment in Kenya. JETRO will also build net-working opportunity for the mission members and the guests so that they can establish good relationships and work cooperatively; Kenyan promising entrepreneurs, the famous business support institutions among other guests will join the networking event.

Isuzu Motors Officially Completes Buyout of General Motors EA

Tuesday 23rd January, 2018, Nairobi: Leading multinational automaker Isuzu Motors Limited, Japan has officially launched Isuzu East Africa (Isuzu EA) in Kenya. This follows the buyout of General Motor’s 57.7% majority shares at General Motors East Africa (GMEA) in 2017. Mr Susumu Hosoi, Chairman of the Board, Isuzu Motors Limited, was the Chief Guest at the event.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr Hosoi noted that Kenya was an important market with great potential in Africa. “My hope is to see Isuzu East Africa grow to be an integral location not only for the country but also for the East African region so that it will become a wonderful example for neighboring countries,” he said.

Mr Hosoi added that Isuzu Motors Japan was keen to strengthen aftersales business in Kenya by deepening linkages with Isuzu Motors International, based in Dubai whose service network covers Africa and Middle East. “The key is to reinforce the service network that supports customers’ vehicle operations and promote the provision of more satisfying after-sales services,” he explained.

The Isuzu Motors Chairman expressed optimism on the continued support and cooperation from Isuzu suppliers and dealers in serving customers.“Our mission for Isuzu Motors working closely with Isuzu East Africa is to serve customers, encouraging and supporting them to use our products for a long time in Kenya and East African countries, as a reliable partner,” he concluded.

Isuzu East Africa Managing Director, Rita Kavashe said that it had been an exciting journey for the company since it first announced that Isuzu Motors would acquire majority shareholding in GM East Africa. “Isuzu East Africa is starting out from a rich brand heritage spanning over 40 years that cuts across several sectors of our economy: from education, transport, PSV Transport, Agriculture, Construction, Health and Security,” said Rita.

The Managing Director noted that Isuzu had remained successful in the market over the last six years by focusing on their customer needs. “Thanks to our loyal customers, the Isuzu brand has dominated the commercial segment in Kenya since 2012 with a market share of 51% in 2017. This was achieved in the backdrop of a tough economic period,” Rita explained.

“Our focus in the immediate future is to accelerate our growth in other East African markets. We will leverage the support from Isuzu Motors International in all aspects of our business,” she added.

Delivering his official address at the event, the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Mr Adan Mohamed, commended Isuzu Motors Limited for their commitment to Kenya. “I would like to congratulate Isuzu Motors for their strong confidence in our country demonstrated by their investment in Isuzu East Africa,” he said. 

The Cabinet Secretary noted that the Kenya Government had over the years remained a strong supporter of local assembly and was keen to see the sector grow. Besides food security, affordable housing, and healthcare, we have Manufacturing as one of the big four economic pillars announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta. We shall work closely with motor industry players to achieve rapid growth for the sector and ensure return on investments,” he explained.

Isuzu EA officially changed its name from GM East Africa in July 2017 after attaining the required regulatory approvals. The change of name was initiated when Isuzu Motors Limited acquired GM’s 57.7% shareholding in GMEA, changing its majority ownership. The move, by Isuzu Motors, was aimed at increasing focus on the Isuzu brand that constituted 95% of GMEA sales.