Following the announcement of the largest potential merger in Kenya’s banking sector in over a decade, Genesis Financial Services Strategy manager in Nairobi Shezaad Sunderji asks whether it is possible for the country’s 45 banks to remain profitable in the current economic context.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to advance healthcare in high-income countries. Genesis Analytics and Discovery Vitality came together in December 2018 to host their first Technology Salon to discuss its impact in developing countries. 

The Central Bank of Nigeria has published new bank regulations that may allow mobile network operators (MNOs) to establish payment service banks allowing them to provide mobile money services for the first time.

At Genesis, which turned 20 this year, we are dedicating our next decade to the future of young Africans. These young people, measuring around 500 million over time, will build their lives in a hyper-technological world whilst managing the impact of climate change. 

Despite their generally weakened financial positions, several African governments are once again flirting with the idea of establishing dedicated SME banks. But is creating dedicated ‘banks’ for SMEs the right strategy?

On behalf of the CEOs’ Initiative, Standard Bank asked Genesis Analytics to prepare a joint Action Plan to bring business and government together to address the decline of the Vaal Region and prevent it from becoming the “rust belt” of South Africa. Last week, the CEO Initiative delivered the report and regeneration action plan to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni. 

When a market has adopted a payment standard, a huge marketing effort is required to shift consumer behaviour. Can mVisa tip the scale of retail payments back in favour of Kenyan banks? Genesis associate Tom Magara looks at the experience of mVisa.

The Portfolio Committee for Economic Development approved further amendments to the SA Competition Amendment Bill this week. Our Competition and Regulatory Economics practice has participated closely in the debates over the Bill. The Bill will now be placed before the National Assembly for a vote before heading to the National Council of Provinces.

Genesis manager Noel Verrinder presented the findings from Genesis's impact study on an innovative housing microfinance loan in Kenya at the European Microfinance Week 2018 on behalf of Habitat for Humanity International. The study, which investigated the impact of the loans on housing quality, wealth and wellbeing, was presented during a session on "Recent Developments in Housing. See page 60 of the report …

Our Evaluation for Development practice conducted a review of the Jobs Fund's enterprise development (ED) portfolio to capture lessons around which models work best and why. We broke down the programmes into five core elements, and identified four key success drivers in SA. Check out this learning brief for more:

The research into the impact measurement and management landscape in SA conducted by Genesis Analytics and Impact Amplifier, presents key findings in an interactive format, accompanied by a supplementary guide to support your IMM efforts. 

Data – it’s the buzzword of the 21st century and it’s getting bigger and bigger, but for investors, more data does not necessarily mean better investment decisions. Genesis partner Neil Lightfoot questions our ability to use this data in making better investment decisions.

Genesis Analytics is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact. This report re-confirm the firm's continued support of the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact with respect to human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

Small enterprises employ between 50 and 60% of South Africa’s work force and contribute around 34% of GDP, but they have been relatively stagnant over the past decade. Genesis Analytics worked with the World Bank and the IFC to produce "The Unseen Sector” report, an in-depth assessment of the micro, small and medium enterprise landscape in South Africa and opportunities to support the sector’s growth. Read more about what can be done to grow this sector.

Impact investing is becoming one of the largest forces in driving social and environmental change globally. However, how one defines, measures and communicates this impact is not well defined or consistently implemented. Members of the Evaluation for Development practice examine three case studies in the African Evaluation Journal.

Our Agribusiness, Climate Change and Market Development practice works across the design-and-implement project spectrum, combining deep technical expertise with context-specific knowledge and management.