June 22, 2023

SAP Fioneer launches tailored SME banking offering

WALLDORF, Germany, June 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SAP Fioneer, a leading global provider of financial services software solutions and platforms, has announced the launch of its Fioneer SME Banking Edition. The solution will enable banks and neobanks to offer banking capabilities in a digital-first and data-driven approach, tailored to the financial needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – a historically underserved market segment.

The SME sector is a vital component of the global economy, accounting for 99% of UK and EU businesses and employing approximately 16.4 million and 84 million people respectively.* Despite making up a significant proportion of GDP and the workforce, SMEs have traditionally struggled to access financial services that meet their unique needs, as the perceived risks and costs associated are deemed too high.

Fioneer SME Banking Edition addresses these challenges by connecting banks to external data sources such as Open Banking, central company registry, e-commerce and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) data, to form actionable insights that significantly help SMEs to stay ahead. This will give SMEs clear transparency about cashflow and provide insight to the banks and enable e.g. smart funding options, offering more variety and increasing the number of businesses banks can serve.

As a unique end-to-end solution, Fioneer SME Banking Edition covers front-to-back capabilities and seamlessly integrates with any core banking system. It enables banks to offer services that go beyond traditional banking products such as loans and deposits. Banks will be able to broaden their offering with embedded services and stronger financial advice directly for SMEs. The solution can also be easily integrated and connect to ecosystems via pre-configured APIs.

Charlie Platt, Managing Director of Banking at SAP Fioneer, comments on the launch: “SMEs represent the lifeblood of the economy, and it is critical that they are able to access the financial services they deserve. Through our SME Banking Edition, banks will be able to create commercially viable, unique and better banking experiences for SMEs that will help them to stay ahead in a challenging economic environment.”

“The introduction of our Fioneer SME Banking Edition significantly strengthens how banks interact with SMEs. Utilizing our proven technology, we’re facilitating banks to better serve SMEs in a dynamic economic landscape. Drawing inspiration from the B2C market, we’re empowering banks to elevate their service offerings for SMEs,” adds Dirk Kruse, CEO of SAP Fioneer.

*Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2022 (UK Government), Statista 2022

About SAP Fioneer

SAP Fioneer was launched in 2021 as a joint venture between global technology leader SAP and entrepreneurial investor Dediq to become the world’s leading provider of financial services software solutions and platforms. With a broad ecosystem of partners, over 800 financial services customers and more than 1,000 employees, SAP Fioneer is a global business present in 17 countries across Europe, North and Latin America, Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

By combining the speed and agility of a start-up with the proven capabilities of a best-in-class software company, SAP Fioneer enables banks, insurance companies and challengers to run, transform and grow while meeting their need for speed, scalability, and cost-efficiency through digital business innovation, cloud technology, and solutions that cover banking and insurance processes end-to-end.

For more information, visit www.sapfioneer.com. Follow SAP Fioneer on Twitter and on LinkedIn.

Press enquiries:
press@sapfioneer.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000826504

June 22, 2023

Suit against Association International School dismissed

Accra, An Accra High Court has dismissed an application against the Association International School (AIS).

The suit follows the School’s decision to withhold the transcripts of two former students until they paid their outstanding school fees.

‘In conclusion, the court finds no violation of the applicants rights to education since the applicants mother’s choice to enroll them in a school of the caliber of the first respondent has its first corresponding financial burden.

‘This is purely a contractual issue between the applicants mother and the first respondent (head of AIS), which had been couched as a human rights violation to stoke the embers of judicial sympathy,’ the Court ruled.

The two students are Selikem Avle and Sewenam Avle.

They went to the High Court – Human Rights Division – on the grounds that the School’s action to withhold their transcripts violated their rights to education.

In a matter filed by their mother, Nana Akua Hayford Avle, in January 2023, the students had disputes over the payment of outstanding fees.

They applicants contended that they were to pay GHC141,560 as their school fees and they had paid GHC100,000 leaving a balance of GHC41,560.

However, the GHC41,560 (dollar equivalent) shot up to GHC111,709 because of the depreciation of the cedi at that time.

They disputed the outstanding amount for, which reason the School directed them to stay home for non-payment of the money.

The applicants then sought admission at another school and needed their transcripts from AIS.

AIS declined to release the transcripts because they had not paid their fees in full.

They, therefore, proceeded to court seeking an order to compel AIS to release the transcripts.

The Court, presided over by Mrs Justice Barbara Tetteh-Charwey, held that the rights of the students to education had not been violated with the School’s decision to withhold their transcripts over nonpayment of fees.

It contended that private schools such as the AIS in running the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes and offering vast opportunities to students needed to charge relatively high fees to remain in business as well as pay teachers well.

‘In the court’s view, the first respondent by withholding the applicant ‘s transcripts’ until their fees are paid, is exercising a right to a lien over the transcript for the purpose of securing payments of the tuition fees owed the school.’

According to the Court: ‘Given the fact that the applicants have already benefited from the services rendered by the first respondent ‘s school, it is unreasonable for the first respondent not to exercise her right to withhold the applicants’ transcripts until arrears of tuition fees are paid.

‘Indeed, one would be hard pressed to find an educational institution that is willing to release transcripts to students without ensuring that all fees owed by those students have been fully settled.

‘ This Court, therefore, finds that the first respondent has a right to exercise a lien over the applicant’s transcripts until the arrears of their tuition fees is paid.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

June 22, 2023

Kenya Hosts The 23rd Med Expo Africa 2023

Kenya hosted the 23rd Med Expo Africa, an international trade exhibition on medical and health care aiming to shape the future of medicine through the latest innovations, cutting edge technologies and exciting discoveries.

The exhibition which started on Wednesday 21st will run until Friday 23rd June brings together exhibitors, stakeholders and medical practitioners in the medical field across the globe.

Speaking during the official opening of the exhibition in Nairobi, Kenya Medical Association Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Brenda Obondo said that this trade fair serves as a catalyst for progress in the healthcare sector as it brings stakeholders in various areas.

The CEO added that medical health care products and equipment showcased represent the cutting-edge technology and solutions that are revolutionary in the way we deliver health care by providing affordable and quality services.

‘As health professionals it is our responsibility to come up with new development and embrace transformative approaches that improve patients’ health as well as enhance efficiency in the health care sector,’ voiced Obondo.

Dr. Obondo said that the trade fair presents an opportunity to network, collaborate and exchange knowledge, as Kenya is fortunate enough to gather some of the brightest minds and industrious leaders under one roof.

‘I encourage you to actively engage in the Expo by sharing your experiences and having partnership that will share the future of Kenya and the world,’ the CEO echoed.

She urged all present at the fair to embark on the ultimate goal of embracing the wellbeing of patients through continuous learning, collaboration and innovation by ensuring every individual receives the best possible healthcare.

Obondo reiterated that the exhibitor’s presence shows commitment to advance healthcare in our country urging all to make the most of this trade fair, explore exhibitions and engage in discussions as well as take advantage of the networking opportunities.

‘Let us embrace the potential of medical health care products and equipment to shape the future of a bright future,’ said Obondo.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 22, 2023

PS Launches Digitization Of Culture

State department for Culture and Heritage Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir has launched the indigenous knowledge documentation and digitization agenda in Tharaka Nithi County to promote and preserve culture.

The county stands among the fifth in the first phase of the process to digitize culture with its prioritized indigenous culture, sites, shrines, traditional medicine and cultural attire.

Speaking at the Governor’s office in Chuka, the PS said that the project is the government’s agenda to implement the Kenyan protection of traditional knowledge and culture expression act of 2016.

She explained that its main focus is to document and digitize indigenous knowledge and cultural expression of all communities in Kenya.

‘It’s time to document our culture for the benefit of future generations,’ said Bashir and emphasized that it was time for Kenyans to write their own story.

On his part, the Governor Muthomi Njuki lauded the state for the agenda to document and digitalize indigenous knowledge in the country.

He assured that the council of elders and all the stakeholders of culture will work hand in hand to ensure the culture and customs are kept. ‘Tharaka-Nithi cumulative culture distinguishes who we are and distinguishes us from others through ethnicity,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 22, 2023

HomeBiogas Hub Providing Farmers Affordable Cooking Gas, Organic Manure

Over 1500 households in central region of Kenya top among them Kiambu County have benefited from the HomeBiogas Farmer system.

Located in four other counties namely Embu, Meru, Murang’a and Nyeri, the HomeBiogas Hubs have changed the lives of farmers by providing an alternative source of energy that is affordable, readily available and efficient.

Speaking to KNA, the head of marketing in the HomeBiogas Hub in Kiambu Susan Kuria stated that the company has invested in educating farmers about the HomeBiogas System from its operation to its benefits.

This she said is done through weekly demonstrations conducted at the hub.

‘We are teaching different farmers how to handle the biodigester system and what benefit it is to them in terms of being environmentally friendly and also saving on fuel,’ she said.

Ms. Kuria said the company also works with dairy co-operatives in Kiambu County to exhibit the system and train farmers at the events held by these co-operatives.

‘We invite farmers to demo events that are held every Friday and facilitate their transport. We then take them through the entire process from the feeding the system to the production of the biogas, its benefits, how it would impact their lives, and then sign up those who intend to purchase the system. We have been partnering with the co-operatives of dairy farmers as well as industry events to exhibit and train in such events,’ noted Kuria.

Besides the biogas, she explained that farmers stand to rake numerous benefits from the system since organic bio-fertilizer which is a byproduct of the system is very beneficial to the crops in the farm.

Bio fertilizer is characterized by sufficient macro and micronutrients required by the plant, liquid in nature, free of pathogens and ready to use. It has valuable benefits such as: presence of microorganisms and organic matter which enhances soil structure, quick infiltration to the root zone and increased yields.

‘Chemical fertilizers are very expensive but now with the freely available cow dung, a farmer is able to get organic fertilizer for their crop. We are availing farmers in Kenya free cooking gas daily therefore eliminating the need to purchase firewood or charcoal anymore and by this, we are promoting forest cover and afforestation as well as saving citizens the money that would have been used to buy firewood or the LPG gas,’ noted Kuria

Naomi Njeri, a farmer in Ting’ang’a, Kiambu County and a beneficiary of the HomeBiogas farmer system says life has been easier for her since she started using HomeBiogas for cooking.

‘I have been using the HomeBiogas System for two years now and it has served me well. I no longer use firewood as much as I used to and this has made my work easier. The biogas produced lasts me up to two days,’ said Njeri

Kuria adds that biogas energy has not been tapped into especially in comparison to the number of farmers who have cows in their homes.

She notes that as a company, they are looking into working with government agencies and government stakeholders to reach more farmers in the country.

‘We want the company to establish a hub in every county because there is need to tap into biogas energy,’ she said.

To produce sufficient cow dung, HomeBiogas recommends that the farmer should have at least two to three cows. Two buckets of cow dung are mixed with four buckets of water and stirred. The mixture is fed into the biodigester through an inlet. The biodigester has a mass of nine cubic meters. Once inside the biodigester, the manure is broken down by microorganisms through a process known as anaerobic digestion.

The process results into two products; biogas and bio slurry. The biogas is transported to the burner through pipes.

The residue produced is known as the bio-fertilizer or the bio slurry and serves as high quality manure as it infiltrates into the crops quickly.

The system provides the farmer with five hours of cooking gas and 100 litres of bio-fertilizer per day.

The company avails the system to the farmers at Sh87, 500 with available instalments of 25 months at Sh3300 per month. The cost covers purchase of the equipment and installation as well.

The installation also comes with perks such as a free two-burner, free agronomy training and accessible after-sales services to each farmer.

The HomeBiogas Farmer system is an Israeli-based technology and innovation applied in Kenya.

The company contributes to five of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; Affordable and Clean energy by availing cooking gas that is affordable and friendly to the environment, Gender Equality by eliminating the need for women to go fetch firewood for long distances, Zero Hunger by growing healthy sustainable crops and maintaining soil health with Bio-fertilizer, Good Health and Well-Being by eliminating exposure of women and children to the harmful smoke.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 22, 2023

Review Of Legal Framework Governing Religious Bodies

The leader of the taskforce mandated to collect views on the legal and regulatory framework governing religious organisations in Kisii County has assured that the committee was vigilant to capture all concerns in a bid to stop a repeat of the Shakahola massacre and similar incidents in future.

Speaking during a public participation event at the Kisii Institute of Highways and Building Technology, in Kisii Central Sub County, Kisii County, Arch Bishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba said religious leaders and members of the public had made it clear they wanted protection of freedom of worship but noted that further action needed to be taken to stop criminal elements that had infiltrated the religious space and tarnished its name.

‘The issue that is coming up is that many want the law to protect and defend freedom of worship, but because some have gone astray, we as a community must bring our efforts together to ensure bad things don’t happen to innocent people in places of worship,’ said Arch Bishop Makumba.

Makumba applauded members of different religions and denominations for turning up in large numbers to give their input during the event.

County Commissioner Tom Anjere noted areas highlighted during the presentations including inadequate laws governing the activities of religious organisations and the current Societies’ Act that only focuses on registration rather than regulation.

Anjere said there was also need for education and sensitization programmes for members of public to enable them distinguish between fake and genuine religious teachings and to enable people to make informed decisions.

The County Commissioner said the need for self-regulating body by all religious players was very clear in all deliberations.

He however noted there were no issues in Kisii adding that close collaboration and partnership with various religious groups had made it possible to address emerging issues.

Bishop Lawrence Omambia, the Kisii County Chairman of the Pastors and Clergy Forum said Shakahola incident was a limited issue which should be investigated because it was not preaching the correct tenets of the Christianity.

Bishop Omambia also said the church should be left to self-regulate for it to gain respect in the community.

He explained that the forum had devised a way of working with the national government up to the ward level by ensuring suspicious incidents were reported to authorities early for investigation.

One Gladys Kerubo Morara said adequate training was pertinent to equip those intending to open religious organizations.

She said joblessness was leading to people opening churches to cash in on them and

appealed for government’s support to prevent clergy from using crude means to get money.

Source: Kenya News Agency