The Mwango Capital Podcast

In this episode, recorded on 3 November 2026, we sit down with Nancy Kinyanjui (Managing Director, Avenews Kenya) to examine how the company is addressing working capital constraints in Kenya’s agricultural supply chain. We explore its invoice financing model, which allows businesses to access up to 85% of approved invoice values, revolving credit facilities of up to KES 6M, and risk-based pricing tied to supplier and buyer credit profiles. We also discuss the use of transaction data in credit assessment, buyer partnerships, repayment risks, and financing costs, alongside Avenews’ 84% repeat customer rate, presence in 35 counties, and plans to expand its SME financing operations. Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, recorded on 13 October 2026, we sit down with Mendi Njonjo (Managing Director, KCB Foundation) to examine the foundation’s approach to social investment, focusing on education, youth employment, enterprise development, and sustainable livelihoods. We discuss the KCB Scholars Programme, which has supported over 5,000 students, with a 99% secondary school completion rate and 84% transition rate to tertiary education, alongside the 2Jiajiri programme’s approach to vocational training, business development, and access to finance. We also explore how the foundation measures long-term impact, evaluates partnerships, determines financing readiness for small businesses, and balances programme expansion with sustainable outcomes. Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we sit down with Rina Hicks (Chief Operating Officer, Faida Investment Bank) and Ian Kahangara (Chief Investment Officer, Faida Investment Bank) to discuss building diversified investment portfolios beyond money market funds. We examine portfolio construction based on financial goals, investment horizons, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance, including the role of emergency funds, government securities, equities, fixed-income funds, ETFs, and special funds. We also explore the differences between risk appetite and risk capacity, the risks of concentrating wealth in real estate or similar underlying assets, the impact of inflation on investment returns, and the importance of due diligence, portfolio rebalancing, and disciplined long-term investing. Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, recorded on 18 September 2026, we sit down with Stephen Kinadira (General Manager, Finance, Kenya Power) to unpack the utility’s FY26 financial performance, marked by an 8.6% revenue increase to KES 238.2B and Profit Before Tax of KES 25B. We examine the 26.7% rise in operating expenses, improved network efficiency, declining finance costs, and the return to positive working capital after a decade. We also explore Kenya Power’s dividend policy, debt restructuring, investment in grid infrastructure, electricity imports and exports across the East African Power Pool, and the impact of rising solar adoption and electricity market liberalization on its business.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:01:01 Electricity Value Chain and Competitive Position00:05:09 Lodwar Grid Connection00:06:43 FY2026 Financial Results and Revenue Breakdown00:13:53 Tariff Yield and Network Efficiency00:16:11 Operating Expenses and Provisions00:22:44 Finance Costs, Debt Mix and Capital Expenditure00:32:03 Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Working Capital00:43:07 Dividend Policy and Capital Allocation00:47:45 System Losses, Solar Adoption and Future Priorities Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, recorded on 26 October 2026, we sit down with Francis Mwangi (CEO, Kestrel Capital), Simon Macharia (CFO, Quickmart), and David Kanyi (Portfolio Lead, Wealth and Empowerment, Safaricom) to discuss investing through Ziidi Trader, including share ownership, trading costs, order execution, and dividend payments. We examine Quickmart’s KES 15B IPO, its financial performance, valuation, dividend policy, and plans to expand to 125 stores by 2030. We also explore access to the Dangote Refinery offering through Global Depository Receipts (GDRs), the associated currency risks, and Ziidi Trader’s plans to introduce additional investment products, including ETFs and bonds.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:07:40 What is Ziidi Trader? Key Differentiators00:11:51 Omnibus Structure and Share Ownership00:17:59 Onboarding Process and Trading Costs00:23:03 Trade Execution, Liquidity and Market Hours00:33:34 Order Matching, Cancellations and Reversals00:36:20 Dividend Payments and AGM Voting00:41:48 The Future of Ziidi Trader and How to Buy Shares00:47:50 Advice for New Investors and Diaspora Access00:55:31 Customer Support, Trading Limits and Market Risks Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, recorded on 29 September 2026, we sit down with Gertrude Njeri (Head of Research and Customer Engagement, Hisa) and Umar Ahmed (Product Lead, Hisa), hosted by Rhina Namsia, to explore how retail investors can access the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and US stock markets through Hisa. We discuss fractional share investing from USD 1, Kenyan shilling and US dollar wallets, currency exposure, dividend taxation, and generating returns through dividends and capital appreciation. We also examine Hisa’s investment research tools, AI-powered market analysis, investor communities, and plans to expand into money market funds, fixed income, commodities, and additional international markets.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction00:02:41 Hisa Origin Story00:03:44 Signup, Verification and App Features00:07:47 NSE vs US Markets00:10:21 Fractional Shares and Wallet Options00:15:23 Market Watch, News and Investor Communities00:24:58 What’s Next for Hisa00:27:26 Investing Advice for Beginners00:30:21 How Investors Make Money from Stocks00:32:56 Offshore Investing Playbook Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, recorded on 11 September 2026, we sit down with Eng. Peter Njenga (CEO, KenGen) to dissect the utility's FY26 performance, marked by a 6.4% revenue increase and a Profit After Tax of KES 10.35 billion. We explore the board's decision to retain earnings for its aggressive capacity expansion, the shift toward public-private partnerships and wellhead leasing to fund a massive 10-year generation pipeline, exporting geothermal drilling expertise across the East African Power Pool, and KenGen's appointment as the owner-operator of Kenya’s inaugural 2,000 MW nuclear facility in Siaya.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction 00:05:23 KenGen’s Energy Generation Portfolio 00:06:54 Overview of the FY26 Results 00:08:57 Revenue Growth Drivers 00:12:09 Impact of Drought on Hydro Power Generation 00:12:59 Nuclear Power Plant 00:16:09 Profitability and Finance Income Decline 00:17:49 Balance Sheet Strength and Funding Strategy 00:19:26 Power Generation Pipeline and Capex Needs 00:24:14 Dividend Cut Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on October 21, 2026, we sit down with Karimi Warui and Divine Olumese from Renaissance Capital to dissect how East African investors can access the Dangote Petroleum Refinery listing. We explore the structural architecture of inward GDRs, the pricing mechanics bridging the NGN 525 offer price and the KES 53.50 GDR price, dividend pass-through and voting rights for local investors, the refinery's transition from net debt to net cash in nine months, and how this GDR structure bypasses regulatory friction to create a template for future Pan-African cross-listings.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:19 Why the GDR Route 00:08:33 What’s a GDR 00:10:07 Pricing 00:13:13 How To Invest 00:16:42 Understanding the Refinery Business 00:18:48 Financials, Valuation and Risks 00:25:44 Ownership Rights and Investor Protection 00:31:42 Secondary Trading, Liquidity and FX 00:37:02 Future Of Cross-border Investing in Africa Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on October 15, 2026, we sit down with Martha Osier (Partner, Adenia Partners), Simon Macharia (CFO, QuickMart), and Jacques Dôme (Managing Director, QuickMart Kenya) to dissect QuickMart's KES 15 billion public offering. We explore the rationale behind the secondary offer for sale, how the business sustains negative working capital alongside an 80% dividend payout ratio, store rollout economics, supply chain resilience against shrinkage, and Adenia's strategic alignment with new investors post-listing.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction 00:05:40 Why List Now 00:11:04 Working Capital Management 00:20:06 Concerns on Shareholder Sell-down 00:24:56 Store Expansion Strategy 00:27:57 Dividend Policy 00:35:27 Adenia’s Stake Plans Post Lock-up Period 00:39:06 Debt Paydown and Disciplined Growth 00:46:53 Margins and Future Growth Forecasts 00:48:18 Key Takeaways for Investors Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode recorded on September 15, 2026, we sit down with Dr. James Mworia (founding CEO, National Infrastructure Fund) to examine the architecture, governance, and mandate of Kenya’s newly established DFI. We explore NIF's SPV project finance structure, its private capital crowding-in target, the redeployment of privatisation proceeds into productive infrastructure, the bankability and risk allocation of priority projects like the JKIA expansion, and the potential for listed development infrastructure trusts (D-REITs) to recycle domestic capital.Show Notes00:00:00 Introduction 00:10:32 Succession and Transition to NIF 00:14:04 NIF’s Mandate 00:16:00 Debt Concerns and Economic Rationale 00:21:49 Project Selection and Priority Pipeline 00:31:23 Guarding Against Political Interference 00:38:21 NSE Listing and Possibility of a D-REIT 00:41:33 Reporting Mechanisms and Recycling Capital 00:44:38 JKIA Deal Structure and Risks 00:55:25 Recap and Closing Remarks Get full access to The Mwango Weekly at mwangocapital.substack.com/subscribe