Barclays to rebrand to ABSA

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Barclays to rebrand to ABSA

Special Correspondent - May 17, 2018

Barclays Africa Group shareholders have approved the lender’s planned change of name to Absa Group starting July. This, in effect, sets in motion the start...

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Across Africa, the rapid rollout of solar generation is shifting the challenge from simply adding capacity to integrating power reliably into weak and unstable grids. Diesel dependence, frequency instability and limited transmission infrastructure are driving demand for battery energy storage systems (BESS) not as optional hardware, but as core infrastructure for resilient power systems. In markets from East to West Africa, storage is increasingly deployed not for arbitrage but for reliability, stability and energy access — especially in hybrid microgrids and solar-plus-storage projects that reduce fuel costs and improve service continuity. To meet these needs, developers and utilities are moving beyond standalone batteries toward end-to-end storage solutions that bundle engineered systems, intelligent controls and lifecycle support. This approach enables faster integration, higher performance under Africa’s challenging operating conditions and stronger bankability for long-term financing. VUKA Group, as RelyEZ’s regional partner, plays a key role in delivering these solutions across Africa. VUKA Group provides local expertise, project management, and support services, ensuring that RelyEZ’s modular, containerised platforms and intelligent Energy Management Systems are deployed effectively and optimised for African conditions. Together, RelyEZ and VUKA Group are helping utilities and communities integrate storage, strengthen grid stability, and advance renewable energy access. Want to understand how RelyEZ and VUKA Group are aligning storage delivery with Africa’s solar growth? Read more here: https://apo-opa.co/3OodPKB

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Felicio Fundi is a young, dedicated farmer residing in Rianjeru village, Mbeti South, Embu County. He is a loving husband and also a proud father of one. Felicio bears the essential responsibility of providing for his family, and he achieves this through a diverse array of agricultural pursuits, including dairy farming, pawpaw cultivation, and banana farming. In the semi-arid region of Rianjeru, clean water is scarce. The community depends on the "Rupingazi Rweru" water project, funded by the World Bank, but water is only available on specific days. During dry seasons, residents often go an entire week without any water. Felicio and his young family faced significant challenges, struggling to secure enough water for their crops, livestock, and daily needs. They often stayed up all night collecting and storing water when it's accessible, leaving them vulnerable to bandits and troublemakers who exploit the darkness. This situation made life difficult and dangerous for them. This predicament weighed heavily on Felicio, as it began to slow down his ability to manage the day-to-day activities on his farm. At times, he resorted to hiring a water tanker, which came at a steep cost of Ksh 3,000 for 6,000 liters of water, necessitating five deliveries in a month. This was not only financially burdensome but also unsustainable in the long run. Felicio yearned for a lasting and secure water solution for his family. Fortunately, Felicio was a member of BIMAS Microfinance, where he had been tapping into loans to support his farming endeavors. In March 2021, he received news that BIMAS was offering financing for water tanks to its customers. This was a golden opportunity for him to finally experience an abundance of water in his home. With the support of BIMAS, Felicio secured a loan of Ksh 78,000, enabling him to purchase and install a substantial 10,000-liter water tank on his property. The transformation was worth it. The family was no longer at the mercy of dry seasons; they now had a reliable and ample water supply for both their domestic needs and farming activities. Felicio's family life took a turn for the better. He radiated happiness as a father and husband. With their newfound water security, the family harbors ambitious plans to expand their farming enterprise. They even own another farm situated near a river, and BIMAS's support extends to financing the purchase of a water pump for this venture. In Felicio's own words, he joyfully exclaims, "I can now farm with confidence throughout the year. My small-scale farming business has thrived since partnering with BIMAS. We are no longer constrained, and our lives are no longer endangered during the night. We can rest early and wake up refreshed to tend to our farming." Felicio’s success story highlights BIMAS Microfinance's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 6 by ensuring sustainable water management. By financing water tanks and pumps, BIMAS tackles water scarcity in semi-arid regions like Rianjeru, enhancing farmers' quality of life and promoting sustainable agriculture. This support boosts both economic and social well-being in the community, demonstrating a commitment to improving water access and management.

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Sidian Bank Board Chair James Macharia said Thumbi leaves behind a strong legacy, having led a major transformation of the lender. “Mr. Thumbi has had a distinguished banking career spanning over three decades. During his tenure at Sidian Bank, he led a significant transformation of the business, including significantly growing the Bank’s Trade Finance portfolio, increasing the branch network to fifty branches and expanding digital banking and foreign exchange income streams,” Macharia said. He added that the bank strengthened its operations, improved customer experience, and achieved strong growth under Thumbi, culminating in its elevation to a Tier II bank in September 2025. In the year ended December 31, 2025, Sidian Bank posted a 502 percent jump in net profit to Sh1.73 billion. The growth was driven by higher interest and non-interest income, with net interest income rising by 54.4 percent to Sh4.4 billion, while non-interest income surged by nearly 129 percent to Sh3.8 billion.

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About 60 percent of investments will focus on climate adaptation, particularly climate-resilient agriculture and water management technologies, while 40 percent will go towards mitigation efforts such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. Through the facility, KCB will deploy flexible credit products, blended finance structures, and digital lending platforms to scale access to financing for underserved populations. “This is a bold step to scale climate finance. By targeting MSMEs and smallholder farmers, we are ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to a climate-resilient future,” said Paul Russo. The funding comes as Kenya faces rising climate vulnerability, with over 80 percent of its land classified as arid and semi-arid. These regions frequently experience droughts and floods, causing economic losses estimated at about 3 percent of GDP annually. KCB has been ramping up its green financing efforts, having assessed loans worth Sh578.3 billion for environmental and social risks last year. This brings the cumulative total assessed since 2020 to over Sh1 trillion under its Environmental and Social Due Diligence framework. The bank also disbursed Sh50 billion in green loans in 2025, increasing its green portfolio share to 25.84 percent from 15 percent in 2023, with investments spanning energy transition, blue economy, e-mobility, and climate adaptation initiatives.

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Barclays to rebrand to ABSA

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