Blog

A Blueprint for Enhanced Customer Experience in Financial Institutions.

A Blueprint for Enhanced Customer Experience in Financial Institutions.

Data Science
How can financial institutions ensure inclusivity, digital transformation, and analytics in their operations for an enhanced customer experience? This was the first topic of the first panel discussion at the 2nd annual Global Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (GDSAI) summit hosted by @iLabAfrica-Strathmore University last year  The panel, featured Hartnell Ndungi, Chief Data Officer at Absa Bank Kenya; Ezekiel Macharia, CEO at Kenbright Holdings; and Satyajit Turumella, IT Advisory Director at Grant Thornton Advisory East Africa, explored the transformative impact of digital technologies on financial services. Digital transformation is revolutionizing the landscape of financial services, reshaping customer acquisition, improving client satisfaction, and simplifying banking procedures. In the pre-revolution era, customers heavily depended on face-to-face interactions with bank staff, making processes such as opening accounts, conducting transactions, and accessing financial services…
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How Universities are Accelerating Research and Innovation in East Africa.

How Universities are Accelerating Research and Innovation in East Africa.

Research & Innovation
Do universities stand at the nexus of research and innovation? Yes, they do. Not only do these institutions draw curious minds, but they also offer a platform for fostering entrepreneurial skills and innovation. However, they also face the challenge of connecting students with employment opportunities in a job market that can be quite limited, both formally and informally. Consider these staggering numbers: every year, around 10–12 million young Africans enter the job market, but there are only 3 million formal job positions available as per recent data. Additionally, the International Labor Organization reported that in 2020, youth unemployment rates in Africa were at 10.7%, higher than the global average of 13.6%. To bridge this gap, university-industry partnerships have emerged as crucial connectors, with statistics from 2022 revealing that 46.8% of universities globally have established links with…
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@iLabAfrica unveils the 2nd Global Data Science and AI Summit.

@iLabAfrica unveils the 2nd Global Data Science and AI Summit.

Artificial Intelligence, Data Science
@iLabAfrica launched the 2nd Global Data Science and AI Summit (GDSAI) at Strathmore University on November 9, showcasing Kenya’s advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation. The summit was graced by distinguished guests, including: H.E. Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; Mene Wamkele, Secretary General at African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA); and Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica. Many prominent figures from various industries also attended the summit, which marked a significant milestone in Kenya’s journey towards embracing and advancing AI. Under the theme dubbed ‘Unlocking the Power of Big Data and AI, the summit provided valuable insights into data science and AI for individuals and organizations alike. During a precursor pre-launch of the GDSAI summit on November 7, H.E. Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic…
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Bridging the Job and Skills Gap for Youth: Youth Employment Data-Driven Insights.

Bridging the Job and Skills Gap for Youth: Youth Employment Data-Driven Insights.

Data Science
In an increasingly interconnected digital world, prioritizing investments in education and skill development, especially for youth, is important, given that data-driven insights are shaping the path for the future. Recently, after a successful Data Science Hackathon, @iLabAfrica-Strathmore University joined forces with World Data Lab to host a thought-provoking discussion with the theme, ‘The Future of Consumer Class and Jobs.’ The event held at Strathmore University sought to shed light on the challenges and opportunities facing Africa’s youth, especially in Kenya. With the African youth population projected to increase significantly in the next few years, it becomes important to address the job and skills gap that exists. Statistics from the World Data Lab revealed that over half of Kenya’s youth are employed in the informal sector. This finding highlights the challenges…
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