Business Monday.

Today is on a Monday the day we focus on Kenyan tech and Business. Today we are going to explore:

1. The 2 big players on Kenyan electronics manufacture.

2. Why cost of electronics keeps going up.

3. Release of iPhone 15.

4. Shout out Kona.

Electronics Manufacturing Companies in Kenya

Kenya's world of electronics and technology, two impressive organizations lead the way in innovation and progress: Semiconductors Technology Limited (STL) and Gearbox. They are key players in shaping Kenya's tech scene and contributing to its growth and development.

Semiconductors Technology Limited(STL)

STL is a Nanofabrication and Semiconductor manufacturing company in Kenya, located inside Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Nyeri.

The company was founded by Engineer Anthony Githinji and commissioned by H.E. former President Uhuru Kenyatta on April 26th 2021.

The company supplies Semiconductor Technologies and products. Other STL Company capabilities include the following :

● Semiconductor Solution Capabilities

● Semiconductor Metal & Sputtering

● Semiconductor Microchip design

● Advanced Metrology Solutions including; Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), Ellipsometry, Resistivity, X-Ray, RBS, Optical Microscopy, Profilometry, Etc

 Gearbox

The company was founded in 2014 by Dr. Kamau Gachigi and incubation hub (iHub). It is Located within Avon Center on Enterprise Road in Industrial Area, Nairobi. Gearbox provides members with access to modern machines for prototyping and low volume manufacture, specializing in electronics PCB fabrication. Their products include: Boda Secure, Eris Development Kit, Mobi-flow Smart Billing Meters, WaziAct, Wazi Dev, Wazi Sense & WaziGate Development Boards.

In IoT(Internet of Things), they offer solutions such as: Asset Trackers (geolocation), Monitoring & Remote Management and PAYGO (Pay-As-You-Go).

Other services include: Contract Manufacturing, Product development, Electronic testing and repairs, Industrial specific training at Gearbox academy.

Rising Electronics Prices in Kenya: Understanding the Issue

Of late in Kenya, the cost of electronics is going up, and this is a big concern for people and businesses. Let's take a closer look at why this is happening and what can be done about it.

Taxes on Electronics:

One reason electronics are getting more expensive is because of new tax rules. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) changed the way they tax electronics. This change means that when people buy electronic products, they have to pay more in taxes. This extra cost is passed on to consumers, making electronics more expensive. Getting electronic products into Kenya has become harder due to new rules at customs. This means that sometimes you have to wait longer to get what you want, and there may be fewer choices available.

Exchange Rates and Supply Problems:

Another problem is that the value of money (exchange rates) keeps changing. So, when you buy something, the price may be different from what you expected because of these changes. Example, all other things held constant, if you bought a phone last year on July for Ksh10,000 right now the same phone would cost you Ksh14000.

Impact on People:

All of these problems are making it tough for people to afford electronics. Sometimes, there might not be enough electronics in the stores because of security issues during protests.

What Can Be Done:

To fix this problem, everyone involved, like the government and companies, should work together. They can try to make the tax rules fairer for consumers and make it easier to get electronics into the country faster. This way, people can have access to affordable electronics, which will be good for everyone in Kenya.

Release of iPhone 15.

New features 

iPhone 15 lineup: The new iPhone ₁₅ models come with USB-C for the first time and feature the Dynamic Island initially introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models. They also include the A16 chip and have a 48MP main camera, all-day battery life, and a second-gen ultra wideband chip. The iPhone 15 starts at $799 and the iPhone 15 Plus starts at $899.

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max: The Pro and Pro Max models come with a USB-C port, a customizable Action Button that replaces the mute toggle, and thinner bezels. They also feature a more efficient A17 Pro processor and faster USB-C charging. The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199.

The iPhone 15 features Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that allows for connections to other devices with the same chip up to three times farther away. This advancement enables enhanced item tracking through the 'Find My' app and makes finding friends in crowded areas easier using the iPhone 15.

Shout out kona .

Today, we want to say a special hello ta a talented interior designer @wangarinellius. Did you know colors in your home can change how you your moods? Learn more one this article: medium link

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