While no African company was featured in Forbes recently published list of World’s Most Innovative Companies, Safaricom, Nation Media Group and East Africa Breweries made it among the Ten Most Innovative Companies in Africa.
Safaricom was first on the list, termed as East Africa’s largest mobile telecommunications provider and most innovative company in sub-Saharan Africa. The M-Pesa service, a mobile money transfer platform, was the main reason why Safaricom made to this list.
M-Pesa was the first mobile money transfer service in Kenya, launched in 2007, setting pace for other mobile service providers to follow suit. Currently, M-Pesa services are not only available in Kenya but have spread to different parts of the world.
Okoa Jahazi was another contributing factor to Safaricoms’ listing on Forbes Ten Most Innovativge Companies in Africa. Okoa Jahazi is a service that enables PrePay subscribers to access airtime on credit and pay later. Forbes identified Safaricom as a pioneer at this service.
Nation Media Group (NMG) was identified as East Africa’s largest media group that has subtly transformed itself into an internet and financial service powerhouse. The numerous innovations by NMG over the past 3 years catapulted the group into this list. Between 2009 and now, Nation Media Group has launched N-Soko, a classified site which competes with Craigslist in Kenya, Twende Twende, an online travel site and Nation Hela, an international money transfer service which allows Kenyans in the diaspora send money to their families and friends in Kenya.
The Daily Nation was identifies as the highest circulating newspaper in the East and Central African region while the Business Daily newspaper was termed as East Africa’s most popular business journal.
Nation Media Group television and radio stations were ranked amang the most popular among African viewers and listeners.
The East African Breweries was identified as Kenya’s largest brewer. The company produces, markets, distributes and sells an extensive portfolio of alcoholic beverages. The company also produces and distributes soft drinks such as Alvaro and Malta Guinness.
While Forbes admitted that the list is subjective, the publication believe that its quite accurate.
Other companies featured in the list include: Nando’s, MTN, Econet, Iroko TV, Woolworths, Pick n Pay and Famous Brands.