The benchmark NSE 20 share index shed off 6.43 points to close at a multi-year low of 1797.67. According to data from the Finacial Times, the NSE 20 Share Index is at levels last seen in 2003. Over the last 12 months, the index has shed more than 30%.

Safaricom was trading at an average of Ksh 26.85 closing the day with a 4.62% share price depreciation. Safaricom saw a 93.7% foreign investor participation. Safaricom books closure was on 31st July with shareholders expecting to receive a dividend of Ksh 1.40 on 30th August.

According to the CEO, SMEs will have the opportunity to become distributors of American products, which are renown for high quality and innovativeness.

They will also benefit from Foreign Direct Investment and partnership opportunities with counterpart SMEs as well as larger U.S. companies.

“American companies wanting to do business in Kenya will be looking for partners with knowledge of the local market and supply chain systems; this is where SMEs come in,” he said.

The lender jumped 90 spots from last year’s position 844.

Equity was ranked position 62 on Capital Assets Ratio and Financial Soundness, which is an improvement of 13 spots, from last year.

The lender also ranked at position 20 overall on Return on Assets, and position 55 on Profit on Capital.

According to the publication, Return on Assets was at 3.35%; Profit on Capital was at 23% and Capital Assets Ratio was 14.56%.

Continentally, Equity was placed in position 22 of the best banks in Africa.