January 28, 2021 - Biz in 60

Business in 60 Seconds

Kenya's economy enters first recession in 20 years Kenya's economy has slipped into recession for the first time in 20 years as measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 hit industrial output. GDP contracted by 1.1-percent in the third quarter, after sliding five-and- a-half percent in the prior period. The country's education, tourism and food businesses are among the worst affected. Samsung phone sales drop 11% in Q4 as rival Apple gains Samsung's fourth quarter revenues climbed 2.8-percent compared to last year, on strong demand for home appliances. But mobile phone sales fell 11-percent, as rival Apple's new line-up of smartphones pulled customers away from the South Korean tech giant. The company expects the rollout of its new Galaxy smart devices to prop-up sales in this quarter. Toyota overtakes VW as world's highest-selling auto brand Toyota sold 9-and- a-half-million vehicles in 2020 to become the world's highest selling automotive brand. It's reclaimed the title from Volkswagen after five years. The Japanese automaker enjoyed strong demand, including a 10-percent jump in sales in China, bucking the declining trend in global auto sales.