Kenyans will now be able to print photos directly from their smartphones even while still on a picnic or a long safari with the just launched LG Pocket Photo Printer.

The portable wireless printer fits in the palm of one’s hand and can print photos from a smartphone wirelessly, no matter where one is at. The printer has a 40 second print time and fast Bluetooth connection and can take a photo one minute and have it printed out and in one’s hand the next.

The Bluetooth capabilities makes the Pocket Photo easily connect to your smartphone, laptop or other Bluetooth device to print out all of your favourite photos. The device also supports Near Field Communication (NFC).

The stylish LG Pocket Printer is one of the smallest and lightest mobile phone printing devices on the market where users can print on the go and also share photos on social media platforms and online, directly from the device.

The gadget uses inkless printing technology from ZINK. This technology eliminates the need for expensive ink cartridges as it uses heat to activate the color-forming chemistry within the ZINK 2.0 paper. In comparison with conventional printing processes, ZINK’s inkless paper system preserves images longer and produces less smearing.

“Nothing beats a printed photo; it has a visual appeal and realistic touch to it that a digital photo does not offer,” said Josep Kim, the Managing Director of LG East and Central Africa.

“The device is able to sync up to any Android or iOS device –all one needs to do is download the accompanying LG app first – and you can turn out 2×3-inch prints of your favorite memories,” said Mr. Kim. The app even lets you make simple photo edits before printing and stamp QR codes onto them.

The range of editing tools included on the Pocket Photo app makes it simple to embed QR codes and perform simple changes, including cropping and coloring. With the ability to print QR codes on photographs, the LG Pocket Photo delivers an ingenious way of connecting a physical image to an online community.

The Pocket Photo can be used to print customized birthday invitations, thank you cards, or even business cards with a personal QR code. Printing images with QR codes makes it possible for business owners to connect customers to online information about their brand or upcoming store events.

National Information and Communication Technology service provider Network Alliance and global security solutions and services provider, WatchGuard, have joined forces to provide clients with up-to-date technology and reliable services to help them better protect their resources.

Network Alliance is a national provider of on-demand ICT solutions and services, with particular focus on the integration and application of Microsoft Cloud Solutions and Office 365.

This industry-leading alliance will ensure that customers who invest in technology and services benefit from Service Level Agreements. Specifically, they will experience direct benefits financially and also in terms of enhancement to operations.

The partnership is in place to make sure that only the very best products are sourced from the market and integrated into comprehensive solutions and rolled out to the market.

George Gindra, the Product Manager for WatchGuard, refers to Network Alliance’s proven track record of over 17 years in ICT services and level of skills that has been acquired over this time period as one of the key factors behind WatchGuard’s decision to enter into this alliance.

“Network Alliance focus and dedication towards their customer’s satisfaction, combined with extraordinary products and technical service, makes Network Alliance the ideal partner for WatchGuard. Both these companies strive in building long term customer relationships with a foundation of good products, excellent service on continued satisfaction,” he explains.

According to Gindra, the response the company received from its customers about the level of service and support offered by Network Alliance was very positive. They referred specifically to the company’s fast response to support queries and its attention to detail.

Raymond Wright, MD at Network Alliance, is very pleased about the partnership and the value this offers the market at large.

“Traditional security techniques and technology simply cannot cut it in the market today,” he says. “We have partnered with WatchGuard to provide its Security Suite to help clients manage complex environments. It is a partnership that works through the offer of application control, web blocker, spam blocker and a comprehensive intrusion prevention service.”

Finally as announced, the Kenya Posta has launched its $1 Million Posta Pes, an e-payment platform that will see financial institutions share payment infrastructure and capitalise on Kenya Posta’s expansive network of over 600 offices that will offer Agency services.

Posta pesa enables points of sales solutions, transaction switching, mobile commerce and remote banking through internet banking.

The e-payment system is expected to enable the organisation become the preferred national payment gateway.

Nairobi is known for hype, while entrepreneurs in countries like Nigeria are designing and assembling computers and tablets locally and competing with international and Chinese brands, Kenya still uses imported ERP and accounting softwares such as Sage Pastel and prides of M-PESA, a British-build technology.

Posta Pesa, according to Dr. Enock Kinara, the Post Master General will enable the organisation conduct agency banking, mobile money transfer, card based transactions, e-commerce, online disbursements, epayment of utility payments and e-ticketing.

Besides linking banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point of Sale (POS) terminals in order to avoid the duplication of expensive infrastructure resources, Posta Pesa will the firm automate its payment services.

The service is part of the firm’s strategic plan to realign operations and prop up its “profit-centres in order to realise growth in its revenues from Ksh3.5 billion to Ksh4.5 billion; from Ksh4.5 billion to Ksh6.5 billion and from Ksh6.5 billion to Ksh9 billion in years one, two and three respectively  and hit a cumulative target of Ksh20 billion.

Early Posta Pesa clients include KCB, Credit Bank, ABC Bank and Faulu Kenya  and the firm is looking to sign up utility companies like Kenya Power, Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company and DStv among others who already use its remittance services.

Speaking during Posta Pesa launch, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of ICT said,“With such a robust shared infrastructure and CBK’s planned National Payment System integration, I believe Posta is best placed to be the umbrella payment gateway that will integrate all payment platforms to allow for interoperability and boost e-commerce in the region.”

“Already my ministry has contacted the Universal Postal Union to work with a national committee that my ministry has constituted to develop a master plan that would guide the modernization of the Kenya Post,” added Dr. Matiang’i.

Short Messaging Service (SMS) are expected to generate $15.3 million per hour Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) world wide compared to  $2.6million per hour from Over-The-Top (OTT) messaging services.

This will be mainly in form of data usage charges, according to Portio Research, which predicts that SMS still continues to deliver massive revenue from massive increase despite the growing popularity of OTT messages apps.

The global revenue which the SMS service gets has increased annually since the early 1990s and is execpted to be above 2010 levels until 2017, however, MNOs are gaining revenue from increase data usage.

The revenues are forecast to increase to USD 230 billion in 2013, which is compared to USD 218.1 billion in 2012, and is expected to reach USD 236.8 billion in 2014 and USD 239.7 billion in 2015. it is then expected to decrease to USD 236.7 billion in 2016 and USD 227.1 billion in 2017.

The increment in revenue will vary depending on the region; it will start with North America which will get its peak in 2014, Europe in 2015, and the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa in 2016.

The drivers maintaining growth in 2011-2015 are the continuing growth of the mobile base which are mainly driven by developing economies. The key driver behind the decline from 2015 to 2017 is the shift away from SMS in more mature markets as smartphone penetration increases and more users shift to OTT messaging apps and social networks.

Moussa Benhamadi affirmes that he has signed a law for the launch of 3G and 3G+ licensing and service provision which will published in the official gazette.

“We hope that operators will be ready to start offering services to citizens on 1 December”, said the Algerian ICT Minister who was speaking about a process that has been repeatedly been postponed.

The whole licensing process was set to begin on the first day of August. The minister added that the 3G service launch was not connected to the ongoing dispute over mobile operator Djezzy, which the government is seeking to acquire.

Benhamadi also said that Telecom regulator ARPT would be responsible for launching the tender and awarding the licences.

The country has three mobile operators, Mobilis, Nedjma and Djezzy.

Kenya’s Equity Bank and global telecommunication leader, Airtel have today entered into a partnership thatofferscomprehensive mobile commerce solutions to their customers through Airtel Money, a mobile money transfer service widely used by Airtel subscribers.

The service has been availed to all Equity Bank customers with Airtel lines. Thiswill enable customers from both Airtel and Equity Bank to access Airtel mobile banking platforms, perform agency cash transactions at Equity Bank branches and also enable Airtel services customers to withdraw money at any Equity Bank as well as cash outlets countrywide.

Airtel customers will also have the efficiency of paying their utility bills, receive bank transactions alerts, check mini statements among other services using Airtel Money.

Equity Bank CEO Dr. James Mwangi had this to say: “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Airtel, which will further strengthen our commitment to extending financial inclusion across East Africa by enabling the unbanked and under-banked to enjoy the benefits of mobile payments, while also giving us the opportunity to better serve Airtel customers.”

He added that the bank will continue to strengthen their business model through innovation, enhanced use of technology, automation for a better customer experience and collaborations with such industry stakeholders as Airtel.

In the event, Mr. Jayant Khosla CEO Airtel Africa- Anglophone said: “This partnership with Equity Bank marks yet another milestone in deepening the accessibility of Airtel Money to our customers throughout Kenya. The Equity Bank branches countrywide will complement our 10,000 Airtel Money agents spread across Kenya thus making it easier and more convenient for customers to have guaranteed access to Airtel Money deposit and withdrawal of cash.”

Khosla added that they will continue to educate their customers on the benefits of using Airtel Money mobile commerce solutions including the product’s convenience and ease of use.

“Equity Bank and Airtel Money have a shared commitment in ensuring financial inclusion from many in Kenya and beyond. I’m certain that this relationship will in the days to come empower more people in the larger East Africa region where Equity Bank is operating,” said Khosla.

The partnership with Equity Bank will also help drive mobile money adoption in sub-Saharan Africa.

Via PR:The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) has announced the call for entries for the 2014 Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) to award to entrepreneurs and innovators who deliver market-oriented solutions for African development.

The prestigious Prize, presented annually since 2012, aims at encouraging innovations that contribute to sustainable development in Africa. The winning submission will be awarded a prize of USD 100’000, with two additional USD 25 000, one for the runner up with an innovation with the best business potential and the other one for the runner up with the innovation with the best social impact.

In an effort to drive African-led development, the IPA invites African entrepreneurs and innovators to propose projects that unlock new African potential under one of five categories which include: 1) agriculture and agribusiness; 2) environment, energy and water; 3) health and wellbeing; 4) ICT applications; and 5) manufacturing and services industries.

“The IPA team believes that the best way to build Africa’s capacity is to invest in local innovation and entrepreneurship.  This prize encourages Africans to develop creative ways to overcome everyday challenges,” said AIF founder Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais.

The IPA 2013 was awarded to South Africa’s AgriProtein for its innovative approach to nutrient recycling – a method that uses waste and fly larvae to produce natural animal feed.  The 2013 prize also recognized two additional winners for their contributions to African innovation.

In the business potential category, Hassine Labaied and Anis Aouini from Saphon Energy (Tunisia) received USD 25 000 for creating a bladeless wind convertor.

Social impact category, Sanoussi Diakite (Senegal) received USD 25 000 for developing and distributing a thermal powered machine that husks 5 kilograms of fonio – an important and healthy West African cereal – in just 8 minutes.  This innovation increases accessibility to a nutritious African staple food source and addresses challenges associated with its consumption.

With more than 1350 applications received to date, the IPA aims to support Africans’ efforts to develop new products, increase efficiency and drive cost-savings on the continent. The IPA also provides a platform for African innovators to showcase their solutions to potential investors and seek partners to scale up their marketable concepts. Only innovations by Africans and for Africans are eligible to enter. Africans in the Diaspora can also apply if their innovations are of significance to Africa.

The registration deadline for the 2014 prize has been set for 31 October 2013. For detailed information of competition categories, conditions of entry, and submission procedures, please visit www.innovationprizeforafrica.org and review the detailed call for application prior to applying.

Connect Africa has officially opened office in Lusaka; this has created a platform for a roll-out services across the region. Connect Africa is Zambia’s pioneering rural telecommunications equipment and Solutions Company.

Connect Africa has chosen Zambia as its hub, which it plans to use as the facilitator from which to launch its low-cost entrepreneur-driven information and communications technology (ICT) services to rural communities across southern Africa.

“Connect Africa is pioneering a new model of service delivery that puts rural people in control of their communications needs,” explained Connect Africa Special Projects Director Dion Jerling. “We see Zambia as the leading example of how state-of-the art technology can be harnessed to connect remote communities to the mobile phone network, empowering them to develop their livelihoods as a result.”

Connect Africa links Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit and recent innovations in GSM technology infrastructure to enable rural people and rural communities across Africa to improve their quality of life and economic well-being.

With education, agriculture and health services and other services given by both public and private sector to rural communities, will boosted by the new connectivity. This, combined with the Connect Africa Service Centre concept, will create jobs and enhance rural communities as well as providing a tool for government to gather feedback on the effectiveness of its services.

The strategy is part of Connect Africa’s “impact enterprise” model that aims to influence innovative communication technologies for socio-economic development across Africa and beyond.

The crucial elements to the model are service centers at each base station, run by local entrepreneurs who are able to provide services such as internet access, phone charging and business services to the community.

The low-cost base stations also keep capital costs to a minimum, enabling construction to be funded through a revenue-sharing model based on income generation.

Safaricom, Kenya’s leading mobile service provider will have to pay KSH 2.36 billion (USD27million) for operating license renewal which is to take them for 10 years, as their current 15 year license is set to expire on June 2014.

The communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) declared that the renewal will depend on the operator paying the renewal fee upfront and meeting the set minimum quality of service standards by June 2014.

The CCK Director General Francis Wangusi explained that the new license would come with a set of new license terms and conditions which will be negotiated between the regulator and the mobile operator.

“The license renewal fee of US$27 million is based on the bid price offered for the third GSM mobile license by the latest entrant to the mobile telecoms market in Kenya -Econet Wireless Kenya Ltd (now Essar Telecom Kenya Ltd),” said Mr. Wangusi.

Wangusi also said that while Safaricom has significantly contributed to the economy, developed innovative products and services and met most of its license obligations, the mobile operator needs to up its game with regards to meeting the set quality of service standards.

‘‘We have  considered the fact that whereas Safaricom has met most of its license obligations, its continued failure to meet the set Quality of Service standards remains a concern that needs to be addressed,’’ said Wangusi.

He continued to say that the three other mobile operators would pay the same amount when renewing their licenses for a further term of 10 years to ensure parity and a level playing ground for all service providers in the sector.

At the same time, the Director General said the spectrum assigned to the four mobile operators will be subjected to an auction after the expiry of the 10-year renewal term. 

World Remit money transfer will now be accessible all over the world using Teleclm’s Zaan service mobile banking.

The manager, World Remit Country, Ms Suad Yusuf Odowa confirmed this saying that the amount that one could send ranged between USD 1- 2500.

“We are very pleased to announce that it is now possible for our clients in the various countries of the world to send $1-$2,500 directly from their homes, offices etc. to recipients in somaliland” Said Odowa

The manage believed that the new direct online money transfer service will be a direct method to users of the Telesom Company operated Zaad mobile money Service and shall be made through the HomeSend platform operated by Telesome company through its agreement with eServGlobal.

Suad Odowa further stated that her company was inspired into this venture after realizing that most recipients were based in rural areas and waste time in travelling to towns to collect remittance.

While the HomeSend service is available in over 100 countries thus 100 different currencies in Use the world Remit and Zaad Service have made arrangements for the ease of conversion of these diverse currencies at the standing rates of the day of transfer.

The Somaliland Zaad Service Mobile money Transfer (Gsm) service which is acknowledge as among the best in the world works similar with MPESA-Kenya, Gcash –Philippines, Smart-Philippines, Easy paisa –Pakistan,Eco Cash-Zimbabwe and Mtn-Ghana.

On its part the World Bank’s Global Financial Inclusion Database (Findex) which identified Somaliland as one of the most attractive mobile money markets with 26% of the population reported using mobiles to pay bills, which is the highest rate in the world, and 32% to send and receive money says that Most of this mobile money activity has been driven by Telesom ZAAD.

South Africans will now be paying an assessed amount of R5.2 billion to government’s smart ID card roll-out. In accordance to the latest statistics, there are 52.98 million people in south Africa  of which 29.2 percent are 15 years of age and younger, this means that the country has 37.5 million  with an ID.EACH OF them will have to pay R140 to apply for a new smart card.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said that 16-years-olds who are first time applicants will get their smart ID’s for free, while all other applicants will be expected to pay R140. The communication deputy, DG Vusi Mkhize, said that this amount is equivalent to the old green ID book.

Earlier in May, home affairs minister Naledi Pandor said in her budget vote that the smart ID card will form part of an overall IT modernization programme, for which more than R348 million had been allocated in this financial year, up from the R214 million for last year.

Later on, The DHA granted a R40 million deal to Altech Card Solutions to provide the Government Printing Works with card personalization equipment, while a contract estimated to be worth R199 million was awarded to Gemalto Southern Africa to supply pre-printed polycarbonate cards, containing a contactless microchip.

Manny de Freitas, DA shadow minister of home affairs asserts government should be distributing the first smart ID cards for free to all South Africans, seeing as this is an entirely new system and having an ID document is mandatory, but notes that there has been a budget limitation that cannot favor his preference.

“There is no way the ministry will be able to afford to issue the [smart ID] card to millions of people. That’s the bottom line; they won’t have the budget for it,” says De Freitas.

The home affairs minister also said that a system where citizens can apply for free will be availed as long as they can prove they cannot afford it.

Roll-out to the general public will start with first-time identity document applicants and senior citizens.