Electronics firm Samsung, intends to strike a deal with the government of Zambia to help the country develop various sectors like construction, energy, health and education.

The partnership was strongly motivated by the solid growth and liberalization of the landlocked Southern African country, Zambia; this will ensure the country’s developments heighten.

Zambia has in their records a strong real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the last three years. The country has a GDP of 6.5 percent in 2012, 6.6 percent in 2011 and 7.6 percent in 2010; this is according to the global financial tracking website indexmundi.com.

Thierry Boulanger, Director of information technology (IT) solutions and B2B Africa at Samsung Africa, said that Zambia’s GDP growth and increasingly liberal market offers corporate business attractive investment incentives.

Samsung Africa has been increasing donations such as solar power generators, smart healthcare solution products and education solutions.

“The Zambian government has embraced a strategy for implementing e-government solutions and understand the importance and effectiveness of these programmes,” said Boulanger.

Kalyan Medapati, senior analyst for global markets at Informa Telecoms and Media, has told ITWeb Africa that moves by Zambia’s government to open up its economy has made the country an attractive market to invest in by the likes of Samsung Africa.

“The country has a good track record on reforms, a stable government and I think they are specifically looking to energy and construction in Zambia,” he said.

But while Zambia’s economy over the years has opened up, government officials in the country have also taken a more rigid approach. The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) government has threatened to shut down websites critical of Zambia’s rulers.

Despite the Zambian government’s increasingly hardline approach, nevertheless, Zambia’s strategic position in Africa could be vital to its future economic rise.

ICT stakeholders in Kenya came together to review the suggested ICT Sector policy as well as the amendment bill of the Kenya Information and Communications Act.

This exercise’s intention is to support the ICT regulatory framework with the constitution, which according to Article 34 of the Kenyan constitution, guarantees freedom of the media. The article also says that the body that regulates the media should be independent of government, political and commercial interests.

The bill reviews membership to the Universal Service Advisory Council (USAC) to consist of representatives of broadcasting, telecommunications and postal sectors as witnesses, to enhance clarity in the management of the Fund.

The Universal Service Fund (USF) is aimed at financing rolled out services in under-served and un-served areas.

The bill proposes to transform the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), this shows an enhanced independence.

CAK will have ten board of directors, among them, seven will be appointed for a three-year period by the president through a viable process. The body’s Director General will be appointed viably for a four-year term, a position which will only be renewed once.

CAK will determine the standards for broadcasting content and controlling and observing defiance over the current directive.

In emergency situations, as according to the bill, the government is expected to use the ICT infrastructure for moderating public emergencies or disasters. The directive also allows the authority to stop, delay and censor messages and broadcasts during times of emergency.

Dr. Matiang’i, the ICT Cabinet Secretary, said his Ministry would soon unveil a cyber-security framework to ensure that ICTs are secure to play their rightful role as enablers of development. A data protection bill, he added, has been developed and would soon be tabled before parliament for enactment into law with a view to strengthening the governance regime in the ICT sector.

The Kenyan High court has given a notification to the Communication Commission of Kenya ( CCK),the police and mobile phone service providers up until end of July to month to reinstate the 999 emergency response number.

The orders were made after Okiya Omutatah filed a case. Omutatah asked the court to order the National Police Service to offer a toll free number 999 emergency response  and that they should give reason why the number has not been functioning in the past.

Omutatah prosecuted the NPS, Attorney General, Independent Oversight Authority, Communication Commission of Kenya, the Commission for Implementation of the Constitution, Yu mobile, Orange, Airtel and Safaricom.

The defendants informed the Kenyan High court that they had had two meeting to discuss the service restoration potentials and requested more time for the discussions.

Justice Majanja inquired the defendants to file in court the minutes of the two meeting they have held. Omtatah had voiced his concern to the court that Kenya is currently under the control of insecurity and the toll free 999 police emergency response number is invalid.

He also alleged that the lack of a toll free number is the result of police abandoning their duties to stop and fight crime.

Omtatah stated that during the gang attack in Akobwait village of Teso South district in Busia County, he had no option but to call the inspector General of NPS and CID director on their personal mobile.

“Although crime prevention is the priority for police, it is not the sole responsibility of officers but of all citizens, “he added.

He said by not having a police emergency response number is a dangerous gap which would not be allowed to undermine Kenya’s disaster preparedness. He also added that it’s the right of Kenyans to expect the highest professional standards from the police service.

Mobile adverting revenue rose to USD 8.9 billion last year from USD 5.3 billion in 2011, a percentage of 82.8.

The industry is experiencing growth rates of 88.8 percent in search, 87.3 percent in display and 40.2% in messaging at an international level, advertisements spend in these formats reflects strong growth in the sector.

Currently, the advertising revenue remains controlled by the search segment, which represented in US$4.7 billion which is a  52.8 percentage in the  total global mobile advertising revenue in 2012. Display advertising accounted for 38.7 percent and messaging 8.5 percent.

The segments by sections in the world for 2012 include:

• Asia-Pacific: 40.2 percent  which is USD 3,558million
• North America: 39.8 percent which is USD 3,525 million
• Western Europe: 16.9 percent which is USD 1,499 million
• Central Europe: 1.3 percent which is USD 112 million
• Middle East & Africa: 1.2 percent  which is USD109 million
• Latin America: 0.6 percent which is USD 50 million

The progressive growth over the years has been quite strong all across the board, led by North America, which experienced a 111 percent flow over 2011 figures. Western Europe also saw a great increase, 91 percent over the previous year.

Other year-over-year turnarounds include:

• Latin America – 71 percent
• Central Europe – 69 percent
• Middle-East and Africa – 68 percent
• Asia-Pacific – 60 percent

Some of the contributing factors that lead to the increase in mobile advertising revenue are raising smart phone adoption/ 3G and 4G penetration, more time spent on mobile devices, better advertising monetization through targeting ad inventory consolidation.

“We have seen a shift from a very fragmented landscape to one that is becoming more networked,” explains Daniel Knapp, Director Advertising Research at IHS, and author of the research. “Technological innovation has simplified buying mobile inventory at scale, enabling advertisers to better reach larger audiences across multiple publishers and advertising networks,” he continues.

Multinational mobile telecommunications company, MTN, has partnered with Easy pay and has introduced a new airtime distribution system using Electronic Payment Terminals (EPT) in Cameroon. Easy pay is known for payment solutions

The electronic device will make sure that airtime will be available 24 hours a day at most frequented areas like airports, hotels, night clubs, hospitals, restaurants, service centres and pharmacies.

The telecommunication company stated that there will be two ways in which the payment node is availed, the first one looks like a cash distribution machine and the other is a smaller version of the first.

The terminals or kiosk will accept 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000Fcfa bank notes, and the buyer will collect an airtime purchase approval receipt directly after each operation.

The EPT technology is created on the similar model used by financial institutions like banks for their electronic payments. The transactions have become more secure and authentic

Mobile Money cash in and cash out transactions can also be done through the Electronic Payment Terminals.

The South African Department of Energy, is investing more than R40bn of private investment in renewable energy for the Financial Close of the second phase of REIPPP (Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme).

Also, this programme is an initiative of the DOE.

And the term Financial Close may sound like it relates to the corridors of high finance, but it also signals a change to the lives of thousands of people in SA’s poorest rural areas.

According to the DOE, “After Financial Close, which took place on Thursday (9 May), construction of seven wind farms will commence in remote rural areas of the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa over the next two years.

Further noted is that the DOE has mandated wind farm operators to invest 2.1% of gross revenue in the economic and enterprise development of communities in a 50km radius of the wind farms. “Over the 20 year operating period of a wind farm, this investment will be used for much-needed development like medical care facilities, schools, small enterprise facilities and sports facilities.”

In addition, communities are expected to own at least a 2.5% equity stake in the projects, usually in the form of community trusts. Many projects are offering communities a substantially higher stake. The trustees of these community trusts would decide where the dividends from the operating wind farm will be invested.

“Farmers on whose lands the wind turbines are sited, and who lease land to the wind farm operators, will also be paid a royalty, which could help tide their sector over poor harvests.”

The overall impact could be a lessening of tensions over wages and, over time, social development and improved living conditions in the agricultural sector.

Another stakeholder in the programme is the Communities For Wind Energy. This is a voluntary association of communities identified as beneficiaries under existing and planned wind farm projects. It is also aimed at serving as a platform for community support and networking, building collaborative relationship between communities and project owners, as well as a lobbying Government and other institutions on matters related to socio-economic development of communities affected by wind farms developments.

CFWE is a non-political and non-profit organisation and is currently made up of a five-member governing body – men and women who are community leaders in their own right, who are keen on making a contribution and a difference in the community-based renewable energy and development space. It seeks to be the voice of communities in the REIPPPP, which some developers have rightly noted that it is absent.

Moreover, the association intends to work in harmony with all stakeholders including: wind farm owners, local residents, community trusts set up for downstream beneficiation, as well as all spheres of government in order to realise the targets set for the Independent Power Producers as well as the socio-economic development plans. It is envisaged that the association will bridge the divide between the communities, government and the wind farm owners, and thus serve as a networking platform for all relevant communities.

Their interest, in accordance with the normative framework provided by the Local Government White Paper, is to strengthen the developmental role, capacity and functioning of local government thus ensuring improved levels of service delivery to affected communities.

“The association’s philosophy is influenced by our deep passion and appreciation for the role that renewable energy projects are set to play in addressing the imbalances of the past and advancing the principles of a democratic government in South Africa. It is driven by a strong desire to see this invaluable instrument of civil society being sharpened to effectively deliver long lasting local economic development in wind farm areas.”

“The process facilitators have a combined 20 years of municipal and community engagement experience coupled with 8 years of consulting experience ranging from project management, policy formulation, strategy development, stakeholder management, etc.”

“This year we saw big changes in the way customers approach their digital banking. The increased availability of mobile apps, wider usage of self-service features and new security concerns are a few of the changes that banks and customers have had to adapt to.”

So says Henk Pretorius, Columinate CEO, explaining that the second annual Internet Banking SITEisfaction survey is important as it provides insights into one of the fastest changing areas of customer banking.

Columinate, online research specialists have released the results of the survey.

The survey is understood to be the most comprehensive report on customers’ usage and perceptions of e-banking in South Africa.

It is also quizzed over 1400 South African e-bankers on their online banking habits and attitudes, which reveal several interesting trends.

Furthermore, the survey revealed that the South African e-banking landscape has in the last year seen an increase in the number of customers who use mobile phones and tablets to do their banking.

According to Columinate, Mobile phone banking, through both banking apps and phone browsers, has increased to 54% from 42% last year. E-bankers who do their banking via tablets have risen to 17% compared to 10% last year. This trend is likely to continue with Absa’s recent mobile app release, which means that the traditional “big four” banks now all offer a mobile banking app. Capitec might be missing an opportunity in this regard, with 44% of its customers indicating that they intend to use a banking app should one be made available to them.

Further findings revealed that users are not only using more devices to access their bank accounts, but they are also making use of more of the available online banking features.

According to Pretorius, the results showed that aside from making payments and managing accounts, online banking users are becoming increasingly likely to log in to apply for new banking products (59%) such as loans and overdrafts. Users also showed an increased likelihood to buy airtime (60% up from 53%), data (29% up from 23%) and lottery tickets (19% up from 13%) via their online banking service.

“Customer satisfaction with internet banking facilities was compared again this year using Columinate’s SITEisfaction measure. The results revealed that FNB has stretched its lead over the competitors by attaining a SITEisfaction score of 75, which is the highest score measured to date. Capitec has surprised again by achieving an overall second position in the ranking with a score of 62, outdoing three more established players in the process. Standard Bank and Nedbank are tied with a score of 50, whilst Absa attained the lowest score of 36.

Pretorius says that FNB’s achievement is due to its ability to offer the most comprehensive service that performs on all levels. “FNB users are most likely to report that their e-banking is user-friendly, innovative and secure. FNB has also succeeded in getting users to utilise more of the available services than other banking users. This has positive implications for both the users who capitalize on the convenience of internet banking and for the bank to ensure greater customer loyalty”.

Other findings revealed that fraud remains a concern for e-bankers, with phishing attacks still the most common type of fraud. The number of users who have been a target of fraud has increased to over 50% this year, which is a worrying trend. Pretorius notes that the variety of financial fraud types has increased in recent years. “Banking customers have to contend with familiar and novel attacks on their accounts: phishing, smishing, deposit refund scams, 419 scams and so the list goes on. It’s no surprise then that awareness of the different scams differs widely. While 90% have heard of phishing, only 54% have heard of the SMS version of this scam, called ‘smishing’. This shows the difficulty in educating customers on how to be vigilant against these attacks.”

Pretorius adds, “The reluctance of banking users to use these services is predominantly due to security concerns, lack of clarity on protection from users banks if accounts are linked to the service, and low awareness of the advantages offered by these tools.”

Meanwhile, in other more recent developments, various online financial management tools have been launched locally by banks and third parties alike. The survey results revealed that awareness (11%) and usage (2%) of these services remain very low and on par with last year.

Mobile internet revenue in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa are bound to double its cost between 2013 and 2018, says a new report by ABI Research.

The report is supported by the strong per subscription data consumption which is increasing at CAGRs of 45-49%.This means that the data traffic will double in less than every two years on average; this is caused by the increased availability of affordable smart devices in the near future.

It has been predicted that in 2018, Latin America and Middle East will be seeing an average user contributing more than 2.5 Gigabytes of traffic per month.

With the low literacy levels in Africa, the messaging has been in very low volume, however, with the fastest mobile subscription growth and over-the-top applications being less prevalent, it will be the only region to enjoy consistent positive messaging service revenue growth throughout the entire forecast horizon.

Research associate at ABI Research said: “Nonetheless, a key determinant of the future consumption pattern will be the regulatory policies in the regions, For instance, the recent implementation of mobile number portability measure in Nigeria and the reduction in mobile termination rate in Honduras and Jamaica will go a long way in shaping the competitive landscape and encourage cellular usage.”

These rising trends do not certainly suggest improved profitability. The vice president and practice director, Jake Saunders, said that operators the specified regions need to be prepared to respond to the new competition policies.

Saunders gave an example of slashing termination rates; this would mean that consumers will have fewer reasons to subscribe to different operators simultaneously. He also predicted that the battle to gain market share would become more intense.

Google has been given the go ahead to assist in executing strategies in the United States to the vacant television broadcasting spectrum for broadband Internet access in remote areas where traditional cable hookups are expensive and difficult to provide.

They name the strategy, “TV white space,” For a long time the empty frequencies have been viewed as a possible channel to allocate broadband internet to users whose infrastructure is not updated.

Google has been seeking certification from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to become a certified database administrator for those segments of TV white spaces across the United States.

That final certification from the FCC has now occurred as Google’s database of white space has recently been accepted by the agency.

According to the FCC’s approval letter, the certification of Google as a database administrator means that Google will be able to provide information to service providers about which areas of the TV white band will be available for providing Internet use.

“This is an exciting step forward, With FCC certification, we can do more to help make spectrum available. We are ready to work with leaders in the wireless industry—those developing certified devices that can talk to a database—to help them gain access to TV White spaces spectrum to help bring new technologies and services to market,” wrote Norman.

In March, Google launched a trial white space project in South Africa, It involves 10 schools in the Cape Town area which will receive wireless broadband over a white space network. One advantage of using white space is that its low-frequency signals can travel longer distances than other broadcast signals

Google’s white spaces database is available for viewing on the Google Spectrum Database Web page.

A new web platform which was launched last month is set to make the Tunisian youth have a smooth and ride selecting the career path they want to take.

Wajjahni (Arabic for “Guide me”) is a website introduced in cooperation with the Centre des Jeunes Dirigents (CJD), the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment, and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enable young Tunisians to enhance their employability.

This web platform will help the young stars know what is trending on the market. This will give an advice to which degree one should pursue and also act as an eye opener for job seekers as it has an option of 620 jobs.

Each posted job is accompanied by a video message from a Tunisian who has chosen that career path.

The platform was launched by Amira Mimouni, a professor who conducted a study on the state of employment and employability in Tunisia in 2011.

“When I was a professor at IHEC Carthage, I was struck by the lack of support for our youth. I conducted a survey of 1,000 students, and the findings were very scary. They didn’t know anything about the different institutions available, the different jobs they could have, the fiscal advantages, how to write a CV, how to behave in a job interview,” said Mimouni .

The professor also said that the videos are easy to run and efficient as it tells the tale of a person right from the educational background, to the struggle to find a job, to finding passion.

“We are simply playing the role of the media. We collect reliable data, work on it, and present it to our audience,” Mimouni said. “We aim to educate by demonstrating, by inspiring people, by explaining to them it is possible and doable [to pursue an effective and favorable career path].”

Amira added that they have received a lot of help from CJD given that they have good mastery in the job market of today in Tunisia and also the many ministries which have offered to post in the website.

Africans will now have their own .africa domain, this name is set to be introduced towards the end of 2013.

The top level domain name will make it possible for businesses and other organizations to register domain names ending in .africa for the first time. However, the domain registration process is yet to be revealed.

Donvay Wegierski, director of Werksmans Attorneys and member of its Intellectual Property practice in Stellenbosch, says that the .africa domain was created “by Africans for Africans” and marked Africa’s strides in growth and development.

He said that the domain will present an opportunity to identify the African continent online for the very first time. The director added that they are expecting many existing and new companies across the continent to take up the .africa domain to show to the world where they are from.

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the co-ordinator of the launch of the new domain names.

“We expect the .africa domain to launch in two phases, first the Sunrise phase and second the Landrush phase,” Wegierski argues.

During the Sunrise phase, trade mark owners have priority to register .africa domains incorporating their trade marks for a certain period of time.

“It is for this reason that trade mark owners should validate their trade marks at the TradeMark Clearinghouse (TMCH) as only trade mark owners with TMCH validation can take advantage of the Sunrise period because it is only possible for the TMCH to validate registered trademarks and therefore only proprietors of registered trademarks will have preference,“ continues Wegierski .

The second phase, which is the  Landrush , will open then and there and domains can be registered on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The .africa registry will be managed by UniForum South Africa, trading as ZA Central Registry (ZACR).