The installed base of active wireless devices are bound to increase to more than 16 billion this year, which makes it about 20 percent more than it was in last year, says a market forecast research from ABI Research.

According to the report, the number of these devices will double up to up to 40.9 billion by 2020.

“The driving force behind the surge in connections is that usual buzzword suspect, the Internet of Things (IoT). If we look at this year’s installed base, smartphones, PCs, and other ‘hub’ devices represent still 44% of the active total, but by end-2020 their share is set to drop to 32%.

“In other words, 75% of the growth between today and the end of the decade will come from non-hub devices: sensor nodes and accessories,” said the Principal analyst Aapo Markkanen.

The biggest concern is whether the technology will be able to connect the excess devices. It happens that product OEMs will be using with cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and others all generally addressing their relative comfort zones. Going forward, they will be in an increasing competition with each other, so for the suppliers the strategic stakes are getting much higher.

Practice director Dan Shey adds: “The recently introduced Thread protocol, spearheaded by Nest Labs, is the clearest example of this convergence. It is not only setting the bar higher for ZigBee in the 802.15.4 space, but also piling up pressure on Bluetooth suppliers to enable mesh networking.

“In the meantime, the LTE-MTC and LTE-M initiatives may well expand the market for cellular M2M, while startups like Electric Imp and Spark could do the same for Wi-Fi. And finally, we also shouldn’t ignore what’s going on with passive, proximity-based connectivity offered by RFID and NFC. For example, Thinfilm’s plans with printed electronics warrant attention.”

A collaborative study by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has highlighted that the increase in economic reforms, rising fiscal spending and ties with fast growing economies in Asia are the main factors supporting the economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The study states that investment opportunities are particularly significant in the telecoms sector. Although there are over half a billion mobile subscribers, most countries are still far from saturation and internet access is still almost non-existent in many countries.

It further emphasises that with the emergence of middle class in Sub-Saharan Africa, formal retail is starting to develop, offering “value” products aimed at lower income customers while infrastructure needs are enormous, with an estimated US$100bn a year required by the power sector alone.

In Ghana; the business environment is conducive but what is bringing them down is the poor infrastructure. For retailers, Ghana has the potential to become the gateway to West Africa’s 250m consumers.

Mining communities and tourists in coastal towns and the much anticipated growth in population – expected to double in 20 years – will contribute to the development of the retail sector.

Ghana’s GDP growth will average 7.5 percent annually until 2017. This is expected to be driven by the expansion of gold mines and burgeoning oil and gas sector.

Tanzania on the other hand, is harvesting big on tourism than other sectors and the economy remains dependant on agriculture and mining.

Real GDP growth is expected to average 7.1 percent up to 2017, assuming tourism, agriculture, trade and investment pick up while growth in construction will be robust, led by investments in the gas industry and infrastructure projects.

FDI exceeds US$2bn and is expected to increase by 20 percent per year up to 2017. Mining is the largest source of FDI followed by telecoms and construction. Agriculture has also been targeted by the government as a source of future FDI.

Nigeria emerges as a strong destination for investments in telecoms and retail mainly due to the large population (20 percent of the Sub-Saharan Africa). It is also a key market to multinationals.

Nigeria’s FDI has exceeded US$6bn mainly in the energy sector. Owing to the investment in oil and gas, the economy will remain robust but will not be sufficient for a sizeable improvement in living standard.

Growth is expected to continue until 2017 owing to the investment in the oil and gas sector. Non-oil growth will be robust, led by telecoms, trade and infrastructure.

The economy of Kenya has developed into a market-led hub for East Africa’s telecoms, retail and tourism sectors.

Growth will pick up to 5.1 percent a year on average as banking, telecoms and the middle class continue to develop. Prices of food and oil, and drought threat remain key risks.

FDIs are under US$0.5bn targeting mainly telecoms and financial services.

The President and CEO of Dubai Chamber stressed that this study is one in a series of studies on Africa developed by the Chamber, and is aimed at introducing businesses in Dubai to investment opportunities available in the continent.

H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber, commented that AGBF will shed a light on the economic and investment realities in Africa and will give business leaders and decision-makers from Africa, Dubai and the wider GCC region an ideal platform to discuss business partnerships and opportunities.

Non-oil trade between Dubai and Ghana accounted for almost AED8.9bn in 2013. Imports accounted for around AED7.4bn and exports and re-exports around AED1.5bn.

Ghana ranks 34th on the list of Dubai trade partners. The most traded commodities include agricultural products, foodstuff, precious stones and metals, wood and construction material.

Pamoja has entrenched the value of its service in East Africa and has made this high-growth region its base. Having made enough partnerships, the company intends to build on its value added reseller network and strengthen the Cloud service ecosystem it has long envisaged for the continent.

Pamoja is focused on driving increased adoption of Cloud services, addressing traditional challenges and successfully replicating the Cloud services model for the benefit of operators throughout Africa.

In line with its proactive strategy to engage the Africa market, Pamoja has teamed up with First Distribution as part of the ‘First for Cloud’ initiative and make available Cloud computing for resale via an extensive network of Value Added Resellers.

Empowering the reseller through reliable technical support and exposure to global best practices in terms of Cloud adoption is a key component of Pamoja’s strategy.

To this end the Company recently announced that it has deployed its second Cloud platform at Liquid Telecom’s East Africa Data Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

On September 11, 2014 Pamoja will unite with partner SmoothTel to host a targeted customer event in Nairobi. This event will offer small and medium business owners and key decision makers the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of Cloud computing.

Smoothtel is a professional ICT infrastructure specialist that provides its customers with innovative solutions that ensure the optimisation of application availability and manageability.

According to Albie Bester, CEO, Pamoja, Smoothtel’s value proposition is its ability to remove the complexity of the process of ICT acquisition and application.

Executive leadership at Pamoja believes that Africa is a prime candidate for Cloud computing. Access to this resource means that despite insufficient IT resources and limited budgets, businesses of any size can be equipped with ICT services at levels previously unattainable.

In order to reinforce this message, the company is actively pursuing opportunities to engage directly with the market through events and exhibitions.

Also in September, Pamoja, together with its Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) partner, Guideline Biztech, will exhibit at the IRMSA (Institute of Risk Management South Africa) 2014 Conference in Midrand, Gauteng.

This event, Bester says, affords the company a unique opportunity to engage with specialists in the field of risk management and deliberate the positive impact Cloud computing has on this industry.

Sony today launched a line of portable projectors in the Kenyan market to help broaden the scope of data and video production in the market.

The projector range includes desktop and portable projectors E and D series, F series installation projectors and S series Short Throw and Ultra Short Throw projectors.

The E and D series of portable projectors, combine outstanding performance with low total cost of ownership. From delivering professional presentations on the move to engaging education audiences, these projectors are designed to meet the specific requirements of particular applications.

Speaking during the launch, Sage George, Sales Manager, Sony Professional Solutions MEA, said, “The Sony’s product range features our latest innovations such as 3LCD Laser projectors and BrightEra^TM display panel technology. As a company, we believe that the range of Sony projectors will give consumers the opportunity to experience and interact with our latest technologies and products in the Kenyan market,” added George.

For larger and more demanding venues requiring the brightest projections and highly sophisticated features, Sony F series of installation projectors such as VPL-FH36 and VPL-FHZ700L deliver powerful performance, long life and low maintenance.

Sony also has a separate range of projectors designed for specialized settings such as classrooms, offices and open-plan meeting areas. The S Series Short Throw and Ultra Short Throw Projectors, like the VPL-SW225 and VPL-SW630C make great presentation partners for these environments, displaying big, bright images without having to be placed far from a screen, whiteboard or wall.

The projectors will be sold at all major supermarkets and electronic shops throughout the country.

Airtel Kenya will be the host operator for this year’s East Africa Com summit which will be held on 9th and 10th  September 2014 at the Safari Park hotel,Nairobi. The 2-day event is expected to bring together senior executives and professionals from the telecommunications, media and ICT industry in the East African region.

The summit will define strategies for the three sectors as well as provide a platform for over 600 professionals to network and expand their knowledge on the latest business models and technologies in the conference.  More than 40 industry leaders are expected to deliver speeches on the latest business knowledge on; Operator Strategies, LTE Developments, Connecting East Africa, Mobile Money, Mobile Enterprise Solutions, Digital Marketing & Customer Experience Management (CEM), AppGig and much more.

It will also attract high level participation from key Government and Regulatory leaders and officers from across the region.

Airtel Kenya Managing Director Adil El Youssefi said: “We are happy to be part of the 2014 East Africa Com Summit because it will provide an opportunity for the industry to interact with innovative leaders in the telecommunications industry across the region and beyond. The exclusive event allows Airtel and other telecommunication companies in the country to network, interact and from peers within the industry.  Learnings from this summit will go a long way in improving on the quality of products and services offered to our customers throughout the region.”

East Africa Com is an important event in the Com World Series, as the region is a leader in terms of innovation, services and connectivity projects.

“We are very pleased to receive the support of Airtel – one of the most significant operators and brands in the region. We are looking forward to hearing more about the group’s strategy and to be inspired by the debates at the event” says Julie Rey, Research Director at Informa Telecoms & Media, producers of East Africa Com.

In showcasing Airtel’s contribution towards the development of ICT, Airtel will have an exhibition of our products and services. Delegates will have an opportunity to purchase products at discounted rates.

Only 3 days remain in the “Call for Entry” for the 2014 APO Media Award (#APOMediaAward) (http://www.apo-opa.com/apo-media-award.php).

The ultimate winner will be presented with $500 a month for a whole year, one laptop and one intercontinental flight ticket to a destination of their choice, as well as one year of access to over 600 airports VIP lounges worldwide.

The second-place winner will bag $300 a month for one year while the third-place winner will receive $200 a month for one year.

APO Media Award celebrates brilliant and inspiring stories about Africa. The subject matter may comprise a single topic or a variety of subjects, including – but not limited to – business, economy, technology, agriculture, health, energy, gender, logistics, tourism, motoring, aviation, not-for-profit issues, diplomacy, environment, mining, entertainment and more.

APO Media Award is open to African
journalists and bloggers, whether directly employed or freelancers, working in the continent of Africa who have produced a story that has been broadcast or published in English, French, Portuguese or Arabic in the form of a printed publication, a television feature, a radio story, a website or a blog whose primary audience is based in Africa.

To enter this competition you can visit http://www.apo-opa.com/apo_media_award.php?L=E  to
get an entry form.

Stories must have been broadcast or published between January and August 2014. Stories are judged on content, writing, analysis, creativity, human interest and community impact.

All stories must be submitted in electronic format:

• Print Up-load the scan(s) of the published article.
• Radio: upload the SoundCloud link (SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform that enables its users to upload and share sounds they have created themselves – https://soundcloud.com).
• Website: upload the URL.
• TV: upload the YouTube link.

TV material must first be uploaded to YouTube (www.youtube.com) and radio material to SoundCloud (www.soundcloud.com). If you are not a member of these sites, you will need to sign up in order to upload the video or radio material. Once you have obtained the link, you must enter it in this online entry form when inputting your story details.

The deadline for entries is 1 September 2014. The finalists will be announced on 15 September 2014. The winners will be announced on 29 September 2014.

The collaboration between Nigeria’s Access Bank, Intel and Chips, Bits & Bytes Limited has given children and teachers of Command Children’s School a reason to smile after donating e-education solutions for them.

This donation is part of efforts to increase e-learning capabilities and transform education in Nigerian institutions, beginning with Command Children’s School.

The Nigerian Manager of Intel, Olubunmi Ekundare said: “Intel’s unrelenting commitment to innovation and education empowers billions of people every day. We are pleased to be part of this initiative by providing the e-education solutions hence Intel will be training the first set of teachers at no cost. This platform allows teachers the opportunity to create a virtual classroom and assists to deliver lectures without hassle.”

Executive Director, Access Bank, Victor Etuokwu, also had this to say: “Access bank having recognized that access to information is no longer a luxury but a necessary tool for development and growth of future leaders, has collaborated with Chips, Bits & Bytes Limited and Intel Nigeria to provide e-education solutions at the most critical time.”

Etuokwu further explained that children do not have to be confined to physical spaces for effective learning and that with the increase in internet availability and affordable computer/mobile devices, students and teachers could enjoy qualitative education and interact more meaningfully with their peers.

CEO, Chips, Bits & Bytes, Tunji Ola said: “The e-learning solution is an integral part of Nigeria’s educational system and offers students a better education from the cradle. Technologically-advanced students will definitely contribute to growth and development of Nigerian economy, with the potential to improve military technology and telecommunications, media communications, and skilled ICT professionals who will be well-equipped to solve problems in Nigeria and other parts of the world.”

Spokesperson for Army Barracks, Yaba, Major Gen Sunday Adebayo said the military would continue to appreciate the gesture of the bank and the technology companies for the donation. The military believes that cutting-edge technology is what is most needed in our generation to improve educational standards among school children, Adebayo said.

In today’s world when everything runs on the internet, it is a matter of huge importance to secure your business online. Regardless of the magnitude of your online presence, you must use the appropriate solutions to make sure that your business is safe from hackers and that your online customers are protected by your security measures. You run a risk of cyber attack if you do not secure your online infrastructure with a good quality security system.

Although it is always large businesses that are highlighted in case of cyber attacks, small businesses are just as susceptible and can be just as much of a target of cyber criminals. As a matter of fact, the small businesses are more likely to be hacked due to their lack of resources and adequate protection, which makes attacks relatively easier. Contrary to the popular belief, securing your small business should not have to break a hole into your pockets. Here is the list of pocket friendly cyber security solutions to help you safeguard your business.

Random.org

Passwords are the most basic and first very important layer of security that one adds to their business. However, many of us do the mistake of using ridiculously easy passwords that are easy to guess and are a child’s play to hack into. Random.org uses is a random password generator that creates a strong password which can be as long as 24 characters and uses a combination of alphanumeric, case sensitive characters. You can add your own element to it and create a super strong password.

Staysafeonline.org

Staysafeonline.org is powered by National Cyber Security Alliance that protects the interests of the owners, employees and even the customers from a potential cyber attack. You can also protect your data from online theft and any other kind of loss. The small businesses have the opportunity to implement and monitor their cyber security along with the ability to report the attack to responsible authorities in order to recoup any loss of data.

FCC Small Biz Cyber Planner 2.0

The Federal Communication Commission’s Small Biz Cyber Planner will help the small businesses get all the information regarding their business interests in terms of cyber security. The planner will also help in generating a customized plan automatically that includes the expert advice. The areas that are covered include data privacy, fraud, scam, network security, email, security, ideal antivirus software for the protection of data and any other important information.

Bitdefender Small Office Security

Bitdefender Small Office Security offers a complete office security solution to its small business clients. It includes protection of equipment, data privacy, antispyware, firewall etc. There is also additional support offered for email filtering, data recovery in case of loss of information, email scanning among other things.

CloudFlare

This tool is freely available and helps in protecting your website against malicious attacks. It provides protection against the SQL injections and DoS (Denial of Service) attacks that result in shutting down of the website. CloudFlare not only detects potential attacks but also reports it to you for your record and information. It will also review the visitors that visit your site by assessing their legitimacy. The users have the freedom to choose the level of security by setting up firewalls and also enable S