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Former Jamii Telkom executive to head Access Kenya Mombasa office

Business

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August 29, 2014

Former Jamii Telkom executive to head Access Kenya Mombasa office

Peter Koinange is the new Regional Manager for the Mombasa Access Kenya office group and appointment coming in the midst of the ongoing integration of AccessKenya Group and Internet Solutions Kenya, following the company’s acquisition by Dimension Data in 2013.

To take the reins immediately Koinange will be bringing to the company 8 years experience in business leadership and management spanning sales and client services from Jamii Telkom where he was the Head of Enterprise-Coast region.

“I am happy to be joining a formidable team and look forward to contributing and sharing in many successes within the AccessKenya group not only at the coast, but across the regions where we operate,” said Koinange.

The new regional Manager will be charged with developing new business and supporting AccessKenya’s growth in the lucrative but niche Mombasa enterprise sector.

Speaking on the appointment, Kris Senanu the Deputy Chief Executive, AccessKenya said the company was gearing for growth at the coast with plans to expand its fiber technology network as well as introduce new service propositions in the near future.

“We are excited by the opportunities that abound in the fast emerging cloud computing and data space. It is our intention therefore to be at the forefront of innovation looking at the urgent needs of the sector, mainly end to end ICT solutions,” said Senanu.

According to AccessKenya there exists numerous opportunities in the Shipping, Container Freight Stations (CFS), Clearing and Forwarding and Logistics services in Mombasa.

AccessKenya also operates other offices in Nakuru and Kisumu counties and is currently implementing a business acceleration strategy that includes opening a country office in Uganda in October.

Google halts display of authors’ names in search results

Tech

Robin Okuthe

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August 29, 2014

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Google halts display of authors’ names in search results

Web search giant Google has announced that its search results will no longer show the names of the writers related to the articles presented.

Launched in 2011, the feature aimed at allowing authors claim their content and earning followers by exhibiting the work of the author in search results. An Author Rank feature as well promised to assist users filter out useless information by scoring the author’s reputation for offering worthy information.

According to a Google+ post written by John Mueller, Google Webmaster Trends Analyst, Google concluded after a three-year experiment that the feature was not worthy to users as it has wished and at times even caused a distraction.

Mueller further added: “We have received many feedbacks from each kind of user and webmaster and have updated, tweaked and perfected recognition and display of authorship information. Unfortunately, we have also seen that this feature is not quite useful to our readers, as we had hoped. With this in mind, we have decided to make the difficult decision of halting authorship display in search results.”

According to Mueller, the removal of writer information did not seem to increase clicks on ads or reduce traffic to websites thus the change would not affect Google+ posts from friends.

Google has in the last couple of months been moving gradually within this direction.

Uganda’s Beyonic & Mercy Corps Partner to Make Mobile Money Real-Time

Sam Wakoba

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August 29, 2014

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Uganda’s Beyonic & Mercy Corps Partner to Make Mobile Money Real-Time

Mobile payments are taking over in East Africa after the launch of mobile money. However, there are various challenges to users.

Most times, payees may not be able to cash-out when needed and at times mobile money agents too lack enough float to service payees. In fact, a recent HELIX, IFC and Micro Save report shows that 35% of agents lose 5 or more transactions a day due to a lack of float & this is primarily due to unpredictable demand.

To end this menace, using its Funds-To-Phones platform, bulk payment and money tranfer firm Beyonic has partnered with Mercy Corps’ Agri-Fin Mobile program, to improve mobile payments by connecting 200 mobile money agents and 10,000 mobile money recipients in real time.

Beyonic and the Agri-Fin Mobile program will initially be working with Agricultural value-chain providers like Agrinet, FIT Uganda and KAD Africa, across MTN and Airtel’s mobile payment networks, with 200 mobile money agents and over 10,000 payees. Agri-Fin sees this as an important step towards meeting its program goals.

The deal will allow businesses enable payees to cash out and deploy mobile money funds transferred to them, in a timely manner. Agents will be able to predict spikes in demand better, and plan ahead, reducing stock-outs. They will also be able to access more mobile payment customers. And lastly, payees will be able to access information about payout options near them.

Beyonic will allow them to cash out within a few days and as well increase the efficiency of the agent network as Beyonic’s customers already know when and where they are directing payments, and will be able to leverage this information to match payees to agents.

Beyonic’s Funds-To-Phones platform, is an enterprise cloud-based tool for managing and streamlining bulk payments to mobile.

The MasterCard-branded National eID Card Births a New Era for e-commerce in Nigeria

Tech

Sam Wakoba

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August 29, 2014

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The MasterCard-branded National eID Card Births a New Era for e-commerce in Nigeria

After PayPal and Western Union launched in Nigeria, the country’s new National eID card is a big plus for both security and e-commerce especially because it’s MasterCard-branded and will power electronic payments for over 13 million Nigerians.

The initiative, the largest rollout of a biometric-based verification card with an electronic payment solution in the country and the broadest financial inclusion program in Africa forms a key component of the Nigerian Identity Management System.

With 13 applications, including MasterCard’s prepaid payment technology and Cryptovision’s biometric identification technology, the eID card will provide millions of Nigerians – the majority of whom have never had access to a banking product – with the security, convenience and reliability of electronic payments.

His Excellency President Goodluck Jonathan said: “I am happy that this important milestone of the rollout of the National Identity Management System has been realized today. I am impressed with the quality of the eID card and the work of the corporate partners that made it possible. I commend especially MasterCard, and Access Bank Plc, as well as the Commission [NIMC] for achieving a world-class product.”

He said the card builds a window to a social security benefit system and therefore, it is a card every Nigerian should get.

NIMC is working with several government agencies to integrate and harmonize all identity databases including the Driver’s License, Voter Registration, Health Insurance, Tax, SIM and the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) into a single, shared services platform.

“The National eID program enables us to create an optimized common platform for Nigerian citizens to easily interact with the various government agencies and to transact electronically,” says Barr. Chris ‘E Onyemenam, Director General and CEO of NIMC. “There are many use cases for the card, including the potential to use it as an international travel document, which will have significant implications for border control in Nigeria and West Africa.”

“In close collaboration with both the public and private sectors to achieve the full potential of this program, NIMC is focused on inclusive citizenship, more effective governance, and the creation of a cashless economy, all of which will stimulate economic growth, investment and trade,” he adds.

Through the collaborative efforts of NIMC (the project lead), MasterCard (payments technology provider), Unified Payment Services Limited (payments processor), Cryptovision (Public Key Infrastructure and Trust Services Provider), and pilot issuing banks including Access Bank Plc, 13 million Nigerians will gain access to state-of-art financial services as part of the pilot program.

“This is a memorable occasion for MasterCard as we witness the start of a financial inclusion program that is unprecedented in scale and scope,” says Daniel Monehin, Division President of Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard. “Combining an identity card with MasterCard’s prepaid payment capability creates a game changer as it breaks down one of the most significant barriers to financial inclusion – proof of identity – while simultaneously enabling Nigerians to access the global economy.”

He said the broader economic impact of the card will be felt as the previously unbanked and under-banked are able to gain access to the mainstream economy, and the visibility of their assets allows them to build a financial history and establish credit-worthiness with financial institutions.

Using the card as a payment tool, Nigerians can deposit funds, receive social benefits, save, or engage in many other financial transactions that are facilitated by electronic payments with the extra security assurance that biometric verification provides. They can also pay for goods and services and withdraw cash at millions of merchants and ATMS that accept MasterCard payment cards in Nigeria and in more than 210 countries and territories globally. MasterCard has unsurpassed merchant acceptance; no other brand is more widely accepted. The card also has the added safety and security benefits offered by the EMV Chip and Pin standard.

Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc Herbert Wigwe, said: “Access Bank is a supporter and promoter of innovative ideas that would improve the quality of lives of Nigerians. This initiative provides another opportunity to highlight our commitment to national development and nation building.”

To receive the eID card, Nigerians aged 16 and above need to register at one of the hundreds of NIMC enrollment centers nationwide. The enrollment process involves the recording of an individual’s demographic data and biometric data (capture of 10 fingerprints, facial picture and Iris) to authenticate the cardholder and ensure that there are no duplicates on the system. Upon registration, NIMC issues each Nigerian with a unique National Identification Number (NIN), followed by the national eID card.

Upon completion of the pilot program, NIMC plans to introduce more than 100 million cards to Nigeria’s 167 million citizens.

“By supporting the Nigerian Government in the implementation of a world-class and innovative electronic payments program, we are helping them to reduce the costs of cash to the economy and society, improve efficiencies and prevent fraud and corruption. More importantly, we are opening up a world of financial inclusion to millions of Nigerians and improving lives,” says Monehin.

Zimbabwe’s MSU launches system that digitalizes each student’s service

Tech

Robin Okuthe

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August 29, 2014

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Zimbabwe’s MSU launches system that digitalizes each student’s service

Zimbabwe’s Midlands State University (MSU) has introduced a centralized system that digitalizes each service provided to a student.

Among them is the e-Sadza system that flawlessly bills student for food eaten within the University’s canteen. This fast, smart and simple system serves not less than one student per every 10 seconds.

The University’s in house programming system powered Changamire is a homegrown initiative that makes use of very simple cards with an inserted electronic chip that contains the entire database of a student, which includes a virtual bank that automatically draws down the cash as the student accesses various services.

The University’s system allows students to deposit into the virtual student bank account any amount, enabling students to pay for different services without using real money. This makes sure that students more efficiently manage their resources.

According to Liberty Dandira, the ICT director of MSU, the system was created at a very low production cost, which gave the permission to issue free cards to students even though there is a charge for replacing the card.

Dandira also stated: “By enrolling a student is able to receive a gold card, which is a standard student ID card that comes inserted with an electronic system that is currently serving as a cashless prepaid swipe card at MSU canteen facilities. The card also pays and gives access to different services such as examination seating and library.”

Other advantages offered by the card besides creating a cashless society for students is getting rid of the issues of change and reducing the amount of time that students spend paying for services. It also has a pin code that offers security for the owner of the card.

The system, which runs on a NFC card reading technology, also allows students to top up their accounts any time at any cash office within the campus, offering them convenience. To use the card, the student is only required to swipe the card within the card reader at the counter, key in their pin code on the numeric pin reader then place an order.

After placing the order, the amount is instantly deducted from the card and a meal receipt in addition to a mini balance statement then issued.

Malawian ICT firm wins Cyberoam award in South Africa

Tech

Robin Okuthe

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August 29, 2014

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Malawian ICT firm wins Cyberoam award in South Africa

Malawi-based ICT firm Bits and Bytes Limited was honored with a major ICT award by Cyberoam at an event held in South Africa Sunday.

Bits and Bytes Limited, which was established in 2008, offers business community and the government sustainable ICT solutions. It also makes sure that citizen in Malawi access ICT services at all levels.

According to Ahmed Osman, the executive director for Bits and Bytes Limited, the award will “surely” motivate the firm to offer better services to clients.

“Cyberoam is among the largest ICT companies in the world and giving us this award will help people recognize Malawi as a great player within the IT industry. The award could have been won by any other country though we represented Malawi successfully and the award has placed our nation on the map,” Osman explained.

“The company’s efforts to collaborate with other international firms are aimed at making sure that there is easy access to ICT services among citizens,” explained Osman.

Cyberoam is an award winning global IT Security Company that runs in more than 125 countries throughout the world.

Kenya National Library Services Launches E-Resource Centre for accessing information offline

Tech

Robin Okuthe

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August 29, 2014

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Kenya National Library Services Launches E-Resource Centre for accessing information offline

The Kenya National Library Services (KNLS) has unveiled an e-granary server referred to as “the Internet in a Box” at its Nakuru branch. The facility offers instant access to over 32 million digital resources for researchers with insufficient internet access.

According to Joseck Olala, the ICT officer at Kenya National Library Services, the platform provides instant access to a broad variety of educational resources including websites, books, audio, video and journals. “The information contained within the e-granary can be shared between readers. A single e-granary joined to a wireless or wired LAN (local area network) can serve very many users.”

The e-granary server comes with an inbuilt proxy and search engine that imitates the internet experience. It also comprises of inbuilt tools that permit subscribers to make and edit limitless offline websites as well as upload local materials.

Approximately six percent of the information within the e-granary digital library is not accessible on the public internet as majority of the materials need payment or subscription.

The platform can be used by companies to store their records, which cuts down the cost of connectivity. This is actually one of the key projects by the US Embassy since it collaborated with the KNLS.

The e-granary server was donated by the US Embassy under the American Corner project.

Lamudi Uganda partners Zion Estates for Star city

Business

Susan Mwenesi

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August 28, 2014

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Lamudi Uganda partners Zion Estates for Star city

Online real estate market place Lamudi Uganda has partnered with Zion Estates for a satellite city known as Satr City in Matuga Mbugu that will feature own shopping mall, commercial area and taxi park.

To be completed by next year, the city will sit on a 900 acre plot of land, Zion estates will provide the amenities for tenants in order to alleviate the need for them to go all the way to central business district to cater for their needs. This is a new trend in Uganda to have cities within a city.

Shakib, Country Manager of Lamudi Uganda commented, “We’re glad to have had the opportunity to be a part of this ground breaking venture and cannot wait to help Zion estates get potential clients especially through our portal. We are looking to build stronger partnerships with established developers like Zion estates that are at the forefront in shaping the future of the country’s real estate market.”

The sales and marketing manager at Zion Estates, Ms. Kaaya, has expressed that the intention with this ambitious project is convenience, in that they’re attempting to make available the standards of living and services on offer in the centre of town without the concerns over distance. Zion estate is the first real estate agency to provide such a comprehensive service. They plan to develop and manage the land even after the whole project is done to make sure the layout matches the plan

IT-Plus Metres Improve Electricity Services In Ethiopia

Tech

Stella Kabura

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August 28, 2014

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IT-Plus Metres Improve Electricity Services In Ethiopia

To determine the quantity of power a client can receive and to turn off the power supply to certain clients at an individual level, the Hi-Tech Engineering Industry under Metal & Engineering Corporation (MetEC) has began supplying the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) with locally manufactured electric metres termed It-Plus.

According to Tena Kurunde Deputy General Manager of MetEC, each and every meter manufactured by the Hi-Tech Engineering using inputs from sister companies, Ethio Plastic Industries, Metal Fabrication Industries and Hibret Manufacturing Industry, is controlled by a remote control station.

Currently, the EEU has two million clients connected to the national grid. The MetEC an electro-mechanical contractor of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in conjunction with Hi-Tech has supplied 10,000 transformers for the EEU and plans to establish a smart grid system at a national level. When the company starts manufacturing at its full capacity, it will manufacture 1,200 electric meters on a daily basis.

“The main advantages of the electric meter is that it saves electric power, especially for industries,” said Bitweded Gebrealise, chief executive officer of the EEU Wire Business.

The new meters will enable power redistribution in times of power shortage and technical problems, noted to Berihu Gidey (Leut), general manger of Hi-Tech Industries. The system also has intelligence value, he said, as power blackouts could easily be achieved at a national level if the need arises.

Hi-Tech was established in 2011 as one of the sister companies under the MetEC. The Company manufactures electronic and electromechanical technology products and gives services of Communication and surveillance system for defence and police forces including Ministry of Defence and Federal Police. The deal was signed in 2003 between the Hi-Tech and EEU for the supply of the electric meters. The MetEC launched the meters at a ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel on Thursday, August 21, 2104.

It-Plus have home and industrial types, with the former selling for 2,500 Br and the latter for 13,000 Br. The company supplied samples to the EEU, which were successfully tested, and the first batch of the meters will be delivered soon, according to Berihu.

Africa Printer Market Continues to Harbor Strong Growth Potential Despite Second-Quarter Downturn

Business

Susan Mwenesi

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August 28, 2014

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Africa Printer Market Continues to Harbor Strong Growth Potential Despite Second-Quarter Downturn

The growth potential of the African hardcopy peripherals (HCP) market remains intact and this is despite suffering a slight decline in Q2 2014 according to the International Data Corporation whose latest figures show the region experienced year-on-year declines of 1.6% in volume and 2.8% in value during Q2 2014.

South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria which are the biggest IT markets have all reported a strong recovery in shipments from the corresponding period of 2013, but the remaining markets all came under considerable inventory pressure after experiencing a particularly strong Q1 2014.

Tender activities within the government sector, coupled with growth in the SMB segment, were the main drivers for growth in South Africa and Nigeria while a cause of concern as per the report is the unofficial channels.

“Despite a push by vendors to offer competitive prices, products imported via unofficial channels remain a threat, particularly in markets with less developed channels,” says Ashwin Venkatchari, senior program manager for imaging, printing, and document solutions at IDC Middle East, Turkey, and Africa.

“However, IDC believes that despite the small decline seen in Q2 2014, Africa will continue to offer strong growth potential across all hardcopy technologies going forward. HCP shipments will initially be driven by the implementation of large infrastructure projects across the continent and will be further boosted by the growing SMB segment,” he added.

Inkjet shipments declined 0.7% year on year in Q2 2014 to total 280,000 units, while the value of those shipments increased 4.9% to $27 million. Inkjet devices priced below $100 continued to be the most popular, posting year-on-year growth in both volume and value; however, this was outweighed by a decline in demand for midrange devices.

The inkjet segment’s value increase was driven by devices priced above $400, which continued to post strong growth thanks to the introduction of HP’s Officejet ProX series and Brother’s MFC-J6910DW device.

Over the same period monochrome laser shipments declined 4.6% to total almost 265,000 units, with a corresponding decrease in value of 2.6% to $132.5 million. A decline in the 1–20ppm speed segment was the fundamental reason for the overall decline in the mono laser market, with all other speed segments showing year-on-year growth.

In contrast to the other major technologies, color laser shipments increased 12.5% in Q2 2014 to total just under 48,000 units. However, the market’s value declined 6.4% to $68.8 million as increased competition forced a decrease in prices, a trend that IDC expects to continue as the market for color devices grows. Shipments of serial dot matrix devices remained flat in Q2 2014 at just over 11,000 units, although there was a 5.0% decline in value to $6.5 million. Ongoing migration to newer, more efficient technologies contributed to this decline.

TA telecom launches big data project in Egypt, Kenya, Uganda and SA

Mobile

Susan Mwenesi

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August 28, 2014

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TA telecom launches big data project in Egypt, Kenya, Uganda and SA

Ambitious big data analysis project, Nafsi, has started with TA Telecom launching trials in Egypt, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa in a project that will use mobile technology to collect data from individual countries and map the personalities of the people living there.

Nafsi, which means “soul” or “being” in Swahili and Arabic, allows individuals across Africa to take a mobile-ready psychometric test to identify their personality type and will involve hundreds of thousands of people living across the continent.

Developed alongside Egypt’s first certified life coach and psychologist, Ahmed El Aawar, Nafsi uses a series of questions delivered by SMS and on mobile internet to help individuals determine their personality type.

Once this survey is completed the data is used to present individuals with a full breakdown of their character traits as well as offering tailored life advice based on the answers given. The personality types include: The Reformer, The Helper, The Achiever, The Individualist, The Investigator, The Loyalist, The Enthusiast, The Challenger and the Peacemaker.

Apart from offering life guidance to individual subscribers, TA Telecom will aggregate and analyse data gathered by the project to create personality maps of Africa, highlighting social attitudes and trends in the individual countries, information that will present opportunities for companies doing business in Africa, giving organisations a fresh insight into each country on the continent.

The long term target of the project Nafsi aims to allow businesses to reach their target audience, reduce irrelevant marketing and helping international companies realize the social differences across Africa.

Ahmed El Aawar, a certified life coach with more than 2,000 accredited hours and cognitive psychologist (Columbia University) said, “Nafsi was developed with the individual in mind. We wanted to use technology to reach out to people across Africa, speak to them and offer advice about areas of life where they can make improvements. The project uses a complex methodology of psychological Genotype (The Nature aspect of personality) recently understood by modern cognitive psychologist via the teachings of the Enneagram.”

“On top of this we also wanted to create something that would show how different Africa is. International companies can sometimes treat the continent as one market and even one country – it is a much more diverse and colourful tapestry than that. This survey will enable us to map the identity of Africa like never before and really show this.”

On his part Amr Shady, CEO of TA Telecom said “Africa can never be seen as one market. Each country has its own rules, regulations, religions, languages and social identity. Nafsi allows us to talk directly to the people in every country and find out what makes them tick. This is the largest data driven project we have delivered to the continent. Once our trials are complete, we plan to roll out Nafsi across Africa. Not only can we help improve the lives of individuals, but we can use this data to work closely with mobile operators and businesses looking to succeed on the continent.”

A full roll out to Nigeria, Morocco, Tanzania and Ghana will then follow, with the view to mapping 250,000 individual personality types over the course of the project.

Top 55 Kenyan Facebook Pages

Tech

Caroline Vutagwa

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August 28, 2014

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Top Kenyan Facebook Pages, 100,000 likes and above, as at Monday, 25th August 2014, in order of preferance:

1. Lupita Nyong’o, awarded the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award/Oscar 2014 on 2nd March 2014, for her role in the film “12 years a slave” – 1,708,338 likes (https://www.facebook.com/LupitaNyongo)

2. The “Daily Nation” one of the leading newspapers in Kenya – 1,557,423 likes (https://www.facebook.com/DailyNation)

3. The Kenya Television Network (KTN) – 1,420,760 likes (https://www.facebook.com/KTNKenya)

4. Nation TV Kenya (NTV) – 1,314,280 likes (https://www.facebook.com/NTVKenya)

5. Citizen TV Kenya – 1,181,084 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Citizen-TV-Kenya/261061365404)

6. H.E. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, CGH, President of the Republic of Kenya – 1,160,568 likes (https://www.facebook.com/myuhurukenyatta)

7. Daniel “Churchill” Ndambuki aka Mwalimu King’ang’I, veteran Kenyan entertainer/comedian/radio presenter, Kenya’s Jay Leno – 1,153,701 likes (https://www.facebook.com/churchillkenya)

8. Communications giant Safaricom, the biggest company not only in Kenya, but East & Central Africa i.e. Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and with a current customer base of approximately 21 million subscribers – 909,550 likes (https://www.facebook.com/SafaricomLtd)

9. Caroline Mutoko, veteran radio presenter of Radio Africa’s Kiss100. She runs the breakfast show which is between 6am to 10am – 589,243 likes (https://www.facebook.com/carolinemutoko)

10. Sen. Mike Sonko, Senator of the County of Nairobi, Kenya. He is also a business man known for his political drama as well as generosity when it comes to his money – 574,669 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Sonko/148950081810015)

11. Eric Omondi, comedian/entertainer/businessman – 552,597 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eric-Omondi/109730982420256)

12. Nation FM – 550,211 likes (https://www.facebook.com/Nationfm)

13. The Standard Media Group – 471,530 likes (https://www.facebook.com/standardkenya)

14. Jicho Pevu with Mohammed Ali, Investigative Journalism TV series aired on KTN – 452,294 likes (https://www.facebook.com/Official.JichoPevu)

15. Hero Radio, Nakuru, Kenya – 447,679 likes (https://www.facebook.com/1HeroRadio)

16. Ghetto Radio 89.5 FM – 435,662 likes (https://www.facebook.com/Ghettoradio)

17. Maina Kageni, veteran radio presenter on Radio Africa’s Classis105. He is known for his controvercial topics in the ‘Classic105 kasheshe’ every weekday between 6am and 10am- 424,582 likes (https://www.facebook.com/mainakageni)

18. H.E. William Samoei Ruto, EGH, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya – 423,695 likes (https://www.facebook.com/williamsamoei)

19. Hon. Martha Karua, EGH, immediate former Kenyan MP and presidential candidate in the 2013 elections – 388,674 likes (https://www.facebook.com/MarthaKarua)

20. The Insyder Magazine – 363,842 likes (https://www.facebook.com/Insydermagazine)

21. Hon. Peter Kenneth, immediate former Kenyan MP and presidential candidate in the 2013 elections- 356,276 likes (https://www.facebook.com/honpeterkenneth)

22. Capital FM Kenya – 339,794 likes (https://www.facebook.com/capitalfmkenya)

23. News24 Kenya – 338,723 likes (https://www.facebook.com/News24Kenya)

24. Wanjiku the Teacher, comedian/businesswoman – 331,194 likes (https://www.facebook.com/WanjikuTheTeacher)

25. Nairobi, capital city of Kenya – 304,810 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nairobi-Kenya/114751268540391)

26. Citizen News – 302,745 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Citizen-News/195670785802)

27. Julie Gichuru, veteran TV anchor – 296,689 likes (https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJulieGichuru)

28. Larry Madowo, veteran TV anchor – 280,765 likes (https://www.facebook.com/LarryMadowo)

29. Lillian Muli Kanene, veteran TV anchor – 265,281 likes (https://www.facebook.com/Lillian.Kanene)

30. The Star, Kenya (publication) – 245,676 likes (https://www.facebook.com/thestarkenya)

31. Ciku Muiruri, veteran radio presenter/columnist – 238,697 likes (https://www.facebook.com/missciku)

32. Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, EGH, immediate former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya and presidential candidate at the 2013 elections – 232,351 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raila-Odinga/301058486666221)

33. H.E. (Dr.) Alfred Mutua, Governor of the County of Machakos, Kenya – 223,637 likes (https://www.facebook.com/MachakosGovernor)

34. Jua Cali, veteran Kenyan musician/entertainer – 212,472 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jua-Cali/7573659695?ref=profile)

35. Majibu Za Walevi – 207,227 likes (https://www.facebook.com/mawalevi)

36. Mathare University of Insane Creativity – 199,348 likes (https://www.facebook.com/RealMathareUni)

37. K24 TV – 193,794 likes (https://www.facebook.com/K24TVNews)

38. Crazy Nairobian – 191,891 likes (https://www.facebook.com/krazynairobian)

39. H.E. Mwai Kibaki, CGH, immediate former President of the Republic of Kenya – 181,674 likes (https://www.facebook.com/Kibaki.Mwai)

40. H.E. (Dr.) Evans Kidero, Governor of the County of Nairobi, Kenya – 179,607 likes (https://www.facebook.com/EvansKidero)

41. HOT 96 FM – 177,846 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/HOT-96/117404947044?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser)

42. Nonini, veteran Kenyan musician/entertainer – 177,446 likes (https://www.facebook.com/Noninimusic)

43. Tahidi High, Local Kenyan television sitcom/drama on Citizen TV Kenya – 174,360 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tahidi-High/122281444462?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser)

44. The Truth Weekly Newspaper (tabloid) – 163,998 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Truth-Weekly-Newspaper/148151201989678)

45. QFM – 156,780 likes (https://www.facebook.com/QFMkenya)

46. Milele FM – 154,105 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Milele-FM/142980195874)

47. Standard Digital Entertainment – 153,773 likes (https://www.facebook.com/SDEKenya)

48. Esther Passaris, businesswoman/politician – 151,075 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Esther-Passaris/34328190411)

49. David Rudisha, star Kenyan athlete and current world record holder in the 800 metres – 137,439 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Rudisha/112030455482774?rf=150035905020415)

50. Eric Wainaina, veteran Kenyan musician/entertainer – 131,656 likes (https://www.facebook.com/ericwainainamusic?ref=profile)

51. State House, Nairobi, Official Residence of the President of the Republic of Kenya – 119,279 likes (https://www.facebook.com/StateHouseKenya)

52. The University of Nairobi – 116,535 likes (https://www.facebook.com/pages/University-of-Nairobi/109621155724477)

53. Janet Mbugua, veteran TV anchor – 116,158 likes (https://www.facebook.com/journalistjanetmbugua)

54. Carol Radull, veteran radio & print journalist – 106,318 likes (https://www.facebook.com/carol.radull)

55. Gor Mahia Football Club, winners of the 1987 continental Africa Cup Winners Cup, the equivalent back then of Europe’s UEFA Cup – 100,224 likes (https://www.facebook.com/GorFanZone)

Avaya & HP Enterprise Service to jointly Offer African Enterprises cloud services

Tech

Caroline Vutagwa

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August 28, 2014

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Avaya & HP Enterprise Service to jointly Offer African Enterprises cloud services

Avaya and HP Enterprise Services (ES) have signed an agreement stating that the two will offer cloud-based unified communications and contact centre technology, and management solutions for enterprises.

The two companies will be selling a combined portfolio of unified communications as a service, contact centre as a service, and infrastructure modernisation services.

Combining HP’s expertise in services delivery with Avaya’s strong unified communications and contact centre portfolio will create one of the most advanced solutions in the industry, including mobile applications, software, and networking for unified communications and customer experience management, says HP ES.

These, as service solutions, will be delivered with the same standard of care that puts Avaya services above industry benchmarks with the added benefit of HP’s industry leading cloud capabilities.

HP ES will resell them as a service offerings and in parallel, Avaya has the benefit of increased scale enabled by HP’s highly flexible deployment models to quickly reach more customers and help simplify and transform business communications.

“Businesses are increasingly seeking alternative models for deploying and managing innovative communications and collaboration technologies. The agreement with HP is the right path at the right time to quickly address what is already one of the fastest growing areas of our business. Through our long-term relationship, we already share many customers.

“We expect that base to grow significantly with this new model, supporting the world’s collaboration business environment,” says Selvin Kristnen, MD South Africa, Avaya.

As part of the agreement, the HP ES Business Process Services organization will assume service delivery of a significant portion of Avaya Private Cloud Services (APCS), including a limited transfer of APCS employees and contractors to HP ES.

These services will be integrated into HP ES’s existing Mobility and Workplace and Business Process Services practices and partner eco-systems to deliver private and hybrid cloud-based unified communications and contact centre solutions to existing and future customers.

Sales contracts, service level agreements, and overall client experience will remain with Avaya. HP ES will augment and amplify APCS by extending services to more customers, in more markets, with the speed and service performance needed to help grow demand for cloud-based solutions.

Ghana’s BiGxGh.com Revamps & Relaunches as Bigx.com.gh

Tech

Caroline Vutagwa

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August 28, 2014

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Ghana’s BiGxGh.com Revamps & Relaunches as Bigx.com.gh

Ghana’s music streaming service Bigxgh.com has re-launched its new streaming service as Bigx.com.gh in a move to make it simple for fans to discover and share music online with just a click of a button.

The new site now allows lovers of authentic Ghanaian music worldwide to create personalized playlists easily, chat with their friends in real-time and as well curate the playlists they want. Users can also listen to uninterrupted music, enjoy the latest gossip, watch videos, read the news and much more.

“We have built the first music-streaming platform for Ghanaian music. So just click PLAY to start listening to your favorite Ghanaian tunes without hassle. Anytime, anywhere,” said Prince Boakye Boampong and Dominic Mensah o founded the streaming service to enable Ghanaians listen to Ghana music from around the world.

They decided to build a streaming service to put Ghanaian music on the Internet for everyone. Bigxgh.com has steadily become the number one-spot shop for Ghana music for Ghanaians home and abroad.

The service, modelled on popular Genius.com, allows users to learn lyrics of their favorite tunes and also connect with their favorite artists and know more about them and as well follow for updates on their new songs, news, videos, next show and more. They can also purchase their best songs and albums easily via airtime and PayPal or Credit card, this helps musicians to make money out of their songs.

Spartacus & Magic City coming to iROKOtv.com

Caroline Vutagwa

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August 28, 2014

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Spartacus & Magic City coming to iROKOtv.com

iROKOtv.com has brought Starz Digital Media’s TV series Spartacus and Magic City on its platform in a move to bring international content on its platform for its English Speaking audience in Africa.

Spartacus is a thrilling tale based on the Thracian historical figure, who led a huge slave uprising against the Roman Empire from BCE 73-71. Starring notable actors, including Andy Whitfield and Liam McIntyre, this four-year series has been praised by critics both in the US and abroad, winning Saturn Awards in 2011 and 2012, as well being nominated for Screen Actor’s Guild Awards (2012 & 2013) and a People’s Choice Award (2013).

Magic City, set in 1959 Miami, Florida shortly after the Cuban Revolution, tells the story of Ike Evans (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), the owner of Miami’s most glamorous hotel, the Miramar Playa. Evans is forced to make an ill-fated deal with Miami mob boss Ben Diamond (Danny Huston) to ensure the success of his glitzy establishment. The series was nominated for a Golden Globe® (2013) and an Emmy® (2014).

Jason Njoku, CEO and Co-Founder of iROKOtv.com says: “Licensing Spartacus and Magic City onto iROKOtv.com as part of our international catalogue for ESA is a great coup for us. Awesome, amazingly produced content that brings the best storytelling to the screen – no matter where it’s from in the world – is what we are all about and these TV series are perfect specimens of that. Both series have proved massively popular with audiences in the US and Europe and we hope that our audiences in Africa will love them too.”

For as little as $2.50 a month, iROKOtv.com subscribers throughout ESA can now access an unrivalled and affordable international online content package, to include Hollywood, Bollywood, Telenovela and Korean movies and TV series, as well as a Nollywood catalogue of 5,000 movies (10,000 hours).

World’s most Durable solar panels launched in Zambia

Tech

Robin Okuthe

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August 28, 2014

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World’s most Durable solar panels launched in Zambia

USA-based World Panel, a triple-bottom line company that deals in production of micro-solar products, has launched the durable World Panel solar panels that charge mobile phones in Lusaka.

Speaking during the launch, World Panel Zambia’s chief executive Jacob Sikazwe said he has worked for many years to empower people in rural Africa to improve their economic well-being and opportunities in life, adding that “this utility-grade personal solar charger finally delivers on my dream to aid and empower people living without regular access to electricity.”

In a statement, World Panel Zambia revealed that the first shipment that contains thousands of World Panel 500 combo-pack units with the patented solar panel technology plus a bundled 5000-milliamp Powerbank and bright ten-bulb LED light has already arrived in Zambia.

The technology is set for distribution in rural and urban COMESA regions. World Panel Zambia pointed out that it plans to ship one million World Panel units across the COMESA region in 2015.

John Anderson, CEO and founder of World Panel Inc., said: “with only 8% of rural Zambia connected to an electrical grid, our distributed green energy solution can significantly increase that level in three years at a fraction of the cost of traditional energy solutions. We are honored to deliver our first containers into Zambia.”

Zambia’s Minister of Energy Christopher Yaluma stated that he is pleased that the launch of the technology in Zambia, as “it will help mitigate this power shortage because our people will be able to charge their phones and other devices no matter where they are located.”

Already, Zambia Revenue Authority has approved World Panel Zambia’s application for zero customs and VAT.

Nigerian President to Launch National Electronic Identity Card

Tech

Caroline Vutagwa

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August 28, 2014

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Nigerian President to Launch National Electronic Identity Card

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is scheduled to launch the National Electronic Identity Card for all the citizens Thursday.

The president directed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure that the registration is concluded by the end of this year.

NIMC also has the mandate to issue a unique National Identification Number (NIN) to all eligible citizens, provide a secure means to access the national identity database in order to authenticate and verify identities, and to issue the e-ID Card to every eligible citizen.

The National e-ID Card is a multi-purpose card for identification, electronic signatures, biometric on-card verification, and other applications. The Card, which would subsequently be issued to all Nigerians who have successfully enrolled for the National Identification Number (NIN), has five applications already activated at issuance, with a built in capacity to host more applications on request.

Director, Corporate Communications of NIMC, Anthony Okwudiafor said the process of activating applications on the card would be done in phases. The first phase, according to him, would include International Civil Aviation Organisation, which has to do with compliant travel application to be used as a Machine Readable Travel Document (MRTD), for local/regional travel; Nigerian Electronic Identity (‘eID’) application to be used to authenticate an individual’s identity; Electronic Public Key Infrastructure (‘ePKI’), as application to be used for identification, authentication and digital signatures; Fingerprint Match-on-Card (‘MoC’) functionality to be used for biometric verification; Banking application (‘EMV’) to be used for deposit, withdrawal, payment, transfer, inquiry; while phase two would be Drivers’ License (IDL) – to be used as international driver’s license;

Transport application to be used for loading credits/units on local bus terminals; Tax application to be used to make tax payments, verify payments; Voter ID application to be used to cast a vote; Pension application, to be used to manage retirement savings account; NHIS application for e-health, to be used to upgrade, renew, health insurance; Insurance application to be used to subscribe to insurance policy, renew insurance policy; SIM application to be used as repository for saving a cardholders personal numbers previously registered with the telecoms regulator; and Custom tool used to save space for more applets in the future.

Zambia to implement electronic visa application

Tech

Robin Okuthe

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August 28, 2014

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Zambia to implement electronic visa application

Zambia Immigration Department has taken an initiative to begin implementing electronic visa application, which will help in attracting several tourists to the country.

According to Felix Chaila, the managing director of Zambia Tourism Board, most countries in Southern Africa, which were using the online visa application system, were attracting many tourists therefore the Immigration Department decision was timely because it would promote the tourism sector.

Chaila further said in an interview in Livingstone that the introduction of the online visa application would make easy the processing of visas for individuals hoping to visit Zambia.

“The Immigration Department has already begun implementing the online visa application and we praise that move,” stated tourism stakeholders.

“Persons coming from abroad can apply for a visiting visa by downloading it from the site. The procedures can either be carried out in advance of arrival by mailing the forms to the suitable Zambian Mission or have their fee and data ready when reaching the entrance,” said the Zambia Immigration Department website.

Samsung, Ericsson and SingTel launch mobile service for smartphones in Nigeria

Telcos

Robin Okuthe

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August 28, 2014

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Samsung, Ericsson and SingTel launch mobile service for smartphones in Nigeria

SingTe, in partnership with Ericsson and Samsung, has unveiled the world’s first commercial 300Mbps 4G LTE-Advanced service for smartphones in Nigeria.

The service became accessible this week when Samsung Galaxy S5 4G+, which is currently the first smartphone worldwide to be compatible with 4G LTE-Advanced networks, was launched in Singapore.

According to SingTel, the Samsung GALAXY Alpha 4G+ another compatible smartphone will be available beginning September 2014.

“From websurfing and uploading selfies to streaming videos, users are doing a lot with their smartphones. With this launch, SingTel clients will be the first worldwide to enjoy the benefits of the fastest phone on the quickest network,” stated Tay Yeow Lian, the managing director of networks at SingTel.

Lian added that they are constantly enhancing the networks with the most recent technologies to offer customers the best possible experience for today’s increasingly bandwidth-hungry applications.

SingTel has been working with Ericsson, its mobile network equipment provider to expand its 4G LTE-Advanced network rapidly throughout Singapore.

According to Lian, the company has accelerated their network roll out programme and are about to acquire nationwide outdoor coverage by the first quarter of 2015.

Samsung noted it is proud to introduce the first LTE-Advanced smartphones in Singapore.

Apple to launch Wearable Device in September

Tech

Robin Okuthe

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August 28, 2014

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Apple to launch Wearable Device in September

Apple is set to introduce two new iPhones — as well as its largest iPad — in September. Apple could also unveil its first wearable device dubbed “iWatch” next month.

According to Re/code’s John Paczkowski, the wearable device will most likely use Apple’s new “HealthKit” for iOS 8, which was announced earlier this year. HealthKit is intended to get health and fitness information from your wearables.

“The “iWatch” may also work together with Apple HomeKit software that controls things around the home. The first HomeKit enabled device is a lock that you can control using your smartphone,” Paczkowski added.

Apple has not yet confirmed the rumors. It is however clear that the company will hold a major launch event in September.

Holtzbrinck Ventures Gets 2.5% Direct Stake in Rocket Internet

Sam Wakoba

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August 28, 2014

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An early investor in Rocket Internet‘s seven e-commerce startups Holtzbrinck Ventures (“HV”) has exchanged its entire stakes in seven of Rocket’s most developed e-commerce businesses directly into Rocket, in exchange for a 2.5% direct equity in Rocket.

After the deal, Investment AB Kinnevik owns 18.1%, Access Industries 8.3%, PLDT 8.4% and United Internet 10.4% as external investors in Rocket, in addition to Global Founders Fund GmbH (formerly: European Founders Fund GmbH), which will holds 52.3%.

In a statement, Oliver Samwer, co-founder and CEO of Rocket, said, “Rocket’s platform allows us to build and scale online businesses in fast growing markets all around the world. Holtzbrinck Ventures has been an early and long term supporter of many Rocket companies built on this platform, and has invested in more Rocket companies than any other external investor. This transaction helps Rocket pursue its strategic objective of owning larger stakes in its companies and we welcome HV’s support at the group level. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership.”

This deal will also allow Rocket to own larger stakes in its network of individual companies such as Lamoda, Dafiti, Jabong and Namshi, Home24 and Westwing, as well as in HelloFresh, a leading home food delivery company.HV’s 2.5% was valued on the basis of the last external funding round of the respective companies.

“We are excited to become a direct shareholder in Rocket and build on our long term cooperation,” said Martin Weber, General Partner of Holtzbrinck Ventures. “We are pleased to have made many successful investments alongside Rocket and have tremendous respect for their track record and ability to create successful online companies. We look forward to working with Oliver Samwer and the Rocket team directly as the company continues to grow around the world.”

Holtzbrinck Ventures is one of Europe’s most successful early-stage investors in the internet sector, with investments in some of the internet’s biggest companies including Zalando, Wooga, Groupon, Westwing, Experteer, Dreamlines, Lazada, Flixbus, Quandoo, Lendico, Outfittery, Delivery Hero or Brands4Friends.

In Africa, Rocket Internet with partners runs Jumia, Hellofood, Kaymu, Jovago, Easy Taxi among others.

Spotify now free on Windows Phone

Startups

Sam Wakoba

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August 28, 2014

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Windows Phone owners can now enjoy access to millions of songs across their smartphones for free after Spotify announced the movet hat will them listen to all their playlists, discover new music, or simply sit back and dig into their favourite artist’s entire back catalogue.

“We’re excited to see Spotify made available for free on Windows Phone,” said Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Corp. “This puts a much-loved listening experience in the hands of Windows Phone fans across the world, and beautifully showcases both our platform and the Spotify service.”

The music streaming service also introduced a series of additional improvements throughout the app such as search results and also made easier the browsing of artists and music discovery in the app.

“We’re all about bringing more music to more people,” says Dave Price, Director of Product at Spotify. “Today we’re doing just that by bringing the best free music experience to Windows Phone users across the globe”.

Spotify Premium continues to offer the ultimate listening experience with on-demand, ad-free access to your music in high quality. In addition, you can sync playlists to your phone for use in offline mode. This comes in handy any time that you do not have an Internet connection. Spotify is also available in its ad-supported, free version on all devices.

Spotify might not be available in your country.

MyDigitalBridge, Microsoft & Partners successfully trial largest TV White Spaces in Namibia

Sam Wakoba

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August 27, 2014

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MyDigitalBridge, Microsoft & Partners successfully trial largest TV White Spaces in Namibia

Namibia’s MyDigitalBridge Foundation in partnership with Microsoft and Adaptrum, with support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)-Namibia, has successfully trialed the Namibian TV White Spaces (TVWS) pilot project in a move to provide a blueprint of broadband internet connectivity countrywide.

Dubbed ‘Citizen Connect’, the pilot consists of a network deployed over a 62km x 152km (9,424 km²) area covering three regional councils: Oshana, Ohangwena and Omusati, and connecting 28 schools in northern Namibia, the biggest TVWS project of its kind in terms of area coverage.

According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) country profiles, only 13.9% of the Namibian population is using the internet, this project aims to see more online.

“Our mission is to facilitate appropriate private-public sector (PPP) initiatives to ensure the underserved and un-served communities in Namibia are included in the technology landscape,” says Dr. Hylton Villet, Chairman of MyDigitalBridge Foundation, which architected and deployed the network with support of Microsoft and Adaptrum.

According to Hon. Dr. Moses Amweelo, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on ICT, the pilot project answers to the challenges of internet access, or the lack thereof, to all our citizens,which is a basic human right and is important in transforming and modernising the Namibian economy.

The deployment of TVWS technology in Africa falls under Microsoft’s 4Afrika Initiative, which launched in February 2013 to actively enable African economic development using relevant, affordable and accessible technology. “Internet access is a fundamental pillar in Africa’s leap forward towards a sustainable knowledge economy. We are seeing first-hand the direct impact of TVWS delivering affordable access to communities and business. The unlimited potential of broadband is enabling large scale development of human capital, the establishment of e-commerce services in the small and medium business ecosystem and the delivery of government services such as education and health care to the community.” Says Fernando de Sousa, Microsoft’s General Manager for Africa Initiatives.

Microsoft 4Afrika has similar projects in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Ghana with various partners and is advocating for laws and regulations that promote more efficient and effective spectrum utilisation as a member of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance.

The Namibian trial connected three regional offices, 28 schools and seven education circuit offices, all with a link distance of 8km to 10km (with two links at 12km) to internet speeds of 5Mbps to 10Mbps with the help of the Adaptrum ARCS 2.0 TVWS radios.

“Adaptrum is thrilled to be piloting our latest generation TVWS wireless broadband system in Northern Namibia. By covering such a large geographic area, this project is showcasing this technology’s ability to enable low-cost high-speed broadband access in rural areas, helping to close the digital divide,” said Haiyun Tang, Chief Executive Office of Adaptrum.

The pilot project aims to afford all Namibians the right of internet access for purposes of education, health and government services. The next steps are to enhance the network’s operational efficiency and to trial video teaching, e-content distribution and peering between the connected sites.

GrowthAfrica & Uhasibu Partner to End Accounting Software Piracy Among Struggling Startups

Sam Wakoba

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August 27, 2014

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GrowthAfrica & Uhasibu Partner to End Accounting Software Piracy Among Struggling Startups

Patricia Jumi - MD GrowthAfrica, Michael Perdesen CEO Uhasibu and Angela Nzioki Sales and Marketing Manager Uhasibu — Patricia Jumi – MD GrowthAfrica, Michael Perdesen CEO Uhasibu and Angela Nzioki Sales and Marketing Manager Uhasibu

With over 80 start-ups and over 140 graduates GrowthAfrica has signed a deal with will end the use of pirated accounting software among startups, especially those bootsrapping.

The firm has partnered with Uhasibu, a local entreprise software developer to give GrowthAfrica’s startups free MiniERP online accounting software for six months and thereafter get it at a subsidized fee, dedicated service and product & financial and accounting training with Uhasibu leaders. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The deal means Uhasibu will save it’s customer acquisition budget and time.

“Many SMEs operate without keeping books the first few years, relying on the cash/bank balance to determine the business progress,” said Michael Pedersen, CEO, Uhasibu. “Our partnership with GrowthAfrica exemplifies Uhasibu’s vision to support East African SMEs with management tools to help free up otherwise strained resources that can be re-deployed to the business for the their growth.”

“We are extremely pleased to work more closely with Uhasibu to strengthen our startups’ financial management systems, said Patricia Jumi, MD, GrowthAfrica.” This partnership underlines GrowthAfrica’s commitment to provide entrepreneurs with the very resources they require to grow their ventures into strong commercial businesses.”

On the launch of MiniERP, Uhasibu said most business owners treat accounts or books as the accountant’s domain and are not bothered about the nitty gritty of their business books, which is the most important thing for their business. The firm also found out thatmost founders are so busy inoovating and have no time to run their firms management modules. Therefore MiniERP, a management package was launched to help business owners manage their business not just their books.

The cloud based financial management package works both online and offline and allows one to completely make their business easily and without a huge budget. MiniERP is also integrated with Uhasibu and business owners can take advantage of the affordable service to run their accounting and management processes on the go, simply.

Ghana’s First 4G LTE Network Goes Live |Aims to be the Largest in Africa

Tech

Sam Wakoba

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August 27, 2014

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Ghana’s First 4G LTE Network Goes Live |Aims to be the Largest in Africa

Today, Surfline Communications in Ghana launched what it’s terming as the country first 4G LTE service with nearly 300 cell sites.

In a statement to TechMoran, Surfline’s Founder and Executive Chairman, John Taylor said,“Across the world, people are enjoying super-fast Internet speeds powered by 4G LTE. Surfline is proud to bring this technology into Ghana for the first time and for Ghanaians to experience the difference it brings”.

Surfline aims to open the economy to new jobs and industries in technology, like application development, while also helping other sectors, like banking, retail and energy, do business more efficiently. The firm has invested over a $100 million to launch the network in Accra and Tema.

Surfline started testing its 4G LTE network in June this year ahead of its commercial launch and also launched a Flagship Store (in Osu). Surfline partnered with Alcatel-Lucent to set-up and deploy the network with capabilities such as LTE Radio Access Network, Evolved Packet Core and Professional services to install, optimize, maintain and manage the LTE network.

Daniel Jaeger, Vice-President of Alcatel-Lucent in Africa said: “Alcatel-Lucent is proud to be Surfline’s partner in developing and launching its 4G LTE wireless broadband network in Ghana. This network has been built from scratch and based on best-in-class technology to deliver much higher speed than previous deployed technologies.”

Surfline’s network aims to create an experience that the customer can trust, believe in and return to again-and-again with confidence.

Mombasa City gets own Huduma centre

Tech

Susan Mwenesi

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August 27, 2014

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The government of Kenya through the ministry of devolution has opened the Mombasa Huduma centre being the first one in the coast region with Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru lauding the efforts of the centre started operations.

“The Mombasa Huduma Centre serves an average of 1,200 customers per day. To date the centre has served more than 35,000 customers. The total revenue collected in this centre so far is more than Kshs. 31,525,582.00,” she said.

The Cabinet Secretary further added that the government has entered into a partnership with the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) to collect revenues on behalf of any Ministry, Department or Agency that provides services in the Huduma Centre through the PostaPay electronic Payment Gateway.

This, she said, was “in order to accord customers a one-stop shop experience, and improve efficiency in the Public Service.”

The Mombasa Huduma Centre has a staff strength of 45 officers drawn from variousMinistries, Departments and Agencies who have all been trained in Customer Excellence and Huduma Service Delivery Standards.

Additionally, the Huduma Kenya Centre in Mombasa boasts of a ticketing and Queue Management system (QMS) to organize customer traffic; a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) to enable agencies to access their back-end systems; and a Knowledge Management Portal (KMP) that contains information on all services

“We built a cyber café within the Huduma Centre which is being managed and run by a local youth Enterprise. Additionally, the refurbishment works for this project was done by a female contractor, from this region,” said Ms. Waiguru.

President Uhuru Kenyatta cuts the ribbon to officially open the Huduma Kenya Centre in Mombasa. With him is Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho (Right) and Ministry of Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary, Anne Waiguru (Left and partly hidden

Speaking during the official opening of the new Huduma Kenya Centre in Mombasa today, President Uhuru Kenyatta underscored the government’s commitment to improve public service delivery, adding that the Huduma Kenya Centres initiative is one among many interventions which the government is undertaking to improve service delivery.

Currently, there are 13 Huduma Kenya Centres located at Nairobi’s GPO, City Square, and Makadara. Others are Machakos, Nyeri, Embu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisumu, Kisii, Kajiado and now Mombasa, offering over 20 differentservices from various ministries and government institutions.

An additional 20 centres will be opened in various counties during the current financial year.

Mommy’s Book Launches in Kenya to Help Mother’s Track their Kid’s Health

Sam Wakoba

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August 27, 2014

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Mommy’s Book Launches in Kenya to Help Mother’s Track their Kid’s Health

Pediatrics is a priority for Africa where 42% of the total population is under 15-years-old, i.e. 400 million children, representing about a quarter of worldwide children population according to reports by the UNICEF.

However, Infant mortality is one of the highest killers on the contient with Africa losing 4 million children per year, which represents more than a half of the world’s infant mortality. And mothers, being custodians of health for the whole family re the most devasted after the dead of their kids.

Now, a new app wants to end this misery of losing babies to immunizable and other preventable diseases in Africa, begining from Nigeria and Kenya.

Mommy Book launched last evening in Nairobi is an app that aims to help mothers easily track their kid’s health on the go, from the safety of their mobile phones.

Launched by Sanofi Paediatric Initiative and Kenya Paediatric Association, Mommy App has details of a child’s age, an immunization calendar and a kid’s health record.

According to Irene Nwaukwa, Sanofi Paediatric Initiative, ”Mommy Book helps mothers’ remember the child’s growth in stages from the first tooth, spoken word among others. It helps mothers take responsibility of the child’s records to help in times of emergency to give first aid or take their kids to hospital.”

The info from the app can help mothers manage their kids better. We are proud of this partnership with the Kenya Patriotic Association.”

The free app allows parents to register their kid’s health details or edit the medical history wherever possible. The app has the national immunization calendar with dates and notifications to remind mothers. There’s also a question and answer section for mothers to learn or ask paediatricians about their kids health in case any unusual symptoms are sighted.

Smartphone use is increasing in Africa and urban mothers are expected to use the app on either their Android or iOS smartphones. Those in villages around Africa will have acess to materials printed for them in their languages and Sanofi works with educational partners and health officers to help mothers download and use the app to monitor their kids health and growth curves for as long as ten years.

Data in the app is accessed only by the mother who has to sign up for an account with a username and a secure password.

Facebook Hosts First tech event for Female Veterans

Women

Robin Okuthe

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August 27, 2014

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Facebook Hosts First tech event for Female Veterans

Each month Silicon Valley hosts dozens of hackathons, though Facebook hosted one with a twist on Monday. Instead of college-aged programmers that normally dominate the coding marathons, the only participants at the first women Vets in Tech event were female veterans.

Approximately 30 female veterans attended the hackathon, with the women pitching various ideas such as Bohdi therapies, an app that provides therapy to vets suffering from anxiety and Puppyness, a crowd-sourced app that would inform dog owners which stores and restaurants within their area are dog friendly.

Beginning at 7am, Facebook engineers worked with the women veterans to develop pitches and business models for a late night panel presentation with judges from GE Ventures Healthcare, Next World Capital and Facebook present.

This is the fourth Vets in Tech hackathon to be hosted after the first being hosted at Adobe in November 2012. The organization concentrates on teaching veterans entrepreneurship skills as well as connecting them with tech firms as they come back from active duty and look for employment.

Emirates Offers Upto 25% Discount to Kenyan Travellers

Business

Susan Mwenesi

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August 27, 2014

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Emirates Offers Upto 25% Discount to Kenyan Travellers

Emirates is offering Kenyan travellers up to 25 percent discount on Business Class and Economy Class fares to a range of exciting destinations around the world.

This new offer for fares will apply when booked between August 27^thand September 6^th 2014 for travel period starting August 27^thuntil December 3^rd, 2014.

The rafts of savings mean that passengers can fly economy class, for example, form Nairobi to Dubai from as little as $564. Other destinations include Guangzhou from $984, Ahmedabad from $440, Mumbai from $452, Beijing from USD1239, Hong Kong from $977, Istanbul from $543, London Heathrow from $958, Washington DC from $1147 and New York from $1147.

Passengers travelling from on Business class return to Dubai will pay $1836, $2225 to Guangzhou, $1657 to Ahmedabad, $1669 to Mumbai, $3905to Beijing, $2218 to Hong Kong, $2145 to Istanbul, $2603 to London Heathrow, $3354 to Washington DC, and $3354 to New York City.

Announcing the new promotional fares, Emirates Country Manager for Kenya Anita Kongson said: “We would like to make it as easy and convenient as possible for our customers to spend precious time with family and friends, or to enjoy well-deserved and affordable vocational or business trips. These offers provide an opportunity to travel to a wide number of popular destinations at greatly discounted fares and we invite all our customers in Kenya to take advantage of these fantastic value-for-money deals.”

“What’s more, some of the destinations included in this offer, such as Bangkok, Mumbai, London, and Beijing, are serviced by Emirates’ iconic A380 aircraft, which offers a unique travel experience,” she added.

It should be noted however that all of the above fares are inclusive of taxes, quoted on a return basis, with a minimum stay of three days and a maximum stay of one month. Blackout dates from 11-30 October 2014 apply for travel to Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

In addition to the value fares Emirates Customers on board the aircraft can experience Emirates’ famous hospitality and service from its multi-national cabin crew, enjoy more than 1600 channels of on-demand audio and visual entertainment on its ice entertainment system, gourmet cuisine and generous baggage allowances. Economy Class customers get 30 kg, Business Class get 40 kg and First Class customer 50kg.

Emirates operates double daily flights between Nairobi and Dubai and onward to more than 140 destinations in 81 countries across six continents, and it’s the world’s largest operator of Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft.

Nokia X2 now selling in Kenya

Mobile

Susan Mwenesi

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August 27, 2014

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For Ksh.13,500 you can own a Nokia X2 which is now available for sale in Kenya promising upgraded specifications, more popular Microsoft services and asmoother, easier user experience

“The Nokia X2 was designed to help the next billion people connect to the mobile Internet and cloud services, affordably,” said Kingori Gitahi, Product Manager, Microsoft. “Following on from the great reception we saw to the first Nokia X device, we’re pleased to offer the next step in the line-up with the affordable Nokia X2.”

Among the notable features of the device are a larger 4.3” ClearBlack display, a 5MP rear-facing, autofocus camera with flash, as well as a front-facing VGA camera. The smartphone also benefits from a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 200 processor featuring a dual core 1.2 GHz CPU and 1GB of RAM, to make switching between favourite apps even more fluid.

With the phone you will also access Microsoft services such as Outlook.com, Skype and 15GB of free OneDrive cloud storage, while new apps like OneNote and Yammer are now available to download for free from the Nokia Store.

Available in black and white, Nokia X2’s seamless monobody and exchangeable back covers with the ‘inner glow’ design complement major enhancements to the user interface. These include a new ‘home’ button anda choice of screens to make navigation a breeze.

Also available is a colourful, tile-based ‘home’ screen with resizable, live tile,the unique Fastlane feature for accessing most recent apps and future appointments , Lumia-inspired apps list, from which people can pin items to the home screen, visual multitasking screen is accessed by long-pressing the ‘back’ button and the pull-down notification centre shows connectivity, app and system alerts.

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