In a move set to revolutionize Kenya’s public transit and merchant payments, Bharti Airtel and VeriFone Mobile Money have partnered to deploy VeriFone Mobile Money’s merchant enablement applications for mobile Tap n Pay across Airtel’s 17 operating countries in Africa.

VeriFone Mobile Money’s Tap n Pay applications are a smart, secure and fast way for customers to pay, buy, bank, bill and remit money with their mobile phone at the point of sale.

Though the services are aimed at the entire Africa, they will be most felt in Kenya where other players such as Safaricom, Google, Equity, MasterCard and Visa have been eyeing the same and doubling up their card deploying especially to retailers and public transit services even though they have been postponed. VeriFone Mobile Money will implement a full suite of Retail Enablement applications integrated to VeriFone’s range of payment devices across the group, enabling the deployment of Mobile POS (mPOS), POS and Biometrics for International Remittance to Airtel Money customers, the solution will enable fast and secure transaction processing at the agents point of sale.

Chidi Okpala, Director & Head of Airtel Money – Africa stated, “Airtel is excited to offer VeriFone Mobile Money’s applications to our teeming Airtel Mobile Money customers across Africa. Using their Airtel Money Wallet with VeriFone’s contactless / NFC point of sale terminals our customers will have a more convenient, fast and secure way to make multiple payment transactions utilizing Tap n Pay.”

“With this solution, we will be at the forefront of efforts to transform payments systems within the public mass transit and retail sectors in Africa”.

“Africa has one of the most evolved mobile money systems in the world,” said Chris Jones, VeriFone Mobile Money’s CEO. “Over 42 million people across Africa according to the GSMA are actively using mobile money services and there are more than 520,000 registered mobile money agents across the continent. With only 22% of Africans holding a bank account or credit facility, we fully expect the number of people to quadruple as mobile financial services offer the ‘unbanked’ a way to transact, pay bills and build assets.”

“We are excited to partner closely with Airtel Africa Group to design a unique offering to drive Africa’s mobile money evolution,” stated Mr Jones. “The partnership will enable our teams to work together with banks, insurance and transport companies to expand access to mobile financial tools and services for Airtel Money customers.”

Torn between two women one man must decide to have love or power. A naive representative sets out with the good intentions of serving his electorate, only to arrive in his seat of power where he finds that laws aren’t made as much as they are bought and sold. In an attempt to broker a peace agreement between farmers and cattle ranchers through a Land Grazing Bill, the representative interacts with the ranchers and falls in love with one of their daughters.

Contrasting the courtship rituals to win her love against the backdrop of the war in the House because of the bill, award-winning Nigerian author and filmmaker Wale Okediran takes the viewer deep into the fictional world of the Nigerian House of Parliament and the uniqueness of the Fulani tribesmen through his movie ‘Tenants of the House’.

Hoping to capitalize on the success of the adapted film work Half of a Yellow Sun based in the book of the same name by Chimamanda Adichie, ‘Tenants of the House’ will use actors from both Africa and International fame to appeal to a wider audience, as well as circumvent copyright issues by choosing to release the film in a first run in cities such as London, UK and Berlin, Germany.

Funds raised are earmarked to include production, travel, equipment, post-production and author’s fees among other necessary film production incidentals like office overhead. Rewards currently available for investors include trade mementos such as t-shirts, souvenirs and hats.

VISA Inc has pledged financial backing to three Nigerian mobile apps that seek to promote financial literacy in Nigeria. These apps were designed by winners of the financial challenge mobile development competition, sponsored by Visa, and delivered by the Co-Creation Hub Nigeria (CcHub).

The application will educate the users on the importance of saving and financial management.

The General Manager for Visa in West Africa, Ade Ashaye said: “This initiative is part of our strategy to help Nigerians become more financially aware. What makes it unique is that it encourages Nigerians to develop locally-relevant solutions, tailored for their specific environment and needs.

“We are always looking to support innovative programmes that can better equip individuals to manage their money more effectively, — and these apps achieve that. The apps, which are free for users encourages financial education by making financial literacy fun and entertaining, while also challenging users on their level of financial acumen.”

The apps include:

• Money Talks – an audio tutorial solution that provides financial information using SMS, voice interactive system and the Web, adding that the application supports Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and Pidgin English.
• More Than Money- a game developed to reinforce students’ money management skills, is an adaptation of the community game used by Junior Achievement Nigeria in primary schools across Nigeria.
• Market TraderStreet Tinz – a mobile, Web-based game that teaches children how to make smart financial decisions in a fun and engaging way.

CcHub CEO, Bosun Tijani, said: “CcHub is pleased to have worked with Visa, through the financial literacy challenge, to develop these three mobile apps that will go a long way in helping Nigerians make better use of their income. Playing with these apps will get the next generation started towards a financially responsible life. Together we are making a difference.”

The applications  can be downloaded at Cchubnigeria.com/flc. Information on the applications also  are available on several mobile platforms including Android, iOS and Java enabled phones (J2ME).

The Western Union Company has launched the outbound remittance service in Nigeria. This service will now see its Nigerian customers, for the very first time, send funds in minutes through western union around the world.

Since the Money Transfer service was launched in Nigeria in 1995, consumers in the country have only been able to receive funds.

First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank), Nigeria’s foremost banking institution, has become the first Western Union Agent to offer this service. The collaboration will enable Western Union consumers (as well as FirstBank’s customers) to enjoy Western Union’s new ‘outbound send’ offering through the bank’s branches.

Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said: “We are delighted that Western Union has taken the lead in providing outbound remittance services to Nigerians. Today’s launch demonstrates the company’s proactive step in taking advantage of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s vision of creating an enabling environment for the emergence of innovative and superior financial products that reduce transaction costs for Nigerians and give them a chance at living better lives.”

Aida Diarra, regional vice president for Africa, Western Union said: “We are very pleased to announce the launch of the “outbound send” service from Nigeria to destinations around the world. We anticipate that the outbound enabled service offering in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, will be instrumental in making positive economic impact in the country by supporting business growth, social development and financial inclusion”

Bisi Onasanya, group managing director/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria said: “Having been the first to offer Western Union Services in the country as far back as 1995, we remain committed to delivering innovative customer solutions and are proud to be the first bank to offer yet another excellent customer focused solution – the Western Union Out Bound Service – to the Nigerian market. As a Brand, we remain committed to putting our customers first”.

The initial launch of the outbound service is currently limited to select FirstBank branches until the service is rolled out to Western Union’s over 5,000 Agent locations nationwide.

Western Union also recently launched  www.WesternUnion.ng; the new web site in Nigeria which allows the consumer to go online, log onto the website and direct funds they are about to receive to their personal account with any of the specified banks.

In recognition of JMR Infotech’s commitment to go beyond customer satisfaction and consistently deliver superior value to its growing list of clients, the company has been honoured with Best Core Banking Technology Provider Middle East & Africa 2014 award.

This award from Global Banking & Finance Review reflects the innovation, achievement, strategy, progressive and inspirational changes taking place within the Global Financial community.

The award highlights JMR’s unmatched expertise in Core Banking Technology offering and reinforces their leadership position in this space.

“This recognition is not only for us but for all our customers and partners who have trusted our intellectual prowess, comprehensive range of offerings and unique Extended Arm approach to deliver enhanced business value. What makes the award more special is that we started JMR Infotech seven years ago and very few technology companies have ever received the award,” says Jayafar Moidu, CEO, JMR Infotech.

“Our teams have worked very hard to bring JMR Infotech to this level, and we are also very grateful to have unwavering support from our esteemed clients.”

With delivery and development centres in India, sizable global presence and customers spread across 5 continents, JMR Infotech is a leader in banking & financial services software and software-related services. Since 2007, the company has grown to have top banks among its client base.

South African Breweries has announced finalists of its 4th annual Social Innovation Awards 2014. The final contenders are competing for the 1-Million Rand grand prize.

The innovations range from products to processes selected according to their scalability as well as its commercial value. Each must also benefit the SAB Foundation’s target beneficiaries who are women, youth, people living with disabilities and people living in rural areas.

A total of 18 innovations will move through to the final judging phase adjudicated by an independent panel of business and industry experts later this month. The final winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.

“Innovative solutions to economic and social issues in South Africa can be a powerful driving force behind bringing positive change for people within local low-income communities and individuals.

“Through the Social Innovation Awards, the SAB Foundation is encouraging more individuals to empower themselves as entrepreneurs and in turn empower hundreds of others by providing them with affordable access to resources and services that can improve their lives,” says Bridgit Evans, SAB Foundation Manager.

Evans says there has been a marked increase in the number and quality of innovative solutions presented since the first Social Innovation Awards in 2011.

Since its start in 2011, the SAB Foundation has invested in a total of 40 social innovations through a financial commitment of more than R10-million.

Apart from the first place prize of R1-million, the 2nd place winner receives an investment of R500 000 and 3rd place, R300 000. Several seed grants of between R100 000 and R150 000 will also be awarded to other deserving innovations finalists.

The 2014 SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards finalists are:

• Bee-Pak – the world’s first flat pack and insulated bee hive system designed to optimise the health, survival and production capacity of bees, as vital plant pollinators by, amongst others, enhancing resistance to common pests and predators.
• SensiCardiac – a hosted software solution which runs on Windows PC and iPhone and assists primary care clinicians differentiate between pathological and cardiac murmurs.
• HearScreen – transforms a smartphone into a calibrated device for early identification of disabling hearing loss.
• The Lightie – a test-tube shaped solar powered light bulb designed to bring affordable lighting to low-income homes.
• Safe and Sound Technology – an external sensory device for the hearing impaired. The wrist device allows the individual to connect with the outside world through various sounds.
• Durban Fashion Online (DFO) – a virtual business incubation system that provides skills support and mentorship to young fashion designers.
• Ultrasonic Smart Blind Stick – device helps visually impaired detect obstacles without aid.
• Rapidom – small and inexpensive technique-free condom applicator.
• Driving Ambitions – driver training for individuals with limited mobility.
• DrugSign – mobile application designed to detect drug use.
• Mobile Registration Device –   rugged user-friendly mobile device used to identify and register individuals in deep rural areas of South Africa for healthcare and social services amongst others.
• 5 Star Stoves – a two-plate gas stove for clean cooking and heating for use in poor-energy households
• Barrowmate – a low cost crop sprayer that accurately dispenses liquid avoiding waste and minimising expenses.
• VeinAID – Assisted injection device that locates the precise location of a patient’s vein to prevent hit and miss instances.
• Brilliant Skincare – affordable oncologist approved and clinically tested skincare product for use by cancer patients during treatment.
• AEON Free Energy Access Remote Control – wireless energy harvested from telecommunications towers and used in low power devices e.g. remote controls and cellphones.
• CandidaFree Natural – a natural plant extract for the treatment of fungal infections. The innovation resulted the awarding of a PhD at the University of Pretoria.
• The EcoBrick Exchange – encourages communities to produce the EcoBrick building range as a method of income generation and used for the construction of schools and community centres. The construction technique allows for the reuse of all materials