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CEO Weekends: This Is What Valuraha Thinks They Are

Caroline Vutagwa
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CEO Weekends: This Is What Valuraha Thinks They Are

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Valuraha is a software company that exists to increase investor education and to promote investments among youth. The start-up has the mission to organize and connect the youth to Africa’s investment options.

“We have developed a virtual trading platform mapping out different local investment instruments such as shares, bonds, treasury bills, unit trusts, etc. using real market rates and simulating the actual financial market. The Valuraha trader is used in schools to add practicality of teaching financial courses,” says the group’s CEO Wangechi

There is a low level of investor education in Kenya especially the youth. Valuraha is looking to improve the situation in the country as this was the reason behind them forming this start up.

“We are providing information that enables one to make a sound investment decision and ensuring that people are able to easily access these options. We are also offering a customized and tailor made solution to Universities for the teaching of finance, especially when it comes to portfolio management, fund management. We are also creating the bridge between industry and academia through research, access to internship and job opportunities etc,” says Wangechi.

The start-up is looking to promote investor education within high schools by forming an Investment club where they learn and do research about the financial markets and listed companies. Here is how you get yourself involved with them.

The start-up has had their fair share of ‘tarmacking’ because getting funding is not an easy task and they did it for 10 months that is before reaching out to a few channels for investments. They also got an angel investor and are currently on convertible debt. Apart from that the start-up has a business model and a revenue generation system, they include:

•         Learning institutions are charged on a termly/semester basis. The charge is based on the number of students using the platform. The cost of using the platform is added to the students school fees. Each institution gets a sub-domain on the platform that allows for creation of multiple leagues.

•         Partnerships with financial institutions: Partnering with financial institutions to distribute their information on investment options, give them access to a wider audience, to resell their products as agents as well as to give them access to talented portfolio managers as evidenced from the virtual trader.

So far, 3 of the top high schools are also using the Valuraha platform and it has also been successfully adopted by Strathmore University and  has been integrated to curriculum.

“Lecturers and students are using it within the Investment and Portfolio Management Unit and other units. Students are using it to compete and show their prowess. We have a number of people from this population that are transitioning to actual trade,” said Wangechi

Of course, all success stories must have had their share of challenges and Valuraha is no exception. The start-up says that the main challenge that they face is deciding on what to focus on now, and what to shelve for later, or what to completely leave out given that the industry is very wide.

In future, Valuraha is looking into organizing as many investment options in Africa (inclusive of educating people about them) and connecting millions of people to them. Also building a really strong bridge between industry and academia especially when it comes to the teaching of financial courses.

So this is the Valuraha Team below

CEO Weekends: Most Banking Portals In Kenya Lack Adequate Online Security, Survey Shows

Stella Kabura
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CEO Weekends: Most Banking Portals In Kenya Lack Adequate Online Security, Survey Shows

In recent years, business innovation and growth in Kenya has been driven by technology adoption. However, it has exposed the country to new emerging threats. According to the 2014 Kenya Cyber Security Report, the continued adoption of online and mobile banking services is leading to new threats of which, only six per cent of online banking portals have adequate online security.

“Cyber-terrorists, spies, hackers, and fraudsters are increasingly motivated to target our ICT infrastructure due to the increasing value of information held within it – driven by our growing dependence on them – and the perceived lower risk of detection and capture in conducting cybercrime as compared to more traditional crime,” noted William Makatiani Managing Director Serianu  Limited.

The survey was carried out by Serianu Limited backed with the concern that in 2013 the number of cyber threat attacks detected in the Kenyan cyberspace grew by 108 per cent to 5.4 million attacks compared to 2.6 million attacks detected in 2012. According to the company’s report, 33 online banking portals were sampled, in which only two banking portals were found to have adequate online security deployed on their web application. More so, majority of the web applications reviewed, were found to lack strong encryption thus susceptible to phishing attacks, the report said.

Other than that, with the continued popularity of Mobile money adoption in the region, criminals have been drawn to the new money transfer channel. In 2013, the study noted an increase in mobile money fraud targeting individuals and organisations in which, the fraudsters were discovered to be getting innovative and very fast on finding loopholes in new controls implemented by merchants, banks and consumers.

While cyber networks are vulnerable, there have been numerous attempts to penetrate cyber networks operating in Kenya. The attacks observed were found to originate from the cyber space of a number of countries including Kenya. Attackers were found to be compromising computer systems located in Kenya and using masquerading techniques and hidden servers to hide the identity of actual system from which the attacks are being launched.

In all, the report concluded that as the country moves forward, an understanding of the increasing security risks and how to manage and mitigate them must be emphasized and accelerated at all levels, from government, internet service providers, public and private organizations, citizens to students. Organizations must also establish and maintain adaptable security policies, processes, and infrastructure that can be used to coordinate response to ICT security threats.

Lastly, apart from continuous training to ensure security practitioners secure critical ICT infrastructure, the report noted that there is a strong need for defined security processes, better intelligence and continuous monitoring.

Zuma’s 25-year-old daughter appointed as top telecoms chief

Robin Okuthe
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Zuma’s 25-year-old daughter appointed as top telecoms chief

Thuthukile Zuma, President Jacob Zuma’s daughter, has made history as South Africa’s youngest chief of staff in the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services. From a public liaison officer to a powerful chief of staff in a record of two months, Thuthukile, 25, now takes home around a million Rands a year.

President Jacob Zuma's daughter

Thuthukile is the President’s youngest daughter whose mother is ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the chairperson of the African Union Commission who was a former cabinet minister.

“Shortly after Thuthukile completed her undergraduate degree in 2011, she “volunteered” or worked at the headquarters of the ruling party. She later joined the State Security Agency and spent there less than a year,” ANC said.

The University of the Witwaters­rand stated that President Jacob Zuma’s daughter graduated in April 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received in June 2012 an honors’ degree in anthropology.

The chief of staff position, which was given to her in May after her father’s new cabinet appointment, has raised concerns over political nepotism at the renamed telecommunications and postal services department.

It seems the position was never advertised, though ministers have the exclusive right to make these appointments without following the normal procedures. Many departments do advertise such positions to make sure that they get the best-qualified candidates.

Thuthukile currently fills the same position as President Zuma’s chief of staff, Lakela Kaunda, who is regarded as the most powerful senior managers in the government.

According to a statement issued by a government official, majority of the chief of staff are selected at chief director level though ministers can debate for the incumbent to be appointed as deputy director-general, which is the second highest post in the civil service.

“For an upgrade of positions, there is an HR procedure though ministers’ petitions are not often turned down. It is unclear which level Thuthukile is on,” stated the government official.

According to many job advertisements for the post that the Mail & Guardian has seen, a chief of staff needs “an understanding of parliamentary functions and ministerial services to take charge of the entire management of the ministry, extensive management experience and knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Service Management Framework.” Additionally, the chief director post needs no less than five to 10 years’ experience at senior management level.

Telkom CEO under investigation over alleged car licensing cloning case

Robin Okuthe
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Telkom CEO under investigation over alleged car licensing cloning case

Sipho Maseko, Telkom CEO, is under probe after being involved in a suspected car licensing cloning case in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Telkom SA

According to Nthatisi Modingoane, city spokesperson, the allegations about Maseko being on the wrong side of the law is being looked into by the JMPD (Johannesburg metro police department).

“All questions concerning the case should go to the JMPD since Johannesburg is not an investigating agent,” added Modingoane.

However, Modingoane could not tell the kind of case that was being probed by the metro police.

Wayne Minnaar, Metro police spokesperson chief superintendent, stated: “the case is not public information. Any criminal charge or traffic offence against individuals is a matter between the state and that individual. It becomes public information when the case enters court.”

On Friday, The Star reported that Maseko was driving around with his former vehicle’s number plates that were being used legally by businessman Mabena Motshoane, who had bought Maseko’s old Range Rover. He came upon the vehicle accidentally on a Pretoria freeway using his number plates.

Maseko received traffic fines amounting to R30000 though these were sent out to Motshoane to pay, reported The Star.

According to The Star, Motshoane filed a case with the metro police as well as a fraud case with the Booysens police station. Metro police officers visited Maseko’s home though were denied permission to carefully examine his vehicle.

Later, the officers were instructed to leave his premises after allegedly being informed that Trevor Fowler, city manager, had intervened in the matter. However, Motshoane denied saying that Fowler was also involved in the matter, stated the newspaper.

A couple of days later, metro police were permitted to inspect the vehicle though by then Maseko’s number plates had already been altered.

Maseko told the newspaper that he had contacted Fowler. He was also quoted saying, “I was nervous and frightened and the only person I could remember to call was Trevor Fowler. All Fowler did was to direct me to someone within the JMPD who could help me.”

The Star reported it had seen the photographs, fines and video footage of Maseko driving his car with Motshoane’s number plates. However, Pynee Chetty, Telkom representative, refused to comment on the matter.

Bitcoin digital currency reaches West Africa

Shiko Gathoni
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Bitcoin digital currency reaches West Africa

Sierra Leona-based ethical fashion company Bureh has pioneered in advancing digital currency economy for sub-Saharan Africa when it finally accepted bitcoin through payments processor BitPay.

The currency will transform the way people send remittances to the continent. It also gives the unbanked easy access to money. The ethical fashion line anticipates having more transactions through the platform.

Unlike in South and East Africa, Bitcoin is yet to take root in West Africa. Daniel Heyman, Chief Executive Officer Bureh, told CoinDesk that they have only had few transactions since December when they first introduced the currency. He however pointed out to money movement, rather than consumption, as the main opportunity in using Bitcoin.

Bureh, which distributes in Sierra Leone, the U.S, Europe and China, hopes to make prospects rosier for the company and its possible role in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

According to Heyman, the business is less susceptible to foreign exchange risks in a case “where the Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL) weakens against the dollar, the business is not at risk, as its revenue is mostly in foreign currency.”

In Kenya, BitPesa, the Bitcoin remittance service, and mobile money transfer service M-Pesa, have eliminated the risks and uncertainty of fees, conversion rates, speed and fraud.

 

MTN Cameroon cedes ownership of WACS fiber-optic cable landing station to the state

Robin Okuthe
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MTN Cameroon cedes ownership of WACS fiber-optic cable landing station to the state

Mobile telecoms operator MTN Cameroon has transferred ownership of the WACS fiber-optic cable landing station at Limbe to the State of Cameroon. The transfer is a result of fruitful negotiations since 2012.

MTN Cameroon

The transferred ownership was signed by MTN Cameroon’s chief executive Karl O. Toriola and Cameroonian minister of posts and telecommunications, in the presence of various officials of the telecommunications sector.

WACS sub-marine cable links Europe to South Africa via the Atlantic Ocean and measures approximately 14500 km. The investment is mostly supported by key South African companies like MTN Group, Telkom SA, Neotel, Broadband Infraco and Vodacom as well as the state of South Africa.

Limbe WACS is the second landing station distributed on the Cameroonian coasts, which comes after the landing station in Douala though experts say that the landing station would soon expire.

The sub-marine cable is designed to provide South African universities with broadband access as well as give other African countries accessibility of the optical fiber. Cameroon is joined to the WACS sub-marine cable via the landing station put up by the MTN Group in Limbe.

WACS fiber-optic cable is critical for Cameroon as it will build sufficient transmission capacity to offer private individuals and enterprises with redundant, high-speed and stable connection they require to perform their activities smoothly. The sub-marine cable will also evenly ease the democratization and growth of the internet and possibly lead to a long-term significant fall in electronic communication costs.

WACS will also promote Cameroon’s position as an ICT hub and sub-regional head in the domain of ICTs. According to Toriola, shifting the landing station to the state of Cameroon is “solid proof of MTN Cameroon’s constant engagement for the growth of Cameroun.”

Fanmode Raises $2.4M To Get Fans Closer To Them

Shiko Gathoni
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Fanmode Raises $2.4M To Get Fans Closer To Them

fanmodeFanmode, an application that allows sports fans to express their emotions with each other across the world in real time, has closed a seed round of $2.4 million led by a group of Swedish and South African angel investors.

Founded in 2011 by Neven Murugan and Chriatian Jochnick, Fanmode is a gesture app that allows users to broadcast their support for their team during games by clapping, waving and cheering as well as interacting with other fans in online chats and receiving and receiving live updates on action.

The seed round will help Fanmode further develop the platform ahead of an anticipated launch in late 2014. The ‘internet of things’ start-up is currently working on building the platform and developing relationships with sports industry clients including Deloitte’s Sport Business Group, leaders, the Barclays Premier League Liga BBVA.

According to James Worrall Founder and CEO of sports business group leaders, Fanmode is pushing the boundaries of digital fan engagement and can prove to become a valuable tool for clubs, leagues and sponsors to gain valuable insights into the details of global engagement.

The London-based company is aggressively pursuing the idea of bringing fans to their teams and each other.

 

 

Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda witnesses first bunch of graduates

Shiko Gathoni
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0
Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda witnesses first bunch of graduates
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Rwanda has graduated its first class of 22 students with master’s degrees in Information Technology.
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The graduation ceremony, which took place at the Serena Hotel in Kigali, highlighted CMU and Government of Rwanda’s commitment to educating engineers and entrepreneurs who are striving to make an economic impact in East Africa. Many of the students aspire to be the next technical innovators and business leaders.
In 2007, the International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, recommended establishing Centres of Excellence throughout Africa to cultivate the science and technological skills required for developing an IT workforce and expertise in Africa.
CMU became the first U.S. University to offer master’s degree programme taught by full-time faculty resident in Africa. The institution offers the students a world-class education enriched by the institution’s history and tradition of excellence that began in the United States in 1900. Rigorous coursework, practicums and internships provide students with the critical skills valued by industry throughout East Africa.
To ensure that Carnegie Mellon University’s research and curriculum in Rwanda remain relevant to Africa, the faculty and students engage with local companies and multinational corporations on a continual basis. Companies that have recruited CMU students for internships in East Africa include General Electric, IBM, Marriott, Microsoft, VISA and Voxiva.
“Being present in East Africa is the only way to understand the region’s technology needs. Creating a long-term education programme is critical, because it gives students time to analyze problems and develop solutions in the context in which they occur,” said Bruce Krogh, the inaugural director of CMU in East Africa.
CMU offers two graduate degree programmes: its founding programme, the M.S. in Information Technology, and the M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering launching in August, 2014.

Amazon will most likely keep mum about Fire Phone

Robin Okuthe
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Amazon will most likely keep mum about Fire Phone

E-commerce giant Amazon is expected to release its earnings on July 24, 2014, with many enthusiasts waiting to hear whether Fire Phone is actually selling.

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The company is rumored as likely to realize a loss for the second quarter of this year partly because of its recent investment in novel hardware devices such as the Fire TV streaming device and smartphone.

Although Fire Phone has obtained a lot of media buzz, Amazon will most probably keep mum about the device’s pre-order sales. However, that does not imply those closely observing the company’s earnings will not inquire about the phone’s performance so far.

Aaron Peterson, a senior associate with marketing company Millward Brown Digital, stated: “there will be some attention on how well the phone will perform. Amazon continues to branch out to each of these side-niche products meaning they are pushing out these things to test the waters.”

“Fire Phone isn’t the next iPhone and it cannot just come in and take over the industry. I believe people will not flock to it,” added Peterson.

Amazon views the Fire Phone, which is the latest item on a developing list of hardware for the company, as a means of driving consumers back to its prime services to order more goods online. However, e-retailers enthusiasts are still uncertain as to whether these products will finally benefit the company’s bottom line.

There are mixed reactions to the phone, which contains flashy features such as Firefly image, 3D imaging and audio-recognition capabilities. Its Firefly feature, which identifies products automatically, makes it easy for users to shop for media content and physical items via phone.

However, according to IDCs research director for mobile devices, Ryan Reith, the device is quite expensive to cause a paradigm shift in the smartphone market in the same manner as the Kindle Fire. Further, when Amazon joined the tablet market, the devices were still fresh to users, though customers have began to realize that they have other alternatives among cheaper tablets.

From CNETs Jessica Dolcourt review, the 3D visuals, Amazon shopping integration and operating system design are pleasant, though the phone does not stand out among other similarly priced Android phones. Fire Phone lacks fundamental Google services. It also provides a more limited app store.

“Anyway, it is quite early to say how the Fire Phone is doing. More dependable estimates of the phone’s sales will not be anticipated for at least several weeks,” added Reith.

Nigeria’s PrivateProperty.ng Lists Over 130,000 Properties

Sam Wakoba
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Nigeria’s PrivateProperty.ng Lists Over 130,000 Properties

PPNG New Logo-1Today, Nigeria’s Private Property said it has hit over 130,000 properties and 1.3 million enquiries since its inception in November 2011, bigger than any other property website in Nigeria.

According toPrivateproperty Managing Director & Co-Owner, Oluwafemi Taiwo,”We keep data of property listings on our website as this ensures we have an estimate of growth in use of our website. The number of enquiries sent by property buyers to property sellers on our website is a key success factor for us, helping us ensure we’re adding value to all our users and this shows that the Real Estate sector in Nigeria is fully harnessing the potentials of the Internet”.

The firm also aimes to launch a new PrivateProperty.ng early August 2014 to incorporate new features aimed at improving user experience as it is more responsive with easy navigation. The One Africa Media backed firm aims to be the region’s market leading property site and not only in Nigeria.

One Africa media runs Cheki, Jobberman and Private Property and has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa. It’s investors include Tiger Global and SEEK.

Hotels.ng Unveils Events Booking Platform

Sam Wakoba
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Hotels.ng Unveils Events Booking Platform

hotelsngNigeria’s Hotels.ng, an online hotel booking with over 4000 hotels across all states in Nigeria has launched its Events product platform to allow people to provide 12 selected choice hotels close to any event that they are doing. So it’s not so much an events booking platform but kinda helps.

According to Wumi Netufo, project manager of the Events product platform, “As the biggest online hotel booking agency in Nigeria, we launched this product based off the requests of our customers. We often have a lot of group bookings in a particular region for an event. We thought about it – it makes sense to group people in particular hotels (the hotel then has full occupancy), as we can then negotiate steep discounts. It’s easier to transport people for the event organisers. So we sat down and thought about how to make a product out of this. We came up with Hotels.ng Events – and already it has been a resounding success – events with more than 5000 participants have already used this.”
To register your event on the Hotels.ng Events platform, log on to hotels.ng/events, enter your name, phone number, email address and describe your event. The discounts will be negotiated on your behalf and your personalized event site goes live!

The Event platform is open to individuals who have their own private events as well as event planners too.

The hotels.ng founder is among those nominated for the Future Africa Awards.

 

Google Africa Drums Up Support for Nigeria’s 440

Sam Wakoba
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Google Africa Drums Up Support for Nigeria’s 440

440Google Africa is drumming up support for 440, the new startup accelarator founded by 88mph and L5Lab to inject between $20k-110k into startups in Nigeria for 10-25% equity.

In a blog post, Elija Kitaka, Google Africa program manager said, “We are very excited to be supporting 440 in creating new opportunities for Nigerian startups to build great products for the local market, Africa and the world. Applications for the 3-month accelerator program which begins on September 10th are now open.”

According to Kitaka, accelerator programs are essential to grow Africa’s nascent startup scene as they already have result-citing One Africa Media’s Jobberman and Cheki.ng. which received support from Nigeria’s L5Labs.

“This is why we have supported the launch of 440, a new accelerator program aimed at creating an early stage fund and accelerator for mobile web startups in Nigeria, ” he wrote. ” 440, an initiative of 88MPH and L5Lab, will provide a platform for Nigeria’s startup community to get access to early stage funding, mentoring, and other forms of support.”

Unveiled February this year, 440 aims to invest in startups targeting the African market and applications for its first batch are open till August 1. Successful startups will have access to over 30 mentors drawn from the business community, investors, serial entrepreneurs, among others.  If you haven’t applied click here now.

88mph has invested in startups in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, India and from across the continent. 440 will invest in 10 Africa-focused web or mobile startups for a 3 months programme to help them refine their products, business models, and do sales. Applications close August 1st.

“We hope that our contributions to the entrepreneurship ecosystem are providing real economic opportunities for people, businesses and communities worldwide,” Kitaka concluded.

FirstBank and PayPal hailed for facilitating international payments in Nigeria

Caroline Vutagwa
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FirstBank and PayPal hailed for facilitating international payments in Nigeria

fbank

Nigerian commercial bank FirstBank Nigeria has partnered with PayPal to allow its customers to register for a PayPal accounts from their FirstOnline, Internetbanking account.

The PayPal account will enable Nigerians to shop online without having to share their financial information with the retailers.

 FirstBank customers will gain a unique advantage as their PayPal account will receive automatic verification and increased transaction limits, making it easier to make online or mobile payments.

Bisi Onasanya, Group Managing Director at FirstBank, said: “It is equally noteworthy, as it syncs with FirstBank’s enhanced service solutions for its SME, e-business, mobile banking and Online banking customers. I am happy to also note that we are consummating this significant partnership in a historic year when FirstBank is celebrating 120 years of doing business in Nigeria.”

 According to Onasanya, FirstBank is optimistic that the joint venture with Paypal would make far-reaching impact on the lives of its invaluable customers in particular and the entire people of Nigeria in general.

 “In expanding our scope in the e-commerce and money transfer sub-sector, we have carefully identified PayPal due to its pedigree and robust success, achieved since inception 12 years ago, as a major consumer-to-consumer remittance company worthy of our partnership,” he added.

 PayPal’s Regional Director for Africa and Israel, Efi Dahan, said: “Millions of Nigerians already shop on websites in the US, UK or China, but many find their cards are rejected or have concerns about entering their credit card details on the website of a seller based overseas.

 “PayPal is used by hundreds of millions of people around the world to make international payments because PayPal payments are trusted by international retailers and we don’t share your financial details with anyone.

OLX Kenya Social Media Awards 2014 open for aspirants

Caroline Vutagwa
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OLX Kenya Social Media Awards 2014 open for aspirants
(FROM LEFT) OLK Kenya Country Manager, Peter Ndiangu'i, marketing manager, Priscila Muhiu, TV presenter Terryanne Chebet and Kenya Social Media director and Martin Mule, after the launch.
(FROM LEFT) OLK Kenya Country Manager, Peter Ndiangu’i, marketing manager, Priscila Muhiu, TV presenter Terryanne Chebet and Kenya Social Media director and Martin Mule, after the launch.

Kenyans who have established online presence have an opportunity to be recognized for using social media positively to impact lives. This comes after the unveiling of ‘Call for Nominations’ for the 2nd Annual OLX Kenya Social Media Awards (SOMA) 2014.

The Annual OLX Kenya Social Media Awards, which is scheduled for October 2, 2014, will also see individuals and organizations feted for their roles in contributing to the growth of social media.

The theme for this year’s Awards is “Making Social Media Work For You”. The new categories included are the National and County Governments, Learning Institutions, and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

Other categories for nominations are:

  • Social Network Personality of the Year
  • Large Corporation Category
  • SMEs Category
  • The National and County governments
  • Traditional Media
  • Best use of Social Media and
  • The Best of the Best.

More details on the categories and nominations criteria can be obtained from Soma.or.ke.

Social Media Awards (SOMA) Director, Martin Muli, said the categories have been reviewed to make the Awards more relevant to the tremendous growth witnessed in social media use over the last one year.

“These Awards are designed to create a platform to celebrate the contribution of social media to the social, economic and political spheres of our lives…the consolidation and new additions in categories will serve to grow the Social Media Awards in stature and popularity over the coming years,” Muli said.

Muli acknowledged that the recognition of influencers in the local social media realm speaks to the growth of internet usage especially though mobile platforms, which have experienced exponential growth.

According to industry reports, internet subscribers in Kenya have grown by 13 percent in the second quarter of the 2013/2014 financial year to stand at 13.1 million subscribers. This is up from 11.9 million recorded in the previous quarter with mobile subscriptions as the largest contributor of internet data subscriptions.

The Director of Digital Media in the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit, Dennis Itumbi, who was the chief guest at the event, said the Government will set up a digital advisory council to streamline use of social media by public institutions.

Itumbi commented that lack of a body to oversee the development and implementation of social media strategy had made it impossible for public institutions to reap full benefits of the digital communications.

He also challenged social media users to play a role in the formulation of a Bill that will ensure self-regulation to curb cases of abuse.

OLX Kenya CEO, Peter Ndiangu’i, said social media has boosted the growth of e-commerce, helped in attainment of career objectives and enhancement of citizens’ participation in governance.

Ndiangu’i also warned against abuse social media channels, saying: “If abused, social media can disintegrate the social fabric by creating disharmony and hatred among various communities.”

Kenyan motorists to Use Visa Cards in 120+ Total Service Stations

Caroline Vutagwa
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Kenyan motorists to Use Visa Cards in 120+ Total Service Stations

visa

Over 120 Total Service Stations across Kenya now accept Visa debit and credit cards, allowing for cashless payment of car fuel.

Jabu Basopo, Country Manager for Visa in Southern and East Africa, stated that “thanks to the ongoing installation of Point of Sale (POS) devices” at Total Service Stations motorists can now pay for fuel quickly and safely.

There is no need to take the risk of carrying cash, Basopo said adding that: “Drivers can safely make payments using their cards at our secure point of sale devices from the comfort of their vehicles. This puts Kenya on a technological par with many other countries around the world.”

Total Kenya hopes that the safety of cash will be useful to regular drivers as well to fleet managers as it allows them to control and monitor their fuel costs more efficiently.

Basopo hinted that Visa would be rolling out POS devices at TOTAL Service Stations in Uganda and Tanzania later this year.

Ada Eze, the Total Kenya Managing Director, pointed out that as non-cash payments become widespread in e-commerce and person-to-person payments, his company will continue to offer motorists a host of payment options at the pump.

“We want to make paying for fuel and other commodities and services at Total Service Stations as convenient as possible for motorists. Total Service stations are a focal point in our customer’s day-to-day lives and as such, we promise to continuously offer innovative and current payment solutions that make purchases as seamless as possible,” she said.

Total Kenya Service Stations currently accept cash, the ‘Total Bonvoyage’ fuel card, Visa payments, mobile money payments & in select stations, MasterCard.

Currently, Shell, Oilibya, Engen and some Kenol Kobil service stations operating in Kenya also accept Visa payments.

Nairobi County Adopt e-Payment To Ease Payment of Rent & Parking

Caroline Vutagwa
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Nairobi County Adopt e-Payment To Ease Payment of Rent & Parking

 ncc

In a move to ease payment for services and streamline revenue collection, the Nairobi City Council Government, in partnership with JamboPay, has switched to e-payment for its range of services — such as matatu seasonal ticketing and rent for estates and market stalls.

Nairobi governor Dr Evans Kidero said the e-payments for land rates and single Business Permit were already operational and had helped ease long queues at City Hall.

 “We have activated this system today and it is accessible to Nairobi residents intending to pay for seasonal parking or rent through their mobile phones, authorized banks and agents, huduma centres a Teleposta Towers, City Square Post Office and Makadara County Offices (formerly DC’s office) and from a link on the county’s web portal,” said Dr Kidero .

Jonathan Mueke, Deputy Governor of Nairobi, stated that the county was working on the third phase of the e-payment modules that will see automation of daily and seasonal parking payment for individuals.

The e-payment solution and the web portal are part of the Nairobi City County ICT Transformation Program which started in 2013. It is aimed at improving efficiency and accountability in the collection and management of NCC funds.

Public service vehicles and tenants can use any of the new system have an option of using one of the several forms f interface with the e-payment solution. This, Mueke said, will help ease the hustle of queuing in the county office to make payments.

“JamboPay is proud of this partnership that will ease and simply citizen interaction with the County Government. We will continue supporting the County with cutting edge technology and support services. We are targeting to recruit 6,000 revenue collection agents in the city to support this service,” said Danson Muchemi, the JamboPay CEO.

The online portal can be accessed at Nairobi.go.ke . USSD option is also accessible by dialling *217# for the basic level phones.

Airtel Africa Appoints New MD to turn Around its Burkina Faso Operations

Sam Wakoba
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Airtel Africa Appoints New MD to turn Around its Burkina Faso Operations

134e8daLeardeship changes in Africa seem to be Bharti Airtel’s missile to take over markets it once held dear again. The firm has today appointed Mr. Ben Cheick Haidara, as Managing Director for Airtel in Burkina Faso with effect from August 1, 2014.

With a Master’s degree in Management science from the Institut de MSG and a post graduate degree in Accounting & Finance  from the Institut de DESS – University of Ouagadougou, an executive MBA – Management Operations from HEC Paris, France, Mr. Haidara is expected to drive Airtel’s operations in Burkina Faso and support the government’s telecommunications agenda in the country.

Replacing Hachimou Hassane who has been acting as Airtel M.D Burkina Faso, Haidara’s to do list include pushing the adoption of Airtel money, growing data uptake in the country building on the firm’s 3G and mobile commerce telco footprint across Africa.

Airtel fished Haidara from Etisalat Benin where he was the M.D since September 2011. Before that, Haidara was the Finance Director at Atlantic Telecom Gabon from July 2006 to February 2007, took up the Managing Director role at Telecel Burkina Faso in February 2007, was Managing Director Prestige Telecom in Ivory Coast between March and September 2008, and later became the Managing Director at Atlantique Telecom in Niger from October 2008 to August 2011.

Airtel Africa CEO Mr. Christian de Faria said: “Ben is a respected telecoms professional with proven leadership capabilities in Africa.  I would like to warmly welcome him on behalf of the entire Airtel family. ”

Melodramatic Parody Twitter Account of Kenya’s Inspector of Police Suspended

Sam Wakoba
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0
Melodramatic Parody Twitter Account of Kenya’s Inspector of Police Suspended

BtNj_eLIEAEfsgEIt’s not funny when a whole Inspector of Police tweets that the police force is going to cut down trees in a forest to fight insecurity but we all laughed. However, it got more insane when the same account posted that there was a chance for Kenyans who got a D+ and thought life had come to an end, the account claimed the police wanted them like gold.

Even now, we can’t hold our laughter even though this is a serious matter. The good news is that the tweets were coming from a parody account with slightly altered names as @IGKimayio and just 391 followers and not the geniune @IGKimaiyo which is a verified account managed by Inspector General of Police, National Police Service and has over 96,000 followers.

Even better, the parody twitter account has been suspended and sorry guys, no more police force jokes. Some people were folled by the parody though.

 

 

 

 

‘Digital tattoo’ perfectly poised to boost phone security

Robin Okuthe
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0
‘Digital tattoo’ perfectly poised to boost phone security

Motorola has launched its latest model for the Moto X smartphone dubbed “digital tattoo.” The device, which consists of a piece of circuitry that can be attached to the wrist, enables users to unlock their smartphones.

Digital tattoo is a thin, nickel-sized sticker with circuitry. Users can stick one to their wrists and unlock their cellphone by touching the device to the tattoo.

Digital-tattoo

According to Motorola, people take an average of 2.3 seconds to unlock their phones, an action they perform approximately 39 times a day.  Since this process can be tedious and cumbersome, many people are reluctant to unlock their phones. Motorola hopes the wearable technology will provide a more convenient way of unlocking mobile phones, though it is still not clear whether “digital tattoos” will turn out to be the next big fashion accessory.

The NFC-enabled technology is accessible via VivaLnk, with a pack of 10 costing $10, each lasts for five days and is wearable even when swimming, working out or showering.

The launch of Digital Tattoo comes after the company unveiled its Skip accessory, which is a wearable clip that permits users to unlock their phones with a single tap. The device was first revealed last year at the All Things Digital Conference.

Uber Goes Live in Lagos

Sam Wakoba
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0
Uber Goes Live in Lagos

UberYesterday, Uber went live in Lagos, Nigeria to give the residents of “The Vegas of Africa” an easy way to hail their cabs in record time.

Begining in Lagos and set to expand across the country, Uber took Ice Prince to his recording session on the Island, making him the first person in the country to use the new car hailing service. Uber will compete Rocket Internet’s EasyTaxi which has been spreading across the country steadily and already has over 400 drivers in its database.

To use Uber, download the Uber App to your iPhone or Android device, reegister with your debit or credit card and simply request a cab. Uber is now giving Lagosians great discounts to get their first ride with the promo code LAUNCHLAGOS for NGN2000 off their first rides!
The firm said in a blog post  that during this testing period, car availability will be limited and primarily focused on ‘The Island’ & the surrounding neighbourhoods. For those looking for gigs, the firm is looking for a General Manager, Operations Manager and Community Manager to build Uber Lagos.
Uber is now available in 42 countries globally while in Africa, it’s available in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and now Lagos. Nairobi is listening!

Reports of shilling’s performance to go electronic

Susan Mwenesi
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0
Reports of shilling’s performance to go electronic

Reports on the performance of the Kenyan shilling is set to go electronic courtesy of Thomson Reuters a global provider of financial information.

The Daily Nation reports that the organisation will operate currency benchmarks for the unit, the Ghanaian cedi and the Zambian kwacha, beginning a process that will see the benchmarks move from a manual telephone-based system to an automated analysis, ensuring integrity and transparency of the rates.

The firm will provide the information through its subsidiary Thomson Reuters Benchmark Services Limited to enable local and international investors track performance of currencies of respective countries given increasing investor interest in those markets.

“This is based on increased investor interest from the offshore into these markets who want to better understand performance of the currencies of respective countries.

“What they are trying to cover is an information gap that exists in the currency market,” Citibank head of markets Ignatius Chicha said.

AT the moment the reporting has been manual but with the new system there will also be a fully-auditable record of submissions.

The currency benchmark is expected to contribute to a seamless and efficient flow of data among the African countries and their global trading partners, easing trade activities.

“These three global-standard benchmarks are integral to the development of three of Africa’s most exciting economies,” Thomson Reuters head of financial and risk, Africa, Sneha Shah, said.

“Kenya is the major trading hub for East Africa; Ghana is growing in the west and Zambia is a country to watch in the south with exciting developments in its commodities and derivatives markets,” she said.

 money_0081

Lendico attracts US$285 m in loan demand globally

Susan Mwenesi
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0
Lendico attracts US$285 m in loan demand globally

10171101_244634175728385_6680600628369510921_nOnline peer to peer banking service Lendico has attracted US$285 m (R 3 billion) globally) I demads for loans all over the world.

The site which is also available in Europe (Poland Austria, Germany and spain), launched in South Africa less than three months ago.

Lendico, counts more than 50,000 registered users and has received credit enquiries worth over 3 billion rand. With this strong demand, the Lendico team is growing and now comprises around 150 experts from the fields of finance, risk assessment and underwriting across two continents.

Lendico works by connecting borrowers and lenders to allow both sides to benefit from attractive conditions. Once prospective borrowers have created a loan project onlendico.co.za, Lendico analyses their credit worthiness and offers them extremely competitive rates. Investors can then compare all loan projects online and enter bids as low as R250. If a loan project gets fully funded, the borrower receives his or her loan and investors receive their respective principal and interest payments from the first month.

The site also allows investors to diversify their portfolio across several loan projects, thereby earning higher returns compared with similarly secure investments.

LENDICO By removing the need for banks, Lendico saves costs which can then be passed on to customers. The present market environment is particularly favourable for credit marketplaces such as Lendico, since investors are suffering from low interest rates that are below the inflation rate. This means that the service’s high returns represent an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional banks.

Laurens Pohl, MD for Lendico South Africa, commented: “An increasing number of borrowers are breaking free of the high rates charges by bank and instead choosing a more favourable Lendico loan. We provide a secure and transparent loan marketplace, and offer great deals for both borrowers and lenders with no hidden fees or complicated paperwork. In future, we are confident that we can build on the achievements of the past few months and continue to help customers in South Africa save money in the loan market.”

Kola Studios Unveils New Game

Sam Wakoba
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0
Kola Studios Unveils New Game

mosquito rush mosquito rush East Africa’s Kola studios, a game development company backed by Africa-focused Savannah Fund has today released a new game dubbed Mosquito Rush, something people in East Africa do almost all time.

Reknown for its Matatu game with over 60,000 users, Kola Studios has other popular games like Last Card, Keiko, Spar, Karata, Tapt and Zword and is developing more.

According to the team, “Mosquito Rush”, is an action packed fun game where the mission is to smash all the mosquitoes at all costs to protect a baby. Players have to be fast, furious and accurate and need to survive from mosquito attacks and make sure none of them escape or else the game is over.

The female Anopheles mosquitoes pick up the Malaria parasite from infected people when they bite to obtain blood needed to nurture their eggs and transmit it to others. Malaria parasites multiply rapidly in the liver and then in red blood cells of the infected person and in one or two weeks fever, headache, chills and vomiting characterize those infected. If not treated Malaria destorys red blood cells and can kill if not treated. In sub-Saharan Africa, Malaria claims nearly a million deaths a year according to the World Health Organization. This game can help peoplebe aware of the causes and prevention methods of Malaria and later save lives.

 

 

Kenya Posta Unveils the Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme Payment System

Sam Wakoba
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Kenya Posta Unveils the Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme Payment System
L-R, Dr. Enock Kinaya (postmaster General), Maina Kamanda (MP Starehe), Kazungu Kambi (CS Labour) & katike Mwele (beneficiary).
L-R, Dr. Enock Kinaya (postmaster General), Maina Kamanda (MP Starehe), Kazungu Kambi (CS Labour) & katike Mwele (beneficiary).

Posta Corporation of Kenya has rolled out a cash transfer programme to pay Ksh2000 each month for five months to the elderly in the country.

Dubbed the Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme Payment System, the programme is set to benefit 105,000 elderly persons through a bi-monthly cash stipend for basic upkeep.  The Older Persons Cash Transfer (OPCT) first began in 2007 under the Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) as a programme funded by the Government of Kenya to provide a bi-monthly stipend to elderly, disabled as well as orphaned persons to cater for Kenya’s most poor and vulnerable communities which Postal Corporation of Kenya is the payment agent.

Postmaster General Dr. Enock Kinara said,“POSTA recognises the distinguished role provided by the government as the appointed payment agent for this cash transfer programme, and shall remain committed to providing Kenya’s elderly with the necessary funds to provide for their basic requirements.”

The cash transfers, to be picked in person at POSTA pay points across the country aim to help elderly citizens and other vulnerable persons to meet their basic needs are provided for. Emphasising all respective pay points will be ready to receive all registered persons from Thursday 24th around the country, with the payment system running for 10 working days.

Though there are fears that the money might end up in wrong hands, Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Security Services Hon. Samwel Kazungu Kambi says that is not possible.

“We as the government will not tolerate the misuse of any funds, because you and I lose out as citizens. Kenya cannot move forward with the terrorism of corruption, let us all agree to work against corruption,” said Mr Kambi. “Today we have disbursed Ksh1billion to directly help elderly persons put food on the table and meet the basic necessities of life,” he said.

Others in attendance were PS Labour and Social Security Services Mr. Ali Noor Ismail, MP of Starehe Hon. Maina Kamanda and immediate former MP Ferdinand Waititu who participated in the handing out of the day’s cash allocation at Ksh 3million to the identified elderly and disabled residents of Mathare. Overall, Nairobi County has registered 4,690 new beneficiaries with a total allocation of Ksh46, 900,000.

 

 

5th African mobile telephone recycling facility launched in Côte d’Ivoire

Victoria Mukami
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0
5th African mobile telephone recycling facility launched in Côte d’Ivoire

French-owned mobile telecoms operator Orange has partnered with Emmaüs International to launch the fifth mobile collection facility in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

To mark the event, Orange said that 10 tonnes of mobile waste loaded in a container would leave Abidjan for recycling in France. The first of these dismantling and collection facilities for mobile phones was launched in Burkina Faso in March 2010. Others followed in Niger, Madagascar and Benin.Orange and Emmaus International

Mobile devices use is growing fast in Africa. It is also becoming a major environmental issue, according to Orange.

Already, 500 million mobile devices are in active use in the continent. Millions of discarded handsets, which are often simply thrown away or burned due to the lack of recycling facilities in the majority of African countries, however cause environmental risks.

“For Orange, which is present as a network operator in 20 African countries, the recycling of mobile phone waste is one of the major commitments of its CSR policy. Thanks to the workshops set-up by Orange and Emmaüs International, this waste is now being collected for transport to France for recycling,” Orange said in a statement.

Since 2010, some 140 tonnes of mobile waste have already been taken to France for recycling and more than 30 permanent jobs have been created at the African facilities. At each facility that is managed by six local workers, over 10 tonnes of mobile waste is collected yearly and sent to France for recycling.

Over the next five years, Orange and Emmaüs International plan to continue opening up new collection facilities, which confirms their collaboration on this project that contributes to social welfare and local economies while protecting the environment.

“In France, a young company called Morphosis takes direct delivery of containers of waste from the five African collection facilities at the port in Le Havre. On receipt of the containers, Morphosis sorts the waste into different types by material.

“The next step is to process the waste, extracting the rare metals that can be re-used in the manufacture of new products and devices. Morphosis is a particularly inventive and effective player in this new market in France.” Orange said in a statement.

Orange has, since 2009, been working collaboratively with Ateliers du Bocage, which is a member of the Emmaüs International, to recycle used mobile devices collected internally in France or from Orange stores. The collected mobile devices are then sorted into two categories: those that can be re-used are remade and sold in developing countries while those that no longer function are recycled.

Orange has been organizing an annual collection event in France for second-hand batteries, chargers and mobiles via its 1200 stores in mainland France since 2010. The profits from these large-scale ventures are then invested into the “Africa Project” that is run by Emmaüs International.

The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom Now In Kenyan Market

Caroline Vutagwa
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0
The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom Now In Kenyan Market

 k zoom

Samsung Electronics has unveiled a device dubbed ‘Samsung Galaxy K Zoom’ that serves as a smartphone cum camera.

Samsung Galaxy K Zoom’ is expected to appeal to a generation of users who enjoy taking still images and videos using smartphones before sharing them to friends through the social media. The device also represents a new category of camera-specialized smartphones that balance great mobile phone performance with camera functionality.

Samsung commented that the device will offer a more intense picture and video taking experience compared to other Galaxy devices.

Samsung Electronics East and Central Africa Internet and Mobile Director, Manoj Changarampatt, said: “With the growth in popularity of social media and content sharing among smartphone users, we develop innovative devices that blend the best of smartphone and camera features, because our research has shown that users are no longer content with having to choose between the two.”

The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom is designed to offer the control and functionality needed to ensure pictures and video are crisp and sharp.

It is the only camera-specialized smartphone in the market that comes equipped with 10x optical zoom and a 20.7MP camera which works in low-light shooting environments.

The retracting lens technology makes it much slimmer than its predecessor the Samsung Galaxy Zoom, making it less bulky and more portable.

Equipped with the Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) functionality, the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom can reduce the ‘blur’ caused by camera movement during exposure. This unique feature comes in handy in low light, when zooming in and when recording videos.

The new device also integrates advanced camera usability features and functions, including Auto Exposure/Auto Focus Separation for the precise balance of light and clarity, next-generation Pro Suggest mode which offers 10 optimized filter settings, Selfie Alarm that allows users to take timed selfies with ease, and object tracking for a clear, focused shot of a moving subject.

The smartphone performance is as good as the Galaxy S4 as it comes will all premium Galaxy devices. It is also equipped with a Hexa core, which is 1.3 GHz Quad-core and 1.7 GHz Dual-core, as well as outstanding power and performance for fast browsing, quick multi-tasking, smooth UI transitions and better gaming performance.

The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom is available in Samsung stores and leading mobile phone retailers countrywide. It retails at KSh55,000.

IBM’s entrepreneur program for SA startups gains momentum

Robin Okuthe
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0
IBM’s entrepreneur program for SA startups gains momentum

IBM has stated that its entrepreneur program has gained impelling momentum in South Africa, boosting the country’s startup community.

According to IBM, the program has been instrumental in nurturing a first of a kind road safety concept called vehicle alert system and mobile application dubbed “Road Buddy.”

Road Buddy, which is a proactive approach to ensuring road safety, functions by transmitting warning signals from road users who are susceptible to accidents such as pedestrians, cyclists, emergency vehicles and motorists.

Photo credit: IBM
Photo credit: IBM

Its inimitable aspect is that it facilitates send- and -receive warning system to road users anyway across the globe, reports SmileandMobile.com.

Road Buddy was conceptualised in 2006 by local entrepreneur Werner van der Westhuizen of EMEWS Vehicle Warning System.

Speaking to CP-Africa.com, Van der Westhuizen said: “Imagine if there was a way that you could be warned that someone riding a bicycle was approaching your car or that an ambulance was approaching at a top speed. This is what Road Buddy does.”

The launch of Road Buddy is expected to promote road accident prevention. Global statistics indicate that road traffic accidents claim some 1.24 million lives each year. Between 20 and 50 million people are injured annually, making road accidents the principal killer globally. In South Africa, about 10,850 road accidents are fatal and lead to some R307 billion loss, or around 7.8 percent cost to the economy each year.

Clayton Booysen, Ecosystem Development Manager at IBM SA, said: ‘Working with the next generation entrepreneurs we specifically look at how we can use new technologies such as cloud computing and analytics to provide solutions to critical global issues.”

“In the case of Road Ruddy, our Softlayer Cloud system enables them to get to market quickly and to prevent accidents on the Road.”

The application was designed collaboratively by engineers at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) before being developed by Cape Town based software engineers.

Lamudi’s Global property portal now available for iPhone users

Robin Okuthe
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0
Lamudi’s Global property portal now available for iPhone users

Global property portal Lamudi has launched its iOS app dubbed Lamudi: Real Estate for Sale and Rent in Lagos, Nigeria in a bid to capture the rapidly expanding smartphone market in the West African nation.Lamudi mobile app

The launch comes after the successful roll-out of the company’s Android app last month in Nigeria. The Lamudi’s Android app is currently accessible on iOS devices in 16 countries – among them in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Lamudi, which is a division of African Internet Holding, has thus far made the iOS app accessible in nine African countries.

According to Allie Morse, the CEO of Lamudi West and Central Africa, Lamudi is very excited concerning the launch of iOS app, enabling property seekers to surf from their mobile devices 1000’s of top properties. The leading property portal provides buyers, renters, property owners and sellers a safe and easy-to-use platform to look for or list properties online.Lamudi's new app

Managing Director of Lamudi Nigeria commented during the official launch of the Lamudi iOS app that Lamudi Nigeria has taken giant leaps since its official launch last year. He further stated: “Lamudi is all about constant evolution. Some months back we launched the You tube channel and android app and today we are launching the iOS app making certain that we get Lamudi Nigeria in the hands of more than 30 million estimated smartphone Nigeria users.”

Sacha Poignonnec, the co-CEO of Africa Internet Holding, stated: “The launch of Lamudi’s Android app was a great success last month. We witnessed great demand from our Nigerian users and beyond, therefore we chose to keep the momentum going by moving on to iOS immediately.”

According to Lamudi, the novel iOS app places thousands of worldwide property listings from 16 countries “inside your pocket.”

“In sum, listings from nine African countries are currently accessible on iOS, which means that your dream home is now only a tap away,” Lamudi said in a statement.

According to a new report from research firm Frost & Sullivan, the Lamudi app offers house-hunters the perfect platform to buy, sell or rent property on the go. The Android and iOS apps are designed to satisfy the rising demand for mobile internet services in emerging markets. The use of smartphone in sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to increase by 40-percent every year until 2017.

A fundamental feature of the app is its customized search function that permits users to filter results simply by country. Additionally, the app offers match alerts, with users being notified as soon as a property that matches their needs hits the market. House-hunters can also bookmark their preferred properties to access on any device at any time.

According to Lamudi,  the listings on the app contain “high-quality photo galleries, detailed property information, maps, and multiple contact details for property owners or agents. Users can also share their favourite properties with family and friends via Facebook, Twitter or email.”

Currently, the Lamudi iOS app is available in Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Colombia, Mexico, Zimbabwe, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Peru and Indonesia.

Passenger posts Creepy messages on Facebook before Boarding crashed Malaysia Airlines plane

Robin Okuthe
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0
Passenger posts Creepy messages on Facebook before Boarding crashed Malaysia Airlines plane

A passenger who is claimed to have boarded the Malaysia Airlines plane that crashed on Thursday posted a photo of a plane with a creepy message before getting on the doomed Boeing 777.Boeing 777 crashes

The post (translated to English from Dutch) reads: “In case it goes missing, this is what it looks like.”

Cor Pan posted the photo of the Malaysia Airlines plane on Facebook while in Amsterdam on Thursday. The post however seems to be a reference to the Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared earlier this year.

Some 150 Facebook users have since posted comments. “I can’t believe this … totally broken,” one user stated in Dutch under Pan’s photo. “Rest in peace.”

As indicated in his Facebook profile, Pan is self-employed and hails from Volendam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands.

With 295 persons on board, the Boeing 777 was shot down Thursday while flying over Ukraine, near the Russian border. It’s not yet clear who is responsible.

Before crashing, the ill-fated plane was on the way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. There were no survivors.

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