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CEO Weekends: Airtel Kenya files a Complaint against Safaricom for overcharging customers

Caroline Vutagwa
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CEO Weekends: Airtel Kenya files a Complaint against Safaricom for overcharging customers

Airtel Kenya has confirmed that the Competition Authority of Kenya has received and is investigating a complaint of higher pricing for off net money transfer by rival MPESA.

The complaint was filed after Airtel reportedly noticed that Safaricom, the country’s largest mobile network operator charged more for money transfer to other networks. While offnet pricing are usually higher for telecom services, it is not clear whether the same applies for mobile money services.

artelMPESA

Last year, Airtel Kenya filed a complaint against Safaricom accusing it of abusing its market dominance. Airtel said that safaricom was restricting the market to unhealthy competition thus closing the market outlets.

Airtel Kenya still maintains that Safaricom is abusing its position as the country’s largest mobile network operator in imposing higher charges for off-net mobile money transfers

The Competition Authority of Kenya director general Wangombe Kariuki has confirmed that the complaint is in their receipt and that the report is due shortly.

CEO Weekends: NCA lifts ban on Vodafone Ghana

Susan Mwenesi
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CEO Weekends: NCA lifts ban on Vodafone Ghana

Ghana’s communication regulator The National Communications Authority (NCA) has lifted the ban imposed on Vodafone Ghana on the 6th of June, 2014, caused by nationwide outage on the network.

Among the sanctions imposed on the telecom were , banning them from the acquisition of new subscribers, sale of New SIM Cards, porting subscribers from other networks to Vodafone, introduction of new services, promotions, offers and from all marketing communications.

NCA also directed the network to compensate consumers.

Originally, these sanctions were in place till 31st July, 2014, however but since Vodafone has been able to meet the conditions put in place by the Authority to ensure quality delivery of service, the ban has been lifted.

As part of conditions required for lifting the ban, the network was to investigate and rectify all issues on their core network following which the Authority would conduct series of tests. This included implementing a permanent fix on their Recharge Platform and ensuring that identified defective equipment were replaced,” said the regulator in a statement.

After various actions taken by Vodafone and reported to the Authority, NCA has since conducted series of verification tests on the network between June 25, 2014 and July 6, 2014 regarding the remedial measures on the outage that occurred on 3rd June, 2014.

“The verification tests have proved that Vodafone Ghana has met all the requirements to ensure network stability and consumer satisfaction. As a result, the Authority has lifted the ban. It should be noted that the main objective of the ban was to ensure that Vodafone Ghana puts in place measures to ensure quality and consistent service delivery, and not meant to be punitive,” said the network in a statement.

“The National Communications Authority takes this opportunity to assure the general public that the Authority will continue to work in the interest of the consumer and all stakeholders at all times,” read another part.

vodafoneVodafone has also been advised to ensure that they conduct regular monitoring and maintenance of the network to prevent outages which affect consumer satisfaction and to prevent such an incidence from re‐occurring.

CEO Weekends: Nikweli.com Wants to Disrupt Tanzania’s Blue Collar Recruitment Sector

Sam Wakoba
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CEO Weekends: Nikweli.com Wants to Disrupt Tanzania’s Blue Collar Recruitment Sector

 

Tanzania’s Nikweli, a mobile-to-web job matching platform that connects employers and job seekers for lower skill, “blue collar” type positions aims to bring simplicity to recruitment in Tanzania.

Founded in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, April 2014 by Agnieszka Łyniewska and Tiffany Tong, Nikweli allows job seekers to register their standardized professional details through SMS and employers search and compile candidates online with a click.

“We control quality of the database. We aim to expand reach, reduce cost and time, and bring more transparency for employers and job seekers alike,” Łyniewska who worked as a private sector development economist at the World Bank in Tanzania and as a strategy consultant in London and Spain and also finishing her MBA at London Business School tells TechMoran.

As part of the DEMO Africa 40, Nikweli was founded to solve a need.

“We were attracted to this problem because we have worked looking at this problem from a policy level and on the ground, from a job seeker and employer perspective. There seems to be a large mismatch in the market which can be tapped with the power of the exponentially growing mobile communications market,” Łyniewska told TechMoran.

Now with over 600 job seekers signed up the firm is scaling its database to 1000+ candidates. It has 10 employers signed up for trials since it released its prototype 1.0. Nikweli is pushing for its second phase of employer trials in the next 3 weeks.

nikweliNikweli works simple.

Job seekers register their standardized professional details through an automatic SMS survey. It has various checking mechanisms to try to make sure the details are as accurate and detailed as possible. Employers search for candidates on its web interface with criteria that are important to them. They then compile chosen candidates with a click. Once an employer pays, they will be able to see the full information and contact details of the candidates they have chosen. The shortlisting process is done. The rest is up to the employers to interview their candidates.

“There is a lot of potential for expansion with additional functionalities to make sure the experience is smooth and painless for both employers and job seekers alike,” says Tong. “Our business model is pay-per-lead. Employers pay for each candidate whose details employers would like to see. The service is free for job seekers.”

The firm’s challenge was the thought that everything needs to happen at once but the reality is that the different parts have to be developed in parallel to support each other and there are only so many hours in a day. Nikweli’s main competitors are recruitment agencies, websites with job postings, and two other new job postings through SMS services. But even with competition, Łyniewska says Nikweli’s believes its targets and methods to reach its clients are different enough from the competitors and they occupy a good-size niche.

On funding, the firm says it has not raised any round of funding right now but will be launching a crowdfunding campaign soon. Nikweli is bootstrapping and self-funding currently and the founders are beyond excited to be part of the DEMO Africa 40 because it would be a great stage to launch its product to gain visibility and hopefully funding and expertise from investors with similar vision and values.

After DEMO Africa, Nikweli aims to continue to scale its solution and with some initial investment it should be able to move onto the next start-up phase rapidly.

ttong(1)

Łyniewska came up with the original idea and has the passion to implement it. She brings to Nikweli business acumen, management skills as well as relationships and knowledge of Tanzanian business environment.

Tiffany Tong the other co-founder of Nikweli has worked and lived in East Africa (Tanzania and Uganda) for over 4 years. Tong has worked in rural villages and capital cities; with donors and private companies. She’s currently coordinating an impact evaluation research project with the World Bank in Tanzania and brings detailed local knowledge and hard-earned project implementation skills to Nikweli.

Kenya’s DUMA Works and Juakali.co.ke, Mafundi, M-Pawa and several others also want to mend the broken recruitment cycle for blue collar job seekers.

CEO Weekends: App Network Helps You Connect With Trillion Dollar Industry, Claim Experts

Stella Kabura
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CEO Weekends: App Network Helps You Connect With Trillion Dollar Industry, Claim Experts

Until recently, most end nodes were desktops, laptops, notebooks and smartphones, which were directly controlled by end-users through or a browser, application or fat client. But today, anyone who successfully constructs app-ready networks will be in a good position to benefit from the Internet of Things, with the opportunity to leverage off what Cisco CEO John Chanbers has described as a $19 trillion industry.

The size, scope and wealth of opportunity that characterises IoT continue to attract the attention of businesses, especially industry leaders. KEMP Technologies is seemingly applying its knowledge and expertise, with extensive research, to draft a White Paper on this industry and offer up its view of how businesses can tap into this potentially lucrative area of ICT development.

The Internet of Things serves as the foundation for the development of browsers and mobile apps and commercial networks. To sustain this influence and achieve the level of application, this resource is driven by several enabling technologies. Kemp Technologies identifies these as ubiquitous powerful computers, internet/ LAN connectivity, reliable sensory input, cost-effective cloud-based storage and processing, long-lasting electrical power.

The IoT swears to extends the end node far beyond the human-centric world to encompass specialized devices with human-accessible interfaces – such as smart home thermostats and blood pressure monitors, and even those which lack human interfaces altogether including industrial sensors, network-connected cameras and traditional embedded systems.

Kemp Technologies is the application-centric load balancer company currently leading the industry with price-to-performance advantages. According to the Company IoT comprises every end node on the Internet and private network, as well as connected servers in the private or public cloud. It also encompasses the ‘internetwork’ itself. These network-connected devices are exploding in number, in location, in functionality, and in expectations, they say.

Desmond Pillay, Africa Sales Country Manager, KEMP Technologies, reiterates statements made in its White Paper regarding the proliferation of this technology and its impact on key market segments. He mentions application in the healthcare industry and the increasing rate of interconnectivity of many devices to a hospital’s network and with highly available and secure server-based applications. This facilitates remote monitoring, data logging and big data analytics to further bolster business.

Other examples of how infrastructure and the Internet continue to make a lasting difference to operations include businesses in retail, manufacturing, utilities and the advancing relevance of wearable technology and impact on consumer services.

Pillay agrees with research which suggests that there are many examples of how IoT adds value to key market segments, including consumers, government and businesses. Specifically, he acknowledges an excerpt from the Kemp Technologies Report which states that as IoT grows, the need for real-time scalability to handle dynamic traffic bursts also increases.

The Report says that here may be the need to handle very low-bandwidth small data streams – such as a sensor identifier and a status bit on a door sensor – or large high-bandwidth streams, like high-definition video from a security camera. There is almost always the need for encryption as well. The scope of the IoT is huge. In some cases, such as apps running on a smartphone, the IoT end node may be a sophisticated mobile computer linked across a cellular data network, with unpredictable connectivity and periods when the app is unavailable or the device is out of radio range. In others, the end node may be a low-powered embedded microcontroller with sensors, hard wired to an industrial network and running 24/7.

While there is rapid growth, there are also challenges. Pillay says issues like huge amounts of traffic including bursts, maintaining fast response time and Quality of Service, security, privacy and regulatory compliance, represent difficulties. However, he is confident of the market’s potential for growth and maturity to overcome these hurdles and transfer the benefit to businesses.

Development of load balancer and Application Delivery Controller (ADC) infrastructure goes hand-in-hand with enabling forces laying the foundation for this growth.

As Kemp Technologies has described, enabling the IoT is the load balancer and the Application Delivery Controller (ADC), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and service chaining. The IoT is the future of networking, and the application load balancing capabilities of the ADC are the keys to building and scaling successful IoT solutions.

In all, KEMP Technologies is a leader in affordable server load balancer appliances and application delivery controllers tailored to meet the needs of businesses that rely on the Internet for e-commerce and business-critical applications. It helps companies rapidly grow their business with 24/7 high-availability, better web infrastructure performance, scalability and secure operations – while streamlining IT costs. Thousands of KEMP LoadMaster products are in use today to improve customer satisfaction by accelerating user access to business-critical web applications. Service providers also rely upon KEMP products to enable fast time-to-market and cost-effective operations for new and existing managed services.

KEMP’s affordable LoadMaster products include Layers 4-7 load balancing, content switching, server persistence, SSL offload or acceleration, and application front-end capabilities (caching, compression, intrusion prevention system), plus one full year of product support – delivering industry leading price or performance value.

Application delivery solutions are known as application delivery controllers (ADC), server load balancers (SLB), application front-end devices (AFE), web switches, content switches and application switches.

For more information visit: www.KEMPtechnologies.com.

CEO Weekends: New CBK KBBR to promote transparency in banking sector

Susan Mwenesi
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CEO Weekends: New CBK KBBR to promote transparency in banking sector

 The recent unveiling of the new Kenya Banks’ Reference Rate (KBRR) by the Central Bank of Kenya is set to promote transparency in the banking sector as it will help customers see what rates local banks are offering for loans especially in terms of interest.

The new rate set was announced by Professor Njuguna Ndungu who is the Chairman of the the Monetary Policy Committee and it stands at 9.13 percent.

“This level of the KBRR will be effective from 8th July, 2014 until its next review in January 2015 (if conditions do not drastically change),” said Ndungu.

The new KBBR was informed by the Central Bank Rate and the weighted 2-month moving average of the 91-day Treasury bill rate after discussions with stakeholders , CBK and National Treasury held discussions.

“The KBRR was developed as part of the recommendations to enhance the supply of private sector credit and mortgage finance in Kenya by facilitating a transparent credit pricing framework. It will be the base rate for all commercial banks’ lending,” added Ndungu.

money_0081 Given that one of the components of the KBRR is the CBR, this framework is expected to enhance the transmission of monetary policy signals through commercial banks’ lending rates. It will be computed as an average of the CBR and the weighted 2-month moving average of the 91-day Treasury bill rates. The KBRR will be reviewed and announced by the CBK through MPC Press Releases after every six months (if conditions do not drastically change) from the effective date and operationalized through a Banking Circular.

This new development comes in the wake of the introduction of the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) by the Kenya Bankers Association, which is another tool that customers will use to compare the total cost of borrowing apart from interest rates.

This will require  banks to provide loan applicants with a breakdown of the Total Cost of Credit in line with the Central Bank Prudential Guidelines.

The APR takes into account costs of the interest rate component; bank charges and fees; and third party costs, including legal fees, insurance costs, valuation fees, and government levies.

CEO Weekends: Ecobank Donates State Of Art Equipment To Curb Cancer In Kenya

Stella Kabura
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0
CEO Weekends: Ecobank Donates State Of Art Equipment To Curb Cancer In Kenya

Ecobank has sponsored cancer patients for treatment following the recently concluded Ecobank Cancer Caravan in which, out of more than 3,600 people screened for cancer, about 200 people tested positive for either prostrate, cervical cancer or breast cancer and 24 of them have been receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

“We decided to sponsor treatment to select patients in need of urgent medical attention and we are urging other organizations to join this initiative and probably pick the tab for the other patients who need therapeutic treatment to arrest the disease,” said Mr Ehouman Kassi, the Ecobank Kenya Managing Director.

The recent nationwide cancer screening drive dubbed ‘Ecobank Cancer Caravan’ launched in October 2013, aimed at raising public awareness on the importance of screening, early detection and treatment of cancer. With state of the art testing equipment, early detection is the most important determinant of survival.

Studies by the Kenya Medical Research Institute indicate that cancer is the third cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases in Kenya. According to a policy brief on the analysis of cancer in Kenya prepared by Parliament’s department of research, about 50 Kenyans die from various forms of cancers daily.

Thus, Mr. Kassi said the steady rise in the number of cancer incidences in Kenya called for intervention by all concerned parties in order to create awareness and increase survival rate of cancer patients.

If the cancer is found early and has not yet spread, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 per cent, say studies. According to the Kenya Cancer Association (KenCASA) one-third of Cancer deaths could be avoided through Prevention and another third through early detection and treatment.

However in Kenyan Hospitals, equipment used to treat and detect cancer have been scarce. According to Hon. Anyang’ Nyong’o, Kenya has been two decades behind countries like South Africa and India when it comes to technology and state of art equipment used to treat cancer. Moreover, the knowledge takes time to acquire and the access to various forms of treatment is limited, a common trend in third world countries.

Nevertheless, with sufficient funding, a comprehensive health insurance system, institutional capacity to deliver cancer treatment and a patient care system have the capacity to conquer the scourge. Thanks to awareness programs such as that of the Ecobank Cancer Caravan, funds have been donated to cater for treatment facilities.

Mrs Lily Koros Tare, the KNH Chief Executive Officer said the six infusion pump chairs worth Ksh1 million donated by the bank during the Ecobank Cancer Caravan have helped ensure cancer patients receive their chemotherapy safely and comfortably.

Before the donation, the unit had only 12 such chairs, incommensurate with the number of patients that it attends to twice every week seeking chemotherapy. On each of the days, the treatment is administered to at least 60 patients, the weekly average standing at 120.

The donation has seen more patients receive treatment safely every week, patients who would otherwise sit on benches, making the procedure uncomfortable given that chemotherapy infusion takes up several hours to administer.

Mrs Koros thanked Ecobank for its contribution to improving the quality of life of cancer patients in the country.

She added: “With support from the Government and the private sector, we hope to increase the number of the chairs to at least 50 to cater for the increasing numbers of cancer patients in the hospital. As such, we appeal to well-wishers to assist in this course.”

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) is the parent company of the Ecobank Group, which has a huge presence in Africa. The Group has over 18,000 employees from 36 different countries in over 1,200 branches. It currently runs as a full-service bank providing wholesale, retail, investment and transactional banking services to governments, financial institutions, multinationals, local companies, SMEs and individuals.

Rocket Internet’s Lamudi Hits 500,000 Property Listings Globally

Sam Wakoba
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Rocket Internet’s Lamudi Hits 500,000 Property Listings Globally
Lamudi01Rocket Internet’s real estate site Lamudi has announced today it has hit 500,000 property listings across its 28 markets globally, double the 250,000 listings it announced it had in April.
TechMoran pegs the growth to its recent launch of Android and iPhone apps to allow house-hunters in emerging markets to rent, buy and sell property on the go. The site, which launched October 2013, is present in 10 markets in Africa and is also present in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.Lamudi’s Global Co-Founder and Managing Director, Kian Moini, said: “The pace of our growth just shows how strongly people are responding to Lamudi. We have seen incredible demand for our service in each of our markets, including those where high-quality online property listings are a relatively new phenomenon.

Lamudi is not alone in the field. One Africa Media’s PrivateProperty and BuyRentKenya and Nasper’s Property24 among others are also masters in their own standing and will not be easy to be beaten. The Berlin HQ firm also has a long way to convince everyone it’s 100% local and won’t be ploughing profits back to Berlin. It’s Asian operations raised $7 million USD in investment to grow its Asian operations from Tengelmann Group and others.

Philips gives Nigerian arts theatre total lighting makeover

Robin Okuthe
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Philips gives Nigerian arts theatre total lighting makeover

Leading lighting company Royal Philips has unveiled a dazzling lighting makeover for National Arts Theater in Nigeria’s chief cultural centre Lagos. Already, the theatre has become a major attraction site with improved visitor inflow expected.Royal Philips

Philips installed its most recent range of RGB (red, green, blue) LED lights around the National Theater, accentuating the structures splendor and reducing energy consumption by up to 80-percent, compared to the conventional lighting system.

“This concept is focused on highlighting the significance of this iconic building as an architectural masterpiece and as a source of national pride to Nigeria, and in so doing assist with the buildings energy saving performance,” said Philips.

According to Philips, the new lighting has changed the theater façade as it illuminates the distinctive, memorable and eye-catching structure. The lighting concept will give the building an imposing look in the Lagos skyline.

“The spectacular lighting of Nigerian National Arts Theatre demonstrates the incredible advances that are being made in the efficiency and beauty of LED illumination”, said Abdallah Hussein, the CEO of Philips West Africa.

“LED lighting innovations provide entirely new opportunities to policy makers and governments to enhance city beautification and simultaneously contribute to energy saving. We are extremely proud to see how Philips’ lighting solutions are contributing to improving the attractiveness of this stunning architectural marvel while cutting down energy consumption in Nigeria”.

National Arts Theater is a cultural landmark situated at Iganmu in Lagos. The theater is also Nigeria’s major cultural hub and hosts major performing arts events.

“We have used a total of 48 LED luminaires, combining red, blue and green in each single luminaire, which offers an endless spectrum of colors to highlight the features of this architectural masterpiece. There are also 30 LED white light projectors, which highlight the pillars of the theater,” Philips said in a statement.

Philips aim to strengthen Nigeria’s ambition to improve energy performance in public places is enhanced by using LED lighting solutions.

“We’re delighted with the project Philips has completed at the National Theater of Arts,” stated Mallam Kabir Yusuf, CEO and General Manager of the National Theater.

“To think that such an iconic building in the Lagos skyline now has a state-of-the-art digital lighting technology for the façade is just tremendous. Now the world class and environmentally friendly look of the building ascetically from outside at night will complement the top class contribution of performers and artists inside the building, as well as the breathtaking renovations that have recently taken place in and around the big edifice.”

Philip’s annual flagship roadshow focuses on main challenges facing Africa today such as the revitalization of African healthcare infrastructure and the need for energy-efficient lighting. It is committed to illuminating iconic monuments with the latest LED technology in each city visited during the roadshow.

The roadshow will take place in seven and ten African countries and cities in that order.

IFC Invests $100 million in ACWA Power for Renewable Energy throughout MENA

Sam Wakoba
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IFC Invests $100 million in ACWA Power for Renewable Energy throughout MENA

1530576_708900849153737_196904696859592452_nWorld Bank Group Member IFC is set to invest up to $100 million in ACWA Power in a move to increase power generation from from renewable sources and meet growing energy demand throughout the Middle East and North Africa, the southern cone of Africa.

IThe investment will support ACWA Power’s plans to expand into emerging markets and seek Greenfield power projects, including thermal and renewable energy projects, within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries.

Paddy Padmanathan, President and CEO of ACWA Power in a statement said, “We are committed to delivering electricity at the lowest possible price to support the social and economic development of emerging economies in MENA. In particular, we hope to champion renewable energy in MENA and are excited by the possibilities that this partnership brings.”

IFC has financed nearly 2,000 megawatts of wind power and more than 650 megawatts of solar power in countries including China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Jordan, South Africa, Chile and Mexico. Projects funded include many first-mover investors helping to develop viable new markets and establish a track record for others.

This is not the first time IFC is working with ACWA. IFC in 2011 financed ACWA Power’s expansion into Jordan. IFC is also considering investing with ACWA Power in the 160 megawatt Noor 1 project, in Ouarzazate, Morocco, which is the largest concentrated solar power project in the developing world.

“This partnership will help increase power generation capacity, which will help to meet the increasing demand in emerging markets, especially in MENA,  said Mouayed Makhlouf, IFC Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “ACWA Power’s success in emerging markets should set a strong example to encourage further cross-border foreign direct investments, especially from Gulf countries, to emerging countries within the region and beyond.

ACWA Power has added over 15,000 MW of power generation capacity in the last decade and is one of the world’s largest owners and operators of sea water desalination plants, all in emerging markets.

LG set to release paper-thin TVs

Robin Okuthe
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LG set to release paper-thin TVs

LG hopes to release two super-thin TVs, one of them so flexible that it can be rolled up into a three-centimeter diameter tube.LG rollable tvs

The 1200by810 resolution screen remains intact even after being rolled into a three-centimeter cylinder. Earlier this year, LG exhibited one of its first flexible TVs at CES, a global consumer technology and electronics trade show. Flexible screens will enable TVs to be used in ways that are more creative.

LG indicated that it achieved the flexibility when it used a backplane made from “high molecular substance-based polyimide film” rather than plastic.

The second panel is said to outshine earlier models considerably since it is transparent. The LG device evidences substantial decrease in hazy images and a 30-percent raise in transmittance. This explains the screen’s transparent effect.

LG has affirmed strongly its new screens prove to be on track for much bigger, Ultra HD-capable flexible screens in the near future. LG is “confident” they can deliver a 60-inch rollable panel in a matter of 3 years.

Stephen Graves, an online deputy editor at Stuff.tv, commented that flexible screens offer exciting view and are longer lasting than conventional screens.

“We anticipate seeing larger and better screens in, for instance, airplanes. They also create the possibility for a number of new gadget designs,” said Graves.

According to Jeremy White, a product editor at Wired magazine, the new screen is perfect for exhibition display or retail. Being able to curve screens all over complex retail-display units or utilize the transparency to have the screen enclose the product itself on a stand would definitely be striking.

White added, “Actually, this invention also applies to tablets, which will potentially become the most used flexible screen application to an ordinary consumer.”

Evan Kypreos, an editor at Trusted Reviews, stated that rollable TVs could be manufactured by 2017 though warned they would be far too expensive for the average consumer.

Kypreos expressed that rollable TVs could create a similar experience to owning a projector since you can easily hide the screen when not in need.

“Instead of 60-inch TV screens, I think wearables would be a more exciting application of this technology. For instance, a curved screen smartwatch with a whole wrist screen would be interesting”, said Kypreos.

The company also said it is confident it will make by 2017 a 60-inch Ultra rollable HD TV.

Helios Towers Africa Raises $630 Million for African Expansion

Sam Wakoba
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Helios Towers Africa Raises $630 Million for African Expansion

Towers1Helios Towers Africa has raised $630 million in new equity resources from existing and new shareholders from new shareholders Providence Equity Partners and IFC African, Latin American, and Caribbean Fund and existing shareholders including: Quantum Strategic Partners, Helios Investment Partners, Albright Capital Management, RIT Capital Partners and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Chuck Green, Chief Executive Officer of HTA, added, “We are delighted to have received this vote of confidence in our strategy and the growth opportunity available, from both our existing investors and new supporters. The market opportunity is as compelling as ever and this new capital injection will help us to consolidate our pan-African vision and market leading position, even further. We now have over 7,800 owned towers in Africa and the financial firepower to enter more new markets.”

This round of funding comes just hours after the HTA announced it had acquired 3,100 towers for around $2b from Bharti Airtel making HTA the largest tower company in Africa, with over 7,800 owned towers.

HTA also expects to complete negotiations shortly on new and extended debt facilities of over $350 million with a strong syndicate of international and local lending institutions.

Following this latest injection of capital into the business, HTA will have raised over $1.8 billion in external financing since inception in late 2009 to fund acquisitions and organic growth. This capital has enabled HTA to achieve and optimise its growth strategy with regard to the African telecoms towers industry, in which there continues to be huge potential.

The growth drivers underpinning the telecoms towers industry continue to be robust. There is a need for 100,000 Points of Service (“PoS”) in Africa to merely satisfy demand for 2G coverage and associated capacity demand over the next five years. This PoS requirement is underpinned further by the growing demand for 3G and 4G data, which is driving the need for significant additional infrastructure capacity and in-fill across the continent.

“As long-term investors in the global wireless industry, we are excited about the tremendous growth potential across Africa and HTA’s unique position as the leading, independent telecoms tower company on the continent,” said Dany Rammal, a Managing Director at Providence.

“We are very pleased to enter into a partnership with HTA and its investors,” said Sujoy Bose, Head of the IFC African, Latin American, and Caribbean Fund. “HTA is well-positioned for growth in several under-penetrated markets in Africa and the Bharti Airtel transaction is another demonstration of the company’s credibility with large operators in the mobile telephone industry.”

In July 2013, HTA acquired 100 percent of Vodacom Tanzania’s towers.

Image:www.africatelecomit.com

2015 Ford Mustang Coming to Africa Next Week

Sam Wakoba
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2015 Ford Mustang Coming to Africa Next Week

Ford Mustang, the world’s favorite pony car is coming to South Africa and if you love rides, please come down and test drive it at Ford’s inaugural Go Further event in Sandton, Johannesburg, on 17 July 2014.

I don’t drive a Mustang yet, but the firm says it’s bringing its most modern Mustang to date at the show which makes me want to attend. The machine boasts an independent rear suspension, a first for the vehicle that will transform the way it handles, it has a SYNC® 2, Blind spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, and other driver aid systems. The all-new Ford Mustang fastback and convertible models promise exceptional performance and refinement while embracing the Mustang’s half-century of heritage and status as a global icon. Notably.

Mark Kaufman, vice president of marketing, sales and service, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) said, “Few other cars inspire passion like the Mustang. The iconic design and visceral sound of Mustang resonate with people, even if they’ve never driven one. It’s definitely more than just a car – it is the heart and soul of Ford.”

The 2015 Mustang will be one of 17 new vehicles that Ford will launch in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2015 and is one of the 9 million plus Mustangs sold since the firm launched the line in 1964.

The 2015 Mustang has been developed with impressive performance, driving dynamics and usability in mind – and includes a significant amount of advanced driver convenience and driver aid technologies.

“We’re proud to have Mustang back in South Africa – and this model is the best Mustang yet,” says Kaufman. “Longtime admirers will be able to see an icon return to South African roads, and we are confident the new Mustang will bring even more fans to the brand.”

The signature design of both Ford Mustang fastback and convertible keeps the essential character of the vehicle, retaining key design elements of the classic Mustangs recognisable to car fans across the globe, including the long sculpted hood and short rear deck, with a contemporary execution.

Several key design features define the new Ford Mustang, including:

  • A low roof height and wide stance
  • Sleek profile enabled by steeply sloped windshield and rear glass
  • Three-dimensional, tri-bar taillamps
  • Contemporary execution of the iconic car’s signature shark-bite front fascia

The car has a standard multilayer insulated cloth top that gives the car an upscale appearance and a quiet cabin. The top has a sleek profile when folded for open-air motoring. It has a roomy cabin with an aviation-inspired cockpit, while ergonomic and tactile switches and knobs provide control. The vehicle’s width and new rear suspension contribute to improved shoulder and hip room for passengers and a usefully shaped bootspace that can accommodate two golf bags.

The new Ford Mustang features all-new front and rear suspension systems. At the front, a new perimeter subframe helps to stiffen the front structure while reducing mass, providing a strong foundation for more predictable wheel control that benefits handling, steering and ride.

The new double ball-joint front MacPherson strut system also enables the use of large, powerful brakes.

At the rear is an all-new integral-link independent rear suspension. The geometry, springs, dampers and bushings all have been specifically modified and tuned for this high-performance application, and are well-suited to high speed driving. New aluminium rear knuckles help reduce unsprung mass for improved ride and handling.

The new Mustang features a significant number of innovative technologies providing drivers with enhanced information, control, and connectivity when they want it.

The advanced, Ford-developed stability control is tuned to maximise the new Mustang’s dynamic capabilities with features like torque vectoring that directs engine power to individual wheels to keep the car on course. When the time comes to turn up the wick at the track, manual transmission variants of the Mustang GT include standard launch control that enables drivers to achieve smooth, consistent starts every time.

Advanced driver-assist features include standard Ford SYNC® with Voice Control and Touchscreen, that lets drivers control their entertainment. Models destined for South African shores will be confirmed at a later date.

IMAGE:www.greencarreports.com

Jumia Nigeria Pushes its Online Marketplace to Empower SMEs

Sam Wakoba
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Jumia Nigeria Pushes its Online Marketplace to Empower SMEs

unnamedRocket Internet-backed online store, Jumia Nigeria is celebrating its 2nd year anniversary by opening up its platform for even more individuals and SMEs to connect to more customers online and sell more.

The Jumia marketplace, which was launched for select Small and Medium scale businesses to give them an opportunity to showcase their products online thereby reaching a larger & more targeted audience has been loosed for individuals too who run small businesses on the side and are looking to increase visibility are also welcome to use the platform.

According to Managing Director, Jumia Nigeria Jeremy Doutte, ‘We are glad to be empowering other businesses like us to grow and definitely increase their sales. Retail in Nigeria has seen a major change in recent times and we are glad to be part of that change. In the next few years Online retail with marketplace will be a major success story that will contribute largely to the Nation’s GDP.’

Jumia says it gets over 100,000 visitors on its website and is expected to be significant to small scale retailers and individual home-based business owners and mobile sellers. Jumia’s competitor, Naspers-backed Konga.com also opened its marketplace to the public earlier this year.

 

Microsoft’s CEO Sends Employees a 3, 100 Word Email |Focuses on Mobile & Cloud

Sam Wakoba
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Microsoft’s CEO Sends Employees a 3, 100 Word Email |Focuses on Mobile & Cloud

hero_largeIn a 3100 word email to all employees Thursday, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the firm is rediscovering its soul to change the world in a bolder and more ambitious way.

“We live in a mobile-first and cloud-first world,” Nadella wrote. “Computing is ubiquitous and experiences span devices and exhibit ambient intelligence. Billions of sensors, screens and devices – in conference rooms, living rooms, cities, cars, phones, PCs – are forming a vast network and streams of data that simply disappear into the background of our lives.”According to Nadella, computing power will digitize nearly everything around us and will derive insights from all of the data being generated by interactions among people and between people and machines. To him, the world is moving from one where computing power was scarce to an almost limitless place where only human attention is the only true scarce commodity.

Moving from just devices and services, Microsoft projects a world with over 3 billion people with Internet-connected devices which is an oportunity for it to create more natural human-computing interfaces that empower all individuals.

“We will develop and deploy secure platforms and infrastructure that enable all industries. And we will strike the right balance between using data to create intelligent, personal experiences, while maintaining security and privacy. By doing all of this, we will have the broadest impact. Our passion is to enable people to thrive in this mobile-first and cloud-first world.”

The firm’s latest ambition is to be productivity and platform company for the mobile-first and cloud-first world. One which  reinvents productivity to empower individuals and firms to do more.

“We think about productivity for people, teams and the business processes of entire organizations as one interconnected digital substrate. We also think about interconnected platforms for individuals, IT and developers,” said Nadella. “This comprehensive view enables us to solve the more complex, nuanced and real-world day-to-day challenges in an increasingly digital world. It also opens the door to massive growth opportunity – technology spend as a total percentage of GDP will grow with the digitization of nearly everything in life and work.”Microsoft aims to harmonize the world’s sea of devices, apps, docs, data and social networks and take productivity beyond documents, spreadsheets and slides and from automated business processes to intelligent business processes. The firm promises to push forward and evolve the world-class productivity, collaboration and business process tools such as Skype, OneDrive, OneNote, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Bing, Azure and Dynamics among others. For gamers, Microsoft prides in the Xbox and will continue making it awesome.

However, all these will come at a cost of job cuts and retrechments to make it a lean company and streamline its processes but the lucky ones will be trained to fit into the firms new focus on Data and Applied Science and Software Engineering.
“While today many people define mobile by devices, Microsoft defines it by experiences. We’re really in the infant stages of the mobile-first world. In the next few years we will see many more new categories evolve and experiences emerge that span a variety of devices of all screen sizes. Microsoft will be on the forefront of this innovation with a particular focus on dual users and their needs across work and life,” Nadella concluded.
Nadella previously held the position of Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group before he was appointed in February as Microsoft’s New CEO replacing Steve Ballmer.

Google introduces app for taking selfie shots

Robin Okuthe
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Google introduces app for taking selfie shots

Google has added a remote shutter control feature to its Google Camera app to allow users take selfie shots without having to extend their arms.Google-Camera-app with Android Wear smartwatch

The updated app also allows users to bring their Android Wear smartwatch into play as a remote control for taking photos with their tablet or camera. To take a shot, users can tap a button on the smartwatch. A preview of the photos will then be displayed on the smartwatch.

This comes after Google launched its new smartwatch and wearables software platform, Android Wear, last month. Already, Samsung, Motorola and LG have their devices on the platform so Google is joining a crowded market of smartwatches. It is hoped that small perks like a Google Camera remote control could help keep Google afloat in the intensely competitive app market.

Africa’s Shutterstock, Yeelenpix.com Wants to Promote a New Image of Africa

Sam Wakoba
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Africa’s Shutterstock, Yeelenpix.com Wants to Promote a New Image of Africa

yeelenpixGetting awesome images about everyday life in Africa is not hard, the problem is the images are scattered all over the internet and is time wasting for a user to search from engine to engine to find what they are looking for.

Also getting the rightful owners of the images for proper attribution is not easy and users might land in copyright suits especially if the images are used for public consumption. Shutterstock settles the worries of artists looking for western and European scenery and also has a lot of images on and about Africa.

Founded in 2013 by Moussa Fofana, Celine Crespin Maguette MBow and Alex Poblah,  Yeelenpix wants to bring together all great images on and about Africa in one place. Open for image buyers and photographers, Yeelenpix light for West Africa’s Bambara and Pix for  photos, aims to be the biggest bank of world images and illustrations on Africa.

Yeelenpix, whose purpose is to promote and develop a new image of Africa sells royalty free images for a standard license and  rights managed photos for a premium license with prices fixed according to use with different prices for images used to illustrate magazines, images used in brochures, reports or presentations and those used in websites, product packaging and posters.

“We also provide photo reports services, advertising shoots,  specific sporting and business events covers,” says the firm on its site. “We highlight Africa today in its variety of landscapes, multiple population, economic diversity, richness scale, and cultural news. The time of stereotypical and bad quality images of Africa is over.You  now have a place to find ideal African images for all your projects.”

According to the firm, which launched its version 2 late May, it has a selective choice of photographers and contributors based on the quality of their work and their professionalism and is a platform dedicated to talented artists to ensure buyers get the quality and class they deserve.

“YeelenPix is surrounded by a community of talented photographers and designers to offer a wide range of pictures with a strong African identity. This community interacts and  exchange. We want to represent African photography in its great diversity across the continent. The goal is to create jobs and enable them to live their art,” the firm says.

The Yeelenpix crew headed by Ivorian Fofana as the CEO has Africa at its heart. In a time when Africa is portrayed online as continent of wars, HIV-Aids, poverty, famines and diseases, Fofana’s team are building a positive image of Africa.

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With over 10,000 pictures and over 40 photographers, Yeelenpix faces competion from various sites such as Nigeria’s Foto.com.ng which also claims to have over 10,000 African images, Nairobi-based AfricaKnows and a profileration of other sites majorly in Southern Africa and abroad such as Afripics.com, Karoo Images, the African Image Library, Mimages among others.

Samsung releases world’s most powerful mini music system in Kenya

Robin Okuthe
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Samsung releases world’s most powerful mini music system in Kenya

Samsung Electronics on Thursday launched Giga Sound MX-HS9000 — currently the most powerful mini music system — in Kenya. The release comes days after the company announced it would stop producing Plasma TV screens because of poor receptions by consumers.Samsung Giga Sound MX-HS9000

Robert Ngeru, Samsung Electronics Vice President for East and Central Africa, said the company is paying keen attention to producing excellent products with the view of ensuring customers receive maximum satisfaction from these products.

Currently, Giga Sound MX-HS9000 is the world’s most powerful mini system as it racks up 3400 Watts RMS, which can be equated to helicopter’s decibel level. The system is intended for party lovers who choose to have outdoor parties. It comes packaged with a seven-meter speaker cable.

Giga Sound MX-HS9000 system simply brings out beat lighting and DJ Beat effects. Beat Lighting effect has a lighting system that pulses and flows basing on the music beats to pattern out an ideal partying environment for revelers. At least 25 electrifying lighting patterns can be used to promote the party mood, though one can also use eight DJ Beats to mix the music according to the mood. On top of that, the Non-stop Music Relay hot key ensures continuous music without breaks in between the tracks.

To complement the nightclub atmosphere, Giga Sound MX-HS9000 system also has two 15-inch subwoofers that generate powerful sound. When bass is turned on, the two speakers greatly shake the ground as they distribute heart-pounding sound. The GIGA Beat produces a rich bass and amplifies sound without any likely distortion.

The Giga Sound MX-HS9000 can connect to the Samsung TV Series 7 and above through the TV Sound Connect. The impactful sound produced while playing music, watching a football match and movies completely transforms home entertainment into a cinema hall. Giga Sound MX-HS9000 can also operate as a Bluetooth speaker for portable devices allowing one to play music from a computer or smartphone tablet.

Samsung released two more Giga sound System models, namely MX-HS7000 and MX-HS8000, to provide customers with variety. For each purchase of any of the models, customers will receive a free 4-inch display smartphone and a Samsung Galaxy Star Plus.

Zapper launches in South Africa

Susan Mwenesi
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Zapper launches in South Africa

UK-based Zapper has launched its secure payment app for smartphones in South Africa for the restaurant sector initially and eventually it will be rolled out to the e-commerce and the payment of all bills.

Derek Wiggill, GM of Zapper in South Africa, said:“Zapper is already live at 100 sites, with another 150 already scheduled to go live shortly,” Wiggill says.

“Because of this phenomenal growth, in terms of our staff complement we are going from 18 people to 101 in 90 days.”

Zapper will make it possible for restaurants and outlets to add unique dynamic QR Codes to till slips, allowing the customers to make payments using their smartphone.

The customer will then , scanthe QR Code and confirm the amount to be paid. Their card is then  charged after which they will receive an email receipt.

ZAPPERAmong the features of the app is one that allows for the tip to be added through selecting the desired percentage and for the people who would like to split bills, this is also provided for with all transactions saved in the cloud.

Apart from being secure, the app also allows for loading of multiple cards where a user can use their own card to pay for their bills and the corporate card to pay for their business-related expenses.

While the user will not be required to pay any set up fee, they will negotiate a rate of 2,7% or less.

“Much more important, in my view, Zapper provides merchants with customer information they have never previously had, presented in an easy-to-use dashboard format,” Wiggill says.

 

PPOA approves Safaricom security surveillance tender

Susan Mwenesi
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Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) has approved the controversial Safaricom security tender awarded to the telco by Interior ministry.

When speaking to the parliamentary House committee on Administration and National Security PPOA deputy director Jane Njoroge said that the decision to approve the tender came about after they considered the upsurge of terrorism and other related crimes witnessed in the country.

According to the standard Digital, Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo was forced to explain why it was urgent that the tender be awarded to Safaricom  despite the security –related issues single out above being a public concern for a long time.

Njoroge and Iringo were being grilled by the House committee on Administration and National Security.

safaricomlogoThe tender will see major cities in the country equipped with CCTVs and the police given  radio communication devices (GSM walkie-talkies fitted with SIM cards)

 

eJournalafrica.com Wants You to Create, Edit, Discuss & Share Your Experiences in Africa

Sam Wakoba
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eJournalafrica.com Wants You to Create, Edit, Discuss & Share Your Experiences in Africa

10422964_329811103836045_4438022379461544681_nEveryone has a story to share, good or bad. However, not everyone wants to run a blog or spew their experiences on social media.

Ejournalafrica.com wants to end that problem by making it easy for all to publish their Africa journals with their phones, tablets or any gadgets.  The new platform aims to provide a community-based platform for Africans and friends of Africa to share their thoughts, memories, knowledge and experiences about Africa. As long as you are in Africa, you have a story to share.

According to Kenechukwu Ogbuagu, the founder, “ejournalafrica.com is an online community-based African encyclopedia were users can create, edit, discuss and share their stories, memories, experience, activities, campaigns or news about Africa. We aim to provide our users the largest database to search for names, articles, histories, events and all other information about Africa with references to support users with more information.”

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Available on mobile phones, ejournalafrica.com allows users to create their profile and work their way up through the different access level. It also allows users to include picture, references, categories and country.

Different access levels grant users different privileges which might include creating, editing, deleting, locking and unlocking of articles or banning, unbanning, deleting and promotion of members.

 

DEMO Africa Names 40 Best Startups |Nigeria Shines With 14 out of 40

Susan Mwenesi
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DEMO Africa Names 40 Best Startups |Nigeria Shines With 14 out of 40

 demoafrica_mainimageDEMO Africa has announced the 40 best tech startups that will take part in the competition in September this year with Nigeria taking the lion’s share followed by Kenya, Ghana and Egypt.

Other African countries to be represented are Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa which have two start ups each and Tunisia, Benin, Cameroon, Uganda and Zimbabwe have earned their space at the DEMO Africa platform.

The competition attracted 400 hundred applications but only 242 had met the threshold for the adjudication; Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana recorded the highest number of entries.

In the 12 categories available for application, Communication had  the highest number of applications with a total of 76 applications received, and will be represented by 14 projects of the final forty being in this category. Finance and banking will also have a good representation of 8 out of 18 entries received. Other categories that will have high representation on the DEMO Africa stage include retail, health and education.

No entries were made for the Water & Sanitation, and Waste Management & Recycling categories, an indication that stakeholder still have to work on entrepreneurs’ confidence to encourage homemade solutions across all sectors.

Commending the African entrepreneurs, the Nigeria Minister for Communication Technology, Honourable Mrs Omobola Johnson, stressed that; “This presents another opportunity for African tech startups. Africa may have missed out on the industrial revolution, but we surely will not in the ICT revolution. Through innovation, we will put Nigeria and Africa in general on the ICT map. Realizing the huge potential of the software industry, we have put in place a set of initiatives that will assist the tech startups to create successful businesses, which will directly create jobs and wealth.”

The DEMO Africa Executive Producer Harry Hare, acknowledged the efforts by all the participating start-ups and called upon the investors to support the work of these young entrepreneurs.

”We had really amazing entries this year, but unfortunately the DEMO Africa team can only accommodate forty for now. The high number of entries is inspiring. It only shows that entrepreneurs have risen above the fear of venturing into new waters to create new products. This in itself shows that confidence levels in Africa made solutions are steadily rising. I am confident that we will get to levels where we can generate solutions that can be applied globally.”

VC4Africa Founder, Ben White, observed that the standard of applications continues to rise each year with Victor Okigbo one of the DEMO Africa’s jurists supporting him by commenting that the judges task to shortlist the final forty was not easy.

The application for this year’s DEMO Africa opened in March 2014 closing in June. The applications were then fine combed by a panel comprising top minds in business and tech leaders from across Africa. The criterion for adjudication was the ability to link creativity, innovation, effectiveness and scalability.

The selected forty start-ups will have a chance to launch their products to an ecosystem of VCs, investors, tech acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the region and around the globe. They will also benefit from one and a half month coaching and mentorship program to be spearheaded by DEMO Africa and the US State Department.

The Mentorship program will be coordinated by Dr. Susan Amat, CEO, VentureHive and will include both local and international mentors and coaches.

Top notch African investors are expected in Nigeria for the event and participants registration is already open onhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/demo-africa-2014-tickets-10936486325.

The secretariat has put together a special package for investor delegates which comprises: 15% discount on a DEMO Africa ticket, 15% discount on a VC4A Pro Account, Access to the companies’ financials, Ticket to the Investor Cocktail on DEMO Africa’s opening evening, Ticket to a special Investor Boomcamp as well as access to a special Investor Lounge and Deal Room at DEMO Africa. More information on this package can be found at http://vc4afri.ca/h6j8u

demoafrica_mainimage

DEMO Africa 2014 is scheduled to take place between 22nd and 26th of September at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. This year’s event is being organized in collaboration with the LIONS@FRICA partners (Microsoft, Nokia, US State Department, DEMO, USAID, African Development Bank, VC4Africa among others) and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies

Here is the list:

Shamba Technologies Designs domestic power products for the 115 million families in Africa without power (Tanzania)

mergims An online platform set to enable African immigrants, around the world, to pay tuition fees, airtime and utility bills for their loved ones back home than just sending money each month(Rwanda)

Prepclass an education technology company that uses the latest web technologies to ensure that relevant local content such as past questions, class notes, flashcards are available to students on their digital devices (Nigeria)

SmartPesa Allows merchants to accept credit card payments using a mobile phone. Comprising a low cost card reader, App and server-side processing (South Africa)

KitiwaKitiwa helps ordinary Africans send and receive money, cheaply, instantly, using the bitcoin technology (Ghana)

CubeCube enables anyone (whether individual or business entity) to accept card payments in person with their existing phone (even a basic phone), anywhere, anytime, real-time without the internet (and can also work with Internet, if preferred) (Nigeria)

LocName a web and mobile application that enables people to find businesses easily using their LocNames (Egypt)

TrafficBytes  An end-to-end solution allows mobile operators and telecom vendors to leverage existing big data and provide realtime accurate roads traffic information. Egypt)

Oradian The cloud based core banking system for microfinance (Nigeria)

MyeCampus.netAn online teaching and learning platform (Ghana)

Nerve delivers cost-effective, higher quality & mobile convergent smart devices & services to inspire greater productivity in next billion people in emerging nations (Nigeria)

SokoNect An agribusiness solution designed to shorten the distribution channels of agricultural produce while facilitating fast trade between farmers and their prospective buyers (Kenya)

IroFit Develop mobile card payment system (Nigeria)

NiKweli A mobile-to-web job matching platform that connects employers and job seekers for lower skill, “blue collar” type positions. Job seekers register their standardized mini-CV through SMS (Tanzania)

MobileJobs (mjobs) powered by SOMTECA web and mobile job alert and recruitment services that allows job seekers to get information about job vacancies and helps employers to get the right candidate immediately (Ethiopia)

Online Hisab A cloud-based accounting package for Ethiopian SMEs, who are looking for an affordable and easy to use accounting solution (Ethiopia)

PieRide A ridesharing technology platform offering monthly subscription transportation service for daily commuters (Egypt)

HutbayA platform that helps real estate consumers find and share vital information about real estate, mortgages and connect with real estate professionals in Nigeria.(Nigeria)

VOTO MobileA mobile phone notification and survey platform removes the barriers to insightful mobile communication between citizens worldwide and the organizations that serve them (Ghana)

PlibyAn online platform for African music lovers (Benin)

JifunzaApp called Menya for creating and sharing fun educational lessons on African languages amongst your friends , students and the world (Rwanda)

SpellAfrica InitiativeAn app which uses photos/images to inculcate English vocabulary in the minds and hearts of the users (Nigeria)

ASiMAn integrated tool with Quickbooks and SAP Business One to produce rich, real-time business intelligence (Kenya)

Feedbackplus Feedbackplus lets customers give feedback to different organizations online or through a mobile app either on the spot as each event is taking place or later at each customer’s convenience (Nigeria)

SpacePointeAn e-commerce marketplace which focuses on the African retailer (Nigeria)

VIGOA fully responsive website building tool allowing African entrepreneurs and business owners to create their own beautiful websites from any device, including a feature phone.(South Africa)

Valuraha Group A platform that simulates the African Financial Markets enabling one to interact with various investment instruments, under actual market conditions, using virtual money (Kenya).

Cribpark A platform that provides people with all the information about housing, catalogue of home designs to choose from, shop to buy their housing items and a project section to offer design and construction project management services (Nigeria)

Saisaia wireless mesh network consisting of free access wireless hot-spots in public areas and public transportation.(Zimbabwe)

Churaallows interoperability between different mobile networks in a multi-SIM environment (Kenya)

matibabua Phone Application for early, non-invasive malaria diagnosis with a custom piece of hardware (Matiscope) (Uganda)

Paysaila simple way for businesses and accountants to better manage payroll.(Ghana)

Integrated MedicsA web based application package to computerize any large scale hospital, while putting into consideration the complexities involved in the medical industry.(Nigeria)

CONNECT FINANCE A software which allows companies to track their finances, create invoices, quotations, sales orders, way bills, payments etc.(Nigeria)

MuZik A virtual assistant which makes mobile phone subscriber’s life more eaier, by providing the right music or information , automatically grabbed on Internet, for feature mobile phone (Camroun)

What’sIn™Mobile application platform service allows consumers with chemical allergies to instantly find the correct information when they scan a product UPC (Tunisia)

FoodstantlyAn online marketplace which provides customers with fresh and cooked food and also offers home delivery services(Nigeria)

TelecosysDelivers innovative software solutions for Tech-based service providers including Telecom operators, Internet Service Providers, Cloud-based service providers, and pay TV.(Egypt)

The Pearl Dream IncDigital Collection of African Stories for Kids and eCommerce retail site for animation inspired items(Kenya)

InstaCareMakes access to healthcare services as easy as visiting ATM by enabling real-time verification & authentication of beneficiary’s health insurance subscription and, reconciliation/settlement of bills & invoices between HMOs & healthcare providers.(Nigeria)

Vera Sidika launches mobile app to earn extra thrust

Victoria Mukami
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Vera Sidika launches mobile app to earn extra thrust

Kenyan socialite Vera Sidika has launched a mobile app for her huge fan base.Vera-Sidika mobile app

The app, which is available for download in both Windows and smartphones, will keep her fans up-to-date with her sense of fashion and style, or those looking to share her photos with friends.

Vera Sidika is among the current crop of Kenyan celebrities’ whose lifestyles have been dotted with interesting controversies. A number of local celebs developing own apps is growing radically. Many appear to perceive the app as an innovative means of reaching out to fans.

Cremetech, a company that is known to create other similar Kenyan celebrity apps including Lupita Nyong’o and Elani designed the Vera Sidika app.

The company is also popular for developing the ‘Tourists Attractions in Kenya’ app that educates users about Kenya’s rich heritage and the top tourists attraction sites in the country.

Safaricom & Microsoft Launch Mobile Operator Billing for Windows Phone Apps

Sam Wakoba
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0
Safaricom & Microsoft Launch Mobile Operator Billing for Windows Phone Apps

microsoft-ces-boothLocal developers are in for a kill after Microsoft and Safaricom today introduced a service that will Windows Phone users buy apps using their airtime instead of using PayPal, mobile wallets, credit cards and other cumbersome means.

Mobile operator billing will allow users to download apps from the Windows Phone Store and make payments using their Safaricom airtime easily. This is also a new door for local app developers to monetise their apps as they will take home 70% of the revenues collected.

“One of the contributing factors to the smart phones penetration has been the uptake of mobile apps that has transformed the way we interact however, users have had challenges in accessing the apps due to limited payment options.,” Kunle Awosika, Microsoft Kenya Country Manager.

The Mobile Operator Billing services will target the growing number of Windows based   smartphone users who previously had to pay through credit card for their applications.

If you are a Windows Phone user, simply go to the Windows Phone Store, select an app you want to buy and simply pay using your airtime. Some of the local apps you can buy include Daily Nation ePaper, Camera Pro+, Car Tracer, Find Me, FlashLight Elite Pro, MemoryGame, NumberTrack, Yoyo Paint, kTranslate and Pro,Paint+.

Or if you are a blogger you can get WordPress for Phone to publish and edit your stories on the go. Gaming fans can get international apps like Angry Birds Star Wars, Plants vs Zombies and others such as MetroTube, Phototastic Pro, Nextgen Reader, Runtastic PRO, SoundClouda, Podcast+ Pro,  and PreSchool Essentials.

The uptake of mobile phone applications in Kenya has been greatly driven by the proliferation of smart mobile devices. In its ‘Digital Entrepreneurship in Kenya 2014’ report, the GSMA found that the potential for Kenya to become a leading hub for digital entrepreneurship is extraordinary.

Safaricom believes in supporting innovation and growing local entrepreneurs, the firm says it’s aware that a majority of Kenyan tech start-ups have challenges in developing and showcasing their apps, therefore the deal will help majority of them get paid for their work.

 

uAfrica.com, South African eCommerce Firm Expanding to Nigeria, Kenya & Uganda

Sam Wakoba
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0
uAfrica.com, South African eCommerce Firm Expanding to Nigeria, Kenya & Uganda

185168_345772738844925_1766295629_nSouth African eCommerce technology firm  uAfrica.com, has announced it’s rolling out into the rest of Africa with Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda as its first target markets.

uAfrica’s first phase targets Nigeria with a trial Proof of Concept (POC) partnership with MTN Business customers who will be able to develop their own online shops through uAfrica.com while phase two will see uAfrica.com launch their services in Kenya and later on in Uganda with key business partners established in both these regions.

In a statement to TechMoran, Andy Higgins, the Managing Director of uAfrica.com said,“uAfrica.com’s goal is to enable 1000 online stores outside of South Africa in the next 12 months. We have also identified Nigeria as one of our biggest markets in Africa and predict that in time they will outgrow South Africa and become our biggest market in Africa, so we’re thrilled to have launched our pilot project to such an enthusiastic response with our Nigerian partners.”

Targeting SME’s uAfrica will initially offer basic online storefront services followed by additional services around payments, logistics and marketing support and will later launch a multi-channelled selling solution to these customers. It will give SME’s the ability to trade via their mobile devices and to run their online retail environments.

However, uAfrica will face stiff competition from Konga.com (Nigeria) and Jumia (Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda), which are leading the pace on getting Nigerian and Kenyan retailers online and as well offering their consumers the convenience of being able to purchase a range of goods online that they also deliver.

Other challenges uAfrica.com will face include payments and logistics, as the maize of informal roads and walkways create undefined addresses to households with some consumers even resorting to pinning their delivery location on a Google map.

It’s first launch in Nigeria is inspired by the fact that predictions foresee Nigeria’s eCommerce industry to lead the African online retail environment and the fact that millions of dollars have been invested by global companies into Nigerian eCommerce retailers Konga.com and Jumia.com.ng. Another factor is the fact that Lagos has only two physical shopping malls servicing between 20 to 25 million people – numbers that will be tricky if not impossible to maintain long term. uAfrica.com is resolute to assist local entrepreneurs and SMEs to claim their piece of this pie.

 

Fraudulent Mobile Money Transactions by Staff cost MTN billions

Shiko Gathoni
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Fraudulent Mobile Money Transactions by Staff cost MTN billions

Mobile telecoms operator MTN Uganda has a history of losses resulting from internal misappropriation of funds. In a number of cases, former employees — mainly trade developers, mobile money agents and cleaners of contracted cleaning agencies — have faced convictions for defrauding the company.

In a recent incident, illegal transactions on the company’s information system saw MTN Uganda lose over Ush3 billion. A digital forensic examiner who inspected a computer and external hard drive suspected to have been used in the transactions concluded that the persons wired the money to accounts of seven registered agents across Kampala.

Some of the money was confirmed to have been authorized to Hari telecom and Phone accessory, Rukungiri district employees, Tayira Enterprise  Rubaga, Wesley  Investment  Limited. The former MTN employees accused include Joseph Joshua Magombe MTN mobile money agent, Daniel Ssegujja sales representative, Irene Kauma sales executive for Essy mobile money, Jerom Oketcho, Jackchin retention executive with MTN and Tamasha Namirembe a trainee with MTN.

The suspects were arraigned before the court where they were accused of stealing some USh 3.15 billion at MTN offices on Yusuf Lule road in Kampala, Uganda. They were also accused of conspiracy to commit felony, theft, and receiving and retaining stolen property. The nine denied the charges.

It is believed that the suspects installed password skimming devices on computers belonging to the mobile operator to facilitate fraud during the odd hours in order to avoid suspicion. They risk a jail term of between seven and10 years if found guilty under the Uganda’s penal code.

 

Africa’s Mobile Broadcast App Provides Cheaper Streaming Costs.

Shiko Gathoni
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Africa’s Mobile Broadcast App Provides Cheaper Streaming Costs.

Mobile subscribers across Africa will now enjoy cheap, fast and easy access mobile video content thanks to Tuluntulu app, a mobile platform designed to deliver more than 10-TV type channels with a wide range of content.

Tuluntulu’s technology is developed with the hope of beating Africa’s under-developed telecommunications infrastructure by overcoming the high mobile bandwidth costs. The developers of the app hope this will allow customers to enjoy minimized data costs when accessing content on their phones.

Users will also enjoy fast buffering speeds with the rate adaptive app, good video quality and hands on control of their data costs among others. Tuluntulu will also accommodate Edge, an early generation mobile protocol, which will see rural users access content as well.

Airtel Sells Over 3,100 Towers to Helios Towers Africa

Sam Wakoba
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Airtel Sells Over 3,100 Towers to Helios Towers Africa

heliostowers_home_rotate3Bharti Airtel has sold over 3,100 telecoms tower assets to Helios Towers Africa, an independent telecoms towers company in Africa.

The approximately 3,100 towers sold to HTA are in four countries across Airtel’s African operations and are expeted to expand HTA’s tower coverage in Africa to over 7,800 owned towers and also help Airtel deleverage through debt reduction and reduced ongoing capital expenditure.

HTA and Airtel’s move aims drive cost efficiencies throughout the industry, promote passive infrastructure and to mitigate against the proliferation of towers. Airtel will  the towers from HTA on lease tower operations-related personnel will be transferred from Airtel to HTA.

According to Manoj Kohli, Chairman, Bharti Airtel International Netherlands BV (BAIN), “The agreement is another milestone in Airtel’s growth journey in Africa. Airtel pioneered the concept of a separate tower entity to promote infrastructure sharing in India and this agreement is a continuation of that philosophy. It is an important step towards the consolidation of tower assets across Africa that will drive industry-wide cost efficiencies through infrastructure sharing. The agreement will further help in accelerating the growth of telecom services in the Continent and at the same time benefit the environment by avoiding duplication of infrastructure.”
Apart from cutting its costs and paying its debts, Airtel will primarily focus on its core business and customers while HTA will infrastructure sharing, expand network coverage and capacity to meet demand and improve quality of service.

TOWERS

“HTA is proud to be chosen by Airtel as its partner for the ownership and management of its existing infrastructure,” said Chuck Green, Chief Executive Officer of HTA. “This is a ground-breaking move for HTA and Airtel’s decision is a significant endorsement of HTA’s reputation, management team and operating track record.”

Launched in 2009, with operations in Ghana, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, HTA will own over 7,800 towers and will be the largest number held by an independent company focused exclusively on Africa.

Bharti Airtel has over 15,000 telecom towers in Africa.

Liquid Telecom Installs a $2 million Fiber Optic Network in Siaya County

Sam Wakoba
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Liquid Telecom Installs a $2 million Fiber Optic Network in Siaya County

Liquid TelecomData, voice and IP provider, Liquid Telecom Kenya has said it’s installing  a $2 million (Ksh175 million) fiber optic network in Siaya County,as part its plan to invest $50 million dollars in partnerships to connect more counties in the next 24 months to high speed internet.

The first its kind in rural Kenya, the deal is expected  to connect underserved areas in Kenya though a Wide Area Network (WAN) concept, linking county headquarters to sub counties and wards with a connection back to the central government to allow Internet users in the county reliable and affordable access to local and global websites.

According to Nic Rudnick, Liquid Telecom Group CEO, “Rural Internet connectivity is rather poor in Kenya due to lack of infrastructure. What LTK primarily seeks to achieve in the partnership with the Siaya County government is open up the county to new business opportunities and improve government functionality,” said  “There are vast human and capital resources lying idle in Siaya. Connecting the county to the rest of Kenya and the world will in turn enable businesses and the county government register increased productivity at reduced costs.”

The installation process will see 50 staff employed with further roles being created to handle maintenance of fibre optics and wireless networks in the county.

Through the installation of world class infrastructure courtesy of LTKs fibre network, Siaya is also set to win investor confidence even as the county seeks to position itself as an educational and agricultural. The county is home to a number of university and tertiary institutions, most notably Bondo University College and Siaya Institute of Technology, which rely heavily on the Internet in the acquisition and transfer of knowledge and skills. The county government has also been liaising with a number of USA-based education establishments and universities such as the University of Florida on streaming lectures and lessons and other content to schools in the county.

This is welcome news. According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) statistics released in 2014, Internet penetration in Kenya stands at 52.3 per cent, making the penetration in the country among the most enviable across the region. However penetration in rural areas has remained dismal locking out rural businesses and people from business, trade and employment opportunities experienced elsewhere.

In Kenya Internet connectivity, as it stands, contributes to 2.9 per cent of Kenya’s GDP. The improvement of Internet infrastructure in Siaya, like in many parts of Senegal and India, is poised to trigger an increase in business activity while being a magnet for investors who counts on requisite infrastructure like internet to set up shop. This, in addition to firms seeking to meet the demands of their target markets and eased communication links, will result in employment creation within the county as firms set up operations in Siaya. A number of foreign and local investors including NGOs and service firms such as banks are expected to expand operations into the county following improved Internet infrastructure.

Liquid Telecom Group, the parent company, has positioned itself as one of biggest investor in Africa’s Internet connectivity. In East Africa, the firm has invested $20 million (Ksh1.75 billion) which has seen the installation of 17,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, the largest of its kind in Africa. This has ensured high speeds and continuous uptime for internet users.

 

Africa’s stock market capitalization tripled between 2002 and 2012

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Africa’s stock market capitalization tripled between 2002 and 2012

Graph1.27Stock markets are a key measure for raising capital to enable growth of African business.  From just 5 stock exchanges in 1989, there are now 28 stock exchanges in Africa with an estimated total market capitalization of over US$732 billion representing a 300% jump from US$245 billion in 2002 and US$113 billion in 1992.  Top African stock markets by market capitalization include South Africa (US$612 billion) in the lead  followed by Nigeria (US$56B), Kenya (US$15B), Zimbabwe (US$12B) and finally Ivory Coast (US$8B). Read more here…

Samsung launches Galaxy K Zoom in Ghana

Victoria Mukami
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Samsung launches Galaxy K Zoom in Ghana

Samsung has launched Samsung Galaxy K Zoom, a successor to Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, in Accra, Ghana. The smartphone has a slimmer body than its predecessor though most of its components are borrowed from Galaxy S5.Samsung-Galaxy-K-Zoom

Samsung Galaxy K Zoom has a Super AMOLED screen that has developed from 4.3 to 4.8 inches. This makes viewing more enjoyable.

The smartphone is also designed to provide excellent camera experience. It has a 20.7 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and a 10x optical zoom that pulls back into its slim body. Samsung Galaxy K Zoom captures images that are sharp and crisp as well as Full HD videos even after zooming in.

These remarkable features place the K Zoom in the ideal position of serving the everyday photography needs of journalists, corporate individuals, students and stay-at-home-mums to run their daily lives while capturing the best of these moments.

Samsung will give its customers a chance to turn famous in a contest dubbed “ru K Zoom Selfie Ready.” The competition will mark the launch of the Galaxy K Zoom and contestants will use the Selfie Alarm feature to capture photos.

According to Samsung, participants in the competition will be required to shoot photos of themselves and post on Samsung Social Media platforms to stand a chance of featuring on a Samsung billboard.

Business Leader for Handheld Samsung products, Jaspreet Singh, said the K Zoom has been designed for ease, fun, capturing brilliant videos and images. It also comes equipped with the excellent functionalities and apps for dynamic users on the move.

Singh further explained that K Zoom allows users to capture moments using an amazing 10x optical zoom and remain productive and connected.

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