Business Daily Africa

Registering a business has always been a daunting task, especially for those in upcountry since they not only have to travel to Nairobi but at times engage the services of brokers and end up with fake registration certificates.

However, this is set to change with the unveiling of an online business registration system that allows users to either do a name search or register a company through their mobile phones or office computers from any part of the country.

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) is turning to mobile phone users to grow its membership and increase collections from the informal sector.

The healthcare provider is implementing a system that allows new members to register via their handsets and visit the organisation’s offices for card collection only.

The new software will also allow members to pay monthly contributions through all four mobile money transfer services.

Intel Capital — the world’s largest venture capital investor in innovative technology — is seeking to acquire stakes in several IT start-ups in Kenya with an eye on long term gains from the highly lucrative business.

The company, the investment arm of Intel Corporation, says it has identified a number of early stage technology enterprises involved in Internet content distribution and e-commerce as well as application development firms that it intends to invest in.

Intel Capital — the world’s largest venture capital investor in innovative technology — is seeking to acquire stakes in several IT start-ups in Kenya with an eye on long term gains from the highly lucrative business.

The company, the investment arm of Intel Corporation, says it has identified a number of early stage technology enterprises involved in Internet content distribution and e-commerce as well as application development firms that it intends to invest in.

Telecom operator Flashcom Limited risks losing its licence because of illegal connection of international voice traffic through Safaricom’s network and failure to pay annual operation fees.

In a letter dated May 16, the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) has given Flashcom Ltd 45 days to clear its annual licence fees arrears of Sh67 million, a penalty of Sh2 million and submit its quarterly returns. CCK has also suspended the company’s connection agreement with Safaricom.

A kilometre into the Indian Ocean from Malindi, Captain John Mwaboza pulls his mobile phone from a pouch dangling from his neck. “Evidence from oral traditions supports the fact that Kiswahili was in existence even before interaction with other cultures,” he reads from his Internet-enabled mobile phone. Tourists give him the thumps up. They then watch a video in Kiswahili by NTV’s Lolani Kalu.

Leading mobile network operator Safaricom has moved to court seeking to recover close to half a billion shillings from its rivals for non-payment of termination fees since October together with penalties.

Safaricom is demanding close to half a billion shillings from Airtel and about Sh150 million from Essar for non-payment of termination fees — the amount of money an operator pays rivals if its subscribers call another network — since October.

Kenyan mobile giant Safaricom and US-based wireless technology manufacturer Qualcomm have announced the launch of an ‘Experiential Tour’ for 3G products and services in Kenya, which will take place between 14 April and 31 June.

The roadshow, which will call at shopping malls, sporting events and universities in Nairobi, Mombasa, Thika, Nakuru and Kisumu, and allow customers to test drive 3G devices and experience rich content and faster internet access enabled by 3G-enabled mobile smartphones, PCs and laptops.

The Finnish government and Nokia have partnered through infoDev, a programme within the World Bank Group which works to promote technological innovation and entrepreneurship to create opportunities for growth, job creation and poverty reduction.

The Nairobi based m:lab which provides technical training to high potential individuals on mobile application development and entrepreneurship will benefit from the Sh1.31 billion (€11.9 million) programme along other seven mobile social networking hubs in Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Hanoi, Kathmandu, Baku, Chisinau, and Tbilisi.