News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 1008 on 17 January 2020
Top Story
Next generation of African teachers will be key telco customer segment – some surprises with new survey findings
17 January 2020
The next generation of African teachers should be a key customer segment for telcos as they are already likely to be connected with smartphones and buying their own bandwidth. Russell Southwood talks to Jim Teicher, CyberSmart Africa about the findings of a survey he conducted among new teachers fresh out of teacher training colleges in Senegal. The survey was carried among students at teacher training colleges in 2019 with an individual consultant on hand to answer questions from those filling them in. There were 300 respondents - 66% were male and 34% female – with those responding coming from all…
Telecoms
Nigeria: Telcos Add 10 Million Phone Lines In 11 Months – Communications Commission
17 January 2020
Nigeria’s telecoms operators activated 10 million lines between January and November in 2019, according to the latest statistics that have been released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The…
Telecoms
Tanzania Threatens to Block Unregistered SIM Cards
17 January 2020
Tanzania's government plans to block all mobile phone SIM cards that are not registered biometrically by Jan. 20. Officials say the move is aimed at cracking down on cybercrime,…
Telecoms
The best mobile network in South Africa
17 January 2020
MyBroadband Insights has released its Q4 2019 Mobile Network Quality Report, which shows that MTN has the best mobile network in South Africa. The report is based on 310,649…
Telecoms
Telkom Kenya Subscribers Drop By 0.6 Million In 3 Months
17 January 2020
Telkom Kenya’s subscriber numbers dropped by 676,389 or 16 percent in the three months that ended in September 2019, making it the only telco in Kenya to register a reduced…
Telecoms
UZI Zambia Mobile’s launch delayed again
17 January 2020
Amid suggestions that UZI Zambia Mobile – which was awarded Zambia’s fourth mobile network operator (MNO) licence in April 2018 – may yet have its concession revoked, the government is…
Telecoms
In brief
17 January 2020
Orange has officially inaugurated the Orange Middle East and Africa operational head office in Morocco in the presence of Stéphane Richard, Chairman and CEO of Orange; Alioune Ndiaye, CEO Orange…
Internet
Nigeria Unveils $732 Million Broadband Project to Boost Economy
17 January 2020
Nigeria plans to invest 265 billion naira ($732 million) in broadband infrastructure over the next four years as the government sets its sights on nationwide coverage and to boost an…
Internet
Nigerians May Pay More For Calls And Data –Telecoms Association
17 January 2020
Telecom companies that are members of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) have announced that they may have no choice but to increase tariffs for data and…
Internet
How sub-Saharan Africa lost $2.16 billion to Internet censorship
17 January 2020
Around the world, many nations adopt a more conscious stance where the rights to privacy and access to information are concerned. Mostly motivated by the power of the Internet to…
Internet
Vodafone: ‘We have a keen interest in Ethiopia’ Vivek Badrinath
17 January 2020
A key UK investor in the continent, Vodafone’s outgoing regional CEO for Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific talks expansion plans, 5G and the geopolitics of technology Vodafone has…
Computing
Malawi launches first drone, data academy in Africa
17 January 2020
Malawi has opened the first drone and data academy in Africa, with classes launched on Tuesday in Lilongwe. The African Drone and Data Academy (Adda) has been established with support…
Money Transfer
Orange Liberia ties up with UBA to start money transfers
17 January 2020
Orange Liberia and the UBA Liberia have launched the Mobile Money Push and Pull Service for customers of both entities. The service is also known as "Bank to Wallet" and…
Money Transfer
Silence before the storm: Russian speaking hacking group is attacking banks in Sub-Saharan Africa
17 January 2020
The malware used in the attacks indicates that the threat actors are most likely to be an infamous Silence hacking group Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) security researchers have reported on thousands of…
Money Transfer
In brief
17 January 2020
International ticketing agency SamaPass is expanding its online presence in Africa by offering a complete range of African experiences to share. SamaPass allows users to buy their tickets online using…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Orange Gears Up For African IPO
17 January 2020
Orange SA, France’s leading phone company, has chosen Morgan Stanley and BNP Paribas SA to assist as advisors on a proposed initial public offering of its Middle East and Africa…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
South Africa: Vodacom In Talks About Deal With Cell C -Reports
17 January 2020
Vodacom is reported to be in talks with Cell C about taking over the smaller rival’s contract-paying mobile customers, a move that would significantly strengthen its position as South Africa’s…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
MTN Stock Rises After Nigeria Withdraws $2 Billion Tax Claim
17 January 2020
Nigeria withdrew a $2 billion claim for back taxes against the MTN Group, ending a 16-month long legal battle between Africa’s largest mobile operator and the authorities in its biggest…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
In brief
17 January 2020
Sirius Telecoms Afrique – the would-be Senegalese MVNO that received a licence back in June 2017 – is at loggerheads with its host network provider, Free Senegal (formerly Tigo), and…
Digital Content
Hopster launched in Africa
17 January 2020
The award-winning digital platform for early childhood education and entertainment Hopster has launched its services in Africa in partnership with Vodacom in South Africa and the Congolese telecommunications provider MTN.…
Digital Content
Fraud fighters and bamboo bikes: the African innovators driving change Innovations in development
17 January 2020
Software for fighting cybercrime in Ghana and tools for speeding up cervical cancer diagnosis in Uganda are among innovations recognised by the judges of this year’s Africa prize The…
Digital Content
Inside the Finance Bill: Nigeria is planning to introduce digital taxes
17 January 2020
Nigeria could be joining the number of countries introducing digital taxes. The recently signed Nigerian Finance Bill quietly gave the Minister of Finance full powers to impose digital taxes in…
Digital Content
Apple Music unveils Africa Now Playlist
17 January 2020
The Africa Now playlist includes songs from the greatest African musicians and features the latest releases from genres such as hip hop, gqom, Afrobeats, amapiano, Afropop, alté and kuduro, among…
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People
17 January 2020
Facebook appoints new Regional Director for Africa, Turkey and the Middle East Derya Matras has spent most of her career in emerging markets and was previously the Facebook Country Director…
