News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 1027 on 5 June 2020
Top Story
DRC’s first mobile music platform launched by Muska – Founder Djo Moupondo talks about music and data bundles, creating a Congolese music industry and future expansion.
5 June 2020
In the middle of May, Vodacom in partnership with Muska, launched DRC’s first mobile music streaming service. Muska had already launched last year in Cape Verde and has wider geographic ambitions. Russell Southwood spoke to Muska’s Congolese founder Djo Moupondo about bringing his music platform home. Djo Moupondo came back to Kinshasa just before the lockdown was put in place in DRC. He tells me that it only seems to cover part of Kinshasa but people are still going out. Regional Congolese cities like Goma are in the process of putting in place a lockdown. On 5 May 2019, Muska…
Telecoms
South Africa: ICT lobby group challenges Vodacom’s empowerment rating
5 June 2020
Lobby group the Progressive Blacks in ICT (PBICT) is accusing Vodacom of “manipulating the system” in attaining level one broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) contributor status. Vodacom announced yesterday…
Telecoms
Nigeria’s president approves security for telecoms infrastructure nationwide
5 June 2020
On Tuesday June 2, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari approved the provision of security measures in safeguarding telecommunications infrastructure across the country. The statement was disclosed by the minister of…
Telecoms
Gilat Telecom Expands VSAT Services Across Africa
5 June 2020
Gilat Telecom has announced that its VSAT services are now available in every country in Africa offering significant advantages over other domestic and international connectivity providers. Operational in Africa…
Telecoms
Guinea’s smartphone manufacturer Kunfabo signs deal with MTN for the local distribution of its products
5 June 2020
Guinean manufacturer of low-cost smartphones -Kunfabo- founded by Fadima Diawara, has decided to market its mobile devices. To this end, the company has signed a deposit-sales contract with the mobile…
Internet
MTN Plans New 5G Networks This Month - June 2020
5 June 2020
MTN - the South Africa headquartered - pan-African telecommunications company is, according to reports, planning its 5G launch this month (June 2020). MTN has already started promoting its 5G proposition…
Internet
Ukheshe launches track & trace to assist with Covid-19 infection alerts
5 June 2020
Ukheshe, a SMME focused digital banking platform, has launched a Track and Trace service using its existing payment ecosystem to assist consumers to manage any possible risk factors in level…
Internet
MTN delays launch of 5G network to end of June
5 June 2020
MTN has confirmed plans to launch a 5G network in South Africa in June. However, the company noted that the launch needed to be pushed back from the initial planned…
Internet
Who fact checks online disinformation in West Africa’s Bambara language?
5 June 2020
Language activist Kpénahi Traoré is determined to halt its spread Editor’s note: This personal essay was written following a Twitter campaign organized by Global Voices sub-Saharan Africa and Rising…
Internet
In brief
5 June 2020
The Teliri cable ship, owned by Orange Group’s Italian subsidiary Elettra, has commenced the deployment of the Melting Pot Indianoceanic Submarine System (METISS). The system landed on Fort Dauphin (Madagascar)…
Computing
Africa Data Centre Association offers free hosting for apps tackling coronavirus
5 June 2020
The Africa Data Centre Association (ADCA) says its offering free hosting for applications and digital tools that are being used to fight Covid-19. ADCA named members who will provide free…
Computing
Rwanda Drone Engineers Help Zipline Find Foothold in U.S.
5 June 2020
Drone technology has been gaining prominence over the years and these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have been hovering over the skies in many countries, including Rwanda where they have been…
Computing
MainOne commence Construction Work at MDXi Data Center in Appolonia City
5 June 2020
When completed, it will deliver best in class facility uptime and operational performance at very efficient shared services cost for hosting and operating core IT infrastructure and services Consistent…
Money Transfer
Peach Payments raises new investment to support expansion in Africa
5 June 2020
South African financial technology provider Peach Payments has raised new investment to support its expansion into Africa, in a round led by Umkhathi Wethu Ventures (UW Ventures), in partnership with…
Money Transfer
Digital banking startup Sparkle launched in Nigeria
5 June 2020
Digital banking startup Sparkle has been launched in Nigeria by former Diamond Bank chief executive officer (CEO) and tech entrepreneur Uzoma Dozie, aimed at providing seamless solutions to Nigerian individuals,…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
MTN Uganda ordered to pay USD11.6m disputed tax bill
5 June 2020
MTN Uganda has been ordered to pay disputed taxes amounting to UGX44.2 billion (USD11.6 million). A report from The Independent says that the country’s Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT) found in…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
MTN Group to raise USD129m via bond sale to support Nigerian operation
5 June 2020
Agence Ecofin writes that South Africa-based regional carrier MTN Group has revealed plans to issue bonds worth NGN50 billion (USD129 million) in Nigeria to raise funds for its day to…
Digital Content
Universal Music Brings 'Def Jam Recording' To Africa
5 June 2020
The giant music label, Universal Music, has announced it will establish "Def Jam Africa" as a permanent division within its organisation. To be headed by Sipho Dlamini, the Sub-Saharan…
Digital Content
Kenya Launches Virtual Safari Campaign
5 June 2020
Nairobi — Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala has officially launched a virtual Safari live stream campaign to showcase game safaris in some of the parks and reserves…
Digital Content
Telecoming comes to Egypt to promote digital entertainment
5 June 2020
The arrival into the Egyptian market means a further step in Telecoming’s strategy to enhance its presence in Africa The digital market in Egypt means more than 100M people and…
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People
5 June 2020
Geekulcha announces 2020 Top 15 Young Geeks Youth ICT network Geekulcha has announced its 2020 Top 15 Young Geeks to mark Youth Month. The Top 15 Young Geeks…
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Events
5 June 2020
East Africa.com 10 - 15 September 2020Radisson Blu, Nairobi Upper HillKenyaEast Africa Com, the regions leading telco and digital transformation event, brings together experts and industry stakeholders from across telecommunications,…
