News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 1028 on 12 June 2020
Top Story
Government of Ghana and KelniGVG vs Francis Kwarteng Arthur and MTN Ghana – a key test of data privacy laws will go to the High Court on 23 June
12 June 2020
Many African countries have laws protecting the personal data of private citizens but as ever, it is how these laws operate in practice that will show whether they actually protect personal privacy. At the end of last month, a private citizen (joined by MTN Ghana) took legal proceedings against the Government and the private agency that wants to acquire the data, KelniGVG. Russell Southwood looks at who has said what to whom and why getting data to fight Covid-19 has become a live privacy issue. On 24 March President Nana Akufo-Addo issued Executive Instrument 63 obliging the network operators to…
Telecoms
MTN Group faces fresh allegations in US, report says
12 June 2020
MTN Group is facing further allegations in the United States, amid rumours that as yet unnamed Washington-based law firms filed an amended complaint on 5 June 2020 claiming the group’s…
Telecoms
Guinea's Kunfabo signs smartphone distribution deal with MTN, targets domestic production
12 June 2020
Guinea's low-cost smartphone manufacturer Kunfabo has signed a deposit-sales contract with mobile phone operator MTN to market its devices, Ecofin reports. The partnership starts with the Kunfabo F99 phone. Kunfabo…
Telecoms
Vodacom Launches Alcatel 2019G Phone for the elderly in Bid to Make Digital Society Accessible to all
12 June 2020
Vodacom is committed to building an accessible and inclusive digital society using technology that is relevant to everyone. In line with this, Vodacom has launched the Alcatel 2019G phone series…
Telecoms
In brief
12 June 2020
Madagascar is to launch a USD47.2 million project to modernise the country’s public sector telecoms infrastructure, after the country’s Senate approved the plans on 5 June. The project, which will…
Internet
ZADNA seeks public views on price hike for .ZA domains
12 June 2020
The ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA) has launched public consultations for a possible review of the wholesale pricing structure of second-level .ZA domains, reports Mybroadband. These include co.za, org.za, net.za,…
Internet
Kaspersky finds worrying trends for South Africans’ passwords
12 June 2020
When it comes to password security and knowing how to check if your details have been leaked, Kaspersky has found some worrying trends for South Africa. The latest Kaspersky report,…
Internet
Egyptian online mental health platform Shezlong secures new funding
12 June 2020
Egyptian online mental health platform Shezlong has raised a new round of investment to help it expand its operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Founded in…
Internet
Zimbabwe: Internet, Data Usage Rescues Telecoms Revenue in First Quarter
12 June 2020
Growth in internet and data traffic sustained the telecommunications sector performance during the first three months (Q1) of the year as other revenue channels were subdued, industry regulator, Postal and…
Internet
Silicon Valley tech giants race to build Africa's internet infrastructure. Should Africa worry?
12 June 2020
Since the 1990s, several local and international efforts have been made by governments, telecommunications firms and development organizations to improve internet infrastructure networks in Africa. Yet, Africa still has the…
Computing
Vodacom partners with WITS University to ensure continued learning, online
12 June 2020
To help students stay on track to successfully complete the 2020 academic year despite not being on campus, Vodacom has partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) in Johannesburg…
Money Transfer
More Ugandans Turn to Mobile Money
12 June 2020
Uganda's mobile financial services continued to register steady growth with the quarter ending December 2019 realising 700,000 new mobile money accounts. However, some high value Ugandans shifted from using…
Money Transfer
Coronavirus Pandemic Fuels Mobile Money Transactions
12 June 2020
With Nigerian businesses struggling because of coronavirus lockdown measures, the use of mobile money and “no touch”, cashless transactions in business is growing rapidly. The use of mobile money grew…
Money Transfer
Vodafone Cash Introduces Flexible Payment Options for Customers
12 June 2020
Vodafone Cash has introduced a new feature that offers customers interest-free flexible payment options for various products and services including smart phones, laptops, home appliances and travel packages. The new…
Money Transfer
Maroc Telecom to launch MT Cash
12 June 2020
Maroc Telecom announced the launch its first mobile money transfer application, ‘MT Cash’ which is available for download to all Moroccan citizens and residents. The new app offers a wide…
Money Transfer
Uber launches Uber Cash in South Africa
12 June 2020
Ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies has rolled out Uber Cash in South Africa to encourage contactless payments amid the Covid-19 crisis. “If you must travel, you now have even more cashless…
Money Transfer
Ghana’s move to curtail MTN’s market share is about mobile money, not voice
12 June 2020
MTN’s large market share in Ghana may be about to get smaller. Ghana’s telecoms regulator, the National Communications Authority, says it will implement “specific policies” to curtail the local…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Amazon Is Exploring A US$ 2Billion Investment In Airtel
12 June 2020
Industry reports are indicating that Amazon.com is early-stage talks to buy up to 5% stake in the business of mobile operators - Bharti Airtel, the owners of Airtel. According to…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
CVT mulling legal action over Unitel T+ access ruling
12 June 2020
Cape Verde’s state-backed incumbent telco Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT) is considering launching a lawsuit against the telecoms watchdog, the Multisectoral Regulatory Agency for the Economy (ARME), over a decision permitting…
Digital Content
Facebook launches Messenger Kids across Sub-Saharan Africa: Giving Parents supervision over their Children’s online activity
12 June 2020
Now available across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Messenger Kids enables kids to safely video chat and message with family and friends when they can’t be together in person Facebook (www.facebook.com)…
Digital Content
Kenyan Company Rolls Out First African-Made Video Conferencing App
12 June 2020
NAIROBI - A Kenya-based company has developed a video conferencing application, the first made in Africa, designed to be more affordable than foreign counterparts. Gumzo, which means "chatting" in Swahili,…
Digital Content
TechSpecs Uses Augmented Deep Reality and AI to Change the Way We Shop for Electronics
12 June 2020
Consumer electronics have come a long way in recent years, but how we shop for those gadgets hasn’t changed much since the birth of eCommerce. Comparing tech specs online involves…
Digital Content
Apple Music’s New Artist Spotlight Shines on South African Alternative Artist Marcus Harvey
12 June 2020
South African artist Marcus Harvey gets highlighted as Apple Music's New Artist Spotlight. Apple Music's New Artist Spotlight for June is Marcus Harvey, the singer, rapper and producer from Alexandra…
Digital Content
Local app tackles lockdown anxiety in SA, UK
12 June 2020
A team of four tech entrepreneurs from South Africa launched a free app to help people know what they can and cannot do during COVID-19 lockdowns in SA and the…
More
People
12 June 2020
ICASA says 4 councillors reach end of contracts The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) says it has noted the end of term of office of four Councillors.…
More
Opportunities
12 June 2020
Internet Society Foundation announces skills development grants Grants of up to $150,000 for eligible organizations in Bangladesh, Colombia and Senegal The Internet Society Foundation (www.ISOCFoundation.org) has launched a…
