News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 1029 on 19 June 2020
Top Story
Push and pull strategies to encourage e-commerce in Senegal – maybe impact of Covid-19 trumps them both
19 June 2020
Governments often adopt a “push” strategy when they want their citizens to do something and this is what the Senegalese Government is doing with e-commerce. But e-commerce start-up Jumia has been wrestling with the “pull” of demand for e-commerce services. But Russell Southwood looks at how it may be the impact of Covid-19 that will change behavior in relation to e-commerce. Those wanting e-commerce in Sub-Saharan Africa to grow face two huge barriers that are linked: trust and payment. The majority of e-commerce in Africa is ordered digitally and paid for with grubby physical notes on the doorstep when goods…
Telecoms
LG’s budget K series line-up now available in South Africa
19 June 2020
The mid-range LG 2020 K series line-up is now available in SA. The three phones – K61, K51S and K41S – launched globally in February, but due to the…
Telecoms
Orange - the Mobile Network - Looks To Enter Nigeria and SA Market
19 June 2020
Orange - France biggest telecoms operator is said to be eyeing the Nigerian and South Africa mobile telephone market, considering to enter the market as the earliest possible time. Speaking…
Telecoms
Zambian authorities considering licensing another MNO after UZI fails to launch
19 June 2020
Zambia is said to be looking for a new mobile network operator (MNO) to compete with the nation’s incumbent cellcos, after UZI Zambia Mobile – which acquired a concession to…
Telecoms
Algeria: Government working group plotting roadmap for effective LLU, national roaming, number portability
19 June 2020
Algeria’s government has established a special working group to draw up a roadmap to make local loop unbundling (LLU), domestic mobile network roaming and number portability more effective, Agence Ecofin…
Telecoms
In brief
19 June 2020
MTN Uganda has confirmed that it has completed its licence renewal, which was agreed in March this year after lengthy negotiations with the government. The cellco is paying USD100 million…
Internet
Nigerian Communications Commission Seeks Stakeholders Input Into 5G Deployment
19 June 2020
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is requesting input from industry stakeholders to feed into its 5G deployment policy framework. In a public notice, the commission stated that it has a…
Internet
Ericsson and ATU to Accelerate Growth of ICT in Africa
19 June 2020
The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ericsson to help fast track rollout of technology across the continent. According to ATU, the MoU will…
Internet
Google’s Data Shows Kenyans Are Going Back To Work
19 June 2020
Google is using location data from smartphones to help public health officials understand how people’s movements have changed in response to the global Coronavirus pandemic. In April we noted that…
Internet
Nigeria: Internet Penetration Rises to 138.7 Million
19 June 2020
The total number of internet subscriptions recorded across mobile, fixed wired and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as at April 2020, reached 138.7 million. This is however, as broadband…
Internet
Uganda: Critics Concerned About Web and Media-Only Election Campaigning
19 June 2020
Uganda's 2021 election candidates will have to campaign online and through the media to reach voters as part of new rules to stem the spread of COVID-19. Uganda's electoral commission…
Internet
A new game plays with ideas about how disinformation works in East Africa How can all internet users become more discerning online?
19 June 2020
Disinformation — intentionally “fake news” — is a chronic problem everywhere in the world, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated information overload. From fake coronavirus cures to misleading information about…
Internet
Facebook launches new digital literacy programme across sub-Saharan Africa
19 June 2020
Facebook has announced the launch of 'My Digital World', a programme designed to equip young people and the general public across sub-Saharan Africa with digital skills needed to navigate the…
Computing
Ghana - Technology University Bill Passed
19 June 2020
A bill aimed at providing a legal framework for the establishment of a public communication technology university in Ghana has been passed. Members of Parliament (MPs) on Friday unanimously…
Money Transfer
African payment startup Chipper Cash raises $13.8M Series A
19 June 2020
African cross-border fintech startup Chipper Cash has closed a $13.8 million Series A funding round led by Deciens Capital and plans to hire 30 new staff globally. The raise…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Safaricom confirms bid for Ethiopian telecommunications licence
19 June 2020
Kenya-based Safaricom has lodged an expression of interest (EoI) for one of the of the two telecommunications licences that are being made available in Ethiopia. According to The Standard,…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Sonatel launches XOF100bn bond issue
19 June 2020
Senegal’s incumbent operator Sonatel has launched a XOF100 billion (USD172 million) bond issue on the West African Economic and Monetary Union financial market. The company said the funds will…
Digital Content
YouTube rolls out its music and subscription-based video streaming platforms in Egypt
19 June 2020
YouTube launched its music streaming service YouTube Music and its subscription-based video platform YouTube Premium in Egypt. The Head of Music Partnerships MENA of YouTube, Liliana Abu Dalo, said,…
Digital Content
Kenyan Launches First African Video Conferencing App
19 June 2020
A Kenya-based company, Usiku Game, developed and launched a video conferencing application, Gumzo, the first to be made in Africa. "Kenyan ICT startup Usiku Games was created to tackle…
Digital Content
Sun-El Musician and Basketmouth feature on Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio With Cuppy This Sunday
19 June 2020
This Week’s Episode Features a Conversation With Sun-El Musician, the 5 Hottest Tracks of the Week and Basketmouth’s Favorite African Proverb! South African producer Sun-El Musician joins Cuppy via FaceTime…
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Opportunities
19 June 2020
IPA calls for project proposals to tackle Africa's remote learning challenges in 2021-2022 US$200,000 to be split between best applicants The International Publishers Association (IPA) will from today…
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Events
19 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,…
