Issue no 609 15th June 2012
Top Story
Online games sector for PCs and mobile springs into life in Nigeria – free now, pay-for later
Outside of South Africa, the games sector in Africa has had almost no profile, which is strange considering that it will almost certainly be one of the key content drivers on mobile handsets. Two Nigerian games developers spoke to Russell Southwood this week about the games they have developed and how they see the business model developing.Victor Dibia is the founder of Denveycom.com that has launched the Gidi Games range and he started his company in January this year. It has taken games everyone has played at some point and localized them, giving them an “African touch.” The games include…
Telecoms
Kenya: Many Kenyans Share Mobile Phones, Study Finds
Most rural Kenyans do not own mobile phones, and women are less likely to own phones than men, a new study has revealed.The study was carried out by researchers from…
Telecoms
CCK threatens to revoke Flashcom licence over illegal connection
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…
Telecoms
Samsung target Africa expansion
Samsung are looking to Africa to enhance its influence further afield. The latest Samsung Galaxy SIII smartphone was launched in Johannesburg on Friday but this is set to be just…
Telecoms
Telecoms News - In Brief
- Mobile network operator Vodacom Tanzania plans to invest more than TZS120 billion (USD76.97 million) this year in upgrading its network, the firm’s managing director, Rene Meza, told reporters that…
Internet
ACE submarine cable to land in Sierra Leone in October
The Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) fibre optic will land in Sierra Leone in October and become operational at that time, The Freetown Concord Times reported. Project Coordinator of the…
Internet
Us Actress Named ICT Envoy
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has named award winning American actress Geena Davis, as the body's special envoy for women and girls in the field of technology.The post is linked…
Internet
VC4Africa launches secure network for private investing
VC4Africa is pleased to announce new tools that make private investment easy, secure and social. This is a first for the African space and is part of our constant drive…
Internet
Ghana: MTN Launches 0.facebook.com Platform for Subscribers
MTN Ghana, has introduced a product dubbed 0.Facebook.com, to enable its subscribers link up on its Facebook page at no cost.Speaking at the launch of 0.Facebook.com in Accra on Monday,…
Internet
Olympics to be screened live on YouTube in Africa
Coverage of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics will be screened live on YouTube in Africa, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed.In total the service will available in 64…
Internet
Internet News - In Brief
- Angola’s Education Ministry and private sector mobile network operator Unitel have partnered Chinese telecoms equipment company Huawei to launch a project designed to provide free internet access for selected…
Computing
Africa: Mathematical Model Developed to Predict Malaria Outbreaks
Ethiopian and Norwegian researchers have developed a mathematical model that can identify conditions that increase the likelihood of a malaria outbreak up to two months ahead of its occurrence.The computer…
Computing
Rwanda: Computer Programmers Klab, Opens a Beta Release
There would be no Silicon Valley if it was not because of the garages and Stanford University's dorms from where computer wizards developed today's most influential web based companies.With Rwandans'…
Computing
Computer News - In Brief
- Seventh-graders at Willink Middle School in Webster have written nonfiction digital books to send to children in Sierra Leone through the Books of Hope project.
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
- The Internet Service Providers' Association of SA (ISPA) has welcomed Cell C's reduced and transparent pricing plans as clear indications of how competition benefits South African consumers while simultaneously…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
IFC invests in Convergence Partners fund to improve Africa’s communications infrastructure
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, last week announced an equity investment of $35 million in the Convergence Partners Communications Infrastructure Fund to support more rapid development of…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Telkom revenues drop 0.7% despite 8ta mobile growth
South African telco Telkom has reported operating revenues of ZAR33.08 billion (USD3.92 billion) for the twelve months ended 31 March 2012, down 0.7% compared to the company’s full year revenues…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Money News - In Brief
- Last week GAMTEL signed a Fibre Optic Data Service contract with the Medical Research Council (MRC) amounting to D5 million, at a ceremony held at the MRC building in…
Digital Content
Senegal, births are reported by telephone
Village leaders in the Kolda region, assisted by the Sonatel Foundation and the NGO Aide et Action, are to promote a new initiative aimed at helping parents to register births…
Digital Content
New Initiative Provides Open Data for the Mobile Industry in the Developing World
The GSMA has launched the Mobile and Development Intelligence (MDI) project in conjunction with Omidyar Network the philanthropic investment firm established by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar. Through an open access…
Digital Content
Ugandan techies walk away with awards at PivotEast
At the recent Pivot East competition, an event in which developers pitch their mobile apps to possible investors, Uganda was represented by 4 startups. The contestants included Easy Order, Story…
Digital Content
Africa: Improving Governance and Accountability with New Media
Kwami Ahiabenu, II, is a team leader of International Institute for ICT Journalism, the co-ordination organisation for African Elections Project (AEP). With over nine years of experience in management, marketing,…
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People
Ayo Alli resigns as Business Development & Sales Director for Eskimi in Nigeria, effective from 1st June 2012. “It is with some regret that I’m leaving Eskimi effective immediately. It…
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Jobs & Opportunities
The 2012 Google Apps Developer Challenge is Here!In the past year, the Google team has been engaging with local developers by running various Google conferences and Google+ Hackathons, showcasing creative…
