Issue no 637 11th January 2013
Top Story
Happy New Year Africa, 2018 – Imagining a different kind of future
It’s the morning of 1 January, 2018 and Africa is waking up to the New Year. All across the continent, Africans are thinking about what’s changed for them over the past year and what they’d like to see in the coming year. Russell Southwood engages in a piece of imaginative speculation about the different kind of Africa that might emerge.Christmas and the turn of the year are the time when everyone in the tech sector makes predictions. This gadget or app will succeed and this or that trend will become popular: we’re not immune to this ourselves. However, isolated tech…
Telecoms
VMK launch 'first African-designed' smartphone and tablet
A smartphone and tablet said to be the first designed by an African company have been launched. The products, designed by Congolese entrepreneur Verone Mankou, are manufactured in China.His company…
Telecoms
Vodacom among potential bidders for Zambia’s fourth mobile licence
More than five companies are considering bidding for Zambia’s fourth mobile network operator licence with the country’s communication, transport, works and supply minister, Chris Yaluma, cited as saying: ‘I can…
Telecoms
Liberia: Libercell for Sale?
State prosecutors here are on the verge of reaching a conclusion for the sale of the Atlantic Wireless Incorporated or Libercell GSM for its indebtedness to the government of Liberia…
Telecoms
Ethio Telecom to create new operating regions to improve network management
With local management having recently resumed control of Ethio Telecom after the conclusion of a management contract with France Telecom-Orange (FT-Orange), details of the telco’s new network management strategy have…
Telecoms
Nigeria: ANPP anger over free phone plan for 10 million farmers
A Nigerian opposition party has condemned a government scheme to give 10 million mobile phones for free to farmers. All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) General Secretary Tijani Tumsa said the…
Telecoms
Intel to launch low-cost smartphone in Kenya
Chip giant Intel is intending to plunge deeper into low-end smartphone manufacturing, with HumanIPO learning that it is set to launch a low-cost phone in Kenya in the coming weeks.The…
Telecoms
MainOne Cable To Launch Data Centre In Nigeria
Communication service company, Mainone cable has hinted on building a high standard Data centre in Nigeria which could accommodate 600 racks by the end of 2013. The data center which…
Telecoms
Ethiopia: Ethio Telecom Targets Rooftop Acquisitions
Authored by managers at ethio telecom, the federal government may soon write a bill that will force developers of buildings to avail rooftops for the erection of wireless network antennas,…
Telecoms
Kenya: 400,000 More Suspensions Brings Safaricom's Unregistered to 1.2 Million SIMs
Safaricom Limited has suspended an additional 400, 000 unregistered lines in the 2nd phase of the deactivation exercise. This brings to 1.2 million the total number of lines disconnected so…
Telecoms
Telecoms News in Brief
- Each week the ICT Division of USAID features two or three highlights from programs around the world where USAID plays a role. These stories may be from the USAID…
Internet
Ethiopian govt increasingly online
With 49 e-service portals under seven Ministries now functional, the Ethiopian government is making progress in its e-government strategy.Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Debretsion G.Michael, says (ICT) is an essential…
Internet
Partnership between Tunisian Internet Agency and Meninx Technologies
The Tunisian Internet Agency (ATI) & Meninx Technologies Data Centre (MXT) announced a public-private partnership which aims at:- The strengthening and the active participation in IPv6 deployment in Tunisia. In…
Internet
Ghana to introduce internet-powered payment system for traders
The Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GIPSS) is to introduce an Internet-powered payment system that will link some local financial service providers with their counterparts in Nigeria and Francophone…
Internet
Internet News in Brief
- Mike Omeri, Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), has said that the Federal Government has no plan to restrict the use of social media. Omeri told the News Agency of…
Computing
Can Katine, a Ugandan village keep its computers running after the donor pulls out?
Funding for Katine's computer centre runs out in a year, and it's down to local residents to come up with a sustainable plan It's lunchtime, and teenagers, some in school…
Computing
High hopes for new web-based exam processing
The Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) is optimistic that the web-based application it is using for processing the national examinations will produce the desired results.The Malepa application, used for capturing candidates'…
Computing
Computer News in Brief
- The Financial Gazette website in Zimbabwe was hacked last week. Hama Saburi, The Editor-in-Chief of The Financial Gazette said last week measures had since been taken to restore and…
Telecoms, Rates, Offers and Coverage
Free Facebook browsing for Vodafone customers
Vodafone customers and Facebook enthusiasts have a reason to smile, as Ghana’s most respected Telco, Vodafone Ghana, is offering free browsing on Facebook for existing customers on their Streamer internet…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Tanzania: M-Pesa Partners With Veta Kipawa
Vodacom’s M-Pesa service continues to spread its wings across various sectors in the country, with the latest development being education."From today, students, parents and guardians in Kipawa Vocational Education and…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Econet seeks TN Bank takeover
Zimbabwe’s largest mobile phone operator, Econet, has moved to acquire the entire shareholding in TN Bank through a share swap deal.The mobile operator has integrated its mobile money transfer service,…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Egypt examining new telecoms tax options
Proposals for a tax on new mobile voice connections could net the Egyptian government around EGP750 million (USD115 million) per year, the Egypt Independent notes, citing executive director of the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Money News in Brief
- Telkom Kenya has entered into a partnership with electronic payments provider Pesapal to enable its customers make online top-ups. The deal will enable Orange users buy airtime through its…
Digital Content
Cameroon: Phone Texts Fail to Boost Adherence to HIV Therapy
Mobile phone text messaging does not considerably enhance HIV/AIDS patients' adherence to treatment, a study conducted in Cameroon reveals. The study, which was published in PLoS ONE last month (6…
Digital Content
Kenya: Google Rolls Out Kenya Elections Hub
The country's litany of technology issues might not be featured directly on most of Kenya's presidential candidates' promises but tech will indeed play a big role in the upcoming 2013…
Digital Content
Technology Helps Kenyans Reveal Electoral Registration Fraud
As Kenyans gear up for the presidential elections in less than 90 days, technology is proving to be a friend and foe to the many politicians embroiled in political musical…
Digital Content
Rwanda: Telemedicine Project On Track Year After Plan Was Hatched
A year ago plans to connect Rwandan hospitals through telemedicine - the use of telecommunication and information technologies to provide distant clinical healthcare - were announced.According to the plan, district…
Digital Content
South Africa: TUT Students Access Academic, Financial Information Via Mobile
Following a successful pilot project in December 2012, students at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) will be able to access academic and financial information on their mobile devices through…
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Events
Broadband MEA 19 - 20 March 2013 The JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai, The region’s premier broadband event attracting 750 decision makers from across The Middle East and Africa. Now…
