Issue no 830 - 3rd June 2016
Top Story
Rwanda: Vanu innovates low-cost rural coverage by lowering both OPEX and CAPEX costs
Most of Africa’s mobile operators have reached the edges of their addressable markets and have more pressing business investments to make like improving their networks for LTE. But there are still considerable numbers of Africans who might be connected with a different business model. Russell Southwood spoke to Vanu Bose, founder of Vanu about how he has done this for a forthcoming roll-out in Rwanda, working with the mobile operators. “The fundamental problem (in rural areas) is that the revenues are lower and the costs are higher,” says Boase. Its approach to tackle this has been two-fold: firstly, to lower…
Telecoms
AXA and Jumia launched the first insurance policy for mobile phones sold online in Côte d’Ivoire
Abidjan, May 31st, 2016 - The insurer AXA Côte d’Ivoire and Jumia, the ecommerce leader, launched yesterday Monday, May 30th, the first online sales service for mobile phones insurance in…
Telecoms
Tanzania: TCRA Sets June 16 As Deadline for Fake Smartphones
Arusha — The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has ordered that all counterfeit smartphone handsets and others that do not comply with their IMEI numbers will no longer work after…
Telecoms
Africa: Airtel Africa Wins GTB's Telecoms Innovation & Technology Award
Bharti Airtel, a global telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Africa and Asia, in collaboration with Nokia, has won the Global Telecommunication Business (GTB) award for a…
Internet
The Internet Society Urges African Policymakers to Act on Internet Opportunity
Connecting the unconnected and recognizing Africa’s women trailblazers will be focus at Africa Internet Summit GENEVA, Switzerland, June 1, 2016/ -- The Internet Society will call for the adoption of…
Internet
iWayAfrica introduces commercial FTTP services in Zambia
iWayAfrica Zambia has announced the launch of fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) for both residential and business subscribers. In a press release the company confirmed that the new fibre service has already been…
Computing
Tanzania: Overseas Study Tours for ICT Varsity Students
Huawei Technologies Tanzania has embarked on a 10 year project initiative that will see 100 students from local universities receiving ICT training through 'Seeds for the Future' programme. The programme…
Computing
Nigeria's CcHub makes co-working free
Nigerian tech and innovation space Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) has announced free access to its co-working space from 13 June, as the flagship Lagos incubator looks to further develop the local…
Computing
Cameroon's Cardiopad inventor wins African engineering award
Cameroonian inventor Arthur Zang has won a £25,000 ($37,000) prize for his device that does heart examinations. The Cardiopad is a tablet computer that takes a reading and sends it…
Computing
Kenya: South Korea to Help Kenya Set Up Technology Institute
Kenya has signed a deal with South Korea for the establishment of a key science and technology centre in the country. It is among several agreements entered into by the…
Money Transfer
Standard Chartered Updates Africa Online Systems
Johannesburg — STANDARD Chartered Bank is bringing its newest mobile and online banking platform in eight African markets. The move will empower 1 million clients across the markets. Supported by…
Money Transfer
Uganda: DTB Taps MTN and Airtel Customers
Diamond Trust bank (DTB) recently launched PayEasy, a mobile phone payment collection system that enables customers to pay for goods directly from their mobile money account to the merchant's bank…
Money Transfer
Tanzania: Pre-Paid Visa Card Launched to Boost Cash-Less Transactions
Regenc Innovation Solution and UBA Tanzania yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer pre-paid visa cards throughout Africa starting with Tanzania. This was announced in Dar es Salaam…
Money Transfer
Central Bank of Kenya studies mobile lending rules
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is conducting a study on the impact of its policies and regulations on lending through mobile phones and the internet, Business Daily reported. Accurate…
Money Transfer
Eaton Towers sells South African business to ATC
Eaton Towers Group announced it has signed an agreement to sell its South African towers to American Tower Corporation (ATC) South Africa for an undisclosed sum. This transaction is subject…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Econet Zimbabwe sees full year sales slip 14%
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has reported revenues of USD641 million for its financial year to end-February 2016, down 14% on the year-earlier period. EBITDA fell from USD286 million to USD238 million,…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
NetOne made a $3 million loss in 2015. Gaining subscribers but losing money
NetOne, the government owned mobile operator, made a loss of about $3 million dollars in the 2015 financial year, the company’s acting Chief Executive Officer Brian Mutandiro has said. Mutandiro…
Digital Content
Ghanaians Oppose Shutdown of Social Media Platforms During Elections
Some countries in Africa have developed a routine habit of blocking social media platforms before, during and after elections citing “security concerns”. During the recent elections held in Uganda, for…
Digital Content
Kenya’s Safaricom launches new app to allow users access its services easily
Safaricom, Kenya’s largest integrated telecommunication service provider, has announced the launch of an app to enable its users carry out a wide range of operations. Known as MySafaricom, the app…
Digital Content
SA’s Telkom taps social media for recruiting millennials
In its drive to attract new talent to be part of its transforming business, South Africa’s Telkom recently launched a campaign that used social media posts, Google ads, and email…
Digital Content
Uber launches in Kampala, Uganda as 462 city in Uber’s global network
Kampala joins the growing list of smart African cities to offer Uber KAMPALA, Uganda, June 2, 2016/ -- Today, Uganda joins Uber’s growing African network With the launch of Uber,…
Digital Content
The new funny: How social media is disrupting comedy in Nigeria
Sometime in 2011, an aunt sent me an audio message on Whatsapp. It was the singsong voice and accent of a middle aged woman from the South East admonishing the…
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Opportunities
nHub Is Accepting Applications For A Three Months Internship Programme nHub, the biggest and first technology hub in Northern Nigeria, is accepting applications for a three months internship programme. Called…
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People
MTN to name new CEO in June MTN Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko is expected to step down as acting CEO by the end of June 2016 “at the latest”, the…
