News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no. 893 – 15 September 2017
Top Story
Changes in African market over the last seventeen years – Interview with industry pioneer Yossi Barkan on what has and hasn’t changed for the better
15 September 2017
Sometimes there are people whose involvement in Africa captures and distills all the changes that have happened in the telecoms and Internet industry. Yossi Barkan is one of those people and this week Russell Southwood talks to him about what has changed since he started work in the industry seventeen years ago. Q: How did you start working in Africa? A: My family came to Africa when I was sixteen. My Father was nominated by the Israeli Government to teach agriculture in the Central African Republic. I went to school there before going home again. I moved to Cameroon with…
Telecoms
Tunisie Telecom signs ICT deal with media Union
15 September 2017
Tunisia's fixed and mobile telephony company Tunisie Telecom has committed to provide telecommunications services to the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), building on its existing relationship with the organisation.…
Telecoms
Nigeria’s Danbatta: Telecoms Sector Added N1.5tn to GDP in Second Qtr
15 September 2017
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, has said the telecoms sector contributed N1.549 trillion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the…
Telecoms
East Africa: Liquid Telecom Upgrades East Africa's Fibre Ring
15 September 2017
Liquid Telecom, has completed 100G upgrades to key routes on the East Africa Fibre Ring. The upgrade to 100G wavelengths takes advantage of the latest DWDM technology from Ekinops allowing…
Telecoms
Onatel secures USD30m loan from Huawei to fund ONAMOB network modernisation
15 September 2017
The government of Burundi has revealed plans to modernise the network of ONAMOB, the mobile arm of state-owned incumbent operator Office National des Telecommunications (Onatel), via a USD30 million loan…
Telecoms
SA could see lowered data costs by August 2018
15 September 2017
South Africans will pay less for data and this could happen as early as August next year, according to Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister, Siyabonga Cwele. Cwele announced this at…
Telecoms
Burkina Faso: Tactis to oversee phase 1 of national fibre-optic network
15 September 2017
French engineering and consulting group Tactis will monitor the implementation of Burkina Faso’s first phase of its national fibre network, reports Agence Ecofin. Proposals were requested by the Ministry of…
Telecoms
In brief
15 September 2017
Zimbabwe: Fixed phone operator, TelOne, has lost over $100 000 worth of telecommunications equipment mainly copper cables since the beginning of the year due to theft and vandalism. TelOne has…
Internet
South Africa: Vodacom announces commercial LAA speed test on LTE network
15 September 2017
Vodacom South Africa has successfully launched a Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) site on its live network at its Midrand campus and demonstrated speeds of 650 Mbps using a commercial handset.…
Internet
Facebook highlights its commitment to online safety in South Africa and Zimbabwe
15 September 2017
As part of Facebook’s ongoing efforts in understanding and positively contributing to the African internet eco-system, the team will be working with a number of organizations including local governments, policy…
Internet
New DotAfrica Internet Domain Attracts Thousands Of Registrations
15 September 2017
The new dotAfrica internet domain continues to attract interest, with thousands registrations taking place for the top-level domain. The dotAfrica top-level internet domain attracted over 8,000 registrations since its launch…
Internet
Internet Access Restricted In Togo Amidst Protests
15 September 2017
Internet access in Togo has been severely restricted as opposition supporters gather to protest against the rule of President Faure Gnassingbé. Some users say internet speeds are slow and access…
Internet
More Cities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Get Satellite-Enabled High-Speed Connectivity with SES Networks and Gilat Telecom
15 September 2017
LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE/AETOS Wire)-- SES Networks’ longtime customer in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Gilat Telecom, has expanded the satellite capacity under contract with SES Networks in the country,…
Internet
New ICT architecture for South African ISPs
15 September 2017
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – HUAWEI has introduced its leading information and communications technology (ICT) solutions to South African internet service providers (ISPs). This would enable them support local enterprises. It…
Internet
Kenyatta loses online support after attack on Judiciary
15 September 2017
According to the latest research from opinion mining company, BrandsEye, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta lost a significant number of supporters online following his verbal attack on the country's judiciary. The…
Computing
Facebook Announces Developer Circles In South Africa
15 September 2017
Social media giant, Facebook, announced on September 6, 2017, that the company has begun the roll-out of Developer Circles in South African cities; Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria. The…
Computing
Nigeria: Govt Backs Fight Against Quackery in Computing Profession
15 September 2017
The federal government, though the Ministry of Education, has promised to support the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) with logistics that will help the regulatory body effectively curb…
Money Transfer
Moneytrans Launches the First Mobile Remittance App in the Republic Democratic of Congo
15 September 2017
Moneytrans, a fintech company servicing the low-income migrant population announces the launch of a smart and convenient mobile App to send money in minutes within and outside Africa to any…
Money Transfer
Allied Exchange Africa Ltd. has launched its novel digital payment platform, ALEXpay
15 September 2017
Allied Exchange Africa Ltd. has launched its novel digital payment platform, ALEXpay to overcome the lack of cross-network fund transfer and interoperability which currently inhibits the potential of mobile money…
Money Transfer
Liberia: Lonestar Cell, LRA Agree On Mobile Tax Payment Services
15 September 2017
Lonestar Cell MTN has signed a proof of concept agreement for mobile payment with the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) for the acceptance of tax payments via Mobile Money. The mobile…
Money Transfer
Namibia: Central Bank Breaks Silence On Virtual Currencies
15 September 2017
THE Bank of Namibia on Friday reminded the public that it does not consider virtual currencies as legal tender in Namibia, and virtual currencies are thus not considered equivalent to…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
IFC invests Sh619m in mobile tech firm Africa’s Talking
15 September 2017
The International Finance Corporation is investing up to Sh619 million ($6 million) in mobile tech firm Africa’s Talking, with the funds earmarked for the company’s expansion in Africa. In a…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
ViRural & C3 Announce US-Africa Telecommunications Merger
15 September 2017
ViRural Group Inc. (ViRural) and C3 Ltd (C3), leading providers of critical infrastructure services for African communities, has announced the merger of the two companies, creating a Pan-African Group top-level…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
G-Connect management seeks to buy the business
15 September 2017
The managers of South Africa's WirelessG, trading under the brand G-Connect, has made an offer to buy the business, reports MyBroadband. WirelessG, which provides a variety of Wi-Fi services, successfully…
Digital Content
Here’s What Some African Bloggers Are Saying About Fenty Beauty
15 September 2017
The buzz around Rihanna’s debut makeup line Fenty Beauty hasn’t died down since it dropped last week—and we’re glad. The singer put major cosmetic brands to shame with her extensive…
Digital Content
Zimbabwe: Telone Applies for Vod Broadcast Licence
15 September 2017
State owned telecommunications company, TelOne has applied for a broadcasting license to offer video on demand (VoD) services, the industry regulatory authority said on Monday. The company, which wants to…
Digital Content
Google Play Music family plan and Family Library launched in South Africa
15 September 2017
Google has launched the Family Library feature for its Play online store for Android devices in nine additional countries, including South Africa. The search giant updated its support pages for…
Digital Content
NaijaMusic launches to connect Nigerians to their favourite artists
15 September 2017
NaijaMusic has launched in Nigeria to connect users with the latest songs and videos from their favourite artists. Founder John Kilsi told Disrupt Africa NaijaMusic.com.ng, which went live at the…
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Opportunities
15 September 2017
African female entrepreneurs can apply for Y-HER accelerator African female entrepreneurs have been invited to apply for the Y-HER Accelerator Programme, with offers mentorship and a total of US$50,000 in…
