News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 908 – 12 January 2018
Top Story
Nigeria’s Nigcomsat to get two more satellites costing US$550 million – Government continues to bet against a losing position
12 January 2018
Two of Africa’s largest oil economies – Angola and Nigeria – have bought themselves satellites. No-one can really explain what they will do and how they will make money from them. Russell Southwood chews over Nigeria’s eccentric decision to get two more satellites for the failing Nigcomsat. On Wednesday this week Nigeria’s Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu announced in Abuja that Nigeria had secured a commitment from China for $550 million worth of financing towards two new satellites for Nigcomsat, Nigeria’s national satellite company. An investigation by Punch newspaper in 2016 concluded that the company had very few customers and…
Telecoms
Dalkom Somalia signs a service agreement with iDirect
12 January 2018
Mobile operator Dalkom Somalia started the year 2018, signing a service contract with the iDirect satellite connectivity provider. Through this strategic partnership, which strengthens its data capabilities and enriches Internet…
Telecoms
Kenya: Revised competition study will not recommend breakup of Safaricom
12 January 2018
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is finalising a revised report on competition in the country’s telecoms sector, following consultations with industry stakeholders. Business Daily writes that the study will…
Telecoms
The First 5G Trial In Africa Hits 20Gbps, 1000x Faster Than Econet’s 4G
12 January 2018
MTN South Africa conducted a 5G technology and applications trial at its head office in Johannesburg in partnership with Ericsson. 5G refers to fifth generation mobile networks or wireless networks.…
Telecoms
In brief
12 January 2018
The Chadian government has increased the annual fees paid by mobile network operators from 7% of annual revenue to 9%, Agence Ecofin reports. The higher levy came into effect from…
Internet
Kenyan farmer to sue Google over balloon crash
12 January 2018
A Kenyan farmer is seeking compensation for destruction of crops after curious villagers flocked to his farm in central Meru County last week to view a crashed internet balloon. Hundreds…
Internet
Newcomer TEOLIS now ‘operational’ in Togo
12 January 2018
A new broadband access provider, TEOLIS, says its business has entered its ‘operational phase’ in Togo some six months after receiving its licence from the Ministry of Posts and Digital…
Internet
Google launches data management app in Nigeria
12 January 2018
Google has released a new app Datally to help users of Android devices in Nigeria control and maximise data usage. The free app, available via the Google Play Store, runs…
Internet
Namibia: Internet and voice service disrupted
12 January 2018
Internet and voice services have been disrupted in Namibia due to Copper cable theft that affected Telecom Namibia’s underground network in the southern part of Windhoek in the Cimbebasia suburb…
Computing
Rhino DNA Database Helps Officials Catch Poachers And Traffickers
12 January 2018
A DNA database system is helping authorities prosecute and convict poachers and rhino horn traffickers in Africa. RhODIS, as the system is called, is built on a foundational database with…
Computing
Ethiopian herders get automated weather stations
12 January 2018
Automated weather stations (AWS) are being installed in some of Ethiopia’s lowlands to help herders and other climate-vulnerable residents respond better to recurring shocks related to climate change. The project…
Computing
Access Bank Partners NGO on Disability-friendly Tech Hub
12 January 2018
Access Bank Plc has stepped up its commitment to support people living with disabilities by partnering Project Enable Africa along with HACEY Health Initiative and other organisatons in providing ICT-friendly…
Money Transfer
MTN Rwanda, Amasezerano Bank sign mobile banking agreement
12 January 2018
MTN Rwanda and Amasezerano Community Bank have signed an agreement to boost mobile banking. The bank's customers will be able to deposit or withdraw money on their mobile phones using…
Money Transfer
Cote d’Ivoire taxes mobile money transactions
12 January 2018
The Cote d’Ivoire government has implemented a new tax on mobile money services, with each transaction now attracting a 0.5% levy under the state’s 2018 budget. The move follows similar…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Tanzania - Govt claims transfer of Airtel unit from TTCL was illegal
12 January 2018
An investigation by the government of Tanzania has alleged that Bharti Airtel’s 60% ownership of the country’s second largest mobile operator by subscribers is illegal, writes Bloomberg. According to a…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Ex-Salesforce techie explores the cloud to store client feedback
12 January 2018
Limo Sadalla returned to Kenya in 2013 to launch a business that lost Sh2 million in its first year. “Our loss was not out of mismanagement, but lack of awareness…
Digital Content
TV license fees to extend to mobile consumers in Ghana
12 January 2018
The director-general of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Dr Akuffo Annor-Ntow, expects the collection of TV licenses to extend to persons who consume content via mobile devices and applications. Speaking…
Digital Content
This Multilingual Audio Course Is a Free Guide to Yoruba for Olorishas Around the World
12 January 2018
OrishaImage.com and Yorubaname.com have linked up to create a Yoruba course for Spanish, Portuguese and English speakers across the diaspora. Though the majority of Yoruba speakers live in Nigeria,Yoruba people…
Digital Content
Opera launches its new app, Opera News, in Africa
12 January 2018
With more than 100 thousand downloads in less than two weeks, Opera News is on path to become the number one news app in Africa. Opera Software announced today the…
Digital Content
Angolans Left Snickering After Post-Launch Glitch in Country's First Satellite
12 January 2018
On 25 December, Angola’s first satellite went into orbit, and the launch was celebrated with a large screen broadcasting it live at Marginal de Luanda, one of the city's main…
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People
12 January 2018
BCX CEO joins board of women's computing education scheme iamtheCODE ICT service provider BCX's CEO Ian Russell has been appointed to the board of iamtheCODE. This is the first Africa-led…
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Events
12 January 2018
Africa Tech Summit Kigali - 2018Following the success of Africa Tech Summit London which will return in May 2018, we are delighted to welcome you to Africa Tech Summit Kigali…
