News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 910 - 26 January 2018
Top Story
Africa’s Slowest Moving Fibre Project takes another step forward - African Development Bank provides $21 million for Central African Republic
26 January 2018
Central Africa is probably the largest geographic area of the continent without a wide array of redundant fibre connecting its different countries. The Central African Backbone project was devised to change all that but it has been eight years and counting without a great deal happening. Russell Southwood looks at the new announcement and reflects on the snail’s pace of progress. Fibre projects are hard and those that cross borders are even harder. For the less attractive markets in Africa, it’s usually a combination of lack of money and Government regulation. However, in October 2009 the World Bank announced a…
Telecoms
FG probes ‘call masking’ of international phone traffic into Nigeria
26 January 2018
A Federal Government investigation is underway to unmask companies using “call masking” techniques to pass off incoming international telecoms traffic as local calls into Nigeria. Technology Times has just learnt…
Telecoms
Zimbabwe's telco regulator eases fees pressure on operators
26 January 2018
Gift Machengete, Director-General of Zimbabwe's telecommunication regulating authority (Potraz) has confirmed the organisation's decision to allow operators to pay their licence fees in instalments due to the impact of the…
Telecoms
Free Mobile extends roaming data offer to Algeria
26 January 2018
French operator Free Mobile has added Algeria to the list of countries included in the roaming data offer available as part of its EUR 19.99 postpaid mobile plan (priced EUR…
Telecoms
Somalia takes steps towards establishing regulator
26 January 2018
The Somali government has announced that it will establish the nation’s first independent regulatory agency for telecommunications, dubbed the National Communications Authority (NCA), as the state moves to implement the…
Telecoms
In brief
26 January 2018
Sicap Schweiz AG, the global mobile device management vendor has furthered its expansion into Africa by partnering with Vodacom Lesotho, the leading mobile service provider in this Southern African country.…
Internet
West and Central Africa connects to the global R&E network to unleash its potential
26 January 2018
Cambridge and Accra |19 January 2018 - The EU-funded AfricaConnect2 project has just announced that, following the tender call to connect West and Central (W&C) Africa back in June 2016,…
Internet
Cameroon govt sued over internet shutdown in Anglophone regions
26 January 2018
The Cameroonian government has been hurled before the country’s top court over the imposition of an internet blackout on the restive Anglophone regions. Two net freedom groups, Access Now and…
Computing
Miss Geek contest opens up to more African countries
26 January 2018
More African countries that are members of the Smart Africa Secretariat are now able to participate in the continental Miss Geek Africa competition, following its expansion. The number of participating…
Computing
Oracle Raises Concern over ICT Growth, Digital Transformation
26 January 2018
The Managing Director of Oracle Nigeria, Adebayo Sanni, has highlighted the trends and challenges affecting the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) landscape and the future of digital transformation within the…
Computing
Nigeria: Cyber Security Experts Urge Capacity Building for Cyber Defense
26 January 2018
Cyber security experts in the country, have urged the federal government to create a world class capacity as well as develop and train personnel to protect the nation's infrastructure from…
Computing
In brief
26 January 2018
In December, IVU Traffic Technologies successfully completed its first project on the African continent. Based on the standard solution IVU.suite, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the Nigerian metropolis…
Money Transfer
East Africa: Comesa's Online Market Will Reduce Cross-Border Trade Barriers - Officials
26 January 2018
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has stepped up efforts to promote cross-border trade by embracing e-commerce to be able to "minimise physical barriers". to trade across the…
Money Transfer
MTN Targets 60m Mobile Money Subscribers In 4 Years across Africa
26 January 2018
MTN, the biggest mobile network in Africa said it is targeting to increase its mobile money subscribers from the current 21 million to 60 million in the next three to…
Money Transfer
Cote d’Ivoire unveils mobile money tax
26 January 2018
A new tax of 0.5 percent has been introduced on money transfers made through telephone companies in Cote d’Ivoire or their intermediaries, and relates particularly to remittances, according to the…
Money Transfer
Kenya: Telkom money awaits CBK nod
26 January 2018
Telkom Kenya says an approval from the Central Bank of Kenya is the only hurdle left in its bid to launch a newly-designed mobile money platform. The company last year…
Money Transfer
Zambia to hold first ever e-commerce expo in June
26 January 2018
Zambia will hold its first ever e-commerce expo this year in June at the Mulungushi Conference Centre under an inspiring theme “E-commerce – A Catalyst in Zambia’s Economic Growth.“ This…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Airtel pulls out of 9mobile running as 2 bid for Nigerian telco
26 January 2018
Only two of the five companies shortlisted to take over 9mobile have bid for the former Etisalat Nigeria, according to reports. The Cable claims Airtel Nigeria opted not to submit…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Airtel gets nod to acquire Tigo Rwanda
26 January 2018
The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) has approved the acquisition of 100% of Millicom International Cellular (MIC) subsidiary Tigo Rwanda by smaller rival Airtel Rwanda. The merger will reduce the…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Minister rules out privatisation for Algerie Telecom, Mobilis
26 January 2018
Algeria’s Minister of Post, Telecommunications, Technology and Digitalisation, Imane Houda Faraoun, has categorically denied that the government has any plans to sell shares in Algerie Telecom or its mobile subsidiary…
Digital Content
Facebook launches Marketplace in SA to disrupt classifieds industry
26 January 2018
Johannesburg - Social network Facebook will roll out Marketplace in South Africa in the following weeks as it hopes to disrupt the local classifieds industry. The feature within the Facebook…
Digital Content
Somalians on social media are outdoing each other as they take on the BarBar challenge
26 January 2018
Somalians on social media are outdoing each other as they take on the BarBar challenge that was inspired by a music video of the same title by Canada based Somali…
Digital Content
The Ugandan Government Is Launching Its Own Social Media Networks
26 January 2018
The Ugandan government claims that the move to local platforms will make internet cheaper, but not everyone is convinced. The Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC) has announced its plans to launch…
Digital Content
Leaked Documents Show That Ethiopia’s Ruling Elites Are Hiring Social Media Trolls (And Watching Porn)
26 January 2018
Over the past two months, a series of leaked documents from Ethiopia’s powerful political elites have been circulating online. Among other revelations, the leaks show that the Ethiopian government has…
Digital Content
Kenya: Boda Boda Riders Launch Bike Hailing App
26 January 2018
Kenya — Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya has launched a new app called Juu boda that will connect riders to customers in what the Association says will streamline the…
Digital Content
Kenya: Nairobi Innovation Week Calls for Startup Registration
26 January 2018
The Nairobi Innovation Week (NIW) organizing committee has announced that registration of Startups for the event is now open. Once NIW addmitssturtups, they stand a chance of being among the…
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People
26 January 2018
Former Vodacom Executive Named Google Chief Marketing Officer For Africa chief marketing officer - Google have announced the appointment of former Vodacom executive, Mzamo Masito, as its new chief marketing…
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Events
26 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…
