News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 939 – 24 August 2018
Top Story
Nigeria: Interconnection ‘debt mountain’ may threaten the health of the telecoms sector
24 August 2018
The scale of interconnection debt between mobile operators in Nigeria hangs over the industry and does not seem to be going away. Without wanting to turn this “debt mountain” into a crisis, Russell Southwood looks at what might happen. In 2013, interconnection debt between operators stood at N20 billion (at the then exchange rate: US$123.5 million). In June 2018, it had risen to N165 billion (US$458 million). In other words, the debt has been rising at around US$67 million a year since 2013. It is unclear who owes what between the operators but as always the biggest operator is owed…
Telecoms
ZTE back in business in South Africa
24 August 2018
After suspending operations around the world following a ban by the US government, ZTE South Africa is back in business, the Chinese telecommunications equipment company said on Monday. “The recent…
Telecoms
MNP imminent in Cote d’Ivoire
24 August 2018
The Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications in Cote d’Ivoire (Autorite de Regulation des Telecommunications de Cote d’Ivoire, ARTCI) has indicated that mobile number portability (MNP) will be launched for users nationwide…
Telecoms
Inwi Morocco launched 4.5G
24 August 2018
The mobile phone operator Inwi, of the Moroccan group Al Mada, has just hit a big blow in Morocco by launching the 4,5G, premises to the network of the future…
Telecoms
In brief
24 August 2018
ICASA is calling for comments on its new draft Call Termination Rates. ... “Since 2010, the termination rates have been reduced by approximately 90% and this has ... a call…
Internet
Zambian government approves new tax on VoIP calls
24 August 2018
Zambia’s government has said it expects to generate around USD22 million each year following the decision to implement a new tax on voice calls made using VoIP technology. According to…
Internet
Helios Towers announces 1,800km new backbone network for DRC
24 August 2018
Helios Towers has announced it will upgrade and construct backbone sites covering 1,800km in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project, described by the company as a "double-digit…
Internet
Liquid Telecom partnering with Sigfox
24 August 2018
The Kenyan division of Liquid Telecom is partnering Sigfox to deploy an IoT network with coverage of up to 85% of the population. Sigfox base stations will be connected via…
Internet
Vodacom’s Mum and Baby platform open to all SA moms
24 August 2018
Vodacom’s Mum and Baby platform, which provides free health information and videos to aid parents and guardians as they deal with pre and post pregnancy, will now be made available…
Internet
In brief
24 August 2018
Off-grid energy firm BBOXX has launched a pilot to provide internet access for communities in Rwanda, creating internet connections via Wi-Fi hotspots in a joint venture with Axiom Networks. So…
Computing
ICT for Sustainable Development: First coding camp for girls in Africa
24 August 2018
Addis Ababa in collaboration with the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) 2018-2022 is holding the first coding camp for girls as a part of the ICT for sustainable development…
Computing
WAICTANET Holds Digital Security Training for Female Journalists
24 August 2018
Monrovia – The West Africa ICT Action Network (WAICTNET) has kicked off a two-day Digital Security for female journalists in Liberia. WAICTNET LIBERIA is a new sub-regional ICT advocacy, academia…
Computing
Photo-based crop insurance could debut in Kenya in 2019
24 August 2018
[LAUSANNE] Picture-based crop insurance could make its debut in Kenya next year after a study in India found that it may avoid the pitfalls of other insurance schemes. As…
Money Transfer
Samsung officially launches its payment service in SA
24 August 2018
Samsung Pay is now out of beta testing and officially available in South Africa, but still only for certain local bank customers. It allows users to pay using only their…
Money Transfer
Africa’s Treon to widespread blockchain technology in the developing world
24 August 2018
Treon (TXO), provider of the world's first “Utilities Token” that securely and seamlessly enables consumers around the world, has delivered a keynote presentation at Bloconomic: Blockchain Economic Summit in Kuala…
Money Transfer
Ghana: Mobile Money Transactions Hit Ghc104 Billion
24 August 2018
Total transactions in 2017 was GHc155.8 billion, but watchers of the space are predicting that 2018 may outstrip that of the previous year following recent innovations in that sector. Read…
Money Transfer
Kenya: OKash to give loans using face recognition
24 August 2018
A digital bank in Kenya plans to use face recognition for credit identity checks. The feature is set up as a user sets up the Okash app by uploading a…
Money Transfer
In brief
24 August 2018
The partnership will innovate and enhance access to a localized, simple payment method for Uber driver-partners to pay the Uber service fee. Read the full article here.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Bharti Airtel posts mixed results for East Africa
24 August 2018
Indian telecommunication giant Bharti Airtel reported mixed results in the region for 2017, with its Ugandan unit’s profits growing by almost 30 per cent to $62.12 million, from $44.9 million…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Is MTN’s decision to sign a N200 billion loan deal a hit or miss?
24 August 2018
Telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria has signed a loan deal worth N200 billion in Lagos. The seven-year medium-term facility loan deal which was facilitated by a posse of local financial institutions…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Cell C says plans for share sale in 2020 on course as it mulls acquisitions
24 August 2018
South African operator Cell C is planning a share sale in Johannesburg by the first quarter of 2020 as it seeks funds for acquisitions, reports Bloomberg. The exact timing of…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Yebo yes to BEE shares: RMB helps structure R16.4bn Vodacom deal
24 August 2018
More than 85,000 black investors and about 8,500 current and past employees will soon reap the benefits of Vodacom’s recent R16.4bn broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE) transaction. This BEE transaction…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Valve launches new version of Steam Play for Linux users
24 August 2018
South Africa's Valve has launched a new version of Steam Play for Linux users, reports Mybroadband. Steam Play was launched in 2010 as a way for Steam users to access…
Digital Content
DStv Now apps now accessible to more devices
24 August 2018
MultiChoice has launched three new apps for its DStv Now streaming service, for Apple TV, media players running Android TV and Samsung smart TVs. The pay-television operator said on Wednesday…
Digital Content
Google search now gives Swahili users more detailed results
24 August 2018
Google Search has now made it possible for Swahili users to get more intelligent and contextualised results of people, things and entities that Google already knows about. Swahili is one…
Digital Content
Too soon, South Africa? #AdamCatzavelos challenge is already a meme
24 August 2018
Adam Catzavelos, the South African whose racial slur-loaded video found its way onto Twitter, is already a meme. In said viral video which appeared on the social network on Tuesday,…
Digital Content
#FreeBobiWine: Protests mount over torture and arrest of a young political force in Uganda
24 August 2018
Protests have erupted throughout Uganda after parliamentarian Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu was charged at a military court following his brutal arrest and torture in the town of Arua in northwest Uganda.…
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People
24 August 2018
John Omo, Director of Legal Services at Kenya's Communications Authority (CA), has succeeded in his bid to lead the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) as Secretary General for a four-year term…
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Events
24 August 2018
OTTVA Summit on the Future of TV & Digital Video in Africa5th September – 2018Golden Tulip Westlands Nairobi Hotel The focus of the present conference is on growing potential for…
