News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 962 – 8 February 2019
Top Story
Senegal: Sirius Telecom kicks off the MVNO process by promising a June launch, two other MVNOs will follow
8 February 2019
In a market dominated by Orange, Senegal’s regulator has chosen to try and add more competition by adding three 4G ISPs (see issue 920: ) and now three new MVNO operators. Russell Southwood looks at who’s entering the race and whether MVNOs are the answer to the question. At the end of January 2019, one of the MVNOs Sirius Telecom (owned by local businessman Mbackiou Faye who is also CEO) and the regulator ARTP laid on a “dog and pony” show to give a fair wind to its launch in June. Held in ARTP’s swanky new offices in Dakar’s Rond…
Telecoms
Rwanda set to launch its first telecoms satellite this year
8 February 2019
Rwanda is on course to launch its first satellite this year with help from Japan. The telecoms satellite is expected to be launched from the International Space Station (ISS) into…
Telecoms
Lava, Indian Phone Manufacturer Enters Nigerian Market
8 February 2019
Lava International Limited, a multinational mobile phone manufacturer has entered into the Nigerian market through the launch of its champion series (C1, A1, N1) and smartphones Z series (Z81 2GB,…
Telecoms
WTL Tasks NCC on Use of Excess Spectrum for Rural Coverage
8 February 2019
World Telecom Labs (WTL), a global telecommunication equipment vendor has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enforce the use of excess spectrum by telecom networks in rural areas to…
Telecoms
Kenya, Djibouti concludes cable landing deal negotiations
8 February 2019
The State Department of ICT, Telkom Kenya and its “DARE 1” (Djibouti African Regional Express) partners have concluded the first raft of commercial negotiations in Djibouti, paving way for the…
Telecoms
DRC - New President weighs-in on controversial AGI contract
8 February 2019
Newly-elected President Felix Tshisekedi has instructed the government to report on a widely criticised deal with African General Investment Limited (AGI) that gave the company rights to ‘control in a…
Telecoms
In brief
8 February 2019
Huawei Marine has completed the second phase of the West Africa Cable System (WACS) upgrade by utilising Flex Grid and Optical pass-through technologies to deliver what it claimed was ‘the…
Internet
Facebook and Vodafone to deploy Express Wi-Fi in Ghana
8 February 2019
Facebook partners with Vodafone Ghana to roll out Express Wi-Fi facility in the residential areas of Ghana. The service offers people living in distant areas that lack fiber optic cables…
Internet
Liquid Telecom enables the use of telemedicine at the Daadab refugee camp
8 February 2019
Liquid Telecom has connected the Getrudes Children’s Hospital to the Daadab refugee camp via internet. The camp which hosts about 250,000 refugees across four camps is at a distance of…
Internet
Accessibility, local content at the core of Africa's internet challenge
8 February 2019
The Internet Society and African IXP Association (AFIX) will host the 10th annual Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) in Port Louis, Mauritius from 20-22 August, 2019 in collaboration with…
Internet
Facebook partners with NGOs in 15 countries for Safer internet
8 February 2019
This week social network Facebook announced its collaboration with non-profit organisations representing over 15 African countries to mark Safer Internet Day 2019 today, and drive an awareness campaign together for…
Internet
CW to deploy world-class connectivity infrastructure in Ethiopia
8 February 2019
Cambridge Wireless (CW), is collaborating with Regional State Government, Bahir Dar University and local delivery partners to deploy world-class connectivity infrastructure in a rapidly growing city in Ethiopia. CW is…
Computing
IX Reach Selects Industry-Leading Djibouti Data Center for Strategic Network Expansion in Africa
8 February 2019
IX Reach, the leading provider of SDN cloud connectivity, remote peering and Ethernet services to more than 170 global locations is proud to announce its network expansion into East Africa…
Money Transfer
CBN Licenses Interswitch, Flutterwave, Venture Garden, Pagatech, e-Tranzact, VTN as International Money Transfer Operators
8 February 2019
In furtherance of efforts to liberalise the Foreign Exchange Market, ensure liquidity and make foreign exchange more readily available to low end users, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has…
Money Transfer
Focus on Agent Networks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for better financial, economic, and social inclusion
8 February 2019
The level of financial inclusion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the DRC) stands at 26%. This presents a great opportunity for agent networks for digital financial services in…
Money Transfer
Uganda: First Fully Digital Bank Launched in Uganda
8 February 2019
Uganda becomes the second country in Africa, after Côte d'Ivoire to get a fully digital bank. The new bank allows customers to open up an account using their phones or…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Ethiopia: Ethio Telecom Slated to Be First Company to Be Privatized
8 February 2019
Addis Ababa — Ethio Telecom will be the first company to be privatized partially from among the four state-owned companies the government has decided to privatize. Ministry of Finance Communication…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Over $10 billon of Africa telecom, media and technology infrastructure initial public offering and mergers and acquisitions deals predicted in 2019 as investor appetite and valuations grow
8 February 2019
TMT Finance exclusively reported last week on the US$1bn sale of South African datacentre firm Teraco Data Environments to US private equity firm Berkshire Partners TMT (telecom, media and technology)…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Ethiopia set to create new telecoms regulator
8 February 2019
Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers has issued a new proclamation calling for the establishment of an independent federal government body to oversee the communications sector, Addis Standard reports. Having agreed the…
Digital Content
Facebook to open first sub-Saharan content review centre in Nairobi
8 February 2019
Facebook is set to open its first sub-Saharan Africa content review centre in Nairobi. The centre is expected to employ 100 reviewers by the end of the year to support…
Digital Content
FNB unveils new Easy account with medical, legal and financial advice for consumers
8 February 2019
FNB has launched its new Easy Smart Option bank account making it the first bank to combine medical, financial and legal advice as additional value to consumers who earn between…
More
Events
8 February 2019
Africa Tech SummitKigaliFebruary 13th-15th 2019 The Summit will once again provide unrivaled insight, networking and business opportunities for African and international tech leaders and investors who want to business in…
