News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 973 – 26 April 2019
Top Story
The challenges of being a small ISP in Ghana:” The regulator looks after larger operators rather than competition through local entrepreneurs...these would provide more jobs and choice for local users”.
26 April 2019
Being a small ISP in Sub-Saharan Africa is tough in a world dominated by MNOs. This week Russell Southwood talks to the new Managing Director of AfricaOnline Ghana about how the market is changing and finding a niche. Plender is a telecoms veteran who grew up in the UK and worked for both BT and Cable & Wireless. His move to Africa came when he was seconded under contract with Cable & Wireless to BTC in Botswana and he stayed on with BTC after the contract ended. He then spent a period on the contracting side of major communications infrastructure…
Telecoms
Angola Cancels Telstar Mobile Phone License, to Open New Tender
26 April 2019
LUANDA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Angolan President Joao Lourenco canceled a decision to award Telstar Telecomunicacoes, a privately held company, the southwest African nation’s fourth mobile license. “The president…
Telecoms
Tanzania: One SIM Card Per One Service Provider, Phone Users Advised
26 April 2019
Mobile phone users in Tanzania advised to own one SIM card per telecommunication firm instead of possessing several SIM cards from the same service providers. Deputy Minister for Works, Transport…
Telecoms
Nigeria: Telecoms operators warn NCAA against demolishing 7,000 masts
26 April 2019
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria has warned the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority over its threat to demolish over 7,000 telecommunications mast in the country. The Chairman of…
Telecoms
South Africa: Big mobile data price changes and new network rules proposed
26 April 2019
The Competition Commission has released a provisional report on its Data Services Market Inquiry, in which it prescribed new rules for mobile networks. The inquiry seeks to understand features in…
Telecoms
Cameroon's watchdog rejects MTN's tariff proposal
26 April 2019
The Cameroonian Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) has rejected MTN Cameroon's proposed tariff plan for 2019, ITWeb Africa reported. It rejected the operator's technical offering and pricing conditions for access and…
Telecoms
In brief
26 April 2019
Mocambique Telecom (TMCEL), the state-backed fixed and mobile operator in Mozambique, has signed an equipment contract with Chinese vendor Huawei. Under the initial phase of the deal, TMCEL will spend…
Internet
ISOCEL officially launches in Sèmè City the first phase of deployment of its optical fiber network
26 April 2019
ISOCEL has officially launched the first phase of deployment of its fiber optic network at the headquarters of the Sèmè City Development Agency in Cotonou. This initial phase represents the…
Internet
Nigeria to use Television White Space Technology to provide internet
26 April 2019
More than half million of Nigeria’s rural population will have internet through the use of Television White Space Technology (which is unused spectrum in the broadcasting band, which can be…
Internet
The best big data deals South Africa has ever seen
26 April 2019
This month, South African consumers can enjoy the best value-for-money data deals on large mobile data bundles the country has ever seen. Telkom’s Big Deal for April 2019 offers subscribers…
Internet
Egypt to experiment with 5G during 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
26 April 2019
CAIRO - 21 April 2019: Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) AmrTalaat affirmed Egypt's interest in cooperating with Huawei in the field of Artificial intelligence and transferring technology as…
Computing
Somalia Ministry launches consultation process for Draft ICT Policy
26 April 2019
(Mogadishu – April 2019) Ministry of Post, Telecom and Technology launched a consultation process for the draft National ICT Policy and Strategy expected to guide the economic development through a…
Money Transfer
PalmPay collaborates with Visa to launch mobile wallet app in Africa
26 April 2019
Fintech company PalmPay has teamed up with payments giant Visa to bolster access to digital payment services in Africa. Under this partnership, PalmPay will launch a mobile wallet app in…
Money Transfer
Finserve inks pay deal with e-commerce firm
26 April 2019
Equity Group’s fintech subsidiary, Finserve, has entered a digital payments partnership with a London-based e-commerce platform in a deal that will enable shoppers across Africa to purchase and pay for…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Nigeria: MTN Become Public Company Ahead of Share Listing
26 April 2019
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc (MTN), has completed its conversion from a private company to a public company (Plc).The Telecommunications firm explained that the conversion to a Plc is a legal…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
SystemicLogic acquires Knowledge Factory
26 April 2019
A Global financial innovation and technology company SystemicLogic has acquired Knowledge Factory a property data and ICT company, from Kagiso Media. This is part of the businesses growth plan which…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
TNM reports 15% rise in 2018 revenue
26 April 2019
Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) has reported revenue of MWK91.2 billion (USD122.7 million) for the twelve months ended 31 December 2018, a rise of 14.6% from MWK79.6 billion the previous year.…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Zimbabwe: TelOne risks losing WIOCC stake due to debts
26 April 2019
Zimbabwe’s state-owned fixed line operator TelOne risks losing its stake in the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) due to an outstanding debt of USD10 million, which could have knock-on…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
In brief
26 April 2019
Strive Masiyiwa, the head of the Zimbabwe-based Econet Wireless Group, says he is expecting to list shares of Mascom, its subsidiary in Botswana, by October this year, Reuters reports. Econet…
Digital Content
Facebook is preparing parties and users for South Africa’s 2019 elections
26 April 2019
We’re little over two weeks away from casting our ballots, and Facebook is getting ready for South Africa’s 2019 National Elections. The social network on Thursday explained how it aims…
Digital Content
Wildlife Poaching Dropped 96% in 2 Years With New Tracking Tech
26 April 2019
Wildlife poaching in a South African game reserve has reduced by 96 percent after the introduction of tracking technology — for poachers. Launched by Dimension Data and Cisco, Connected Conservation…
Digital Content
Digital evidence opens doors to human rights probes
26 April 2019
When video of a mass grave was shown to the military tribunal in Kalehe town, in the Democratic Republic of Congo last September, the atmosphere changed dramatically, according to Guy…
Digital Content
How fake news from Sudan’s regime backfired
26 April 2019
The BBC has uncovered evidence that Sudan's security services tried to undermine popular protests by rounding up students, torturing them until they admitted to violent intent, and spreading false confession…
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People
26 April 2019
UbuntuNet Alliance Appoints Engineer Dr. Matthews Mtumbuka as CEO 25th April 2019, Lilongwe, Malawi: The Chairperson of UbuntuNet Alliance, Prof. Stephen Simukanga is pleased to announce the appointment of Malawian…
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Opportunities
26 April 2019
Orange, a key player engaged in the digital transformation in Africa and the Middle East, launches its first “Orange Digital Centre” in Tunisia Orange has launched the “Orange Digital Centre”…
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Events
26 April 2019
The 4th edition of Nextv CEO Africa14th to 16th May 2019African Pride Arabella Hotel & Spa in KleinmondSouth Africa. The 3-day conference annually hosts over 200 attendees where industry leaders…
