News update Telecoms and ICT in Africa - Issue no 975 – 10 May 2019
Top Story
The vanishing point for African online use - Why mobile apps will have a tough time succeeding Africa
10 May 2019
There’s a great deal of news about the increase in the number of smartphones but not so much about the use of mobile apps in Africa. People talk a lot about how many times their mobile app has been downloaded but hardly at all about actual active users. Russell Southwood looks at the depressing stats behind trying to succeed with a mobile app in Sub-Saharan Africa. Between them, the two largest app stores globally had 3.9 million apps in Q1, 2019: the biggest Google Play has 2.1 million apps and the second largest, the Apple App Store has 1.8 million.…
Telecoms
Mobile subscriber numbers in South Africa – MTN vs Vodacom
10 May 2019
MTN has published its quarterly trading update for the period ended 31 March 2019, outlining its subscriber number changes since the beginning of 2019. The mobile operator saw a service…
Telecoms
WhatsApp cuts international mobile calls to eight-year low
10 May 2019
International mobile phone call traffic from Kenya hit an eight-year low on increased use of Internet-based platforms like WhatsApp and Skype, fresh data shows. Official Economic Survey data shows that…
Telecoms
Rwanda: Rura Makes Case for Use of Mobile Phone Data in Statistical Work
10 May 2019
Mobile phones have undergone rapid development in the past few years, and one of these is the introduction of smart phones, which have given power to several technology companies to…
Telecoms
Vanu, Inc. and Africa Mobile Networks Expand Supplier Agreement to Connect Off-Grid Villages in Africa
10 May 2019
Vanu, Inc., a provider of equipment, tools and services that allow mobile network operators to serve off-grid communities, has announced the expansion of its on-going agreement with Africa Mobile Networks…
Telecoms
Kenya: Cybersecurity Firm Kaspersky Raises Flag on SIM Fraud
10 May 2019
Global cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab has issued an alert over fresh wave of attacks targeting financial and online services. Mr Fabio Assolini, a senior security researcher at Kaspersky Lab, said…
Internet
Liquid Telecom to deploy high-speed internet in the Eastern Cape
10 May 2019
In South Africa, the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has assigned Liquid Telecom to deploy high broadband internet in Eastern Cape. This connection will be used by the local government…
Internet
WhatsApp data bundle price changes in South Africa
10 May 2019
WhatsApp is the preferred mobile communication medium for many South Africans, and it has replaced SMS as the messaging service of choice because of its improved functionality and cost savings.…
Internet
Here's what South Africans searched for on election day
10 May 2019
As South Africans headed to the polls on Wednesday, many of their burning internet search queries had to do with the Economic Freedom Fighters, DA leader Mmusi Maimane and where…
Internet
Safaricom intends to double 4G Network coverage by March 2020
10 May 2019
Safaricom is planning to double its 4G network coverage to 5000 base stations by March 2020 and will cover all major towns and 80% of the Kenya population. The statement…
Internet
Vodacom and MTN profit margins – Here is the truth
10 May 2019
The Competition Commission recently released its Data Services Market Inquiry report, which found that South African data prices are high – particularly for mobile prepaid data. It also found that…
Internet
Nigerian startup Tizeti launches WifiCall.ng IP voice call service
10 May 2019
Nigeria based startup Tizeti, an internet service provider, today launched WifiCall.ng—an internet voice-calling platform for individuals and businesses. WifiCall is a VoIP—or Voice over Internet Protocol—subscription service that allows unlimited…
Internet
In brief
10 May 2019
WACREN is pleased to announce that the newly-established Liberia Research and Education Network (LRREN) has formally joined WACREN. Welcome to the WACREN and global REN community. Eutelsat Communications has chosen…
Computing
First High-Level Cyber Security “Boot Camp” To Be Held in Ethiopia
10 May 2019
Addis Ababa: Increasing cyber threats impede business operations and stifle growth. The need to more effectively handle and stymie these threats by creating effective and reliable cyber security systems is…
Computing
TransEast takes highway to success with SAP BusinessOne
10 May 2019
Leading East African transportation company deploys powerful ERP solution to improve visibility across organisation and unlock greater efficiencies in daily operations. With the tenth-fastest growing economy in the world this…
Computing
Lightning Speed: The New Currency of B2B Lead Generation for Tech
10 May 2019
How Digital Kungfu generated a top-of-funnel pipeline for Africa’s leading Cloud Distributor with an estimated value of $1 million in 3 weeks. The much-anticipated release of Microsoft’s local data centres…
Money Transfer
Vodafone Ghana to offer New Messaging option for Mobile Money
10 May 2019
Vodafone Ghana has launched a new feature on Vodafone Cash known as Reference to satisfy its customers. In a bulk message sent to all customers of the network, the new…
Money Transfer
Zimpost extends Zipcash onto mobile platform
10 May 2019
ZIMPOST is working on extending its money transfer service, Zipcash, onto the mobile platform in a bid to boost traffic and increase revenue, acting managing director Sifundo Moyo has said.…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
African e-tailer Jumia shares soar as analysts see a number of tailwinds working in its favour
10 May 2019
As of Monday’s close, Jumia shares were up 168% from the stock’s opening trade on April 12 Analysts are bullish about the future of African e-commerce company Jumia Technologies Inc.,…
Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Results
Huawei poised to fuel China foreign policy in Kenya
10 May 2019
Technology giant Huawei is poised to become one of China’s main links for fuelling the next phase of its ambitious programmes under the Belt and Roads Initiative (BRI) in Kenya.…
Digital Content
Winners of the Digital Lab Africa Pitch Competition announced
10 May 2019
Digital Lab Africa (DLA), a springboard and incubation platform for African creatives in digital content, has announced the 10 winning projects of this year’s edition of the DLA accelerator programme.…
Digital Content
Malawi implements private copying levy
10 May 2019
Malawi is the latest African country to implement a private copying levy. This development means Malawi is now among the growing list of countries to deploy a private copying levy,…
Digital Content
#MySkirtMyRight: Women in Madagascar fight sexism and victim-shaming by the government
10 May 2019
Men's greedy needs to assault women reduce as women wear modest clothes. It is therefore every parent's duty to guide their daughters towards the right path and stop them from…
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People
10 May 2019
Zamtel appoints Kenneth Sinkamba as Chief Commercial Officer Zamtel has announced the appointment of Mr Kenneth Sinkamba as the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, effective May 2nd 2019. A Fellow of…
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Events
10 May 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…
