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AfICTA e-NEWSLETTER 

15/August/2020 Vol 93

Register to Join AfICTA  (Africa ICT Alliance) Today

Hi, are you concerned about the realization of a Digital Africa? If yes, AfICTA (Africa ICT Alliance) welcomes you to register and join other group of concerned IT National Associations, Companies, Multinationals and Organisations in Africa to engender the realization of the digital Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs.

AfICTA is a 32 member nations' alliance, in partnership with the African Union, with the vision to fulfill the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa and to connect IT role players on the continent.

AfICTA Proposal Selected for the Virtual 15th IGF Meeting

The outcome of the workshop proposal review and selection process conducted by IGF- Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group (IGF-MAG) on overall 365 submitted workshop proposals, has revealed that 89 proposals have sailed through among which is AfICTA's proposal "#165 Unlocking the Digital Potential of the DLDC (Part II)" which was submitted to the IGF Secretariat on April 22 this year. This is the second time in a row that AfICTA's proposal to the IGF was selected.  We will keep you updated on the progress.

According to the group, the evaluation process was very complex and competitive, as stakeholders...  read more

Mobile Devices are too Expensive for Billions of People — and it’s Keeping them Offline

Mobile devices, once seen as consumer luxuries, are today the essential first step to getting online. But for billions of people around the world, they remain too expensive. That’s the conclusion of new research from the Alliance for Affordable Internet and the Web Foundation, looking at the affordability of mobile devices in 70 low and middle-income countries.

From luxury to lifeline: Reducing the cost of mobile devices to reach universal internet access.  

This is a problem because mobile phones are the cheapest devices available to access the... read more

Why we’re Joining Forces with ITU for Affordable Broadband

We are delighted with the opportunity to join forces with ITU to help provide more affordable internet access to the world’s 3.6 billion unconnected.

My organization, the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have launched a new joint annual research initiative to produce and publish mobile and fixed broadband pricing and affordability data, covering 207 countries around the world.

A4AI currently publishes mobile broadband pricing data in 100 low and middle-income...  read more

BMI Achieves Over 50% Cost Savings by Hosting at MainOne’s Data Center

MainOne, West Africa’s premier connectivity and data center solution provider recently on-boarded BMI-CI on its network by providing world-class, internet infrastructure and data center solutions.

BMI-CI is a financial technology company that specializes in the design, deployment and management of technological, IT and electronic payment solutions.

In a bid to improve its productivity and provide robust services to its customers, BMI-CI is leveraging MainOne’s open access, carrier neutral facility at the Grand Bassam to host its valuable... read more

Why the Pandemic Makes Domain Names More Valuable Than Ever

In the United States, at least 25,000 brick and mortar businesses will close in 2020 due to the Coronavirus (source: Coresight). I believe this will only be the tip of the iceberg. The businesses that fight to stay alive will become 100% dependent on the Internet to generate their revenue.

No longer able to rely on foot traffic to their old brick and mortars, the popularity and brand-ability of their websites will solely dictate their ability to survive in the coming years.

Domain Names Take Center: Stage Since the beginning of the Internet, a domain name has been the online address of a...  read more

Zimbabwe’s Worsening Situation Piles on Pressure for Telcos

Amid Zimbabwe’s rapidly declining humanitarian and economic situation, telecommunication companies are under increasing pressure and have had to raise tariffs while risking lower revenue as local income among citizens struggles to keep up.

With inflation around 800%, companies have tried to pass on increases to consumers, but insiders say this is having a negative effect as revenues are under pressure.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a manager with a local telecom company told ITWeb Africa on Wednesday: “Subscribers can’t keep up...  read more

Eutelsat, Strong Roots Pen Agreement to Boost Broadcasting in Ethiopia

Eutelsat Communications and Strong Roots Ethiopia Broadcasting Service PLC have concluded a Master Service Agreement for a Ku capacity on a 36 MHz transponder on Eutelsat’s EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite.

According to the companies, the capacity will enable Strong Roots to launch a new free to air DTH platform covering Ethiopia as well as Ethiopian diaspora in zones within the satellite’s footprint, notably the Middle East.

Part of the Ethiopian-owned Strong Roots Group, Strong Roots Ethiopia Broadcasting Services PLC is an upcoming player in the Ethiopian broadcast market. .... read more

Cost, Storage Dominate Smartphone Decision Making in Kenya

Foresight Research has found that in addition to cost, RAM and internal storage capacity are top priorities for Kenyans when choosing a smartphone.

The majority of respondents (45%) to its survey conducted between 31 July and 7 August 2020 believe Ksh.10,000 to Ksh.20,000 (between US$100 and US$200) is an ideal price range for a smartphone in the country’s context.

Others (29%) think Ksh.21,000 to Ksh.30,000 is better, while only 14% is willing to pay Ksh.40,000 or more up to Ksh.90,000. ... read more

Credit Data Start-up Lands Lucrative Zambia Deal

Credit data start-up, CARMA is looking to expand in Africa after securing a deal in Zambia to provide data to credit companies.

The start-up signed an agreement with NASCU Zambia to provide credit reference services for 1,122 credit unions, enabling the company to provide customer credit data. The credit unions serve almost 1.5 million members, equivalent to almost 15% of Zambia’s adult population.

CARMA offers a simple API to companies to access data on a peer-to-peer basis through a pay-as-you-go service.... read more

Malawi Engages Econet’s Masiyiwa for Affordable Internet

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera is in negotiations with Econet Global Chairman, Strive Masiyiwa regarding access to more affordable internet.

Although there is little detail available over what is being discussed, in a statement released last week, Chakwera said he had engaged with the Zimbabwean billionaire to assist in resolving his country’s “connection to the network of fibre technology by which other African countries are interconnected via high-speed and cheap internet and increasing financial transactions across borders.

The cost of data remains an issue for Malawi consumers and recently government spokesperson... read more

Malawi: TNM Launches First KaiOS-enabled Phone in Malawi

Integrated mobile network and ICT services provider TNM Plc has partnered with KaiOS Technologies to launch a 4G KaiOS-enabled smart feature phone in Malawi.

Priced at MK 24,999 (US$33.9) – according to the latest Malawi/ US currency conversion rates, the TNM Smart 4G will come with a value of MK28,000 (US$38) worth of bonuses comprising 500MBs, 150SMSs and free Caller Tune every month for six months.

The phone will offer customers access to essential and popular apps such as WhatsApp, Google Assistant, Google Maps, YouTube, Facebook, and many other applications unique to KaiOS... read more

Malawi Telcos Drop Data Prices

Malawi telecommunications companies Airtel Malawi and TNM have reduced the price of internet services in response to a month-long #DataMustFall social media campaign.

TNM announced a 70% reduction of its Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) rate announced by CEO Michael Buitelaar during a launch of low cost smart phones in partnership with KaiOS in Lilongwe.

Buitelaar conceded that the reduction was in response to customer demand. “The initiative of reducing the pay as you go will open up to most mobile users to accessing valuable information within reach.” .. read more

Nigeria: Banks Owe Telcos US$45-million Over USSD Suspension

Commercial banks in Nigeria owe local telecommunications companies over N17-billion (approximately US$45-million) as a result of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) suspension of its determination on USSD pricing last year.

USSD real time messaging technology offers a shorter turnaround time than SMS, and is used to exchange information regarding applications for accounts, balance and other enquiries, money transfer, airtime vending, bill payment etc. Following accusations of unsolicited deductions on bank accounts, Nigeria’s Minister ... read more

Konga to List on Global Stock Markets as Part of Africa Expansion

E-commerce company Konga claims to have invested over US$120-million since being acquired two years ago in Nigeria, and believes it is now strategically structured to engage other African countries, with plans to leverage listing on global stock markets as part of its expansion strategy.

In an interview broadcast on a programme called Kaleidoscope Co-CEO Konga Group, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, said: “We are also keen to expand into other African markets after taking charge of the Nigerian market.

The e-Commerce market in African is still...  read more

Nigeria: 9mobile Launches eSIM to Enhance Flexible   Connectivity

Nigerian telecommunications company 9mobile has announced the launch of embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) on its network.

In a statement released to the media, eSIM is described as a software-based digital chip that comes along with a device directly embedded by the manufacturer. eSIM replaces the traditional physical plastic SIM card for compatible devices and brings a whole new spectrum of benefits and possibilities.

9mobile’s Acting Director, Marketing, Layi Onafowokan, explained that eSIM enables multiple usage and adaptation of one subscriber profile across a broad range of

... read more

Shareholding Drives Taxi Live Africa’s Aspirations

On-demand e-hailing app Taxi Live Africa has announced a shareholding scheme for drivers based on 40% profit share to be split equally between drivers and owners with dividends paid out every three months.

Company founder Luvuyo Ntshayi said Taxi Live Africa is the only e-hailing service provider in South Africa that recognises drivers as shareholders.

“Drivers qualify for a shareholding upon their approval. Drivers and owners receive monthly financial performance reports of the company within the first seven days of each month, this report also includes a driver’s performance assessment .To benefit from the shareholding drivers and owners need to (meet) certain targets that are specified on their contracts to ensure their equal contribution and return benefits... read more

South Africa: Remote Working Success Heavily Dependent on DX Strategy

The shift to remote working has led to improved productivity for 29% of organisations in South Africa, while that figure jumped to 70% for those businesses who had already rolled out digital transformation strategies prior to COVID-19.

This is according to Remote Working in South Africa 2020, a study conducted among 400 enterprises by World Wide Worx for Cisco.

“Digital transformation emerged as the key differentiator in remote working productivity and collaboration,” says Arthur Goldstuck, managing director of World Wide Worx and lead analyst on the...  read more

South Africa: Data breaches Cost Companies R40.2-m Per Incident

Cyber security incidents involving data breach cost South African companies R40.2-million per breach on average, with malicious attacks on customer, employee and corporate data the most prevalent ( accounting for 48% of incidents) – and proving to be the costliest cause of breaches to businesses.

This is according to the 2020 Cost of a Data Breach Report, sponsored by IBM Security and conducted by the Ponemon Institute. Sheldon Hand, IBM Security Business Unit Leader – Southern Africa.Sheldon Hand, IBM Security Business Unit Leader – Southern Africa... read more

MTN to Exit Middle East, Intensify Focus on Africa

The MTN Group expects to sustain its growth in the medium term, despite the continued impact of COVID-19 on global markets, as it readies an exit strategy for the Middle East and affirms focus on Africa.

The company outlined details as part of the presentation of its financial results for the first half of 2020. MTN Group president and chief executive officer Rob Shuter said: “As part of our ongoing portfolio review, we believe the group is best served to focus in the future on our pan-African strategy. We will therefore be exiting the Middle East in an .. read more

Rwanda Development Board Launches Electronic Bidding Platform

The Ministry of Justice, in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), today launched a digital bidding platform that is aimed at making the enforcement of orders more efficient and transparent.

The platform will reduce the processes involved in the enforcement of orders and curtail malpractices occasioned by human interaction. Additionally, the platform will make it possible for potential bidders outside the country to participate in the auction exercise.

Speaking at the launch, Honorable Johnston Busingye, Minister of Justice and Attorney General said...  read more

Expansive Wi-Fi Finder Service to be Rolled out at Thousands of Hotspots Across Africa

Cassava Fintech International (CFI) and the Liquid Telecom Group (LTG) have announced the launch of Sasai Wi-Fi Finder, a service, which will be offered across the African continent. The partnership between CFI and LTG will see the roll-out of the Wi-Fi Finder in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa in phases over the coming months.

A 2019 report by the GSMA (the Global System for Mobile Communications) shows that affordability remains a significant barrier to Internet adoption in Africa, resulting in social, digital and financial exclusion ...   read more

Somalia: Privately Owned Bank in Onboards Cloud-native Technology

Temenos, the banking software company, today announced that Sombank, a privately owned Islamic bank in Somalia, has selected the Temenos Islamic Banking solution in the cloud. This will enable Sombank to reduce time and cost in deploying digital banking products designed to increase access to financial services to all Somali speaking populations.

Sombank will implement the full front-to-back Temenos Islamic Banking platform combining the capabilities of Temenos Infinity and Temenos Transact.

The platform’s technology provides features for lslamic banks to offer their customers Shari’ah compliant products and a comprehensive digital. ..  read more

Egypt Starts New Stage Towards Transforming into Digital Society: Min.

Egypt is witnessing currently a new start towards transforming the society into a digital one and achieving the goals of financial inclusion, according to Minister of Finance Mohamed Ma’it.

Ma’it clarified Thursday that this transformation contributes to facilitating citizens' access to services at their actual value, and is consistent with presidential directives to gradually move to "digital Egypt".

He described digital Egypt as a national project, which is one of the catalysts for economic growth, explaining that the ministry has gone a long way in implementing the national project for digital transformation, which enjoys strong support and ..  read more

Tanzania: Kilimo Fresh Wins $50,000 MEST Africa Challenge 2020 Prize

Tanzanian digital farming products’ distributor, Kilimo Fresh, has emerged the winner of MEST Africa Challenge 2020, fending off strong competition from the likes of BAG Innovation, Mousso Africa, Debo Engineering and Nigeria’s GradelyNG.

The MEST Africa Challenge 2020 Finals held virtually on Zoom live. Nine country winners from Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire competed for the ultimate $50,000 prize.

Having emerged winners of the MEST...  read more

What Steps Should Morocco Take to Lead Africa in Health Technology?

Two-hundred-thirty-four African start-ups raised $2 billion in 2019 across all stages, from seed to growth. There has thus been a real vertical acceleration of African Tech. But the acceleration is also horizontal, and extends beyond the three traditional champions (Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa), with Egypt also becoming a major player. In 2019, 85% of funds ($1.72 billion) went to the three destinations, and another $211 million to Egypt.

Yet, the dynamics of start-up creation in Morocco are still weak compared to the aforementioned geographies. The total financing of Moroccan companies active in digital technology, all sectors combined, over 2019 reached $7 million, compared to $3.9 million..  read more