News & Views

Content posted in January 2019

Tech startup funding in Africa: A deeper dive into 2018

Connecting Africa News
1/31/2019

Having focused on the strength of the Nigerian startup sector and the attraction of fintech in the first leg of this two-part report, Disrupt Africa's Tom Jackson now takes a look at the other markets and sectors that were hot for tech startup funding in Africa during 2018.

Tech Startup Funding In Africa: 2018 Hits Record High

Connecting Africa News
1/30/2019

As tech startup funding tops $330 million for 2018, Disrupt Africa's Tom Jackson explains, in the first part of a two-part report, why Nigeria is the new center of Africa's funding universe.

A Strong Position in Africa is Ever Critical for Huawei

Wei Shi
1/29/2019

As it comes under fire in many other markets, it's never been more important for the Chinese vendor to have a strong foothold in Africa.

Comviva Appoints New Head for MENA Region

Connecting Africa News
1/27/2019

Digital finance solutions specialist Comviva appoints Ramy Moselhy as its new Market Unit Head for MENA (Middle East & North Africa) as it targets significant growth in the region.

MTN's Nigeria IPO Looks to Be Back On Track

Wei Shi
1/25/2019

The CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is optimistic the public listing will go ahead now that MTN has sorted out its differences with the Nigerian authorities.

Safaricom Offers Enterprise Security Services

Connecting Africa News
1/25/2019

Kenyan operator is offering enterprise users Managed Security Solutions, Security Assurance and Advisory services, as well as Managed Security Operations Center solutions.

Vodacom Reports Growth Despite Tough SA Market

Wei Shi
1/24/2019

Vodacom reported a decline in revenues in its home market of South Africa during the final three months of 2018 but its other operations helped it post a 1.5% growth in sales.

Susan Mulikita Appointed as CEO of Liquid Telecom Zambia

Connecting Africa News
1/23/2019

Experienced ICT professional becomes first female CEO to join the company’s regional executive leadership team and first female CEO responsible for ICT in Zambia.

Tmcel: The New Name in Mozambique's Comms Market

Wei Shi
1/23/2019

The merger of two loss-making network operators has created a new, state-owned, integrated communications service provider.

Africa's 4G Experience Varies Wildly, Finds OpenSignal

Ray Le Maistre
1/22/2019

Study by OpenSignal of mobile broadband connectivity across Africa finds that availability and connectivity varies considerably from country to country.

MTN Zambia Helps Reduce Roaming Charges with Kirusa

Connecting Africa News
1/22/2019

MTN Zambia is helping to reduce roaming charges for its customers who are travelling abroad with the deployment of Kirusa's ReachMe hybrid OTT voice app.

Helios Towers Boosts Its South African Plans with Strategic Acquisition

Wei Shi
1/21/2019

Only days after forming a joint venture in South Africa, Helios Towers has acquired a controlling stake in SA Towers to support its growth plans.

Orange Brings 4G to Burkina Faso

Wei Shi
1/18/2019

The Orange subsidiary announced that it has secured a 4G licence as well as having renewed its 2G and 3G licences.

WorldRemit Sets Up Shop in South Africa, Eyes IPO

Ray Le Maistre
1/17/2019

Digital money transfer specialist now has license to make money transfers from South Africa and has opened an office in Johannesburg as it seeks further funding and aims for an IPO.

Zimbabweans Blocked From Social Media, Public Internet

Wei Shi
1/16/2019

Amidst anti-government protests and riots, the country's telecom operators and ISPs followed directives to shut down social media and went even further, blocking Internet access for 24 hours.

Who Might Buy Millicom's African Assets?

Ray Le Maistre
1/16/2019

With Liberty Latin America in talks to acquire Millicom, what will become of the latter's African assets?

Versa Networks, BringCom Team on SD-WAN Services in East and West Africa

Connecting Africa News
1/16/2019

Versa Networks and BringCom will bring secure SD-WAN service capabilities to regional service providers and SaaS operators in the region.

Helios Towers Teams With Vulatel to Expand into South Africa

Wei Shi
1/15/2019

Entering into the most advanced telecom market on the African continent may also help the company's ambition to go public.

Konnect Africa Launches Internet Access Services in Côte d'Ivoire

Connecting Africa News
1/15/2019

Konnect Africa's satellite Internet services are now accessible in Côte d'Ivoire through an extensive network of distributors.

Microsoft South Africa Names New MD

Connecting Africa News
1/14/2019

Microsoft South Africa has appointed Lillian Barnard as its new Managing Director, effective March 1.

Airtel & Telkom Rekindle Kenyan Merger Talks – Reports

Wei Shi
1/14/2019

The prospect of a merger between Kenya's second- and third-largest mobile operators appears to have been revived.

Liquid Telecom Appoints Ex-Orange Exec to Lead Push into West Africa

Wei Shi
1/11/2019

Liquid Telecom has appointed industry veteran Mohamed Abdel Bassit, most recently at Orange, to lead its expansion into some of the fastest growing markets on the continent.

Intelsat Joins GSMA to Get Closer to Mobile Operators

Connecting Africa News
1/10/2019

Satellite operator believes joining the industry organization will help bring it closer to the mobile operator community in Africa and elsewhere and help to strengthen the ties between satellite and terrestrial networks.

Nigeria's 9mobile Suffers Further Turmoil

Wei Shi
1/9/2019

Reports suggest that Teleology, the new owner, has decided to withdraw, but the situation is far from clear.

Microsoft Delays Data Center Launch

Ray Le Maistre
1/9/2019

Microsoft needs more time and investment before it can open its planned data centers in South Africa, reports ITWeb.

Sub-Saharan African OTT Market to Top $1B by 2024 – Report

Wei Shi
1/8/2019

Value of OTT video content will grow almost five-fold during next six years, according to Digital TV Research.

Nigeria's Mobile Market Continues to Grow, as Do 9mobile's Woes

Wei Shi
1/7/2019

The Nigerian mobile market may be growing, but 9mobile's customer base is still shrinking.

Wearable Devices Market Enjoys Strong Growth — IDC

Connecting Africa News
1/4/2019

The Middle East, Africa and Turkey wearable devices market has enjoyed strong growth, according to research firm IDC.

South Africa Leads the World in Demand for Constant Connectivity

Partner Perspectives
1/3/2019

ARRIS's eighth annual study of global consumer technology trends, the ARRIS Consumer Entertainment Index (CEI), found that no fewer than 95% of South Africans demand 'constant connectivity.'

Econet Takes Full Control of Kwesé Iflix

Connecting Africa News
1/2/2019

Streaming video services specialist Iflix has decided to exit the African market and has sold its stake in Kwesé Iflix to Econet Global, Kwesé's parent company.

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