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News & Views

Content posted in June 2021
Nigerian SIM registrations limp on
  • Paula Gilbert
Nigeria's SIM card registration process continues this month after yet another extension in the deadline, this time until July 26, 2021.
Research Bites: ICT adoption amongst Uganda's SMEs
  • Guest Perspectives
This article, in collaboration with the African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, explores the factors influencing the adoption of ICT by small and medium enterprises in Uganda.
Cell C has switched off a third of its RAN network
  • Paula Gilbert
Cell C has now decommissioned 34% of its physical radio access network (RAN) sites in South Africa and 100% in the provinces of the Eastern Cape, Free State and Northern Cape.
Safaricom launches M-Pesa 'super app'
  • Paula Gilbert
Safaricom has launched its long-awaited M-Pesa 'super app' with new features like offline mode as well as mini-apps within the app.
MTN commits $1.5B Nigerian investment
  • Paula Gilbert
MTN has pledged to invest 640 billion naira (US$1.5 billion) over the next three years to expand broadband access in Nigeria and will also build a new flagship headquarters in Lagos.
Hot startup of the month: Nigeria's Bankly
  • Tom Jackson
Nigerian startup Bankly is digitizing cash for people who work in the informal sector and helping unbanked Nigerians save money, invest and gain access to credit and other financial services.
5G lags in sub-Saharan Africa
  • Paula Gilbert
Ericsson believes 5G and 4G subscriptions will continue to grow in sub-Saharan Africa over the next six years, but 3G will remain the most dominant tech in 2026.
Former Vodacom CTO to take reins at DFA
  • Paula Gilbert
Former Vodacom Group CTO Andries Delport will take over as the CEO of Dark Fibre Africa (DFA), with long serving CEO Thinus Mulder stepping down in September.
SA spectrum impasse could be settled by August
  • Paula Gilbert
South Africa's spectrum auction could be in motion as early as September, according to the SA telecoms regulator, which says settlement negotiations on spectrum litigation are unfolding well.
Building a green Africa and bridging the energy gap
  • Partner Perspectives
Connecting Africa sat down with James Li, member of the supervisory board and president of global marketing, sales and services for Huawei Digital Power to talk about how green ICT can profoundly impact African markets.
SA towers hit by power cuts, theft and vandalism
  • Paula Gilbert
Telkom SA says it could have built about 35 new basestations with the money it lost from battery theft last year, while Vodacom says it loses about $8.8 million to vandalism and theft annually.
Nigerian minister expands social media ban
  • Connecting Africa News
Nigerian minister of information Lai Mohammed says social media must be Nigerian and licensed, following widely criticized Twitter ban.
Interview: Nir Kshetri on cybersecurity in Africa
  • Connecting Africa Video
Ahead of North Africa Com 2021 Emily Parrett sat down with Professor Nir Kshetri to discuss increased cybersecurity risks amid digital transformation in emerging economies.
Spectrum delay tactics hurting SA's 5G future
  • Paula Gilbert
Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub believes that the court cases which are delaying South Africa's spectrum licensing process are just delay tactics which will ultimately hurt SA's 5G future.
Omdia View: May 2021
  • Guest Perspectives
This month, Omdia's analysts provide context and analysis about new licenses for operators in Ethiopia and Uganda, and Nigeria's 5G rollout plans.
Women in Tech: Ericsson VP Eva Andrén
  • Paula Gilbert
Ericsson VP Eva Andrén spoke to Connecting Africa about how to inspire young girls to join the ICT sector and how women in the industry need to find their own version of a work-life balance that makes them happy.


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Hot startup of the month: Rwanda's Smart Ikigega

This month's hot startup, Smart Ikigega, wants to revolutionize the rural agricultural trade ecosystem in Rwanda by helping farmers access finance and harvest insurance.

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Deep dive into East Africa's tech startup ecosystem

New survey reveals a lack of access to investors, reliance on international VCs and global recession trends as the biggest barriers for East African tech startups to access funds.

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Africa Tech Perspectives

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Deep dive into East Africa's tech startup ecosystem

New survey reveals a lack of access to investors, reliance on international VCs and global recession trends as the biggest barriers for East African tech startups to access funds.

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Challenges and opportunities for women's tech careers

A new survey reveals that COVID-19, the cost-of-living crisis, skills shortages and a lack of mentorship have negatively affected women's career development over the past two years.

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Survey: Opportunities for Women in Tech

Take our new survey for women across Asia, Europe and Africa looking at the biggest challenges and opportunities for women-led enterprises and trends in tech careers for women.

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Omdia View: July 2022

By Omdia Analysts

Kenya and Zambia move towards 5G with new spectrum allocations while Tunisie Telecom plans to shut down its 3G network - that and more in this month's Omdia View.

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Omdia View: June 2022

By Omdia Analysts

5G was the major news trend across Africa in June, as Orange became the first operator to launch 5G in Réunion and operators in Senegal accelerated their 5G plans despite spectrum delays.

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