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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.


Innovation hub

Story

Omdia View: February 2024

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

Story

Key adoption areas for machine learning in Africa

ICT analyst Francis Hook identifies some of the key sectors that could be positively impacted by machine learning, including education, government services, healthcare and climate tech.

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Upcoming events

Africa Tech Festival 2024
November 11-14, 2024
Cape Town, South Africa
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Industry announcements

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Africa Tech Perspectives

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Uber's Marjorie Saint-Lot on inclusion and sustainability in Africa

Uber's Country Manager for Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, Marjorie Saint-Lot, shares how the ride-hailing company is approaching public-private partnerships, environmentally friendly initiatives and gender inclusion in Africa.

Story

The 100 most influential African leaders in 2023

A new report from Africa Tech Festival and Connecting Africa puts a spotlight on the top 100 African leaders in the telecoms and technology sector in 2023.

Story

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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Partner perspectives

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Guest Perspectives

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Omdia View: January 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in January 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included a $200 million fintech deal between MTN and Mastercard as well as 5G network trials by Telecom Egypt – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

Story

Omdia View: September 2023

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in September 2023 in the Middle East and Africa included more 5G spectrum licenses, vendor and operator strategies, and partnerships – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

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