News & Views

Content posted in August 2017

Bitcoin Specialist BitPesa Hits $10M in Funding

Ray Le Maistre
8/31/2017

Attracts follow-up Series A funding of more than $4 million as its cryptocurrency-based payment processing model gains traction in Africa.

Liquid Telecom Teams With Microsoft to Deliver Cloud Services

Ray Le Maistre
8/30/2017

Multi-market data network operator teams up with Internet services giant to provide cloud services to African enterprises.

AfricaCom and Microsoft Launch New Technology Arena to Develop the Blueprint for Africa 4.0

Amy Turner
8/29/2017

Microsoft is the lead sponsor of AfricaCom's new Technology Arena, which will open its doors for the first time on November 7 at the CTICC (Cape Town International Convention Centre).

Safaricom Plans Speedy FTTH Rollout with Huawei

Ray Le Maistre
8/25/2017

Kenyan operator is looking to roll out a fiber access network in just months to support its broadband access service and mobile backhaul strategies.

Making Ideas Happen in 'Digital Nigeria': Nigeria Com Interview with iDeensker's Somze Agama

Rachael McKie
8/25/2017

Ahead of Nigeria Com 2017, iDeensker Managing Consultant Somze Agama talks about the potential of 'Digital Nigeria.'

Facebook's Wi-Fi Hotspot Rollout in Kenya Hits Milestone

Ray Le Maistre
8/23/2017

Facebook and local partner Surf Kenya have deployed 600 Wi-Fi hotspots across the country since March.

Orange Turns to GreenWish for Solar-Powered Telecom Towers

Ray Le Maistre
8/22/2017

The giant mobile operator is seeking to make efficiency gains by using GreenWish infrastructure, starting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Youtap Pitches Mobile Money QR Code Solution into Africa

Connecting Africa News
8/21/2017

QR Code system and smartphone apps aims to simplify and expand potential use of mobile money services across Africa.

Smartphones Uptake Driving E-Commerce Growth in Africa, but Obstacles Remain – Report

Ray Le Maistre
8/18/2017

The e-commerce market in Africa could be worth as much as $75 billion within the next decade but there are significant obstacles in the way of growth.

The Tech Trailblazers: Women in Tech and Mapping Africa’s Road to the 4th Industrial Revolution

Amy Turner
8/18/2017

Check out what happened in Connecting Africa's latest Twitter discussion.

MTN Uganda's MoKash Service Tops 2.5M Users in Just 1 Year

Ray Le Maistre
8/17/2017

Mobile operator's savings and loans m-commerce service has attracted 2.5 million users in its first year.

Entering the Age of the Empowered Consumer

Amy Turner
8/16/2017

A Nigeria Com Interview with Smile Telecom's Godfrey Efeurhobo.

What Mobile Technology Suits Africa Right Now?

Bradley Shaw
8/16/2017

More mobile network coverage is needed across Africa, but some mobile network technologies are more suitable than others if the unconnected are to be reached quickly and efficiently, argues Bradley Shaw.

Wholesale Open Access Mobile Networks Don't Work – GSMA

Connecting Africa News
8/16/2017

Report from the GSM Association (GSMA) concludes that single wholesale network (SWN) and wholesale open access network (WOAN) plans don't work, citing Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa as examples.

Blockchain and Africa's Future: Connecting Africa Interview with Digital Week Speaker Lorien Gamaroff

Rachael McKie
8/14/2017

Bankymoon CEO Lorien Gamaroff explains why he believes blockchain technology and the use of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin will have a major impact on the future of the financial services industry.

M&A Interest Grows in South Africa's Internet Solutions

Ray Le Maistre
8/11/2017

MTN and Vodacom both believed to be interested in acquiring the IT services and systems integration specialist, currently part of Dimension Data.

Africa's Mobile Operators Should Focus Investments on 4G and Mobile Finance: Poll

Connecting Africa News
8/10/2017

Results of Connecting Africa poll show where the community thinks mobile operator capex should be focused.

Discussing digitalthings: Connecting Africa Interview with Digital Week Speaker Bora Varliyagci

Rachael McKie
8/9/2017

Ahead of his involvement in Connecting Africa's Digital Week, Bora Varliyagci, CEO of digitalthings, discusses connectivity and digital inclusion in Africa.

Subsea Link to Brazil Takes Shape

Connecting Africa News
8/9/2017

The installation of the South Atlantic Cable System (SACS) that will run from Angola to Brazil has begun.

iflix Raises $133M as It Expands in Africa

Ray Le Maistre
8/8/2017

Subscription video-on-demand (VoD) specialist iflix has raised a further $133 million in funding as it furthers its plans to launch across Africa.

Silvertree Plans $10M Investment in Digital Startups in Coming Year

Ray Le Maistre
8/8/2017

Cape Town-based Silvertree Internet Holdings intends to invest $10 million into new and existing digital portfolio companies during the next 12 months and names a new chairman.

Kenya Has Fastest Broadband in Africa – Report

Ray Le Maistre
8/8/2017

Kenya has the fastest average fixed broadband speed in Africa, according to a new report.

Sudan Weighs on Zain's H1 Financials

Ray Le Maistre
8/7/2017

The operator's customer base in Sudan is still growing but currency devaluation affects reported financial results for the first half of 2017.

The Internet as an African Business Enabler – AfricaCom Interview With Google South Africa's Luke McKend

Amy Turner
8/4/2017

Google's Luke McKend on how the Internet can help bridge the digital divide in Africa.

MTN Returns to Profit in H1 2017

Connecting Africa News
8/3/2017

African operator sees growth in sales from data and digital services but sees declines in other parts of its business.

Wari, Tigo Lock Horns Over Cancelled Senegal Deal

Connecting Africa News
8/2/2017

Wari has disputed Tigo's claim that it did not meet financing requirements for the deal, while Tigo has hit back.

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