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.

View Content by Month

[close this box]

Latest resources

More Information resources

Innovation hub

Video

Interview: Juliet Ehimuan on Africa's next wave of innovation

Juliet Ehimuan, founder and CEO of Beyond Limits Africa and ex-MD of Google West Africa, spoke to Connecting Africa about the next wave of innovation in Africa and the continent's digital future.

Story

InDrive enters Zimbabwe's Bulawayo

Ride-sharing platform InDrive is expanding its services to Zimbabwean city of Bulawayo after successfully introducing its services in the capital of Harare in May this year.

More Innovation hub

Latest video

Industry announcements

Nominations open for Africa Tech Festival Awards 2023
Johannesburg, Thursday, August 24, 2023
Cybertech Africa: The pan-African event for innovation and networking
Kigali, Rwanda, Wednesday, May 17, 2023

More Industry announcements

Accelerating Africa's business opportunities with an adaptable 5G

By Red Hat

Future proof your business with integrated customer experience

By Digital Solutions Group

Boosting digital inclusion for socio-economic improvement

By Amdocs

How innovative device financing can help Africa's mobile evolution

By Trustonic

Augmented reality's impact on the future of work for frontline workers

By TeamViewer

All Partner Perspectives

Africa Tech Perspectives

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.

Story

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.

More AfricaCom perspectives

Upcoming events

Nextv Series Africa

October 4-5, 2023
Hotel Sky Sandton, Johannesburg

Africa Tech Festival, Home of AfricaCom and AfricaTech

November 13-16, 2023
CTICC, Cape Town

More Upcoming events

Flash poll

All polls

Guest Perspectives

Story

Omdia View: August 2023

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in August 2023 in the Middle East and Africa included a commercial 5G launch from Ethio Telecom and the signing of a virtual wheeling agreement between Vodacom South Africa and Eskom – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

Story

Omdia View: February 2023

By Omdia Analysts

In February 2023 key events in the Middle East and Africa included a major Internet project for Africa's underserved by Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Microsoft as well as a 5G launch in Tanzania – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

More Guest Perspectives

News & Views

Latest resources

Innovation hub

Latest video

Industry announcements

Sponsored video

Partner perspectives

Africa Tech Perspectives

Upcoming events

Flash poll

Guest Perspectives

Like us on Facebook

Newsletter Sign Up