AfICTA e-Newsletter (February 11th, 2020)

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AfICTA e-NEWSLETTER 

11/February/2020 Vol 82

IGF 2019 LogoThe Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be hosted by the Government of Poland in Katowice from 2 - 6 November 2020 under the overarching theme: Internet United...  read more

W.Tec Wins 2019 Equals in Tech Awards

The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre – W.TEC was among winners announced at the 2019 EQUALS in Tech Awards held on Wednesday November 27 at a gala awards ceremony at Berlin’s Estrel Conference Center, as part of the programme of activities surrounding the annual Internet Governance Forum.

The awards, is hosted by the EQUALS Global Partnership, to recognize innovative solutions aimed at closing the digital gender gap.

The well attended event had in attendance high-level representatives from EQUALS for a...  read more

Co-Founder of the World Wide Web (WWW), Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Writes the Girls @ W.Tec

Time Magazine asked Tim Berners-Lee, Madeleine Albright, Michelle Bachelet, and other prominent personalities to write to a young person or people of their own choosing. 

These prominent personalities were chosen because they have “decades of experience in the fields of statecraft, human-rights work and innovation—and together their open letters reflect a feeling of hope that, despite the challenges young people face, they also hold the power to improve the planet”, 

Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the co-founder of the World Wide Web (WWW), opted to write a letter to the girls at the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre ( W.TEC) in Lagos... read more

Nigeria: AfICTA Partners EDTECH Summit 2020 for Sustainable Educational Technology

AfICTA - Africa ICT Alliance as a strategic partner of EDTECH Summit (Nigeria Largest Educational Summit) 2020 holding @ the Exhibition Pavilion by ICC, Abuja, Nigeria from 3rd - 4th March cordially invites the participation of stakeholders from academic to the 4in1 event featuring Conference, Awards, Exhibition and Sponsorship opportunities. To register (Conference or Exhibition) now through AfICTA and enjoy up-to 10% discount please write Kayode via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. indicating what category you intend to register for. 

Educational Technology (EdTech Summit) is the Nigerian leading annual professional development conference and exhibition focusing on technology integration strategies... read more

Kenya: Is CBK Warming up to Crypto Currency?

While at the World Economic Forum at Davos last week, the CBK Governor Dr Patrick Njoroge sent out a flurry of tweets that caught the crypto enthusiasts in Kenya by surprise and sent them talking.

Essentially, the governor seemed to warm up to the digital currency or crypto conversation, in stark contrast to his 2015 circular to financial institutions.

In one of his tweets, the governor seemed to indicate support for digital currencies or cryptos, as long as there is a solid regulatory or a governance framework. It is difficult to tell what governance framework he has in mind, when he has not yet... read more

Global Technology Leaders Primed to Discuss Enabling Technology and All Things Cloud at #NerdsUnite2020

Over 500 IT professionals from enterprise organizations across West Africa will convene in Lagos on February 21, 2020 for MainOne’s 5th annual gathering of its flagship event, Nerds Unite themed: “Enabling the Digital Economy”.

This year’s event will showcase the launch of its Managed Cloud Services in partnership with Microsoft and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Operated by Selectium. The event will feature presentations and panel discussions on Cloud adoption, Cloud migration and all things Cloud with MainOne and its global partners.

Featuring over 10 speakers from global tech companies and leading West African Corporate... read more

MTN's 'Controversy-free' Time in Nigeria may be Short-lived

MTN has reduced the risk of a material regulatory penalty in Nigeria, but the telco is not off the hook, as it still has to overcome more hurdles in that country, according to analysts.

They say MTN is not yet off the hook in Nigeria, given the tax case has been referred to other parts of government and the central bank is still holding back on granting a mobile banking licence.

The telco recently received a fresh lifeline in Nigeria, following the decision by the attorney-general to withdraw a $2 billion tax claim. At the time, MTN stock surged 5.3% on the Johannesburg... read more

Telecel Zimbabwe Workers Down Tools

Workers at Zimbabwe's third largest mobile network operator Telecel Zimbabwe downed tools this week in protest over network inefficiency and poor resourcing within the beleaguered mobile telecommunications service provider.

David Mhambare, secretary-general at the Communications and Allied Workers Union of Zimbabwe, said on Tuesday the strike was triggered by a massive shortage of raw materials.

Mhambare said workers at this company are the least paid within the telecommunications industry and added: "We're only demanding (for) resources to... read more

First Comprehensive Digital Awards to Hold in Lagos

The maiden edition of the annual GAGE Awards for the digital space in Nigeria is set to hold on Saturday February 22 at 6pm at the Eko Hotels and Suites to celebrate digital excellence and gauge performances recorded in the digital ecosystem last year.

The organisation disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Mr. Hakeem Fahm, at Alausa, Ikeja on Wednesday.

According to the convener of the awards, Mr. Johnson Anorh, the award aims to drive pace of innovation, attract new talents to the digital space in...  read more

Botswana: ICT to Form Basis for Resource Mobilisation-Minister

The new Minister of Finance and Economic Development has made his intentions clear in as far as Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the country. Speaking during a recent budget speech presentation to parliament Dr. Thapelo Matsheka said among other sectors, ITC is key. This development saw the ICT sector receiving an impressive tranche of funds from the government as compared to the previous years.

“As a demonstration of Government’s commitment to infrastructural development, and as promised in the ... read more

MTN Zambia Announces MoMo Hackathon winners

MTN Zambia has announced the top three winners of the Zambian edition of the 2019 MoMo Hackathon developer challenge which was launched in October 2019.

A Zambian Application Developer, Mr. Chilambwe Kasonde won the first prize in the MTN Zambia MoMo Hackathon competition - at $2500. Chiiko Mlangeni, an economist won the second prize at $2000 while Thulani Rex, a software engineer for Dot. Com Zambia won the third position for $1500.

Mr. Kasonde will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa on an all paid for trip to compete with other... read more

Smile Nigeria Commends MainOne, Globacom

Adopting ‘progressive’ spectrum pathway for increased connectivity 3 days ago FG seeks total overhaul of sim card registration 3 days ago First comprehensive digital awards to hold in Lagos 3 days ago Smile Nigeria, West Africa pioneer 4G LTE broadband service provider has commended MainOne and Globacom for helping the company overcome the challenge in a less hurtful manner.

This came against the background of the outage and disruption of service occasioned by the recent cut in submarine cable.Ahmad Farroukh, group chief executive officer, Smile commended both MainOne and Globacom for “the relentless support both...  read more

Botswana: Kgori Capital Joins the Online Business

Kgori Capital joins the online business Botswana based investment Management Company, Kgori Capital introduced an online transaction platform offering a convenient way for investors to transact online.

The platform is aptly named Kgori Secure Services and is geared towards both retail and institutional investors and designed to provide the most secure and convenient way for them to obtain and manage their portfolios and investments.

Speaking during the launch of the platform recently, Kgori Capital Managing Director, Alphonse Ndzinge said... read more

Nigeria to Revise SIM Policies

The Nigerian government has announced plans to revise its policies on SIM card registration and usage.

In statement, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy said:

The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to revise the Policy on SIM Card registration and usage. This is in line with the Powers of the Minister as stated in Section 25(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003- "the Minister shall, in writing, from time to. .. read more

Airtel Redefines Video Streaming by Launching Airtel TV

Airtel Networks Zambia Plc has redefined video streaming experience for its subscribers by launching Airtel TV.

Speaking at the launch today, Airtel’s Marketing Director Hussam Baday said Airtel was committed to continue bringing innovative products and services and the new Airtel TV App enabled customers to enjoy news on the go as well as other programming such as movies, music, reality shows, children’s’ shows as well as documentaries which include BBC, Hollywood, Bollywood, and Nollywood channels.. .. read more

Zimbabwe: Legal Experts Question Zim's Tax Exemptions for Huawei

Zimbabwe's decision to grant tax breaks and back date refunds for Chinese tech firm Huawei has been criticised by legal experts who argue that this disadvantages local companies and other taxpayers. 

The Southern African country continues to lean on China for its tech programs. The most recent example of this was when TelOne partnered with a Chinese company to help set up Zimbabwe's first computer assembly plant.

Huawei is considered a major tech player in Zimbabwe because it provides network equipment used to upgrade the platforms of mobile phone operators NetOne and TelOne...  read more

Cisco Announces New Lead for MEA

Cisco has announced the appointment of Reem Asaad as its new Vice President for its Middle East and Africa region.

Cisco said in a statement that as digital transformation continues to change and evolve the business landscape at a rapid pace, Asaad, will be responsible for our Middle East and Africa business, growing its position as a leading technology company in the region.

The company added that with over two decades of experience across industries including technology, financial services, customer experience, Asaad's role will focus on strengthening collaborations. ..  read more

First Google Developers Space opens in Lagos

Google has launched its first Google Developers Space in Lagos, Nigeria. Previously referred to as the Google Launchpad Space, the Google Developers Space is a hub for African developers, entrepreneurs and start-ups.

The hub stems from a commitment made by Google chief executive officer Sundar Pichai in July 2017 to African entrepreneurs to begin the Launchpad Accelerator Africa program and launch a space to house these efforts in Nigeria.

Launchpad Accelerator Africa head of Operations, Onajite Emerhor said: "We have partnered. ..   read more

Malware Disguised Under Billie Eilish Brand Fools 9,000 in Nigeria

Cyber security firm Kaspersky says cybercriminals are actively abusing the names of artists and songs nominated for a Grammy 2020 award, in order to spread malware.

According to a statement released by the company, Kaspersky protection technologies detected a 39% rise in attacks (attempts to download or run malicious files) under the guise of nominees' work in 2019, compared to 2018.

The company said Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift and Post Malone were attackers' favourites, with these nominees' names used most often in 2019 as a disguise for malware...  read more

How South Africa’s Tech Industry can Create 500,000 Jobs in 10 years

A report from the South Africa in the Digital Age (SADA) initiative has stated that 500,000 new jobs can be created over 10 years through globally-traded services.

SADA is an urgent multi-stakeholder initiative to develop a forward-looking digital economy strategy for South Africa.

It is convened by Genesis Analytics in partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Science and the Pathways for Prosperity Commission at Oxford university.

Genesis has since been appointed by. ..  read more

Egypt is Turning into Africa’s Top Tech Hub, Report

Egypt has been named as Africa’s first technology hub during the year 2019, according to Disrupt Africa’s Tech Startups Funding Report 2019.

The report said that 88 Egyptian tech startups managed to secure investment during the past year, more than their counterparts in other African countries, the investments accounted for 28.3 percent of the overall total.

The current boosting represents 159 percent growth on the 34 startups that secured investment in 2018, according to the report. In 2018, those 34 Egyptian startups received funds estimated at.. ..  read more

Uganda: Energy Minister Urges Women to Join Tech Industry

The Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Mary Gorette Kitutu, has urged more women to join the technological industry to exploit the big number of opportunities available there.

Addressing the African Women in Technology conference at the Kampala International University main campus in Kansanga, Ggaba road, Kampala on Friday, Kitutu said women should not underestimate themselves, when it comes to going for opportunities in the tech industry.

“You should not underestimate yourselves. Apply for these tech courses and go for further.... read more