Africa’s financial, social, and economic conditions are today playing a crucial role to the growth in popularity of cryptocurrencies. Two entrepreneurs an over the counter crypto currency trading platform after deciding to turn their home-grown Bitcoin exchange operation into an official company.
Equitel has recorded double-digit growth in both the value and number of mobile money commerce transactions, according to the latest data from the Communications Authority.
Equitel processed 87.9 million mobile commerce transactions between April 2018 and June 2018, up from 77.6 million transactions in the preceding quarter, representing a 13 per cent increase. At the same time the value of mobile commerce transactions increased to Ksh328.2 billion, a 13 per cent increase from Ksh290.3 billion that was processed over the same period.
Equitel is increasingly growing the volume and value of mobile commerce transactions boosted in part by the EazzyPay Paybill number that allows payments to be received from all mobile money transfer services through the interoperability feature
Equitel accounted for 23 per cent or Ksh328 billion of the Ksh1.427 trillion that was transacted in the form of mobile commerce payments.
The volume of person-to-person transfers, on the other hand, increased by 2 per cent to stand at Ksh117 billion from Ksh114.1 billion over the same period.
Overall the number of transactions processed stood at 140.4 million up from 128.6 million translating to a 9 per cent increase while the value of transactions increased by 6 per cent to stand at Ksh413.4 billion from Ksh389.3 billion.
Equitel’s subscription base as at June 2018 was 1.95 million.
Equitel, which was launched in July 2015, now accounts close to 22 per cent of the Ksh1.919 trillion that was moved in the economy through mobile money services in the third quarter of the fiscal year.
By Brian Yatich
Over the past few years, we have noted how the world is rapidly making a complete shift from the traditional way of doing things to embracing the digital shift with technological advancements.
E-recruitment is well on its way to change the employment landscape, significantly easing the processes by Human Resource (HR) administrators in job placement and creating a further needed opportunity in the labour market for job seekers where getting a job has proven futile..
Thousands of graduates go out every year seeking job opportunities matching their skills. Employers, in turn, are uncertain how to assess the abilities of their applicants in their pursuit to hire the right candidate.
An increasing number of tech-savvy entrepreneurs are looking to solve the unemployment crisis with tech-based solutions that seek to improve access to job opportunities and ensure employers are matched with the right talent.
One such start-up is FUZU, an online-based system that churns talent using a computerized algorithm to find the best talent and match them with suitable employers.
The online firm was established on the premise of curbing the unemployment rate, which is rife across many African countries.
According to World Bank report on Youth and Opportunity, close to 800,000 youth enter the Kenyan job market annually. Out of this, only about 70,000 may succeed in securing employment in the formal sector.
The report further indicates that Kenya’s unemployment rate currently stands at approximately 40 per cent up from 12 per cent in 2006. Youth between 15 and 34 years constitute more than 40 per cent of the estimated national population at 43.5 million people. This accounts for a massive 70 per cent of the unemployed workforce.
With an estimate of 15 million unemployed youth in the country, this presents a massively worrying situation.
“In Kenya and more broadly the African market, there’s a problem where people calibrate their expectations poorly, so they apply for jobs that are well above their qualifications, some go way too up or down” Jussi Hinkkanen, Chief Executive Officer at FUZU.
Jussi notes that the recruitment sector is going to have a bigger impact on the future of the continent.
“The e-recruitment is a market that is globally in a transition, the traditional job boards are coming to the end of their journey, and we see different types of companies coming on board upping the game and bringing in new tools with a lot of innovations which is good for job seekers,” He says.
Fuzu is focusing on allowing jobseekers to learn new skills in order to obtain better employment.
“It’s not so much about credentials, whether you have a degree or not, it’s actually more of; Can you do your job?” Jussi points out.
How it works
The Fuzu platform allows access to users who are either searching for a job or are employers looking for personnel. The platform uses competency-based hiring algorithm by deploying a rigorous process in analysing and finding the best candidate for a specified job.
“For employers, Fuzu offers a set of tools to automatically analyse the job seekers’ curriculum vitae (CV’s), testing the candidates through online psychometric and talent tests at the same time marketing the company as an attractive employer,” Jussi says.
For the job seeker experience, Fuzu provides career counseling, learning solutions and gives information about open positions and industry updates; providing support and guidance at different stages of the user’s career.
Once a registered user has selected a specified job, he or she is prompted to outline their career goal and apply for jobs that are specifically matched to their skills.
“If a user opts for a premium package, he or she will then get an automated instant feedback, where they will get a detailed analysis of what skills, personalities, and experience other candidates for the same application have compared to them, we then give you access to top 10 CV’s with their details removed. So that you can benchmark from others and have a snapshot of what the market requires,” Jussi adds.
To wade off competitors and rank top from other job boards, Fuzu offers career-planning tools including personal career advice and provide access to professional coaches and giving instant personalized feedback to users to develop the job seekers skills and competencies.
In March, the online firm partnered with Google Africa to allow job seekers to use the new Google Job Search experience, where Fuzu will be able to integrate its content through Google’s open structured (Schema) to help them quickly and easily find opportunities across the web, and refine their search to meet their specific needs suited for them.
Fuzu has also closed partnership deals with several global and regional giants like Techno Brain, Microsoft, McKinsey, Accenture, Facebook, Rockefeller Foundation, and Multichoice.
The Finnish Kenyan-based firm now has access across East Africa, with a talent pool of over 400,000 profiles with a usage of over 1 million.
Samsung has introduced a new Galaxy A8+ designed for photo and video enthusiast with its advanced live focus feature.
The new Samsung Galaxy A8+ is seen as a competition to the OnePlus 5T, Nokia 8 and Xiaomi Mi Mix 2.
According to Charles Kimari, Head of Internet and Mobile at Samsung Electronics East Africa, the release of the Galaxy A8+ introduces high-end features from the flagship family of Galaxy smartphones, such as the Infinity Display and our first Dual Front Camera with Live Focus.
“The Galaxy A8+ exemplifies our continued dedication to meeting the needs of our consumers by providing them with greater choice and convenience, ” he said
The device features a Dual front camera, Infinity Display and stunning ergonomic design that draws on Samsung’s flagship design heritage and experience. With additional everyday features, the Galaxy A series is more stylish, practical and convenient than ever before. Snap bright, clear selfies with the 16MP F1.7 rear camera and 16MP+8MP F1.9 Dual Front Camera, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.
The Dual Front Camera is made up of two separate cameras so you can switch between the two to take the type of selfie you want, from close-ups with a blurred background to portrait shots with a clear and crisp background. And with the advanced Live Focus feature, you can easily blur the background before or after you take the picture to create high-quality images.
From day to night, the advanced camera makes sure you capture sharp images, even in low-light conditions. The new device also allows you to customize your photos with fun options, from adding stickers to your selfie or highlighting a culinary extravaganza with Food Mode.
Shaky video footage will be a thing of the past with video digital image stabilisation (VDIS) technology, and with an added hyperlapse feature, you can now create time-lapse videos that let you record, tell and share even longer stories.
When watching movies or playing games, the latest Galaxy A device sets a new standard for uninterrupted, immersive viewing experiences. The Infinity Display goes beyond the bezel with an immersive 18.5:9 display ratio, so that you can view the whole scene across your screen for the ultimate cinematic experience.
The large screen is supported with ergonomic curved glass on the back and front. Its sleek glass and metal frame, smooth curves and comfortable grip make it even easier to watch or interact with content on your phone.
The device will continually keep you informed with the Always On Display, meaning you can get information at a glance without unlocking your phone.
Offering IP68 water and dust resistance, the Galaxy A8+ can withstand the elements, including sweat, rain, sand and dust, making it suitable for nearly any activity or situation. The Galaxy A8+ support microSD card so you can expand your storage capacity by as much as 256GB.
Cross border e-commerce continues to provide significant growth opportunities for retailers and manufacturers with an international online product offering.
Tigo Tanzania and Uber have partnered to offer customers an innovative and easy access to efficient transport system in Dar es Salaam.
HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones has on Thursday re-entered the smartphone market in a revamped version.
The Finland-based firm is ready to battle it out in the high-end smartphone segment to reclaim its lost charm with the introduction of its first Nokia smartphone range – comprising of the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6.
Nokia had captured the global market by storm before imminently ending its phone production for two years and now it has fine-tuned its operations strategy with the launch of the new devices in a bid to strengthen its user base.
Speaking during the launch of the new Nokia devices, Justin Maier, vice president Sub-Saharan Africa, HMD Global, said that the company’s entry in Kenya is a new chapter for Nokia smartphones.
“It’s a new era for us, our ambition is to meet the needs of the African people, we are delighted to bring the Nokia 3310 phone to our consumers in Kenya. Nokia has been one of the most iconic and recognisable phone brands in our country for decades,” he says
Specifications
Nokia 6:
With a 5.5” full HD screen, the new Nokia 6 is crafted from a single block of 6000 series aluminium and is perfect for those who want a robust phone with outstanding entertainment credentials.
It comes with smart audio amplifier with dual speakers allow consumers to experience a deep bass.
The Nokia 6 has a fully laminated display stack delivering excellent sunlight readability without compromising the slim form.
The model is powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 430 mobile platform and the Qualcomm® Adreno™ 505 graphics processor.
The Nokia 6 is available in three distinct colours – Matte Black, Silver and Tempered Blue – and will retail at KES 24,999.00.
Nokia 5:
The Nokia 5 has 5.2” IPS HD display with sculpted Corning® Gorilla® Glass.
It features a long lasting battery life, improved graphics performance – all in a package that perfectly balances everyday usability with a premium quality design.
Additional features including an 8MP, 84-degree wide-angle front facing camera – to squeeze even more scene into your selfie – and excellent sunlight and low light screen visibility, there are plenty of reasons to keep the Nokia 5 out of your pocket and in your hand where it belongs.
The Nokia 5 is available in four distinct colours – Matte Black, Silver, Tempered Blue and Copper – and will retail at KES 19,999.00.
Nokia 3:
The Nokia 3 features a precision machined aluminium frame forged out of a single piece of aluminium, offering exceptional structural integrity and protection where it counts.
Features a fully laminated 5” IPS display with no air gap and sculpted Corning® Gorilla® Glass, the Nokia 3 offers durability and superb clarity delivering a viewing experience that is second to none.
Has fewer reflections thanks to the polarised screen, the experience is crisp and clear offering unbeatable visibility even in bright sunlight.
With seamlessly integrated 8MP wide aperture cameras (front and back), the Nokia 3 packs a truly premium quality smartphone experience into its compact and elegant form.
The Nokia 3 is available in four distinct colours – Matte Black, Silver, Tempered Blue and Copper– and will retail at KES 14,999.00.
Nokia 3310
The new Nokia boasts of a long lasting battery with a standby for up to a month on single charge. The model comes preloaded with the Classic Snake game.
For Internet users, the new Nokia 3310 gives you the ability to access popular web content with the Opera Mini Browser with social sites Twitter & Facebook pre-installed. It comes with a Dual SIM switching option. The Nokia 3310 feature phone will retail at KES 5,299.00.
The new devices will be available through mobile phone service provider, Safaricom, and through selected retailers from today.
Local telco company, Safaricom has unveiled M-Pesa 1 Tap solution, a go payment method that seeks to improve the monetary settlement of services and products for M-Pesa customers.
The Payments are done using Card, Wrist Band and Near Field Communication (NFC) Badge. The move seeks to complement its array of services that are M-Pesa based, including, M-Shwari, mySafaricom App and Lipa Na M-Pesa
The first commercial roll-out of the payment solution has been launched in Nakuru after a successful pilot phase which has been ongoing for the last 6 months. As of this week, more than 13,000 customers and 900 merchants in Nakuru had registered for the service.
Safaricom targets 500,000 point of sale (POS) payment points across Kenya including bars and restaurants, retail shops, fuel stations, among others.
Its worth noting that consumers that buy goods using the service won’t be charged, with the exception of petrol station tariffs.
Digital Lifestyle Company, Tigo has announced the opening of a new state of the art Call Centre which seeks to protect their customers’ information and Identity.
The data security center will service Tigo’s dynamic 10 million customer base and while operating 24 hours to serve at least 55,000 customers daily, every day of the week, and programmed to escalate customer queries every 2 hours, the Call Centre will provide swift resolution to customer queries, drastically reducing call queues.
Migrating from E1 to the latest in Call Centre technology – the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), allows for wide range of functionality and agility.
With USSD/SMS platform for query follow-up and escalation and 100 per cent CRM monitoring of customer satisfaction, Tigo’s customer service is expected to rocket sky high.
Hosting such high volumes of customers daily, the Call Centre will also provide an ideal platform to daily receive and respond to customer feedback.
Speaking at the launch, Tigo’s Managing Director, Diego Gutierrez said the investment in the Call Centre underscores their commitment to grow and diversify the channels through which they can reach their customers.
“Our business partners and customers can now look forward to receiving the most advanced customer care available in the country, buttressed by professional Call Centre agents ready to provide excellence in customer service”. He said
Gutierrez added that the Call Centre is equipped with a training facility for its world class service agents.
He is confident that the high-end facility will provide a unified approach to dealing with customers, thus improving the overall performance and effectiveness of customer support, a key Tigo customer care priority.
The facility is supported by the PCCI Group (www.PCCI-Group.com), a market leader in customer experience and operations outsourcing worldwide.
PCCI operates 20 locations across the globe with 7,000 employees dedicated to support Tigo Tanzania’s facility in providing a unique, personalized and harmonized customer experience platform.
Keeping in step with current trends, the PCCI Group will offer Tigo customers both traditional voice call centre as well as new digital customer service solutions that include social media, e-chat and email.
“We are pleased to partner with one of the world’s leading telecommunications company, Tigo, as the partner of choice to manage its Call Centre in Tanzania. The deployment of this new Call Centre is supported by the PCCI Group’s local experts and by the command centre of the Group based in Dubai. Also, as part of this partnership, the PCCI Group will employ more than 500 people to support local talent,” said Nidal Kamouni, PCCI Group CEO.
Chinese cell phone manufacturer, Gionee, has launched a month-long campaign to boost its brand in Kenya. Coinciding with Easter, the campaign will aim to endear the growing brand that manufactures and sells budget smartphones to the Kenyan market.
Gionee already has an established market in Kenya, with many of its products on offer in over 100 phone vendors in the major cities and ecommerce websites. During this campaign, the company will be traversing the country to give Kenyans a feel of their phones, coupled with enticing discounts and on-the-spot gifts.
“We launched in Kenya last year through Kilimall, and the response has been very positive,” says Gionee Kenya MD, Eric Ai. “Owing to the demand that we have experienced here, we are expanding our product offering to serve more Kenyans who are looking for high-end phone specifications but at affordable prices.”
Ai says the company is targeting Kenya because of the rising demand for Smartphones in the country, to claim a share of Kenya’s smartphone penetration of over 55 per cent.
The main phone on offer will be the new Gionee Flagship smartphone, Gionee S6S, which boasts of top-of-the class specifications such as clear 13 and 8 MP HD Cameras, fast Octa Core Processor, massive 32 GB internal storage and a secure fingerprint sensor, among others. During the duration of the campaign, the phone will be on offer at a much less price, and will be coupled with another free phone, the Gionee P5 Mini. The offer will be available on all GIONEE partner shops countrywide and online on Kilimall.
Gionee, founded in 2011, is one of the fastest growing mobile phone manufacturers in the world, whose primary target is manufacturing high quality but low-cost mobile phones. The company has grown rapidly, expanding its presence in Europe, Middle East and Africa with sales reaching 1 million phones per month.