Safaricom Ethiopia gains over 740,000 customers in one month
AfricaBusinessNews

Safaricom Ethiopia Gains Over 740,000 Customers In One Month

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian

Safaricom has announced that its Ethiopian operation has gained over 740,000 customers so far with 20,000 new customers joining the network daily.

The subsidiary also registered its first revenue in Q2 with Total Revenue hitting Ksh. 98.3 Million with service revenue hitting Ksh. 9.1M.

Safaricom Ethiopia officially switched on its mobile telecommunications network and services in early October. The telco’s 2G, 3G and 4G mobile services are available in 11 cities across the country including the capital and the country’s second-largest city, Dire Dawa.

On the other hand, Safaricom Kenya net income grew by 0.6% YoY to Ksh. 37.55 Billion driven by a 4.6% rise in service revenue to KShs 144.83Bn, an 8.7% rise in M-PESA revenue to KShs 56.86Bn while mobile data revenue rose by 11.3% to KShs 26.30Bn.

“We are pleased with the commercial progress made in Ethiopia since the launching of operations early last month. Most importantly we are enthusiastic about the growth opportunity in Ethiopia, with over 740,000 customers so far and 20,000 new customers joining the network daily. We are also encouraged by data and voice usage levels with 711 MBs average usage per active data customers and 30 Minutes of Use per active voice customers for the month of October” said Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom PLC CEO

Safaricom indicated that they had invested over USD 598million in Ethiopia operations and was encouraged by the early uptake of our services, great customer feedback on the quality of their data experience and the revenue contribution by the Ethiopia unit.

Safaricom also reported that they will soon be launching new products and services in the second half of the
financial year, including the M-PESA Go product to enhance child safety and sound financial knowledge for children below 18 years as well as the anticipated return to charging on banking transactions.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Copia launches 12th Depot in Kenya to enhance availability for customers
BusinessEast Africa

Copia Launches 12th Kenyan Depot To Enhance Its Operations

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian

Copia Global has launched a new state-of-the-art Fulfillment Centre in Kampala and its 12th Depot in Kenya as it progresses initiatives to enhance availability for customers in both countries.

The two new facilities will boost Copia’s capacity to 12 centers in Kenya including 11 regional depots and one fulfillment center at Tatu City, while the expanded hub in Kampala will also double up as a key depot for the region.

The expansion in Uganda comes just over a year after Copia Uganda began operations, and has seen Copia move its corporate offices and warehouse to a larger facility to enable better collaboration and operational efficiencies.

Depots are specialized cross-docking spaces that form a critical element to enable retailers like Copia to manage their logistics and supply chain processes effectively. Each additional facility enables Copia to strategically reach key customer segments at a more localized level.

Every day, Copia dispatches hundreds of trucks on the road to deliver goods and services to customers in peri-urban and rural areas, with 77% of the deliveries on un-tarmacked roads. With the availability of the new facilities, Copia will be able to shorten its delivery timelines as it gets closer to customers in peri-urban and rural areas.

“These facilities will enable us to keep up with increasing customer demand for speed and convenience, allowing us to fulfill orders within shorter lead times and supplementing our offering at a regional level,” said Tim Steel, CEO, of Copia Global. “Our investment enables us to scale at a faster rate in anticipation of future growth.”

“As we expand our presence in Uganda, our new facility will grant us better capacity to serve our customers better and reduce the time it takes our customers to get their deliveries,” said Diana Adeyemi, Country Director, Copia Uganda.

Beyond access to the wide variety of products available on its platform, Copia is also using the new facilities to deepen its outreach for specialized farming services in line with customer demand.

Copia recently launched a full-fledged Farming Division that offers all its customers free agro-extension guidance and access to 20 registered vet and agronomy professionals.

The new Kericho Depot measures 7,800 square feet and is Copia’s third largest in Kenya after the Machakos depot and the Tatu City Fulfillment Centre. It will primarily cover four counties (Bomet, Kisii, Nakuru and Kericho), managing thousands of orders every 24 hours. On the other hand, the new Uganda Fulfillment Centre is 24,000 square feet and is currently covering 14 districts in the country.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
BankingBusiness

NCBA Bank opens its 86th Branch in Utawala

by Kwabe Ben
written by Kwabe Ben

NCBA Bank has today opened a new branch in Utawala, Nairobi County. This brings to 86, the total number of NCBA Bank branches countrywide. This is part of the bank’s ambitious expansion agenda of its retail business aimed at taking services closer to customers.

Utawala is one of the fastest growing areas in Nairobi County that is characterized by infrastructural development ranging from residential to commercial properties and with a growing urban population.

Speaking during the official opening of the branch, Pauline Ndote, Group Director, Credit Management, NCBA Group, said that “This was a strategic decision to bring our services closer to the people of utawala as this area continues to hold great potential to continue being a property development hub.”

“At NCBA we are looking to lend to our customers who are seeking to acquire, construct or finance property, our mortgages home loans of up to 105% of the value of the property. Through this offering we have made home ownership easy and we are ready to make people’s dream of owning a home a reality. With this offering, Utawala serves to be a strategic area to tap into.

Kenya’s housing demand is expected to dramatically shift in the next few years and with it, a growing demand for innovative financing solutions to bridge the widening housing gap.

The current outlook of the property market in Kenya states that housing is one of the fastest growing sectors; with a rate 4.2 per cent every year. This is an indication to the need for adequate housing in the country

Ms Ndote also noted that this latest branch will be key to supporting the local businesses in the area through offering personalized banking solutions.

“At NCBA we understand the significance of SMEs to economic growth, innovation, job formation and to social cohesion. We recognize that SME lending is not only one of the most economically important but also one of the most profitable contributors to banking revenues. This new branch will provide the people here in utawala with different banking solutions – credit to grow businesses, asset finance, corporate, business and retail banking. Our goal is to improve SMEs’ access to finance and find innovative solutions to unlock sources of capital for them to ensure their financial success.”

NCBA bank is the leading bank in asset financing and digital business, with a market share of more than 35 per cent in asset finance. The Group intends to continue scaling up its branch network in 2022 by opening 11 new branches by the end of year, bringing its services closer to customers.

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
BusinessFinance & Banking

Absa Bank, Interswitch Partner To Finance SMEs Acquire KRA TIMs Devices

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian

Absa Bank Kenya PLC has partnered with Interswitch, an electronic payments and infrastructure company, to provide financial assistance to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The aid will enable SMEs to acquire the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Online Tax Invoice Management System (TIMS) device.

Last year, KRA implemented the Electronic Tax Invoice requirements, which will replace the current Offline ETR machines. Against this backdrop, all VAT-registered businesses are expected to comply with the VAT (Electronic Tax Invoice) Regulations, 2020 regarding the implementation of the electronic tax invoice by November 30, 2022.

According to KRA, TIMS allows for real-time validation and authentication of tax invoices. Kenya currently has an estimated 600,000 VAT payers. As part of the partnership, Interswitch will supply the devices and provide any requisite technical support to customers who will acquire the devices.

“We fully understand the difficult times that our SME customers are facing due to the challenging operating landscape, and as their partner for growth, we are committed to continuing to walk the journey with them during this tough phase as the economy begins to recover from the pandemic’s impact and the general slowdown in the macroeconomic circumstances,” said Absa Bank Kenya PLC’s Business Banking Director Elizabeth Wasunna.

“Our purpose as Interswitch is to Inspire Africa to Greatness through Innovation, Value Creation and Excellence. We believe there is no way businesses can achieve their potential without complying with the necessary regulatory requirements of the land. This partnership thus is in line with our clear goal of empowering businesses to grow to their level best and it’s such a convergence of our purpose to that of Absa of ‘Bringing Possibilities to Life’said Daniel Kiriungi from Interswitch.

Along with this partnership, and as a further demonstration of Absa’s commitment to the SME sector, the bank has spent the last two weeks meeting with its SME customers across the country to listen and learn from them about how it can help them reposition for recovery and growth. Some of the places toured include Kisumu, Kisii, Bungoma, Kitale, Eldoret and the Coastal region.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
EducationTechnology

Amazon Web Services: Re/Start Program Offers Certification for Students in IT Skills

by Kwabe Ben
written by Kwabe Ben

Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education today hosted over 150 educational technology experts and leading professionals at the inaugural AWS Kenya Education Conference 2022.

To help individuals lead prosperous lives in the digital age, local, national, and regional leaders are reimagining education systems, skills training, and private-public partnerships. AWS works with governments and public institutions around the world to upskill, reskill, and prepare individuals for the cloud jobs of today and tomorrow. 

Amazon Web Services came up with a commitment to training 25 million youth who are mostly unemployed ad enabling them in the cloud computing field with a vision of attaining this number in 2035 in Sub-Sahara Africa.

Mr. Robin Njiru, the Regional Public Sector Lead for West, East & Central Africa at AWS said: “Amazon Web Services is on a mission to accelerate the digital transformation of education collaboration with Kenya’s education community which includes government, learners, educators, administrators, and researchers. AWS is committed to improving the quality of education by providing flexible, affordable technology solutions for education.”

Mr. Robin Njiru, the Regional Public Sector Lead for West, East & Central Africa at AWS

AWS Re/Start program commenced in Kenya in 2021, mainly entailing giving IT skills to the youth in the cloud computing sector which in turn enables more career options as well as linking the trainees to potential employers.

Sub-Sahara Africa is key in the program training bearing a massive young generation that keeps growing from day to day as so far the AWS re/start has trained more than 800 unemployed youth.

In Kenya, the AWS cloud career training program AWS re/Start has welcomed more than 500 unemployed youth in Kenya in less than two years, preparing them for a life-changing career in cloud computing. 

Together with partners like Ajira Digital, Mastercard Foundation, and GetINNOtized, AWS is building an inclusive and diverse pipeline of new cloud talent in Sub-Saharan Africa by engaging unemployed or underemployed young people who otherwise might not have had access to this career path.

AWS Re/start program has focused more on training unemployed youth and specific learner audience intending to fit and support the massive pool of youth within Sub-Sahara Africa.

“There is a pool of talent that may not be connected with the employer hence through the training of IT skills, we enable the learner numerous career options, also enabling the linking of the trainees with the potential employers,” said Marine Houmeau Regional Program Lead Sub-Sahara.

Marine Houmeau Regional Program Lead Sub-Sahara.

Marine says that the program of Re/Start has also involved Persons with Disabilities in the training of cloud computing skills ensuring there is the inclusion of players from various fields combing up the diversity aspect.

AWS is currently also offering re/start skills training throughout the country including refugee camps after setting up training in the Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps to encompass everyone with interest in the program and empower career paths.

In addition, AWS and the Ministry of ICT have joined forces to provide free foundational cloud content through the Ajira Digital platform accessible to all citizens as well as in over 300 training centers across the country from early 2023.

The conference targeted decision-makers in state agencies under the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of ICT, research organizations, Edtech companies, publishers, and representatives of leading academic institutions in Kenya.

One of the students receiving a graduation certification after completion of the training delves deeper into the numerous lessons attained during the program and the vast network, she has attained during the cohort.

“After the assessment, I got IT skills and this is something that I wasn’t so connected to having not studied IT earlier on but upon learning I got various career options that have enabled my attainment of a job with ease. I am enabled as a lady and feel empowered that I can engage anyone anywhere as well I would like to urge fellow learners to consider this option to learn more,” said Cecilia a graduand of the AWS Re/start program.

Marine extended gratitude to some of the partners who have enabled make the AWS Re/Start program a success in the Kenyan learning sector, partners like; Ajira, Azubi Africa, the Danish Refugee Council, and the Fireside Foundation.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
TikTok Launches TikTok #ClimateAction Campaign To Drive Awareness On Climate Action
EnvironmentLifestyle & Entertainment

TikTok Launches TikTok #ClimateAction Campaign To Drive Awareness On Climate Action

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian

Inspired by an active and engaged community that is passionate about making a difference and having a positive impact on its world, TikTok is at the forefront of giving its community the platform to help drive awareness and advocacy around sustainability and climate action through TikTok #ClimateAction global campaign.

Through the platform, people and communities sharing the same vision from all around the world are connected, empowered and inspired to unleash the power of creativity to drive positive change for a greener and more sustainable future.

Now, in support of the COP27 gathering, TikTok is launching the #ClimateAction global campaign this November by inviting creators and communities around the world to join the conversation and make a difference by taking action.

This is part of TikTok’s ongoing commitment to encourage communities to unlock the power of the platform to use creativity to drive positive, meaningful and lasting conversations.

Furthermore, TikTok, in partnership with Crtve Development featuring Greenpeace Africa’s August Maluka, Community Manager, singer-songwriter and poet Busiswa Gqulu will host a LIVE discussion in-app around climate change and the effects it has on local communities on Tuesday, 15 November 2022 at 17:30. To join the conversation, the TikTok community is encouraged to get on to TikTok and follow the @CrtvDevelopment TikTok account to register.

Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok Content Operations Lead for TikTok in Africa, says that TikTok is committed to playing an active role in building an environmentally aware generation.

“We do this by providing a platform for reputable organizations and community members to discuss, debate and share information, which in turn has helped TikTok become a top destination to learn important topics such as climate and sustainability. We have an active group of climate advocates, experts and institutions dedicated to creating educational content and raising climate literacy.”

Speaking on the creative partnership with TikTok, Dr. Okito Wedi, Founder and CEO of Crtve Development, says “the need for creative partnerships such as this has never been more imperative in the fight for climate justice, particularly on the African continent. Art and creativity have the power to inspire engagement at the community and policy level, leading to action, change and impact. Through creativity, we can propagate feelings of belonging to a collective community. This relationship between creativity and belonging is fundamental to taking action and ownership of one’s own life, community, and country. Creativity is a first and necessary step towards social change”.

“With innovative in-app tools and partnerships, TikTok prioritizes keeping its community informed and protected while supporting climate literacy and tackling climate misinformation and disinformation,”Sidwaba further adds.

Climate action content continues to rise as TikTok’s growing community uses its favorite entertainment platform to inspire hope, positivity and action. Kenyan content creators have taken up this opportunity to highlight the impacts of climate change, offering solutions to the TikTok community on how they could make a positive impact in their personal capacities, in simple and fun ways.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
GESCI
Education

GESCI Report: 21st Century Skills Essential for Learners

by Kwabe Ben
written by Kwabe Ben

A report released by GESCI has revealed that most learners are not taught about life skills despite the shift witnessed in the learning sector with the advancement of technology in this 21st century.

This follows a growing need across East Africa, for a strategic and explicit focus on contextually appropri­ate 21st Century Skills within education programs and school curricula, supported by assessment data that draws on the lived experience of young people from the region.

This study was conducted as part of implementation of the Adapting assessment into policy and learning (ADAPT): Adolescent 21st Century skills in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania is a research initiative seeking to promote the acquisition of 21st-century skills for adolescents by strengthening utilization of data from learning assessments in curriculum design, adapta­tion, and delivery.

Mr. Samuel Otieno the project Lead called for the involvement of experts in the research who will ensure the conduction and compilation of researched information in an easily comprehensible version for the learners and the public.

“This research and assessment are mainly aimed at informing policy formations and education policies put in place by education ministries as we champion for relevance in the studies given to the learners in thus changing times,” said Mr. Samuel.

This research was done in collaboration with Assessment of Life skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) a co-creation and collaborative initiative focusing on the development of contextualized assessments for 21st Century Skills, driven by local leaders in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

During the launch of the Adapting assessment into policy and learning (ADAPT): Adolescent 21st Century Skills Project implemented in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania

Some of the results from the assessment include: 1. Consolidation of knowledge and learnings on how education systems in East Africa can better integrate summative assessment results-like ALiVE – to improve curriculum design and delivery.

2. Development of an adaptive framework for research translation that is specific to the needs and nuances of the context in the 3 GPE countries.

3. Strengthening of a learning community across the 3 GPE countries focused on developing and transferring capacity to measure and utilize assessments of 21st Century Skills

4. Sharing of learning from the ALiVE initiative with other countries in East Africa and the global community

According to Dr. Sheila Wamahiu a research Consultant, assessments need to involve the learners to assist them to comprehend the essentiality of the assessments and why they are of importance as other players like teachers are involved.

Challenges Faced in the Research

1. Limited evidence on how to best incorporate 21st Century Skills within school systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

2. A lot of evidence was generated by multi­lateral organizations on how to address 21st Century Skills within programs but limited information or experience about how to effectively incorporate these skills within education programs and school curricula.

3. Even if national entities in SSA wanted to focus on 21st Century Skills within education programs and school curric­ula, there is uncertainty and lack of consensus on defining these skills and in delivering and measuring them.

4. Studies have shown inadequate capacities among teachers, civil society, and ministry officials to effectively and reliably use the available assessment data to make evidence-based decisions.

5. There is a lack of coordination within and across countries and partners working on 21st Century Skills in SSA.

ADAPT is implemented by a consortium of partners including the Global e-Schools and Communities Initiative (GESCI), The Makerere University College of Education and External Studies, and the University of Notre Dame’s Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child (GC-DWC).

ADAPT is an initiative under the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge Innovation Exchange (GPE-KIX) Program funded by The International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NHIF To Allow Men Cover Multiple Wives In New Regulations
BusinessHealthNews

NHIF To Allow Men Cover Multiple Wives In New Regulations

by Ndungu Brian
written by Ndungu Brian

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has developed regulations that will allow men to get medical cover for multiple wives subject to approval by Parliament.

According, to the new regulations, the male member will pay an extra Sh500 to provide medical coverage to the additional wives.

This is a departure from the current NHIF rules that cover one spouse and a maximum of five children.

Currently, members with two wives are often forced to have another cover for the second wife who is listed as the principal member.

Most private insurance firms recognize the principal member, one registered spouse and up to four children for medical cover, especially those backed by employers.

The NHIF’s move to recognize multiple wives comes more than eight years after former President Uhuru Kenyatta signed into law a marriage Bill legalizing polygamy.

The marriage bill brought civil law, where a man was only allowed one wife, into line with customary law, allowing men to have more wives without consulting existing spouses.

“Where a standard contributor includes more than one spouse as a beneficiary, the contributor shall remit an additional contribution to the Fund,” says a new clause in the republished regulations.

“The rate of the additional contribution referred to in the sub-regulation shall be five hundred shillings in respect of each spouse.”

NHIF is also seeking community input on the new regulations ahead of parliamentary approval for the new rates and the clause backing members with multiple wives.

The new premium is a shift from the present model where employees earning over Sh100,000 pay a fixed monthly contribution of Sh1,700 to the NHIF.

The renewed law pushes contributions of workers earning Sh200,000 double to Sh3,400 if the regulations are adopted while the burden on those on Sh500,000 will increase five times to Sh8,500 monthly.

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
GSMA
BusinessTechnology

GSMA,Rwandan Governement Set to Build a Digital Future Together

by Kwabe Ben
written by Kwabe Ben

The GSMA’s first in-person MWC Africa opened its doors in Kigali, Rwanda with a fireside chat between H.E. Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, and Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA.

The opening theme of the Keynote, “Building a Digital Future, Together” led the event’s discussions about how mobile connectivity, a major engine of growth, is bringing endless potential by accelerating digital transformation for all business sectors in Africa, from healthcare and education to manufacturing and financial services.

 “Africa is home to creative and tech-savvy youth, looking for the right platform to contribute solutions. We cannot afford to reduce them to a statistic only, or sit idly by, as they seek opportunities outside of Africa. Our young people have a lot to offer. We must do our part and keep our promise to them. To leave no one behind, we must create a more enabling legal and regulatory environment. However, to leave no one behind means a number of things as well, and we must recognize that digital transformation is not a zero-sum game, where progress comes at the expense of the most vulnerable. Not at all. Everyone, regardless of status, gender, or nationality, must benefit if we want to create lasting change,” said H.E Paul Kagame.

GSMA MWC Africa brings together industry sectors, business leaders, and policymakers with the region’s mobile ecosystem to discuss the continent’s ambition to enhance the power of connectivity. The event also marks the release of the Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2022 report which finds that closing the mobile internet usage gap[1] is crucial to realizing the potential of mobile connectivity, with 5G-related activities beginning to pick up across the region.

“Africa stands at a unique moment in time. Over the past two decades, mobile growth across Sub-Saharan Africa has been phenomenal. Today, 46% of the population is connected and subscribed to mobile services, rising to 50% by 2025. In 2021, mobile technologies and services generated around 8% of GDP across Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting 3.2 million jobs across the region. Imagine what Africa will be when everyone is connected,” said Mats Granryd, Director General, of GSMA.

“To continue the momentum and create more jobs and foster inclusion and reduce inequality, we have to ensure that everyone has access to connectivity and can benefit from all it offers.”

“We anticipate welcoming attendees from nearly 90 countries across Africa and around the world who will gather this week to convene and hear from over 60 speakers, 45% of whom are female,” said Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA. “Mobile connectivity and connected technologies are enablers, supporting countries as they build forward better in pursuit of economic recovery and resilience. At MWC Africa, we will examine the urgency to bridge the digital divide for building inclusive, sustainable societies across Africa.”

The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan 2022 report

The report calls for stakeholders to address the main barriers to mobile internet adoption, including affordability and digital skills, to realize the potential of mobile connectivity to drive economic growth and development. Its findings reveal how mobile connectivity is helping the region’s post-pandemic economic recovery by creating the digital technologies and services needed to build back economies that are more productive and efficient.

Other key findings Include:

  • 40% of the adult population is now connected to mobile internet services. However, the usage gap remains a challenge: 44% live in areas covered by mobile broadband networks, but do not yet use mobile internet services
  • In 2021, the mobile ecosystem supported more than 3.2 million jobs (directly and indirectly) and made a substantial contribution to the funding of the public sector, with $16 billion raised through taxes on the sector.
  • By 2025, mobile’s contribution to the GDP of Sub-Sahara Africa will grow by $65 billion (to almost $155 billion), as the countries in the region increasingly benefit from increased take-up of mobile services
  • By 2025, 4G will account for a third of mobile connections in the region, compared to under a fifth of connections in 2021.

5G Africa: realizing the potential

 

5G-related activities have begun to pick up across Africa, including spectrum auctions, pilots, and commercial trials, as well as efforts to develop locally relevant 5G use cases. Our new report launched today, “5G Africa: realizing the potential,” reveals that 5G will contribute $26 billion to Africa’s economy by 2030. Retail, manufacturing, and agriculture are among the sectors that will see the most impact. Additionally, 5G will account for 20% of mobile connections in Africa by 2030. Today there are commercial 5G networks in more than 10 countries and many more countries are expected to launch commercial 5G by 2025.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts