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Tidal launches in Africa—in countries known for banning music
In partnership with Africa’s largest mobile company MTN, Tidal announced its presence with a launch party in Uganda’s capital Kampala on Aug. 22. The music and video service was already available on the continent. This is the first time it’s specifically targeting African subscribers.
- Categories
- Technology, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Why Airtel, Telkom have failed to whittle down Safaricom market share
Airtel Africa boss Raghunath Mandava had a rare chance to get excited last week when results of the Indian telecommunications giant were released. The chief executive officer, who had seen the African business lose so much money that his parent company Bharti Airtel started considering pulling out of some key markets on the continent, had for the first time a different story to tell investors.
- Categories
- Finance, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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M-Pesa puts Safaricom on Fortune’s ‘Change the World’ firms listing
The American multinational business magazine says the mobile money transfer service Safaricom and Vodafone launched in 2007 now claims more than 30 million customers in 10 countries, mostly in remote areas far from banks.
- Categories
- Finance, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Chinese e-commerce giant to begin services in Pakistan this year
At the moment, Ant Financial is undergoing an approval process from the State Bank of Pakistan and the Competition Commission of Pakistan.
- Categories
- Finance, Telecommunications
- Region
- South Asia
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Telcos in Rwanda want government to allow them roll out cross-network mobile money transfer
Approval for mobile money interoperability will allow the service providers to begin commercial negotiations, “agree on tariffs and sign agreements with an independent switch provider,” and offer services across networks.
- Categories
- Finance, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Safaricom Blames Regulator for Underinvestment by Kenyan Rivals
Kenyan lawmakers are studying a report by U.K.-based advisory group Analysys Mason that found Safaricom to be a dominant player in mobile money and mobile communications.
- Categories
- Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Telecoms, Bank of Uganda want mobile money tax scrapped
Starting July 1, 2018 government introduced a 1% tax on all mobile money transactions and Shs 200/daily levy on social media usage. Following public outcry and pressure, government has since tabled an amendment bill, Excise Duty Amendment Bill No. 2, 2018 to have the mobile money tax reduced to 0.5% and only limited to withdrawals.
- Categories
- Finance, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Phone monopoly is big prize in Ethiopia sell-off
“Everyone is here. MTN is here, Safaricom. I mean everyone is coming,” the new head of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) said of the stiff competition to enter the previously off-limits telecoms sector.
- Categories
- Technology, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa