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MTN to launch ‘WeChat of Africa’
The app will be launched in MTN markets in West Africa first as part of a “beta-testing” phase. The plan is to introduce it to all the countries in which it operates, including South Africa
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech
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M-Pesa, Western Union and Amazon could potentially disrupt Jumia’s e-commerce business
Three countries — Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa — dominate e-commerce sales. Kenya has a population of 48.5 million and an impressive 79 percent internet penetration. This is because Kenya is home to M-Pesa, the mobile wallet provider started by mobile telecom provider Safaricom. The availability of a secure payment system encourages internet access and online buying.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Nigeria, others to push mobile money accounts to 110 million by 2024, says GSMA
“The mobile money industry is fast-evolving against a backdrop of increasing internet access and smartphone adoption, and now more than ever, mobile’s unparalleled global scale provides a tremendous opportunity to reach the 1.7 billion people who remain financially excluded, said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA.”
- Categories
- Finance, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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BBOXX receives largest crowdfunded debt raise in history of solar energy in Africa
BBOXX and Trine’s funding initiative has hit the €6 million mark – in what is the largest crowd-funded debt raise in the history of solar energy in Africa. Mansoor Hamayun, CEO and Co-Founder of BBOXX comments: “Hundreds of millions of people in Africa still live without electricity. Collaborating with Trine has allowed us to tap into retail investors who share our vision for transforming people’s lives through sustainable energy provision."
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Digital commerce will transform African economies, starting with cheaper phones
Growth could have a massive impact on African countries, with their young and increasingly urban populations. But most governments are not ready.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- e-commerce, employment
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Zola Electric Announces Expansion into Nigeria
The expansion, according to the statement, was focused on improving environmental, health and economic outcomes while driving the transition to clean, renewable energy.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- renewable energy
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ATMs For Medicine? That’s One Way Pharmacies Are Going Digital
Officially, the ATM-like machines are called Pharmacy Dispensing Units. They cost about $159,000 each are being funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and other global organizations.
- Categories
- Health Care, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Millions of Ugandans quit internet services as social media tax takes effect
In the three months following the introduction of the levy, the number of internet subscriptions to such services fell by more than 2.5 million, according to the Uganda Communications Commission. Fears have been raised over the impact on the economy.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- public policy
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