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Viewpoint: As Facebook looks to WeChat, China’s digital world is wowing the West, and globalisation is no longer a one-way street
With even Silicon Valley giants like Facebook learning from the hyperconnected WeChat universe, the investment in data and AI by the Chinese state and companies is paying off.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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MTN launches airtime recharge via WhatsApp
MTN South Africa has launched a new service on WhatsApp that allows its customers to check their balances, top up their airtime and buy data bundles without having to leave the Facebook-owned messaging app.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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The Power of Messaging: How WhatsApp is Becoming a Not-So-Secret Weapon Among Small Enterprises in Emerging Markets
Doing business in emerging markets requires significant and often remote communication – from managing inventory to keeping track of transactions and employees in the field. But though donor-funded digitization efforts often focus on building payments use cases, some of the most needed advancements are happening via existing communications channels like WhatsApp, says Strategic Impact Advisors VP Hamilton McNutt. He explores the innovative ways companies are using WhatsApp – and how messaging apps could better serve their needs.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Technology
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Report: Mixed emotions in emerging economies on smartphones, social media
Most of these people say they personally benefit from the technology: more than nine in 10 say the devices have helped them stay in touch with loved ones, and nearly eight in 10 said they use them to get news and information about important issues.
- Categories
- Technology
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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
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Regarding Facebook’s cryptocurrency
This is not Facebook’s first venture into virtual currencies, payments, or peer-to-peer payments via messenger app.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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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
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India targets Facebook ‘evil’ in backlash against US giants
In the latest skirmish, the government is targeting Facebook Inc’s WhatsApp, the popular messaging service increasingly important to its parent’s bottom line.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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