November 2011 - KICTANet

Want to become an internet billionaire? Move to Africa.
by alice＠apc.org 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

Want to become an internet billionaire? Move to Africa. By David Rowan04 November 11 If you want to become extremely wealthy over the next five years, and you have a basic grasp of technology, here's a no-brainer: move to Africa. Seriously. The internet is only now arriving, and -- with a billion people on the continent still mostly offline -- there exists a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build the next Zyngas, eBays and Groupons for a huge untapped local market. You need only look at the map of huge broadband fibreoptic cables currently being laid on both east and west coasts, from Djibouti to Dakar, to understand how quickly and ambitiously an entire continent is being connected. It's like being back in 1995 again, and realising there might just be a market for an online bookshop or auction website. Don't take my word for it: David Cameron is so keen to give British entrepreneurs a foothold that he recently took a high-level delegation of corporate CEOs to Nigeria and South Africa to highlight "one of the greatest economic opportunities on the planet". The trip -- featuring the bosses of firms such as Barclays and Bombardier, Vodafone and Virgin Atlantic -- was hailed by Downing Street as "a historic visit to a continent with a trillion dollar economy and the potential, according to the IMF, to grow faster than Brazil over the next five years". Much of that growth will come from startups that bring the mobile internet to businesses and consumers who have until now been offline. That's why Cameron's team invited along the British founders of red-hot mobile-money business Monitise, a clever text-messaging system called FrontlineSMS -- and your own Digital Life columnist with his trusty notebook. It was, admittedly, a surreal four-day schedule -- taking in South Sudan, Rwanda, Nigeria and South Africa -- that, at the last moment, was squeezed to just two days and two countries (well, there was the small matter of a domestic phone-hacking crisis to distract the PM's attention). But that was long enough to get a sense of the extraordinary opportunities -- at a time when McKinsey and Ernst & Young are forecasting that $150 billion will flow into Africa by 2015, and that consumer spending will reach $1.4 trillion by 2020. No wonder Helios Investment Partners could recently raise a $900 million fund specifically targeting the continent. So where could you make your own tech-based millions? A few obvious markets primed for explosive growth: Mobile moneyWho needs banks if you can use your mobile to send and receive cash? More than a quarter of Kenya's GDP now passes through a phone-to-phone network called M-Pesa, and in Uganda MTN MobileMoney has almost two million users. As Cameron put it in a speech to Lagos Business School, "Today, mobile banking systems mean we can cut out middlemen and make a direct impact on the lives of small farmers who can produce more food, feed their families, sell more food at the market and in turn buy more seed." E-commerceYou don't need a smartphone, let alone a PC, to shop online. The American startup SlimTrader runs a service called MoBiashara, which lets African consumers shop by mobile on basic cellphones. And there are half a billion of those in Africa. Business directoriesThe British startup entrepreneur Stefan Magdalinski -- formerly of UpMyStreet and Moo.com -- moved to Cape Town a couple of years ago to run a bunch of firms for international media group MIH, including a Kenyan business directory, Mocality, that gave many companies their first online presence. Why? Because he wanted to be where the action was. HealthNot only do mobile phones turn into blood-pressure monitors and ultrasound devices that can connect rural communities. They can also detect counterfeit medicines: the startup mPedigree works with pharmaceutical companies to let patients text codes on packs of antimalarials to receive confirmation that they're genuine. Leapfrog techIf a tiny fraction of, say, Zimbabweans have access to the "big" internet, then why not make the internet accessible via SMS on their 2G phones? That's what Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is offering its five million mobile phone subscribers, turning their handsets into virtual smartphones with tech from ForgetMeNot Africa that turns emails and chats into text messages. Now insert your own big idea here, and book your air ticket. Sure, Africa still faces huge hurdles -- in South Africa, 11 million people live below the poverty line, and almost 6 million have HIV; in Nigeria, 110 million out of a population of 158 million live on less than £1 a day. But when one telco alone, Bharti Airtel, recently announced $13 billion in African revenue last year, you know it's time to abandon our traditional assumptions. As Cameron said in Lagos, "Which continent has six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world?... Africa is transforming in a way no-one thought possible 20 years ago…and suddenly a whole new future seems within reach." Why shouldn't you have a profitable role in that future? ‬

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Bombardier Aerospace to Establish Manufacturing Capability in Morocco
by Paul Kukubo 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

Listers Sharing this story as a matter of intrest to those who enjoy the subject of international investment deals. Interesting to note especially if you take into account how many linkages the car and aerospace manufacturing facilities have. country MOUs with leading global players are one way to bring inward high value investment. They can take a long time to structure and negotiate, sometimes years, especially when there is a multi million dollar tag on it. Note that employment targets equals 850 highly skilled Moroccans. Asante. Press Releases Bombardier Aerospace to Establish Manufacturing Capability in Morocco November 16, 2011 — Montréal Aerospace Bombardier Aerospace announced today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco for the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Morocco. The exact site location will be announced at a later date. Bombardier Aerospace intends to invest approximately $200 million US in equipment, buildings and start-up costs over the next eight years. Scheduled to be implemented in phases starting in 2012, Bombardier Aerospace’s new Moroccan facility will initially include sub-assembly capabilities for simple structures. The new facility is scheduled to start manufacturing in 2013. Details on the type of components to be manufactured will be finalized in the coming months. By the end of 2020, employment at the Morocco facility is expected to reach 850 skilled and trained workers. Bombardier Aerospace anticipates that there will be no impact on its current workforce level at other sites as a result of this announcement. “Globalization of our industry has opened up new markets and new opportunities,” said Guy C. Hachey, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace. “We have progressively extended our business presence around the world and we are continuing today to better serve our international customers.” “Bombardier Aerospace is committed to a long-term relationship with the Moroccan Government to develop a world-class aerospace industry in the country,” added Mr. Hachey. “By establishing its own fully integrated manufacturing facility in Morocco, Bombardier Aerospace will serve as a catalyst for the aerospace industry in the country and will look for opportunities to share some of its knowledge and complex manufacturing processes.” Bombardier Aerospace chose Morocco for a number of reasons: internationally competitive manufacturing costs, low shipping and transportation costs, proximity to Europe, and the commitment by the Moroccan Government to the development of the aerospace industry. The announcement of this new manufacturing facility in Morocco was made during the Dubai Airshow 2011, where Bombardier is currently showcasing its broad spectrum of innovative products, technical expertise, and superior customer support and aircraft maintenance services. Held in the United Arab Emirates, the Dubai Airshow, the world’s third largest airshow, places an emphasis on the Middle-East, Africa, Europe and India. About Bombardier A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, were $17.7 billion, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter@Bombardier. Notes to Editors Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Aerospace. To receive our press releases, please visit the Email Subscription and RSS Feed section. Bombardier is trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. For Information Haley Dunne Bombardier Aerospace +1 514 855 7989 www.bombardier.com Back to top -- Paul Kukubo Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 Fax: +254 20 2211962 website: www.ict.go.ke local content project: www.tandaa.co.ke, www.facebook.com/tandaakenya twitter:@tandaaKENYA BPO Project: www. doitinkenya.co.ke Digital Villages Project: www.pasha.co.ke personal contacts _______________ Cell: + 254 717 180001 skype: kukubopaul googletalk: pkukubo personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke personal twitter: @pkukubo ____________________ Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment

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Re: [kictanet] Static IP Address
by S.M. Muraya 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

New install for a site Access Kenya has disconnected / messed up. Incidentally, they found out it is Access Kenya that owes them money. On Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:06 AM, Nicholas J Dear < ndear(a)sundayafternoon.me.uk> wrote: > Have you got a service from them already that you just need a static IP > on, or is it a new install?**** > > ** ** > > N.**** > > ** ** > > *From:* S.M. Muraya [mailto:murigi.muraya@gmail.com] > *Sent:* 17 November 2011 11:04 > > *To:* Nicholas J Dear > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Static IP Address**** > > ** ** > > Good wireless (Wimax) service it is but doubt it can be setup tomorrow > latest. > > They are too busy.. > > > > **** > > On Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 10:51 AM, Nicholas J Dear < > ndear(a)sundayafternoon.me.uk> wrote:**** > > Would you count Zuku as wireless with their radio service? They offer > static IPs.**** > > **** > > N.**** > > **** > > *From:* kictanet-bounces+ndear=sundayafternoon.me.uk(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke[mailto: > kictanet-bounces+ndear=sundayafternoon.me.uk(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke] *On > Behalf Of *S.M. Muraya > *Sent:* 17 November 2011 10:37 > *To:* Nicholas J Dear > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Subject:* [kictanet] Static IP Address**** > > **** > > Which wireless internet service providers / solutions are currently > providing static IP addresses? > > How long did it take for the provider to set you up?**** > ------------------------------ > > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.1872 / Virus Database: 2092/4621 - Release Date: 11/16/11* > *** > > ** ** > ------------------------------ > > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.1872 / Virus Database: 2092/4621 - Release Date: 11/16/11* > *** >

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Static IP Address
by S.M. Muraya 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

Which wireless internet service providers / solutions are currently providing static IP addresses? How long did it take for the provider to set you up?

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How relevant is East Africa?
by robert yawe 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

Hi, I came across the following article and it makes we wonder whether Kenya and by extension the East Africa region is really as relevant a player in the future of online as we insist? http://habarizanyumbani.jambonewspot.com/2011/11/15/want-to-become-an-inter… Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Re: [kictanet] PMG In waiting - Postal & mobile money
by robert yawe 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

Hi, We need to be clear about the obligations of PCK in relation to levelling the various divides of which banking and money transfer is one. The mandate for PCK to provide universal mail delivery across the country needs to be extended to all other areas, imagine if every district or town had to take the initiative to have PCK extend its services to the particular location then definitely we would disenfranchise the majority of Kenyans. Note that as a result of the universality of PCK a letter is delivered to Mandera at the same price as to Kiambu from Mombasa or Kendu Bay, if this is the situation why should the YuCash person in Port Victory need to travel to Kisumu for service yet the Airtel Money fellow receives his services from Port Victory yet all are tax payers who support the PCK infrastructure. All money transfer organisations must as a requirement of their license be mandated to provide their services through PCK same with sale of airtime. Devolution goes beyond politics to the equalisation of all basic human needs of which I believe mobile money transfer is one. I am not propagating for the introduction of new laws or mandates just the application of the existing ones to the letter, the universal access fund is there to serve the cause I am advancing. Let me reiterate yet again as I have done in previous contributions that we need to accept the fact that Nairobi is not Kenya and that government is still relevant new constitution or old. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 ________________________________ From: Emmanuel Khisa <oloo.khisa(a)googlemail.com> To: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> Cc: oloo.khisa(a)gmail.com; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Tuesday, 8 November 2011, 9:45 Subject: Re: [kictanet] PMG In waiting - Postal & mobile money Dear Robert, I think services like Agency are partnerships and are offered to only organisations that seek these out. Airtel (just like banks are doing) may have discussed possibilities for partnership with PCK and agreed. Mpesa and YuCash may not have sought out PCK and hence you may not pin PCK down on this one. There is however a business case for PCK to reach out to the telcos for additional revenue streams...especially for Mpesa. My two cents. EK On Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 4:59 PM, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Hi, > > >The reference is the bright red Airtel Money poster placed below the post office sign. > > >My issue is that PCK is meant to take services to the people so by only offering the money transfer service from a single operator they are not executing their mandate. > > >Postal's obligation is to provide service for the public good even if it might not make a profit which is why they must deliver letters to all points of the country at a fixed price. Because of their inability to reconcile this objective to a pure profit one many of the past and present board and management of the organisation have been unable to make the organisation self sustaining. > > >Regards > >Robert Yawe >KAY System Technologies Ltd >Phoenix House, 6th Floor >P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 >Kenya > > >Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 > > >________________________________ >From: Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> >To: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> >Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >Sent: Monday, 7 November 2011, 11:04 >Subject: Re: [kictanet] PMG In waiting - Postal & mobile money > > > > > > >On Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 08:30, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > >I was in Nanyuki over the weekend as I passed the post office a pig red sign caught my attention which got me thinking about the mandate of the Postal Corporation of Kenya as to its services to the populace. >> >> >>In my opinion if PCK is to provide 3rd party money transfer services its has an obligation to offer at least the services of the top 3 and not to only benefit a single entity. >> >> >>The same obligation needs to be enforced in relation to all other government agencies otherwise we shall be disenfranchising the common mwanainchi. >> >> >>Last and not list it is a branding no no to place such a sign so prominently in the front of the post office, the sign is so loud that one would think that the location belonged to the mobile phone company. >> >> >>On appointment that will be one of the things I will rectify during my first, proverbial, 100 days. >> >> > >Since these money transfer services are provided on a "commission" basis, I should think that it simply did not make sense to the top management to deal with the leading three because the earnings would be (probably) nominal and therefore not worth it. > >PS: I don't know if it's just my eyes but your photo isn't clear and as such I wasn't able to figure out the object of reference. > > >-- >Best regards, >Odhiambo WASHINGTON, >Nairobi,KE >+254733744121/+254722743223 >_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ >I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. >Please consider the environment before printing this email. > > > > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/oloo.khisa%40gmail.com > >The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > >KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > -- "One hour per day of study will put you at the top of your field within three years. Within five years you'll be a national authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world at what you do."Earl Nightingale1921-1989 Oloo Khisa P.O. Box 24324-00100 Nairobi 0721321086/0734321086 http://ke.linkedin.com/in/olookhisa

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Why Kenya has not Operationalized the Universal Access Fund?
by Edith Adera 16 Nov '11

16 Nov '11

Listers, Writing a journal paper and just discovered that Kenya has NOT operationalized the Universal Access Fund! This is indeed VERY unfortunate (and a shame), yet we speak on this list about ICTs transforming our economy. Bwana Ndemo, you might enlighten us on why this state of affairs? What is the bottleneck? Edith

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Internet governance becoming top concern for many countries, including U.S. | ZDNet
by Badru Ntege 16 Nov '11

16 Nov '11

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/internet-governance-becoming-top-concern-for-… One would have thought that they do not explicitly exclude foreign bidders but eventually somehow twist the result to favor US entities. But this shows some kind of boldness and two fingers to all those who thought the world and the Internet was free and fare from state control. Would like to see the moral ground taken when trying to lecture to third world leaders on the Internet. The notion of lead by example definitely is dead. My two $cents Badru Ntege CEO NFT Consult Ltd Www.Nftconsult.com “Vision without execution is hallucination.” ― Thomas A. Edison

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eHealth roundtable meeting
by Victor Gathara 16 Nov '11

16 Nov '11

eHealth experts, DFID has contracted some consultants to design a maternal health programme in Kenya. I am helping them think through the e-health/m-health component of their design. In this regard we are arranging a targeted 1/2 day roundtable meeting with experts, organisations, funders and private sector partners on 24th Nov to discuss: - problems for which e-health and particularly m-health can help find solutions - range of e-health solutions possible, impacts and costs, necessary conditions - potential for Kenya - current policies/strategies on e-health - current initiatives: scale, scope, status, plans, funding and funding gaps - outline of DFID proposed programme (by DFID consultants) - how e-health solutions can be applied to maternal health within our forthcoming programme and other initiatives; areas for potential collaboration I have a few spaces open so if you would be interested in attending this roundtable please do get in touch with me. Victor

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Uganda's ICT Policy
by Edith Adera 16 Nov '11

16 Nov '11

Listers, Does anyone know if Uganda has officially adopted an ICT policy? If so, if you have a copy of the policy, kindly send to me a copy directly. Thanks Edith

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