July 2019 - KICTANet

Huawei interview on China-Africa Podcast
by Adam Lane 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

For anyone with 50 minutes to spare and interested to listen to this podcast interview I did... Eric and Cobus do go for the fairly tough questions. https://chinaafricaproject.com/podcast-china-africa-huawei-adam-lane/ [AUDIO] Like it or Not, Huawei is the Indispensable Tech Company in Africa [EDITOR'S NOTE: This episode was recorded before the United States government announced that it would blacklist Huawei and blocked the company from using Google's Android operating system and other apps.] It is hard to overstate Huawei's singular importance in the development of Africa's information technology sector. Over the past ten years the company, often armed with state-backed loans from China, has built significant portions of Africa's IT infrastructure, everything from networking to broadband connectivity to new cloud data centers in places like Egypt and South Africa. 70% of all 4G networks across the continent were reportedly built by Huawei. But while Huawei's presence in Africa is pervasive it's also controversial. Allegations that Huawei was involved in Chinese spying efforts against the African Union prompt similar questions like those being raised by the United States who challenge the company's independence from both the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government. "The U.S. is going to have to be strategic about how they approach this challenge. You can't just blunder in and say, 'It's us or them.' China does provide things that the continent needs." - Joshua Meservey, Heritage Foundation senior analyst<https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/03/19/for-africa-chinese-built-internet-is-b…> Although African stakeholders contend that security and privacy concerns surrounding Huawei are important, most do not believe they are paramount issues. Instead, access to affordable, high-quality telecommunications infrastructure is much more important. But now that the United States is closing in on the company, blocking Huawei from using the Android operating system, African telecom operators are likely starting to worry about what happens if Washington similarly blacklists Huawei's use of components that are used in all that networking gear now running their phone and data networks. If Huawei is forced out of those markets, it could be cataclysmic for African telcos who would find it difficult, if not impossible, to switch to American, Korean or European vendors. The bottom line is that African telecommunications operators now rely on Huawei gear, making the Chinese company truly indispensable in the operation of their networks. Huawei, like almost every Chinese company, is notoriously averse to interacting with the media and rarely grants extended, on the record interviews with no pre-conditions. So, it was a bit of a surprise when Adam Lane, senior public affairs director for Huawei Kenya, offered to appear on the podcast. He joins Eric & Cobus for a wide-ranging discussion on all aspects of the company's operations in Africa and what the mood is like inside the firm. Show Notes: * IT Web Africa: Safaricom describes Huawei issue as 'worrying'<http://www.itwebafrica.com/kenya/245917-safaricom-describes-huawei-issue-as…> by Vincent Matinde * Daily Nation: What Huawei restriction means for Kenya and Africa<https://www.nation.co.ke/news/What-Huawei-restriction-means-for-Kenya-/1056…> by Aggrey Mutambo * Business Insider South Africa: If you own a Huawei phone in South Africa, here is everything you need to know about the Google crisis<https://www.businessinsider.co.za/huawei-news-in-south-africa-what-is-happe…> by Phillip de Wet * Foreign Policy: For Africa, Chinese-Built Internet Is Better Than No Internet<https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/03/19/for-africa-chinese-built-internet-is-b…> at All by Amy Mackinnon About Adam Lane:<https://www.africahealthbusiness.com/speakers/adam-lane/> At Huawei since 2014, and based in Nairobi since 2016, Adam is currently responsible for working with governments, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders with a focus on the Kenya and East Africa region. Adam helps these groups understand how to use ICT for Development in their strategies, policies and programs; as well as developing partnerships and cross-sector collaboration with various actors in the ICT ecosystem including social enterprises. Adam has a strong focus on digital health in the region and is also actively engaging with those in the Internet of Things space. Previously, Adam was based in Huawei's HQ as a Director for Corporate Sustainable Development responsible for Huawei's global flagship project to bridge the digital divide as well as thought leadership on the digital divide. In 2015 after an extensive research effort around the world, Adam published Huawei's white paper on Digital Enablement summarizing the challenges and solutions to bridging the digital divide (www.huawei.com/minisite/digital-enablement) He then set-up a new digital divide project related to e-health in Kenya building on the findings from this white paper working with a Kenyan social enterprise and helping them scale up their e-health project.

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(no subject)
by DANIEL MECHA 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

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Facebook plans to launch 'GlobalCoin' currency in 2020 - BBC News
by Timothy- Coach- Oriedo 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48383460

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Google has revoked Huawei's Android license
by Kelvin Kariuki 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Dear Listers, I hope this email finds you well, this is the current trending topic, I'd like to here your views on this topic from a Policy Perspective. Are we overrelying on Global Techs? What are the possible repercussions if they pull out on us? Should Global Techs be declared Dominant to balance the market and reduce the risks of a failure? Feel free to add more questions. Looking forward to your views on this. -- Best Regards, Kelvin Kariuki Assistant Lecturer Multimedia University of Kenya Faculty of Computing and Information Technology Twitter Handle: @teacherkaris Alt email: kkariuki(a)mmu.ac.ke Mobile: +2547 29 385 557 The Lord is my Shepherd

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[Leadership & Corporate Governance] Succession Planning - Lessons from Jack Ma
by Patrick A. M. Maina 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Dear Listers, In a letter to Alibaba’s customers and shareholders (see link #1), Jack Ma announced his successor and mapped his own exit as CEO. A few excerpts: "This transition demonstrates that Alibaba has stepped up to the next level of corporate governance from a company that relies on individuals, to one built on systems of organizational excellence and a culture of talent development. A sustainable Alibaba would have to be built on sound governance, culture-centric philosophy, and consistency in developing talent. No company can rely solely on its founders. Of all people, I should know that. Because of physical limits on one's ability and energy, no one can shoulder the responsibilities of chairman and CEO forever. We asked ourselves this question 10 years ago - how could Alibaba achieve sustainable growth after Jack Ma leaves the company? We believed the only way to solve the problem of corporate leadership succession was to develop a system of governance based on a unique culture and mechanisms for developing consistent talent and successors. For the last 10 years, we kept working on these ingredients.” DISCUSSION: Visionary leaders develop other leaders because they see the company's vision and mission as bigger than themselves (see link #3). Jack Ma's star is even brighter because he allowed his juniors to shine. Do you agree that the presence (or absence) of succession planing can be an indicator of leadership caliber? How does private sector Africa fare when it comes to succession planning and local talent development? Good day. Links: 1. Jack Ma's Succession letter to customers and shareholders https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Alibaba-s-Jack-Ma-reveals-succes… 2. Alibaba profits jump under Jack Ma's successor https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/15/alibaba-2019-annual-earnings/ 3. Deloitte: How to overcome the succession planning paradox https://www2.deloitte.com/insights/us/en/topics/leadership/effective-leader… Brgds,Patrick. Patrick A. M. Maina[Cross-domain Innovator | Public Policy Analyst - Indigenous Innovations]

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Facebook: Another three billion fake profiles culled
by Victor Kapiyo 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Facebook has published its latest "enforcement report" <https://transparency.facebook.com/community-standards-enforcement>, which details how many posts and accounts it took action on between October 2018 and March 2019. During that six-month period, Facebook removed more than three billion fake accounts - more than ever before. More than seven million "hate speech" posts were removed, also a record high. For the first time, Facebook also reported how many deleted posts were appealed, and how many were put back online after review. Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-48380504 *Victor Kapiyo* Partner | *Lawmark Partners LLP* *Suite No. 8, Centro House, Westlands, Nairobi | **Web: www.lawmark.co.ke <http://www.lawmark.co.ke> * ==================================================== *“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude” Zig Ziglar*

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FW: Apply for the Africa Digital Rights Fund (ADRF)
by Grace Githaiga 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Listers This might be of interest to some of you. Rgds. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grace Githaiga Twitter: @ggithaiga Skype: gracegithaiga Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracegithaiga ...the most important office in a democracy is the citizen. So, you see, that’s what our democracy demands. It needs you!----Barrack Obama. ________________________________ ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: CIPESA <media(a)cipesa.org<mailto:media@cipesa.org>> Date: Wed, May 22, 2019 at 11:03 AM Subject: Apply for the Africa Digital Rights Fund (ADRF) To: <compsoftnet(a)gmail.com<mailto:compsoftnet@gmail.com>> Apply for a grant to support an initiative that advances digital rights in Africa View this email in your browser<https://mailchi.mp/6aff78f010ab/apply-for-the-africa-digital-rights-fund-ad…> [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77/images/210d06fc-63f…] Call For Applications: Africa Digital Rights Fund With a quarter of Africa’s population using the internet and with 76 mobile phone connection for every 100 individuals, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has become pivotal to improving livelihoods and promoting human rights on the continent. However, with rising digital rights violations such as arrests and intimidation of internet users, network shutdowns<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&…>, and a proliferation of laws and regulations that hamper internet access and affordability<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&…>, the potential of digital technologies to catalyse free expression and civic participation or to drive innovation is under threat in Africa. Yet many organisations working to defend and promote digital rights face limitations of reach, skills, resources, and consistency in engagement in this area. To address this, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&…> has established the Africa Digital Rights Fund (ADRF) to offer flexible and rapid response grants to select initiatives in Africa to implement activities that advance digital rights, including advocacy, litigation, research, policy analysis, digital literacy and digital security skills building. Assessments have found that whereas digital rights advocacy in the region has a large pool of interest, ”it is very shallow, spread very thinly and difficult to sustain”. The policy and practice developments in the region, coupled with the challenges faced by civil society organisations, necessitate partnerships that bring together various competences for advancing digital rights. The ADRF has been developed to strengthen local capacity in evidence-based research, collaborative advocacy and impactful policy engagements responsive to regulatory and practice developments that affect internet freedom in the region. The ADRF grant amounts will range between US$ 1,000 and US$ 10,000 based on the need and scope of the proposed intervention. The grant period will not exceed six months with an average of 15 grants to be awarded per year. The Fund will benefit small organisations, including those that do not qualify for support from most funders for lack of registration and institutional capacity to develop applications and manage big projects. It will also benefit organisations and initiatives that need rapid response support to respond swiftly to emerging issues that can not wait for many funders’ lengthy application procedures. Applications are now open for the period July-December 2019. The deadline for submissions is Friday May 31, 2019. Read more about the Fund and the eligibility criteria here<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&…>. The application form can be accessed here.<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&…> [https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-twitter-48.png]<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&…> [https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-facebook-48.png]<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&…> [https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-link-48.png]<http://www.cipesa.org> [https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-forwardtofrien…]<mailto:media@cipesa.org> [https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-linkedin-48.png]<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&…> Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/profile?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&id=8…> or unsubscribe from this list<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&…>. This email was sent to compsoftnet(a)gmail.com<mailto:compsoftnet@gmail.com> why did I get this?<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/about?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&id=87c…> unsubscribe from this list<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&…> update subscription preferences<https://cipesa.us8.list-manage.com/profile?u=d80a8e0082e29ffa0986bfd77&id=8…> CIPESA · Plot 157 - 159, Mutesa II Road · Ntinda · Kampala · Uganda [Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp]<http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…> -- [https://thumbs.about.me/thumbnail/users/p/e/t/petertaiwoakinremi_emailsig.j…] <https://about.me/petertaiwoakinremi?promo=email_sig&utm_source=product&utm_…> Peter Taiwo Akinremi about.me/petertaiwoakinremi <https://about.me/petertaiwoakinremi?promo=email_sig&utm_source=product&utm_…> -- Vous recevez ce message, car vous êtes abonné au groupe Google Groupes "acsis_info". Pour vous désabonner de ce groupe et ne plus recevoir d'e-mails le concernant, envoyez un e-mail à l'adresse acsis_info+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com<mailto:acsis_info+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com>. Pour envoyer un message à ce groupe, envoyez un e-mail à l'adresse acsis_info(a)googlegroups.com<mailto:acsis_info@googlegroups.com>. Cette discussion peut être lue sur le Web à l'adresse https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/acsis_info/CAGK4d09%3DRAjdmxkWyBc4j7T4QgZ…<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/acsis_info/CAGK4d09%3DRAjdmxkWyBc4j7T4QgZ…>. Pour obtenir davantage d'options, consultez la page https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

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Software development companies
by John Gitau 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Good day Is there a list of local software development companies with at least 5 years experience with some regional experience somewhere I can just go pick 10 and send to companies that ask for this information - some sort of directory where I can direct inquiries to? Meantime if you are such a company please direct message me your contact details. With thanks JGitau

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After Access report launch
by Margaret Nyambura Ndung'u 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Listers, the attached after access report by Research ICT Africa was launched today at the Stockholm Internet forum. "A comparative analysis of demand-side view of mobile Internet from 10 African countries². As noted at the broadband meeting last Friday, available demand side data on Internet and mobile use in Kenya and many other countries is insufficient. The report attempts to bridge that gap. Interesting statistics with Internet penetration in Kenya at 26% in line with ITU statistics. Differences are noted in other countries highest being in Rwanda with an 11% difference (See table 3). Rgrds, Nyambura

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Re: [kictanet] [AI-IoT-BD] Survey announcement BPF IoT-BigData-AI
by Alex Comninos 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Dear Listers, The IGF Best Practice Forum on Internet of Things, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence launched a survey to get insight in the community’s views on the use of IoT-Big Data-AI applications to address societal challenges. The survey can be answered online or via email. (instructions below) Input received before 30 June 2019 will be used for the first draft of the BPF output document. ******************************************************************* Survey BPF IoT, Big Data, AI reply by 30 June 2019 Reply online: https://forms.gle/7nYdrFhXa4o8Lbqt5 <https://forms.gle/7nYdrFhXa4o8Lbqt5> <https://forms.gle/7nYdrFhXa4o8Lbqt5 <https://forms.gle/7nYdrFhXa4o8Lbqt5>> Reply via email: Download the questionnaire here http://bit.ly/2JVwnOP <http://bit.ly/2JVwnOP> <http://bit.ly/2JVwnOP <http://bit.ly/2JVwnOP>> , and submit to bpf-IoT-BD-AI(a)intgovforum.org <mailto:bpf-IoT-BD-AI@intgovforum.org> <mailto:bpf-IoT-BD-AI@intgovforum.org <mailto:bpf-IoT-BD-AI@intgovforum.org>> . ******************************************************************* Please share the survey invitation with colleagues and your networks. Thank you for your cooperation !!! More on the IGF 2019 BPF IoT-Big Data-AI on the IGF website at https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/bpf-internet-of-things-iot… <https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/bpf-internet-of-things-iot…> <https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/bpf-internet-of-things-iot… <https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/bpf-internet-of-things-iot…>> . _______________________________________________ Aiiotbd mailing list Aiiotbd(a)intgovforum.org <mailto:Aiiotbd@intgovforum.org> To subscribe, unsubscribe or manage your options please go to http://intgovforum.org/mailman/listinfo/aiiotbd_intgovforum.org <http://intgovforum.org/mailman/listinfo/aiiotbd_intgovforum.org>

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