- KICTANet - KICTANet

Fwd: 2018 MAG
by Barrack Otieno 15 Mar '18

15 Mar '18

Listers, This is for your information and attention. Best Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Anja GENGO <AGENGO(a)unog.ch> Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2018 15:02:19 +0100 Subject: [Igfregionals] Fw: [IGFmaglist] 2018 MAG To: "igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org" <igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org> Dear Colleagues, The 2018 MAG list has been announced on the IGF website: https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/mag-2018-members# Congratulations to all MAG members, and especially to the NRIs colleagues that have been appointed. Best regards, Anja -----Forwarded by Anja GENGO/UNOG/GVA/UNO on 03/15/2018 09:57AM ----- To: "'MAG-public'" <Igfmaglist(a)intgovforum.org> From: Chengetai MASANGO/DIVERS/GVA/UNO@UNGVA Sent by: "Igfmaglist" Date: 03/15/2018 09:53AM Subject: [IGFmaglist] 2018 MAG Dear All, We have published the 2018 MAG on the IGF website https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/mag-2018-members# the official Secretary-General’s press release will go out in due course. Please join me in welcoming the new MAG members and thanking the departing MAG members for all their hard work. We will be holding an orientation session for the new MAG members on 19 March 2018 from 16:30-18:30 - Room G3, Varembé Building at the ITU, continuing MAG members are welcome to take part. Best regards, Chengetai _______________________________________________ Igfmaglist mailing list Igfmaglist(a)intgovforum.org http://intgovforum.org/mailman/listinfo/igfmaglist_intgovforum.org -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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The KINGS of Africa’s Digital Economy
by Eric Osiakwan 15 Mar '18

15 Mar '18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKgwdA3HqKw&index=15&list=PLsRNoUx8w3rN6wfl… - my 2nd TED talk ten years after the 1st scripted @ https://medium.com/@eosiakwan/the-kings-of-africas-digital-economy-tedxberk… -- #KINGSTHINGS #AfricaTechRising https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3TODgnPChQ is the 2007 one on "Growing Africa's Digital Economy" out of which came the KINGS Looking forward to taking stock ten years from now. Eric here Sent from my iPhone

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Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] Fwd: Campaigner - Know anyone?
by Barrack Otieno 14 Mar '18

14 Mar '18

Listers, This is for your information. Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Arsène Tungali <arsenebaguma(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2018 16:02:59 -0400 Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] Fwd: Campaigner - Know anyone? To: Arsène Tungali <arsenebaguma(a)gmail.com> Hi colleagues, Apologies for crossposting but just wanted to share this call from Access Now. If you know anyone who might be interested, please do share. Regards, Arsene Date: 2018-03-14 15:59 GMT-04:00 Subject: Campaigner - Know anyone? To: Arsène Tungali <arsenebaguma(a)gmail.com> Hey Arsene! Hope you are well! Access Now is searching for an experienced Campaigner <https://www.accessnow.org/campaigner-keepiton-lead-global-2018/> to drive and expand our global campaigns to protect human rights and defend the internet! The campaigner’s core focus will be the #KeepItOn campaign that fights against internet shutdowns and is a broad movement and coalition of more than 150 member organizations across the world. We’re looking for someone who will continue building momentum, raise awareness, coordinate grassroots actions, raise funds, and develop media strategies & comms, and much more! We are hoping you could help us spread the word about the position, or let us know of anyone within your network who might be interested. We're keen to hear! Thanks! -- Benjamin Whelan Global Risk and Operations Manager Access Now | accessnow.org PGP ID: 0x1F2EC60E Fingerprint: 403F 2F8C 2142 7188 2DDE A4B6 2E28 6A73 1F2E C60E *Subscribe *to the Access Now Express <https://www.accessnow.org/campaign/#sign-up>, our weekly newsletter on digital rights *Protect* digital rights around the world? Support Access Now with a donation today. <https://donate.accessnow.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1921&ea.campaign…> *Get your* tickets for RightsCon Toronto <https://www.rightscon.org/#tickets/>, May 16-18, 2018 -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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Re: [kictanet] Hurricane at the eye of a storm (Yes ? No )
by Ali Hussein 14 Mar '18

14 Mar '18

All It seems inconceivable to that a global player like HE wouldn't know the regulatory environment in the markets they play. To me this story seems unlikely as HE is big enough to probably swallow all the players in the market without belching... :-) Here's a link to some information on them:- Hurricane Electric <https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=14…> Regards *Ali Hussein* *Principal* *AHK & Associates* Tel: +254 713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> 13th Floor , Delta Towers, Oracle Wing, Chiromo Road, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya. Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the organizations that I work with. On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 3:21 PM, Barry Macharia via kictanet < kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > If this is the case then further investigation needs to be carried out to > establish the truth. Any player in particular( name and shame ) trying to > influence the introduction of the said levy > > barry macharia > > > On 14 Mar 2018, at 09:58, Collins Areba via kictanet < > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > > @Barry > > It is not the Intruduction of the levy that is the problem, it is why such > levy is introduced that I have a problem with. If players can lobby for a > levy to be introduced to make a competitor less effective then whats to > stop them from leaving it at just that? > > Regards, > > Collins Areba, > Kilifi, Kenya. > Tel: +*254 707 750 788 */ *0731750788* > Twitter: @arebacollins. > Skype: arebacollins > > On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 9:45 AM, Collins Areba <arebacollins(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> EADC is (ideally) a carrier neutral DC. >> >> Regards, >> >> Collins Areba, >> Kilifi, Kenya. >> Tel: +*254 707 750 788 */ *0731750788* >> Twitter: @arebacollins. >> Skype: arebacollins >> >> On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 9:44 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe via kictanet < >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >> >>> >>> EADC = Liquid Telecom/Econet >>> >>> >>> On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 8:41 AM Barry Macharia via kictanet < >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >>> >>>> This is interesting >>>> But again i don't see how introducing a levy will stop Hurricane >>>> Electric from selling there capacity at any cost they want, its there >>>> capacity any way >>>> It has become a free market so you buy were you can >>>> >>>> My two cent >>>> >>>> regards >>>> Barry >>>> >>>> On 14 Mar 2018, at 09:20, Collins Areba via kictanet < >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >>>> >>>> Morning Listers, >>>> >>>> Treat this as rumours as my source wont agree to be named or linked >>>> with this information. For information's sake though, please indulge me. >>>> >>>> Hurricane Electric (http://he.com) , or HE is a global carrier. (more >>>> like a carrier of carriers). HE is a breath of fresh air when it comes to >>>> connectivity. They do not price the product as if it is made of vibranium. >>>> HE also runs a lean shop, as a result, their prices are in the order of >>>> thousands of percentage points lower than you would get from anyone >>>> locally. >>>> >>>> In fact, they price internet lower than anyone prices a local loop from >>>> Nairobi to Kilifi. (Pity we cant get HE anywhere other than EADC, and >>>> operators are moving in their droves from the usual suspects. Which is >>>> somewhat the problem and gist of this post, because the usual suspects are >>>> not happy. >>>> >>>> Hence my question. >>>> Might anyone in this list (particularly from CA) be privy to attempts >>>> to introduce another levy for anyone interested in getting services from an >>>> operator in EADC? >>>> >>>> It just feels like when we just saw the ray of light on this issue, >>>> cartel like "forces" close in. >>>> >>>> >>>> Regards, >>>> >>>> Collins Areba, >>>> Kilifi, Kenya. >>>> Tel: +*254 707 750 788 */ *0731750788* >>>> Twitter: @arebacollins. >>>> Skype: arebacollins >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> kictanet mailing list >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet >>>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ >>>> Domain Registration sponsored by www.eacdirectory.co.ke >>>> >>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m >>>> ailman/options/kictanet/barry.macharia%40me.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. >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> kictanet mailing list >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet >>>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ >>>> Domain Registration sponsored by www.eacdirectory.co.ke >>>> >>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m >>>> ailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%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. >>>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet >>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ >>> Domain Registration sponsored by www.eacdirectory.co.ke >>> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m >>> ailman/options/kictanet/arebacollins%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. >>> >>> >> > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet > Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ > Domain Registration sponsored by www.eacdirectory.co.ke > > Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/barry.macharia%40me.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. > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet > Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ > Domain Registration sponsored by www.eacdirectory.co.ke > > Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.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. > >

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Hurricane at the eye of a storm (Yes ? No )
by Collins Areba 14 Mar '18

14 Mar '18

Morning Listers, Treat this as rumours as my source wont agree to be named or linked with this information. For information's sake though, please indulge me. Hurricane Electric (http://he.com) , or HE is a global carrier. (more like a carrier of carriers). HE is a breath of fresh air when it comes to connectivity. They do not price the product as if it is made of vibranium. HE also runs a lean shop, as a result, their prices are in the order of thousands of percentage points lower than you would get from anyone locally. In fact, they price internet lower than anyone prices a local loop from Nairobi to Kilifi. (Pity we cant get HE anywhere other than EADC, and operators are moving in their droves from the usual suspects. Which is somewhat the problem and gist of this post, because the usual suspects are not happy. Hence my question. Might anyone in this list (particularly from CA) be privy to attempts to introduce another levy for anyone interested in getting services from an operator in EADC? It just feels like when we just saw the ray of light on this issue, cartel like "forces" close in. Regards, Collins Areba, Kilifi, Kenya. Tel: +*254 707 750 788 */ *0731750788* Twitter: @arebacollins. Skype: arebacollins

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(no subject)
by Mutemi wa Kiama 14 Mar '18

14 Mar '18

Dear Listers, Am not sure whether this is allowed by the rules of the list. This young man shared this request in a Whatsapp group am part of. If any member here has an opportunity for him please reach out to him. I was impressed by his sense of focus. "Hello Members. Please take a moment here.. I understand this may seem out of place here but I hoped it may be a great avenue to get help considering the powerful, and resourceful membership of the group and the fact that at this very moment I am unemployed. Any link up with a job opportunity is highly welcome. I am a Computer Science graduate gentleman in my mid twenties with 2 years hands-on employment and entrepreneurship (stocking,inventory, sales, marketing and resource management) experience in ICT industry. I interned in Ministry of Higher education for 5months. I have worked in various capacities since completion of my studies (As Waiter, barista, Cyber attendant, company registration agent, Online Academic Writer, Web Designer, Computer networks officer and ICT officer). I have a valid driving licence. I communicate very fluently in English, Swahili and Gusii. In all my duties I have maintained an honest and reputable relationship with all my employers and colleagues. I am sociable, outgoing and very meticulous at any task I undertake. I will greatly appreciate a link up to a job opportunity in the ICT industry, but I can settle for any other job where I can grow on the job and my employer happy. I will also welcome an investor willing to invest in the IT industry and needs a steady hand to build up the business. My name is Vincent Oganga Contact: 0707046634 /0788206752 Email : sourcecode.vin(a)gmail.com Thank you." End. Regards, Edwin Kiama Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Social Innovator, Social Justice Entrepreneur, Catalyst, Human Rights Defender, Social Accountability Champion, Rhize Coach #DevolutionIsRevolution Champion The Wanjiku Agenda Kenya Foundation (WAKenya) Ordinary, Fearless Kenyans. Sauti Ya Wanjiku Social Movement www.sautiyawanjiku.com https://www.facebook.com/wanjikurevolutionkenya https://twitter.com/WanjikuRevolt https://plus.google.com/u/1/+WanjikuMapinduzi/posts http://www.scribd.com/wmkenya "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead

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Follow #DigitalAfrica2018
by Robert Muthuri 13 Mar '18

13 Mar '18

Dear listers, Strathmore Law School, Microsoft, the American Chamber of Commerce, Kenya Private Sector Alliance and Dalberg is hosting an event themed, ' Digital Drivers: Enabling the Growth of Africa's Digital Economy'. This event will be graced by His Excellency the President, Uhuru Kenyatta, and other high profile guests. Follow on link below. https://www.facebook.com/MicrosoftAfrica/videos/2101887219826336/?hc_ref=AR… Robert, Sent from my iPhone -- Sent from Gmail Mobile

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WEBINAR
by Mwanah Cephas Okoth 13 Mar '18

13 Mar '18

Dear all, We'll be hosting a webinar on *Cyber Careers:Navigate the Landscape*, today (March 13th) at 3pm (GMT). Check out the poster below for more details: Hope to see you in the meeting. Best regards, -- Okoth C. J Lead, Media & ER

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Fwd: [Internet Policy] Connectivity for All: Insights from the 2018 Inclusive Internet Index
by Barrack Otieno 13 Mar '18

13 Mar '18

Listers, Might be of interest. Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ayden Férdeline <ayden(a)ferdeline.com> Date: Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 7:16 PM Subject: [Internet Policy] Connectivity for All: Insights from the 2018 Inclusive Internet Index To: ISOC INTERNETPOLICY <internetpolicy(a)elists.isoc.org> This is really an excellent report (in my opinion) that Facebook has commissioned. Sharing in case it is of interest... Best wishes, Ayden Férdeline ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ *By Robert Pepper, Head of Global Connectivity Policy and Planning, and Molly Jackman, Public Policy Research Manager* Connectivity gives people voice, and helps them find and share knowledge, strengthen their economies, and improve their communities. Bringing people online can offer life-changing opportunities, but there are still approximately 3.8 billion people without internet access. At Facebook, we’re working to change that. For the second year in a row, Facebook commissioned the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) to create a comprehensive Inclusive Internet Index. This year’s index covers 91% of the world’s population and an expanded data set of 86 countries, up from 75 countries in 2017. The index assesses a country’s internet inclusion across four categories: availability, affordability, relevance, and readiness. This captures the availability and quality of internet services, as well as ways in which people use the internet for personal, social, and economic purposes. In addition, this year’s index is published alongside a new global Value of the Internet Survey, which polled 4,267 respondents from 85 countries to gauge perceptions on how internet use impacts people’s lives. The first index gave us valuable insights <https://newsroom.fb.com/news/2017/02/state-of-connectivity-2016-using-data-…> to help address the barriers to global connectivity. This year’s index shows us that there is cause for optimism: Global connectivity has increased 8.3%, and more people are connected than ever before. While this progress is encouraging, we are still far from achieving full internet inclusivity. This year’s index also finds: - *Fast growth of connectivity in low-income countries: *Emerging markets, especially in Africa, experienced the fastest and greatest progress over the last year. While connectivity worldwide grew 8.3%, there was a 65.1% increase in low-income countries. The proportion of households with internet access in low-income countries grew from 8% to 13.2% (a 65.1% improvement), with the largest year-on-year increases in Rwanda (490%), Nepal (138%), and Tanzania (87.8%). - *Mobile internet services are increasingly vital in many low-income countries: *In some countries, fixed-line internet access is too expensive or inaccessible — that’s why mobile services are critical. The index reveals that coverage of 4G networking services grew significantly as networks in low-income countries are being upgraded. In fact, the average 4G coverage rate for low-income countries increased year-over-year from 9.1% to 17.3%, with particularly rapid expansion in Guatemala (3,935%), Indonesia (658.8%), Thailand (366.7%), Zambia (330.6%), and China (244%). - *The cost of accessing the internet is falling:* The cost of mobile broadband data plans in lower-income countries decreased about 17.3% from last year, with Argentina (-89.2%), El Salvador (-76.5%), Tanzania (-69.2%), and Ethiopia (-60.9%) experiencing the steepest relative cost declines. Overall, however, people are still devoting too much of their earnings on internet access relative to their income level. In too many low-income countries, it is still not as affordable as the UN 2025 target of less than 2% of GNI per capita. - *There is still much work to be done to close the gender gap: *Across the indexed countries, on average, men are 33.5% more likely to have internet access than women. The gap is even larger in low-income countries, which have an average gender access gap of 80.2% compared with 3.7% among high-income countries. This is a sobering finding, but there is evidence to be optimistic. Governments have shown the benefits of setting gender-specific targets in national digital plans, embedding internet access in wider gender equality plans, targeting women in ICT skills training programs, and increasing the attractiveness of entering ICT professions for women. The study found that the UK, Namibia, and Ireland, followed by Austria, Chile, and South Africa, are among the top e-inclusion performers of the year, all with female digital skills training plans. - *The internet is empowering, especially to citizens in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa: *67% of survey respondents believe that access to the internet is a human right. Not only do people say that the internet helped them become more confident to express themselves, but the majority of respondents also say that the internet has helped them become more independent and economically empowered. If the ability to use and benefit from the internet is unevenly distributed, it could serve to deepen inequality. - *Privacy and security are top-of-mind:* People want confidence that their activity online is private. The data show that concerns about security and privacy may limit people’s use of the internet – for example, when it comes to making purchases online, only 62.1% of survey respondents feel that making purchases online is safe and secure. Closing the remaining gaps in internet inclusion will require collaboration among all players. Governments can help on the supply side, enabling new technologies and networks, and on the demand side, helping foster and develop e-government, public health, and education applications. Academics, technologists, civil society, and private companies can continue to extend the internet’s infrastructure and invent new technologies and applications that increase access to connectivity and amplify its relevance. At Facebook, our efforts are focused on expanding and improving connectivity through a number of initiatives, partnerships, and technologies. We know there’s no single technology or solution that will get the job done, which is why we’re focused on a building-block approach — developing a range of next-generation technologies and programs that can help bring the cost of connectivity down to reach the unconnected, and increase capacity and performance for everyone else. There is still more to do. Identifying and understanding barriers to connectivity is essential to continued progress in bringing more people online, and we hope that researchers and policymakers can learn from this report. Connecting the world won’t happen overnight, but with continued research and collaboration between governments, policymakers, and businesses, we remain confident that we can continue our progress toward our shared goal of closing the digital divide and making the internet more inclusive. The full Inclusive Internet Index can be accessed at http://theinclusiveinternet.eiu.com You can read more about Facebook’s connectivity efforts and our announcements at Mobile World Congress here <https://code.facebook.com/posts/218840725330904>. _______________________________________________ To manage your ISOC subscriptions or unsubscribe, please log into the ISOC Member Portal: https://portal.isoc.org/ Then choose Interests & Subscriptions from the My Account menu. -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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M-Kopa Solar fires 18% of its staff including all developers, outsources work to a foreign company
by Watila Alex 13 Mar '18

13 Mar '18

Good Afternoon,Are kenyan developers to expensive or unable to meet the grade. or is something else happening here Article from M-Kopa Solar fires 18% of its staff including all developers, outsources work to a foreign company | | | | | | | | | | | M-Kopa Solar fires 18% of its staff including all developers, outsources... Kenya based pay-as-you-go solar provider M-KOPA Solar has fired undisclosed number of staff including most of it... | | | Kenya based pay-as-you-go solar provider M-KOPA Solar has fired undisclosed number of staff including most of its developers. According to people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity, the developers work has now been outsourced to a foreign company that is linked to the company’s new CTO.The exercise, which was completed in December last year affected a number of employees and some of whom were absorbed by Safaricom according to the source.We sought comments from the company’s CEO and Co-Founder Jesse Moore, who confirmed the layoffs and explained that they were necessary due to rising costs of technology and there was need to generate profits and give returns to investors.“I can confirm that we completed a restructuring process in December 2017. This was done to reduce fixed costs and keep us on the path to profitability. Overall, the company reduced headcount by 18% covering all departments and all levels in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and UK. We are outsourcing more of our technology work, maintaining a smaller in-house team to work directly with outsourcing partners in Kenya and overseas.” he noted.He went on to say that this was the right thing for the company’s long-term sustainability, “This means building a sustainable, profitable company that offers impact for customers and returns for investors.”On whether the company had outsourced the IT services to a company that is linked to the new CTO, this is what he said.“In mid-2017 our Acting CTO was seconded to us from one of our outsourcing partners, when our previous CTO left the company. Our board approved this and the individual is strictly recused on procurement decisions with companies where could be a potential conflict of interest.”The company was started by Nick Hughes, an Englishman, and his Canadian co-founder, Jesse Moore. Hughes is a former executive at Vodafone, while Moore was working for the GSMA Development Fund, a mobile telecommunications industry group, where he was in charge of identifying opportunities to make mobile services available to people in developing countries. M-kopa is one of the best-funded startups in Africa having raised more than $152 Million since inception in 2011. However, a big chunk of this financing is in form of debt. Regards, Alex

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