Note #5: Oct 24 - Nov 6 2016
pan africa
ecosystem Facebook now estimates that Internet.org is reaching 40mm people link
access Eutelsat will continue with 75gbps satellite Internet access for Africa in 2019, but without Facebook link
kenya and nigeria
access Communications Authority of Kenya decides to allow TV signal broadcasters to issue licenses for use of analog TV spectrum “white spaces” to ISPs link
access Safaricom connects over 7,000 Nairobi homes with fiber Internet as they roll out their fiber access pilot w/ Kenya Power link
payments Equity Bank releases EazzyAPI money transfer developer API link
payments startup Chura launches API to transfer money from PayPal to M-PESA link
ecosystem carrier neutral datacenter provider Icolo.lo begins construction on new 27,000 sqft datacenter in Nairobi link
ecosystem Ecobank Kenya closes 9 branches as their customers migrate to digital platforms link
govt Kenya’s ICT cabinet secretary Joe Mucheru pledges to amend Kenya’s controversial “Film, Stage Plays and Publications Act 2016” act link
govt Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) launch fintech partnership to open up a “regulatory sandbox” for fintech startups link
startups laundry and home cleaning startup Kisafi expands from Kenya into Nigeria and Uganda link
south africa
startups Groupon South Africa shuts down operations link
startups technology group Tritech Media acquires 30% of South African parking payment startup KaChing link
govt Dept of Communications claims digital TV transition will be completed by end of 2018 (over 3 years later than originally scheduled) link
other sub-saharan countries
invest Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) invests $50k seed in Ghana-based Ghalani (farm management platform for agricultural aggregators to work with small-holding farmers) link