South Africa-based Showmax is putting up a spirited fight with home advantage, drawing on a high level of local content in a race for African viewers with US streaming platform Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. By Conrad Onyango The battle for streaming in Africa is narrowing to a three-horse race as key players ramp up investment in local content, tap top talent and enhance viewing experiences. Market data from Digital TV Research puts Netflix in the lead with a projected 7.4 million subscribers, followed by MultiChoice-owned Showmax with 4.4 million subscribers and Amazon Prime Video with 3.14 million viewers. By…
Author: Bird Agency
Lower rainfall in parts of East Africa over the past few years has hit smallholder farmers hard. But innovative service companies, farmers and government have all busied themselves to find solutions to the challenge. By Thuku Kariuki When Jackline Kwaga left Uganda three years ago to look for greener pastures in Kenya, she initially took up work on a strawberry farm. She worked hard… hard enough to not only learn the ropes but also diversify into her own farming operation, where she now grows maize and strawberries, and raises chickens. The big breakthrough, as she sees it, however, was the…
African consumers are ditching old-style electric light bulbs for LEDs, with the continent’s smart lighting market now forecast to reach US$5.49 billion by 2028. By Seth Onyango Africa’s demand for LED lighting is set to surge in the next five years, as governments promote the use of energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly bulbs. In an LED, or light-emitting diode, an electric current passes through a microchip, rather than a wire filament. LED’s are some 90% more efficient than the older, incandescent bulbs. UN’s new Africa Environment Outlook for Business forecast shows the market for LED’s in Africa will grow from $3.71 billion…
Tokyo has embarked on a charm offensive to secure a future supply of essential electric vehicle (EV) minerals. By Seth Onyango Japan is staking its claim in an African Electric Vehicle (EV) mineral bonanza as it seeks to fortify its supply chain and guard against China’s ambitions on the continent. Early in August, Nishimura Yasutoshi, Japan’s Economy and Industry Minister visited Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Congo, Namibia, Madagascar and Angola on a whirlwind tour of Africa to secure green mining partnerships. In each country, Nishimura met with leaders and signed agreements to cooperate on the exploration and…
Africa’s vast mineral resources have always pointed to its potential as a market maker – and a global player in consumer goods. But division has kept producers and markets weak. An agreement between Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia shows how to change that, according to a new report. By Conrad Onyango Over the last five years, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia – both of them among the world’s largest copper producers – have refined only a tiny fraction of output domestically. Between 2017 and 2021, DRC, which produced some 10% of the world’s copper, refined only 7% of…
As Safaricom launches M-pesa in Ethiopia with plans to mirror its huge success in Kenya, a battle with an incumbent looms. By Conrad Onyango Safaricom’s activation of M-Pesa in Ethiopia, will initiate battle for a potentially huge mobile money market. But for once, the regional giant won’t have it all its own way. Ethio Telecom’s fintech solution, Telebirr is already a step ahead. Over 2.7 million Safaricom customers who have signed up since the East African giant started operations in Ethiopia in 2021 are eligible for the mobile money service, according to the telco’s top official. “M-Pesa is known to…
A new well in the Baringo-Silali Geothermal Project region signals further expansion for the power source, with experts predicting that PPPs will drive future geothermal power generation in the country. The state-owned geothermal drilling company, Geothermal Development Company (GDC), has successfully drilled a new geothermal well, Paka Well 8-A, that will add 20 MW of power to the national grid. The well is by far the company’s largest to date. Kenya Broadcasting Corporation reported that this marks the 14th successful well at the Paka project, increasing GDC’s capacity to 70 MW. Geothermal energy offers Kenya a cheap and quick opportunity…
Across Africa, public transport is embracing electrification at an unprecedented pace. Municipal administrations are taking the lead, forging vital partnerships with private enterprises to drive this eco-friendly evolution of bus fleets. South Africa is the latest country to take the leap to sustainable urban transportation after the Cape Town-based Golden Arrow Bus Service unveiled an ambitious plan to electrify its entire fleet of 1100 buses – a strategic move that is a significant step towards greener public transportation in the country. TopAuto.co.za, a motoring news platform, reports that Golden Arrow – South Africa’s largest public transportation service – will electrify…
Africa’s fashion industry is tapping an apparel market that will be worth US$69 billion in 2023, driven by a surge in women’s spending power, innovative design scene and production efficiency in textiles. By Seth Onyango, bird story agency Africa’s bright and dynamic fashion industry is finding itself if the spotlight, drawing increased attention to the opportunities offered by a US$69 billion apparel market. Latest figures from data-gathering and market insights firm Statista show the continent’s apparel market growing by 4.9 per cent annually until 2027, with womenswear currently the largest segment, accounting for US$29 billion in 2023. According to the…
The digital transformation wave in Africa is reshaping communications, marketing and public relations, with solutions led by young people poised to drive change. By Bonface Orucho Public relations in Africa is undergoing a transformation, driven by shifting dynamics in technology, as highlighted in a groundbreaking report by BHM Research Intelligence, a Nigeria-based PR and communications firm. According to the report, digital communications have become the key channels for reaching target audiences with public relations and communications messages. Over 3000 communicators and business executives participated in the study, which used group discussions, interviews, essay contributions, surveys, and secondary sourcing to gather…
