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…
Author: Bird Agency
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 is bringing a new weapon to the war on HIV and Aids, according to health officials. It comes in the form of a rubber and silicone ring being made available to women and girls. A number of African nations are boldly embracing a game-changing approach to the fight against new HIV transmissions — a vaginal ring. Thee innovative ring, developed by International Partnerships for Microbicides, is made from a blend of rubber and silicone. By placing the power of prevention directly in the hands of women, the rings could revolutionise the battle against new HIV infections, particularly when used…
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…
Led by the Democratic Republic of Congo, the central African region is stirring economically and more effectively leveraging vast extractive resources to fuel economic growth, according to a report. A momentous economic transformation is unfolding in the Central African region as countries harness their abundant raw material reservoirs to ignite economic growth. In 2022, the region not only surpassed the Africa-wide average growth rate of 3.8% but also rebounded impressively, as highlighted in the “Central African Economic Outlook 2023” by the African Development Bank. The report notes that the region achieved a real GDP growth of 5.0%, a significant improvement…
Kenya leads other countries in ending visa requirements, as Ghana, Benin and Egypt revamp archaeological and memorial sites to attract more tourists. By Conrad Onyango Africa’s tourism is having a moment, two years after the sector was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some countries are pushing for an end to intra-Africa visas, while others are revamping memorials, putting up new archeological sites and introducing longer visa tenures to prop up tourism numbers. By end of the first quarter of 2023, international arrivals across Africa had hit 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with North Africa surpassing 2019 levels by 4% in the same period, according…
Samson Opaleye and Bolakale Mallick have developed a mobile app called Applatch, which locks addictive apps, provides points for every completed locked session and helps fund child education. By Gabriella Opara When law student James Olusola had difficulty studying for his exams because social media and streaming apps were a constant distraction, he came across an infographic that suggested he needed help. He was directed to an app that he now credits with getting through his exams. It was a much-needed reprieve, because “everything about me is tied to my devices, and I needed help,” he said. Bolakale Mallick recalls…
New dollar-millionaire hubs like Rwanda, Zambia, and Uganda are now the go-to spaces for Africa’s angel networks as they actively seek out wealthy investors to revive startup activity in high-value sectors. By Conrad Onyango One of Africa’s biggest business angel networks is building specialised hubs for millionaires and creating small, themed networks of investors as it works to expose wealthy business people to the potential rewards of funding startups. The Africa Angel Academy, which has over 400 “angels” (high net worth investors) spread across 17 countries, is set to train 100 new investors from Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, and Zambia…