Weekly News Roundup - Africa June 29

Created By: Esther on 29-Jun-2007 12:00 AM

Nigeria: Government Spends US $1 billion On Software for Banks
The Federal Government has disclosed that not less than N127billion (US $1billion) is spent on the importation of software annually for use in the banking sector of the country. Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye who stated this at the forum organized by the National Association of Science Journalists (NASJ) in Abuja explained that the amount above was only for the banking sector as the country was yet to get a final figure for the importation of software for other sectors.

South Africa: Private Sector Begins Mapping for Seabed Cable
While progress on a government-backed undersea cable to boost Africa's bandwidth remains embroiled in political bickering, private investors constructing a rival cable have begun mapping out the ocean bed ready to start installation. Work has begun on the Seacom cable connecting SA to Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania and Kenya. It will then be linked to global networks in India, the Middle East and Europe.

Kenya: Phone Tariffs to Be Reviewed After Study
Any future reduction in mobile phone tariffs will have to await a government study of tax charged on airtime. The charges have recently fallen due to competition. Information and Communication Permanent Secretary, Bitange Ndemo said the study was part of the projects included in this years budget. "The recommendations will be implemented to allow more people to use mobile telephone services" he said.

Uganda: Telecom in $50 Million Expansion
Uganda Telecom has earmarked $50 million to expand its network coverage across the country. "We are investing over $50million (about Shs80b) in this expansion project that has seen us rolling out to Mugamba-Kyazanga and Karamurani on June 18 2007," said Communications Manager Mark Kaheru in a recent interview with Daily Monitor. "Our objective is to access all communities in every corner of Uganda and because of that, we can't leave some areas uncovered."


Kenya: Rural consumers invest in hydro electric power
Rural residents are investing in hydro electric power projects as an alternative means of generating electricity. Murang’a North District in Central province, has in the last three years registered thirteen community self-help groups investing in such projects, according to the Ministry of Gender, Sports and Social Services.

Nigeria: Monitoring Group to Address Poor Telecoms Service
In its bid to find a lasting solution to the poor quality of service being provided by mobile telecom operators in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is to set up a Quality of Service Monitoring Group. Executive Vice Chairman of (NCC), Engr. Ernest Ndukwe said this in Abuja at a public forum organised by the commission on the quality of telecom service in the country.

Kenya: Players in Fibre Optic Project Meet On July 4
Stakeholders in The East Africa Marine System (TEAMS) project will meet on Wednesday next week to discuss the shareholding structure.
The project seeks to boost the region's communications infrastructure by laying a fibre optic cable link from Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman to Mombasa.





 

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