Blog - Afrikan Heroes

New African Startup Fund From China’s Transsion and Kenya’s Wapi Capital Expected From September, 2019

August 17, 2019

Time for African tech startups to dust up their pitch decks ahead of a new African Startup Fund expected from September, 2019. A huge $100,000 investment sum for each startup is at stake here. Transsion is one of China’s largest phone makers, with brands such as Tekno, Infinix and Itel to its credit.

Here Is The Deal

The investment would come by way of partnership, between Chinese mobile-phone and device maker Transsion Kenya-headquatered Wapi Capital.
The fund would be designated specifically for early-stage African fintech startups, including adtech, fintech, e-commerce, logistics, and media and entertainment startups.
The investment round is expected to start in September 2019.
Through the partnership, Transsion will work with Wapi Capital to select early-stage African fintech companies for equity-based investments of up to $100,000.
Investments for the new partnership will come from Transsion’s Future Hub, an incubator and seed fund for African startups opened by Transsion in 2019.
Though an exact fund size hasn’t been disclosed, the Transsion Future Hub will also make startup investments on the continent in adtech, fintech, e-commerce, logistics, and media and entertainment, according to Li.
The Wapi Capital fintech partnership is not Transsion’s only Venture Capital focus in Africa.

Wapi Capital won’t contribute funds to Transsion’s Africa investments, but will help determine the viability and scale of the startups, including due diligence and deal flow, according to Wapi Pay co-founder Eddie Ndichu.

How Startups Can Apply

In the meantime, interested startups based in any of the 54 countries in Africa can benefit from the investment round, by making a direct application to either organisations, preferably Wapi Capital since it is the partner saddled with the task of determining the viability and scale of the prospective African startups, including due diligence and deal flow.

Wapi Pay and Transsion Future Hub will consider ventures from all 54 African countries and interested startups can reach out directly to either organization, Ndichu confirmed.

Here Is Why Both Partners Are Worth Their Offer

Transsion

Transsion is the Shenzhen-headquartered top-seller of smartphones in Africa that recently confirmed its imminent IPO in which it could raise up to 3 billion yuan (or $426 million).

In fact, according to official records, the company sold about 124 million phones across the globe in 2018. From these sales, Transsion generated USD 3.9 Bn in revenue, a number with which only comes second to Samsung and ahead of Huawei, which is yet another Chinese phone maker, according to International Data Corporation stats.

Transsion has its R&D centers in Nigeria and Kenya and its sales network in Africa includes retail shops in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Egypt. The company also has a manufacturing facility in Ethiopia.

Wapi Capital

Wapi Capital is the venture fund of Kenyan fintech startup Wapi Pay — a Nairobi based company that facilitates digital payments between African and Asia via mobile money or bank accounts.

Wapi Capital, by entering into partnership with Transsion has added to the list of African located and run venture funds.

Of course, inspired by this, Wapi Capital will also start making its own investments.

The fund is already looking to raise $1 million this year and $10 million over the next three years, according to Ndichu, who co-founded the fund and Wapi Pay with his twin brother Paul.

The Implication of This Partnership For Startup Funding

This move by Transsion into venture investing represents greater influence from China in African tech.

China’s engagement with African startups has been light compared to China’s deal-making on infrastructure and commodities.

Transsion’s Wapi Pay partnership is the second recent event — after Chinese owned Opera’s big venture spending in Nigeria — to reflect greater Chinese influence and investment in the continent’s digital scene.

Transsion Future Hub’s existing portfolio includes Africa focused browser company Phoenix, content aggregator Scoop, and music service Boomplay.

China’s influence in the African startup ecosystem has also been noted in Boomplay, a Spotify-style music and video streaming service for African music and Africa, which recently raised $20M, and Opera founded startup OPay which also raised $50M for mobile finance in Nigeria.

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based Lawyer with special focus on Business Law, Intellectual Property Rights, Entertainment and Technology Law. He is also an award-winning writer. Working for notable organizations so far has exposed him to some of industry best practices in business, finance strategies, law, dispute resolution, and data analytics both in Nigeria and across the world.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

Africa Needs Investment in Education and Health-Yaaba Nkrumah

Africa Needs Investment in Education and Health, Says Yaaba Nkrumah

The first thing you notice about her is her energy and passion for the continent, she exudes the kind of confidence and hope most African leaders lack, but which is quite important and needful at a time like this. From her looks, nobody would know her real age, but her friendly mien and verbalized positive outlook about Africa gives her away as a strong chip of the old block. Samia Yaaba Nkrumah, daughter of pan-Africanist, and hero of decolonization, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is an interviewers dream any day.

Yaaba Nkrumah who is leader of Ghana’s Convention People’s Party spoke with our correspondent on the issue of education and health in Africa, insisting that there is need for an effective partnership between African governments, foreign investors and private sector in the funding of the educational and health sectors has become imperative. Nkrumah, who looks nothing like your regular African politician believes that the need for private sector investments is more urgent with the inability of the public sector to fund these sectors adequately due to fiscal constraints.

She is of the view that that those two sectors were the most important things any government can deliver to its people. She, however, added that since the public sector in Africa has failed to deliver, the private sector should come in with investments. “It is impossible to expect productive from citizens who are sick and not well fed and lacking in requisite skills. None of our countries can develop and defeat poverty, illiteracy, disease without vibrant educational and health sectors,” she said.

She also pointed out that reviving of strong ties between Africa and Russia will go a long way to strengthen the delivery of educational and health services in Africa. On the need for Africa to diversify its multilateral relationship instead of focusing only on the west, she highlighted the need to look beyond just the west and the east, saying that Africa also needs to build a strong relationship with Russia. Recalling her earliest recollections of her father’s political activism, she said that she was a toddler when her late father took her on a state visit to Russia. She described Africa’s relationship with Russia as deep and not one borne out of exploitation. “Ghana in 1961 with the help of Russia started the construction of its atomic energy plant. This underlines our relation in science and education. It underscores the pride of partnership we had, which was not built on exploitation but on friendship out of desire to help our country defeat colonialism and gain independence. So, I want us Africans to remember where we are coming from,” she said.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

We shouldn’t Import What We Can Produce – Fundanga

August 16, 2019

Dr Caleb FundangaVG , former Executive Director of the Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute (MEFMI)is a distinguished economist who is passionate about the development of Africa. MEFMI, is a regional capacity building institute in the areas of macroeconomic and financial management based in Harare, Zimbabwe. Prior to joining MEFMI in 2014, he had at various times served as Governor, Bank of Zambia, Executive Director, African Development Bank (AfDB) and Director of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). In this interview with Kelechi Deca, Fundanga speaks on the challenges and prospects of the African trade and cooperation. Excerpts:

The world is currently battling with protectionism as the trade war between the United States and China impinges on multilateralism. What should African countries do to reposition themselves to wriggle out of the challenges of protectionism?

It is a huge opportunity for Africa to look inward. As Africans, we can support our own growth, because the trade war between the United States and China can affect us negatively if we are to depend on these two global powers to pull us out of our situations. But the opportunities for Africa are tremendous. The United Nations recently came up with the population estimate that by 2050, Africa will have the largest population in the world as well as the youngest population in the world. These are great opportunities and so, we should drive our own development rather than depend on the developed countries. For me, this issue of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is coming at the right time; Africa is in dire need of such opportunities and it is going to unite the whole countries on the continent. It will pave the way for African countries to trade with one another and by so doing; we can grow and build our small economy. Trade is a uniting factor. Even when you talk of the African Union as one political entity, it can best be achieved with more trade amongst us.

To what extent have regional bodies in Africa helped in promoting intra-African trade?

If you look back, those were supposed to be the building blocks. We envisaged that if each group could start cooperating, then eventually when it comes to a whole continental union, it is the regional ones that will serve as building blocks. Of course, it has not been very successful but many African countries have been at a talking terms with one another. However, I believe that what the continental free trade zone will do is to go beyond what the regional bodies have so far achieved.

What is your take on the future of trade cooperation?

Trade cooperation is sometimes difficult. You will hear of some countries that are not ready to get sugar from their neighbours even when it is produced cheaper; they believe that they cannot be importing something they can also produce. But I strongly believe that in the long run, we would have greater confidence on the broader benefits of free trade in Africa which is to improve on the quality of lives of our people. We could start from those things we produce, and then graduate to much bigger ones until we embrace the entire continent.

Three African countries, including Nigeria are yet to sign the AfCFTA. What is your take on their apparent reluctance to be part of the African Free Trade Zone?

I think they should make their decision quick. However, they need time to decide. If you rush and you do not carry your country along, it may explode on your face politically. So, I guess when decisions are to be made, there have to be adequate consultations. But to my understanding, last year when they signed the agreement in Kigali, Rwanda, the time was supposed to be adequate for consultations. My hope is that at the end of the day, everybody, particularly the big countries, would come on board. For example, an African country like Nigeria is a giant in the continent and the size of its market alone is huge. So, if Nigeria is not there and you pick up 10 to 20 of other smaller countries, they may not match the size of Nigeria. Therefore, the big economies in Africa must all come on board. The smaller countries also stand to benefit from it. My plea is that everybody should come on board.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

Voith launches on-site machining and service tools capabilities for Southern Africa

Voith launches on-site machining and service tools capabilities for Southern Africa

On-site machining and service tools applicable for the hydropower industry and key processing industries in Africa; Increased plant up-time and cost-effective workshop-quality machining; Successful launch event in August 2019 in South Africa. The technology group Voith is strengthening its hydropower service portfolio for Southern Africa. On 15^th August 2019, the company introduced its on-site machining and service tools capabilities to customers, business partners and authorities during an official launch event in Witfield, Boksburg, South Africa. The new services includes the refurbishment of plant components in installed or independent state by linear and circular milling as well as drilling, boring and welding. The portable on-site machining equipment ensures increased plant up-time and safety. Cutting assembly, dismantling and transport costs for the refurbishment and maintenance of plant equipment are reduced to a minimum.

“During the past two years, we built up an extensive range of on-site machining and repair services through the acquisition of equipment and the training of new staff. Now, we can provide cost-effective workshop-quality machining for the largest and smallest on-site machining projects in Southern Africa”, says Anton Harris, Head of Service and Managing Director of Voith Hydro in South Africa. “Besides the use in the hydro power sector, the equipment is also applicable to all fields of processing industry in Africa such as the oil and gas or the mining industry. For hydro power plants, the Voith range of services is amplified to assessments, trouble shooting, repair and assembly services – along the whole life cycle of an operating plant.”

The on-site machining equipment is stored in sea freight containers on the Voith company premises in South Africa. From there, the equipment is ready to be shipped on the road or on the seaway to any location in Southern Africa. For a whole range of different boring, drilling and facing applications, there are three heavy-duty line boring machines, which can be equipped with different heads and with an orbital welding machine for welding and re profiling applications.

The linear mill is a bed-type milling machine for universal use in a fast and accurate way. Together with the adjustable head mounting options for angular milling and the different tooling options, a wide range of milling jobs can be fulfilled. Voith’s circular mill is equipped with an incremental drive and can be setup for the machining of large internal diameters and flanges.

While the circular mill comes in a customized container with removable roof and door header, the linear mill and the line boring machines are delivered in steal boxes or, depending on the application, in a container. For repairs and installations, a fully equipped tool container is also available.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

The First ever TECNO Device running KaiOS is here: Meet the T901

The First TECNO Device running KaiOS is here: Meet the T901

KaiOS enables a new category of affordable smart feature phones that require limited memory, while still offering a rich user experience

TECNO , the leading mobile phone brand in Africa, today announced the launch of the latest 3G smart feature phone T901, the first TECNO device running on KaiOS , the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones. This is a significant step for both companies in closing the digital divide by bringing users–previously inhibited by device affordability–online for the first time. Priced at $ xxx, the T901 will be available in three color options: gold, blue and black.

“With the arrival of T901 powered by KaiOS, users gain access to apps such as WhatsApp, YouTube, Google Maps, and others on an affordable TECNO smart feature phone for the first time. The phone also supports GPS, Wi-Fi, and 3G, with significant network speed growth and better anti-signal interference performance as well as faster signal reception in call mode than those in 2G. T901 also comes equipped with the Google Assistant, allowing users to operate the device with their voice. With all these features, TECNO is practicing our commitment to allowing the consumers to reach beyond their current limitations and uncover a world of possibilities.” says Stephen Ha, Managing Director of TECNO Mobile.

“Launching with TECNO is a significant milestone for both our companies,” adds Sebastien Codeville, CEO of KaiOS Technologies. “The digital divide in Africa remains large, and we’re thrilled to be working side-by-side with TECNO to eliminate it. Visit any African city and you will understand how important TECNO is on the continent, with stores on nearly every corner; we can’t wait to see the KaiOS-enabled T901 show up in all of these outlets.”

T901 is equipped with a hybrid dual-SIM slot which can support two SIM cards and with 512MB +256MB memory for more spaces to save users precious memories. It boasts a 2.4-inch QVGA display with 240×320 pixels resolution, and a powerful 1900mAh battery which enables 25 days of standby time and up to 19 hours of non-stop calling

The new device comes embedded with both a front and a rear camera with built-in flash light, which enables clearer photos even at night and in other dark environments. KaiOS enables a new category of affordable smart feature phones that require limited memory, while still offering a rich user experience. It supports 3G and 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC. KaiOS-enabled phones come with popular apps and services like WhatsApp, the Google Assistant, Facebook, YouTube, and Google Maps, as well as a store for apps called the KaiStore.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

South African Fintech Startup uKheshe Raises $500k Seed Funding

South African fintech startup uKheshe has secured US$500,000 in seed funding led by Fitech Ventures and the Ocean on 76 Group to help it expand usage of its platform, which has been built to broaden financial inclusion.

Here Is All You Need To Know

The seed investment round came from Fitech Ventures and the Ocean on 76 Group.
The investment values uKheshe at ZAR100 million (US$6.5 million).

Co-founder Clayton Hayward said financial inclusion remains the overriding imperative of the service.

“Having access to a transaction account is the first step towards broader financial inclusion. Since launching, we have seen, through tremendous uptake, that these services are not only needed but will significantly impact the overall financial inclusion of unbanked and underbanked South Africans,” he said.

Chris Lister-James, founder and director of Fitech Ventures, said the market opportunity was “enormous” and that he was excited about the investment and the role his firm will play in providing sustainable financial services.

“Having invested in several early-stage fintech startups, we have some great complementary companies and look forward to playing both a financial and strategic role in the growth of uKheshe,” he said.

Founded in 2015, startup uKheshe is a micro transaction platform that allows cardholders to pay and get paid. Unlike e-wallets or QR payment services, uKheshe works based on a user’s lifestyle, and is Masterpass certified, accepting payment from Zapper, SnapScan and other banking apps.

The uKheshe app is available on Android Play and the App Store. Users can configure their payment method, by adding their credit card details on the uKheshe app. There are two ways you can get paid with uKheshe. (1) The person paying you must have the uKheshe app installed on their smartphone. Once they have linked their credit card to the app and topped up, they’ll be able to select an amount to pay. (2) You can receive money from another uKheshe card via USSD. The other person can simply dial a code and press menu option 3 then follow the prompts.

The uKheshe Card features a QR code that is linked to the user’s cell phone number and will enable them to receive payments from anyone scanning the code with the uKheshe app. The owner of an uKheshe QR card does not need a smartphone or a bank account. All they do is dial and follow the USSD prompts to view their balance or withdraw the money. Money can be withdrawn at Pick n Pay till points nationwide.

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based Lawyer with special focus on Business Law, Intellectual Property Rights, Entertainment and Technology Law. He is also an award-winning writer. Working for notable organizations so far has exposed him to some of industry best practices in business, finance strategies, law, dispute resolution, and data analytics both in Nigeria and across the world.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

Every Download of Mobile App In Kenya Now Attracts 16% Tax

This would make or mar the Kenyan startup ecosystem, take it or leave it. Kenyan Revenue Authority (KRA) is introducing for the first time, a 16% value-added Tax (VAT) for every download and resultant revenue on all mobile applications in Kenya.

Here Is All You Need To Know

Kenyan Revenue Authority says the provision of online platforms for use by third-parties has always been a taxable supply under the VAT Act 2013.
Hence, bringing it to the table now does not make much difference.
KRA Deputy Commissioner for Corporate Policy, Maurice Oray, has consequently announced that all owners of the apps should pay VAT on downloads, besides other taxes under Section 3 of the Income Tax Act.

“VAT applies to those apps because you are providing a service which is not zero-rated or exempted,’’ he said.

‘‘If you are a resident here, you are supposed to pay the taxes the normal way. If you are not a resident but you have an app that’s being used here, your tax representative (a requirement under Section 16 of Tax Procedures Act) must pay your VAT and income tax,”

To Enforce This New Tax Regime, KRA Is Planning To Mine Data From The Communication Authority of Kenya

In this regard, Kenyan Revenue Authority revenue authority further revealed that it would be working closely with the Communication Authority of Kenya to ensure they get accurate data to enforce the new tax regime.

By doing so, they would have access to transaction data by resident and foreign-based app developers doing business in Kenya.

A Look At The Kenyan Tax Regime

In Kenya, firms that generate more than Ksh5 million in annual sales are required to register for VAT obligations for supplies, in addition to a corporate tax set at 30 per cent for resident companies and 37.5 per cent for foreign entities.

Those generating a maximum annual turnover of less than Ksh5 million, are not required to register for VAT, but pay a presumptive tax at the rate of 15 per cent of the annual single business permit fee issued by a county government.

The taxman will, however, have to wait for the National Assembly to ratify the “Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters”, a treaty that enables it to exchange and get specific data on tax evaders across the world.

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based Lawyer with special focus on Business Law, Intellectual Property Rights, Entertainment and Technology Law. He is also an award-winning writer. Working for notable organizations so far has exposed him to some of industry best practices in business, finance strategies, law, dispute resolution, and data analytics both in Nigeria and across the world.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

Celebrating Africa’s digital potential on UN Youth Day

August 15, 2019

Celebrating Africa’s digital potential on UN Youth Day

Africa’s young population could be its greatest asset in an age where many other regions in the world are aging as a result of declining birth rates

By Ime Archibong

Many things have been said about the future Africa and its potential, it has been called the Opportunity Continent, the Next Frontier and Africa rising, with all of these true. For me the excitement comes in how Africa can, and will one day lead in the digital economy, not only creating a better future for its young people, but for people across the entire continents, whether here in Africa or elsewhere like in Europe or the US.

Africa’s young population could be its greatest asset in an age where many other regions in the world are aging as a result of declining birth rates. As the world’s human population grows from 7.4 billion people to 8.2 billion people between now and 2025, 40% of that growth will come from Africa, and with more than 628 million people aged below 24, this young, dynamic and innovative population will become one of the most powerful engines of growth the world has ever seen.

Personally, I’ve always been so inspired by the creativity and talent across my home continent – whether it’s creating mobile phone apps which makes motorcycle taxis safer and more convenient, like in the case of Safe Motos in Rwanda and now DRC, or building technological solutions to solve agricultural challenges, like Plantheus, a recent graduate of Facebook’s NG_Hub Accelerator Program, we see people, especially youth, building solutions daily to local problems and needs. As eager and early adopters of technology, we’ll likely see the next wave of global digital innovations and apps coming from the continent and taken to the rest of the world.

Adoption of social media, mobile phones and mobile money are enabling Africa and its youth to leapfrog to the next wave of digital technology. This infrastructure is the foundation upon which so much innovation in Africa is built and will be built over the next five years. At Facebook, we’re committed to empowering young people to build their digital skills and harness them for the future – whether they are digital builders, developers or product innovators.

In the month of UN Youth Day, I’m delighted that we will be recognizing just some of these talents from across the region. Bringing together over 40 Facebook Community Leaders, SMBs, Entrepreneurs, Developers and Content Creators from across Sub-Saharan Africa, under the banner of ‘Celebrating Icons of Change and the Future of the Continent’ – celebrating the positive impact they are having in their community, something which is important to us here at Facebook.

Our commitment across the region remains strong, and Africa continues to be important for us, with this building on many partnerships, programs and initiatives already in place to help develop digital and entrepreneurial skills among young people. Whether it’s training SMBs through digital boot camps, helping interested youth to acquire digital marketing skills and placing them in employment, training women in leveraging digital solutions to grow their business, or bringing together 52,000 Developers from across 17 countries through our Developer Circles (http://bit.ly/2MbZe3t) program, we are excited to play a part in supporting the next generation of start-up founders, investors, developers and change makers.

As one of my favourite African proverbs says “For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today”, and we look forward to that tomorrow in the years to come.

Ime Archibong is the Vice President, Product Partnerships at Facebook

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

Verve Global Card Launches 1st International Transaction In New York, USA

Verve Global Card Launches 1st International Transaction In New York, USA

Verve, a leading payments technology and card business in Africa, and Discover Global Network, the payments brand of Discover, today held an event to launch the Verve Global Card. Cardholders will now have the ability to use their Verve Global Cards on the Discover Global Network which provides acceptance in more than 190 countries and territories. This will expand Verve’s existing suite of tailored payment products and solutions for its customers.

The first transaction occurred today at Swarovski in New York City. Senior executives from First Bank, Access Bank and Fidelity Bank purchased various items from Swarovski using their Verve Global Card on the Discover Global Network.

The agreement with Discover Global Network will facilitate new international and cross border transaction capabilities for Verve Global Card customers, meeting the needs of its increasingly global customer base. Holders of the new card can make payments outside Africa on the Discover Global Network which includes anywhere Discover, Diners Club International and Pulse and affiliate network cards are accepted. Verve Global Card also delivers additional benefits to cardholders including broad reward and loyalty schemes; benefits that are available both locally and internationally.

According to Mitchell Elegbe, Interswitch Group Managing Director commented on the announcement: “The agreement with Discover Global Network will enable Verve to compete with other global card offerings, providing cardholders with an enhanced customer experience when transacting globally outside Nigeria. Creating a solution which facilitates international payments for our consumers will help to eliminate existing barriers and simplify the process when transacting abroad.”

“It is important to us that we are working with groups around the world to extend acceptance for their cardholders,” said Ricardo Leite, senior vice president of international markets at Discover. “At Discover, we recognize the importance of being able to use your card of choice no matter where you are traveling.”

In the words of Mike Ogbalu III, Verve International Divisional Chief Executive Officer, also commented on the announcement saying, “The launch of the Verve Global Card, provides consumers with the ability to transact globally across the US and other countries, addressing challenges that many Nigerians have experienced while travelling abroad. Our partnership with Discover Global Network will help us to optimize the overall experience of every Verve Global card holder by guaranteeing consistent and efficient payment solutions regardless of where they are in the world”.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Afrikanheroes/

Mauritius preparing to host the tenth Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum

Mauritius will have the 10th anniversary version of the Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) at the Intercontinental Hotel, Balaclava, from 20-22 August 2019, which is being sorted out by the Internet Society and African IXP Association (AFIX) in a joint effort with Rogers Capital. AfPIF 2019 will interface and bring key foundation, administration, and substance suppliers together with policymakers so as to distinguish and talk about approaches to improve arrange interconnection, bring down the expense of availability, and increment locally accessible substance, to support Internet clients over the region.

AfPIF is a yearly occasion that fills in as a stage to build up the African Internet, and was made to address the way that a large portion of Africa’s nearby Internet traffic is traded outside the mainland. Simultaneously, Africa imported over 99% of the Internet traffic devoured, which made a “Web Transit Deficit”. Exchanging traffic locally through Internet Exchange Points (IXP), diminishes Internet access expenses and system deferrals and builds substance get to speeds.”AfPIF has contributed significantly in changing the Interconnection condition in Africa in the course of the most recent 10 years. Locally traffic traded traffic has expanded from under 1 GB to near 800 GB today,” clarified Dawit Bekele, Africa Regional Bureau Director for the Internet Society.

“This is an astounding The accomplishment on account of the solid network built up around AfPIF and I am certain that the current year’s occasion will add to a much increasingly interconnected African Internet,” he added.This is the first occasion when that the occasion is being held in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean Islands district, which is looking to build up its job as an advancement center point for the locale. The Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation, Hon. Yogida Sawmynaden is expected to talk at the occasion and Rogers Capital will go about as the nearby host.”We are satisfied to have AfPIF 2019 in Mauritius particularly with the extraordinary benefit that the current year’s occasion will correspond with the festival of its 10 years of presence.

As a broadened and advanced business center point for the locale, we trust Mauritius may help open new business viewpoints for the AfPIF delegates. We are anticipating respecting the representatives in August 2019 and to giving our help to the improvement of Internet Infrastructure in Africa,” said Dev Hurkoo, Managing Director, Rogers Capital-Technology.Over 250 members from over the African landmass are relied upon to go to the occasion, with driving innovation suppliers Liquid Telecom, Seacom and Huawei as Platinum backers and AFRINIC, Emtel Business, Linx, Microsoft and Rogers Capital as Gold supporters.

A full rundown of patrons can be found at: https://www.AfPIF.org/AfPIF-10/.Concluding on the open doors ahead, Kyle Spencer, Co-Coordinator of the African IXP Association said “our objective is to limit 80% of Africa’s Internet traffic by 2020, and I accept we’re well on our way. Bundle Clearing House reports that Africa at present observes the most noteworthy development of residential transfer speed generation on the planet, enlisting a 92% expansion from 410 Gbps to 786 Gbps inside the most recent a year — and our inward industry bench-marking information certifies this. It’s an energizing time for Africa, and we anticipate expanding on this force in Mauritius.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.