Blog - Afrikan Heroes

Nigeria Is Now More Than $69 Billion In Debt

July 17, 2019

The total money owed by Nigerian governments, whether federal or regional now stands at more than $69 billion (N24.97trn) in the first quarter of 2019. This is more than the value of all money (GDP) made by Ghana last year.

A Break Down Of The Figures

Figures from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics say Nigerian States and Federal Debt Stock data as at 31st March 2019 showed that the country’s total public debt portfolio stood at N24.95trn.
Further disaggregation of Nigeria’s total public debt showed that N7.86trn or 31.51% of the debt was external while N17.08trn or 68.49% of the debt was domestic.
Similarly, total domestic debt was N3.97 trillion with Lagos state accounting for 13.64% of the total domestic debt stock while Yobe State has the least debt stock in this category with a contribution of 0.68% to the total domestic debt stock.

Click Here to Download Q1 2019 Nigerian Domestic & Foreign Debt PDF Report

Solution: IMF?

Remember that Congo recently got a major bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help it service its debt obligations with its creditors.

Government debt as a percent of GDP for African countries, 2017. *Source: IMF, 2018. Regional Economic Outlook*

This bailout potentially set a precedent for other nations struggling under the weight of large debts to China.

It appears that what IMF has succeeded in doing is to alert other countries borrowing from China that China would never cut off any percent from any borrowed sum, but may instead, prolong the period of repayment.

Many observers see Congo as a test case for the IMF.
A number of African countries facing unsustainable debt resulting from commercial borrowing, a boom in Eurobond issues and years of Chinese lending on the continent are expected to turn to the IMF for help in the coming years.

In 2017, public debt as a percent of GDP in sub-Saharan Africa was 45.9 percent relative to the 117 percent external debt-to-GNI ratio of 1995.

This is even bound to grow more because sovereign debt financing is inevitable given that African countries budgetary resources are insufficient to finance their vast development agenda.

“The IMF is tacitly accepting that China will not take a haircut on debts to African governments,” said one banker, who has followed the negotiations.

The IMF is also advising Congo’s government to restructure high-interest debt it contracted with oil traders including Glencore (GLEN.L) and Trafigura despite a previous pledge to the Fund that it would not engage in oil-backed borrowing.

“I think they’ve learned their lesson as to the costs of these kinds of practices,” Alex Segura, IMF mission chief for Congo, told Reuters.

IMF Is Also Pitching Its Stakes And Leaving African Countries At Their Own Mercy

Description of events leading to the present debt situation

All that bailout would not just happen without a reciprocal deal. For instance, the IMF said in November that Congo’s government must take a series of steps before the lender agrees to a bailout, including reforms to improve governance and transparency, adjustments to the state budget. It’s also requested “explicit financing assurances,” including debt relief, from creditors before it considers a bailout.

With all these, African countries with heavy debt burdens may all be sitting on a time bomb.

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/

Nigeria Records Inflation Drop But Not Enough

Nigeria has recorded an Inflation drop from 11.40 percent to 11.22 percent with analysts saying it is not enough to make even the slightest dent on rising poverty.

Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, declined to 11.22 percent year-on-year in June compared to 11.40 percent in May, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Food inflation also reduced to 13.56 percent in June compared to 13.79 percent in the preceding month.

According to the CPI figures for June, which was released this week by the NBS, core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce dropped to 8.8 percent in June, down by 0.2 percent compared with 9.0 percent recorded in May.

A deceleration in the headline index could encourage the monetary authority to cut the monetary policy rate, thereby lowering the cost of borrowing in the economy.

Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest inflation rate in West Africa which threatens its efforts to make it to the West Africa monetary criteria for joining the single currency, ECO.

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/

Canon Launches Discovery Week In Nairobi

Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) a leader in imaging solutions, launched the Canon Discovery Week in Nairobi this July with a photo safari and Wildlife photography Master Class led by the Canon ambassadors Jonathan and Angela Scott.

Discovery Week is a consumer engagement to build a closer relationship between customers and photography by facilitating access to Canon equipment and professionals. The initiatives also raise awareness of latest products and develop the education of all levels of photographers.

In order to meet the expectations of Kenyan photographers, whether professional or amateur, Canon hosted initiatives granting many opportunities for customers to interact with experts and retailers.

The set of events and interactions included educational Canon Academy workshops which invited testimonials and debate from attendees; in-store activations to give photographers an opportunity to learn more about their own equipment, and to test new products and solutions; and instore incentives to help photographers get easier access to new equipment.

Amine Djouahra, B2C Sales & Market Director, Canon Central, and North Africa said: “Our objective is plural: to meet and exchange with photographers, give them a satisfying customer experience by helping them become more familiar with our devices and allow us to better anticipate their ever-changing needs.

We aim to maintain this meeting with our customers every year in order to sustain this essential link that allows us to refresh our offerings regularly and launch innovative products that meet or even anticipate our customers’ needs.”

Throughout the month of July, Canon continues to offer its existing and new customers instore incentives, in order to thank them for their loyalty and appreciation.

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/

Marriott International And Emirates Strengthen Partnership With Relaunch Of Your World Rewards

Marriott International and Emirates have announced the relaunch of Your World Rewards a partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and Emirates Skywards. The partnership which originally launched in 2014, allows Marriott Bonvoy and Emirates Skywards members who register for the program to elevate their earnings and benefits when they fly with Emirates or stay at Marriott International Hotels around the globe.

Your World Rewards enables members of both loyalty programs to enjoy the best in travel from take-off to check-out with rich benefits, personalized services and extensive access around the world.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite members earn 3 Marriott Bonvoy points for every USD or its foreign equivalent spent on all eligible Emirates flights (in addition to Skywards Miles). Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite also enjoy in-airport benefits, including priority check-in and priority boarding.

Emirates Skywards Silver, Gold and Platinum members earn one Skywards Mile for every USD or its foreign equivalent spent (in addition to points) on all eligible stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts worldwide. Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members also enjoy additional benefits at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, including 4 pm late checkout, access to the Elite check-in and complimentary in-room internet access.

“Marriott Bonvoy is built on the belief that travel enriches us all and has the power to enrich the world. We continue to look for opportunities that enrich the travel experience and provide endless inspiration for our members to keep traveling with passion and purpose,” said Neal Jones Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “Our partnership with Emirates Skywards enables us to deliver on our commitment.

Your World Rewards is the coming together of two like-minded companies with a complimentary footprint around the world and provides a unique opportunity to promote the joy of good travel and build loyalty beyond reason with our members.”

Dr. Nejib ben Khedher, Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards said: “Knowing your customers well, anticipating their every need and wowing them with inspirational experiences every time are critical to the success of any service-oriented business.

With this partnership, we have pooled our in-depth knowledge, hospitality mindsets, and service expertise to carefully craft Your World Rewards that caters to the specific travel needs and aspirations of our customers. The newly relaunched programme is bigger, better and bolder – and what’s more, it has two iconic brands behind it: Emirates and Marriott International.”

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, offers exceptional access to over 150 destinations across six continents. Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott International’s newly unveiled travel platform, offering an extraordinary portfolio of 30 global brands in 131 countries and territories. Under one set of unified benefits, Marriott Bonvoy simplifies rewards and offers members a holistic travel experience encompassing much more than a hotel stay.

Marriott Bonvoy and Emirates Skywards members can now register for Your World Rewards program and unlock the joy of good travel by experiencing a unique set of travel benefits.

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/

India Offers to Help Nigeria on Rural Internet Connections

Nigeria’s aspiration for universal internet coverage has received a boost with the materialization of a $100 million loan from the Government of India.

The facility arranged by the EXIM Bank of India is the result of a close collaboration between the India High Commission in Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Communications. The deal was facilitated by the immediate-past Minister, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, who had promised a 70 percent broadband penetration by 2021.

The loan from India is expected to accelerate the deployment of solar-based mobile telephone sites in the country’s vast rural areas. Officials of the communication ministry privy to the details of the plan said no fewer than 1,000 sites can be built within 12 months once the two countries seal the agreement.

The credit facility from India is expected to be devoted to financing Nigeria’s Rural Broadband Network and the deployment of robust masts that will rely on alternative power sources, especially solar power. The plan is hinged on the government’s determination to extend telephone services to all rural communities at a relatively affordable cost while ensuring that identified bottlenecks experienced in urban areas are minimized.

Early this year, Shittu had disclosed that the government was desirous of fast-tracking the implementation of the National Broadband Roadmap by rapidly deploying less-expensive telecoms masts in the rural and remote areas. The plan, he explained, would provide access to telephone services and rapidly increase broadband penetration in hitherto hard-to-reach regions of the country.

The latest statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has indicated that broadband subscription stood at 63.2 million while actual broadband penetration increased to 33.13 percent in May this year.

“I am optimistic that if we put all the current efforts together, in another two years, we should be able to attain 70 percent. My ambition is two years rather than the five years being postulated,” the former minister said at a conference organized by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria in February this year.

The minister premised his hope on the $100million loan from India, saying: “The current mast that the telecom operators use is very expensive to maintain. They rely on electricity, and we do not have electricity all around the country. So we have a situation where somebody who wants to build a mast of N40million would also have to acquire a 200KVA generator and fuel it.

“For this reason, we have redirected our effort at getting solar-based masts which will also have 50km radius so that if you have a land area of 100km, you will have two masts. It is cheap to maintain and all operators can depend on it, rather than having the rural operators to construct their own masts or lay their own cables.

“We are doing all of these, and I believe that within the next two months, we should have an approval from the Indian Government for work to commence on deploying this to all rural areas in Nigeria”

Figures from the NCC indicate that there are about 120 million internet users in Nigeria, most of them in the urban areas. Internet penetration is a little above 33 percent, although the commission is working with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to introduce Television White Space to further deepen broadband penetration.

Although the Nigerian communications industry has attracted huge investments of recent, experts believe that a robust telecommunications network is important for economic growth in the country. Indeed, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Dandatta, has noted that while the present portfolio of $68 billion investment in Nigeria is huge, it is by no means adequate for one of the fastest-growing telecommunications markets 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/

AFC provides US$100 million to Aker Energy’s Deep Water Offshore Oil Project in Ghana

Africa Finance Corporation, the leading infrastructure solutions provider in Africa, announces today it has financed Aker Energy A.S. (“Aker Energy”), a subsidiary of Aker ASA, one of the highest-quality-rated companies in the Norwegian market and a leader in oil, gas, and industrials.

AFC’s support is through investing in US$100 million of convertible bond notes with an intention to participate in follow on fundraising activities. The funds will be used by Aker Energy to finance the development of the Deepwater Tano Cape Three Points block (“DWTCTP” or the “Asset”), a block offshore Ghana containing multiple oil fields.

The Asset is owned by joint venture partners, including Aker Energy (50%), Lukoil (38%), Fueltrade (2%) and a 10% carry for the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (“GNPC”), wholly owned by the Government of Ghana. The Pecan field, which is the most appraised in the DWTCTP block and the field to be developed in the first phase, is an oil field estimated to contain reserves of about 334 million barrels of oil equivalent.

This investment is aligned with AFC’s overall natural resources strategy, which entails building a portfolio of value-added assets across the Energy value chain. By taking an early equity financier role in operational or near-operational upstream assets. AFC can enhance the revenue potential of African states to generate revenue required for investment in infrastructure and social services for its growing populations.

This investment also marks the beginning of AFC and Aker’s mutually beneficial relationship in the exploration and production sector across the African continent; AFC will offer support to Aker, open new opportunities, and mitigate potential geopolitical risks. Aker, with its proven track record of delivering complex deepwater projects on time and budget, and a network of affiliates, such as Aker Solutions, leading subsea equipment, and services provider, is an ideal partner for AFC, as it seeks to broaden its partnerships with developers within the natural resources sector.

The Republic of Ghana (Ghana) which became an AFC sovereign shareholder in 2018, having acceded to membership in 2011, will benefit from this project through increased revenue and government royalty and taxation income. Deepwater Tano Cape Three Points field is one of Ghana’s principal hydrocarbon assets and is expected to contribute to Ghana’s near term target of an annual production volume of 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC, commented on the announcement: “This is an exciting milestone for Africa Finance Corporation – we have partnered with the

subsidiary of one of the most highly respected international oil, gas, and industrials companies to support its first project in the African market as an operator. This is an opportunity for AFC to invest alongside a technically and financially strong sponsor that requires project development expertise and public sector advice in Africa, both of which AFC is ideally placed to offer.”

Jan Arve Haugan, CEO of Aker Energy, added: “We value AFC’s vote of confidence by collaborating with Aker Energy and the commitment to further strengthening this partnership going forward. We believe AFC will be a valuable partner to help Aker Energy navigate the opportunities and challenges that lies ahead of us.”

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/

This Zimbabwean Entrepreneur Has Just Launched Europe’s First Self-Driving Delivery Vehicle

African entrepreneurs are never leaving any stone unturned. Zimbabwe’s William Sachiti and his team at the Academy of Robotics have launched Europe’s first roadworthy self-driving delivery vehicle, “Kar-go” which aims to reduce the cost of last-mile delivery by as much as 90 percent.

In the first week of its launch, Kar-go has been hosted by the Duke of Richmond and praised by both the Duke and Zimbabwean dignitaries including Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo and Zimbabwe ambassador to the UK Christian Katsande.

A Look At Kar-go

Kar-go is a self-driving vehicle that works with the help of an app
Recipients of parcels can simply track their delivery and meet the vehicle at their preferred destination just like meeting a pre-booked taxi.
Recipients will then use the app to open the hatch of the vehicle to release their specific parcel.
Inside the vehicle, a patented package management system will sort and re-shuffle packages on the move.
Powered by Tesla batteries, Kar-go can drive at 60mph and cover around 120 miles before it needs re-charging — around the same distance as an average delivery driver covers daily.
Traveling at up to 60mph, the vehicle has been developed in collaboration with the UK’s vehicle licensing authority, the DVLA, to travel on the roads.
As part of the vehicle’s development, Sachiti “trained” the Kar-go technology to operate on roads in Zimbabwe.

Academy of Robotics founder and CEO, William Sachiti explains how the vehicle works:

“There are some great delivery robots out there, but most of them are designed to run on neat pavements or sidewalks of grid-like cities. We want Kar-go to be universally applicable, so we have trained our technology in a number of different environments and of course, for me, Zimbabwe was a natural choice.”

Kar-go has already attracted significant interest in investment from China, the UK, Australia, Germany and Switzerland and the Academy of Robotics is in discussions with a number of retailers and logistics companies with commercial trials for Kar-go on the roads in the UK planned in the next few months.

Sachiti, adds:

“We have had a number of very promising conversations with potential partners and investors and we are confident that Kar-go will be on the streets in a few months with a series of trials with high street retailers and logistics brands to follow. We are very grateful for the support we have received both in the UK and from the Zimbabwean community.”

An Emblem of the Future.

This electric, self-driving vehicle, Kar-go has since been selected by the team curating FOS Future Lab for the Goodwood Festival of Speed (FOS) as an emblem of the future.

The Festival of Speed is an annual event dubbed motorsport’s ultimate garden party, as it takes place on lawns and paddocks of the Duke of Richmond’s Goodwood estate.

The Duke hosts motoring enthusiasts from around the world who flock to see the latest concept cars to classics.

Festival Of Speed Future Lab is the Duke of Richmond’s latest addition to the Festival of Speed and has become a centerpiece of the event.

The Man Behind This Unique Concept Vehicle is Zimbabwean-Brit, William Sachiti, From Harare.

Having exited his first start-up (123-registration) at 19, team leader William Sachiti (34) has since founded and exited 3 businesses including Clever Bins, a business he pitched aged 24 on the BBC Dragon’s Den show.

Before he turned his attention to AI and robotics his last business, MyCityVenue was acquired by Secret Escapes in 2015.

During his visit to the UK, Minister Moyo together with ambassador Katsande made time to meet Sachiti.

The dignitaries inspected the Kar-go vehicle at an exclusive reception and hosted by the Westbury Mayfair hotel in the prestigious Mayfair district where William was speaking at an event on the future of transport alongside leaders from the automotive industry.

At the reception, organized by Conrad Mwanza and the Zimbabwe Achiever Awards (ZAA) team, the party discussed the Kar-go technology and William and the team’s work to make the technology internationally applicable.

The reception was supported by British-Zimbabwean businessman Byron Fundira, an early investor in the Kar-go project, who was introduced to fellow ZAA winner by Conrad Mwanza.

Sachiti who moved to the UK aged 17 remains close to his family back in Zimbabwe and frequently returns.

The Academy of Robotics

The Academy of Robotics is a UK-headquartered self-drive car manufacturing company, founded by William Sachiti with a technical team of engineers, scientists, and researchers. The Academy specializes in creating technology to perform or simplify complex tasks.

Combining the best techniques from machine learning and mechatronics the Academy builds powerful self-adapting machines and task-specific artificially intelligent software.

Starting out of a university campus in Wales, the Academy of Robotics now has offices in London, Brighton, and Wales and has successfully filed several patents for its autonomous technology.

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/

Liberian Businesses Have Just Got A New US$20M Fund

July 16, 2019

Businesses in Liberia now have a new pool of funds to tap from. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the United States government’s development finance institution has just approved a second facility of US$20 million for the Liberian, Enterprise Development Finance Company (LEDFC), a Liberian state-owned corporation established in 2007 to provide loans to Liberian- owned Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

A Look At The New Funding

This new funding just added to the existing funds within the disposal of the LEDFC.
The new facility will encourage qualified Liberians SMEs to apply for funding.
Under the terms of the new facility, the facility will be used to lend to Liberian owned small and medium businesses.
An additional US$16 million will come from other sources to increase the lending pot to US$36 million, according to Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, CEO of Groupe Nduom, a Multinational Family Holding Business of Ghanaian and American origin comprising of over 60 independent companies across several industries.
OPIC is a self-sustained US Government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets.
Established in 1971, OPIC provides businesses with tools to manage the risks associated with foreign direct investment, fosters economic development in emerging market countries, and advances US foreign policy and National security priorities.
OPIC is a financial institution that has over the years helped American businesses gain footholds in new markets, catalyzes new revenues and contributes to jobs and growth opportunities both at homes and abroad.

“OPIC fulfills its mission by providing businesses with financing, political risk insurance, advocacy and by partnering with private equity investment fund managers.”

Since its establishment, LEDFC has invested more than US$28 million over 500 small and medium enterprises and created more than 500 jobs in the Liberian economy, says Dr. Kwesi Nduom.
LEDFC has financial inclusion as a priority and hence has three additional offices outside Monrovia.

“Up until the middle of June 2013, there was growing concern that the company would not survive because majority of loans were not performing. Groupe Nduom was contacted by CHF and OPIC due to its in-depth experience and knowledge in financial matters in the sub-region” noted Nduom

How Liberian Businesses Can Obtain Funding Under The Scheme

LEDFC provides flexible credit opportunities to small and medium scale businesses that are starting, rebuilding, or expanding their operations, including:

Sole Proprietorships
Partnerships
Corporations
Registered Cooperatives

Liberian businesses desirous of obtaining funds under the scheme should:

be Liberian-owned (min. 51% ownership) and registered
have a capable and experienced management
have a collateral requirement of at least 1.4 times the loan amount
plan to create jobs with loan proceeds

LEDFC loans range from US$10,000 to US$1,000,000. LEDFC works with clients to determine an appropriate loan size according to their unique needs and repayment capacity.

The level and type of security required will depend on the loan term, the business, and the borrowers’ credit history and references. Acceptable collateral includes:

Equipment
Assignment of receivables and contracts
Real property (including land, buildings)
Assignment of Insurance on assets
Pre-signed checks
Pledge of corporate stock
Sales Assignment

Documents required to procure the loans include:

Completed Loan Application
Business Plan
Financial Statements (Last 2 Years)
Cash Flow Projections for the project and debt service period (include underlying assumptions)
Credit References
Copy of Business Registration
Bank Statements (past 12 months)
Details of all existing debt and obligations
Staff Verification
CVs of owners & key managers
Copies of passports and/or national identification of owners

LEDFC offers two products, designed for evolving and expanding the business activity of Liberian companies at every phase of their development:

Short Term Loans

These loans (6 to 23 months) are geared towards working capital and other short-term needs.

Medium-Term Loans

Medium-term loans (2 to 5 years) for investments in equipment and other productive assets.

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/

Logistics of the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations

With Africa’s premier soccer tournament now underway in Egypt, the continent’s top teams are fighting it out for a position in the finals and the ultimate honour of winning the Total Africa Cup of Nations 2019. Along with the teams comes a massive influx of fans and spectators, joining local people going about their daily business and putting a big strain on transport nodes. That’s being alleviated in Egypt, and Cairo especially, with transport solutions from Thales.

The 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations is the 32nd edition of the tournament which takes place every two years. Organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), it takes place from 21 June to 19 July 2019 and features 24 teams from across Africa.

With more than 50,000 tourists expected to join regular traffic in the cities across Egypt where matches are taking place, Cairo Metro network is playing a crucial role in keeping the tournament moving. Football fans from all over the African continent are using Cairo Metro Line 3 to reach the Stadium station to watch their national teams compete. Thales has supplied the Revenue Collection System (RCS) and Integrated Communications and Security (ICS) solution for this line, contracted back in 2007.

In fact, three additional stations were put in service, ahead of the first match, specifically to aid increased demand from fans and citizens alike. And while looking after fans is an obvious priority for the duration of the football tournament, citizens deserve the most convenient, easy-to-use and practical solutions to keep everyone moving freely.

That’s where Thales technology shines. With a longstanding record of providing fully integrated solutions for the city’s Metro owner, National Authority for Tunnels (NAT), the company first engaged with NAT when it first introduced Line 1 in 1981. From that day forward, Thales has become the partner of choice for the supply of both Revenue Collection Systems (RCS) and Integrated Communications and Security systems (ICS) for all Cairo Metro Lines.

The expertise which has helped support an improved standard of urban services for the Egyptian people is, in effect, being leveraged so that all football fans and citizens are able to buy tickets and get to their destinations safely and smoothly without encumbrance.

Back in 2016, Thales was awarded for the supply of 850 gates for Cairo Metro Line 1 and Line 2, which is another sentiment for the company’s commitment in supporting its Egyptian customer.

With a doubling of the number of passengers carried on the line expected, safety is as always paramount. But at the same time, solutions which drive efficiency are essential so everyone can get their ticket and take their seat on time.

It’s an exciting time in Egypt right now, and not only because of the sizzling soccer. Development of new metro lines is being powered by some of the world’s foremost technology and expertise. And that means a great experience for football fans—and lasting value for citizens long after the Cup is hosted by one of Africa’s best football team.

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/

TECNO Phone Wins Africa Information Technology & Telecoms Awards (AITTA)Phone of the Year 2019

TECNO SPARK 3, a smartphone model by TECNO, a global premier mobile phone brand, has been awarded as the smartphone brand of the year at the 2019 edition of the Africa Information Technology & Telecoms Awards (AITTA).

AITTA recognizes customer service, innovation, and excellence in Africa Telecom and Information Technology industry. The reputable awards now in its third year and has been acclaimed as one of the most prestigious and biggest platforms recognizing excellence and innovation in the African telecoms and technology industry.

TECNO SPARK 3 was awarded as the phone of the year as a result of its cutting edge features as well as its outing market outing positive reception of the TECNO brand loyals and customers. This is the only smartphone recognized by AITTA this year. As one of the most remarkable devices to “light up” the photos, SPARK 3 have been upgraded by AI technology to furthermore advanced the camera features to be available in Africa, middle-east and Southeast Asia market.

Starting their business from the Africa market in 2006, TECNO has been Africa’s leading smartphone brand and was the first dual-SIM handset supplier to the African continent, which boosted an astonishing 53% of all Smartphone sales in Africa in the year 2011. Focusing on providing high performance and cutting edge smartphone that uses the latest technology and at a sweet price point, TECNO smartphones have become incredibly popular throughout Africa due to the exceptional value-for-money they offer.

TRANSSION, TECNO Mobile ’s parent company, its brand portfolio comprises leading mobile phone brands in emerging markets. In 2018, TRANSSION sold 124 million mobile phones globally.

IDC figures for 2018 show that TRANSSION ranks 4th in global mobile phone brands and holds the largest market share in Africa. Their global sales network covers more than 70 countries in emerging markets including Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh to name a few.

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.