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Logistics of the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations

July 16, 2019

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.

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Kenyan Logistics Startup MPost Completes Pre-Series A Round of Funding

June 12, 2019

More startups in Africa are simply moving ahead of others, and faster. Kenyan logistics startup MPost is the latest to join this league.

The amount of fund raised by the startup was not disclosed, but the funding came from South Africa’s Cape Town-based VC firm HAVAÍC.

“We are excited that Havaic is investing in MPOST. As a seasoned investment and advisory firm, HAVAÍC will undoubtedly bolster MPost’s growth and impact in the region. This is a vote of confidence in our product and indeed our vision as a company,” said chief executive officer of MPostAbdulaziz Omar was quoted as saying.

The startup which has developed a patented technology allows users to transform their phone into a unique mobile postal address and mobile postal box.

“This partnership with Startupbootcamp, HAVAÍC and MPost will enable us to enhance the efficiency and user experience of the product, and improve the long term benefits to our clients and stakeholders,” said chief technology officer (CTO) Twahir Mohamed.

MPost At A Glance

The startup was founded in 2015 by Abdulaziz Omar and Twahir Mohamed. The startup allows mobile phone numbers of its users to be converted into official virtual addresses which will allow the users to be notified whenever they get mail through their postal addresses.

The startup has already gained 40,000 users, mostly as a result of its partnership with the Postal Corporation of Kenya. It has been primarily self-funded but obtained some angel investment last year. The latest round of funding comes from established investment and advisory firm HAVAÍC, which also plans to participate in MPost’s forthcoming Series A round.

HAVAÍC’s Rob Heath, the partner responsible for pan-African and international business at the firm said HAVAIC invested in the startup because:

“After spending time with Aziz and Twahir in Nairobi and seeing the solution in action, it’s clear that this is not just a technology and commercial product. MPost makes a real impact on people’s daily lives and as an investor, it’s rewarding when we can tie these two elements together. That being said, this is a great example of African problems producing global solutions — one of the cornerstones of our investment thesis at HAVAÍC.”

MPost is further moving to Uganda ahead of further launches in Rwanda, Botswana, Tanzania, and South Africa.

Last year, the startup participated in the Startupbootcamp AfriTech accelerator program in Cape Town, where it was introduced to HAVAÍC. MPost will also welcome Startupbootcamp AfriTech co-founder Zachariah George onto the board to represent both his business and HAVAÍC.

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.