Industry News Imported

Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa vowed to review a controversial 2 per cent electronic money transfer tax following fierce criticism of the levy from consumers and businesses, reports Mobile World Live.

Writing in a column in national newspaper Sunday News, Mnangagwa added the government “took to heart the cry that the 2 per cent transactional tax has compounded the tax burden for both business and for the consumer” and would reassess it along with upcoming laws covering the financial sector.

The tax was unveiled alongside a number of other cash-raising measures by Zimbabwe’s finance minister Mthuli Ncube in October. It replaced a previous set fee levied on the cost of mobile money transfers with a percentage of the total value of each payment.

Using official 2017 statistics on total mobile money transaction value, the tax hike increases government takings from the service by almost ten times.

The move proved extremely unpopular in the country. The Standard last week reported Ncube was forced to apologise to a parliamentary committee for not engaging with businesses, stakeholders or consumers before introducing the “ill-thought-out” tax.

Ncube’s comments come as analysts in the country told the newspaper prices had “shot up” for customers with some reporting an 18 per cent drop in mobile transactions.

Source: Mobile World Live

Vodafone Ghana Foundation has taken its ongoing National Coding Programme to a higher notch by introducing modules that will equip the coders with digital marketing and commercial skills, reports Ghanaweb.

The first session of this training which is the 2nd phase of Vodafone’s National Coding initiative, will run for a whole week from 12th November in Takoradi.

The team of digital and marketing experts delivering this programme, will subsequently visit the other regions and will take participants through various modules on how they can apply and monetize their coding skills.

Commenting, Chief Executive of Vodafone Ghana, Yolanda Cuba, said:

“We are on a crucial path to ensure the digital transformation sweeping the world leaves no one behind in Ghana, no matter where they may be.”

“This programme has been designed to empower individuals with basic knowledge in coding including topics such as business management and digital marketing to enable them monetize their skills.

“There is an enormous demand out there for people with coding skills and we want them to take advantage of the opportunities.”

Three months ago, Vodafone launched a National Coding Programme in line with the company’s strategy to use technology for the enhancement of education and promotion of youth employment in the country.

The company is on a journey to train 10,000 youth in coding and ICT skills over a period of 5 years. Over 150 participants have already benefited from this initiative since Launch date.

Participants who wish to join this wave of digitization can do so by completing the application through the link: https://goo.gl/forms/8Mun16lfoJTZJNJT2

Source: Chamber News Desk

Vodafone’s strategy of igniting a digital revolution got a major endorsement with the Digital Champion of the Year award.

The Award, conferred on the company at the just held Ghana Business Awards, was in recognition of a very proactive digital campaign through its products, services, brand building and thought-leadership activities.

Vodafone’s CEO, Yolanda Cuba was also voted the “Most Promising CEO of the Year” at the same awards. Yolanda’s accomplishments cap a three-year stint at the telecommunications company, where she has achieved tremendous success both for the company and the industry as a whole.

Vodafone has over the years demonstrated its commitment to using modern and innovative channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp to connect and engage with its customers in line with its commitment to lead Ghana’s digital revolution.

Commenting, Gayheart Mensah, Director for External Affairs at Vodafone Ghana said:

“This is a vindication of the hard work we continue to put in as a telecommunications company, leading the digital agenda in Ghana. In an age where technology has become ubiquitous, companies such as ours have a major responsibility for empowering our customers with confidence and optimism. They need to feel that they can rely on us to help them navigate the uncertainty of the landscape and we guarantee that.”

The Ghana Business Awards provides a platform to recognize individuals and companies that play a significant role in the growth and development of their business sector whilst recognising the key functions within the sector that promote growth and sustainability.

Source: Ghanaweb

Vodafone Chief Executive Yolanda Cuba has led a team of employees and cycling professionals in Accra on a ride through some key streets of the capital city.

The initiative, cultivated some three years ago by Yolanda, also forms part of a Vodafone group-wide campaign dubbed ‘Global Wellbeing Month’, The Wellbeing campaign normally sets aside the month of October to emphasize the importance of sports and physical exercise to the overall well-being of employees within the Vodafone family worldwide.

Unlike previous years where Yolanda is accompanied by employee cyclists, the format changed this year when she threw an open invitation to include professional cyclists on her Twitter handle.

The CEO led the team from the Palace roundabout on the Spintex Road through Action Chapel to the company’s headquarters in Airport City, Accra.

Commenting afterwards, Yolanda said, “It is fulfilling that what began as an after-thought has now become entrenched and steeped into the Vodafone Ghana culture. We really place a great value on employee health, safety and wellbeing and cycling is one of the effective ways to achieve these values. A healthy outlook for our employees reflects a better performance disposition and we are excited to be leading the way.”

The climax of the month will be a Business Fusion session (a day of games and team bonding) to entrench the spirit of good health and exercises amongst employees later this month.

Source:Ghanaweb

Vodafone Ghana’s enterprise unit has partnered the Makola Foundation to train over 50 Makola Market traders and business owners in key business management topics at the Knutsford University College in East Legon.

The training, which begun last week, has been designed to empower participants with skills that will prepare them for the digital future and expose them to the best business practices including capital management and effective inventory management.

Commenting on the training, Director of Vodafone Business Solutions, Angela Mensah-Poku, said:

“This programme is one of the many capacity building initiatives that we introduced this year as part of our SME month celebration. The topics and structure of this unique programme have been carefully designed to empower participants with critical business skills. What is even more exciting is that the topics are delivered in local languages and English.’’

“Small business owners and entrepreneurs including traders at Makola market, play a huge role in the economic growth of Ghana and helping them develop and connect is our way of enhancing their skills to become Ready Business.’’

The telecommunication giant has also partnered the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) to build capacity and expose Small/Medium business owners to key business and corporate insights. The SME Masterclass programme will take participants through Corporate Governance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Growth and Financial Management and Social Media.

The SME month which falls on September is being marked by lots of various customer clinics and regional market storms. Additionally, the annual SMEGA Awards will be held on 30th September to reward and acknowledge thriving SMEs in the country.

Source: Ghanaweb

Vodafone Ghana has embarked on a move to entrench its reputation as the digital telco of the future by empowering SMEs in the month of September this year.

According to Angela Mensah-Poku, Director at Vodafone Business Solutions (VBS), who made this known, a number of initiatives had already been lined up, including SME Clinics across the regions, a master plan to register 1,000 SMEs online, as well as a Masterclass programme, in partnership with CEIBS to build the capacity of these businesses.

The SME Masterclass programme will also train senior managers of selected SMEs on key modules, including corporate governance, innovation and entrepreneurship growth, financial management and social media.

“We are excited about the comprehensive activities we have put together for our customers. Our support for SMEs in Ghana over the years has seen tremendous results; first for our customers and then for us as a business. This year will be no different as we continue to empower SMEs to embrace the exciting future. We know how critical mobile financial services are to SMEs. For most companies, it’s an integral part of their operations. In view of this, we have also created a unique Vodafone Cash offer to enable SMEs conduct unlimited transactions on the platform at GH¢3 per month throughout the month of September,” she said.

She revealed that SMEs played a very crucial role in Ghana’s economy, demonstrating the capacity to contribute enormously to the general economic growth, hence the decision to assist them.

“With the world at an advanced stage of digitisation, Vodafone wants to be at the forefront of the drive to make these businesses relevant and competitive.”

The highlight of the SME month will be the Annual SMEGA Awards during which thriving companies in the country would be rewarded and acknowledged for a good job done.

Source: dailyguideafrica.com

For the first time in many years, music lovers will witness “Mr Music Man” Kojo Antwi and lover man Charles Kwadwo Fosu aka Daddy Lumba performing on the same stage in Ghana at this year’s Vodafone African Legends Night on 29th September 2018 at the plush Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
The two music Legends will be joined by Africa’s Dancehall King Samini and traditional music group Wulomei, all in the name of bringing the legends home to thrill audience to some of their hit songs.
With an exciting and successful musical career spanning over two decades, Kojo Antwi has established himself as a consummate vocalist; a prolific songwriter, producer and arranger; and an enigmatic performer. He has delighted lovers of good music such as Mmrika, Adienpena, Tom and Jerry, Adinkra etc with his clear and flawlessly seductive voice that radiates through his massive repertoire of smooth and sultry ballads.

Daddy Lumba, who is making a return to the show, will definitely make the audience call for more of his countless tunes. He is known for his “borga highlife” songs which became very popular among Ghanaians in Europe especially those in Germany. He has been consistent with the release of multiple-hit albums since then and has established himself as one of Ghana’s most popular singers of his genre, Highlife.

In the history of the African Legends Night, Samini will be the first Reggae and Dancehall artiste to perform on stage. The multiple award-winning “Linda” hit icon will drop some of his great tunes such as Odo, Samini Music, Linda, Gyae shee, My Own and more that will keep the audience on their feet.

According to Global Media Alliance, organizers of the event, the superstars were lined-up together due to their immense contribution to the Ghanaian music industry hence the decision to create a platform to have close interactions with their fans.

The 7th edition of Vodafone African Legends Night will take place on Saturday, September 29th at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra. The show starts at 7pm prompt and is expected to attract hundreds of music lovers.

Last year, the show witnessed great performances from Kanda Bongo Man of DR Congo, Amakye Dede, Daddy Lumba, Aka Blay, eShun and Nana Yaa.

African Legends Night is sponsored by Vodafone, Alomo Bitters, Eden Heights, Alisa Hotel, Phoenix Insurance, Sun Seekers Tours, Global Cinemas and Silverbird Cinemas with media support from YFM, Happy FM, Citi FM, Starr FM, ETV, GHOne, Ghanaweb, Archbert Premier Media, Daily Guide, B&FT and Graphic Showbiz.

Source: graphic.com.gh

Google is set to release its Android Google Go app in Africa, targeted at internet users dealing with issues such as low connectivity speeds, high data costs and smartphones with small memories, media reports stated.

The company first launched Google Go in India in December 2017. The app is the search giant’s latest attempt to expand into emerging markets including sub-Saharan Africa and takes up 5MB of storage, reduces the amount of data needed to display search results by 40 per cent and allows previous searches to be accessed offline.

Google estimates there are some 230 million smartphones in sub-Saharan Africa and this figure will almost double by 2020. Many of the devices have less than 1GB of RAM and very little storage.

The search company partnered with operators MTN Group and Vodacom Group to ensure the app works on 2G networks, and modified its voice function to work better on slow connections.

Google Africa CMO Mzamo Masito said: “Weak data connectivity, high data costs and low storage space often make it hard for people to get the most out of the internet. Google Go is built to handle these challenges.”

The app will be available in 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and will be pre-installed on all Android Oreo devices. The company also plans to target other markets, including Brazil and Indonesia.

Earlier this year a light version of Google-owned YouTube’s standard app, designed for emerging markets, was given a full global rollout in 130 countries.

Source: Mobile World Live

A woman farmer in West Africa using her mobile device

Strong mobile subscriber growth and greater access to 3G and 4G data services will increase the mobile industry’s contribution to the West African economy to $51 billion annually in 2022, the GSMA forecast.

The Association’s The Mobile Economy: West Africa 2018 report tipped the industry to increase its contribution to the region’s economy from $37 billion in 2017 – equivalent to 6.5 per cent of GDP – to 7.7 per cent of GDP in 2022.

Its figures for 2017 reveal a mobile penetration rate of 47 per cent across the 15 countries in the Economic Community of West African States, up from 28 per cent in 2010.

Penetration is tipped to rise to 54 per cent in 2025, driven by the region’s large youth population reaching adulthood and taking mobile subscriptions. The report also points to the positive impact of continued investment from local operators in constructing 3G and 4G networks.

By 2025, the GSMA said 94 per cent of the regions’ connections will be on 3G or 4G services, compared to 36 per cent in 2017. The increased access and performance of data networks, it added, will also drive business efficiencies across a number of industries including health and finance.

GSMA chief regulatory officer John Giusti said growth in the region also relied on the support of authorities.

“Connecting a new generation of mobile subscribers across West Africa requires a new era of collaboration between industry and governments in order to implement policies that encourage network expansion, innovation and affordability,” Giusti said.

“In addition to the work of operators to expand and improve networks, significant effort from governments at all levels is needed to create the right conditions for continued investment.”

The Economic Community of West African States comprises: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Source: Mobile World Live

EE boss Marc Allera (pictured) suggested the main value proposition for 5G remains unclear, stating most of the industry is “wrestling” with creating a business model for the technology at this stage.

Allera, speaking to Mobile World Live, revealed the UK was realistically 18 months from a 5G launch. He explained the country’s largest mobile operator had stepped up trials over the past year and entered into discussions with handset and equipment vendors to build a 5G ecosystem.

As 5G moves ever closer, Allera highlighted a number of different areas where the technology could be useful, such as addressing demand from consumers and businesses for high capacity in urban areas, and low latency use cases for IoT and autonomous cars.

However, it remained unclear what service proposition the operator would launch with: “Everyone is still trying to figure that out,” Allera admitted.

Allera said this made it difficult to build a business model around 5G, while adding that “the reality will be that we will have to assume that consumers and businesses will be prepared to pay a little bit more for faster, higher quality access to the internet and that’s how the business case will be for everyone else”.

He continued: “There will be capex investments and spectrum investments to deliver 5G and, as a result, we are going to have to look for revenue streams and getting some sort of premium out of 5G, as we did with 4G.”

In the interview, Allera also spoke of the company’s convergence strategy with content and its work to address the UK’s rural divide.

Source: Mobile World Live