…Service to accelerate digital and financial inclusion in Africa Cassava Fintech International (CFI) and the Liquid Telecom Group (LTG) have announced the launch of Sasai Wi-Fi Finder, a potential game-changer in driving digital and financial inclusion in Africa. The service, which will be offered across the continent, was announced today, and is set to be…
By Bernard Marr Is virtual reality (VR) finally going mainstream? The availability of affordable, consumer-friendly VR headsets like Oculus Go would certainly suggest so. But what I find really encouraging is the increasing use of VR outside the realms of gaming and entertainment. All types of businesses are enthusiastically embracing VR. For me, seeing businesses…
The Makuti-Chirundu Fibre Optic Link project is part of TelOne’s network modernisation drive meant to connect Zimbabwe to Zambia and beyond. This was revealed by Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of ICTs, Postal and Courier Services yesterday while presiding at the official commissioning of the Makuti – Chirundu Fibre Optic Link, a project which was…
: Sasai has launched Sasai Moments, a new social media networking and short video sharing capability. Sasai Moments will allow the App’s users to experience, capture, post and share videos, audio notes, pictures and user location tags, among other features. This will be driven mostly by user-generated content along the same lines as TikTok. The…
With the launch of TelOne’s Digital Impact Learning platform today, businesses and education can now reach out to wider audiences without the limitations of geographical boundaries. TelOne’s Digital Impact Learning platform encompasses learning using online platforms. In his keynote address during the launch, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of ICTs, Postal, and Courier Services said…
Dr. Gift Machengete, the Director-General of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has given an interesting insight into the ethical dimensions of information and knowledge societies while speaking at the 10th virtual high-level policy session of the World Summit on the Information Society yesterday. Below, Spiked Online Media shares Dr. Machengete’s astute…
Telecommunication companies operating in the country must have breathed a heavy sigh of relief last week after regulator Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) allowed them to charge tariffs that are not only based in foreign currency, but also adjusted in line with the ruling foreign currency exchange rate. While Potraz said the…
Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services officially opened the Chinotimba Community Information Centre in Victoria Falls today. “I am highly honoured to preside over the official launch of Chinotimba Community Information Centre (CIC), here in Matabeleland North Province. Whilst Chinotimba CIC has been operating, it had not been officially handed…
More and more brands are looking to digital research as a means of unlocking the insights they require to reach the African consumer. However, despite huge amounts of digital data and exponential increases in respondents, market research is not yet effectively leveraging the digital revolution. A recent survey indicates only 5% of research in RSA,…
Speaking during the virtual World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum, Dr. Jenfan Mufwere, the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services said the digital economy offers opportunities for increased productivity even amidst global challenges like COVID-19. Dr. Muswera was among the High-Level Panel Policy Session 7 Speakers at the WSIS 2020 Forum that…
According to The Economist Intelligence Unit – Inclusive Internet Index 2020, over 800 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are unconnected to the internet Today Facebook (www.Facebook.com) released findings from The Impact of Facebook’s Connectivity Initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa (https://bit.ly/2ORXiwd), a study conducted by Analysys Mason that highlights how Facebook investments in infrastructure and connectivity across the region…
By Bernard Marr The enormous amount of data being generated every day is changing our world, and has given rise to a term most of us are now familiar with: big data. The sheer volume of data available is just one of the many challenges in working with big data. But perhaps the biggest data threat…
By Bernard Marr Robots – some of us love them, some of us worry they are going to take our jobs, and some of us are worried they are going to take over the world. Because of increasingly sophisticated manufacturing processes, and increasingly powerful AI, robots – humanoid or otherwise – are becoming more capable, useful,…
Portfolio will be sold at zero-profit to governments in up to 791 eligible countries during the pandemic and until a vaccine or curative treatment is available Portfolio of 15 generic and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines from Sandoz division addresses urgent unmet needs of low- and lower-middle-income countries to treat patients with COVID-19 symptoms; Portfolio will be…
The TelOne National Operations Centre officially launched in Harare today by the Minister of ICTs, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Dr. Jenfan Muswere will ensure that service delivery to end-users becomes more efficient while businesses and individuals can now work with less disruption for guaranteed business into the future. Dr. Muswere made the remarks while…
By Bernard Marr During the current coronavirus pandemic, cloud computing is playing an increasingly prominent part in many of our lives. From how we stay entertained, to socialising with friends and doing business, it’s fair to say that when things eventually return to normal many people will have a far greater appreciation of cloud and…
By Bernard Marr Nanotechnology essentially means controlling matter on a tiny scale, at the atomic and molecular level. This sounds truly sci-fi, but can, in fact, be put to some very ordinary uses in surprisingly everyday products. In this article, we’ll explore common products that make use of nanotechnology – but first, let’s get a…
The Startup Incubator programme is aimed at helping women turn their renewable and green energy enterprise idea into a product or service that customers want to buy The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (http://www.AWIEForum.org) has launched a new initiative “Enterprise Development for Women-Owned Ventures in Green Energy” and is pleased to announce the…
By Bernard Marr With much of the world in lockdown due to the spreading coronavirus, the impact that cloud computing has had on the ways we work and do business is more apparent than ever before. Thousands of businesses now rely on cloud to carry out essential day-to-day operations, as well as to enable their…
…Gives customers a Bank in their Pocket At a time when Banks worldwide are looking for ways to bring innovation during the current COVID-19 pandemic, BancABC launched their A360 Mobile Banking App. Described as a “bank in your pocket” the latest innovation from the #ATeam offers customers the convenience of all their banking services in…
Important advances in COVID-19 research, including promising data on new treatments, were announced today ahead of the virtual COVID-19 Conference, the world’s first abstract-driven scientific meeting dedicated to the global pandemic. Hosted by IAS – International AIDS Society, the COVID-19 Conference will take place on 10 July (extending into July 11 in some time zones), following…
By Anyway Yotamu Rooftop solar energy has emerged as one of the sources of power that can ease the consumption of energy on the national grid. This was revealed at the commissioning of the Switzerland Embassy Solar Project in Harare. In a country endowed with abundant solar resources, the Swiss Embassy has managed to install…
3G phone comes bundled with 3-month free data Econet Wireless has partnered with KaiOS Technologies, a leading maker of mobile operating systems for feature smart phones, to launch the ‘Atom 3G’ phone – the country’s first 3G smart feature phone, that is set to help millions of Zimbabweans to access the Internet and become digitally…
The government says its project implementation under the 100-day cycle programme is expected to move the country forward as it aspires to attain Vision 2030 for the benefit of the citizens. For that reason, a senior government official said it is a collective responsibility to ensure the best use of available resources for the betterment…
By Bernard Marr One of the many benefits of using artificial intelligence (AI) is to help us view societal problems from a different perspective. While there’s been much hubbub about how AI might be misused, we must not overlook the many ways AI can be used for good. Our global issues are complex, and AI provides us…
The Zimbabwe Coalition od Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) has underscored the fact that digital finance systems are playing an increasing role in macro-economic health globally. The statement came after the government had given a Press Release on the Suspension of Monetary Transactions on Mobile Based Money Platforms (One Money, MyCash, Ecocash, and Telecash) dated 26…
The global coronavirus pandemic caused overnight challenges for governments around the world adapting to the impacts on supply chains and goods clearances. Now, a group of supply chain and Customs experts have come together virtually to underline the importance of digitalisation as the world starts its recovery in a post COVID-19 world. The first in a…
Our immune system is a complex network in the body that protects us from viruses such as the common cold and other diseases. Maintaining immune health is quintessential to living a healthy life. With innovations in cannabis, many wonder if CBD (cannabidiol), the non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant, has the power to boost our…
Priya Venkatesan The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of abating, with WHO reporting 4·9 million cases and 322 000 deaths globally as of May 21, 2020. What also shows no sign of abating is the ferocious reactive response to the pandemic—academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and governments alike have turned almost their whole focus to COVID-19…
Qualcomm made good on a pledge to drive 5G into mass-market devices by incorporating the technology into its 6-series chipset, predicting this would address growing demand for next-generation services. In a briefing, Qualcomm senior director of product management Deepu John argued 5G is “more than simply” a next-generation leap, with the technology enabling the vendor…
By Ross Geller Since the last decade, the DNA sequencing industry has grown significantly. That is because of the requirement to express and target specific proteins in order to obtain a desirable phenotype and to perform a particular action. The rise and research of DNA sequencing and custom peptide synthesis have gained substantial numbers ever…
Sunny Yi Feng roofing tiles are the first of its kind to be introduced in Zimbabwe. Very few people know about them. This is the material used at the former President Robert Mugabe’s famous Blue Roof mansion and the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe. In China, it has been used for over 600 years. It is…
My Digital World is a consolidation of all Facebook digital literacy programs including Safe Online with Facebook, Ilizwe Lam, and eZibo and will be offered virtually this year Yesterday, Facebook (www.facebook.com) announced the launch of “My Digital World” a programme designed to equip the youth and general public across Sub-Saharan Africa with digital skills needed…
Can shoes spread the COVID-19 virus? The likelihood of COVID-19 being spread on shoes and infecting individuals is very low. As a precautionary measure, particularly in homes where infants and small children crawl or play on floors, consider leaving your shoes at the entrance of your home. This will help prevent contact with dirt or…
The Paris Agreement effectively came into force in 2020, replacing the Kyoto Protocol which has lapsed. Now the COVID-19 is dampening the prospects of countries to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and implement their commitments to reduce and limit greenhouse gas emissions. Zimbabwe has communicated an NDC that seeks to reduce by 33 percent…
Rising costs as a result of high inflation and a depreciating local currency are threatening the viability of telecommunication companies (telcos) as margins continue to be squeezed, putting the entire industry at risk. This is according to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) in its sector performance report for the first quarter…
By Bernard Marr As countries prepare to wind down social distancing efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19, there are hopes that technology will come to our aid, where a medical solution has so far eluded us. Contact tracing apps are designed to automate the process of tracking those who are likely to have been…
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) has said the performance of the sector continues to be dependent on the economic environment. In his statement on the sector performance report for the first quarter of 2020, Dr. Gift Machengete, the POTRAZ Director-General said the economic environment impacts the sector through service demand and consumption levels,…
Ecocash’s online self-service portal allows its agents, merchants, billers, bulk payers, and payroll channel partners to submit their applications online without the need to physically visit Econet shops or offices to be served. The self-service portal, which is open to existing and prospective channel partners, allows them to register on an online portal, submit their…
Cassava Edutech has launched the Akello E-library, an online library platform offering hundreds of school curriculum books that are set to strengthen Zimbabwe’s education sector by providing learners, students and teachers with easy access to a wide variety of Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) prescribed text books in schools. “We are introducing the Akello E-Library…
By Bernard Marr One thing that the novel coronavirus COVID-19 did for all of us was to push us outside comfort zones and to adapt to new ways of working and living no matter how resistant we might be. From enabling telecommuting for workers who hadn’t done so prior to tackling video conferencing, we expanded…
By Bertalan Meskó, MD, PhD Director of The Medical Futurist Institute (Keynote Speaker, Author & Futurist) It’s been enough for a bit, isn’t it? For three months now, there has been little space in the world for any other kind of news. That is, news without the word ‘coronavirus’. But there was innovation, there is excitement…
UNICEF, in partnership with Econet Wireless and ZiFM Stereo is launching The Internet of Good Things (IoGT) through a virtual live music show featuring Jah Prayzah, Gemma Griffiths, Tamy Moyo, Long John, Nutty O and Asaph. The event will be aired live on ZiFM Radio as well as streamed through ZiFM, UNICEF Zimbabwe and Econet Wireless Facebook…
By Dr. Jenfan Muswere The importance of ICTs during the COVID – 19 period cannot be overstated given that, due to lockdown restrictions, most people have had to work from home using e – platforms while scholars and pupils have had to engage in e-learning and health institutions have had to rely on e-health for…
The Financial Securities Exchange, a member of the Escrow Group a leading pan African fintech company, has been in discussions with the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) to facilitate the integration of the practical securities trading and capital raising platforms that FINSEC offers with the academic theory that is taught at the institution. These discussions…
