By Byron Mutingwende One of Cassava Smartech’s insurance arms, Moovah, has entered into a partnership with ZIMPOST to enhance convenience for their customers countrywide. Speaking during the unveiling of the partnership in Harare on 31 January 2019, Mr. George Nyashanu, the Managing Director of Econet Insurance and Life, said the move was in line with…
The African Energy Chamber (EnergyChamber.org) has entered into a technical assistance cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Petroleum of the Republic of South Sudan to strengthen the country’s capacity to manage its hydrocarbons sector and wealth. South Sudan has over the past year demonstrated a commitment to peace, which gives the country an opportunity to…
Econet has chosen the City of Bulawayo as the centre of its renewable energy business in Zimbabwe. Econet Energy CEO, Mr Norman Moyo said at the direction of the group Chairman, Mr Strive Masiyiwa, the company is setting up Bulawayo to try and stimulate employment opportunities in Zimbabwe’s second largest city. The Econet Energy business…
The potential for new technology to support African smallholders receives insufficient attention, says director of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) The huge promise of technology to help improve productivity, profitability and sustainability for African smallholders should be higher on the international agenda, the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture heard. Michael…
Businessman Strive Masiyiwa has so far founded four different businesses that are valued at more than $13 billion. Commenting on his Facebook page, the Econet founder said four of his business ventures had become what are known as Unicorns: -Econet Wireless Zimbabwe $3,2bn -Cassava Zimbabwe $3,8bn -Liquid Telecom $2,5bn, -And Airtel Nigeria, which he started…
By Lovemore Chazingwa The quest for bringing out Africa’s economic potential and sustainable growth through investment from abroad can be tapped as a result of properly protected Intellectual Property (IP), a regional workshop heard. In it’s opening remarks at the high level workshop held at Africa Regional Intellectual Property Rights Organisation headquarters December 5 last…
By Charles Dhewa Hundreds of mobile applications and technology platforms are launched in Africa almost every day, thanks to the promise of digital-fuelled progress. Unfortunately most of the platforms (including those owned by famous mobile network providers) are trotted onto the market prematurely before sufficient pre-testing. There is also confusion between a platform, a portal,…
Free Web Hosting, initially launched August 2018 in Zimbabwe, has extended its services to neighboring South Africa. Since its Zimbabwe debut, FWH has captured the attention of website developers, tech hubs, companies and the blogging community all across the nation. The platform enables individuals and/or companies to move their existing websites from paid hosting. In…
Liquid Telecom South Africa to provide wholesale open access roaming services to network operators starting early 2019 Liquid Telecom South Africa, part of the leading pan-African telecoms group Liquid Telecom, today announced that it will establish a multi-billion Rand 4G network in South Africa. From early 2019, wholesale roaming services will be made available across…
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority is proud to have its subsidiary, ARDA Seeds, that is providing seeds as a critical input to ensure bumper harvests for all farmers countrywide. Speaking to Spiked Online Media, Jemitius Mukiwa, an ARDA marketing executive said ARDA SEEDS (Pvt) LTD is a registered private company wholly owned subsidiary of Agricultural…
Cassava SmarTech Zimbabwe made history on 18 December 2018 when it debuted in the market at a price of $1,50 per share, valuing the company at $3,8 billion. It immediately became Zimbabwe’s third most valuable company after Delta and Econet Wireless (its now telecoms only, sister company). By any measure this is easily the largest…
By Tendai Guvamombe In order to curb challenges ranging from economic turmoils to global warming effects, investing in the vibrant young blood will be a wisest solution, a Boost Fellowship meeting has revealed In Zimbabwe, the Boost Fellowship (BF) under the support of UNICEF is working towards a global youth initiative trending as Generation Unlimited…
The country registered a significant milestone in the Tourism Digital Space by launching the AccoLeisure Zimbabwe Travel Guide and the Zimbabwe Destination Video in Harare yesterday. In line with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (STP), Priscah Mupfumira, the Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry said the launch was in sync with one of the key…
By Owami Sithole KinderCare Zimbabwe launched Zimbabwe digital evolution learning workshop embracing quality education in the 21st digital era. Educational technology help teachers and students in that it provides benefits such as organization, efficiency, collaboration, communication, extra help and virtual experiences. Kinder Care Zimbabwe launched a digital education resource application called Smart-Kidz Club. In an interview…
EcoCash, Steward Bank partner to offer hassle-free small loans Bank unveils instant *236# bank-account opening service Cassava SmarTech’s fintech businesses EcoCash and Steward Bank have partnered to offer instant, nano loans to their combined customer base of more than 10 million customers. Announcing the launch of Kashagi/Inyuku nano loans in Harare today, Steward Bank also…
By Miriam Zvomuya and Tendai Guvamombe African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) in conjunction with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) today hosted a regional conference on Intellectual Property management in Universities and Research and Development Institutions in Africa in the Capital. Running under the theme, “Fostering Creativity and Innovation…
Zimnat has launched a customer service chatbot, an automated chat that responds to customer queries and provides answers to frequently asked questions. The chatbot has been aptly named Musa. She can help clients with customer service queries as well as redirect them to the online portal. Musa is available on the Zimnat website…
The innovation pipeline at Cassava SmarTech is now in overdrive as the company prepares to launch two more services this week. The technology and fintech company’s subsidiary Cassava On Demand will this week introduce Vaya Express, a new package delivery service that will be operated by young people on bicycles and motor bikes. A common…
Package empowers customers to create own unique voice, data, SMS & media bundles Econet Wireless has launched YoMix, a flexible value package that empowers customers to design customised bundles of voice, data, SMS, media, and other value-added services to suit their own needs. Customers will access the service via USSD, using a mobile App, or…
Cassava SmarTech has unveiled a foreign currency account (FCA) wallet on its EcoCash platform, the company’s popular mobile money subsidiary. The introduction of the FCA digital wallet, which will appear alongside its existing wallet as an option on the Ecocash menu, comes in the wake of the introduction of foreign currency or Nostro accounts by…
By Miriam Zvomuya The Minister of Energy and Power Development Hon Minister Dr. Joram Gumbo is calling on households and industries to use solar thermal energy for heating to assist in saving and reducing the current power import bill. This emerged at a launch of the Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap and Implementation Plan for Zimbabwe…
By Byron Mutingwende All roads lead to the inaugural Data Science Zimbabwe Conference to be held in Harare on the 13th and 17th of December 2018. The conference seeks to showcase the value of data science skills and data science opportunities through industry case studies presented by local and international speakers. According…
Zimbabweans have taken to Vaya Lift – the Uber style ride hailing service offered by Cassava on Demand – “like a duck to water”, according to Cassava Group CEO Mr Darlington Mandivenga. Speaking from London where he is part of a road show to foreign investors, Mr Mandivenga said: “Vaya is going to be massive…
Media streaming service, Kwesé iflix, now has more than 5 million users in Zimbabwe and continues to grow rapidly, according to Econet Wireless Zimbabwe CEO Mr Douglas Mboweni, who says the platform had been a “runaway success” and was “the future” of the business. Mr Mboweni said the decision to suspend the satellite Pay…
Combining tourism and environment under one roof requires the creation of synergies to ensure a shared vision, and a team that will be united for the success of the new ministry of environment, tourism and hospitality industry. Speaking at her Ministry’s Strategic Plan in Mutare under the theme, “Towards a Prosperous and Empowered Upper Middle Income…
The 1st Forum of the GMES and Africa (www.au.int/en/GMESAfrica) kicked off in the Gabonese capital, Libreville. More than 400 delegates from Africa, Europe and other parts of the world have gathered to discuss new and innovative Earth Observation technologies supporting Africa’s socio-economic development. Organised jointly by the African Union Commission and the government of Gabon, the…
Kwesé iflix, Africa’s game-changing digital entertainment platform, took centre stage at AfricaCom – the largest telecoms, media, and technology event in Africa – this year winning Best Innovation in Digital Entertainment. The award was presented by Balancing Act CEO Russell Southward. The awards honoured pioneering service providers and operators who are leading digital inclusion, connectivity…
By Byron Mutingwende The Scaling Up Nutrition Research and Academic Platform (SUNRAP) seeks to provide credible evidence by undertaking quality research, and strengthen the technical capacity of stakeholders (through appropriate training), to deliver a cohesive multi-sectoral action that improves food and nutrition security outcomes. This emerged at the combined Scaling Up Nutrition networks…
By Byron Mutingwende The youths have come up with issues of high priority code named Key Asks that they want the government and other stakeholders to address as a matter of urgency. This emerged at a breakfast meeting organised by the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) that held in Harare on 15…
By Michael Mashiri Information Communication Technology (ICT) plays a crucial role in all sectors of the economy and helps in the accomplishment of the three pillars of sustainable development goals, the Representative for Southern Africa, International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has said. Speaking at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) yesterday at a programme with the…
By Byron Mutingwende Grassroots Women under the auspices of the Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA) have vowed to ensure food security beyond the adverse effects of climate change. “Grassroots Women from Harare and Mashonaland East Provinces are implementing strategies to ensure food security and nutrition in spite of the adverse effects…
The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)’s International Seminar on Harnessing Cultural Tourism through Innovation and Technology and 40th Affiliate Members Plenary Session concluded with a renewed call for community participation in development of cultural tourism using cutting-edge technologies (12-14 November 2018, Hamedan, Islamic Republic of Iran). Cultural and heritage attractions are key to tourism development in…
In the field of telephony as in many others, Africa has jumped a technological step by moving directly to mobile. The outlook of the smartphone market is still seeing exponential growth. It is estimated that at least 660 million Africans (against 336 million in 2016) will be equipped with a smartphone by 2020. This breakthrough…
By Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi Those of you’ve who’ve never used Vaya might be wondering why I am reviewing a taxi service on this website. But once you try Vaya, you’ll understand. Cassava On Demand Services, a division of Cassava Smartech Zimbabwe – shortly to be listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) following its unbundling from Econet Wireless…
By Byron Mutingwende Ms. Caroline Mozhendi, the Econet Head of Agribusiness has encouraged the use of technology to combat the effects of climate change by farmers in Zimbabwe. Ms. Mozhendi made the remarks during an event whereby Ecofarmer joined the Shamva Agricultural College in celebrating 34 students who graduated at the institution on Friday…
By Byron Mutingwende Chinese healthcare giant, Tiens Group, seeks to invest more in Zimbabwe following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for opening up the country to the international community, the company’s chairman, Li Jinyuan has said. “I met President Mnangagwa and he revealed to me that he wants to open Zimbabwe for both local and…
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited (EWZL) has announced $600 million dollars in half-year revenue to 31 August 2018, up from $ 353 million in the same period last year, on the back of a strong performance by its ’SmarTech’ business unit. The conglomerate, which is well on its way to becoming the country’s first listed billion-dollar…
The UNWTO/WTM Ministers’ Summit, held on Tuesday by World Travel Market and the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), was well received by participants from government and the private sector for its more dynamic new format leading to more concrete takeaways around this year’s theme: Investment in Tourism Technology. This year, the UNWTO/WTM Ministers’ Summit held at…
Econet Media sets the record straight Kwesé parent company Econet Media (Mauritius) says reports that it has lost a court case against the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) are malicious, misinformed and misplaced. Responding to reports in the Herald newspaper that the Supreme Court had ruled that “Econet Media (Mauritius) cannot distribute Kwese TV…
Following Kwesé’s announcement of its move towards digital services, the broadcaster has said it will grant loyal Kwesé TV subscribers complimentary access to Kwesé iflix for 12 months. This means Kwesé TV subscribers with an active subscription as at October 31, 2018, can indulge in one year’s worth of uninterrupted access to a vast library…
By Byron Mutingwende Ecofarmer is working towards modernising agriculture by embracing technologies in order to improve production efficiency, achieve food security and profitability for farmers. In a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Leonard Munamati – the Provincial Crop and Livestock Production Officer for Mashonaland East Province at the Ecofarmer Agri-tech expo…
Zimbabwean companies struggling with getting their staff to work or going about their daily business requiring transport amid the current fuel crisis in Zimbabwe will be able to get round the challenge by using the new Vaya Lift ride service launched by Econet’s Cassava On Demand in Harare on Thursday. The ride hailing service,…
Rolls out convenient, App-based Uber-type transport service Embarks on massive driver recruitment campaign Cassava On Demand Services has launched the much-anticipated ‘Vaya Lift’ ride service, a safe, convenient and affordable passenger transportation service that can be easily booked from anywhere, at any time, via the convenience of a mobile application (App). Speaking at the launch…
By Miriam Zvomuya and Michael Mashiri Yesterday NetOne gave various awards to two of the three schools which won the OneMoney Fees For Less Promotion. The schools which were handed over prizes were Good Hope Junior School and Bridging The Gap Academy. Bridging The Gap Academy won the top prize worth $30 000, comprising of…
Cassava may not yet be a household name in Zimbabwe, but over the next few weeks Cassava is set to become one of the largest companies in the country. The company, best known through its numerous brands that for years have been part of Econet’s products and services, is set to emerge as a…
