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…
By Gideon Madzikatidze Mobile telephony giant, Econet and Higherlife Foundation has embarked on a massive clean-up campaign in the high density suburbs of Budiriro and Glenview in an endeavour to combat cholera. Econet and Higherlife Foundation representative, Mr. Lovemore Nyatsine said the organisation has already recruited 600 volunteers serving as health stewards or advocates in…
Seeking to advance use of innovation and cutting-edge technologies into cultural tourism practices, destinations and products, the International Seminar on Harnessing Cultural Tourism through Innovation and Technology will be held in Hamedan, Iran alongside the 40th UNWTO Affiliate Members Plenary Session (12-14 November 2018). The seminar recognises the significance of innovation in managing and promoting…
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is set to embark on a month-long clean-up campaign of the city of Harare, targeting Budiriro and Glen View – the epicentres of the recent cholera outbreak that has left 54 people dead and hundreds in need of treatment. The company has responded in a big way to the deadly disease…
By Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi Just recently, after being selected by the World Economic Forum to join its Young Global Leaders Class of 2018, Natalie Jabangwe, Ecocash CEO, is yet again amongst the three Zimbabwean business executives and entrepreneurs who have been nominated for the All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA), established to honour business excellence among…
By Byron Mutingwende The reduction of food losses and waste (FLW) is essential in the creation of efficient value chains, which are the core of sustainable food systems that contribute to food security, nutrition, economic growth and environmental benefit, it has been noted. Berhanu Bedane, the Livestock Development Officer for the Food and…
By Charles Dhewa It is lamentable that, in spite of setting up hundreds of universities and research institutes, developing countries continue to import knowledge. For instance, African countries are not just importing equipment and finished products from the West and East but also importing knowledge in the form of prescriptions on how to use those…
World Tourism Day 2018 was observed in Budapest, Hungary on 27 September 2018 with the official celebration focusing on the digital transformation in tourism, a World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) priority. The event examined how investment in new technology provides the sector with opportunities for innovation. Introducing a new seminar-based format, the official celebration provided crucial…
Orange Money is now one of the Group’s leading growth drivers and continues to evolve to better serve people, companies, institutions and governments Orange Money, Orange’s (www.Orange.com) mobile money solution, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Launched in 2008, the service currently has 40 million customers and is available in 17 countries, reaching €26 billion in transactions in…
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has confirmed that it has developed a loyalty programme designed to reward customer usage of its wide product portfolio. “Yes, we are in the final stages of piloting our loyalty programme, which will be formally launched soon,” Econet’s Media and Communication Executive Fungai Mandiveyi said. He said the programme used a “digital…
Investment in innovation and smart management for tourism will form the major theme of the Ministerial Summit of this year’s World Travel Market, to be held in London, UK (6 November 2018). The 2018 Summit, a joint initiative of World Travel Market and the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), will debut a revamped format. This year’s…
By Munyaradzi Dhure An innovative application on travelling for the Zimbabwean travellers is on the cards, courtesy of Emergency Taxi as young scientists take on new modern trends to address transport challenges in Zimbabwe. Emergency Taxi Chief Executive Officer Prince Pirikisi briefed the media on plans to officially launch an application system which offers an…
A new challenge calling on young innovators across Zimbabwe to design solutions that will improve education, skills development and training for young people, and empower them to take action on issues that affect them, was launched yesterday. Winning applicants will contribute to the success of Generation Unlimited, which is a new, ambitious partnership – launched at a…
By Byron Mutingwende The pristine citadel of knowledge located in Norton in the Mashonaland West Province, Good Care Pre-school is continuously growing not only in numbers but as the best centre for infant learning. The school owes its success to the founder, Mrs Gertrude Mandizvidza, who is a phenomenal businesswoman, philanthropist and generous…
Digitisation and the rise of the platform economy are changing the way firms do business. To thrive amidst these changes, small firms need strong business ecosystems. ITC’s SME Competitiveness Outlook 2018 explains how to make big data work for small firms, how to focus today on building skills for tomorrow and how to foster public trust in…
By Byron Mutingwende Renowned traditional healer Kamwelo Banda popularly known as Sekuru Banda has joined the fight against cholera and pledged support to those impacted by the pandemic. In a rare show of love and compassion, Sekuru Banda took time off his busy schedule where he often meets his legion of clients who…
NetOne, one of the leading telephony companies, has presented computers to National Blood Services Zimbabwe winners at a colourful ceremolny at Mutenderende High School in Chirumanzu. In a speech read on his behalf by Dr, Eldrette Shereni, the Netone Marketing and Public Executive, the NetOne Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr Nkosinathi Ncube said his organisation…
It is now possible to use a smart phone to activate and control one’s security alarm system from anywhere, provided the phone has an internet connection, utilising Safeguard’s Smart Home system. The alarm can be switched on or off, using the phone. Particular zones can be armed or disarmed. The electric gate can be…
FreeZim Congress leader and prominent businessman Joseph Makamba Busha has pledged five thousand dollars ($5 000) towards the construction of a science laboratory at Henry Low Primary school in Bulawayo last Friday. While officiating as the guest of honour at a Climate Change Awareness campaign launch in the city of Kings, organised by the Zimbabwe…
