Category Archives: Econet

Kenya telecommunication license bundle

The Communications Commission of Kenya has officially tendered the license for a second national telephone operator to compete with Telkom Kenya.

As promised by the Government, the license also included a national cellular license, which effectively kills off non-starting Econet who have been unable to get moving after three years (they will probably sue the Government unsuccessfully, further delaying the license)

The license includes: local voice & data access, national long distance voice & data access, national cellular mobile, international voice gateway, commercial VSAT and internet backbone.

Experienced telecommunication operators who have a proven annual turnover of $150 million and manage over 500,000 subscribers are invited to bid provided they will be 30% partnered with Kenyans. Deadline for applications is June 30 and the license will be awarded in January 2007.

Ecofade

According the People newspaper, Econet wireless has lost its case against the Government of Kenya – which is now free to source and re-advertise for a new third mobile operator for the country.

Meanwhile the other two operators, Celtel and Safaricom, have both applied to the CCK for licenses to provide and operate international gateway telecommunication systems and services. They are likely to begin after June 2006.

Lazy tender job blog day

What about them? It is was hypocritical of the US and Britain to call for the resignation of Kenyan Minister Chris Murungaru, while retaining their own scandal ridden leaders like Dick Cheney and David Blunkett

Give them a chance: James Shikwati argues that indigenous Maasai should manage Amboseli Park which is their own land and resources – not outsiders.

Running in America: Paul Tergat will tackle the New York marathon for the first time on Sunday.

Remember Econet? Econet who seem to spend more time in court than on telecommunications will list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in May 2006, in a bid to raise $500 million.

We want oil: Kenya continues her search for oil and doesn’t care who finds it.

Tenders

Free trade at Mombasa: The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has invited firms to set up a free trade zone at the Mombasa port via a 33 year build-operate-transfer (BOT) concession. Interested bidders should submit a business plan for the project via December 21 to kpamd@kpa.co.ke after obtaining detailed tender documents form KPA.

Airport expansion: The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport modernisation and upgradation project has invited firms to construct a passenger apron at terminal 4, taxiways, car parks and associated facilities. Documents should be submitted to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) by November 10.

Separately, in Parliament a Minister said that the Government plans to build a second runway at the airport after recent incidents should how necessary this move was.

Airport repair: The KAA has also invited a tender for emergency rehabilitation work at Moi international airport (Mombasa) involving reconstruction of 175 metres of pavement and installation of drainage & electrical systems (including flood lights). Tenders to be submitted to KAA by 1st December.

Bank software: Consolidated Bank invited bids for the supply, installation and commissioning of a credit risk and debt management system (closing November 22)

Elsewhere K-Rep Bank, a micro finance institution just installed a similar solution – Temenos T 24 at a cost of 102 million shillings.

Jobs

The Communications Commission of Kenya is hiring:
– Manager procurement
– Manager new technologies
– Assistant director standards & type approval
– Assistant director compliance & consumer affairs
– Statistics officer
– Economic analysis officer
– Economist/ communications services
– Legal officer
– Radio engineers (5)

Telkom Kenya is hiring:
– Manager call centre
– Distribution manager
– Head of customer service
– Regional sales manager

A remittance company
IRNet Coop Kenya (ICK), a company setting up remittance services with an international partner is hiring:
– General Manager; Must have MBA, and IT exp would be a plus and 3 to 5 years management experience in banking, finance, telecom or retail industry.
– Operations manager; must have 3 to 5 years of administrative/accounting experience in banking finance, telecom or related field.
For both: Applicants must be aged between 28 – 35, and have business degrees in finance, accounts or engineering and experience with integrated accounts software as well as good analysis skills and knowledge of local market. Apply to IRNet Coop Kenya box 73236-00200 by 7 November.

Bring on MTN and 5th mobile company

Going though some old newspapers, I found this interview with Econet’s Chief Marketing Officer: He admits that Econet will have to charge Kenyan cell phone users just as much, if not more, than Safaricom and Celtel if and when they ever begin operations.

Business Week

CCK Back at work
Things are moving again at the Communications Commission of Kenya – they are reviewing applications for two ISP’s, 4 local courier services, 2 premium rate service providers and a call centre service provider known as “All About Marketing”

But they have now flipped the script on Econet Wireless and now strongly oppose the third mobile operator who had sued Information minister Raphael Tuju and the CCK. The lawsuit has also been expanded to include other parties, and is likely to delay Econet or any other provider from offering a third cell phone service in Kenya.

Job Watch
Kenya Commercial Bank has advertised for a new post of Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Applicants must have a university degree, a financial base and 10 years relevant experience. They must also be currently employed as general managers at other organizations. (it’s interesting to note how boards can manipulate the inclusion or exclusion of certain candidates through highly subjective selection criteria). Apply to Hawkins & Associates at Hawkins.associates@khigroup.com quoting ref no. 111/BO/FN

Other companies hiring this week are Huawei Technologies, Karen Hospital Nation Media Group, Rusinga School and several NGO’s.

Media Conference in Nairobi
The International Press Institute (IPI) World Congress and 54th General Assembly will take place in Nairobi from May 21st to 24th at KICC. great web site that gives vital info for participants and visitors

Coffee sector woes
In the Kenya gazette last week, Co-operative Minister Njeru Ndwiga revoked all exemptions to the cooperative societies act currently enjoyed by the Kenya Planters Cooperative Union. Missing coffee from warehouse

KPCU is currently facing other troubles for failing to deliver coffee it sold to coffee exporters at the weekly Nairobi Coffee Exchange auctions.

Getting wireless in Kenya
The Grand Regency Hotel (a leading Nairobi hotel) will roll out wireless internet connectivity (802.11b) throughout the hotel’s rooms and facilities.

Banking in Naivasha
CFC Bank has opened a branch in Naivasha, which is about 90 kilometres from Nairobi. They also have a unique ATM located at a flower farm in Naivasha and farm workers are issued with special cards which they use to draw money from the ATM – reducing their need to go to town for banking purposes.

Upcoming Events

Nation Media Group AGM
Will be held on May 26th at the Nation Printing Plant on Mombasa Road (Nairobi)

Among the agenda items will be
(i) approval of an interim dividend of 20% (1 Kshs. Per share) bring the total dividend for the year to 100% (5 shillings per share)
(ii) increase the share capital of the bank from 300 million to 600 million shillings by creating 60 million new shares (of Kshs. 5 shillings each) to rank pari pasu with existing shareholders
(iii) approval of payment of bonus shares: registered shareholders as at May 13 will received 1 bonus share for each 3 they own. (however these new shares will not qualify for the interim dividend – see (i) above)
(iv) increase the number of directors.

Equity Bank AGM
Will be held on Friday May 27th at Fourways Towers on Muindi Mbingu Street. Agenda has not been published, but their IPO is not likely to take place till next year.