Category Archives: Wananchi online

Battle for Africa Online

Telkom (South Africa) looks to emerge the winner in the battle for Africa Online after the African Lakes board (parent company) have accepted Telkom (SA)’s bid of £9.72 million (£25 per share) beating out Africa Telecoms Company (ATC) [which comprised Wananchi Online, Schneider Media and East Africa Capital Partners] who had offered £5.04 million (£18.50 per share)

While ATC had commited to move the company headquarters to Naiorbi, Telkom have not indicated their intentions for Kenya, as the Ethiopian and Malawian operations will be disposed of.

Meanwhile ATC will go ahead with its plans for laying out consumer broadband infrastructure to Kenya and other pan-African markets.

Telecommunications, ATM’s and foreign aid

Balancing Act

Balancing Act’s latest newsletter (No. 285) is a special issue on telecommunications developments in Kenya. Notable points include;
– Expect more ISP mergers (after Wananchi and ISPKenya)
– VoIP could cut the cost of international corporations communications costs from US$5,000 to US$700 a month.
– A looming financial crisis at Telkom could force the government to sell some shares in Safaricom to Vodafone or to the public via the Nairobi Stock Exchange.
– New call centers have difficulties finding people with the right voices to work there – and their preference for candidates who have had some international exposure.
– The jail sentence hanging over the head of Shem Ochuodho.

Pesa ATM’s

Pesa Point now has 60 ATMs installed around the country. My bank has pesa point but I will take a pass on them because of the additional cost (30/=per cash withdrawal)except for emergencies of if I am very far from my own Bank’s ATM. Pesa Point’s unique stand-alone ATM’s are popping up in all sorts of unexpected places such as the grounds of KICC and a restaurant opposite Hooter’s with little fanfare. The company should have a web site or better way to market/advertise each new ATM added, besides a statement from the MD.

Foreign Aid
President George W. Bush’s administration plans to overhaul the US foreign aid system and align programs more with US political interests. E.g. the State Department could take over the independent US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Biz news

Merger
It’s not AOL and Yahoo, but the merger of two internet service providers, Wananchi online and ISP Kenya, is big news today. According to Balancing Act Africa, Africa Online, ISPKenya, Wananchi, NairobiNet, Swift Global and Kenya Web account for about 60% of the Kenyan market.

E-Government
An e-Government consulting opportunity for companies to submit proposals on setting up a metro optical fibre network consisting of local area networks (LAN’s) at all ministry headquarters and a wide area network (WAN) to interconnect the LAN’s to enable cross-ministry communications and future e-government applications. Apply for proposal information (fee is 5,000 shillings) at info@kenya.go.ke and final submissions should be made to Head of Public Service by December 7.

Thai Expo
There’s a Thailand expo at Village market this week. No animals are involved.

Anniversary
Today marked the 1st anniversary of CDS – the central depository system of holding & trading of shares on the Nairobi Stock Exchange electronically, signalling the end of the era of paper share certificates in Kenya.