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Huawei opens mobile contest for app developers in Africa, USD 200,000 up for grabs

Huawei has launched a mobile app contest pitting developers against each other for up to USD 200,000 in prizes. The contest will see developers within the continent showcase their best work for a chance of winning amazing prizes.

The tech company which has faced uncertain future due to sanctions imposed by the United States continues to forge ahead hoping to gain from other sectors including its own android based operating system as well as App Store. The company is inviting developers who want to get a share of its USD 200,000 in prizes to submit their applications for this year’s contest.

How to participate in Huawei Apps UP 2021 contest

  • To compete, developers need to sign-up on this link
  • They’ll compete against other developers across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and China
  • Submit your App before 5 September 2021

Awards for winners

Developers will contest for various categories including “Best Application Award”, “Best Game Award”, “Most Social Impact App”, “Best HMS Core Innovation Award”, “All Scenario Coverage Award”, “Excellent Student Award”, “Starlight Creative Award” and “Honorable Mention Award”

Additionally, the competition will enable developers to become part of Huawei’s ecosystem which includes several devices while allowing them to access a global market. Once they’ve joined the contest, developers will onboard their apps to Huawei AppGallery, which will give them access to over 730 million Huawei global smartphone users, increasing access to potential partners and investors.

How to check if your Huduma Card is ready for collection using ID number

Huduma card was a smart initiative by the government to incorporate most of its services into a single card. In essence, Kenyans with the card would be able to access most of government services such as NSSF, NHIF, e-Citizen without necessarily having to carry additional identification documents. The idea behind the Huduma card was brilliant, but the execution was mostly somewhere in between.

For those who are yet to collect their Huduma cards or are wondering whether they’ve already been issued for collection, there’s a simple way to check using a computer or a smartphone with internet connection. I’m not sure whether the card is still relevant at this point, but it is better to assume the government at some point will go through with the initial promise when the idea was first floated.

How to check if your Huduma card is ready for collection using ID number

Equitel users to enjoy 4G speeds after Equity Group rolled out the network service

Equity Group has just rolled out 4G network coverage to Equitel users, aimed at offering faster internet connection speeds than older technologies. According to the parent company, customers on its virtual mobile network will now enjoy faster network coverage on its fourth-generation platform. 4G was the successor to 3G network and is currently the most used fastest mobile network platform in the country.

While it might seem as though Equitel is playing catch-up, especially after Safaricom officially announced availability of 5G network in some places within the country, most Kenyans don’t have handsets with capabilities of utilizing the fifth-generation network. In fact, handsets that support 5G are still way expensive for the average Kenyan.  

While speaking on the rollout, Finserve Africa Managing Director and Equity Group IT and Operations Director Lanre Bamisebi said the new 4G SIM was going to tackle the issue of slow internet speeds, as well as limited data coverage. 4G network is expected to enable customers to enjoy faster browsing, downloading and uploading speeds.

Equitel 4G SIM cards to be available at Equity Bank branches

Kenyans are now completing most of their financial transactions on their phones compared to pre-covid era. This is partly dues to the government’s aggressive campaign aimed at curbing the spread of the corona virus. And as expected, anyone who wants to upgrade or get a 4G Equitel line can easily do so at any of Equity Bank’s branches.

Dstv subscribers in Kenya to get a price hike of 6.3 percent on rising costs

Subscribers on pay TV platform – Dstv will see their monthly bills hike by up to 6.3 percent in a move aimed at cutting down on operation costs. MultiChoice Kenya, announced the new rates that range from 5 percent for some packages, and up to 9 percent on some packages. Affected customers are those who are currently on the Gotv and Dstv platforms.

The latest move by Kenya’s largest pay TV provider is seen as a tactical move aimed at mitigating the effects of the current pandemic which has wreaked havoc across the world. Covid-19 has had a significant impact on many businesses which saw their revenue streams shrink and at the same time lead to massive job loses.

Dstv Kenya and Gotv New Rates

Premium package has increased from Ksh. 7,900 to Ksh. 8,400, while the Compact Plus bouquet increased from Ksh. 4,800 to Ksh. 5,100.

Speaking on the new rates, MultiChoice Kenya managing director Nancy Matimu said the new rates will take effect from September 1, 2021 and affects customers on both Dstv and Gotv platforms.

Gotv also saw paltry increases in prices such as the Max bouquet which will now attract Ksh. 1,150 from Ksh. 1,070. For those on lower packages such as Gotv Lite and Gotv Value will pay additional Ksh, 10 and Ksh 40 consecutively.

Safaricom customers to use Bonga Points to invest at Nairobi Securities Exchange

Bonga Points is a loyalty reward scheme run by Safaricom to reward customers with points whenever they use services on its network. With Bonga Points, Safaricom customers have been able to redeem various items including paying for goods and services as well as booking a flight ticket on the Jambo Jet platform. The Telco has now extended the number of items that customers can redeem to include investing at the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

The move which has been made possible by the partnership of the two organizations – Safaricom and NSE, will allow subscribers on the Safaricom network with enough Bonga Points to invest in stocks using their accumulated Bonga Points. According to the telco, this opportunity is already available to all of its customers who can redeem Points through licensed trading participants, of which 10 are already activated. At the moment, these firms have been activated to accept Bonga Points; AIB-AXYS, ABC Capital, Old Mutual Securities, Kingdom Securities, Suntra Investments, NCBA Capital, Faida Investment Bank, Francis Drummond & Company, Dyer & Blair Investments and Sterling Capital LTD.

Speaking on the development, Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the company was now focusing on its next phase of transforming lives by availing a wide variety of products and services that meet its subscribers needs. Ngedwa further pointed out how the partnership with Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) would increase value for customer’s Bonga Points while at the same time driving economic empowerment.

How to Invest at Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) using Bonga Points

To start investing in stock, customers will redeem their points at a rate of KES 1 for every 5 points via the ‘Lipa Na Bonga’ menu on USSD *126# or MySafaricom App. Customers will then key in the Trading Participant’s paybill number followed by their CDSC (Central Depository and Settlement Corporation) account number.

  • Dial *126# on your mobile phone
  • Then Choose Lipa na Bonga Points
  • Then key in the Trading Participant’s paybill number
  • Under the Account number, enter your CDSC (Central Depository and Settlement Corporation)

Geoffrey Odundo, the Chief Executive Officer at Nairobi Securities Exchange said the initiative aims to unlock more investment opportunities to investors using convenient and innovative solutions. He further added the partnership resonated with NSE’s resolve to connect capital with opportunities as anchored in the NSE 2020-2024 strategic plan.

Central Bank of Kenya will now decide how much mobile loan lenders will charge you in interest

Kenyan law makers have finally accorded the country’s financial regulator – CBK powers needed to control how much interest financial institutions charges you on mobile loans. Under the proposed law which is currently before parliament after getting a node from the parliamentary committee on Finance and National planning, the CBK will have a final say on how much interest financial institutions can charge on mobile loans.

Currently, digital lenders in the country place interests on their loans themselves without any form of regulations, a move that brought about very expensive loans. Hard economic times coupled with the adverse effects on the corona virus has drove many Kenyans to take up loans, which most of them are very expensive and have since put most of them in debt loops.   

According to members of the Financial committee, the new regulations are aimed at reducing cost of digital loans to Kenyans by giving the regulator absolute powers to supervise lenders. This will be the first time in the country that such regulations have been put in place, especially after the CBK restricted unregulated mobile lenders from accessing the CRB bureaus. This is a new development from the initial proposals that were mum on lending rates regulations. Earlier proposals only outlined how digital lenders were to approach on their loan pricing. This essentially meant that they only needed to seek necessary approvals from the regulator, just like banks do.

A Guide for Keen Drivers: How to Earn a Living Out on the Open Road

If driving is your true passion in life, why don’t you seek to earn some money from it? Truck driving, taxiing, advertising — whether you’re looking for a side hustle or whether you’re ready for a full-blown career change, there are plenty of ways for you to earn a living out there on the open road.

Intrigued? If so, let’s get straight to it! Here are three vehicle-based vocations that will be sure to bring you some serious job satisfaction:

Truck driving

Truck driving is the perfect career choice for people who enjoy their own company and love hitting the open road for extended periods of time. Should you enter this niche sector of the driving industry, you will be tasked with embarking on long, solitary drives on a day-to-day basis.

There are several things you should do to maximize your profit potential as a truck driver. For example, you should respect the code of federal regulations (CFR), remain safe on the roads at all times by never driving while you are tired or intoxicated, and abide by the speed limits imposed upon you. To take your career one step further, make sure to forge fruitful relationships with your regular dispatchers and put in place plans. You can, for instance, keep an eye on the weather forecast in order to plan ahead for potential issues, hazards, and delays, and also plan your route with truck stops and fuel stations in mind. As a truck driver, you must ensure you never travel empty. You can do this by checking the Shiply truck loads on a regular basis. This makes every single journey you make as a truck driver one that matters. Just make sure that you deliver your loads on time, every time!

Taxiing

If you’d much rather remain closer to home, you might want to consider taxiing as your next vocation. Whether you work for an established taxi rank or whether you operate in a freelance role for a ride-hailing company, taking this route in your career will allow you to drive for a living without having to stray too far away from your local area.

To succeed with this endeavor, it’s absolutely essential that you remain professional and polite at all times. Nobody is going to want to get in your taxi if they don’t feel comfortable sitting alongside you for the duration of their journey, which is why you must go above and beyond to put your passengers at ease.

Advertising

Would you much rather supplement your current income with a part-time driving wage? If so, you should seriously consider wrapping your car in advertisements. Should you take on this straightforward marketing role, you will transform your car into a promotional tool. Regardless of what destinations you travel to via your vehicle — whether you drive to work, to the shops, or to pick the kids up from school — general consumers will be sure to notice the company that you are advertising. This will result in the organization generating more leads, which in turn will have a positive impact on the profit that you turn over from this venture. So basically, the more you drive, the more money you earn! It really is the perfect situation for keen petrolheads such as yourself.

A Strategy For The Adoption of The Sports Betting

Africa is one of the sports betting emerging markets. Infrastructural development by governments has enabled more people to access the internet. Moreover, studies show that football is the most popular sport in the continent. As a result, betting on football is the most popular on the continent. Top sports betting operators have seen the industry’s potential in the continent and are slowly making inroads. Competition amongst the operators ensures clients get the best services, like when going to the easy Betway sign up process, which straightforward encourages more members to join. Reports suggest that countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and Nigeria lead in sports betting activities. 

In this precise piece, you will learn more about the strategies being employed to adopt the sports betting industry in Africa. 

Local Regulatory Scene

The African continent has what it takes to be one of the biggest sports betting markets. For example, there is the prerequisite infrastructure, and people love sports. However, one of the industry’s main hindrances in the continent is regulation. 

There is no legislation regulating online sports betting in many counties, hence preventing online sportsbooks operators from making inroads. East African countries like Kenya and Uganda have put in place laws that govern online sports betting. However, operators are struggling with the issue of high taxes. 

In Egypt, online sports betting is not regulated, while in Morocco, all forms of gambling are legal. On the other end, South Africa’s online sports betting is also regulated.  

Nevertheless, for the industry to reach its potential on the continent, there is a need to come up with legislation to regulate the industry across the continent. Such a move would give international operators like Betway more room to expand. 

Payment Options

Reports also suggest that new entrants in the African sports betting market struggle to find payment methods. However, mobile payments have become a popular payment method among many operators. Additionally, the operators also claim that mobile payments also enable them to reach the unbanked Africans. 

The operators also claim that many Africans don’t have access to financial services. As a result, alternative payment options have become critical. For instance, M-Pesa is one of the most prevalent mobile-money platforms. It is also very popular in the sports betting industry. 

Foreign investors state that the movement of money remains a key challenge when trying to enter the African market. Therefore, for the development of the industry, there is a need for telcos and gambling operators to engage.

Converting Mobile to Retail

In the past few years, mobile sports betting has been on the rise. As a result, gambling operators have to think about moving their services from retail to mobile. Users prefer betting on the go, and having an app like the Betway sports betting app has become a must. 

As a result, industry operators must ensure they develop the best mobile solutions for their clients. The operators should also make use of data analysis tools to offer players more personalized services. 

Moreover, mobile betting apps act as an excellent marketing tool. Therefore, having the right marketing strategies will also go a long way in promoting the industry in the continent. 

Bottom Line

There is massive potential for the sports betting industry in Africa. There is a need for sports betting operators to team up with local governments to create a friendly environment for the industry to thrive.