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Cellulant Named Kenya’s Best Online Payment Platform at Top Star Brand Awards

Cellulant, the leader of digital payments in Africa, has been crowned Kenya’s best online payment platform at this year’s Top Star Brand Awards. Cue the confetti and applause!

This prestigious award is a well-deserved recognition of Cellulant’s outstanding contributions to Kenya’s fintech and payment ecosystems. With their Tingg platform, they’ve revolutionized the way businesses handle payments. Tingg is like a magic wand that enables digital payments across the African continent, making life easier for merchants and customers alike.

Imagine this: You’re a business owner, and you want to provide your customers with a seamless payment experience. Tingg steps in, offering simplified payment tools and processes that allow your customers to pay using their preferred local payment options. It’s like giving them a menu of payment choices, from cards to wallets to good old-fashioned bank transfers. Cellulant’s got it all covered.

But that’s not all, folks. Cellulant serves some big-name companies in Kenya, including Naivas, Kenya Airways, Jambojet, Equity Bank, KCB, Bolt, and Kenya Power. They’re like the A-list celebrities of the payment world, connecting businesses with over 350 payment options across 35 countries. Talk about global reach!

Cellulant’s Tingg platform is a powerhouse, driving payments for over 1,100 client businesses, 50+ banks, and a whopping 220 million+ consumers. That’s a whole lot of transactions happening on a single network. It’s like a digital highway of payments, connecting people and businesses across the African continent with ease. Now that’s what we call interoperability!

The past two years have seen a remarkable shift in the use of digital payments, thanks to our dear friend COVID-19. Faith Nkatha Gitonga, Cellulant’s Kenya Country Manager, knows this all too well. She acknowledges the incredible performance Cellulant has shown in the payments industry, and their dedication to providing clients with top-notch products and services. They’re like the superheroes fighting for the future of payments!

Now, let’s talk about the Top Star Brand Awards. These prestigious accolades are organized by Digital Events Ltd, who bring together a panel of judges consisting of digital tech consultants, academia, IT professionals, government representatives, industry networks, and the media. It’s like assembling the Avengers of the tech world! These awards celebrate the crème de la crème of Kenyan brands and their contributions to the digital tech industry.

And guess what? Cellulant is basking in the glory of this well-deserved recognition. They’ve been honored as a top brand in Kenya, and they’re shining brighter than ever. It’s like getting a gold medal in the Olympics of the payment world!

LG Electronics partners with University of Nairobi to provide training in innovative HVAC technology

LG Electronics has teamed up with the University of Nairobi (UoN) to bring you the hottest training in town. They’re heating things up by providing professionals in the construction industry with training in the latest Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) innovations. Get ready to chill out with LG’s state-of-the-art HVAC inverter technology!

Now, you may be wondering, what’s all the fuss about HVAC inverter technology? Well, hold onto your hard hats because this technology is a game-changer. It’s like the superhero of energy efficiency, greatly reducing energy consumption and winning the hearts of price and environmentally-conscious consumers. With LG’s HVAC inverter technology, you’ll be the coolest cat in town while saving on energy bills. That’s what we call a win-win situation!

As part of their partnership, LG is giving their Engineering academy a makeover. It’s like a new season of your favorite TV show, but better! They’re rebranding their showroom in Nairobi and transforming it into the LG B2B Academy. This academy will offer courses in industry-leading air conditioning technologies, giving you the chance to level up your skills. From installation to troubleshooting, you’ll be an HVAC pro in no time. Hundreds of trainees will benefit from this fantastic opportunity, and who knows, you might even become the HVAC guru of your crew!

LG is going all-in to provide the best customer experience possible. They’re investing in local capacity building in installation and maintenance, making sure their customers receive top-notch service. Sa Nyoung Kim, LG’s East Africa Managing Director, knows that awareness and training are key to embracing innovative technology in the local market. That’s why LG has partnered with industry players to strengthen their B2B Academy and create a platform for sharpening technical skills. It’s like a power-up for the construction industry!

But wait, there’s more! LG is taking things to the cloud with their TMS-BECON Cloud technology. This fancy tech allows customers to monitor their air conditioners in real-time. It’s like having a personal air conditioning wizard right at your fingertips. And get this, LG’s Nairobi office can offer troubleshooting support to all their sales sites in the East Africa region. It’s like having a team of experts at your beck and call, ready to tackle any HVAC challenge!

This partnership with the University of Nairobi isn’t just about the present; it’s about shaping the future too. LG’s Middle East and Africa General Manager, Yong Kim, wants to make sure that future engineers and architects are up to speed with the latest technologies and consumer needs. The academy aims to have a long-lasting impact, not just in Kenya but throughout the wider East African region. It’s like building a foundation for a future where innovation and expertise go hand in hand.

And hey, if you’re curious to see LG’s HVAC innovations in action, swing by their rebranded showroom. It’s open from Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. You’ll be blown away by their cutting-edge solutions for residential, retail, public, corporate/government spaces, hospitals, hotels, and learning institutions. LG’s got you covered no matter the setting. So, get ready to be amazed!

With energy costs skyrocketing, it’s no wonder consumers are on the lookout for energy-saving appliances. And let’s face it, many African countries are still stuck with outdated air conditioners. That’s where LG comes in, committed to delighting their customers with groundbreaking indoor air solutions. They’re not just selling appliances; they’re training technicians in the installation and maintenance of advanced technologies. It’s like they’re bringing a breath of fresh air to the construction industry!

So, gear up, my friends, because LG and the University of Nairobi are here to make sure you’re the coolest cats in the HVAC game. Get ready to embrace innovation, save on energy bills, and become masters of HVAC inverter technology. Let’s chill out and build a better, more energy-efficient future together!

Save the Children Launches Digital Innovation Challenge in Kenya, Offering Cash Prizes and Collaboration Opportunities for Young Innovators

Save the Children, the superhero non-profit organization dedicated to making children’s lives better, has launched its first-ever digital innovation challenge in Kenya. It’s like a quest for young heroes to come up with brilliant solutions to tackle the challenges faced by children and young people in communities across the country.

Calling all young guns aged 18 to 35 and students from higher learning institutions! This challenge is your chance to shine. You have the opportunity to submit your digital masterpieces, whether it’s a solution or a prototype, addressing the following challenges: feedback mechanisms at the organizational level, leveraging scientific or indigenous technology to boost community resilience, and improving access to quality education for children in nomadic communities, out-of-school children, and those in informal settlements. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to come up with original, creative, viable, and impactful ideas.

Listen up, students from universities, TVET institutions, and all you awesome Kenyan youth. This is your chance to make a difference and earn some serious cash. The winners of the challenge will be announced in March 2023 and will receive a generous cash prize of up to 500,000 Kenyan shillings. But wait, there’s more! The winners will also have the opportunity to team up with Save the Children to customize and scale up their digital innovations. It’s like a dream come true for budding tech wizards. And if that’s not enough, there’s a 12-month fellowship program waiting for you to further develop and implement your solution. It’s like the golden ticket to innovation stardom!

Save the Children knows that digital transformation is the way forward. They’re all about using the power of technology to ensure that all children not only survive but also thrive and learn by 2030. It’s like unleashing a digital revolution to make the world a better place for children. By harnessing digital technology, Save the Children can reach more children, measure progress, and address inequalities in access to technology. It’s like giving every child a fair shot at a brighter future.

Yvonne Arunga, the amazing Country Director of Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar, knows that young people hold the key to solving global challenges. She’s super passionate about engaging with youth and their innovative ideas. “We believe in the power of young people and the incredible ideas they have to tackle the problems of our world,” she said. This innovation challenge is all about tapping into those remarkable ideas and turning them into reality. Let’s join forces and create a better tomorrow!

Hellen Owiti, the Director of Program Development and Quality, is here to rally the troops. She’s urging all young warriors who are up for the challenge to submit their digital solutions or prototypes before the deadline on the 31st of January. Remember, the evaluation will be based on indicators like originality, creativity, viability, impact, and conformity to the principles of digital development. It’s time to unleash your inner genius and show the world what you’re made of!

So, fellow innovators, let’s rise to the challenge and make a lasting impact on the lives of children in Kenya. Together, we can create a future where every child has access to quality education and a chance to thrive. Get those creative gears turning and submit your digital masterpieces. The world is waiting for your brilliance!

Kenya’s Digital Lenders Face Licensing Hurdles as CBK Requires Physical Offices for Inspections

Well, well, well, it seems like digital lenders in Kenya are facing a bit of a pickle. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has thrown down the gauntlet with new regulations requiring these lenders to have a physical office in the country that can be inspected at any time. Talk about getting up close and personal!

Now, these new rules were put in place to ensure that the CBK and other fancy agencies can keep a close eye on these lenders and verify where their funds are coming from. It’s like the financial version of a surprise visit from your in-laws. Awkward, but necessary.

You see, most of these digital lenders, especially the ones owned by our foreign friends, have been operating in the virtual realm, avoiding the need for a physical presence. But now, the CBK has said, “Hey, you can’t hide behind your screens anymore. We want to see your smiling faces in a real office!”

Out of the multitude of digital lenders that have sprung up like mushrooms after a rainstorm, only ten have managed to secure licenses from the CBK. It’s like trying to get into an exclusive club, but with a much higher stake.

The CEO of one of these lenders, who prefers to remain incognito, spilled the beans and shared that the lack of a physical office is just the tip of the iceberg. They’re also dealing with concerns about the “opacity in the source of their funds.” Ooh, sounds mysterious, doesn’t it? It’s like trying to figure out where your friend mysteriously acquired that fancy new car. Hmmm…

And it doesn’t stop there, folks. Our digital lenders have been linked to individuals from the Philippines, China, and Nigeria. It’s like a global game of financial tag. Catch me if you can!

But let’s not forget the real reason behind all these regulations. Digital loans have been booming in Kenya, with over two million borrowers in 2020 alone. That’s quite a jump from a mere 200,000 in 2016. No wonder the CBK decided it was time to rein in these digital cowboys and bring them under their watchful gaze.

Now, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies for these digital lenders. They’ve been criticized for not being upfront about their loan terms, charging interest rates that could make your jaw drop, and even pestering the friends and family of borrowers who dare to default. Yikes! It’s like a not-so-friendly reminder that you owe them money every time your phone buzzes.

So, my friends, it seems like the world of digital lending in Kenya is going through some turbulent times. With regulations tightening and inspections becoming a regular occurrence, these lenders will have to face the music and show their true colors. Let’s hope this leads to a more transparent and fair lending landscape for all. And maybe, just maybe, it will inspire them to come up with some innovative solutions that benefit both borrowers and lenders. Time will tell!

Samsung’s One UI 5.0 Update Rollout: Fastest Yet, Now Available on Over 46 Devices

Grab your smartphones and get ready for some exciting news from Samsung. The tech giant has been on a roll with system updates, and they’re not showing any signs of slowing down. Just recently, they unleashed the power of One UI 5.0, the latest version of Android, to a bunch of smartphones in their Galaxy A, M, and XCover series. Talk about keeping up with the trends!

One of the lucky models to get the update early on is the Galaxy A04S. They’ve got the build numbers A047FXXU1BVK5 and A047MUBU1BVK5 for the “F” and “M” models, respectively. It’s like Christmas came early for these Galaxy A04S users! And the good news doesn’t stop there. The update has already started rolling out in various Asian and European countries, bringing along those coveted November 2022 security fixes and the shiny new One UI version. Now that’s what I call a holiday treat!

But wait, there’s more! The 4G version of the Galaxy A13 and the Galaxy A04 are also joining the update party in different regions. For the Exynos 850-powered models SM-A135F and SM-A135M, you’ve got the software versions A135FXXU2BVL2 and A135MUBU2BVL2, respectively. As for the MediaTek Helio G80-powered SM-A137F model, it’s rocking the update with the build number A137FXXU1BVL1. And guess what? They all come with those lovely November 2022 security fixes too. It’s like Samsung is wrapping up the best tech gifts for its users!

Oh, and let’s not forget about the Galaxy M12, released last year and powered by the mighty Exynos 850. This beauty has also received the Android 13 update, spreading holiday cheer with the build number M127FXXU3CVL2 and, you guessed it, the November 2022 security fixes. It’s like Samsung is Santa Claus, delivering the latest tech goodies to its users!

Samsung isn’t playing around when it comes to updates. They’ve stated that the rollout of One UI 5.0 will be completed before the year’s end, and they’re proud to claim that this has been their quickest One UI implementation yet. In less than two months, they’ve managed to distribute One UI 5.0 to over 46 devices. That’s some speedy work right there! Kudos to Samsung for keeping their users up to date and ensuring they have the latest and greatest tech experience.

So, if you’re rocking a Samsung smartphone from the Galaxy A, M, or XCover series, keep an eye out for that One UI 5.0 update. It’s coming your way, bringing new features, enhanced security, and a whole lot of tech goodness. Happy updating, folks!

Netflix to Charge for Account Sharing in 2023: Is the Binge-Watching Era Coming to an End?

Alright, folks, let’s talk about everyone’s favorite pastime: binge-watching! We all know how addictive it is to stream our favorite shows and movies on platforms like Netflix. But there’s a little snag in this streaming paradise—account sharing. Yep, that’s right. Sharing login info with friends and family who don’t pay a dime has become a real headache for these streaming giants.

Netflix, in particular, has been quite vocal about its frustration with account sharing. And guess what? In their latest quarterly results announcement, they spilled the beans about their master plan to monetize this sneaky practice starting in January 2023. Sneaky, right? They’ve already tested this strategy in a few Latin American countries, and here’s how it goes: they’ll let customers create sub-accounts for those who don’t live under the same roof. Each sub-account gets its own login, playlists, and content recommendations. But—and this is the fun part—Netflix will slap a fee on those sub-accounts. We’re not sure how much it’ll cost yet, but they’re keeping us on our toes.

Now, here’s the twist: account sharing isn’t completely outlawed. Nope, as long as you’re using those fancy sub-accounts, you’re in the clear. But here’s the catch—Netflix will play detective with device geolocation to see if an account is being accessed from a different household. If they catch someone red-handed, they’ll send a little message to the account holder, suggesting they create a sub-account for their visitor. If the account holder ignores this friendly nudge within a certain timeframe (which, by the way, is still a mystery), Netflix might take some additional action.

You might be thinking, “Hey, it’s harmless sharing! What’s the big deal?” Well, my friend, it turns out account sharing is hitting these streaming companies where it hurts—their wallets. According to those money-savvy folks at Citi Global Markets, Netflix loses a whopping $6.2 billion every year due to account sharing. Ouch! Another analysis estimates a monthly impact of $192 million. That’s a whole lot of cash flying out the window. Netflix’s Director of Product Innovation, Chengyi Long, has even said that account sharing limits their ability to invest in new content because, you know, they need those paying subscribers to keep the good stuff coming.

But wait, there’s more! Netflix isn’t stopping there. They’re testing a new, low-cost subscription tier that includes good ol’ advertisements. Yeah, you heard that right—ads. They haven’t spilled the beans on when this tier will be available or how much it’ll cost, but it’s another way for Netflix to rake in some extra dough without raising prices for their current subscribers. Sneaky, sneaky.

So, what’s the verdict? Will these measures be the magic bullet for Netflix’s account-sharing conundrum? Well, time will tell, my friends. Some users might be willing to shell out some dough for those sub-accounts, while others might decide to cancel their subscription altogether. Netflix is walking a tightrope here, and only the future will reveal the impact of these changes on their user base and financial performance. Buckle up, streaming aficionados! It’s going to be a wild ride.

Safaricom expands network coverage to 21 cities in Ethiopia

The Safaricom consortium in Ethiopia is on the move! They just announced their expansion to not one, not two, but five more cities. Talk about taking the telecom world by storm! The lucky cities getting a taste of Safaricom awesomeness are Hawassa, Assela, Jigjiga, Sodo, and Dilla. So, if you’re in these cities, get ready to grab your SIM card for a cool 30 birrs, choose your dream telephone number, and have access to top-notch support at Safaricom Ethiopia branded shops. It’s like a telecom extravaganza!

Now, this expansion brings the total number of cities the consortium operates in to a whopping 21. Can you believe it? They’re just a hop, skip, and a jump away from their grand goal of establishing a presence in all 24 cities by next April. They’re so close, they can almost taste it!

But hold your horses, my friends, because this expansion didn’t come cheap. The consortium went all out, investing over $850 million (Sh102.6 billion) to secure that coveted Ethiopian license. And that’s not all! They also dropped an additional $300 million (Sh36.2 billion) on capital expenditure this year. Talk about putting their money where their mouth is!

When Safaricom Ethiopia launched its operations in October, they had big dreams of activating their network in at least 24 cities by April next year. And guess what? They’re almost there, with only three cities remaining. Can you feel the excitement in the air? I sure can!

This rapid expansion is a clear indication of Safaricom’s determination to dominate the Ethiopian market, just like they did in Kenya. They’re aiming high, my friends! Their eyes are set on surpassing their closest competitor, Ethio Telecom, which boasts a mind-boggling customer base of 58.7 million subscribers—the largest single-country subscriber base of any operator in Africa. Safaricom wants a slice of that pie!

And here’s a little tidbit for you: Last month, Safaricom Ethiopia hit the one-million-subscriber mark in just one month after launching operations. Now, that’s what I call a warm reception! The Ethiopian market, with its massive population (second only to Nigeria in Africa), is loving what Safaricom brings to the table. Who can blame them?

Since setting foot in Ethiopia, Safaricom has been a busy bee. They’ve set up a whopping 561 active 2G/3G/4G sites and two fancy data centers. They’re currently rocking it on 41 shared sites, with a mind-blowing 931 others under construction. Oh, and let’s not forget their 66 distributor shops, 2,000 SIM card-selling outlets, and a call center dream team consisting of 650 staff members. They’ve got 200 expatriates and 450 local workers, including 50 recent graduates. Now that’s what I call a telecom force to be reckoned with!

Prisons department’s number plate machines unused for six years

We’ve got an interesting report coming our way! According to the Auditor General, it seems like the machines the prisons department procured for making fancy number plates have been taking a long siesta. Six whole years of inactivity! Can you believe it? It’s like they’ve been on an extended vacation, sipping margaritas on a tropical island while everyone else wonders what the heck is going on.

So, Kamiti Main Prison spent a hefty 15.2 million Kenyan shillings back in 2016 to bring these machines into their lives. But guess what? They haven’t seen the light of day since they were delivered. Talk about a real-life case of “out of sight, out of mind.” I wonder if the machines have been watching Netflix and ordering takeout during their downtime. Maybe they needed a break from churning out number plates. Who knows?

But that’s not all. Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has some more concerns up her sleeve. She’s raising an eyebrow at a three-year contract signed in 2017 for the supply and delivery of motor vehicle number plate blanks. The question on everyone’s mind is, what’s the fuss about? We’re not exactly sure what Ms. Gathungu is questioning regarding this contract and the accompanying raw materials. It’s like a mystery waiting to be solved.

Now, get ready for the twist! The raw materials for the motor vehicle number plate blanks, which were part of that contract we just mentioned, are chilling at Kamiti Prisons Industries. They’re just sitting there, waiting for their big moment. But here’s the thing—we don’t know why they haven’t been used or what they were originally meant for. Maybe they’re patiently waiting for their chance to shine, like Cinderella’s glass slipper.

According to Ms. Gathungu, there’s a court case in the mix. Milimani High Court is playing host to a battle between a tech company and the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Correctional Services. What’s at stake, you ask? Well, it’s all about that supply and delivery of motor vehicle number plate blanks. The case has a fancy number—E321 of 2020—and it’s demanding either specific performance of the contract or a nice chunk of compensation worth a cool 1.05 billion Kenyan shillings. Wowza! We don’t know the nitty-gritty details or the juicy circumstances behind this case, but it sounds like a courtroom showdown.