Digital transformation in education key to stirring growth in East Africa, upskilling youth and employment

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZZ5tfNjpSQsB8bJJtZ2HCaaQWRe6aVarxoeDo37LDQoTzhzDtY6yqaam4Iyzg5lv7vgT0tQ6pUhvUbKJ4ywUT_yGrSQTKEsubvXVFefu94GAJmQx_q7PDvKCsbe9-riIaiEbtp5FxAnO/s1600/kontena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZZ5tfNjpSQsB8bJJtZ2HCaaQWRe6aVarxoeDo37LDQoTzhzDtY6yqaam4Iyzg5lv7vgT0tQ6pUhvUbKJ4ywUT_yGrSQTKEsubvXVFefu94GAJmQx_q7PDvKCsbe9-riIaiEbtp5FxAnO/s400/kontena.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">There's an ongoing discussion about development in East Africa and a new narrative have emerged in recent years that it is a lot more exciting. It is a story of resilience, self-reliance and a passion for growth facilitated largely by technology.<br /><br />It is therefore encouraging to see trade investments being committed by South Korea and its East African counterparts, as it will allow more people to access technology and address the issues of skills and employment. Case in point is the signing of a bilateral deal to set up a key science and technology institute in Kenya for a tune of 10 billion Kenyan Shillings which could prove to be an important accelarator of growth.<br /><br />But the issue of education, skills and employment are not for the public sector alone. It is against this backdrop that Samsung Electronics Africa have adopted an attitude of innovation; introducing world-class technology where it previously hasn't existed. <br /><br />Our aim is to make sure that every African child have access to education no matter where they are - be it in a rural area lacking infrastructure or perhaps in an existing infrastrastructure but lacks educational resources - by providing access to technology.<br /><br />Samsung sees education as the seed of innovation and we believe digital technology can completely transform the learning process, as well as the nature of teaching and learning, to create inclusive environments for everyone. <br /><br />Our Solar Powered Internet Schools, Smart Schools and E-Learning Centres provide <br /><img border="0" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/sys/S.gif" /> <br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/sys/S.gif" /> <br /><br />solutions that deliver on this vision, and improve the quality of learning, enhance teaching effectiveness and allow administrators to run institutions more effectively. We work with educators around the world to improve learning experiences through the use of technology, facilitating a classroom environment that gives students access to a world of knowledge.<br /><br /><br />Through these initiatives, Samsung hopes to instill a love of learning in students so that they may have equal access to opportunities and go on to become active participants in the economy. <br /><br /><br /><br />For example, the Samsung Electronics Engineering Academy provides extensive, hands-on training to learners in the technical field. The programme forms a core part of Samsung's vision to fast-track the entry of African youths into the electronics job market and to reduce the shortage of scarce skills in the IT industry.<br /><br />We see our efforts - along with those of our government and NPO partners - as an ecosystem. Samsung's aim is to increase the number of learners accessing technology, an aspect vital to their education process. This in turn allows learners to learn apt skills which will prepare them for the workplace of the future and acquiring in-demand skills is a critical step not only for individual, but also for social and economic development and the upliftment of the continent.<br /><br />Africa has a beautiful story to tell. And a responsible corporate citizen, Samsung is committed to help write this story through the innovation, expertise and technology we provide. <br /><br />And from were we sit, the story is made up of various episodes of digital innovation, hope and truimph that will soon be seen and heard around the globe. <br /><br />Abey Tau is the Public Affairs and Corporate Citizenship Manager for Samsung Electronics Africa. With over 10 years' experience in the local and global development arena, Abey was a South African finalist in the 2014 Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) / Mandela Washington Fellow and was selected by the National Empowerment Fund as one of 56 young junior managers for a secondment in Paris in 2011. He continues to sit on the Board of AIESEC at Monash University.<br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Samsung Electronics Africa.</span></div> </div>

Digital transformation in education key to stirring growth in East Africa, upskilling youth and employment

There's an ongoing discussion about development in East Africa and a new narrative have emerged in recent years that it is a lot mor...

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AFC concludes debut CHF bond issue

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_lFXayBnZMvUXVHee_bnBM8f4-eY0Z6Sj2wZd7lsUB-77ApZ9WkeuTJm2fAL9B9QJ41rIux0MUd0F9XsvpBPQrrd9HqhUEU7q4VO5Qtk7DKtNWS-V_NEhbt3PljHSAEXLYpA5qYCyd4B/s1600/french.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_lFXayBnZMvUXVHee_bnBM8f4-eY0Z6Sj2wZd7lsUB-77ApZ9WkeuTJm2fAL9B9QJ41rIux0MUd0F9XsvpBPQrrd9HqhUEU7q4VO5Qtk7DKtNWS-V_NEhbt3PljHSAEXLYpA5qYCyd4B/s400/french.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Africa Finance Corporation ('AFC'), a leading pan-African multilateral development finance institution and project developer, has issued its debut senior unsecured Swiss Franc (CHF) denominated bond, raising CHF 100 million with a tenor of 3 years and 150 days. The bond which pays an annual coupon of 0.85% has a settlement date of 27 July 2016 and maturity date of 27 December 2019. <br /><br />UBS Investment Bank and Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, acting through Deutsche Bank AG Zurich Branch were Joint Lead Managers on the transaction while J.P. Morgan Securities plc and MUFG Securities EMEA plc were Hedging Banks.<br /><br />The bond was issued following a non-deal roadshow in Geneva and Zurich held in June 2016. The bond issuance enables AFC to further diversify its funding sources and will provide additional long-term liquidity to support the Corporation's investment activities. The proceeds of this bond issue will be used to fund vital infrastructure projects across the African continent.<br /><br />Andrew Alli, President & CEO of AFC, said: <br /><br />"Through our experience as both a financier and project developer, AFC has over the years demonstrated its ability to deliver essential infrastructure projects in Africa that will help grow African economies. We are very proud to issue our debut CHF bond as this enables us to tap a new and very important investor base as we diversify our funding sources. AFC continues to promote the real opportunities in African infrastructure around the world. <br /><br />"At a time of heightened international volatility, AFC continues to provide opportunities to invest in African infrastructure to investors around the world. The successful issuance of this bond demonstrates continued investor confidence in AFC and our ability to deliver for our investors and for African economies."<br /><br />Ade Adebajo, Executive Director at UBS in London further commented: <br /><br />"We are very pleased to help AFC establish this debut CHF bond issue. We view this transaction as a further step in AFC's strategy, to diversify its funding base across multiple currencies and investors, from time to time."<br /><br />Henrik Johnsson, MD and Head of EMEA Debt Syndicate at Deutsche Bank, added: "we believe that AFC's bold and successful entry into the CHF market will pave the way for other new market entrants as investors continue to diversify their holdings".<br /><br />To date the Corporation has invested US$3.2 billion in projects across 25 African countries and in a wide range of sectors including power, telecommunications, transport and logistics, natural resources, and heavy industries.<br /><br />In June 2016, the AFC was awarded an A3/P-2 , investment grade credit rating with a stable outlook by international ratings agency Moody's for a third consecutive year.<br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).</span></div> </div>

AFC concludes debut CHF bond issue

Africa Finance Corporation ('AFC'), a leading pan-African multilateral development finance institution and project developer, ha...

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World must work together to ensure Africa's young can seize their potential and thrive, says Bill Gates

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXs9wMTf0ZWn8EfVxLl6zaDpztGx0q1SvJM9cGDPOxXcZ8yP5o6m7DqFE3z0Bu5HC7sC3pkVPtOf0qUPJMexXWUxmwS-bbjD03whGZUayB7JWnQVRcPNyQBau8hdly3LfckRtBpZlZA5gs/s1600/world2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXs9wMTf0ZWn8EfVxLl6zaDpztGx0q1SvJM9cGDPOxXcZ8yP5o6m7DqFE3z0Bu5HC7sC3pkVPtOf0qUPJMexXWUxmwS-bbjD03whGZUayB7JWnQVRcPNyQBau8hdly3LfckRtBpZlZA5gs/s400/world2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Africa's future rests in the hands of its youth - and every effort must be made to ensure they thrive, philanthropist and entrepreneur Bill Gates said in South Africa today (EDITORS: SUNDAY, 17 July 2016). <br /><br />Delivering the 2016 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture at the University of Pretoria (Mamelodi campus), Gates said he was optimistic about the future of the continent - because of its young people. <br /><br />Pointing out that Africa was demographically the world's youngest continent - in the next 35 years, it is estimated that 2-billion babies will be born in Africa and by 2050, 40% of the world's children will live in Africa - Gates said he believed Africa's youth "can be the source of a special dynamism". <br /><br />"Economists talk about the demographic dividend. When you have more people of working age, and fewer dependents for them to take care of, you can generate phenomenal economic growth. Rapid economic growth in East Asia in the 1970s and 1980s was partly driven by the large number of young people moving into their work force. <br /><br />"But for me, the most important thing about young people is the way their minds work. Young people are better than old people at driving innovation, because they are not locked in by the limits of the past. The real returns will come if we can multiply this talent for innovation by the whole of Africa's growing youth population," he said. <br /><br />Gates used the platform of the 14th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture - the Nelson Mandela Foundation's flagship programme to honour its founder, Nelson Mandela, and to raise topical issues affecting South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world - to lay out his vision of how to create a better world. The theme of his speech was "Living Together". <br /><br />Gates said he had admired Mandela, whom he had met on many occasions. He said that "one topic that Nelson Mandela came back to over and over again was the power of youth". <br /><br />"He knew what he was talking about, because he started his career as a member of the African National Congress Youth League when he was still in his twenties. Later on, he understood that highlighting the oppression of young people was a powerful way to explain why things must change. There is a universal appeal to the conviction that youth deserve a chance. I agree with Mandela about young people, and that is one reason I am optimistic about the future of this continent," said Gates. <br /><br />But to exploit Africa's potential, its young people needed to be given "every opportunity to thrive". <br /><br />"We are the human beings who must take action, and we have to decide now, because this unique moment won't last forever. We must clear away the obstacles that are standing in young people's way so they can seize all of their potential," he said. <br /><br />Added Gates: "If young people are sick and malnourished, their bodies and their brains will never fully develop. If they are not educated well, their minds will lie dormant. If they do not have access to economic opportunities, they will not be able to achieve their goals. <br /><br />"But if we invest in the right things - if we make sure the basic needs of Africa's young people are taken care of - then they will have the physical, cognitive, and emotional resources they need to change the future. Life on this continent will improve faster than it ever has. And the inequities that have kept people apart will be erased by broad-based progress that is the very meaning of the words: "living together." <br /><br />The co-founder of software giant, Microsoft, said issues that needed to be tackled to ensure Africa's youth thrived were: <br />● Health and nutrition; <br />● Education; <br />● Productivity and economic opportunity; and <br />● Governance <br /><br />He said health and nutrition were a top priority because "when people aren't healthy, they can't turn their attention to other priorities. But when health improves, life improves by every measure". <br /><br />Next was education without which children cannot develop the knowledge and skills to become "productive contributors to society", said Gates. <br /><br />Then, Africa's youth needed to have the "economic opportunities to channel their energy and their ideas into progress". <br /><br />But Gates said good governance was vital to ensure that this happens - and he urged governments to play their part. <br /><br />"All of these things - advances in health, in education, in agricultural productivity, in energy - won't happen on their own. They can only happen in the context of governments that function well enough to enable them," he said. <br /><br />Gates concluded his lecture by insisting he believed that Africa could achieve the future it aspired to. <br /><br />He said Africa's young "believe in themselves, and they believe in their countries and the future of the continent". <br /><br />"The priority now is to make sure they have the opportunity to turn those beliefs into action. Because young people with this sense of purpose can make the difference between stagnation and more and faster progress. Nelson Mandela said, 'Young people are capable, when aroused, of bringing down the towers of oppression and raising the banners of freedom.' But our duty is not merely to arouse; our duty is to invest in young people, to put in place the basic building blocks so that they can build the future. And our duty is to do it now, because the innovations of tomorrow depend on the opportunities available to children today." <br /><br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.</span></div> </div>

World must work together to ensure Africa's young can seize their potential and thrive, says Bill Gates

Africa's future rests in the hands of its youth - and every effort must be made to ensure they thrive, philanthropist and entreprene...

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Setting the example for Digital Transformation

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLea4mkS2e7ElUTvLbGNPnVx-SoRpDtlAjGZa8ALlBdpeBsPwcpGNgBXM3iSjZCEpZ9pTzdTYZXOrKml5REnL_5s7wuC8QXel9Lx8HQ99mPDoTKYHh_kyrsJNwi0ZigsZAVVXnoHM-s5x9/s1600/Sap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLea4mkS2e7ElUTvLbGNPnVx-SoRpDtlAjGZa8ALlBdpeBsPwcpGNgBXM3iSjZCEpZ9pTzdTYZXOrKml5REnL_5s7wuC8QXel9Lx8HQ99mPDoTKYHh_kyrsJNwi0ZigsZAVVXnoHM-s5x9/s400/Sap.jpg" width="257" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Digital Transformation is both the challenge and opportunity of our generation. The rise of computers is creating the most seismic shift in society since the Industrial Revolution over a century ago. Data is increasingly the currency by which future success - and the decisions to reach that success - is funded.<br /><br />No part of the world is exempt from this. Rather, any region that ignores the eventuality of digital transformation is fated to a disappointing future, left dependent on others for its wellbeing. This is the time for rising economies to shine. Whereas many developed nations have invested heavily on preceding technologies, countries in regions such as Africa, South America and Southeast Asia are able to leapfrog ahead and take advantage of this new era.<br /><br />East Africa is often named as a region that appreciates the situation at hand. According to Ashley Boag, Acting Managing Director of SAP East Africa, countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania have a solid grasp on the principles of digital transformation.<br /><br />"There is definite recognition that technology and African innovation need to be a big factor and focus. Governments and companies know they have to invest in innovation if they want to continue their growth paths and even leapfrog others. More and more companies around East Africa are asking what we see as the key threads in technologies such as big data and the Internet of Things. They are already wrapping their heads around it and they understand that to stay competitive, they have to make significant investments in the future."<br /><br />Boag cited a few examples, such as Kenya's innovation hubs including iHub and Rwanda's aggressive broadband expansion. Regional ambitions stretch as far as potential drone airports, though more immediate challenges are not being ignored. There has been growing momentum across the spectrum of sectors: utilities, healthcare, financial services and agriculture are all experiencing technology investment led by leaders who understand they are aiming for more than just efficiency and savings. They are building the region's future.<br /><br />"There is a renewed sense of cooperation and positivity in East Africa - quite a positive view and outlook going forward. It's moderated, but it is a general positive sentiment. When I was at the World Economic Forum on Africa, held in Rwanda recently, that sentiment came through multilaterally."<br /><br />There is a lot of agreement that East Africa is in a relatively good space now, bolstered by more cooperation between the various countries. This feeds back into the forward-thinking investments in technology, a culture of advancement that SAP plays an active role in. SAP has made great strides in supporting governments, companies and individuals toward the benefits of digital transformation. For SAP in East Africa, it's business as usual: to help drive the region's digital agenda.<br /><br />"We are seeing the companies are asking the right questions. Many have skipped the efficiency, cost-saving level of thinking. Instead they wonder about what the relevant large trends coming to their industry and how they can engage with these to be relevant in the long term. It's a complex conversation, but there is a willingness to listen and a realisation that they have to come up with their own innovations. SAP may provide the platforms, but it is the ideas of governments, private companies and individuals being put to the test."<br /><br />Digital transformation poses a challenge across the globe. No region, country or company will be left unshaken by its impact. Those who see its potential and grab it by the horns are destined to come out on top. If East Africa continues on this course it has laid out, one day everyone else will look to its example on how to win in the 21st century.<br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of SAP Africa.</span></div> </div>

Setting the example for Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation is both the challenge and opportunity of our generation. The rise of computers is creating the most seismic shift i...

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SAP's Alexander Meyer set to talk about technology and sustainability at UN forum

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEe5HjaRsLLv48EQBmbIgsSZaW_0pk-r3ICz_gFhtwTpYEiprMQS_f4t4ZaA_vj04FhhRy0722oI8wghQnDgbWKu5YUU-JEN1tBlDZh6h9D0oDmSEXzt0VzvgeAdpVnllhn1DwwR9csOh/s1600/Role.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEe5HjaRsLLv48EQBmbIgsSZaW_0pk-r3ICz_gFhtwTpYEiprMQS_f4t4ZaA_vj04FhhRy0722oI8wghQnDgbWKu5YUU-JEN1tBlDZh6h9D0oDmSEXzt0VzvgeAdpVnllhn1DwwR9csOh/s400/Role.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Sustainability is a worldwide challenge. The growth of populations and industries, combined with the reduction of poverty and improvements in service delivery, is creating a broad positive effect across the globe.<br /><br />Yet industrialisation and populations are also placing greater pressure on societies. The principles of sustainability have to be foundational to progress or the world faces certain disaster. To help reach this goal, last year members of the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a plan of action to promote prosperity and peace through the principles of sustainability.<br /><br />The 17 point plan and its 169 targets builds on the Millennium Development Goals and addresses areas where the MDG fell short. Over the next fourteen years the plan aims to promote the best for people, the planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. Technology has a massive role to play in helping countries and regions accomplish these sustainable development goals.<br /><br />From July 17 to 21, 2016, the UN will host the World Investment Forum to mull the progress of this agenda and the next steps to be taken. Alexander Meyer, Vice President - Global Business Development at SAP, will present his views at the Forum's Global Leaders Summit to be opened by the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta. He will also serve on several panels at the forum.<br /><br />In his commentary Meyer will look at the role of the private sector as well as technology in meeting the objectives of the agenda. "It is clear that the private sector must play a role in order for the SDG's to succeed. This is a responsibility that SAP has assumed wholeheartedly long before the goals were formalized," said Meyer.<br /><br />Topics under Meyer's spotlight will include how technology - notably big data, cloud, connectivity, digitization and supercomputing - can positively impact food supply, emissions control, sustainable cities, healthcare and more. "So many of the sustainability challenges we face today are exacerbated by a lack of information, knowledge, or access. But these limitations are exactly the ones being addressed by today's innovations in computing technology." He will help breed understanding around how modern technology platforms such as those orchestrated by SAP are critical in enabling the processes that drive sustainability and innovation.<br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of SAP Africa.</span></div> </div>

SAP's Alexander Meyer set to talk about technology and sustainability at UN forum

Sustainability is a worldwide challenge. The growth of populations and industries, combined with the reduction of poverty and improvements...

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Healthymagination Mother and Child Programme Welcomes its First Group of Social Entrepreneurs Addressing Maternal & Child Health in Sub-Saharan Africa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61Mo9RnWsBo0VEMoGXwENPkGVqriBsvKJ7qRQ_m6VBr74wlZqxhSdBDQ5JY8XEG3tMmMX-Ct3_m5hTIBfu8RkKG8_mYnzHpH6wkgGCCV2d_tYyd6ols-RL-YEzW79UK6x7KQZvHpQbfsx/s1600/kenya.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61Mo9RnWsBo0VEMoGXwENPkGVqriBsvKJ7qRQ_m6VBr74wlZqxhSdBDQ5JY8XEG3tMmMX-Ct3_m5hTIBfu8RkKG8_mYnzHpH6wkgGCCV2d_tYyd6ols-RL-YEzW79UK6x7KQZvHpQbfsx/s400/kenya.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The healthymagination Mother and Child Programme — </span><a href="http://www.ge.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">launched</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> in March 2016 by GE and Santa Clara University’s </span><a href="http://www.scu.edu/MillerCenter"><span style="font-size: large;">Miller </span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Center for Social Entrepreneurship to address maternal and child mortality by supporting African social entrepreneurs operating in the health sector — has taken the first big step toward achieving its objective: selecting the first group of social enterprises that will receive training and mentoring.<br /><br />After a rigorous evaluation process, 17 social entrepreneurs from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia were selected to be in the programme’s first cohort and are currently attending a three-day, in-person workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. This kick-off event packs core business lessons into a powerful three-day event facilitated by senior-level Miller Center mentors and GE business leaders. It is designed to help the social entrepreneurs acquire business fundamentals, improve their strategic thought processes, and articulate a business plan that demonstrates impact, growth and long-term financial sustainability.<br /><br />“Social innovations and entrepreneurs in the health sector have in recent years yielded sustainable solutions to some of the world’s biggest health challenges,” said Jay Ireland, GE Africa president and CEO. “It is for this reason that the healthymagination Mother and Child programme is focusing on training and mentoring social entrepreneurs working on increasing the quality, access and affordability of maternal and child health in sub-Saharan Africa, thereby enabling more women and children to experience better health.”<br /><br />Thane Kreiner, Ph.D., executive director, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship said, “Despite major gains made globally in maternal and child mortality, the levels in sub-Saharan Africa remain unacceptably high. This GE and Miller Center collaboration takes an innovative and highly practical approach to combatting this challenge, by providing African social entrepreneurs with the skills and resources they need to expand the positive impact of their interventions.”<br /><br />“We are excited to work with our first cohort of social entrepreneurs to improve mother and child care in Sub-Saharan Africa. This program builds on GE’s strong track record in bringing innovation to emerging markets while increasing positive health outcomes,” said Robert Wells, executive director of strategy for GE’s healthymagination commitment.<br /><br />The initial workshop will be followed by a six-month, online accelerator programme, where mentorship will be provided by high-profile Silicon Valley-based executives who have themselves undergone mentorship training by Miller Center. This accelerator and mentorship programme will culminate in a “Premier Pitch” event in Africa where the 17 participants will present their respective enterprises to an audience of potential investors. <br /><br />This training and mentoring that blends Silicon Valley entrepreneurial principles with venture impact investing utilizes Miller Center’s Global Social Benefit Institute (GSBI®) methodology, which has been proven and refined through 12 years of working with more than 570 social enterprises worldwide. Participants will also be introduced to GE’s portfolio of products; hence they will gain specialized support and training on technologies and resources for the maternal and child health sector.<br /><br />In alphabetical order, here are the social enterprises selected for the healthymagination Mother & Child programme—along with the countries in which they operate and the social entrepreneurs leading them: Access Afya (Kenya; Dr. Daphne Ngunjiri); ayzh, (Kenya; Habib Anwar and Zubaida Bai); Health-E-Net (Kenya; Pratap Kumar); Hewa Tele (Kenya; Steve Alred Adudans); LifeNet International (Uganda, Burundi and DRC; Stefanie Weiland); Live Well Social Enterprise Business (Zambia; Charles Kalonga); Lwala Community Alliance (Kenya; Julius Mbeya and Ash Lauren Rogers); Nurture Africa (Uganda; Brian Iredale); Outreach Medical Services (Nigeria; Dr. Segun Ebitanmi); Peach Health (Ghana; Cobby Amoah); PurpleSource Healthcare (Nigeria; Olufemi Sunmonu); SaferMom (Nigeria; Adeloye Olanrewaju); Telemed Medical Services (Ethiopia; Yohans Emiru); The Shanti Uganda Society (Uganda; Natalie Angell-Besseling); Tulivu Imaging (Kenya; Matthew Rehrig); and Village Hopecore International (Kenya; Anne Gildea). <br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of GE. </span></div> </div>

Healthymagination Mother and Child Programme Welcomes its First Group of Social Entrepreneurs Addressing Maternal & Child Health in Sub-Saharan Africa

The healthymagination Mother and Child Programme — launched in March 2016 by GE and Santa Clara University’s Miller Center for Soc...

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Bot for Messenger Launched at the International Aids Conference 2016

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVATkMFGeBVcTNzby7KZ1oLHAfo_9dmFyvUiFDaksLD52XQLtufVO2ZvXur-luGD3uOhGe1bZ41UEJXt4FDI3G5qthMoJAGJGRZv3E4I-GmsMEjevQfJ8dDPl7kIraNraka0Pzoi222eD/s1600/penk.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVATkMFGeBVcTNzby7KZ1oLHAfo_9dmFyvUiFDaksLD52XQLtufVO2ZvXur-luGD3uOhGe1bZ41UEJXt4FDI3G5qthMoJAGJGRZv3E4I-GmsMEjevQfJ8dDPl7kIraNraka0Pzoi222eD/s400/penk.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://www.praekeltfoundation.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">Through</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> the advent of Messenger and bots, messaging platforms have rapidly increased their impact in reaching users with life-changing content. Leading this technological evolution in low and middle income countries, the Praekelt Foundation will launch a new chatbot for Messenger integrated into the South African Nation Department of Health’s MomConnect, at the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban on July 19, 2016. The bot will provide mothers a more affordable, engaging way to access the stage-based messages currently provided by the technology’s SMS services.<br /><br />Founded in 2007, Praekelt Foundation uses open source technologies to deliver essential information and inclusive services to millions of people in low income countries. With over ten million South Africans now on Facebook, and over 75% using it on their mobile devices, Praekelt has chosen to expand MomConnect services through the introduction of the bot. [1] The newest innovation in messaging technology, bots unlock the ability to provide personalized, interactive communication akin to talking to a human customer service or sales rep, but at scale for much cheaper than call centers.<br /><br />MomConnect’s new bot will be seamlessly integrated into the existing platform, offering Messenger as a more financially affordable method in which mothers, nurses, and child health workers can access additional content and services. With 900 million users, Messenger is one of the most-used chat apps on the planet with more than 11,000 bots added since the platform launched in April. [3] Messenger allows for larger character limits than SMS and none of the time-outs of USSD. Users send 60 billion messages per day using messenger - more than three times the global daily SMS volume. <br /><br />“We focus on providing innovative and scalable solutions for those in need of access to information in low income countries by keeping ahead of changing technology as well as the changing needs of the end user. We launched MomConnect in 2014, before the rise of Messenger. To be relevant with the latest technologies, we have created a bot to integrate into the platform, as they allow mothers and health care professionals a cheaper way to access vital maternal health and HIV information personalized to them directly on their mobile devices. We’re proud to lead their integration into health systems” Praekelt Foundation Founder and CEO, Gustav Praekelt noted.<br /><br />Currently, MomConnect improves the supply of maternal health information in South Africa for over 850,000 subscribers. These subscribers will now have access to maternal health information through Messenger. Allowing HIV + mothers and those with high-risk pregnancies to have an alternative platform for receiving stage-based messages, the bot gives them access to a resource of information around HIV, pregnancy, delivery and a baby’s first year, as well as a future helpdesk to offer mothers a platform where they can have their questions answered by live operators and escalated to health professional.<br /><br />Simon de Haan, Chief Engineer at Praekelt Foundation, noted the benefits of the bot. “Starting with maternal health care, access to essential information delivered via Messenger poses a fundamental shift in how personal health services are delivered at national scale in emerging markets. Our maternal health services are made possible by our open-source </span><a href="http://links.africa-wire.com/mpss/c/5gA/0KMbAA/t.1z0/XLqUfKtcTFCT9DfpN_a4NQ/h3/nN32rvL6LgjUtQXTS3yHMKjWk8MvOU0UhJDIvtShIwrwElkC201NGbPKl3VBtAU1vU8NR-2FTQvpBOIaHKTYjVZO6z9reZ8Nxw9Hiz4z-2Bj0ZS26M7NONtQf0WhSnAyt7Vd4qFreuFTodAOiAz7eR5Bi1WqeH8NLrHgxJLKEuyV7zA-3D"><span style="font-size: large;">Junebug</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> integration for Messenger and we are excited about the potential this open-source release creates for the wider health and technology industry.”<br /></span><a href="http://apo.af/1D8vvR"><span style="font-size: large;">Over</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> the course of the 5 day conference in Durban, participants will be able to experience the value of the bot first hand by signing up for messages and having them delivered in an accelerated schedule via the messenger set up for MomConnect. To experience the service, a user can like MomConnect’s Facebook page: . Praekelt Foundation plans to roll out the technology to its existing suites in other African countries which have replicated the MomConnect model, including Hello Mama in Nigeria and Family Connect in Uganda. <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Praekelt Foundation. </span></div> </div>

Bot for Messenger Launched at the International Aids Conference 2016

Through the advent of Messenger and bots, messaging platforms have rapidly increased their impact in reaching users with life-changing ...

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Orange completes acquisition of mobile operator Airtel in Sierra Leone

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBXsLTcLEf73mJuPiQRd9isKhbaz6I8uqlP64IeUyWnqn3jz82fIqlhLTvHpWWBZVmgglVDTjhLRWNeeuMoBv8hkmio6GaC_TV5WxMvAV_hJhlMgRxwpyv2zgHnLmrTNr0egB-tdOo6gA/s1600/Orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBXsLTcLEf73mJuPiQRd9isKhbaz6I8uqlP64IeUyWnqn3jz82fIqlhLTvHpWWBZVmgglVDTjhLRWNeeuMoBv8hkmio6GaC_TV5WxMvAV_hJhlMgRxwpyv2zgHnLmrTNr0egB-tdOo6gA/s1600/Orange.jpg" /></a></div> <a href="http://www.orange.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Orange</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> announces today that, together with its Senegal-based partner Sonatel, it has completed the acquisition of 100% of the mobile operator Airtel in Sierra Leone. Since the signature of an agreement with Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) BV (“Airtel”) in January 2016, Orange has obtained all the official approbations necessary to complete this transaction.<br /><br /> Airtel is the leading mobile operator in Sierra Leone with over 1.3 million customers (on the basis of active customers within a 30-day period) for a total population of 6.3 million people. With a mobile penetration of around 50% of the population, Sierra Leone offers considerable growth potential, particularly at a time when significant investments are underway to extend the operator’s 3G network. This network, which already offers good coverage in Freetown and other major towns in Sierra Leone, is set to provide internet access to customers living outside major urban areas.<br /><br /> The investments planned in the coming years will enable customers in Sierra Leone to benefit from the support of the Sonatel group and take advantage of the Orange group’s expertise and momentum in terms of innovation and development of the digital ecosystem. Following the recent launch of operations in Liberia and Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone becomes the 21st country in Africa and the Middle East to join the Orange group.<br /><br /> Bruno Mettling, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Orange group and Chairman & CEO of Orange MEA (Middle East and Africa), stated: “We are pleased to announce that the acquisition of the mobile operator Airtel in Sierra Leone has been finalised. This new acquisition, which will be consolidated by Sonatel, will further strengthen Orange’s strategic position on the African continent.”<br /><br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Orange. </span></div> </div>

Orange completes acquisition of mobile operator Airtel in Sierra Leone

Orange announces today that, together with its Senegal-based partner Sonatel, it has completed the acquisition of 100% of the mobile o...

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Bill Gates to talk about "Living Together" at the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-Zmcqa5MhuZiUiQCMOtnE3fwuPS8EZcKCwQ67_5eGk9YTZkuv-qBB5e-k5OYGIVLImfMHtuCIYJJi2mA2C8Y9pUELy5bMhdgb1e9eSdADA560yDV4pKihSlcOQnjwTmxfdHTI1AKWILG/s1600/mandela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-Zmcqa5MhuZiUiQCMOtnE3fwuPS8EZcKCwQ67_5eGk9YTZkuv-qBB5e-k5OYGIVLImfMHtuCIYJJi2mA2C8Y9pUELy5bMhdgb1e9eSdADA560yDV4pKihSlcOQnjwTmxfdHTI1AKWILG/s400/mandela.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Philanthropist and entrepreneur Bill Gates will use the platform of the 14th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture to lay out his vision of how to create a better world for all when he addresses the issue of "Living Together", the theme of this year's Lecture. <br /><br />The Lecture is hosted in association with the University of Pretoria at their Mamelodi campus. It is dedicated to the Mamelodi families who lost loved ones during the apartheid years. The Lecture honours their contribution to the struggle for democracy. <br /><br />Speaking in a pre-recorded video message, Gates said he was honoured to have been invited to contribute to the conversation on how to create a better world. <br /><br />Gates highlights the need for a new social pact across the globe to end protracted conflict, overcome intolerance and prejudice, improve access to healthcare and education, and reduce poverty and inequality. <br /><br />The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture is the Foundation's flagship programmes to honour its founder, Nelson Mandela, and to raise topical issues affecting South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world. It encourages both local and international dialogue - often about difficult subjects - as a means to address the multiple and complex challenges that face the world today. The Lectures are addressed by speakers who have made a significant contribution in their field of expertise. <br /><br />Gates said the founding President of a democratic South Africa would be "remembered for generations to come for his courage, his vision and his relentless pursuit of equality and justice". <br /><br />He said Mandela's legacy "lives on as a reminder that it's possible to solve big challenges". <br /><br />"Previous speakers in the lecture series have shared thought-provoking insights about how we can create a better world envisioned by Nelson Mandela. I'm privileged to add my voice to the conversation this year. For hundreds of millions of people life is better today than it was a generation ago, but there is so much more we can, and must do, to make that a reality for people everywhere," he said. <br /><br />Explaining the choice of Gates, Nelson Mandela Foundation board member, Nikiwe Bikitsha said, "Gates has a significant impact on the issues facing the poor and marginalised. I look forward to engaging with Gates views on how we continue to work collaboratively to improve the lives of all people through the extraordinary efforts of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation." <br /><br />Dr Ayo Ajayi, director of the Africa Team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said, "Bill coming for the Mandela lecture and the AIDS conference is an indication of how important both South Africa and Africa is to the foundation. The Mandela lecture will show Bill's thinking about the role Africa can and is already playing in its own development. We hope the lecture will stimulate more debate about philanthropy in Africa and Bill's approach to development". <br /><br />Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, Advisor to the Principal and Vice Chancellor: University of Pretoria said, "Partnering the Nelson Mandela Foundation in hosting the 2016 Lecture is a special honour for the University of Pretoria. We are especially delighted that this event will take place at our Mamelodi Campus, located in Mamelodi, a township with impeccable struggle credentials. In hosting this lecture, the University hopes to make its own contribution in keeping alive the memory of the greatest statesman in South Africa and one of the greatest in the world." <br /><br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.</span></div> </div>

Bill Gates to talk about "Living Together" at the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture

Philanthropist and entrepreneur Bill Gates will use the platform of the 14th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture to lay out his vision of how ...

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Tigo sign MOU with the Tanzanian Government to connect secondary schools to the internet

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyTNUyUxyDRuk6BGT-J113appeoNWLI6uOVzy0A4NaaB3o_6MkQHyPT-XJoz_tfMZ8giqWxZgsI-_n3IoRHhc-FoCBvi-nvGJkbRp4uB93DORZ5fLgiTTRVmCPDWFE43LVmZCGqEMIA0S/s1600/tigo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyTNUyUxyDRuk6BGT-J113appeoNWLI6uOVzy0A4NaaB3o_6MkQHyPT-XJoz_tfMZ8giqWxZgsI-_n3IoRHhc-FoCBvi-nvGJkbRp4uB93DORZ5fLgiTTRVmCPDWFE43LVmZCGqEMIA0S/s400/tigo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /><span style="font-size: large;">Tanzania’s leading digital lifestyle company, Tigo Tanzania has today entered into a partnership with the Ministry of Communications, Works and Infrastructure to facilitate the roll-out of internet access points in the country’s secondary schools so as to complement the e-Schools Project for a period of 2 years.<br /><br /> As part of the agreement, the ministry will identify and provide a list of schools without computer labs to be connected and also guide the implementation of the project while Tigo will sponsor the infrastructural development in schools across the country that will include wiring classrooms and installation of wireless LAN with internet access points.<br /><br /> While signing the memorandum of understanding at the Jangwani Secondary School in the country’s commercial capital Dar es Salaam, Tigo Chief Commercial Officer, Shavkat Berdiev, said, “We are grateful to the government for accepting to partner with Tigo in this very important initiative aiming at supporting the government vision of ensuring that all mankind benefit from the access and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in various discipline to improve their social and economic situations”.<br /><br />Berdiev said that Tigo was proud to be partnering with the Ministry of Communications, Works and Infrastructure to enable the youth and the wider communities to tap into the global mainstream of information and knowledge, where they will learn, expand their creativity and collaborate with peers across the world.<br /><br />“Tigo will continue to work with the government on other innovative and exciting projects to uplift the lives of many Tanzanians”, Berdiev added.<br /><br /> While thanking Tigo during the signing of the agreement, The Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Communications, Works and Infrastructure Prof. Faustine Kamuzora said, “It is through such partnerships that we shall be able to impart modern ICT skills and knowledge to the youth, to enable them to face the challenges of the ever-changing information trends in the society and global economy.”<br /><br /> “I commend Tigo for its readiness to engage in public and private sector partnerships in order to help secondary school students in Tanzania and also welcome the participation of other stakeholders in the integration of this technology”, Prof. Kamuzora added.<br /><br /> Tigo’s e-Schools’ Project is one of the company’s strategic social investment projects and to date Tigo has been able to connect 31 public secondary schools in Tanzania with internet with an envisaged plan to connect 50 more this year.<br /><br /> Noting that it was the first time that the government and a mobile network operator were cooperating on an ICT project of such a large scale and scope, the PS affirmed that the partnership will go a long way in imparting modern ICT skills and knowledge to the youth and enable them to face the challenges of the ever-changing information society and global economy.<br /><br />“This technology will enable the students and teachers of the beneficiary schools and the wider communities to tap into the global mainstream of information and knowledge where they will learn, expand their creativity, collaborate with peers across the African continent and across the world, and generally participate in defining the future of their world”, Prof, Kamuzora noted.<br /><br /> The e-school’s project is among various projects that Tigo has undertaken to support community initiatives through the telecom’s corporate social responsibility portfolio. They include donation of over 2,700 desks to needy primary schools in a sustainable venture that is meant to alleviate the serious shortage of desks in the country’s schools.<br /><br /> Last year, Tigo partnered with Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi), a local NGO to offer scholarships worth over Tsh: 300m/- (about $ 136,363 ) to cover tuition fees, research fees, meals and accommodation for a period of four years to nine students undertaking ICT courses in local universities. <br /><br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Tigo. </span></div> </div>

Tigo sign MOU with the Tanzanian Government to connect secondary schools to the internet

Tanzania’s leading digital lifestyle company, Tigo Tanzania has today entered into a partnership with the Ministry of Communications, Wo...

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BBC Afrique launches on TV in Senegal

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XvRMpx6Jym1aZSaDRnfwKDmQTC9_H218EoDWXSSWQ9-NUFrcD7Qp_u3Py82eqQBCQUYuhRP4U6548FGctKtdu9m3diEPTGRitr_nkPUbasxDOnjzNZz1xIE2P4XdRlcLfbP1Cg8Y5jRV/s1600/BBC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XvRMpx6Jym1aZSaDRnfwKDmQTC9_H218EoDWXSSWQ9-NUFrcD7Qp_u3Py82eqQBCQUYuhRP4U6548FGctKtdu9m3diEPTGRitr_nkPUbasxDOnjzNZz1xIE2P4XdRlcLfbP1Cg8Y5jRV/s640/BBC.jpg" width="424" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Starting on Mon 18 July at 8.30 PM local time, BBC Afrique will be bringing audiences in Senegal BBC Infos on Dunyaa TV (DTV), for the first time. This special first edition of BBC Infos will bring local stories from the country and will be preceded by a jointly-hosted launch show on DTV. Features will include a look at wrestling in Senegal and a new phone app from a young inventor from Dakar that will help people get around the city.<br /><br />On Tues 19 July, BBC Afrique Radio (available on 105.6 FM in Senegal) will be bringing listeners a special debate recorded in Dakar and looking at Africa's youth and digital entrepreneurship. <br /><br />Herve Yonkeu, BBC Afrique Editor, says "Senegal is an important audience for us and it is fantastic news that we can now share our broadcasts with viewers there. Our team in Dakar will continue to bring unique and important stories to Senegal from the rest of the world as well as making local stories resonate internationally". <br /><br />Jupiter Diagne, Managing Director, DTV, says "The rebroadcast of BBC Infos on DTV adds to the credibility of our channel and strengthens the existing partnership between our organisations."<br /><br />The BBC Afrique service reaches 14.8 million people on a weekly basis and provides content for 23 countries across francophone Africa. Three new TV programmes will be available for the audience in Senegal. BBC Infos is the service's flagship 15 minute TV show bringing viewers the main news headlines every weekday with presenters Léone Ouedraogo, Olivier Weber and Vénuste Nshimiyimana. Every Saturday, BBC Eco covers the latest stories on the African and international economy and on Sundays BBC Hebdo provides viewers with a summary of the week's news. BBC Afrique TV programming is currently enjoyed by audiences around West and Central Africa including in Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DRC and Niger. <br /><br />Launched in 1996, 20 years ago, BBC Afrique brings the BBC's world class journalism to French African and diaspora audiences around the world on Radio, TV and online. BBC Afrique is available on Twitter, Periscope, Facebook, Instagram, and Soundcloud.<br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of BBC World Service.</span></div> </div>

BBC Afrique launches on TV in Senegal

Starting on Mon 18 July at 8.30 PM local time, BBC Afrique will be bringing audiences in Senegal BBC Infos on Dunyaa TV (DTV), for the f...

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Standard Bank Leads in Africa with Digital Innovations

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGZJR0TvTs_-KDK1jXS17manXt5dVUrT3TDbnOdKeoO6XIXaQhuAXkfto5QWUj_Y5GIVQqzdqIJ-tHV7uR2y5QHDjoelOa1noanJqqgVs8hyJVTL1Xhaw2gC0EVWLygbyoAl5z72_WkAx/s1600/bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGZJR0TvTs_-KDK1jXS17manXt5dVUrT3TDbnOdKeoO6XIXaQhuAXkfto5QWUj_Y5GIVQqzdqIJ-tHV7uR2y5QHDjoelOa1noanJqqgVs8hyJVTL1Xhaw2gC0EVWLygbyoAl5z72_WkAx/s400/bank.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://www.standardbank.co.za/"><span style="font-size: large;">Standard</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Bank is on a committed journey of rapid digitization across the continent, offering its customers more convenient ways to interact with their personal banking services. <br /><br />The latest innovation in this digital transformation journey is the expansion of the existing Standard Bank banking app to four additional African markets simultaneously, namely Uganda, Namibia, Ghana and Botswana with plans to roll it out to Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe by the end of 2016.<br /><br />The Banking App already enjoys high usage amongst Standard Bank’s South African and Offshore customers. <br /><br />Rapid developments in Standard Bank’s drive to enhance its digital customer interface in Africa and simultaneous multi country enablement on the continent have been combined with extensive customer testing and prototyping, to deliver a consistent customer experience which is locally relevant to users in each of the four additional markets.<br /><br />The release of the app is a demonstration of Standard Bank’s significant investment in an enterprise technology framework that is reusable in all its markets, providing a world-class and a consolidated view of banking portfolios within the Group from a single mobile interface. <br /><br />Through the single interface customers will enjoy a seamless integration of their personal and business banking profiles, with a singular view of all their accounts across multiple geographies, as well as single sign-on capability from anywhere in the world - all from the convenience of their smart phone.<br /><br />“Essentially this is one of the first mobile banking interfaces in Africa that allows our bank customers access to their accounts across multiple countries within the Standard Bank Group,” says Adrian Vermooten, Head Customer Channels Africa, Standard Bank.<br /><br />“It is particularly important to us to ensure we continue to leverage and build banking solutions that ultimately make the lives of our customers easier and more convenient – enabling customers to bank on their terms whenever they want,” he adds.<br /><br />The app offers a richer and intuitive customer experience as it takes advantage of smartphone sophistication such as biometrics for secure access, access to device contacts, and social networks for sharing of information.<br /><br />Future releases of the app in late 2016 will include additional features such as Real Time Payments, Online account opening and numerous other value-added services for individuals and businesses.<br /><br />“The introduction of this app is a further step in Standard Bank’s drive to build a universal bank for its customers across the continent. As a bank that operates in 20 markets across the continent and has a deep understanding of our customers in diverse markets, we are committed to delivering services that are aimed at meeting the needs of our customers and enhancing their banking experience. Africa is our home, we drive her growth” says Mr. Vermooten.<br /><br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Standard Bank. </span></div> </div>

Standard Bank Leads in Africa with Digital Innovations

Standard Bank is on a committed journey of rapid digitization across the continent, offering its customers more convenient ways to inte...

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Vantage Mezzanine Fund III invests R200 million ($13.7 million) in a black industrialist business

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkPGiJjZG4xqAOWF6YWIKG-zAhxXqRldRFlmM_9Js1gSCXFJVKVr4mYNwnIc3RhQHzyqKnULTrtsXlMEKaV4uYnlsEsJP4IjUUnc646KSGgi9_FpSldkD-xIOA3PZIkeawQj1yJnjfi3S/s1600/VANT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkPGiJjZG4xqAOWF6YWIKG-zAhxXqRldRFlmM_9Js1gSCXFJVKVr4mYNwnIc3RhQHzyqKnULTrtsXlMEKaV4uYnlsEsJP4IjUUnc646KSGgi9_FpSldkD-xIOA3PZIkeawQj1yJnjfi3S/s400/VANT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://www.vantagecapital.co.za/"><span style="font-size: large;">Vantage</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Capital, Africa’s largest mezzanine fund manager, announced today that it has provided a R200 million ($13.7 million) expansion capital facility to </span><a href="http://www.newgx.co.za/"><span style="font-size: large;">New</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> GX Capital, a 100% black and family owned investment company. The funds will be used to finance additional investments as New GX grows its interests in the telecommunications infrastructure, energy, waste management and information technology sectors in South Africa and the rest of the African continent. The parties will also collaborate in assisting communities in Attridgeville, Mamelodi and Soshanguve townships in Pretoria and the Phokwane rural village in Limpopo through the HM Pitje Foundation.<br /><br />New GX was established in 2005 by Khudu Pitje, a winner in the EY World Entrepreneur Awards Southern Africa emerging entrepreneurs’ category. Khudu and his team have demonstrated an ability to originate, develop and grow companies in some of South Africa’s most dynamic and fast-growing sectors. New GX’s interests in niche markets include equity investments in DFA, Dartcom, Dynamic Instruments and New GX Enviro. “It is amazing to consider that three of our core investments are in companies that were established after 2007” says Graham McGregor the group CFO of New GX.<br /><br />New GX is one of the founding partners of DFA a carrier neutral provider with over 9000 km's of open-access fibre infrastructure providing solutions to mobile network operators, fibre to the business users (FTTB), fibre to the home customers (FTTH) and the public sector.<br /><br />The Group is also a key partner in the growth of In2IT Technologies a business that provides IT infrastructure managed services and application solutions. The business is key in New GX’s strategy of participating in opportunities within internet of things and the boundless world of convergence of IT and telecoms.<br /><br />New GX is the single largest shareholder in Dartcom which is a specialist distributor of optical fibre communications products and specialised cabling. It is a major supplier to companies within the telecommunication sector that are currently expanding their networks to address the backlog of optical fibre infrastructure in South Africa and the rest of the continent. In this regard, the business recently established presence in East Africa. New GX is utilizing its position in Dartcom to support local manufacturing of fibre, manholes, ducts and other products used by telecommunication networks.<br /><br />The Group is a majority shareholder in Dynamic Instruments, a CIDB EP9 electrical and control instrumentation business that designs, constructs and maintains large scale electrical infrastructure especially within the complex thermal power station environment. The business has created over 700 jobs since 2012 with ambition to create a further 400 jobs within 12 to 18 months. It has established artisans training centers within power station environments for skills transfer to local people in line with Eskom’s ASGISA program.<br /><br />New GX founded New GX Enviro a company that specializes in impact investing and new age waste management aiming to resolve community socio-economic issues with long-term build-own-transfer models that allow for the establishment of SMMEs. The business provides off-take revenues of at least R10m per annum to black SMMEs and cooperatives. The business has embarked on an ambitious path of creating 1000 jobs for historical disadvantaged individuals within 18 months and assisting municipalities to augment their waste, water and renewable energy management capabilities through partnerships with the private sector.<br /><br />Luc Albinski, Managing Partner at Vantage Capital, said “New GX is one the most impressive black-owned and controlled investment companies that Vantage has come across, mostly as a result of the CEO and founder, Khudu Pitje. Khudu has been able to combine an impressive professional background, as a chartered accountant and former banker at JP Morgan, with a very hands-on entrepreneurial drive.”<br /><br />Mokgome Mogoba, Associate Partner at Vantage Capital, added “New GX has an exciting track record of adding value through operational expertise to its portfolio companies and a history of starting businesses in carefully selected sectors with lots of potential for economic and social returns such as waste management and telecoms infrastructure. Vantage is proud to partner with this fine representative of a new generation of black industrialists that is making a positive impact on the lives of the communities in South Africa’s disadvantaged townships and rural villages.”<br /><br />Khudu Pitje, CEO and founder of New GX said “we required a flexible and understanding financial partner that could buy into our investment thesis and support us in realising our vision for the future which amongst other things include creation of sustainable jobs and supporting our communities through the HM Pitje Foundation. We are excited to partner with Vantage for the next chapter in our growth story that started from humble beginnings. We are working with development funders to further leverage our capital to rollout large-scale projects that will create sustainable jobs for our people.”<br /><br />This is Vantage’s 23rd mezzanine investment and the fifth investment in Fund III, which is targeting a final close of R4 billion ($270 million) and has a 40% allocation for South Africa. Vantage Mezzanine Fund III supported the Servest buyout last year, and recently concluded a $20 million investment in Landmark (a Nigerian property group), a R80 million development capital facility in UAG (a Namibian Hospitality and Property Group) as well as a R250 million expansion capital facility which Vumatel is using to expand its fibre-to-the-home network.<br /> <br /><br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Vantage Capital Group. <br /><br /> </span></div> </div>

Vantage Mezzanine Fund III invests R200 million ($13.7 million) in a black industrialist business

Vantage Capital, Africa’s largest mezzanine fund manager, announced today that it has provided a R200 million ($13.7 million) expansion...

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The African Risk Capacity Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd) appoints former IFC Director Dolika Banda as CEO

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE2YXv82DNMYvpuUxjjkBZz1S9e9Xn5QOZQvj3PVQloVk5QTDCp2bOmJgGowEMvZsQk47tcjD9haNqr4OPAJ-ThTqDWuKAyZBR_ptqtDGJAJ87bvNT3ZWHzfZsvupDaTJrVGmxcgozTVC/s1600/250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE2YXv82DNMYvpuUxjjkBZz1S9e9Xn5QOZQvj3PVQloVk5QTDCp2bOmJgGowEMvZsQk47tcjD9haNqr4OPAJ-ThTqDWuKAyZBR_ptqtDGJAJ87bvNT3ZWHzfZsvupDaTJrVGmxcgozTVC/s400/250.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">The African Risk Capacity Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd) has </span><a href="http://ltd.arc.int/"><span style="font-size: large;">announced</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> the appointment of former IFC Director Ms Dolika Banda as Chief Executive Officer, effective from 7 September 2016.<br /><br />She will take the reins from Dr Simon Young, who was appointed CEO in 2014 after playing a leading role in the development of the ARC programme. He will continue to serve in an advisory capacity.<br /><br />ARC Ltd is an insurance mutual and financial affiliate of the ARC Agency, a </span><a href="http://www.africanriskcapacity.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">Specialised</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Agency of the African Union. As Africa’s first catastrophe risk pool, ARC Ltd provides parametric natural disaster insurance to African governments.<br /><br />A Zambian economist and advisor, Ms Banda has more than 25 years of international banking and financial management experience with a focus on economic development in sub-Saharan Africa.<br /><br />Most recently, Ms Banda was Regional Director for Africa at the UK’s Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) since 2013.<br /><br />Ms Banda worked at the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation for 16 years within its financial markets, credit, accounting and treasury departments. As Director of Financial Markets, she managed the IFC’s financial markets activities across sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.<br /><br />Ms Banda has also held senior corporate and merchant banking positions at Barclays and Citibank in Zambia.<br /><br />She currently sits as a non-executive director on a number of boards including Ecobank Transnational Incorporated.<br /><br />Chairman of the ARC Ltd Board of Directors, Dr Lars Thunell welcomed the incoming CEO: “Ms Banda’s incomparable experience across the continent, encompassing both the private and the public sectors, is a perfect fit for ARC, itself a private-public partnership. We look forward to her leadership taking the company to new horizons.”<br /><br />Ms Banda said: “I’m honoured to join this unique and inspiring organisation which is providing an African-owned solution to the continent with an emphasis on solidarity. I’m excited to be part of such an important initiative which will help Africa take control and enhance its future development.”<br /><br />Dr Thunell praised ARC Ltd’s current CEO for having headed up the company through its key start-up phase: “ARC Ltd is only what it is today because of Dr Young’s outstanding leadership. He has created a solid base for this innovative new instrument that is changing the way Africa takes on the climate challenge.”<br /><br />Dr Young said: “I’m proud to have been a part of the team which has already and continues to push the boundaries of innovation in better managing natural disasters to build resilience and underpin economic growth for the most vulnerable across Africa. I am confident that Dolika will guide the company successfully through its next phase and towards ARC’s goal of insuring 30 countries by 2020 for $1.5bn, helping to protect 150 million vulnerable Africans.”<br /><br />As the inaugural CEO, Dr Young has overseen the first critical years of ARC Ltd’s growth, including payouts of $26mn in the company’s first year when three countries in the Sahel were impacted by drought. He has also led development of a number of key initiatives within the company including the expansion to tropical cyclone and flood insurance as well as a the ‘Licensing for Development’ pilot project in which ARC licenses its modelling software to underwrite drought insurance across Africa.<br /><br />He has been key in driving the Replica initiative which aims, through insurance, to shift the humanitarian sector to proactive financing. ARC Ltd plans to provide natural disaster insurance to the World Food Programme and Start Network, a consortium of NGOs, which will replicate African government’s policies.<br /><br />Dr Young has also led the company’s underwriting and reinsurance activities as the acting Chief Underwriting Officer, a role he will continue to play until a second senior appointment is made later in 2016. During its first two years of operations, ARC Ltd has underwritten over $300mn of risk and transferred $130mn to the international risk markets, both of which are projected to double this year.<br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of The African Risk Capacity Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd). </span></div> </div>

The African Risk Capacity Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd) appoints former IFC Director Dolika Banda as CEO

The African Risk Capacity Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd) has announced the appointment of former IFC Director Ms Dolika Banda as C...

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Merck and University of Nairobi to Start Medical Oncology Fellowship Program

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nz4QTCzh3aKIPMvTrpHubJfjIdnKRtiyJf56i6uqO1JpVOZnXCOiBuM-eSFRIvfSFTPHuax7_ZxYqzpUQeWy4D_02qoXrrjTLx1FW1zCm-1gOv7Fv6R89vIXZizlEB9yxsT0C_pI2LAQ/s1600/merck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nz4QTCzh3aKIPMvTrpHubJfjIdnKRtiyJf56i6uqO1JpVOZnXCOiBuM-eSFRIvfSFTPHuax7_ZxYqzpUQeWy4D_02qoXrrjTLx1FW1zCm-1gOv7Fv6R89vIXZizlEB9yxsT0C_pI2LAQ/s400/merck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.merckgroup.com/">Merck</a></span><span style="font-size: large;">, a leading science and technology company, today announced to start the first Merck Africa Medical Oncology Fellowship Program for Sub-Saharan African countries in partnership with University of Nairobi, Kenya. The program will be conducted at University of Nairobi and is part of Merck’s efforts to improve access to cancer care and strengthen the healthcare system in emerging markets.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In a first step, Merck will sponsor nine medical doctors from Sub-Saharan African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Africa for a period of two years. The program will be extended to other African countries in the following year. Moreover, Merck will support another five African doctors to participate in a paediatric and adult medical fellowship program, which will be held annually at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. This program will start in August this year.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“We are committed to improving patient’s access to healthcare all over the world”, said Rasha Kelej, who as Chief Social Officer of the healthcare business sector of Merck leads the implementation and coordination of activities, designed to have a positive impact on societies in developing countries. “In Africa, where the number of oncologists is very limited, this starts by building additional medical capacity. Our new program aims to increase the number of qualified oncologists across the continent. The scarcity of trained healthcare personnel capable of tackling prevention, early diagnosis and management of cancer is a bigger challenge in Africa than the lack of financial resources. Therefore we firmly believe that initiatives like ours are very helpful for Africa and also in a further step for more developing countries.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Merck over the past years has significantly stepped up its activities on the African continent with an expected doubling of sales by 2020 (http://apo.af/Z7c14K). In addition to its cancer drug Erbitux, which made Merck is a pioneer in targeted cancer therapy, the company is also making fast progress in the field of immuno-oncology, aimed at mobilizing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Prof. Isaac Kibwage, Principal of Colleges of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, said: “We believe that the only way to effectively prevent, detect and treat the rising number of cancer cases in Africa is through establishing public private partnerships between health ministries, academia, and industry in implementing successful programs such as the partnership with Merck. This fellowship program will not only target Kenyan doctors but doctors from Sub-Saharan African countries as well with the aim of improving the quality and accessibility of cancer care in the continent.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The shortage of oncologists threatens cancer care in Africa. According to World Health Organization (WHO), by 2020 there are expected to be 16 million new cases of cancer every year, 70% of which will be in developing countries where governments are least prepared to address the growing cancer burden and where survival rates are often less than half those of more developed countries.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">According to research done by Merck Kenya only has 13 oncologists, most of them based in Nairobi for a population of 47 million, which means one oncologist per 3.6 million people. For reference, in the UK there are around 13 oncologists per 1 million people. Moreover, in Ethiopia there are only four oncologists, all based in Addis Ababa for a population of around 100 million inhabitants.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO on behalf of Merck KGaA.</span></div> </div>

Merck and University of Nairobi to Start Medical Oncology Fellowship Program

Merck , a leading science and technology company, today announced to start the first Merck Africa Medical Oncology Fellowship Program fo...

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Nigeria leads the way promoting ridesharing in Africa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">At the start of the last century, just one in seven people worldwide lived in cities. Today it’s half, and by 2050 , the UN predicts another 2.5 billion people will be living in urban areas. This has brought huge benefits, with the growth of cities linked directly to economic growth, as well as improved health and education. Nowhere is this more apparent than across Africa, but it has also often come at the cost of creaking infrastructure, especially when it comes to transportation.<br /><br />In response to this challenge we have seen governments across the world — from Mexico City to Sydney — embrace ridesharing . We are thrilled that Nigeria is now the first country in Africa to make a significant step forward towards building ridesharing into their transportation policies.<br /><br />Honourable Obinna Chidoka, a member of the Federal House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Committee on Environment and Habitat, recently started an important conversation for Nigeria’s future in the Federal House of Representatives, looking ahead to how technology can enable safe and reliable rides and limit the negative effects of traffic congestion, a subject Chidoka is very passionate about. This culminated in a unanimous vote by the Nigerian House in favour of a resolution supporting ridesharing.<br /><br />Chidoka says “This resolution is a pivotal step for Nigeria and the critical role technology will play in helping us achieve the ambitions set out in the 2015 Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future. This ridesharing resolution is an important development in reducing the number of cars on our roads, creating thousands of jobs and building sustainable businesses for our country.”<br /><br />This matters, because Nigeria is at the very vanguard of urbanisation, expected to add over 200 million people to its cities in the next 40 years, more than tripling the size of its current urban population. Only China and India will add more.<br /><br />This fast pace of change presents a serious challenge for the country’s transport system. As the African Development Bank notes, the average commuter in Lagos now spends over three hours in traffic every day.<br /><br />Thankfully technology can help bring the answer. With just the smartphone in your pocket, ridesharing apps like Uber can now connect riders and drivers at the push of a button. This brings benefits for riders, drivers and cities. Riders find it easier, safer and more affordable to get around; drivers have access to new, flexible economic opportunities; and cities see their transit networks extended, emissions cut as we start to take cars off the road, and reductions in alcohol-related accidents.<br /><br />This resolution is a great first step towards legislation that will allow the benefits of ridesharing to be felt across Nigeria, and ultimately we hope it encourages transport innovation for cities across Africa.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Uber. <br /></span></div> <a href="http://links.africa-wire.com/mpss/c/5wA/0KMbAA/t.1xw/ex3yGh_NSW6kzQ83iAOCQw/h8/nN32rvL6LgjUtQXTS3yHMKjWk8MvOU0UhJDIvtShIwp0jTqJWao1RbZiaXj3mbjRY5kMhdoHTGnxhiuhDOQq8kM5A0rqhp7bLNTO3BiPXV-2Bd7HQ-2FktewMNr54v97bHQz5QhJ2LBp8m49NpAMMVwQ1m-2B21N-2BCuZUYt3G9IKRs6zd6ne4J-2Fowc7jNdPvvgqH9DQ296noQqKxiUCjvvGVoqbnsujuaaU8YIEQeO7Y-2FurrP7I51NQWW5lNLnFCmtUj00mwQaxp6x0HaGA7oHE7LAediUTxyr762mm65BEdSxj09F6RUeHAHkPskwP6vBWG62S7s8kJaJXr5TNFChUAYsfw-3D-3D"> </a></div>

Nigeria leads the way promoting ridesharing in Africa

At the start of the last century, just one in seven people worldwide lived in cities. Today it’s half, and by 2050 , the UN predicts anoth...

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Balazi apongeza ujenzi wa skuli

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKpZVFOrBqO_ZLNe-jnB1KsRQgfqJH9RFrLu-P0Pq5hkddqwnEdH0SmG_YWIEOaivVdqMrlb0REOBTpyBmRc8XfFIDbdITK3mzSeWcdMKEU0ax2zkPTLPZLsLvvQ0WlxD3Q4LggZ5R8-J/s1600/530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKpZVFOrBqO_ZLNe-jnB1KsRQgfqJH9RFrLu-P0Pq5hkddqwnEdH0SmG_YWIEOaivVdqMrlb0REOBTpyBmRc8XfFIDbdITK3mzSeWcdMKEU0ax2zkPTLPZLsLvvQ0WlxD3Q4LggZ5R8-J/s400/530.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mwakilishi wa Jimbo la Mahonda Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema ujenzi wa skuli karibu na maeneo wanaishi wananchi ndio njia sahihi itakayowalinda wanafunzi hasa watoto wa kike kupambana na changamoto zinazowakabili za udhalilishaji wa kijinsia zinaowakumba kutokana na sababu za kufuata elimu katika mafasa marefu.<br /><br />Alisema yapo matokeo kadhaa dhidi ya watoto wa kike ya udhalilishaji wa kijinsia yaliyojitokea katika baadhi ya vijiji vya mbali vilivyozungukwa na maeneo hatarishi na kutoa nafasi kwa wahalifu kutekeleza dhamira yao mbaya ya kuwadhuru watoto wa kike.<br /><br />Balozi Seif alieleza hayo wakati wa ziara yake ya kuangalia changamoto zinazozikabili skuli zilizomo ndani ya Jimbo la Mahonda ambapo alipata fursa ya kuzungumza na walimu, wanafunzi na wazazi wa Skuli ya msingi ya Zingwe zingwe pamoja na sekondari ya Fujoni katika mikutano tofauti.<br /><br />Alisema takwinu za ubakaji na udhalilishaji wa kijinsia zinaonyesha kuwa Mkoa wa Kaskazini Unguja unaoongoza vitendo ambavyo jamii kwa kushirikiana na viongozi wake inapaswa kukabiliana kwa nguvu zao zote.<br /><br />Aliwahimiza wanafunzi hao kusoma kwa juhudi na nidhamu wakielewa kwamba asilimia 60% ya ufaulu kwenye masomo yao uko mikononi wakati msaada wa walimu wao unafikia asilimia 40% tu.<br /><br />Mwakilishi huyo wa Jimbo la Mahonda aliwaasa wanafunzi wa kike wasikubali kukata masomo yao kwa sababu za ndoa na kuwaonya wazazi waachane na tamaa ya kukimbilia mahari kwa kuwaozesha watoto wao mapema kabla ya kumaliza masomo yao.<br /><br />Alitahadharisha kwamba talaka za wanaume wa siku hizi ziko midomoni wala hazihitaji maandishi na ipo mifano ya wazi iliyotokea katika maeneo mbali mbali hasa wakati wa uchaguzi ambapo baadhi ya akinamama walitamkiwa kuachwa endapo watakipigia kura chama kisichopendwa na waume zao.<br /><br />Katika kuunga mkono jitihada za skuli hizo Balozi Seif alichangia nauli ya shilingi Milioni Moja kama zawadi kwa walimu Watatu wanaojitolea katika Skuli ya Zingwe zingwe pamoja na vifaa vya ujenzi kuendeleza majengo na Mnara wa Tangi la Maji safi na salama.<br /><br />Balozi Seif pia akaahidi kuwatafutia Vikalio 45 kwa madarasa Matatu ya Skuli ya Sekondari ya Fujoni pamoja na vifaa vya michezo huku jitihada za kumaliza darasa la maabara zikiwa katika hatua za mwisho kukamilika.<br /><br />Mapema Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Kaskazini “B” Nd. Issa Juma Ali alisema Mradi wa kusaidia Maendeleo ya Jamii Tanzania {Tasaf } umeanzisha mpango maalum wa kusaidia kaya maskini nchini ukilenga zaidi katika kuwapatia unafuu wa kupata vifaa vya elimu wanafunzi hao.<br /><br />Nd. Issa alisema mpango huo humuezesha mwanafunzi anayekabiliwa na mazingira magumu kuzitumia fedha hizo kwa kumpunguzia msongo wa mawazo mzazi wake anayeshindwa kumudu kumuhudumia mtoto wake kutokana na ukali wa maisha uliomzunguuka.<br /><br />Mkuu huyo wa Wilaya ya Kaskazini “B” aliwanasihi wazazi wanaopata fedh za Tasaf kupitia mpango huo wa kaya maskini wazitumie vyema ili lengo lililokusudiwa katika mpango huo lifanikiwe vizuri.<br /><br />Naye Mke wa Mwakilishi wa Jimbo la Mahonda Mama Asha Suleiman Iddi aliwataka wananchi na hasa wana CCM wajizatiti katika kuimarisha uchumi ili waondokane na tabia ya kuomba omba yenye muelekeo wa udhalilishaji ndani yake.<br /><br />Mama Asha alisema wapo baadhi ya wananchi waliowahi kupambana na vitendo vya udhalilishwaji kutokana na tabia ya omba omba na hatimae kupunguwa kwa utu na thamani yao katika jamii.<br /><br />Wakati huo huo Mwakilishi huyo wa Jimbo la Kitope ambae pia ni Mjumbe wa Kamati Kuu ya Halmashauri Kuu ya Taifa ya CCM Balozi Seif aliwakumbusha wana CCM kuendelea kushikamana katika kipindi hichi ili kuweka nguvu za muendelezo wa ushindi ifikapo mwaka 2020.<br /><br />Akiendelea na ziara ya kutoa shukrani mara baada ya kumalizika kwa uchaguzi Mkuu wa kumpa ridhaa ya kuliongoza Jimbo hilo la Mahonda Balozi Seif alisema uchaguzi umekwisha hadi mwaka 2020 na kazi iliyopo sasa mbele ya wana CCM na wananchi wote ni kuelekeza nguvu zao katika kuimarisha miradi ya maendeleo.<br /><br />Alisema kwa kushirikiana na viongozi wenzake wa Jimbo la Mahonda, kazi zitakazopewa kipaumbele katika kutekeleza ilani na sera za CCM ni kupambana na changamoto zinazowakabili wananchi katika Wadi na shehia zao ndani ya Jimbo hilo.<br /><br />Balozi Seif aliwaahidi wanachama na Viongozi hao wa Matawi yaliyomo ndani ya Jimbo la Mahonda kuendelea kuziimarisha Ofisi za Chama cha Mapinduzi katika Matawi hayo ili zilingane na hadhi ya Chama chao.<br /><br />Katika kuunga mkono juhudi za Wananchi na wana CCM hao Balozi Seif alichangia fedha pamoja na Vifaa mbali mbali katika azma yake ya kutekeleza ahadi alizokuwa akizitoa wakati wa kampeni ya uchaguzi ya kuomba kazi ya kuliongoza Jimbo hilo. <br /><br />Balozi Seif alikabidhi vifaa vya ujenzi na fedha taslimu kwa kuendeleza ujenzi wa majengo ya Skuli ya Msingi ya Zingwe zingwe, Tawi la Chama cha Mapinduzi Zingwe zingwe, vifaa vya michezo pamoja na fedha taslimu kwa Timu ya Soka ya Fujoni Boys pamoja na vifaa vya ujenzi kwa Skuli ya Sekondari ya Fujoni.<br /><br />Vifaa vyote hivyo katika miradi ya maendeleo na uimarishaji wa Ofisi za Chama cha Mapinduzi vimegharimu jumla ya shilingi Milioni Sita, Laki Tatui na Sitini Elfu { 6,360,000/- }.<br /><br />Othman Khamis Ame<br />Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

Balazi apongeza ujenzi wa skuli

Mwakilishi wa Jimbo la Mahonda Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema ujenzi wa skuli karibu na maeneo wanaishi wananchi ndio njia sahihi itakayo...

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Kuelekea kilele cha siku ya Mazingira duania

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibInkXqQaVuBosqyVTSwTMUQiQKap0spsFCro2dVCbDEAsPDEBCk3vESaBJSddoUtMDug64OCz3YLEQSEoaRJQEU14guabyjiPvMQmOvEW5W7lE3cE0qn6eqsaUGjbY4nTZgdF4onWdVqH/s1600/213A5739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibInkXqQaVuBosqyVTSwTMUQiQKap0spsFCro2dVCbDEAsPDEBCk3vESaBJSddoUtMDug64OCz3YLEQSEoaRJQEU14guabyjiPvMQmOvEW5W7lE3cE0qn6eqsaUGjbY4nTZgdF4onWdVqH/s640/213A5739.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zs5EWPmgnxhUrLH_7yq7ZfnwBimPMLsMZgLfFQa6vYVEj_nNfCPuxjbJXjLRs5wy4V2f1eoKc3iRpSvqoScroMhA2Z3GNy3r_ThJJNxho5dbf8XdKgmCmB1tlk6Gx04rD3S8U-qXjnT2/s1600/213A5750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TuWC5lQx_8kSQWPTW79XUPjrmr4LLGd86_PzDDuNTQ6b93xWCW_9DTLG2ySo_M0-008566LyA5JIr6g0NPSPdtrGYiRX67G7cDcGWIYLRFEZBFQrmLdbB696BTAxwQ1SinvY2KoXW_tA/s1600/213A5819.jpg" /></a></div> <br /></div>

Kuelekea kilele cha siku ya Mazingira duania

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JIANGSU watiliana sain na Zanzibar

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPmXwBwe6Oz82KE3Jx_3Jv2tNHWrxqmhIq7kVadW83yI2nVA2TKNfC5aG5jz4_-AcZ0HZ8ywO4XENKZ33KwHH8xc3sSqQFNremz9ezxPGiZjPjXcO8OHPb1wSqCvajn1xz6PnxZV-I61p/s1600/376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPmXwBwe6Oz82KE3Jx_3Jv2tNHWrxqmhIq7kVadW83yI2nVA2TKNfC5aG5jz4_-AcZ0HZ8ywO4XENKZ33KwHH8xc3sSqQFNremz9ezxPGiZjPjXcO8OHPb1wSqCvajn1xz6PnxZV-I61p/s400/376.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Wizara ya Afya Zanzibar na Uongozi wa Jimbo la Jiangsu la Jamuhuri ya Watu wa China leo zimetiliana saini Mkataba wa kuupitia upya ule uliomaliza muda wake wa kuimarisha Mpango wa ushirikiano kati ya Zanzibar na Jimbo hilo katika kuimarisha Sekta ya Afya Zanzibar.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Mkataba huo pia umehusisha mpango wa Jimbo hilo kuendelea kuisaidia Zanzibar katika kuipatiaVifaa vya Hospitali, Dawa pamoja na Madaktari Mabingwa wanaoendelea kutoa huduma za Afya katika Visiwa vya Unguja na Pemba.<br /><br />Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Afya Zanzibar Dr. Juma Malik Akil aliiwakilisha Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar kusaini Mkataba huo wakati Serikali ya Jimbo la Jiangsu ya China ikawakilishwa na Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Jimbo hilo anayesimamia Kamisheni ya Afya na uzazi wa Mpango Bibi Wang Yonghong.<br /><br />Hafla hiyo fupi ilifanyika katika Ukumbi wa Mikutano wa Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar na kushuhudiwa na Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha Kikoministi cha China {CCP } katika Jimbo la Jiangsu Bwana Luo Zhijun na mwenyeji wake Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi.<br /><br />Akitoa shukrani zake kwa niaba ya Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar, Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema huduma zinazotolewa na Madaktari mabingwa wa China wanaotoka katika Jimbo la Jiangsu zimeleta faraja kwa wananchi waliowengi hapa Zanzibar.<br /><br />BaloziSeif alisema Timu ya Madaktari wa China wanaopangiwa kutoa huduma za afya Zanzibar kwa sasa wamekuwa familia na wananchi wa Zanzibar wanaowahudumia kwa takriban miaka 52 sasa.<br /><br />Alisema Jamuhuri ya Watu wa China kupitia Jimbo hilo imetoa mchango mkubwa katika kuwasaidia Wananchi wa Zanzibar na Tanzania kwa ujumla katika sekta ya huduma ya Afya.<br /><br />Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar aliuhakikishia ujumbe huo wa Viongozi 17 kutoka Jimbo la Jiangsu Nchini Jamuhuri ya Watu wa China kwamba uhusiano wa kihistoria kati ya pande hizo mbili utaendelea kudumishwa kwa ustawi wa mataifa hayo mawili.<br /><br />Balozi Seif kupitia ujumbe huo unaoongozwa na Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha Kikoministi cha China {CCP } katika Jimbo la Jiangsu Bwana Luo Zhijun aliyaomba Makampuni na Taasisi za uwekezaji katika Majimbo mbali mbali nchini humo kuwekeza miradi yao hapa Zanzibar.<br /><br />Alisema Zanzibar kwa sasa tayari imeshaimarisha miundombinu mbali mbali inayotoa fursa kwa wawekezaji kuanzisha miradi yao hasa katika sekta za Kilimo, Uvuvi, Utalii na Mawasiliano.<br /><br />Mapema Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Afya Zanzibar Dr. Juma Malik Akil alisema Mkataba huo wa ushirikiano utatoa fursa kwa pande hizo mbili kufanya uhakiki kwa maeneo waliokuwa wakishirikiana.<br /><br />Dr. Malik alisema zaidi ya Dola za Kimarekani Laki Mbili na Nusu zinatarajiwa kutumika katika mpango huo wa kuimarisha ushirikiano ikiwemo Timu za Madaktari wanaopangiwa kutoa huduma hapa Zanzibar.<br /><br />Katika utiaji saini huo Uongozi wa Jimbo la Jiangsu pia utatoa msaada wa Tani 500 za Dawa na Vifaa vya Hospitali katika azma yake ya kuendelea kuiunga mkono Zanzibar katika Sekta ya Afya. <br /><br />Othman Khamis Ame<br />Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>

JIANGSU watiliana sain na Zanzibar

Wizara ya Afya Zanzibar na Uongozi wa Jimbo la Jiangsu la Jamuhuri ya Watu wa China leo zimetiliana saini Mkataba wa kuupitia upya ule u...

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Africa’s Mobile-First Status May Make Us More Vulnerable, as the Threat of Mobile Malware Rises Globally

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Quarterly analysis of the global Threat Index by Check Point® S<a href="http://www.checkpoint.com/">oftware T</a>echnologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP) reveals deep disparities in the threat environments in Africa, and the potential for increased attacks as cyber-criminals target mobile devices.<br /><br />Check Point is the largest global pure-play network cybersecurity vendor, and their Threat Index provides a data-based breakdown of new and prevalent threats, as well as the relative rankings of countries’ risk profiles globally – the higher the ranking the greater the threat of cyber-attack.<br /><br />At the end of the first quarter of 2016 (January – March 2016), Nigeria ranks as the 16th highest ranked country, moving up two places from 18th position in the preceding quarter. Developing and African nations are highly represented in the upper rankings of the index, and Nigeria was surpassed by a handful of other African countries, including Namibia and Malawi in second and fourth spots respectively. In stark contrast, Kenya improved their ranking by 24 places, moving from 45th position at the end of 2015, to 69th at the end of the quarter.<br /><br />The Index is based on threat intelligence drawn from Check Point’s ThreatCloud World Cyber Threat Map , which tracks how and where cyberattacks are taking place worldwide in real time.<br /><br />Rick Rogers, Area Manager for East and West Africa at Check Point Software Technologies, says Nigeria’s worsening ranking may be due to a dramatic increase in threats targeting mobile devices specifically, while Kenya’s improvement could reflect a growing maturity in security awareness. “It’s not immediately clear why the East and West African hubs are experiencing such different moves in terms of cyber-attacks, and we are generally seeing a lot of volatility month to month for many of the countries on the index. But this quarter, mobile malware ranked as one of the ten most prevalent attack types affecting corporate networks and devices for the first time ever.”<br /><br />“With Africa being the ‘mobile-first’ and often ‘mobile-only’ continent, this new wave of threats is likely to have a strong impact on the number of attacks evidenced in the region,” he continued. “Individuals who run their businesses off mobile devices, as well as organisations who have a bring-your-own-device policy, will need to prepare for this in their security strategy. It is necessary to apply the same level of security to mobile as required by traditional networks and PCs, and security professionals must have a coherent, over-arching threat management approach that addresses this.”<br /><br />The previously-unknown HummingBad agent was a large contributor to the new top ten positioning of mobile threats. Discovered by Check Point in February 2016, HummingBad immediately became the seventh most common malware detected targeting corporate networks and devices, and in March it moved up to the sixth top spot. Hummingbad targets Android devices specifically, facilitating malicious activity such as installing a key-loggers, stealing credentials and bypassing encrypted email containers used by companies, allowing for interception of corporate data. It was the third highest threat in Kenya in Q1 and seventh in Nigeria.<br /><br />Check Point identified more than 1,500 different malware families during January, 1,400 in February and 1,300 in March. Throughout the quarter, the Conficker* and Sality** families were two of the most commonly used malware variants in the quarter, with Sality ranking first in both Nigeria and Kenya. In mobile devices specifically, Hummingbad ended the quarter as the top threat globally.<br /><br />The decrease in the variety of malware families reflects a concentration trend, rather than a decrease in absolute volume of threats, and is perhaps an indicator of the sophistication of the threat environment: cyber criminals do not need to develop entirely new malware; rather it is often sufficient to make small changes to existing families to circumvent security.<br /><br />The Threat Map is powered by Check Point’s ThreatCloudTM intelligence, the largest collaborative network to fight cybercrime, delivering threat data and attack trends from a global network of threat sensors. The ThreatCloud database holds over 250 million addresses analysed for bot discovery, over 11 million malware signatures and over 5.5 million infected websites, and identifies millions of malware types daily. <br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.. </span></div> </div>

Africa’s Mobile-First Status May Make Us More Vulnerable, as the Threat of Mobile Malware Rises Globally

Quarterly analysis of the global Threat Index by Check Point® S oftware T echnologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP) reveals deep disparities in the ...

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SMZ yaipongeza ZTE

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar imeipongeza Kampuni ya Kimataifa ya Teknolojia ya kisasa ya mtandao wa Mawasiliano ya ZTE kwa uamuzi wake wa kuunga mkono jitihada za Zanzibar katika mapambano dhidi ya maradhi ya kuambukiza ya Kipindupindu. <br /><br />Pongezi hizo zimetolewa na Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi wakati akipokea sehemu ya kwanza ya msaada wa vifaa na maji vilivyotolewa na Kampuni hiyo kwa ajili ya wajongwa wa Kipindupindu waliolazwa katika maeneo mbali mbali hapa Zanzibar. <br /><br />Balozi Seif Ali Iddi baadaye msaada huo akaukabidhi kwa Uongozi wa Wizara ya Afya Zanzibar uliowakilishwa na Naibu Waziri wake Mh. Harous Said Suleiman akiambatana na Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara hiyo Dr. Juma Malik Akil. <br /><br />Sehemu ya pili ya msaada huo itakayotolewa baadae na Kampuni hiyo ya ZTE imekusudiwa kuwahudumia wananchi waliohifadhiwa kutokana na kuathirika na mvua kubwa za masika walioko kwenye Kambi ya skuli ya Sekondari ya Mwanakwerekwe “C”. <br /><br />Balozi Seif alisema Uongozi wa Kampuni ya ZTE uliokuwa mshirika mkubwa wa Zanzibar katika miradi ya maendeleo hasa ile ya uwekaji wa taa za bara barani zinazotumia nguvu za Jua { Solar } umeonyesha kuguswa na mtihani uliowapata baadhi ya Wananchi wa Zanzibar. <br /><br />Mapema akikabidhi msaada huo wa mashuka, glavu, Maji pamoja na vifaa vyengine muhimu kwa wagonjwa hao Mwakilishi wa Kampuni ya Kimataifa ya Teknolojia ya Kisasa ya mtandao wa Mawasiliano ya ZTE Nchini Tanzania Bwana Wayne Zhu alisema Zanzibar hivi sasa imekuwa mdau mkubwa wa Taasisi hiyo. <br /><br />Bwana Wayne alisema Uongozi wa Taasisi hiyo una kila sababu ya kuunga mkono jitihada za Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar katika kusaidia miradi ya Maendeleo ikiwemo pia huduma za Kijamii zinazowagusa moja kwa moja Wananchi wake. <br /><br />Akipokea msaada huo Naibu Waziri wa Afya Zanzibar Mh. Harous Said Suleiman aliushukuru Uongozi wa Kampuni ya Kimataifa ya Teknolojia ya kisasa ya mtandao wa Mawasiliano ya ZTE kwa msaada uliotoa ambao umekuja kwa wakati unaostahiki. <br /><br />Mh.Haour aliuhakikishia Uongozi wa ZTE kwamba msaada waliotoa utatumika vyema ili usaidie kukidhi lengo lililokusudiwa. <br /><br />Othman Khamis Ame <br />Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

SMZ yaipongeza ZTE

Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar imeipongeza Kampuni ya Kimataifa ya Teknolojia ya kisasa ya mtandao wa Mawasiliano ya ZTE kwa uamuzi wak...

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Social Entrepreneurs provide sustainable solutions for Africa’ development priorities - Report

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMCgLKMAQPLE9o6pLZlgojobccueMOthI6KWaCV75eb60xn-oiRPgOXLDfPH7RQ4DO4Z22lfwYDhjqZxIvRVf1VNcPIwgvbl5RXnjg06yBOOPKZF2LwA8NZKAKYaQ1_fyffY1WYb7Br55/s1600/change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMCgLKMAQPLE9o6pLZlgojobccueMOthI6KWaCV75eb60xn-oiRPgOXLDfPH7RQ4DO4Z22lfwYDhjqZxIvRVf1VNcPIwgvbl5RXnjg06yBOOPKZF2LwA8NZKAKYaQ1_fyffY1WYb7Br55/s400/change.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Social entrepreneurs across Africa are contributing to advances in education, healthcare, financial inclusion, environmental protection and other social issues. This was highlighted in the Reach for Change Africa 2015 Social Impact Report, which shared impact numbers and stories from social entrepreneurs supported in Reach for Change’s programs. In 2015, over 100 African social entrepreneurs were supported through the organization’s Accelerator and Incubator programs.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Social entrepreneurs are individuals with innovative solutions for social challenges their communities face. Social entrepreneurship is seen as an alternative to traditional development projects, by empowering local entrepreneurs to come up with grassroots solutions that are scalable, financially sustainable and can ultimately contribute to permanent, positive changes within societies at large.<br /><br />Reach for Change Africa partners with corporations, non-profits and individuals to find, support and develop some of the best social entrepreneurs Africa has to offer. Through its Accelerator and Incubator programs, Reach for Change supports high-potential social entrepreneurs to build sustainable, scalable organizations that achieve social impact and contribute to systemic change.<br /><br />In 2015, Reach for Change Africa received 1,953 ideas for tackling social challenges from prospective social entrepreneurs from its innovation competitions in Ghana, Senegal, Chad, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania.<br /><br />“Our 2015 Social Impact Report really emphasizes how much social entrepreneurship has grown in Africa,” said Amma Lartey, Reach for Change Africa’s Regional Director. “In 2015, the quality of ideas submitted to our innovation competitions improved substantially which tells us that the sector is growing and social entrepreneurs are finding creative ways to respond to social challenges through scalable innovations that have the potential to deeply impact societies.”<br /><br />James Kofi Annan is a Ghanaian social entrepreneur working to end child slavery who is featured in the 2015 Social Impact Report. His organization, Challenging Heights rescues children from slavery in the fishing industry, providing them with rehabilitation center, and runs numerous programs to help prevent child slavery, through education and livelihood programs geared towards parents of children vulnerable to trafficking. James has benefitted from Reach for Change’s Incubator program since 2012 and in that time has been able to increase his organization’s annual revenues from under $200,000 US to $950,000 in 2015. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">He has had access to Reach for Change’s local and global networks that he used to attract attention from media and new supporters in Europe and North America, participated in strategic workshops that helped him to develop his organization’s long-term plans and made use of numerous opportunities to connect and learn from like-minded social entrepreneurs.<br /><br />“Reach for Change’s Incubator brought direct benefits to me and Challenging Heights,” said James. “Today, Challenging Heights is a well-respected global leader in the fight against child trafficking, influencing policies not only in Ghana, but also in influential institutions such as the US State Department, the Senate, the Vatican and many more.”<br /><br />James is just one of the 57 Change Leaders that Reach for Change Africa supported in 2015 through its Incubator program, and Lartey says the organization plan to support even more social entrepreneurs through various programs and initiatives in 2016. <br /><br />Other social entrepreneurs featured in the report include Dominique Uwase Alonga who is helping thousands of children in Rwanda develop reading and creative writing skills every year; Evelyne Ines and Jean Luc Semedo of Senegal who were supported to develop a web and mobile application platform promotes blood donation; Faraja Nyalandu, who is providing the best educational content online to children in Tanzania; Didier Lalaye of Chad who is bringing mobile health solutions to thousands of rural children; and Naomi & Yvette Kuseyo who provide education for hospitalized children in the DRC.<br /><br />“We really look forward to investing in more social entrepreneurs this year, and supporting them to take their innovations to scale” Lartey said. “Already this year we have welcomed an additional seven entrepreneurs - five in Ethiopia and two in Chad - and we will be working with these and our existing social entrepreneurs to improve their impact, operations, financial sustainability and communications.”<br /><br />To further support the burgeoning social entrepreneurship sector across Africa, the report also highlights the creation of the <a href="http://links.africa-wire.com/mpss/c/6gA/0KMbAA/t.1wu/R4LU8603SNO5cUD2TeKvFQ/h3/nN32rvL6LgjUtQXTS3yHMKjWk8MvOU0UhJDIvtShIwqk8-2B8ObxsjNCcOhpkhVqrVlLdXcpp4y8uCNZCSzPbjSAPwiMd5JDpDC-2FMs0XwYtASP-2BVfktN2v45EzOVj1jOnXaW1HE3NkV7lIeAJENySDJx4AzPNW8J8gj6mswVTkIiQ-3D">African Social Entrepreneurship Network</a> (<a href="http://www.asen.network/">ASEN</a>), spearheaded by Reach for Change Africa. ASEN was designed to build strong national ecosystems for social entrepreneurship by establishing national networks of social entrepreneurs and the organizations that support them across Africa. These national networks aim to increase learning and innovation, funding, research and drive policy to promote further growth of the social enterprise <a href="http://www.seghana.ne/">sector</a>. The first national network,<a href="http://links.africa-wire.com/mpss/c/6gA/0KMbAA/t.1wu/R4LU8603SNO5cUD2TeKvFQ/h5/nN32rvL6LgjUtQXTS3yHMKjWk8MvOU0UhJDIvtShIwqk8-2B8ObxsjNCcOhpkhVqrVlLdXcpp4y8uCNZCSzPbjSKvVrXWxqhfUfQyg3gJ-2FmEJR9-2BET-2BcKxHTcfO1Qx-2BkYRT9HRpN1XK4-2Fe59nRpt5DplOFt0K4nFw1cbHdFjPnx3s-3D">SE Ghana</a> , had its first general assembly in 2015.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Reach for Change. </span></div> </div>

Social Entrepreneurs provide sustainable solutions for Africa’ development priorities - Report

Social entrepreneurs across Africa are contributing to advances in education, healthcare, financial inclusion, environmental protection ...

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