Mastercard Launches Mobile Marketplace to Digitize East Africa’s Agricultural Sector

2KUZE gives farmers access to more buyers, enables them to run a more profitable business and paves the way to a cashless agricultural sector

Mastercard today launched 2KUZE, a digital platform that connects smallholder farmers, agents, buyers and banks in East Africa. 2KUZE, which in Swahili means “Let’s grow together,” enables farmers to buy, sell and receive payments for agricultural goods via their feature phones. The platform brings the benefits and security of mobile commerce and payments to farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

2KUZE was developed at the Mastercard Lab for Financial Inclusion in Nairobi, which was set up in 2015 to develop practical and cost-effective financial tools that expand access and help build stable futures for more than 100 million people globally. Through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Lab is working with East African entrepreneurs, governments and other stakeholders to develop local products rooted in the company’s global knowhow.

In the initial pilot, 2KUZE is being launched in partnership with Cafédirect Producers Foundation, a non-profit organization working with 300,000 smallholder farmers globally. Currently, 2,000 small-scale farmers in Nandi Hills, Kenya are using the solution to sell their produce and working with farmer-friendly agents to ensure they reach the right buyers for the best price.

“Eighty percent of farmers in Africa are classified as smallholder farmers having less than 1-2 acres of farming land, making it extremely difficult to drive growth and prosperity within this community, ” said Daniel Monehin, division president for Sub-Saharan Africa and head of financial inclusion for International Markets at Mastercard.

“We believe that by using mobile, a technology that is so ubiquitous among farmers in Africa, we can improve financial access, bring in operational efficiency and facilitate faster payments. The collaboration between the Lab team and farmers in the market helped to deliver a solution that can be implemented and make an impact without any major changes to the day-to-day.”

2KUZE makes transacting much safer and simpler for all stakeholders in the agricultural supply chain – the farmer, the buyer and the agent. Farmers using 2KUZE can conduct the entire transaction of selling produce and receiving payments via their feature phones, without having to walk for hours to the markets. The platform enables farmers to capture a greater percentage of the wholesale value of their goods by providing price transparency, more direct access to buyers and empowerment of farmer-friendly agents.

Source: Mastercard

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MTN announces United Against Ebola initiative

Telecoms company MTN has announced it is launching United Against Ebola, a three-month long initiative that would involve the network’s 219 million subscribers to raise funds for the fight against the Ebola virus disease.

The network in a statement said it has committed US$10 million and is inviting customers to participate in an SMS campaign to donate a minimum of US$1. It is also working with some of Africa’s most celebrated musicians to produce an inspirational song for digital download on its MTN Play store. All proceeds from sales, post publishing rights and subscription payments, it said, will be donated to the AU campaign.

“MTN is supporting this campaign to give further impetus to concerted efforts aimed at combating the Ebola epidemic and saving lives. As MTN, we believe the only way to start reversing the devastating effects of the outbreak is to come together to tackle the spread of the disease, and ease the suffering it continues to inflict on families and communities,” said Sifiso Dabengwa, MTN Group President and CEO.

Source: Humanipo

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South African brothers launch Ebola Care app

Two South African brothers have launched the Ebola Care app to aid the fight against Ebola. The app has already been deployed in Liberia by More Than Me, a not-for-profit organisation.

The developers Malan Joubert (28) and Philip Joubert (26) from Journey Apps, a South African tech startup developed the app that allows for efficient Ebola response.

“The Ebola outbreak is the kind of thing you assume ‘other’ people are worrying about… until you realise that perhaps you are ‘other’ people, and it’s time to start doing something,“ said Phillip.

“In order to be effective during any crisis, accessing real-time data is paramount as time is of the essence,” Sam said.

Sam Herring, More Than Me’s data manager said, “the Ebola Care App allows us to respond in an efficient manner. Efficiency stops the spread, and stopping the spread saves lives.”

The app uses GPS cordinates to track individuals infected with the virus including their families; it also assists ambulance teams transporting patients to capture vital information.

“Many of the most affected areas do not use street names and run on paper medical records, making the app’s capacity to identify affected ‘cluster’ areas and digitally monitor health workers movements a pioneering step in the fight against Ebola. The app further helps NGO’s in the care of children abandoned or orphaned due to the outbreak, and monitors children under the 21-day quarantine period. “I hope every NGO responding to the Ebola crisis can get access to this app,” Sam said

Source:humanipo

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Kenyan startup Echo Mobile partners IBM, Airtel to fight Ebola outbreak

IBM Research Africa, Airtel and Kenya’s Echo Mobile have launched a citizen engagement and analytics system in Sierra Leone that enables communities affected by Ebola to communicate their issues and concerns directly to the government; a donation of IBM Connections technology in Nigeria to strengthen the Lagos State government’s preparedness for future disease outbreaks; and a global platform for sharing Ebola-related open data.

The efforts combine expertise from IBM’s global network of research labs with the company’s years of experience in humanitarian disaster response by applying mobile technology, data analytics and cloud computing to help governments and relief agencies as they seek to contain the deadly disease.
The work benefits from contributions from a number of partners including Sierra Leone’s Open Government Initiative, Cambridge University’s Africa’s Voices project, Airtel and Kenya’s Echo Mobile.

Additionally, IBM’s new Africa research lab, in collaboration with Sierra Leone’s Open Government Initiative, has developed a system that enables citizens to report Ebola-related issues and concerns via SMS or voice calls. It provides actionable insight to the government about the day-to-day experiences of communities directly affected by Ebola to help improve its strategy for containing the disease.

“For us to tackle Ebola, it is crucial to maintain an open dialogue between the government and the people of Sierra Leone,” said Khadija Sesay Director of Sierra Leone’s Open Government Initiative. “IBM has enhanced our work on citizen engagement through the use of innovative technology and opened up an effective communication channel with the general public so that we can learn from their input and create actionable policies in the fight against Ebola.”

Tapping supercomputing power and analytics capabilities via the cloud, the system is able to rapidly identify correlations and highlight emerging issues across the entire data set of messages. As the SMS and voice data are location specific, IBM is able to create opinion-based heat-maps which correlate public sentiment to location information.

For example, it has already brought to light specific regions with growing numbers of suspected Ebola cases which require urgent supplies like soap and electricity, as well as faster response times for body collection and burials. The system has also highlighted issues with the diagnosis of Ebola empowering the government to approach the international community to request more testing facilities and equipment.

“As Africa’s first technology research lab, we are uniquely positioned to use innovation to help tackle some of the continent’s biggest challenges,” said Dr. Uyi Stewart, Chief Scientist, IBM Research – Africa. “We saw the need to quickly develop a system to enable communities directly affected by Ebola to provide valuable insight about how to fight it. Using mobile technology, we have given them a voice and a channel to communicate their experiences directly to the government.”

The system uses radio broadcasts to encourage people to get in touch and express their opinions. Cambridge University’s Africa’s Voices project has helped to develop a radio engagement model, incorporating questions into public service announcements to elicit feedback from citizens in both English and Krio – one of Sierra Leone’s most widely spoken languages.

“Radio is a powerful medium in Africa but its potential to gather and analyse audience feedback has not been fully seized,” said Dr. Sharath Srinivasan, Director of Cambridge University’s Centre of Governance and Human Rights. “We are working with IBM to offer people across Sierra Leone a channel to voice their opinions and, crucially, to ensure that the data is rapidly analyzed and turned into valuable insight about the effectiveness of public service announcements and possible public misconceptions about Ebola.”

Telco operator Airtel has set up the toll-free number via which citizens are able to send SMS messages.

“Mobile technology is Africa’s most powerful communications platform providing an important channel for reaching large numbers of the population,” said Sudipto Chowdhury, Managing Director, Airtel, Sierra Leone. “As one of Africa’s leading mobile operators, we will do everything we can to ensure that mobile technology contributes to tackling the spread of Ebola and we are partnering with IBM to ensure the effective flow of information between the government and the citizens of Sierra Leone.”

The SMS data is anonymized by Kenyan start-up Echo mobile which specialises in leveraging basic mobile phones to give voice to underserved communities.

“We’re working to make sure that the stream of messages from patients, health workers and the general public can be used to augment the response effort and provide a direct and near real-time view of the situation on the ground,” said Jeremy Gordon, Product Director, Echo Mobile.

IBM is currently looking to extend the work to analyze mobile phone signal data in order to monitor and track population movement enabling scientists to map and predict the spread of disease.

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Samsung boosts fight against Ebola with smartphones worth $1m

Technology company has announced its support of ongoing global efforts towards eradicating Ebola virus disease in some African countries. In a statement, Samsung announced a donation of about 3,000 GALAXY S3 Neo smartphones valued at about USD1 million.

Samsung said the devices will be donated through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA), and will be used in the Humanitarian Connectivity Project, the UN’s IT project that utilizes mobile devices to provide humanitarian support in disaster areas.

“The donated GALAXY S3 Neo smartphones will be used in 60 Ebola medical clinics in the three worst-hit African countries, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. By installing the UN’s Smart Health Pro mobile application, medical staff can utilize the smartphones to treat patients and collect medical data, while quarantined patients can contact their families using the devices,” Samsung said. “All donated smartphones will be destroyed once the virus outbreak has subsided.”

The company also announced the launch of an Ebola SMS text service in South Africa among other efforts in the fight against Ebola.

source:humanipo

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PollAfrique, coalition launch Ebola Ghana Alert

Web and mobile service for market and social research in Africa via SMS, USSD, IVR, and email channels PollAfrique has partnered with stakeholders including VOTO Mobile, iSpace Ghana, thoughtworks and medical experts have launched Ebola Ghana Alert – a mobile service that provides Ghanaian residents with accurate facts about Ebola outbreak.

According to Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST), the initiative exemplifies the local Ghanaian technology community banding together to provide one line of defense against the disease.

MEST said, “To use the service, Ghanaian residents must dial *713*444# (currently available on MTN and Airtel), send, and choose from different menu options. In addition to learning Ebola facts, users can take a short Ebola symptoms survey. After a short series of yes/no interactive questions, the survey recommends whether the individual should seek medical attention.”

According to MEST, PollAfrique built on their expertise in developing mobile solutions for African market and social research to contribute to the Ebola Ghana Alert project.

“The PollAfrique-powered USSD application disseminates relevant information even to basic feature phones, making it possible for those in the furthest reaches of the country to receive the latest Ebola information and check their symptoms,” it said.

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BBC launches Ebola information service on WhatsApp

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has launched an Ebola information service on the popular multimedia instant communication platform WhatsApp.

The corporation said the service is in English and French languages. It will provide public health information on Ebola from the BBC, using audio, text message posts and images. Furthermore, the service would deliver Ebola-related breaking news alerts to subscribers.

Other features of the service include News About Ebola, a news and information programme broadcast twice every weekday, the focus of the programme is on the affected region of West Africa. It would also feature Ebola Infos, a twice-daily Ebola bulletin in French on BBC Afrique, and increased partnerships with other broadcasters.

Director of the World Service Group Peter Horrocks said: “This outbreak of Ebola shows no signs of abating. Myths and misinformation about Ebola are still widespread – and life-threatening. The BBC is trusted by millions of people in the affected countries, so we are stepping up our efforts to reach people with timely information, whether they’re listening to the radio, watching TV or using chat apps. We’re committed to playing our part and will continue looking at new ways to reach audiences, for example by developing programmes in local vernacular languages.”

source: Humanipo

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Tigo Pesa App,HOW TO GET STARTED

HOW TO GET STARTED

1. The application is be available in App stores for IOS and Android or from the links is available in our website.
2. Once you have downloaded the App, to start using it you will need to register your device being a mobile phone or an Ipad.
3. Your will use your Tigo number that is registered to Tigo Pesa and your Tigo Pesa PIN to register your device.
4. If your device does not automatically insert the Authentication code,  please go to your SMS inbox and copy the code and paste it to where it say “Enter your received code”
5. Once all the details are filled, make sure you agree with the ‘Terms and Conditions’ then click  “ok” to complete registration and you are ready to start using the APP.

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do I download the app?
   The customer can download the application by following the link which is found at the Tigo pesa website or the broadcast message sent to them. They can also visit the app stores of Apple and Android and download it directly from the stores.
2. Where do I get the link/download the app?
   The link can be found on Tigo-Pesa website, or visiting the App stores directly via your devices.
3. How long does it take to download the app?
   The application can take a couple of minutes depending on the speed of your internet connection 
4. Do I get charged more using the app?
   No. Normal Tigo Pesa charges will apply and data service through Tigo will not be charged when using the Tigo Pesa App.
5. Do I get charged when downloading the app?
   There are no charges for the customer to download the Tigo Pesa application
6. Are all the services available on the app?
   All the services which are currently available on Tigo pesa through USSD, will also be available on the smartphone application.
7. What if my app is giving me an error?
   If that happens:  Check if your phone has an internet connection or alternatively contact Tigo customer care. 
8. What do I need to qualify to use the app?
   All you need is: Your IOS or android phone with data/wifi and your registered Tigo number
9. Can I use it on another network?
   Yes, it doesn’t matter which network you’re using , as long as you are a registered Tigo Pesa user and are able to receive the SMS code which will be sent to the registered Tigo Pesa number
10. Do I use the same PIN?
    Yes, you will use the same Tigo Pesa PIN used when accessing through USSD *150*01# 
11. What if I lose my phone/device?
    You should call customer care to ensure the device is deregistered, you can also download the the Tigo Pesa app on the new device and continue using it 
12. Can my money be stolen if I lose my phone/device?
    No your money will be safe since your wallet is still protected by your Tigo Pesa PIN.
13. How do I know if my phone supports the app?
    You can visit the website to view the list of supported devices this might be updated periodically as new devices are added to the list.
14. What if I forgot my password?
    You can reset your password by calling Tigo customer care on 100, or visiting any of our Tigo Shops.
15. Does the app works anywere in Tanzania?
    Yes, the application works anywhere in Tanzania as long as your device has wifi/data connection, it also works anywhere in the world as long as your device/handset has wifi/data connection.
16. Which language is the app in?
    The application can either be in Swahili or English, the user has an option of changing it any time in the App itself.
17. Can I still save my bill pay reference?
    Yes, you can save and delete at any time. The application gives you a choice of saving the reference each time you perform a transaction
18. How secure is the app?
    The app uses the latest security feature to protect you as the consumer, but we would like to remind our customers of the importance of never sharing your PIN with anybody, and to note that Tigo staff will never require you to provide us with your PIN.
19. Will my number work for both *150*01# and application?
    Yes you can continue using both the *150*01# short code and the Tigo Pesa application.
20. Can I install the Tigo Pesa App on more than one device?
    Yes you can install the application on multiple devices at the same time and access from any of your registered devices, you can view all your registered devices and also easily deregister devices from within the Tigo Pesa application.

Download here:

Android:https: //play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tz.tigo.mfsapp

iphone Appstore:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tigo-pesa-tanzania/id825924072?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

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Wateja Vodacom kusajiliwa kielektroniki

Kampuni ya Mawasiliano ya Vodacom Tanzania inawawezesha wateja wake kufanya usajili wa nambari zao za simu kwa njia ya kielektronikia kupitia simu za mkononi, mfumo ambao unatoa urahisi kwa kila mteja kukamilisha zoezi la usajili ndani ya muda mfupi zaidi wa chini ya saa moja
Kusajili kwa kutumia njia za kawaida, zoezi la usajili huweza kutumia hadi siku kumi na tano kutoka siku mteja alipojaza fomu ili kutoa nafasi kwa wakala aliyesajili kutuma fomu jijini Dar es salaam kwa uhakiki na uthibitisho wa taarifa za msajiliwa.

Mfumo huo wa kielektroniki, mchakato wote wa usajili hukamilishwa kwa njia ya simu ya mkononi kwa kuwa humpa uwezo wakala wa Vodacom kupiga picha kitambulisho cha mteja, kuhakikia taarifa zake na hivyo kuzituma moja kwa moja tayari kwa hatua ya mwisho ya usajili. Kw akutumia TILL maalum
Mfumo huo mpya wa usajili wa kielektroniki unakuja wakati ambapo wateja wetu wamekuwa wakitoa ushirikiano katika utekelezaji wa matakwa ya sheria ya huduma za Kielektroniki za Posta na Mawasiliano - EPOCA inayowataka watumiaji wa simu za mkononi nchini kutotumia laini ya simu isiyosajiliwa.

Mkuu wa Idara ya Huduma kwa Wateja wa Vodacom Brigita Stephen amesema "Tumekuwa na mafanikio makubwa katika usajili wa nambari za wateja wetu, tunawashukuru sana kwa ushirikiano wanaotupatia katika kutimiza matakwa ya kisheria."
Brigita aliongeza kwa kusema "Mfumo huu wa kielektroniki ni katika juhudi za kuwa na njia mbalimbali kuwawezesha wateja wetu kutojisikia shida katika kusajili nambari zao (SIM),hii ni matokeo ya nia ya wakati wote ya Vodacom kuhakikisha inaendesha shughuli zake kwa mujibu wa sheria, taratibu na kununi zinazosimamia sekta ya mawasiliano na nchi kwa ujumla.
Amesema SIM zote za Vodacom zinazouzwa sokoni huwa haziwezi kuwa hewani kwa matumizi yoyote hadi pale mteja anapokamilisha zoezi la usajili ikiwemo wa awali wakati usajili kamili unapofanyiwa kazi na kinyume cha hapo Vodacom huifungia SIM husika.
Vodacom inaendelea kuwakumbusha mawakala wake wa mauzo ya SIM kuendelea kuwakumbusha wateja umuhimu wa kusajili nambari zao sio tu kwa usalama wao bali pia kuweza kutambulika na kupata msaada kutoka Vodacom pale wanapopatwa na tatizo ikiwemo kwenye huduma za M-pesa, kupoteza simu n.k
Mwaka jana wakati wa zoezi la utekelezaji mpango wa usajili wa nambari za simu chini ya maelekezo ya Mamalaka ya Mawasiliano Nchini (TCRA) Vodacom ilizifungia SIM zaidi ya laki nne baada ya kutokuwa zimesajiliwa mara baada ya kumalizika kwa kipindi cha mpito.
Chini ya Sheria ya EPOCA mteja anaetumia laini ya simu ya mkononi isiyosajiliwa kisheria hutiwa hatiani na hupaswa kulipa faini ya Shilingi 300,000 au na kifungo cha muda usiopoungua miezi sita gerezani au vyote kwa pamoja.

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Tigo launches first Mobile Financial Services Smartphone App in East Africa

Tigo Tanzania has unveiled the first mobile financial services application in East Africa that enables Android and iOS users in the country to access their Tigo Pesa wallet much more conveniently and in a much simpler way than ever before.  

Addressing the press at the company head office in Dar es Salaam, Tigo’s Head of Financial Services Andrew Hodgson, said “From now on smartphone users in the country, can do all Tigo Pesa transactions including making payments, bank transfers, sending money and recharging, much faster and easier with the Tigo Pesa app.”

Hodgson added “You can now view all your contacts stored on your phone when choosing to send money via the Tigo Pesa application and you can also save your regular payments and bank transfer for quick access in future.”

He said with this application – known as Tigo Pesa Application - a customer will not be charged for data when accessing the application on the Tigo network, customers will also be able to access their  Tigo Pesa wallet from anywhere in the world through Wi-Fi or any mobile data connection available as long as they have a registered Tigo Pesa account.

“Another benefit that this application brings to mobile financial account holders in the country is giving them the ability to easily access and conveniently manage a single wallet from multiple devices,” the head of mobile financial services said.

This application comes barely two weeks after Tigo announced a move to provide free access to Facebook services to its customers, a development Hodgson says, “is in line with the company’s continued commitment to innovation and providing user friendly experiences to its customers.”

Describing the Tigo Pesa Application as an innovation that makes life easier, Hodgson said to download it, all a person needs to have is a Tigo registered simcard/number and a smart phone that uses the iOS or android operating systems.

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Earlier today, Huawei unveiled its next top of the range Smartphone, the Huawei Ascend P7

Earlier today, Huawei unveiled its next top of the range Smartphone, the Huawei Ascend P7, to the world. The Ascend P7 was one of the heavily leaked Smartphones of 2014 and we knew most of the features it has even before we saw it. This new Smartphone is supposed to take over from the successful Ascend P6 that was unveiled last year.

The Ascend P7 has a 5-inch 1080p LCD screen with a pixel density of 445ppi. The Ascend P7 is considered to be one of the thinnest Smartphones currently in the market measuring 6.5mm. The front and back parts of the Ascend P7 are covered by Gorilla Glass 3 for a more stylish look.

Inside the Ascend P7 sits a 1.8 GHz proprietary quad core CPU made by Huawei, 2GB of RAM and  16GB of internal storage. A 2500mAh battery sits at the back to provide all the juice needed to power this device.

The Ascend P7 will come in three colour options of white, pink and blue black and will have Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box. It will be available in selected markets as from June 7 for EUR 449 (approximately Kshs. 54,000)

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Kilimo fasta app plugs information gap for Tanzanian farmers

A Tanzanian developer has created an Android application aiming to boost the production of farmers in the East African country, who currently suffer from a lack of market information.

Benson Rukantabula, developer of Kilimo fasta, told HumanIPO the app was inspired by a study released by the Planning Commission of the Tanzanian President’s Office, which highlighted low agricultural productivity due to a lack of farming skills and a failure to disseminate market information.

He said the study had recommended a central agricultural repository unit for information and data management, and that his app filled this role as an information hub connecting farmers with information from government and other stakeholders.

“The app provides suggestions to crops that can grow in Tanzania,” he said. “To each crop there is information about the whole production cycle, like when to grow, how to grow, when to harvest, and pests and insects to control.”

Farmers can subscribe to Kilimo fasta via email or SMS, and receive updates about crops and market information, while also allowing farmers to keep in touch and participate in discussions. The app is in Swahili, a language used by 80 per cent of the Tanzanian population, and runs on Adobe Air, requiring internet access only when an update is needed.

He said the app differed from M-Farm and iCow in Kenya because of its use of Swahili, and the fact it integrates SMS subscription, as well as providing information about banks and other financial institutions that provide loans to farmers.

Tanzania’s agricultural sector employs over 80 per cent of the country’s population, contributing around 50 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) and 66 per cent of merchandise exports, and Rukantabula said the uptake of mobile phones in the country could boost it further.

“The purchase and use of smartphones in Tanzania is blossoming,” he said. “More people are using mobile phones than a few years back. I think if good investment is made on mobile apps and USSD development the industry can generate even more income for the country and benefit many farmers.”

Kilimo fasta does not yet have any funding, being only a month old and still in a testing phase, but Rukantabula said he is looking for funding from stakeholders and elsewhere.

The app recently competed in the final of the Vodafone Appstar Challenge, eventually being beaten to the top prize by Kenyan app Automs.gs., but Rukantabula said it had been a good experience.

“The Vodafone Appstar Challenge helped me get confidence, exposure, and has broadened my mindset about app development,” he said. “The feedback from the judges has challenged my thinking and motivated me on what should be my next step in my career.”

Source: humanipo

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Tanzania Heath worker uses mobile for Distance Diagnosis in Remote Ares

Clinical officers use mobile phones to take pictures and notes of patients in remote areas of Tanzania. The information on complex medical cases can be shared with specialists from Dar es Salaam and abroad via the iPath telemedicine platform. Specialists view the information and provide advice remotely.

Kesanta works at the Ilembula Lutheran Hospital and frequently visits people on location in the isolated Iringa region. As a clinical officer he treats patients, but for complex medical cases he needs specialist advice. Kesanta gets this advice by using an online telemedicine platform called iPath. With this system, x-rays, photos of skin conditions and tissue samples and patient information can be sent to specialist doctors for consultation online. Recently Kesanta started to use his mobile phone to access the telemedicine platform.

Recently Kesanta encountered a three year old boy who suffered from malnutrition and had a large infection (a hole in his cheek). The clinical officer used his phone to take a picture of the infection and uploaded this with patient information to the telemedicine platform. A specialist doctor in Dar es Salaam saw the case and advised Kesanta how to treat the infection and what medicine to prescribe. Now the boy’s cheek is healing without him having to travel to the city or having to pay extra for specialist treatment.

Although computers can also be used to upload cases, Kesanta prefers his mobile phone. “Network coverage is often too poor to use an office computer or laptop to upload our telemedicine cases. With a camera phone with GPRS connection, it is very simple to upload cases from anywhere. We discovered that a mobile phone can open the web program needed for telemedicine quite easily and fast.”

Telemedicine is supported by IICD in Tanzania. IICD’s partner the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania runs a chain of hospitals in Tanzania, including the Ilembula Lutheran Hospital.

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Airtel signs app deal with Manchester United, Good news to Tanzania sport fans.

Manchester United’s new Club application offers comprehensive mobile access, giving fans the latest club news, exclusive videos, match highlights, live in-game updates, player profiles and much more – all of which is exclusively free for Airtel Africa’s subscribers.

This app is available free to download now from iOS and Android, with extra exclusive content available to Airtel subscribers for free.

This new app joins a growing collection of ways for fans to get the latest news, views and information from the Club. In summer 2013, Manchester United became the fastest sports organization to reach one million followers on Twitter and Google+ and is credibly known to be the fastest growing Premier League club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This also allows the customers engage with their favorite club. Airtel seeks to provide innovative products that add value to customers and the launch of this application is in line with this through supporting various passion points.

Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer of Airtel Africa, commenting on the launch of the Club app: “Football is one of the biggest passion points for many Africans and we look for innovative ways to provide value to our subscribers. 

Manchester United’s Club App will offer exclusive free content for our subscribers over the normal content that will be pushed through this App. The launch of this application goes on to further cement our partnership with Manchester United Football Club and we look forward to hosting this application on our mobile network allowing fans to get closer to their favorite club.”

Source:ITnews

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SA’s Standard Bank releases mobile app

South Africa’s Standard Bank has announced the release of a new mobile app, offering increased functionality to its client base.

The app is available on Android and iOS tablets with an additional release due later this year increasing flexibility on smartphones.

“Standard Bank’s app for tablets is set to transform mobile banking and the way that customers experience banking. It is all about allowing the customer to dictate functionality and customise the app according to their needs, rather than the app dictating to the customer what should be prioritised”, says Standard Bank Group’s Personal and Business Banking chief executive office (CEO), Peter Schlebusch.

The app offers users a single view platform to all interactions with the bank.

“Customers can access their business and personal accounts as well as insurance, wealth management and stockbroking activities in one go,” the bank said in a statement.

“We looked at the ways that always on, always connected smart mobile devices were changing customer behaviour.The app was therefore developed to meet increasing demands for mobile banking by our customers,” said Schlebusch.

The app features a dashboard with moveable tiles, each representing a financial solution that forms part of a users profile.

Important security updates are also included.

“The privacy and security of our customers is of the utmost importance to us and we have carried out extensive testing, and incorporated advanced security features similar to those found in internet banking,” said Schlebusch.

“For things that need greater security – like creating a beneficiary – an additional One Time Password will be sent to the customer’s phone.”

source:humanipo

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