JuaSimu – the world’s first solar-powered smartphone

Inexpensive smartphones are enabling mobile subscribers to access the internet at unprecedented levels across the African continent. However, it’s a challenge to keep mobile devices powered up, especially when access to electricity is often expensive, and unreliable. It is estimated that as many as 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity, with the electrification rate as low as 14.2% in rural areas. Solar energy can be an economically and environmentally competitive option that can contribute significantly to this scenario.

Today, Dotsavvy is delighted to launch its breakthrough innovation – JuaSimu – the world’s first solar-powered smartphone, made in Kenya. Dotsavvy’s research and development team has been working in stealth for almost 3 years developing a smartphone that is uniquely suited for Africa where access to reliable and affordable electricity can be challenging. JuaSimu is unique in that it has been designed from the bottom up to be a smartphone that relies solely on solar power.

The JuaSimu screen is an integrated solar panel that charges the battery whenever its exposed to the sun. The JuaSimu does not come with any charging cables or adaptors since it works directly from solar energy which is abundant for most of the year in Africa. Dotsavvy closely with Tesla Motors to develop a unique battery for the JuaSimu that can last longer and requires shorter charging cycles to achieve a full day of operating capacity. This battery technology is so cutting edge that Dotsavvy has patented the same.

Valentine Mghoi, User Experience Lead at Dotsavvy says, “JuaSimu is a massive breakthrough in terms of what a modern smartphone should be for African consumers taking into consideration our unique market conditions. JuaSimu is a mid-range Android smartphone and yet it packs amazing features in a cost-effective and high performance package. The seamless and refined user experience from the hardware to the software makes it look and work like most great smartphones, except JuaSimu is a one of a kind in that it only works using solar energy”.

Kenneth Ikiara, General Manager at Dotsavvy, says, “For almost 15 years the focus at Dotsavvy has been in digital solutions that enhance business performance. JuaSimu is our first foray in a consumer hardware offering which was a completely new experience for us compared to what we normally do. We had to work with global partners like Google and Tesla Motors to bring it to life. We are delighted to have made JuaSimu a reality after three years of hard work by our team”.

JuaSimu will be available from today the 1st April 2017 at all major supermarkets and mobile phone dealerships at an introductory launch price of Kes. 10,000.00 only. In addition, the first 1,000 buyers of JuaSimu smartphones will get a chance to win an all-expenses paid holiday to South Africa if they buy one by the end of August 2017. JuaSimu will also be available beyond Kenya from the 1st July 2017 in markets like Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.

Source: Dotsavvy 

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Mastercard and Unilever Join Forces to Empower Small and Micro Businesses in Emerging Markets

At Mobile World Congress, Mastercard and Unilever today announced a strategic partnership to collaborate on a range of joint initiatives aimed at empowering small and micro businesses in emerging markets. By combining their expertise and reach, the companies intend to unlock economic growth and further advance specific Sustainable Development Goals such as poverty reduction and sustainable cities and communities.

According to the World Bank, there are somewhere between 365 and 445 million micro-, small and medium enterprises in the developing world, representing the economic backbone of many local communities. Yet, the true potential for these businesses remains untapped. Some of the biggest barriers for their further growth include limited market information, poor access to money, and a lack of financial management skills.

Matching Unilever distribution network with digital payments from Mastercard

By matching up Unilever’s network of distributors in developing countries with digital payment and acceptance solutions from Mastercard, technology resources will be activated to drive inclusive growth at greater scale.

As a first step, Mastercard and Unilever will explore ways to enable better access to formal financial tools for smaller retail outlets while also building entrepreneurship capacity, particularly for women and girls. Additional focus areas may include joint efforts to increase the usage of electronic payments across both wholesale and retail locations.

“Too many small merchants and micro entrepreneurs are stuck, like their customers, in a cash economy that doesn’t work for them,” said Ajay Banga, president and CEO, Mastercard. “With Unilever, we can bring a unique combination of technology and know-how to help these shop owners build a better future and serve their customers who are themselves on a path towards financial inclusion.”

Paul Polman, Chief Executive, Unilever added: “Strategic partnerships such as this are critical to helping us improve our business and positively impact the lives of 5.5 million people by 2020. By working together, we can have a much greater impact in emerging markets, empowering small scale enterprises and bringing about the transformative change necessary to meet the aims of the Sustainable Development Goals and our business.” 

During the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (center) witnessed Ajay Banga, president and CEO of Mastercard (left), and Paul Polman, Chief Executive of Unilever (right), signing a strategic partnership designed to advance financial inclusion efforts by empowering small and micro businesses in emerging markets.

First pilot project in Kenya

In Kenya, the companies are jointly designing a program to enable sustainable growth of small retail entrepreneurs. By digitizing the processes of buying supplies and selling goods small vendors will gain access to low-interest credit. This will empower them to better answer shopper demand and grow their business while upskilling themselves through basic insight tools.

Source:mastercard

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Tap and Go cards both mobile and fixed at every park and major stops

As Rwanda evolves into the technology hub for the region and continent, the component of a smart city is very crucial and from it, builds other major urban development programs focused on Rwanda's growth - and its challenges and opportunities.

AC Group launched the Tap&Go project with Kigali Bus Services and Royal Express and has since made some routes totally cashless with the blessing of the Government.

The primary reason for starting with automated fare collection where clients use cards is because operations were losing a huge percentage of their bus fare revenue to fraud hence hindering their ability to provide proper service to commuters.

With their revenues being collected in a transparent and efficient way, commuters have been able to enjoy public transport with fewer delays on the bus stops, quicker boarding on the buses and proper real time monitoring of the bus by authorities and the bus operators.

 Commuters that come to Kigali for the first time do have access to a well spread network of points of sale of the Tap&Go cards both mobile and fixed at every park and major stops. These stations not only supply the clients with card but also educate them on how to use it.

The card can be topped up with what a commuter feels they want to use and can also be shared with a family member or friend.

The Tap&Go project is the first milestone towards building an intelligent transport system that is a key component of the Smart Rwanda Manifesto. Rwanda's rapid shift to virtual money will strike because of a number of coordinated programs in different sectors and transport is one of them

Source: mobilemoneyafrica

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WorldRemit, Tigo Tanzania in mobile wallet deal

Online money transfer service WorldRemit has partnered operator Tigo Tanzania to allow individuals sending money to friends and family living in Tanzania to have the funds delivered to a Tigo Pesa mobile wallet.

The deal is available for customers sending money from the 35 countries in which Tigo has a presence, with the companies saying the deal complements existing receive options such as bank transfer, cash pickup and mobile airtime top-up.

“I am delighted that WorldRemit is now able to offer Tigo Pesa as a way of receiving money in Tanzania. Today people use their money in lots of different ways and financial services need to respond to that,” said Ismail Ahmed, WorldRemit chief executive officer (CEO).

“At WorldRemit we aim to give people as many money transfer options as possible, from bank accounts and cash pickup to mobile wallets and airtime top-up. This is the sort of choice and flexibility that people demand in a modern, connected world.”

WorldRemit is an online service that allows people to send money around the world quickly and at low cost, using a computer, smartphone or tablet.

Migrants from Tanzania sent US$75 million home in 2013, according to the World Bank, with the same research finding remittance payments to Tanzania from overseas had more than doubled since 2008.

Source:humanipo

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Tigo introduces affordable smart phones to its customers

Tigo Tanzania announced today a partnership with a global phone manufacturing company, Huawei which enables customers of the Tanzanian mobile company to access high quality smart phones at an affordable price.

The deal gives customers an opportunity to access Huawei Y330 for entry level users at a highly discounted price of Tsh 130,000/- per handset and Huawei 530 for experienced level user wishing to upgrade at a cost of Tsh 195,000.

Launching the new offer in Dar es Salaam, Tigo Head of Data and Devices David Zacharia, said buyers of either phone will be offered 600 minutes airtime, 8,000 free SMS and 1.5GB all valued at Tsh 30,000 during the first month of purchase. In the next six months a customer buying any monthly pack worth Tsh 15,000 will get another Tsh 15,000 monthly on net pack for free, he added.

“What this package means to our customers is that after six months, a customer would have received full refund of the money spent on buying the phone through this range of free benefits,” Zacharia said

Zacharia said the move aims at enabling more Tanzanians to own smart phones and in the process, enjoy a broad range of services only accessible through the gadget including free access to Facebook that the Tigo introduced recently.

“We are also certain that this offer will lead to increased smartphone penetration in the country especially among the youth who are keen to enjoy the digital lifestyle that our company promotes, the general manager said.

The new deal comes two months since Tigo announced a ground breaking partnership with Facebook which gives customers of the mobile company free access to Facebook services.

Speaking at the event, Huawei’s South-East Africa Regional Brand Manager, Azalea Du, said Huawei Y330 and 530 are youth targeted smartphones of which his company is pleased to introduce to Tigo customers.

“We are certain, based on our experience elsewhere, that the youth of this country and other Tigo customers will find these two products quite satisfying in providing them with the digital lifestyle solutions that they want, Du said.

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Airtel launches refurbished Arusha shop

AIRTEL Tanzania launched its refurbished modern shop in Arusha, at a colourful ceremony and pledge to improve delivery of its services.

Airtel Customer Care Director, Ms Adrianna Lyamba, said “Today (yesterday) we are launching our second refurbished shop, after the launch of Airtel Xpress Shop at Mlimani City in Dar es Salaam last month.

“We believe in providing a plus one service to our customers, today’s unveiling is a continuation of bringing in sophistication that will give our customer security and superior service at all times’.

Arusha Region Commissioner Magesa Mulongo said: “I would like to applaud Airtel for expanding its boundaries through customer service delivery and infusion of innovative thinking.

“We believe these innovations will not only increase employment opportunities but also provide our Arusha people with world class products and services, for this we thank Airtel!”

Source:Dailynews

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Tigo opens new customer service shop in Lindi

Tigo today opened a new customer care branch in Lindi that is expected to reduce inconveniences encountered by the residents who previously had limited direct access to the company’s customer services.

Present during the inauguration was Director of Lindi town Municipal, Kelvin Makonda, who commended Tigo for bringing its services closer to the people of the Lindi.

“Apart from only solving customer queries, I believe that this new shop will also act as a hub of many services which your customers of Lindi normally require from your company,” he said.

Makonda said that different communication services that are provided by Tigo ranging from calling, SMS, internet connectivity and money transfer services have been a catalyst in bringing about socio-economic progress in the country. “These services have sprouted positive results in the manner of doing business and improving the lives of thousands of Lindi residents and millions of Tanzanians as a whole,” he said.

On his part, Tigo Director for Coastal Zone Mr. Brian Kalokola said the new branch which is located at Makongoro Street near the main bus stand is expected to serve more than 150 customers daily providing a full range of Tigo services including Internet configuration, SIM card registration and swap, Tigo Pesa as well smartphone services.

“The shop is so convenient to customers because it brings our services closer to them. It is also centrally located making it easily accessible to customers from other surrounding districts and suburbs such as Nachingwea, Liwale, Kilwa, Ruangwa and Lindi rural,” he said.

The new Shop features a special ‘Experience Zone’ where customers get the opportunity to test different Tigo products such as mobile phones before they can buy them. “This enables our customers to get the feel of the product which enables them to purchase a product well matched their needs.” 

The new Lindi branch brings to 41 the total number of such shops operated by the company in Tanzania. There are plans to open more shops in other parts of the country, according to Kalokola.

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