Minaj Group - Nigerian Conglomerate

About Minaj

Minaj Group is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria and is principally engaged in the real estate, media, and energy sectors. Its holding company Minaj Holdings Limited is a private company owned and controlled by the Ajegbo family in Nigeria.

UN foundation press release - mHealth initiative in Africa

Mobile Health Initiative Expands to Over 20 Countries in Africa
Innovative technology deployed to help improve healthcare delivery and save lives

WASHINGTON, DC, GENEVA and LONDON (September 9, 2008) – The United Nations Foundation and Vodafone Foundation’s Technology Partnership (Technology Partnership) announced today the expansion of its mobile health (mHealth) program in Africa. Working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the non-profit DataDyne.org, the Technology Partnership will expand the use of EpiSurveyor, an open-source application that helps healthcare workers track health data, to 22 sub-Saharan countries by the end of 2008.

EpiSurveyor, which was developed by the non-profit DataDyne.org, can be downloaded to handheld devices and is easily adaptable by workers in the field. WHO, DataDyne.org and the Technology Partnership piloted EpiSurveyor in Kenya and Zambia . Its successful implementation has greatly improved the timeliness and availability of healthcare data, making it easier to strengthen district level healthcare programs involving immunizations against malaria and other preventative programs aimed at improving public health.

Read more

Ambitious plan by Google to provide internet access to 3bn

Google and it's consortium partners want to provide cheap Internet service via low attitude satellites. The only issue I have is that, I've heard of this thing before and other consortium's have tried to do the same thing. Overall, the project makes financial sense to Google...get Internet access to as many people as possible so they can use Google's and it's partners products. This project is on the fast-track to be operational by end of 2010.

Read more here

Google has thrown its weight behind ambitious plans to bring internet access to 3bn people in Africa and other emerging markets by launching at least 16 satellites to bring its services to the unconnected half of the globe.

Medical Advances—Through Your mobile phone?

BusinessWeek ran an interesting article about utilizing Smart phones to provide high-end medical diagnostics at a fraction of their costs. This piece ran back in April.

Medical Advances—Through Your mobile phone?

Researchers are beginning to understand how mobile phones can cut costs, help solve rural health-care problems, and even reduce medical errors.

Despite all the advances in medical diagnostics, two-thirds of the world's population has no access to imaging technologies. Worse, about half of the imaging equipment sent to developing countries goes unused because local technicians aren't trained to operate it or lack spare parts, according to the World Health Organization. But thanks to the proliferation of cellular and other wireless networks, researchers are stepping up efforts to deliver crucial medical services from afar.

Micro Clinic - accelerating accessible healthcare in Africa

Following a franchise business model that combines ownership with proven operating, marketing, and distribution standards, MicroClinic empowers community health nurses to own and grow their own MicroClinic.

MicroClinic says it will offer standardized operating practices and consistent levels of quality and care, building community acceptance and awareness while creating interest and demand for additional MicroClinics to serve new communities.

This unique hybrid model will work well for the Bottom of the Pyramid consumers in Africa.

More about Micro Clinic

MicroClinic enables community-based, entrepreneurial nurse/franchisees to own and operate their own businesses while providing essential basic health services to rural communities. To support its franchisees and insure a culture of consistency, MicroClinic provides business consulting and disease protocol through initial and on-going training sessions, field visits, meetings, and regular communications. The MicroClinic focus is:

1. Wellness, not sickness.
2. Prevention, not just treatment of ailments.
3. Responsiveness to public health needs.

MicroClinic extends the principles of social franchising with existing partnerships with the Ghanaian Health Ministry, Africa Medical Partners, Hope For The City, University of St.Thomas, rural hospitals, and reliable pharma providers.

CFW Shops - utilizing a healthcare micro-franchising model

CFW Shops provides a Micro-Franchising Model - An Effective, Scalable Solution for sustainable healthcare model in developing markets.The HealthStore model is a network of micro pharmacies and clinics whose mission is to provide access to essential medicines to marginalized populations in the developing world. The HealthStore outlets target the most common killer diseases including malaria, respiratory infections, and dysentery among others. They also provide health education and prevention services.

Here more about CFW Shops

To improve access to essential drugs, basic healthcare, and prevention services for children and families in the developing world using business models that maintain standards, are geometrically scalable, and achieve economies of scale.

September 16-18 USAID Speaker's Corner on Outsourcing Options for Microfinance Institutions

September 16-18 USAID Speaker's Corner on Outsourcing Options for Microfinance Institutions

While outsourcing core banking systems could increase the efficiency and capacity of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and reduce their infrastructure costs, not all institutions are eager to take this step. MFIs are concerned about finding a system that works for their unique situation, fear losing control over sensitive client data, and worry about security risks. Moreover, they are not convinced outsourcing will lead to reduced costs.

Join the dialogue, September 16-18, to discuss the concerns, benefits, and decision criteria involved with outsourcing core banking solutions. Hosted by Alice Liu, independent consultant and author of a recent USAID-funded study on the use of outsourcing by U.S. banks, the forum will highlight real experiences and examples from the field. The discussion is supported by a broad panel of specialists in ICT for microfinance and banking IT, including James Godish (Catalyst Consulting Group), Gautam Ivatury (CGAP), Karuna Krishnaswamy (CGAP), Paul Meyer (Voxiva), Judy Payne (USAID), and Lauren Reese (CGAP).

Each day, participants are invited to share their own experiences, questions and comments in the discussion forum:

* Day 1 (September 16) – Outsourcing: Benefits and Decision Criteria. This day will introduce and define outsourcing and discuss its potential benefits.
* Day 2 (September 17) – Core Banking System Experiences from the Field. Lessons learned from core banking system implementations in the field.
* Day 3 (September 18) – Enabling Environment. A discussion of the enabling environment – including rule of law, regulations and oversight, infrastructure, market competition and target markets.

Sign up today: Please join us for this interactive dialogue. For more information and free registration, visit www.microlinks.org/sc/outsourcing. Send questions to Ashely Kiehnau at akiehnau (at) qedgroupllc.com.

Speaker's Corners are a monthly feature of the U.S. Agency for International Development's microLINKS Website, www.microlinks.org.

MicroVentureSupport

About MicroVenture Support

Micro Venture Support (MVS) attacks poverty through innovative and cooperative application of capital market strategies, selective investment, and hands-on operating support. MVS invests time, expertise, and our capital in select micro businesses. We identify, support, and invest in those micro enterprises that, based upon an objective set of criteria, have the potential to grow into profitable local, regional, and international enterprises.

West Africa sustainable economic initiative.

Mobile Planet - Mobile applications in Africa

About Mobile Planet

Subscriber numbers in Africa are growing at a phenomenal rate. This spells great potential. Potential to use mobile technology to address Africa's unique set of circumstances and challenges. We strive to provide products and services that enhance the quality of life of Africans in areas such as health, agriculture, education, e-governance and commerce. We remain committed to providing homegrown solutions that are relevant to all parts of Africa while respecting and incorporating the uniqueness of every African country and its people.

ILC Africa - African private sector education

About ILC Africa

ILC Africa was founded by two University of Pennsylvania alumni who went on to secure Masters in Science degrees from Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania respectively.

To date, ILC Africa has served approximately 140 students and 17 institutions with backgrounds from Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Conakry, Mozambique, Senegal, Haiti, India, and the United Kingdom.

The vision of ILC Africa is to form an educated cadre of students with a global skills-set to increase and promote African values while developing Africa.

SELF - Solar Electric Light Fund

About SELF

The mission of the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is to provide solar power and wireless communications to the one quarter of humanity who lives in energy poverty.The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) facilitates the delivery of solar power and wireless communications to remote villages, improving the health, education, agriculture and economic status of people in the developing world. SELF and its partners deliver “whole village” solar electrification projects that power water pumping and drip irrigation systems, health clinics, schools, street lighting, micro-enterprise, wireless communications, and multi-purpose community centers.

Africa Biofuel - Tanzanian biofuel company

About Africa Biofuel

Registered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 2006, Africa Biofuel and Emission Reduction Company [Tanzania] Ltd. consists of a team dedicated to bringing a triple-bottom-line biofuel business model to Africa.

The Company's vision is that it is almost never in the interest of the local population to grow a food crop for use as a fuel: witness the large increase in the price of maize as the ethanol industry spreads across the United States and other countries, with downstream adverse impact on the nutrition of the poor as milk and meat prices escalate. Therefore, it set out to identify a productive, environment-enhancing non-edible oil-bearing crop, and identified Croton megalocarpus, an indigenous tree, as its focus.

SW Global - ASP provider

About SW Global

SocketWorks Ltd is an Application Service Provider (ASP). We bundle IT infrastructure and Enterprise Software solutions to customers using vendor-financing.

Based on our subscription method, we host application servers, provide necessary IT and physical infrastructure and dedicated maintenance resources (on site systems engineering and project management and training teams).

Genesis Outsouring - African advisory BPO services

About Genesis BPO

- We provide simple and quick access to the African Markets for BPO services- We develop feasibility studies for suitability of Offshore BPO in Africa- We assist in BPO vendor selection based on location, infrastructure, technology, HR (recruiting and training) and process assessment.

CS Africa - African sustainable development

About CS Africa

Coalition for a Sustainable Africa (CSAfrica) is a collaboration of organizations offering sustainable solutions for grass-roots initiatives to empower the people and communities of Africa.

TAN Ghana 2008: Conference in Accra - August 16, 2008

About Event

TANCon is the world’s sole event of its kind for entrepreneurs of African descent. The target audience includes entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 business leaders, venture capitalists, investment bankers, government policy makers and other entrepreneurial ecosystem organizations.

Our theme this year is “Fostering African Entrepreneurship”, to reflect the growing number of African entrepreneurs in business today, and to showcase to the world Africa's limitless intellectual and economic capital.

Deng Limited - Ghana solar power

About Deng Limited

DENG Limited is probably best known in Ghana for its Solar Division. For almost 20 years we have provided both world class solar components and services to all areas of the country.

We are one of only a handful of licensed solar providers in Ghana and with over 7,000 systems sold, ranging from our popular DENG Logic Solar Lanterns to over 18kW custom engineered systems, we are by far the largest Solar Provider in the country.

Bringing IT and related skills to Ghana

This is a video about Citrix bringing access to applications and the Internet, as well as IT infrastructure and related skills to Ghana, West Africa.

Ungana - Afrika: Addressing African ICT capacity building

About Ungana-Afrika

A ‘capacity crisis’ is a mild expression to describe the skill levels and understanding of information and communications technologies (ICTs) within small-to-medium enterprises in Africa. Ungana-Afrika is addressing this reality today by building innovative ICT programs and tools for the development community, and its service providers. Our mission is to empower development organisations to better integrate ICTs as a strategic, mission focused, tool.

Ungana-Afrika Services and Projects

Ungana-Afrika's three service areas provide a wide range of technology support, capacity-building and program development services. The diagram below demonstrates how each of these service areas work together, and benefit diverse parts of the development community. Click on each service area for more information.

CSIR - future through African science

From their Site

The CSIR is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa. Science and technology services and solutions are provided in support of various stakeholders, and opportunities are identified where new technologies can be further developed and exploited in the private and public sectors for commercial and social benefit.

School Net - Africa Education Knowledge Warehouse

The African Education Knowledge Warehouse (AEKW) is a pan-African education portal which services African SchoolNet practitioners, policymakers and school-based communities on ICTs in education across Africa.

Home: SchoolNet Africa information and website tools.
SchoolNet Centre: SchoolNet Centre has tools and resources to support national SchoolNets.
Policy Centre: The Policy Centre provides resources and studies to support policy development on ICT integration in education.
Learner Centre: The learner centre house resources for learners and provides space for networking and collaboration among young people.
African Teachers Centre: The meeting place for the African Teachers Network.
Gender Watch: Gender watch houses gender and ICTs related resources and captures voices of women and girls using ICTs for their advancement.
Innovation Watch: Innovations and Innovator to inspire learners and educators in using ICTs for Education
Campaigns: Take part in our One million computers for African Schools campaign!

Afromusing - Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

From Afromusing Blog - Julian Rotich

Two opportunities I would like to pass along, the first is SEPS (Sustainable Energy Project Support) call for applications.

Now in its fifth year, WISIONS, a Wuppertal Institute initiative that is funded and supported by the Swiss-based foundation ProEvolution, has launched its annual call for applications for Sustainable Energy Project Support (SEPS).

WISIONS invites the submission of proposals from now until 18 August 2008. The total grant fund for financial support of SEPS projects in this, the 5th round (2008), is €500,000 (across all projects). Partial funding of projects is possible.

We are looking for promising concepts and innovative projects with an integrated approach in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Our main goal is to identify environmentally sound projects that use modern existing technologies, demonstrate the advantages of sound energy solutions and integrate local people, enabling acceptance and further replication.

The deadline is August 18th, and you can download an app here.

Via AFriWea

SeedCamp for the entrepreneurs in Europe

From securing funding to developing the right network, young entrepreneurs in Europe face challenges in building globally competitive technology businesses. Through the provision of seed capital and a world class network of mentors, we want to provide a catalyst for Europe’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

The deadline for this is August 11th.

Via Park Paradigm

TEDC 2008 - Technology for Innovation and Education in Developing Countries

About the event

Technology for Innovation and Education in Developing Countries

July 31 - August 2, 2008

Kampala, Uganda

The goal of this fifth international workshop is to bring together researchers, businesses, educators, governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss various issues involved in developing new techniques and on novel uses of technology for innovation and education in developing countries. A 2007 World Bank Report titled Building Knowledge Economies: Advanced Strategies for Development, states that the four key drivers for successful knowledge economies in the 21st Century are education, information technology infrastructure, research and development focused on innovation, and a free market based economy.

Juliana Rotich - at Global Voices summit in Budapest, Hungary

Power Up Gambia

About Power Up Gambia:

It's all about power and light. With the installation of solar panels, the Sulayman Jungkung General Hospital will have a reliable power supply to provide clean running water, power to run incubators, use electronic microscopes, and perform surgeries, day or night, when needed. Refrigeration means vaccines can be safely stored and a blood bank can be established. The hands of the hospital's staff are tied without solar panels to provide critically-needed power.

Tracks 4 Africa - Mapping Africa, one day at a time

From their site:

Behind this web site there is a large community of eco-users from all over the world who share in four common things:

a passion for Africa and its preservation, its awesome natural beauty and the diversity of its peoples. the need for a super accurate and reliable GPS navigation system to take you to the many interesting and fascinating destinations in Africa. the need for INFORMATION. To learn new facts about old things. To change the way we interact with environment and INFORMATION needed not to expose oneself, travel companions, assets and environment to unnecessary risks. the need to know where tourist dollars are spend, it *MUST* make a difference at ground zero, to the local peoples and to environment.

Tom Iseghohi - talks on CNBC about Transcorp

Tuareg Capital - North African private equity firm

About Tuareg:

Tuareg Capital is a private equity firm focused on investment opportunities in North Africa, with a primary focus on Libya and Algeria. We make and advise on investment opportunities through proprietary or third party funds, partnerships and special purpose vehicles.

With a presence in Tripoli, Bahrain and London, our team is a dynamic, professional one with extensive financial experience. We have a deep understanding and commitment to the region.

Our strengths are drawn from our collective international and regional experience at a variety of renowned financial institutions; our local knowledge and presence on the ground; our depth of contacts and relationships, domestically, regionally and in the broader international arena.

Hey, Here's a Tip: Try Africa - Carol Pineau

From Carol Pineau, "African Investment Horizons"

Sunday, July 6, 2008; Page B02

P ssst. Have I got a great stock tip for you: Now's the time to buy shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. No, really.

I know that may sound like an e-mail from the spam box, but it's actually good investment advice. While U.S. markets have been struggling with the effects of the subprime mortgage debacle and threats of a looming recession, the total value of the stocks traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange has doubled over the past year.

A lot of that growth can be attributed to new companies listing on the market. But next door, Ghana's stock exchange has already returned more than 33 percent this year, and is expected to end the year as one of the world's top growth markets. And it wouldn't be for the first time.

It used to be that when the U.S. economy sneezed, the rest of the world caught a cold. Today, with globalization, everybody has a pretty bad flu -- except for Africa, where many of the more than 20 stock markets are reporting gains similar to those of the Nigerian exchange. I've been working on a film exploring Africa's frontier markets for the past couple of years, and the returns I've found can only be described as eye-popping. African markets have outperformed Standard & Poor's 500-stock index and many other indexes over the past decade. I've met people who have doubled and even tripled their investments.

Read More

Fibre for Africa - Opening up Affordable Bandwidth in Africa

Fibre for Africa

Opening up Affordable Bandwidth in Africa

From the site:

This web site has been put together to provide basic information about international bandwidth in Africa, its costs and the existence of monopoly access to it. Bandwidth is the means through which Africa as a continent communicates with itself and the rest of the world. Those who have put the site together believe that the high costs of international bandwidth on the continent are an obstacle to the its social and economic development.

Image: Telecoms transmissions networks in Africa, Source: Paul Hamilton, Acacia Atlas, IDRC

Comtel - East Africa IT integrators

Comtel Integrators Africa was founded in 2005 by 4 entrepreneurs who realized the urgent need for a system integration company in the market. Since the company’s inception the 4 entrepreneurs have gradually lead the company to become the number one IT systems integrator in East Africa.

With over 35 employees today and operations opening in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa, Comtel's tradition of being the first organization to bring innovative solutions into the market place continues. The company has successfully implemented the first total Cisco IP Telephony Hotel in East Africa. Comtel has also been requested to implement the first intelligent building and the largest IP Contact Centre in East Africa.

Kenya ICT Board

The Kenya ICT Board was established by HE President Mwai Kibaki, as a state corporation under the State Corporations Act Cap. 446 on 19th February 2007.

The achievement of an information-based society is one of the main priorities of the Government towards the realisation of national development goals and objectives for wealth and employment creation.ICT is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. Harnessing of ICTs will therefore help the Government to realize a number of its key public policy objectives.

In general, ICT will contribute significantly to the process by improving government operations as outlined in the e-government strategy.

Smart Village Egypt

Smart Villages Company is Egypt's premier model of Public-Private-Partnership investment with the strategic aim to lead and foster the development of profitable chains of Technology and Business Parks.

Since its founding in 2001, the company has rapidly expanded and achieved successful contribution to position Smart Village Cairo among this world's most competent
Business Parks.

Further innovative ventures has been under development counting Smart Village Cairo Financial District, first consolidated premise for Egypt’s most eminent Financial Institutions, Smart Village Damietta Business and Logistics Park, comprising world class infrastructure and services for Local and International companies, Smart Villages Company Consultancy Services are now available to discover the local incentives to franchise the Smart Village Model in different Countries upon request.

Agribusiness - Forum 2008

The African Continent is soon to become the bright light in emerging market investing. Economic growth in Africa has averaged 5% over the last 7 years, with agriculture and agro-industry being the key sectors for the continent’s development in terms of GDP, employment, food security and trade. AgriBusiness Forum 2008 takes advantage of the favourable business environment to check how to turn it into growth and wealth.

AgriBusiness 2008 aims at contributing to the growth & wealth of Africa by a further development of its agro-food industry, with the expertise, experience and involvement of knowledgeable individuals and institutions.

Learn More

Lavit Park - Uganda Technology & ICT Park

Lake Victoria Information Communication Technology and Bio-tech Park (LAVIT) is a business Initiative which shall open up the young resource pool amongst the 375 Million strong Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) to the Global ICT and Bio - Tech Industry.

Governments policies are now fine tuned to transform the country into a knowledge economy, exploiting the high talent pool that has been educated in a system with english as medium of education, a pre requsite for success in IT enabled services industry.

Uganda's Stock Exchange Grows Up

Here is an excerpt from BusinessWeek magazine about Uganda's stock market.

If you're looking for a place to invest that hasn't been affected by the global credit crunch, there's always the Uganda Securities Exchange. Sure, the East African country isn't without its risks, and the market has plenty of shortcomings. But whatever the forces that determine its ebb and flow, they're definitely different from those driving, say, New York, London, or Tokyo. Since its October peak.....Read More

INVEST IN AFRICA 2008

INVEST IN AFRICA is a conference and exhibition about
attracting investment into African financial and real estate markets.

Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF)

The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (“EAIF”) was established in January 2002 and is currently a US$365 million debt fund, which aims to address the lack of available long-term foreign currency debt finance for infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

While EAIF lends on commercial terms, it aims to support projects that promote economic growth and reduce poverty, benefit broad-based population groups, address issues of equity and participation, and promote social, economic and cultural rights.

Investments with a tenor of up to 15 years can range from a minimum of US$10 million (or equivalent) to a maximum of US$36.5 million (or equivalent) for any one investment. Loans are provided without the need for political risk cover.

The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund - AECF

The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) is a US$50-100m private sector fund, backed by some of the biggest names in development finance and hosted by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Our aim is to encourage private sector companies to compete for like-for-like investment support for their new and innovative business ideas.

The AECF is open to proposals from all countries in Africa. However it will focus initially on 13 countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia) operating from three regional hubs (Nairobi, Accra and Johannesburg). Multi-country and regional projects are also eligible.

AfricaBio

AfricaBio is a non-political, non-profit biotechnology association for the safe, ethical and responsible research, development and application of biotechnology and its products. The Association also serves as a forum for informed dialogue on biotechnological issues in Africa.

Overall objectives include:

• To provide expert advice to specific ministries and administrations.
• To provide information on national and international regulatory legislation that can influence the use, production or marketing of biotechnology products.
• To provide current information and supportive measures to its members to ensure that biotechnology is accurately represented at all levels of society.
• To provide information to all members and interested parties on key issues affecting biotechnology in South Africa.
• To provide regular forums for exchange of information.
• To facilitate research and development, education and training projects required by members.

African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF)

ABSF aims to create an enabling environment in which Africa can participate and benefit from biotechnology in a responsible and sustainable manner. The association, through the dissemination of information, aims to enhance the understanding and awareness.

OVERALL OBJECTIVES

• To provide a forum for sharing and exchanging experiences and practices in biotechnology with a view of strengthening its application for increased food security, health improvement, poverty alleviation, industrialization and environmental conservation in Africa.
• To improve public understanding of biotechnology through provision of accurate and balanced information to consumers, media and policy makers to ensure that biotechnology is accurately represented at all levels of society.
• To explore innovative and appropriate biotechnology applications and facilitate their adoption and use in sustainable development and poverty alleviation in Africa.
• To create capacity for information generation, dissemination and wise use of biotechnology.
• To facilitate research, development, education and training on biotechnology as well as policy and infrastructure development for meeting Africa’s needs in biotechnology.

TED video - Seyi Oyesola affordable medical equipment

Investors Without Borders - affordable loans for African SME market

IWB is web-based marketplace connecting individuals across the globe with opportunities to invest directly in Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. Investors gain access to return-oriented, social impact investments by directly funding SME loan requests with as little as $100 per loan. Borrowers gain access to affordable loans that can create greater economic opportunities while connecting with a global business network.

IWB will launch in Ghana, West Africa, with more countries to follow.

Satya Capital

Satya Capital Limited is a private investment firm committed both to helping businesses improve their competitive standing and to realizing value for our investors.

We specialize in Africa-related investment, providing companies with the operational, technological and financial resources they need to expand and take advantage of burgeoning growth opportunities in their industries.

We are long-term investors who are guided by a multi-strategy discipline that reflects our decades of collective experience successfully leading and investing in companies across Africa. Our deep understanding of the environment makes it possible for us to partner effectively with senior company managers, and also informs every aspect of our investment process. We build and unlock value through careful selection, rigorous due diligence, innovative structuring and creative value realization programmes.

Spore - using mobile phone to irrigate crops

Small-scale sugarcane farmers in South Africa are using cellphone-based technology to decide when to irrigate their crops. A pilot scheme launched by the South African Sugar Association at Pongola in Mpumalanga Province and Makhathini in KwaZulu Natal has shown the high-tech system can help boost production and save water, a precious commodity in these dry regions. Indications are that the mobile-based initiative can reduce farmers' irrigation costs by €200/ha.

The system, called My Canesim, uses automatic weather stations, the Internet and cellular technology to produce up-to-date information about when to irrigate crops. Extrapolating information from field and real-time weather data, My Canesim estimates the recent, current and future water balance, as well as the crop status and projected yield of a given plot. It then automatically generates and distributes simple irrigation advice by SMS to farmers' mobile phones.

ICT and the BPO Industry in Kenya

Business Process Outsourcing is an emerging industry in Africa. This film looks at the various issues and opportunities facing the BPO sector in Kenya from the perspectives of one of Kenya's BPO CEO and three young women entrepreneurs who created a BPO start-up. A pressing challenge affecting the competitiveness of Africa's BPO companies is the cost of high speed connectivity.

The World Bank's US$424 million Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (RCIP) aims to address this issue by extending access to affordable high speed connectivity to as many as 25 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.

exZeed BPO - Accra, Ghana

exZeed is a BPO provider based in Accra, Ghana. They provide the following services:

INBOUND SERVICES
o Help Desk
o Order Taking
o Faxed & Mail-In Orders
o Directory Assistance Service (DAS)

OUTBOUND SERVICES
o Marketing & Sales
o Surveys
o Market Research
o Customer Service

WSJ has an article about investors flocking to Africa to acquire Telecoms.

Telecom Players Focus on Africa

Deal-Making Flurry
Shows the Desire
To Tap Into Growth

By ROBB M. STEWART
June 5, 2008; Page B5

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Amid a global scramble for new subscribers, telecommunications operators and investors are taking a sudden shine to a place with lots of potential customers: Africa.

In the latest show of interest, private-equity firms Apax Partners Worldwide LLP, Madison Dearborn Partners LLC and TA Associates Inc. agreed to buy a €1.1 billion ($1.7 billion) stake in Weather Investments, a holding company owned by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris. Among other assets, Weather holds a controlling stake in Orascom Telecom Holding SAE, one of the biggest telecom outfits in subscriber terms in Africa and the Middle East.

That continued a flurry of deal-making. On Monday, news broke that South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale is leading a consortium, including U.S. hedge fund Och-Ziff Capital Management LLC, exploring an acquisition of Telkom SA Ltd., the continent's largest fixed-line operator in terms of subscribers and revenue. The same day, Vodafone Group PLC, the world's largest mobile operator in revenue terms, said it wanted to boost its stake in a joint mobile-phone venture with Telkom. Last month, an Indian suitor walked away from merger talks with Africa's largest mobile carrier, MTN Group Ltd., only to be replaced by another Indian company.

Read More


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Pan African Capital Group

Pan African Capital Group

Pan African Capital Group, LLC provides investment banking services to the African markets. Building on a core of business that leverages its relationships with a number of key companies in Africa, we provide advice and capital to increase our partners’ ability to compete on a global basis and build markets for their products and services. In particular, Pan African Capital Group targets opportunities in the financial services, telecommunications and manufacturing.

AfriCap - Microfinance fund

AfriCap is a landmark fund. Established in 2001 AfriCap is a Mauritian based investment company operating out of Johannesburg and investing solely in Microfinance and microfinance related industries throughout Africa. Using a combination of developmental and private investors, AfriCap generates both financial and social returns through investing in institutions committed to serving low-income communities without access to conventional banking services.

AfriCap currently has 10 investments across 11 countries in equity and quasi equity instruments and maintains the role of active minority investor by providing governance, management advice and technical assistance. In 2007 AfriCap closed a second round of funding; raising its capital to $50 million and reconstituting as a permanent capital investment company - AfriCap Microfinance Investment Company.