Monday, November 15, 2010

Kenyan TV commercials

One of those things I could wish for is access to a site or sites that would have this great collection of TV commercials ever aired on Kenyan TV. In mind this would have commercials aired in the 1980s when Kenya had the only TV station that was State owned-the Voice of Kenya (VoK). Growing up in the 1970s I still recall with nostalgia the black-and-white commercials while growing up in the suburbs of Nairobi such advertisements such as Blueband, Kimbo, Omo, Cowboy, Lifebuoy, Rexona, Lady Gay among others.

The 1970s were the days TV station came on at 6 p.m. and closed 3 hours later on at 9 p.m. with the mandatory national anthem playing.

The 1980s saw the shift to more interesting advertisements and programmes such as the “The Six Million Dollar Man”, “The Little House on the Prairie”, “Dallas”, “Bionic Woman”, “Hart and Hart”, “Kojak” and “Dempsey”.

Anyone out there who can take the challenge of sourcing some of these commercials from 1970s to 2010 and having them all in one website where they can be downloaded for the walk down the memory lane?

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Africa Internet Facebook Usage

Africa, the second largest continent on earth after Asia, with an estimated human population of 1,013,779,050 in 2010; has a total of 110,948,420 Internet users in as at 31/10, a 10.9% penetration rate. Interestingly, 17,607,440 of these approximately 111 million African Internet users are Facebook users as at August 31/10, a 1.7% penetration rate.
As can be seen from the table below, statistics can be quite revealing, depending on how you want to look at the data.
Country Population (2010 est.) Internet Users (Dec/2000) Internet Users (Aug/2010) Penetration (% of Population) User Growth (2000-2010) % Users in Africa
Western Sahara 491,519 --- --- --- --- 0.00%
Mayotte (FR) 231,139 --- --- --- --- 0.00%
Seychelles 88,340 6,000 33,900 38.40% 465.00% 0.00%
Reunion (FR) 822,986 130,000 300,000 36.50% 130.80% 0.30%
Tunisia 10,589,025 100,000 3,600,000 34.00% 3500.00% 3.20%
Morocco 31,627,428 100,000 10,442,500 33.00% 10342.50% 9.40%
Cape Verde 508,659 8,000 150,000 29.50% 1775.00% 0.10%
Nigeria 152,217,341 200,000 43,982,200 28.90% 21891.10% 39.60%
Mauritius 1,294,104 87,000 290,000 22.40% 233.30% 0.30%
Egypt 80,471,869 450,000 17,060,000 21.20% 3691.10% 15.40%
Sao Tome & Principe 175,808 6,500 26,700 15.20% 310.80% 0.00%
Algeria 34,586,184 50,000 4,700,000 13.60% 9300.00% 4.30%
Zimbabwe 11,651,858 50,000 1,422,000 12.20% 2744.00% 1.30%
South Africa 49,109,107 2,400,000 5,300,000 10.80% 120.80% 4.80%
Saint Helena (UK) 7,670 n/a 800 10.40% n/a 0.00%
Kenya 40,046,566 200,000 3,995,500 10.00% 1897.80% 3.60%
Sudan 41,980,182 30,000 4,200,000 10.00% 13900.00% 3.80%
Uganda 33,398,682 40,000 3,200,000 9.60% 7900.00% 2.90%
Gambia 1,824,158 4,000 130,100 7.10% 3152.50% 0.10%
Zambia 12,056,923 20,000 816,700 6.80% 3983.50% 0.70%
Senegal 14,086,103 40,000 923,000 6.60% 2207.50% 0.80%
Swaziland 1,354,051 10,000 90,000 6.60% 800.00% 0.10%
Gabon 1,545,255 15,000 98,800 6.40% 558.70% 0.10%
Namibia 2,128,471 30,000 127,500 6.00% 325.00% 0.10%
Botswana 2,029,307 15,000 120,000 5.90% 700.00% 0.10%
Congo 4,125,916 500 245,200 5.90% 48940.00% 0.20%
Togo 6,199,841 100,000 356,300 5.70% 256.30% 0.30%
Libya 6,461,454 10,000 353,900 5.50% 3439.00% 0.30%
Ghana 24,339,838 30,000 1,297,000 5.30% 4223.30% 1.20%
Angola 13,068,161 30,000 607,400 4.60% 1924.70% 0.50%
Cote d'Ivoire 21,058,798 40,000 968,000 4.60% 2320.00% 0.90%
Malawi 15,447,500 15,000 716,400 4.60% 4676.00% 0.60%
Eritrea 5,792,984 5,000 250,000 4.30% 4900.00% 0.20%
Rwanda 11,055,976 5,000 450,000 4.10% 8900.00% 0.40%
Lesotho 1,919,552 4,000 76,800 4.00% 1820.00% 0.10%
Cameroon 19,294,149 20,000 750,000 3.90% 3650.00% 0.70%
Djibouti 740,528 1,400 25,900 3.50% 1750.00% 0.00%
Comoros 773,407 1,500 24,300 3.10% 1520.00% 0.00%
Mozambique 22,061,451 30,000 612,500 2.80% 1941.70% 0.60%
Guinea-Bissau 1,565,126 1,500 37,100 2.40% 2373.30% 0.00%
Mauritania 3,205,060 5,000 75,000 2.30% 1400.00% 0.10%
Benin 9,056,010 15,000 200,000 2.20% 1233.30% 0.20%
Equatorial Guinea 650,702 500 14,400 2.20% 2780.00% 0.00%
Chad 10,543,464 1,000 187,800 1.80% 18680.00% 0.20%
Mali 13,796,354 18,800 250,000 1.80% 1229.80% 0.20%
Tanzania 41,892,895 115,000 676,000 1.60% 487.80% 0.60%
Madagascar 21,281,844 30,000 320,000 1.50% 966.70% 0.30%
Burkina Faso 16,241,811 10,000 178,200 1.10% 1682.00% 0.20%
Somalia 10,112,453 200 106,000 1.00% 52900.00% 0.10%
Guinea 10,324,025 8,000 95,000 0.90% 1087.50% 0.10%
Burundi 9,863,117 3,000 65,000 0.70% 2066.70% 0.10%
Niger 15,878,271 5,000 115,900 0.70% 2218.00% 0.10%
Central African Rep. 4,844,927 1,500 22,600 0.50% 1406.70% 0.00%
Congo, Dem. Rep. 70,916,439 500 365,000 0.50% 72900.00% 0.30%
Ethiopia 88,013,491 10,000 445,400 0.50% 4354.00% 0.40%
Liberia 3,685,076 500 20,000 0.50% 3900.00% 0.00%
Sierra Leone 5,245,695 5,000 14,900 0.30% 198.00% 0.00%
TOTAL AFRICA 1,013,779,050 4,514,400 110,931,700 10.90% 2357.30% 100.00%

As can be seen from the table above, the top 3 countries in Africa in terms of Internet penetration are Seychelles (38.40%), Reunion (36.50%) and Tunisia (34.50%). The African countries with the least Internet penetration are Ethiopia (0.50%), Liberia (o.50%) and Siera Leone (0.30%); countries that have just emerged from a history of long civil war. Looking at member countries that comprise the East African Community in terms of Facebook usage are Kenya-864,760 Facebook users (2.2% penetration rate), Tanzania -141,580 Facebook users (0.3% penetration rate), Uganda-196,000 Facebook users ( 0.6% penetration rate), Rwanda-52,520 Facebook users (0.5% penetration rate) and Burundi-6,740 Facebook users (0.1% penetration rate).

Source: Internet World Stats

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Global and African Internet Usage

According to the latest statistics as as 30 June 2010 by IWS the number of Internet users globally is almost hitting the 2 billion level! To be exact, there were 1,966,514,816 Internet users, representing 28.7% penetration rate of the world’s estimated 6,845,609,960 human beings.

Africa had 110,931,700 Internet users, a 5.6% penetration rate of its estimated 1,013,779,050 total population as at 2010. But worth noting, was the fact that when compared to 2000, when there were only 4,514,400 Internet users, the Internet usage uptake can be described as a phenomenal 2,357.3 % growth rate over the last decade!

But this will likely change even further with the liberalization of the ICT sector especially in a continent where states have always preferred to exert control on the information flow among its citizenry. And as the democratic space widens and African states open up to the global knowledge society, it is hoped that the cost of accessing the Internet bandwidth will come down, allowing for healthy inter-sectoral competition has witnessed in recent weeks in Kenya. Here, the price wars between the major mobile phone service providers such as Safaricom, Zain (now Bhatel), Yu and Orange has seen voice calling rates as low as zero at off-peak to Ksh.1 (USD 0.012) per minute; and broadband access charges at Ksh. 3 (USd 0.036) per MB using 3G platforms. Safaricom is now even testing on the 4G that promises faster access rates and supporting even more applications over the wire than was previously envisaged.

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

East Africa’s fibre link outage, in comes satellite

The past few days were a frustrating experience for users of the Internet in East Africa, particularly in Kenya due to intermittent outages in the fibre optic cable operated by Seacom and The East Africa Marine System (Teams) occasioned by repairs on the SEA-ME-WE 4 cable along the Mediterranean Sea.

This led to major ISPs reverting back to satellite services, recently abandoned in favour of the fibre optic cable, so as to cushion customers against total loss of communication. The satellite connection was the main link for East Africans as attempts were made to repair the fibre cables. This proves that despite its technological inefficiencies, satellite connectivity should and must be retained as a back up system in any economy, particularly for any developing economy at its nascent stages of information technology growth.

And as is becoming the norm in Kenya, cable vandalism has been increasing to such an extent, especially among the major players in the sector.

This has not gone well with the end users who had high expectations that costs of bandwidth would go down considerably, and in turn stimulate growth in other sectors.

The repair work on the SEA-ME-WE 4 cable was completed successfully on 29 April 2010, with the major regional and continentals ISPs, including SEACOM, being migrated .

SEACOM was the first cable to provide broadband to countries in East Africa. Within Africa, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya are inter-connected via a protected ring structure. Additionally, a second express fibre pair is provided from South Africa to Kenya. The two fibre pairs have a combined capacity of 1.28Tbs. Express fibre pairs are also provided from Kenya to France into a PoP in Marseilles, and from Tanzania to India into the PoP in Mumbai. SEACOM has procured fibre capacity from Marseilles to London as part the SEACOM network.

fiber-cables

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Kenya Institute of Education: Coming of age

During the recently held inaugural Regional Education Conference on eLearning (RECE 2010) from 28-30 March 2010, the role that the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) plays in the education sector came to light.

In many ways, KIE has transformed in such tremendous ways that most of us would not begin to understand the modernization and degree of metamorphosis in place.

For starters, KIE has truly embraced ICT and is fast changing the education landscape in the region. This is towards the realization of the Vision 2030, and during the Conference there were ample demonstrations of these new developments in the well equipped and manned labs, with digitalization of  primary and secondary school curriculum. The quality of the DVDs that are quite interactive, and rich in multimedia that are locally produced are simply put, quite innovative. They have covered subjects such as the languages (English and Swahili), sciences and arts that if put to good use, would help transform the way we teach and learn in the education system. The media are very good support tools, not meant to replace the teacher, but rather support the traditional classroom teaching and learning. The only challenges that I foresaw, were inadequate ICT facilities and lack  of power in the rural schools. But conversations with other researchers and CSO indicates that contrary to the norm, rural-based schools appear to have put good investment in ICT infrastructure.   KIE is now selling the DVDs to schools and teachers at Ksh. 3,000 (USD 40) that are being planned to be updateable online in the not so near future, but with revisions to content planned on annual basis. This is bound to be cheaper and faster compared to traditional book print, which as we know from lessons in developing countries, can be costly for such economies.

Of notable interest is the fact that KIE has acquired the terrestrial digital transmission technology, and is actually testing and transmitting its signal within a 100 kilometer, providing the only education content to a potential 1/3 of Kenya’s population. This was only possible with the national fiber optic project,  and is modeled along DSTV’s Mindset and BBC’s Knowledge pure educational channels. From what was said by the KIE, it is the only institution in the region that has this kind of technology in place, with NTV and KTN in the process of purchasing similar studio equipment. Worth noting, is that KIE is now in position to use the fiber optic to transit rich multimedia on the Internet as here lies idle capacity for such.

KIE are also trying to be innovative in generating additional income channels, considering the dwindling budget allocation to them. I was very impressed that KIE has a fully equipped mobile  out broadcasting van, which Multichoice among other media houses occasionally outsource!

This is to me is a fine good example of taxpayers funds being used effectively.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Safaricom now on 4G experimental stage.

Kenya’s biggest mobile phone service provider, Safaricom is now testing 4G under the radar. With Zain now being sold for the 4th (or is it 3rd) time to the Indian mobile phone giants, focus seems to be on Safaricom to lead the market in terms of innovative products and services.

So what is this 4G fuss all about? 4G refers to the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards. It is a successor to 3G and 2G standards. The nomenclature of the generations generally refers to a change in the fundamental nature of the service. The first was the move from analogue (1G) to digital (2G) transmission. This was followed by multi-media support, spread spectrum transmission and at least 200 kbit/s (3G) and now 4G, which refers to all IP packet switched networks, mobile ultra-broadband (gigabit speed) access and multi-carrier transmission. A 4G system is expected to provide a comprehensive and secure all-IP based solution where facilities such as IP telephony, ultra-broadband Internet access, gaming services and streamed multimedia may be provided to users. Now you can guess why government ministers are all of a sudden knowledgeable about BPOs, eLearning, eGovernment etc! A 4G cellular system must have target peak data rates of up to approximately 100 Mbit/s for high mobility such as mobile access and up to approximately 1 Gbit/s for low mobility such as nomadic/local wireless access, according to the ITU requirements. Scalable bandwidths up to at least 40 MHz should be provided (that is more than we will ever ask from the fibre optic operators, if Safaricom maintains the Ksh. 8 per megabit cost rate).

The world's first publicly available 4G service was opened in the two Scandinavian capitals Stockholm and Oslo on the 14 December 2009. Associated with this, the Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e-2005) mobile wireless broadband access (MWBA) standard is sometimes branded 4G, and offers peak data rates of 128 Mbit/s downlink and 56 Mbit/s uplink over 20 MHz wide channels.

Source: Wikipedia

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Testing ‘Digital Pens’ in Hospitals in Tanzania: Lessons for Kenya

Source: http://www.elearning-africa.com/newsportal/english/news213.php

In many hospitals throughout the world, it is still standard practice for doctors and nurses to keep handwritten patient files; this is also the case in Africa. However, these files can easily get lost, and if patient data have to be transferred from one medical institution to another, the files can take a long time to arrive. Digital documents that can be shared and stored easily could go a long way to combating such problems. To help remedy this situation, at the beginning of January 2010, the IT managers of several hospitals in Tanzania began gearing themselves up to test a new ‘digital pen’; one that can convert doctor’s handwriting into a compact, easy-to-archive digital file.

So why a digital pen and not a computer? “Using a computer and a keyboard to enter data could be a solution”, confirms Israel Pascal, technical project officer in Arusha. “Doctors are currently using normal keyboards for data input. But in many cases, doctors are reluctant to use a keyboard because they lack required skills: they type slowly and make frequent errors. It would be much more convenient if their handwriting could just be converted automatically into a digital file. The pen that we will experiment with can do that.”

First Results: End of January 2010

The digital pens are currently being tested at a number of hospitals in Arusha and Mwanza that are owned and managed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church Tanzania (ELCT), a body that manages around fifteen per cent of Tanzania’s national health services. After the first results have arrived from Arusha at the end of January 2010, the pen will be tested at various medical facilities in and around Mwanza. If successful, the hospitals will order more pens.

The Health Management Information System (HMIS) Project

The ‘digital pen test’ is only one aspect of a much wider health initiative in Tanzania called the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) project, which is run by ELCT and supported by the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD). In fact, the ELCT hospitals and those in Mwanza that are taking part in the digital pen test are also part of the HMIS project.

Under this project, an automated HMIS has now been installed in four hospitals. Part of the project also involves developing a generic Tanzanian version of Care2X, an open source HMIS. ELCT programmers are, therefore, cooperating with the University Computer Centre (UCC) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s capital, to adapt the software to Mfumo wa Taarifa za Uendeshaji wa Huduma za Afya (the Swahili name for HMIS) – the government health registration system. Through the HMIS project, hospitals can quickly and easily collect, store and analyse data on patient registration, billing, laboratory tests, pharmaceutical issues, stock-taking, x-rays, and ward management by using digital tools. In addition, the effort also focuses on a wide range of other ICT issues, such as telemedicine.

The Benefits of a Well-Functioning HMIS

Health facility management often suffers from inefficient management practices due to chronic staff shortages, high staff turnover rates and a sub-optimal use of health data. The quality of information from many health facilities, particularly in Tanzania’s rural areas, does not meet the required standards and takes a lot of time for the staff to collect. Fortunately, the country’s ICT structure has now developed to a level where it is realistic to computerise some of the routine processes in hospital management. Through the HMIS project, there has been a marked benefit during the last four years for both hospital staff and patients as a result of digitising hospital data. First of all, the new system provides timely and accurate information, which in turn leads to better healthcare planning and improved hospital diagnoses. Furthermore, an increasing number of patients gain access to better healthcare services. It also boosts hospital finances through better revenue collection, better patient flows and a more efficient use of capacity.

For more information about the IICD-supported eHealth programme in Tanzania, which consists of seven eHealth projects and reaches over 6,000 health workers and hospital managers, contact: Nic Moens, Country Programme Manager for Tanzania at: nmoens@iicd.org or visit http://www.iicd.org/countries/tanzania.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Morgan Stanley predicts rosy future for Safaricom

Source: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000001135&catid=4&a=1

A global financial services firm is forecasting a rosy future for mobile services provider Safaricom over the next two years.

It has also ranked Safaricom stock as "overweight", a rating equivalent to a recommendation to investors to buy the share at this time, because of its value in relation to other stocks.

Morgan Stanley’s analysis is based on several planks, including the easing of price competition in the voice market, and the huge, and growing, demand for money transfer and Internet services in Kenya.

Based on these alone, Morgan Stanley forecast group revenue growth of 22 per cent for Safaricom this year, and a further 16 per cent in 2011, up from its previous estimate of 12 per cent, and 10 per cent, respectively.

“We forecast Safaricom will surpass one million mobile broadband subscribers by 2012," says the report.

The analysis, dated January 13, was not commissioned by Safaricom, but was part of Morgan Stanley’s latest outlook on leading telecommunication firms worldwide.

According to the analysis, Safaricom shares are likely to trade within a band of Sh4.80 to Sh6.40 as new revenue streams initiated by the company begin to have an impact.

While the higher share price of Sh6.40 is only likely during a bull run at the stock market, Safaricom accounts for at least 70 per cent of daily turnover at the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE).

As such, other equity counters tend to view any appreciation of its share price positively, as happened last week, when the share shot past Sh5, sparking recoveries in other key stocks.

The NSE is expected to recover significantly this year, buoyed by the influx foreign investors, a fall in interest rates, and optimism about an economic upturn.

"We could witness a sustained price rally in equities across all counters until May, when companies begin to release their half year results," Mr Fred Mweni, Managing Director of Tsavo Securities, told the Standard, on Sunday.

"Safaricom remains one of the top picks this year, and most global clients are being advised to buy it," he added.

Of particular interest, Morgan Stanley says, M-Pesa could account for up to 12 per cent of revenue for Safaricom by 2011.

"We also think it is interesting that Safaricom is looking at developing a full mobile banking solution, implying more revenue upside to our forecasts," notes Morgan Stanley.

But the investment firm has also drawn up alternative scenarios that could change its forecasts. Among them is Safaricom retaining its dominance, but losing some ground to the competition, with revenues staying flat over the next five years.

In the case of a renewed and extended bear run at the stock market, inflation would mean that lower tariffs would not be offset by sufficiently higher usage, once food prices rise.

In such a scenario, average revenues per user (ARPU) would drop by six per cent this year, and rise by just two per cent in 2011.

Included in the potential risks, are the uncertain political climate created by the divided coalition Government, and the search for a new constitution.

Others are higher selling and marketing costs, due to increased competition in the mobile phone services industry.

Last year, Safaricom paid its first dividend since its listing at the NSE. The report notes that as the firm’s dividend policy becomes clearer, its shares will be more attractive.

Morgan Stanley research estimates that Safaricom can pay a higher dividend in future, even if it has to raise capex (capital expenditure) to support further revenue growth.

The assumptions in this ratings assume that Safaricom retains its 80 per cent market share, and raises its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) above 50 per cent. This is as new competition proves ineffective.

But the game changer for Safaricom is M-Pesa, the money transfer service, with a fast-growing base, that the report notes "is gaining critical base".

The forecast is for 70 per cent of the firm’s subscribers to be registered M-Pesa users by 2013, an enviable base should the firm opt for full mobile banking.

On average, M-Pesa users send, or receive, money three times a month, with transactions hitting Sh23 billion in September last year, says the report.

Average transaction per user would increase to at least four times a month by 2011, which will in term boost ARPU.

And with the number of M-Pesa subscribers fast approaching a figure equivalent to the total bank accounts in the country, Safaricom is now in prime position to offer a full banking product.

The strengths of M-Pesa — it allows users to deposit, withdraw and transfer cash, pay remittances and bills, and is a safe haven for their money — makes it a strong brand that would give established banks a run for their money, notes the report.

Mobile phone market set for greater heights

Source: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000001228&catid=457&a=1

East African mobile communication markets are poised for more growth driven by cheaper handsets and network investments, a new study says.

An analysis from Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company says Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda markets earned revenues of Sh197 billion ($2.62 billion) in 2008, and estimates this to reach Sh679 billion ($9.03 billion) in 2015.

Kenya enjoyed the highest number of active subscribers and revenues among the four countries. Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda are, however, likely to witness significant growth over the next seven years due to increasing network investments, continuing product innovation and reduced handset costs, according to the US firm.

Technologies covered in the just released markets study are code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) and wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA).

"The key drivers in these markets include strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates, increasing demand for mobile money transfer services and declining handset costs," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Jiaqi Sun.

East African consumers, he adds, are spending more on mobile communications due to the low fixed-line network coverage, underdeveloped banking systems and limited availability of inexpensive handsets. Sun says there are 37.6 million mobile subscribers in East Africa, at a penetration rate of 30.8 per cent. The number of subscribers, according to the analysis, is expected to reach 99.5 million in 2015, at a compound annual growth rate of 14.9 per cent.

"The undersea cables are anticipated to reduce the cost of telecommunications by 60 per cent over the next seven years. This will boost demand for mobile Internet access," Sun says in the Analysis.

However, there are challenges faced by the market participants such as high tax rates on mobile services, lack of network rollout in rural areas and low demand for data services.

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