Huawei Records High Sales in the Kenyan Market

 By Dan Muhuni
Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider has reported strong IDEOS mobile phone sales of 130,000 units in the Kenyan market since its launch in September last year. 

 

Huawei Devices whose new slogan is “let’s simply share” was the first company to introduce the most affordable Smart Phone in the Kenyan market- IDEOS. According to market research, there has been an increase in smart phones sales in the past one year in Kenya as a result of increased demand by mobile phone users seeking more from their mobile phones. 

 

Commenting on the sales Huawei CEO, Herman He said, “The phenomenal sales witnessed are as a result of intensive marketing campaign on the multimedia offering that comes with a Smart Phone. The rapid technological changes and increased mobile internet use across the globe has also led to the high demand and uptake for Smart Phones. Through this Huawei has ensured that everyone has access to smart phones at a reasonable price while ensuring they are user friendly.”

 

In order to leverage on this trend, Huawei in Kenya has set aside a marketing budget of Kshs. 100 million for 2012.  “We will be introducing the Huawei Vision, Huawei Honour and the Media pad, which are expected to rake in more revenue for the company. “  Mr. He concluded.

IBM Dominates Kenya's Banking Sector

By Dan Muhuni

World ICT leader IBM has announced details of five strategic agreements in the Kenyan financial services sector as banks  across Africa turn to advanced technologies to support rapid growth, increase profitability and launch innovative new services such as mobile and internet banking.

Over the last six months, IBM has signed contracts with five of Kenya’s leading banks: Credit Bank, Co-operative Bank, Family Bank, National Bank of Kenya and National Industrial Credit (NIC) Bank. The agreements are amongst more than 20 similar deals that IBM has signed with banks across
Africa in 2011 in line with the rapid growth of the financial services sector and as technology enables a wave of innovation in African banking.
IBM is also working with Africa’s leading telco providers to help provide mobile-phone based money transfer services. For example, through its partnership with Vodafone, IBM is helping Safaricom to provide its M-PESA mobile money services to over 15 million customers in East Africa.

“Africa is currently experiencing strong uptake in banking services in line with the growth of the continent’s middle class and the adoption of mobile and internet banking,” said Anthony Mwai, County General Manager, IBM East Africa. “Advanced technologies are helping to drive a wave of innovation
across the African financial services sector as banks create new and accessible banking channels and take banking services to previously unbanked parts of society.”

TONY MWAI IBM COUNTRY GM

According to analysts Africa’s financial services sector is currently worth over $100 billion and will continue to grow double digit to 2020, outpacing gross Africa’s domestic product growth.  Retail banking is currently the fastest growing segment predicted to grow at 18 per cent between 2009 and 2020 as demand for deposit accounts and sophisticated products jumps amid urbanization.

1.Smarter Banking
In two of the largest IT deals in the East African banking sector to date, Co-operative Bank of Kenya and National Bank of Kenya have signed multi-million dollar agreements with IBM to support their aggressive expansion strategies and increase profitability.

IBM supplied Co-Operative Bank with Power Systems as well as storage and software as part of a major overhaul of the bank’s systems.

“Our strength lies in the transformative influence we have had in the lives of over nine million Kenyans who depend on the co-operative movement for banking services.  Our investment in IT has helped us achieve our goal to launch a diverse array of innovative, new banking services and reach new
parts of society,” said Gideon Muriuki, Co-operative Bank's Managing Director.

In its agreement with the National Bank of Kenya, IBM is providing IT services, hardware and software as the bank delivers on program of business transformation.

“As we continue our transformation into a privately-owned company, we are constantly seeking means to make us leaner and more efficient,” said Reuben
Marambii, Managing Director of National Bank of Kenya. “With advanced technologies and virtualization tools, IBM is helping us to optimize our resources and provide a wider range of services to our rapidly growing client base.”

Market Expansion
Family Bank, one of Kenya’s fastest growing financial institutions, and IBM signed an agreement to support the bank’s drive to reach new markets and launch new products and services.

The bank’s regional expansion plan, alongside its introduction of new services such as mobile banking and mortgage facilities, has led the firm to transform its IT systems ahead of a planned listing on the Nairobi Stock Exchange in 2012.

IBM has also signed agreements with Credit Bank and National Industrial Credit (NIC) bank as locally owned banks leverage world-class technologies to transform their businesses.

Credit Bank has turned to IBM for a new core banking system to allow the bank to rethink business processes and improve operational efficiency. Under the terms of the agreement, IBM will provide hardware, software as mwell as consultancy and services for the implementation, integration and
maintenance of the new system.

In line with its continued growth in the region, National Industrial Credit (NIC) Bank selected IBM technologies to help streamline the bank’s core banking processes and integrate its existing IT solutions to drive operational efficiencies and improve customer service.

IBM's Momentum in Africa
IBM is actively expanding its operations across Africa as part of the company's continued geographic expansion initiative to increase its presence in key growth markets and support its global growth strategy. Over the last year, IBM has closed a number of pivotal deals in the region as clients in the financial, government, telecommunications, oil and gas sectors seek solutions to help them optimize their operational costs and support business expansion strategies. Earlier this year, IBM announced details of other major banking deals with the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and the National Microfinance Bank of Tanzania.

"Internet and mobile connectivity has become both more plentiful and a great deal cheaper over the last five years across Africa," said Russell Southwood, CEO at Balancing Act, an Africa-based consultancy and research company. “This allows African banks to focus on high-end products and services using the latest technologies to launch new banking channels.
Banks are also using technology to better connect branch networks especially in rural areas which are seeing some of the highest levels of growth.”
To drive demand for its services and solutions in Africa, IBM has opened over 20 offices across Africa in the last three years including those in Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt,
Tunisia and Algeria.

Yu launches new Yu Mobile Radio

 By Dan Muhuni & Agencies

yuMobile Country Manager Madhur Taneja

As Kenyans gear up for the festive season, mobile service provider yuMobile is offering its subscribers a new service that will make the festive break even more entertaining.
The company has today launched yuMobile radio – a service that will allow subscribers to download music of their choice, create playlists, browse and send dedications to their friends, families and loved ones.

While announcing the new service, yuMobile Country Manager Madhur Taneja said:

“Music has the power to bring people together and we are proud to play a part in being able to now bring it into people’s lives in new and exciting ways.  Our desire and brand promise is to give our customers a memorable brand experience through value added propositions that  are more innovative, fun and most affordable.”
The service is not dependent on any special features on handsets since it can be accessed by making a simple voice call from any yuMobile number. It makes the subscriber’s favorite music available to them anytime, anywhere, even in places without FM transmission.
To access yuMobile radio, subscribers need to dial 4444, upon which they will follow simple steps on how to get going. Access to the service is charged at Sh1/minute with dedications and downloads attracting a Sh20 charge per dedication/download.

787 Dreamliner Arrives in Nairobi on First Leg of World Tour

TV area inside the dreamliner

By Dan Muhuni
The much hyped Kenya Airways  Dreamliner touched down in Kenya’s capital today to kick off the Africa portion of Boeing’s 787 Dream Tour – a six-month worldwide tour featuring the Dreamliner. This is the first time the Dreamliner has visited the African continent.

The Dream Tour airplane will be in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya and home to Kenya Airways. During the its stay, Kenya Airways executives and employees, government officials, and other guests will have a chance to view the airplane, including the interior.

“Aviation throughout Africa continues to grow at a pace faster than the world average and it is airplanes like the game-changing 787, and airlines like Kenya Airways, that will help spur that growth,” said Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Africa, Latin America & Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787 is the perfect airplane to carry Africa into the future of aviation due to its low operating costs, size, and range. Boeing is very pleased we are able to showcase this airplane to the customers who put their faith in Boeing and the cutting-edge technology of this airplane.”

The airplane, ZA003, was originally used for flight testing but has been elegantly refurbished to showcase the standard capabilities and features of the 787 including an interior that highlights the many passenger-preferred features of the airplane.

“Kenya Airways will be among the first airline in Africa to operate this great new flying machine,” said Titus Naikuni, CEO Kenya Airways. “Kenya Airways is very pleased to welcome the Dreamliner to Nairobi. Being able to see firsthand the many benefits the airplane promises to bring like the biggest windows in the industry, spacious cabin, LED-lighting, and other interior features was a great experience when the airplane arrived. Our valued passengers will also soon be able to see and experience the many benefits of this technological marvel.”

Made from composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public. As a result of innovative technologies, the airplane offers unparalleled operating economics, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. More than 800 787s are on order by more than 50 airlines, a testament to the airplane's unique capabilities.

Farmer's Christmas in Kenya comes early as Sidai Africa unveils livestock service network

By Dan Muhuni
(danielmuhuni@yahoo.com)

Farmers in Kenya will have something to smile about this Christmas as a newly established social enterprise, Sidai Africa unveil plans to roll out full scale livestock service centers across the country.
The ultra modern centers will offer a one stop shop of veterinary services and quality products to livestock farmers , through a strategy that will promote preventive herd and flock health care in different parts of Kenya, including the marinalised Arid and Semi Arid lands.
Speaking during the launch in a Nairobi hotel, Sidai Managing Director Mr Anthony Wainaina said the company has so far rolled out 16 Sidai franchises in North Rift, North Eastern province, Kaiado and Narok in the aim of populising the company among the Kenyans.
"Through these franchises, we are not only creating a link for small scale farmers but going the extra mile by offering other quality extension services necessary to raise healthy and productive livestock", he said.
The sidai model seeks to tranform livestock farming, by giving farmers more interactive platform, access to competitive priced quality inputs and appropriate business linkages.

Sidai Africa Limited Managing Director Anthony Wainaina (left) and Kenya
Livestock Producers Association CEO Patrick Kimani compare notes during the
Sidai Africa unveiling of plans to roll out full-scale ultra-modern
livestock centers across Kenya at Laico Regency

Wainaina added that the Sidai model seeks to create a supportive framework that will make livestock farming a rewarding venture. "Small scale farmers contribute significantly within the daily sector alone, their productions collectively account for more than 85% of milk deliveries to processors". added Wainaina.
Speaking at the launch, Patrick Maina, Chief executive of the Kenya Livestock Producers Association said that local farmers stood to gain immensely from the structured and streamlined services. With the entry of Sidai Africa, we are confident that farmers country wide will now gain immensely in practical terms", he said.
Sidai targets to open up 150 livestock service centers by 2015, with an initial focus on areas that have traditionally failed to attract professional veterinary extension services.
These centers, which will operate as Sidai franchises, will create a strong support system that ultimately enables farmers to increase their yields and gain better returns.
Mr Kawithia, a small scale farmer in Uthiru says that if indeed Sidai keeps the promise then achieving millennium development goals will be a reality. Kawithia adds that Kenyan farmers have been subjected to quarks who claim to be Agricultural extension officers, veterinary doctors who ends up frustrating the farmers.