[UgaBYTES] WEEKLY NEWS ROUND UP-AFRICA (WEEK 40)

[Mwathi Francis]

*Starcomms lifts telecentre operators in Nigeria with solar chargers*

30th September 2009

Fourth largest telecommunications network, Starcomms Plc, has lifted
telecentre operators with solar chargers. The solar battery charger is a
portable device that is easy to use and environment friendly, competing
effectively with regular source of power. This, the operator said results
into the solar devices which could be exposed to daylight.  Through clear
medium, the solar power battery charger converts the sun rays into low
voltage DC electricity, providing power that could be stored or used.
Speaking on chief executive officer, Starcomms Mr. Maher Qubain said that by
providing these solar chargers to some telecentre operators, their
experience concerning power cut in the country would change.



"I have always tried to empathize with these Telecenter operators each time
there is a power cut in my office or home for hours. I always wondered how
these low scale entrepreneurs cope. At Starcomms we always look for the best
way to solve problems so that business can move forward for us and those
working with us. So we came up with this solar charger solution for our
associates," he said.

http://www.champion.com.ng/index.php?news=19577



*Shs6b for digital syllabus in Uganda*

28th September 2009

The Ministry of Education and Sports is to spend Shs 6billion on digitizing
the O’level science and mathematics syllabi. Mr Humphrey Mukooyo, the
coordinator of the project, says the money will be used to buy copies of the
digitized syllabus, computers, projectors and screens as well as installing
solar power in some rural schools.  The project started three years ago and
already runs in 200 schools nationwide. About the same amount of money has
already been spent on the first phase. Termed Digital Science, it involves
animating pictures/images in science experiments to make them appear the
same way the actual systems operate.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/jobs/Shs6b_for_digital_syllabus_91985.shtml



*South Africa’s Communications Minister concerned at low number of students
taking ICT courses*

29th September 2009

Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda on Tuesday expressed concern at the
low number of university students taking Information Communication
Technology (ICT) courses. "The low percentage of learners matriculating with
mathematics and physical science subjects at higher grade limits the number
of students taking university ICT courses," the minister said.  He said
research showed that ICT related skills curricula for first degrees at
higher institutions found that universities recorded a decline in the number
of students enrolling for ICT related degrees since 2002, and hence a
decline in the number qualifying students since 2005.

http://www.buanews.gov.za/news/09/09092916051001

* *

*Splash Mobile launches payment service in Sierra Leone*

2nd October 2009

Sierra Leone-based mobile payment system provider Splash Mobile Money and
mobile transactions provider MoreMagic Solutions have announced the
country's first mobile money transfer system, enabled by MoreMagic
Solutions' MWallet platform, and designed for African markets. Splash
customers in Sierra Leone can now send money using just the mobile phone,
without any requirement to have a bank account.

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=694503



*New software for small firms hits the market in Kenya*

2nd October 2009

A computer programme that integrates business functions in small and
medium-sized businesses has been launched in the local market. The
enterprise resource planning software, launched by BlueKenya, is ideal for
firms in manufacturing, distribution and consultancy. "The software helps
companies analyse data needed to make decisions relating to customer
relations, sales, procurement, finance and recruitment," said Ms Mala Bhatt,
BlueKenya managing director.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144025437&cid=14&j=&m=&d=


















-- 
Enter our Photo contest for your chance to win recognition and prizes from
telecentre.org
For more info, please check www.telecentre.org


Francis Mwathi
Support Community Facilitator
UgaBYTES Initiatives (www.ugabytes.org)
Telecentr.org (www.telecentrecommunity.ning.com)
Tel: +256 414 370163
Mob: +256 783 010269
Skype: francis.mwathi
E-Mail: mfrancis at ugabytes.org