[UgaBYTES] WEEKLY NEWS ROUND UP- AFRICA (WEEK 8)

[Mwathi Francis]

Web resource for farming data launched
25th February 2010
A one-stop online resource for national statistics on agriculture was
launched in Dar es Salaam yesterday. The National Bureau of Statics
(NBS) partnered with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to
establish the website. Through the initiative, it will now be easy for
researchers and other information seekers to access vital data,
especially on agriculture and food, on the website
www.countrySTAT.org.
http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/newe.php?id=17507

Africa urged to develop ICT facilities
25th February 2010
Many countries in Africa will continue to lag behind in the use of
information and communication technology if they do not upgrade their
communication infrastructure, an expert has warned. Alfred Marisa, the
deputy director of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory
Authority of Zimbabwe, said most countries in the region were still
using outdated equipment and lack skilled human resources. “Technology
is changing fast, but the telecommunications infrastructure in most
African states is outdated. “Many of us are still using obsolete
analogue technology that is only suitable for the museum,” Marisa
said.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/220/711138

Zain Launches International PrePay Top-Up Service
23rd February 2010
Zain has unveiled an International Airtime top up service that will
enable people living in Europe, USA, and Canada to purchase Zain
airtime for friends and family living in countries where Zain
operates. The new service is now live 'to Kenya' with further
roll-outs to Uganda and Tanzania, and other countries planned over the
coming months.
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/42096.php

Google maps Nigeria
24th February 2010
Google has announced the launch of Google maps for Nigeria. This was
announced on the first day of the just concluded G-Nigeria event in
Lagos. The Map held locations and addresses of banks, hospitals,
schools, government offices, stadiums and even bus routes! Terrain
level and other demographic features were highlighted. The Google team
also encouraged locals to contribute to the service.
http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=5455&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+itnewsafrica+%28ITNewsAfrica.com%29

Africa´s offer to the crazy mobile world
23rd February 2010
On Monday last week, Nokia made what it deemed a grand announcement –
that in another 90 days or so, it would start a mobile money transfer
service using its Nokia mobile gadgets. Nokia money, as it is called
has already been under a pilot project in Pune, one of India´s largest
cities of more than six million inhabitants. The ´success´ of the
pilot project is nudging Nokia on further afield where, according to
Nokia´s estimates, 1.1 billion people using its handsets will offer a
vast possibility of customers most of who are in the lesser versatile
markets like Africa, Asia and Latin America.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Business%20Power/-/688616/866896/-/l3cw84/-/index.html



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