Internet

Airtel Networks Zambia Plc and Zambia Industrial Commercial Bank partner to provide SMEs with 4G and 5G Internet devices, boosting efficiency and market access. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Airtel Networks Zambia Plc and Zambia Industrial Commercial Bank (ZICB) have entered into a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance digital connectivity for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Zambia

This collaboration will provide ZICB’s SME customers with 4G and 5G Internet devices, boosting their operational efficiency and market reach.

Enhancing SME internet connectivity

According to the MoU, ZICB’s SME clients will receive complimentary advanced 4G and 5G Internet service devices (routers) from Airtel. These clients must subscribe to monthly bundles for these devices and enroll in the Bank’s online banking service.

As Zambia's internet penetration is projected to rise from 31.2% in early 2024 to 43.44% by the end of the year, this initiative comes at a crucial time. Efforts by the government and private sector to build 520 communication towers aim to achieve 96% phone and internet coverage by late 2025 or early 2026. Additionally, the government announced plans in February 2024 to construct 60 4G mobile towers and digital centers offering free internet services in rural areas, further supporting connectivity.

ZICB acting chief executive officer Louis Kabula stated, “Through various collaborations and partnerships, ZICB has developed a comprehensive digital banking platform that promotes capital management efficiency and business convenience for our clients. By working together, we will create an environment where SMEs can thrive, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the national economy. In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the team at Airtel Business for their unwavering support and commitment to this partnership.”

Lindiwe Banda, business director at Airtel remarked that the partnership will facilitate easy access to Internet banking services for SMEs banking with ZICB, whether from their business premises or homes. Banda further explained that SMEs will receive Airtel devices at no cost, only needing to activate monthly bundles through a contract. “What is important to note is that the Airtel devices will come at no cost to the SME as they will only need to sign a contract of activating monthly bundles thus empowering the businesses and making it easy for them to do any online invoicing and keep record of their transactions,” she stated.

The objective is to provide SMEs with reliable and high-speed internet access through Airtel devices, enhancing their efficiency, expanding their market access, and improving their competitiveness.

The Hubs will provide small businesses with e-commerce training materials and resources, as well as in-person coaching and training sessions, so they can overcome challenges to selling online. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Strathmore University Business School and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have partnered to establish a Small Business Development Centre Digital Trade Hub in Kenya

This initiative aims to equip small businesses with essential e-commerce skills, tools, and knowledge to expand their market reach and opportunities. The partnership is geared towards fostering economic growth, job creation, and regional market expansion.

The Hubs will offer small businesses e-commerce training materials, resources, and personalised coaching sessions to help them overcome online selling challenges. Strathmore University Business School, through the Kenya Small Business Development Centres (SBDC), is providing advisory services, training, and facilitating access to markets and finance in six counties: Mombasa, Nakuru, Kiambu, Kisumu, Makueni, and Isiolo, supported by USAID funding.

An established partnership

In addition to these services, ITC is delivering a tailored e-commerce learning programme, technical assistance, and digital tools to empower small businesses in navigating online sales hurdles. This collaboration is part of ITC’s Digital Moonshot and the European Union-funded East African Community Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II).

The memorandum of understanding signed on March 13, 2024, between Strathmore University Business School and ITC aims to establish Digital Trade Hubs across the six Kenyan counties. This effort will engage other key e-commerce stakeholders to create an enabling environment for sustainable business growth, particularly for small enterprises.

Redington partners with Vertiv to empower African channel partners, leveraging Vertiv's critical infrastructure technology & Redington's extensive market reach. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Redington, a leading technology aggregator and innovation powerhouse across emerging markets, has announced a strategic distribution partnership with Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions 

This collaboration aims to empower channel partners across Africa to leverage the transformative potential of Vertiv’s technology and expand its reseller network.

The partnership capitalises on Redington's established presence and expertise in emerging markets, particularly in data center transformation and artificial intelligence (AI), alongside Vertiv's industry-leading power and cooling technology, resources, and over 50 years of experience in critical infrastructure services. This powerful combination will unlock new opportunities for Vertiv to extend its reach within the regional channel market. The distributor’s comprehensive reach across Africa, coupled with its strong in-house services team, will provide additional value to Vertiv's local channel partners and end users.

The partnership encompasses Vertiv's entire Integrated Solutions portfolio and IT channel product stack across Africa. This comprehensive offering enables Redington to deliver a complete suite of Vertiv's cutting-edge solutions to its extensive network of channel partners and end users.

"As Vertiv continues to expand its footprint across Africa, this strategic partnership with Redington marks a significant milestone in our journey," said Wojtek Piorko, managing director for Africa at Vertiv. "Africa is a critical region for Vertiv as a business, and we look forward to supporting local customers in meeting their efficiency, scalability and sustainability goals into the future, together with Redington."

“At Redington, we're constantly seeking strategic partnerships that fuel innovation and drive growth across Africa,” said Dharshana Kosgalage, executive vice-president, technology solutions group, Redington Middle East and Africa. “Our collaboration with Vertiv exemplifies this commitment. Vertiv’s industry-leading technology perfectly complements our extensive reach, creating a powerful value proposition for businesses across the continent. We're confident this alliance will catalyse Africa's digital revolution."

The distributor will hold specialized training and partner empowerment sessions to enable its channel network to effectively deliver Vertiv’s portfolio, as well as carefully managing inventory to serve the market without delays and designing solutions to meet customers’ specific requirements alongside partners.

Hotspot Network Limited and NIGCOMSAT partner to deploy cutting-edge satellite technology, bridging the digital divide in Nigeria's rural areas. (Image source: NIGCOMSAT)

Hotspot Network Limited, a leading technology company specialising in rural connectivity solutions, has announced a partnership with NIGCOMSAT Limited, Nigeria’s premier provider of satellite infrastructure

The strategic collaboration aims to deploy advanced satellite technology and innovative connectivity solutions to remote and rural areas that have traditionally lacked internet access.

Under the agreement, Hotspot and NIGCOMSAT will leverage their respective strengths to deploy advanced satellite technology and innovative connectivity solutions to connect remote and rural areas that have traditionally lacked internet access.

By combining Hotspot’s expertise in rural connectivity with NIGCOMSAT’s extensive satellite infrastructure, this partnership will enable communities to bridge the digital divide and unlock new opportunities for socioeconomic development.

Hotspot’s CEO, Morenikeji Aniye, expressed, “We are thrilled to work alongside NIGCOMSAT in this endeavor. At Hotspot, connecting the millions of unconnected people remains a cardinal objective of our mission.

“By combining our expertise and resources, we will be able to deploy innovative solutions that bring reliable and affordable internet access to rural communities, empowering them to participate fully in the digital economy and access essential services,” Aniye said.

The agreement, signed at Hotspot, is part of Hotspot’s ongoing commitment to enhancing connectivity throughout Nigeria.

Hotspot Network Limited is a comprehensive provider for all networking and telecommunications needs, dedicated to bringing innovative solutions to rural communities.

Bridging digital divide

This rural connectivity project, in partnership with the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), targets numerous rural communities across Nigeria with services delivered via the NigComSat-1R Ka-Band platform.

“At NIGCOMSAT, we are committed to leveraging our technological capabilities to drive digital transformation and improve the lives of Nigerians, especially those in underserved regions,” said Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, managing director and CEO of NIGCOMSAT Limited.

“This collaboration with Hotspot highlights our unwavering dedication to connect the unconnected and ensure that no community is left behind in the digital age.”

The rural connectivity project is also in partnership with the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), targeting numerous rural communities across Nigeria with services delivered via the NigComSat-1R Ka-Band platform.

The joint initiative between Hotspot and NIGCOMSAT will commence immediately, with plans to roll out the first phase of the project in select rural areas within the next six months.

Under the visionary leadership of minister Dr Bosun Tijani, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are spearheading a series of initiatives to expand rural connectivity, promote digital inclusion, and drive job creation in the country’s thriving digital economy.

Dr Tijani’s strategic direction is guiding the collaborative efforts between the USPF and the ministry to achieve these objectives. The USPF, with the support of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, is playing a vital role in channeling resources to fund projects that extend telecommunication services to rural and underserved areas.

By investing in infrastructure development and technology deployment, the USPF is facilitating the expansion of connectivity, unlocking economic opportunities, and improving livelihoods in remote communities.

These efforts align with Dr Tijani’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and harnessing the power of technology to drive economic growth and social progress.

This partnership is poised to have a transformative impact on Nigeria’s digital landscape, promoting inclusivity, and empowering rural communities to fully participate in the country’s digital economy.

Previously, he announced significant progress in discussions with Development Finance Institutions to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) aimed at expanding the nation’s fiber optic network by 90,000 kilometers.

The project will boost Nigeria’s existing fiber optic cable infrastructure from 35,000 km to 125,000 km, making it the third-longest terrestrial fiber optic backbone in Africa, behind South Africa and Egypt.