Kenyan company rolls out a social media monitoring software

You will soon be able to track your social media effectiveness

Kenya-based new media company African Laughter has launched a social media monitoring phone app to help politicians and business people to monitor their reputations online.

 Named Track-All, the app is capable of delivering every media and social media mention on any subject as real-time alerts to the phone.

The app was developed in eight months at a cost of approximately KSh5 million. It analyses mentions on social networking platforms including Facebook and Twitter for ‘sentiment’, alerting users on positive or negative posts. It can also show social media users who comment most on a post and the top keywords.

"With this phone app, we've opened media monitoring directly to all who need it, made it effortless, and built software that analyses what's being said for its impact,” Jenny Luesby, African Laughter’s managing director, said in a statement.

The app is designed for political, issue-based and public opinion research although, according to African Laughter, it bears a different format for corporate reputation and PR. It is currently being targeted at candidates in the general election scheduled for March next year.

"We've experienced much more interest from ODM candidates than any others,” said Luesby. “In terms of sales and presentations, we're very actively engaged with a range of candidates, but still only a small proportion of all the candidates in the coming election.”

According to the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) in its June 2012 report, there were nearly 6.49 million Internet subscriptions, up from 6.15 million in the previous quarter. This growth was partly attributed to the increasing use of the social media.

With social media becoming a hotbed for political debate, experts say developers and politicians can no longer ignore this mobile and Web technology.

Track-All, developed by the company’s head of IT Dennis Rwito and Appcircus competition winner Isaac Osiemo, will be available with a free 7-day trial and different grades of service, offering from one to five users and one to three searches.

A 6-month license will cost between KSh60,000 and KSh120,000, depending on the levels of analytical features demanded. The packages can be subscribed to using the M-Pesa mobile money service.

http://www.humanipo.com/blog

Kenyan IT gurus to get training from top notch firm

The Kenyan graduates studying IT will undergo free high level SAP certification training, thanks to a three year partnership between the Kenya ICT Board and leading enterprise application software provider SAP.

The training program dubbed “SAP Skills for Africa” is aimed at improving the employability of university graduates. And it will begin in January with the enrolment of about 100 students who will start applying in October.

The Kenya ICT Board Program Manager for Business Process Outsourcing Andrew Lewela said that they will be in charge of the overall management of the programme and will also provide classrooms with necessary computer infrastructure.

He further revealed that IT spending will grow to about 17 percent every year however employment under this sector will be less than 10 percent and this appears to be increasing.

This initiative therefore is set to create an authentic examination that will test for certified software developers. Many institutions have focused on the theoretical side of things and forgotten the actual testing of how to test software and make it secure.

According to the Julisha Report, a national ICT Market survey taken in 2011 by the Kenya ICT Board, about 9,600 professionals are added into the ICT market every year. however,  a third of the company’s surveyed plan to contract external providers because the present supply of skills do not meet business requirements in the sector.  

The report further reveals that the ICT sector directly employs about 27,000 professionals and that software development and project management are the most demanded skills for the 2011-2013 periods and represent the areas with the widest skills gap.

The report also indicated that there is very little visibility on the demand for specific skills, suggesting that greater and closer collaboration is needed between education institutions and businesses to determine the exact mix of skills needed in the market.

To address this issue, SAP Africa CEO Pfungwa Serima revealed that they will provide instructors, training materials and educational systems and that they aim at training at least 500 students for free and get them employed within the next three years.

The SAP Skill for Africa programme aims at ensuring that each and every university graduate is equipped with the skills necessary to enter the job market and not only gain economic stability and prosperity, but also to be able to plough back into the ecosystem.

http://www.gbc-inc.net/partnersap.htm

Private equity firm seeks KSh100bn assist SME growth.

Fusion capital to assist SMEs in East Africa.

Fusion Capital a local private equity firm, is seeking KSh100 billion in the next five years to increase its funding for Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya and across the East African region.

The private equity fund that finances Small and Medium Enterprises as well as start-ups will be looking to raise this money from private investors in Europe. Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), high network individuals and companies in Kenya to grow its financing for the fast growing SME sector in Kenya.

Luke Kinoti, the Fusion Capital chief executive officer confirmed that this will boost the firm’s funding activities as it targets more upcoming firms in the East African region. The firm already has four branches in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.

This would help the firm in extending its funding to less than 10 per cent interest in the different sectors of the economy. At the moment, the firm has 425 SMEs being financed to a tune of KSh15 billion.

During the Fusion Business Club launch, Mr. Kinoti confirmed that the firm is not only able to provide funding to any SME or start-up that is able to borrow from Sh1 million to Sh300 million but also help in strengthening their management or governance structures.

He further said that the firm is seeking to raise Sh680 million between now and March next year to continue supporting SME operations.

There are about 50,800 small and medium enterprises that each employ between five and 49 workers.

Mr. Kinoti further said that the firm has submitted a proposal to the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) to allow it to be listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) in future.

Speaking at the same function, assistant minister in the Ministry of Industrialization said that the government has put in place incentives like investment certificates that would allow them to recover their investments before they are subjected to tax.

This is the right move at the moment where firms are seeking for funds to aid their growth and expansion. In addition, the Small Enterprises are being recognized as a potential segment for economic development.

Nokia to collect counterfeit phones for recycling.

Nokia will has set up points to collect fake phones.

Nokia has partnered with local mobile service providers and retail outlets to collect and dispose off counterfeit phones, ahead of the planned switch-off of these devices by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK).

The handsets manufacturer has partnered with Safaricom, Airtel, Nakumatt, Naivas, Phonelink, and Tuskys to set up 100 collection points across the country for consumers to dispose of the fake phones.

As the CCK’s planned switch-off fake phones by the end of the month, there has been mounting concerns amongst Kenyan NGO’s, environmental agencies and consumers as to what will happen to the devices once they are discarded.

The number of counterfeit handsets around the country is estimated at over two million, and it is feared that once switched off the handsets might end up in landfills, contributing to the growing e-waste threat in the country.

The truth is that mobile phones contain a number of valuable and useful materials that can be recycled, including precious metals and plastics. In fact, for every one million phones recycled, it is possible to recover nearly 35kg of gold and 350kg of silver, which can be re-used in the production of future electronic goods according to Bruce Howe, General Manager for Nokia East Africa.

Nokia is also working with the Anti-Counterfeits Authority (ACA), National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), as well as local operators to encourage consumers to dispose of these fake handsets in a responsible manner by recycling them.

Your Pick.

CCK has set September 30 as the official deadline for operators to switch off fake mobile phone handsets.

Experts confirm the importance of social media

Business leaders talk about social media potentials.

During a two day seminar on social media in Nairobi, experts, business owners and managers confirmed the importance of social media for business growth. The senior corporate managers had converged at Strathmore University in Nairobi for a two day forum to discuss the importance of social media.

As the world gets subjected to the trends of digitization and globalization, companies were urged to embrace the technological advancements in the ‘information superhighway’.

Echoing on the same, the 2013 Strategy Summit Program leader, Sunny Bindra talked on the importance of this new development saying that it is changing the world and revolutionizing the way we market as he urged companies to get more socially interactive. He added that every company is thinking of the best way to increase its product image how it can benefit economically and enjoy popularity for its services.

Addressing delegates on Tuesday at Strathmore University, Bindra suggested that companies need to make use of platforms offered by social media.

He said that social media has a lot of potential where companies and their employees can tap to market their products and services, interact with customers as well as popularize their products/services.

He called on government parastatals and ministries to make use of social media in promoting transparency, accountability and boost public service delivery.

Bindra advised them to dispel forces of resistance because the economic revolution cannot be stopped if the government’s wish is to serve people who have embraced the new technology especially the young people.

In attendance was businessman Chris Kirubi who echoed on the notable importance of social media saying that he believed that digitization has offered Africa an opportunity to grow and develop its economy. He added that digital is a driver opening Africa and with it, anything can happen.

He urged corporate firms to support each other especially through social media not only to benefit their companies but to boost the Kenyan economy at large.

Kenya is Africa’s second highest tweeting nation with 57 percent tweets done from mobile phones. There are 28 million mobile subscribers and 17.4 million Kenyans are Internet users. Some 1.6 million Kenyans are Facebook and Twitter users.

These statistics definitely show the importance and the potential in social media marketing for firms. You have the tools, you have the platform fly.

Your pick.

“Social media should not be ignored. It is changing the world again. Companies should think more socially and ensure interaction,” the 2013 Strategy Summit Program leader, Sunny Bindra.

Jamii Bora seeks a KSh520 million in Rights Issue

A perfect opportunity to invest.

Jamii Bora Bank has launched a Rights Issue targeting to raise Sh520 million from this. The Rights Issue will trade through private placement and will see Jamii Bora issue 3.7 million new ordinary shares at KSh140 per share.

These shares will be issued at the ratio of two new ordinary shares for every five ordinary shares held, with the Rights Issue set to close on the 9^th of November.

The purpose of the Rights Issue is to increase its capital base and to pave the way for the bank to expand in the coming years and in the process increase the shareholder value and reach out to a wider market according the group’s Chair, James Gacheru.

Additional capital raised from the Rights Issue will go towards funding its asset growth and investment in the branch network and alternative channels in the country.

In a bid to attain the mid-tier status the bank requires KSh300 million in the next four years and an additional KSh200 million core capital to meet the Sh1 billion requirement set out by the Central Bank of Kenya.

The bank’s target is to grow its customer base to six million up from the current 366,000 by 2018.

Asterisk Holdings Limited and Jamii Bora Scandinavia AB, whose total shareholding comprises 48.7 percent of the shares of Jamii Bora Bank, have indicated that they intend to take up their full Rights.

This will resultantly leave a minimum of 1,635,714 new shares worth Sh229 million, to be taken up and fully paid for in the Rights Issue to the Bank’s 582 shareholders.

The bank managed to record a profit before tax of Sh18 million as of June this year up from a loss position of Sh37 million the previous year.

Now, this is definitely an opportunity to make a choice that will benefit your future.

http://www.asterisk.org/

The Government seeks control of Kenya Airways

The Kenyan government seeks control over KQ

The Kenyan government wants a greater control in the management of Kenya Airways ahead of the scheduled recruitment of the airline’s new boss.

Treasury wants to take over the role of designating top executives at the airline. This duty was initially preserved for the Dutch airline KLM.

Although both the government and KLM have the authority to appoint two directors each to the 11-member board of Kenya Airways, KLMs previous 26 per cent stake against the governments 23 per cent gave it the right to designate KQ executives.

However, after the airlines rights issue that ended on the 30^th of April, the government of Kenya beat KLM airline to become the biggest shareholder, a position that Treasury wants to use to have more clout     

According to the KQ CEO, DR. Titus Naikuni the government wants to have a say in the choice of the airline’s top executives as it plans replace its head.

Kenyan government last month wrote to KLM to tell it of its intention to take over the management of Kenya Airways according to undisclosed sources. 

Journalists attempts to get an official comment from both Treasury and KLM have been impossible as the Finance minister Njeru Githae and his PS, Mr Joseph Kinyua have not been speaking to journalist on the same.

On the other hand, KLM is also not responsive to comments on the same.

The Kenyan government has two seats on the KQ board and is represented by Transport PS Cyrus Njiru and Finance PS Joseph Kinyua.

The other nine members of the board are non-executive, including the chairman of the board. All others, but the group managing director, group finance director and two KLM directors are subject to periodic reappointment in accordance with the firm’s Articles of Association according to the airline’s annual statement.

We can only sit and wait to see how this will come out.

Comments are welcome.

The Lowdown – iPhone 5

Fancy this? there is more than the look

Following the launch of the  iPhone 5 I decided to research more on the phone owing to the wide media coverage and hype that came with it.

The good news is that once you have bought the new iPhone, you don't need to worry since there is nothing new to knock-out in the iPhone 5 but rather a lot of small improvements.

The larger 4-inch screen is the headline feature, which is taller than the one on the previous models. This therefore means that you can fit more icons on the home screen, see more emails at once and you won't get black bars at the top and bottom of the picture if you watch a TV show.

\I also found out that the iPhone 5 is 4G, therefore offering a much faster data connection if your network supports it.

A short fall especially for the UK: Vodafone and O2 have not had a happy night as One of their biggest rivals, Everything Everywhere, has emerged with an effective exclusive on the 4G version of the iPhone, as it’s the only UK company with a 4G network, giving it a massive lead in the race to attract new customers.

Vodafone and O2 must be spitting mad. Talking on Vodafone, in Kenya, we are yet to experience a network with 4G coverage as the highest we have is the 3.75 G by Airtel. This therefore means that there is a disadvantage when it comes to this.

More important than the new hardware is the new software. But Apple's new phone operating system, iOS 6, is more notable for what has been removed rather than what's added. Replacing Google's maps application with Apple's own may add features like better directions and overhead shots of iconic buildings, but it is yet to be seen how reliable the street data itself will be in the UK.

Those, plus the removal of the built-in YouTube app, means I would urge anyone who already owns an iPhone to hold off when it comes out before upgrading to the new software, at least for a few weeks until more people have had a chance to test it out properly in the real-world.

You got the heads up… now get ready to experience this. On the other hand, Google should be bracing themselves for a better service now that there are some apps that will not be applicable with this. A war in the making? Let’s wait and see. http://www.apple.com/iphone/

Social Edge Africa to launch social media clubs

Social media marketing for universities.

With the growth of social media in the business and communication industries, Social Edge Africa has conceptualized and spearheaded the formation of social media clubs in universities across the country. This strategy has been dubbed SocialPro clubs.

These clubs are said to bring together different social media enthusiasts, speakers, bloggers, industry experts, digital agencies and organizations that have immensely contributed to the growth of social Media in Kenya.

SocialPro clubs is expected to create a platform that will enhance product and consumer engagement through creativity and innovation. The main objective of these clubs is to teach, educate students, create awareness, and impart knowledge and skills on social media. These clubs will unlock the limitless possibilities and potential on social media.

The company behind this initiative is Social Edge Africa, a social media consultancy company based in Nairobi that offers a 360 degrees approach by offering social media strategy, monitoring, evaluation and management of brands on social networks. Their core business is to give every person, brand or firm the right presence on social media.

The pilot phase will take place across four universities in October around Nairobi namely:

·  University of Nairobi

·  Strathmore University

·  USIU Kenya

·  Multimedia University

This concept has been endorsed by the Ministry of Information and technology and Dr. Bitange Ndemo; the permanent secretary in the ministry will be the chief guest among other keynote speakers at the launch of these clubs at the University of Nairobi, School of Business on 25 September 2012.

Through this initiative, SocialPro clubs students will:

• Enable collaboration and exchange of ideas among students in other universities and industry. (spur innovation)
• Allow/provide a platform for information sharing with external partners and students.
• Exchange of information with the industry will bridge the gap between the university and expectations of employers.
• Understanding of social media will help students keep pace with fast moving events.
• Discover the best and newest ways to market with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogging, video marketing and social bookmarking sites
• Learn how successful social media campaigns were executed and how to achieve similar results.
• Learn how to creatively engage and grow a loyal following on social media.
• Create awareness of the realities, opportunities and requirements for the various disciplines of social media.
• Learn how to integrate social media activities with other marketing efforts.
• Promote innovation, enhance collaboration between universities, tap creativity and inspire development.
• Learn about personal branding on social media, social media etiquette and how to engage professionally on social media.
• Network with top industry professionals, agencies and firms.
• Help students understand the opportunities available in form of careers on social media.

The students will also engage, share and interact with brands and learn from their successes, challenges and failures on social media.

Banks Lower Lending Rates.

Njuguna Ndung'u - Central banks Govoner.

Kenyan banks have cut their base lending rates after Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) reduced its benchmark lending rate by 3.5 percentage points to 13 per cent last week.

Barclays Kenya base lending dropped by 1.5 percentage points to 19.5 per cent and this will be effective from October 1 according to an advert in the dailies and on their website.

The bank had lowered its base rate in July to 21 down from 22.5 per cent immediately after the Monetary Policy Committee made this year’s first cut of the policy rate, also called the Central Bank Rate to 16.5 from 18 per cent.

Ecobank's new base rate is 21.5 per cent, 3.5 percentage points down, exactly by the same margin that the MPC reduced the CBR to put it at 13 per cent in the second such cut this year effective from the 15th of October.

Mortgage lender Housing Finance has lowered its rates by the highest margin of five percentage points to 18 per cent, making home buying cheaper.

He Kenya commercial bank (KCB) revised its base rate for normal loans from 22 per cent to 19 per cent while cutting that of mortgages to 18 per cent rate from the previous 19 per cent.  This is effective from the 1st of October.

CFC Stanbic bank is not left behind as it lowered its rate from 2.5 per cent to 19 per cent effective from October 15.

Last week’s by the Central Bank was a signal for commercial banks to ease the cost of borrowing.

While announcing the monetary policy committee’s decision, CBK Governor Njuguna Ndung’u noted that interest rate still remained high, an indication that the cost reductions is yet to be fully transferred to bank customers and the economy at large.

This is good news especially to entrepreneurs who feared the high rates. The economy is slowly picking up according to an Economist and Sstock market analyst - Aly Khan Satchu in one of his articles.

www.wazua.co.ke/

www.nasongo.blogspot.com

Business News Kenya: Airtel Money will be available in all Posta outlet...

Business News Kenya: Airtel Money will be available in all Posta outlet...: Airtel Kenya Partners with Posta Corporation Airtel and the Postal Corporation of Kenya have come together to in that Airtel Money ser...

Airtel Money will be available in all Posta outlets

Airtel Kenya Partners with Posta Corporation

Airtel and the Postal Corporation of Kenya have come together to in that Airtel Money services will be available to its subscribers through all the 465 Posta outlets in Kenya.

Airtel Kenya Managing Director Shivan Bhargava says that the company will ensure its subscribers understand the benefits of using Airtel Money mobile commerce solutions. He further emphasized that they will continue offering locally relevant and simplified M-Commerce solutions with more partners like Posta.

He reiterated that the Airtel – Posta partnership marked another great stride in deepening the availability and accessibility of Airtel Money by its subscribers.

Posta has 465 branches nationally therefore offering Airtel Money customers enough locations to withdraw and deposit money.

Airtel Money currently has more than 6,000 agents countrywide and this number is expected to grow to 8,000 by the end of the year.

The vast dealer network has now been complimented by corporate agents to enhance availability and reliability of the services countrywide, which include Uchumi Supermarkets, Pep Intermedius, Tuskys, UNAITAS Sacco, Housing Finance, Cooperative Bank and Faulu Bank.

Customers can also withdraw money from their Airtel Money accounts at any Pesa Point and Family Bank ATMs countrywide without needing an ATM card giving Airtel Money a strong countrywide presence to the benefit of its customers.

During the ceremony, Postmaster General Enock Kinara said  that Posta is at a crucial stage in its evolution as the pioneer of communication, distribution and financial and agency (payments) services in Kenya and Airtel patnring with them, it becomes even better for their service menu.

Having a countrywide coverage, Posta seeks to improve its service delivery strategy and increase its customer interactive services across the country.  

Posta has to re-position itself for it to profitably meet the ever changing tastes and preferences of its customers and the partnership with Airtel Kenya on Airtel Money will serve to increase the range of our product and service offering to customers.

Airtel Money is fast becoming a popular way of sending and receiving money and is also now widely used for paying utility bills with Nairobi Water, Kenya Power, DStv and KAPS parking fees due to its quality, security, reliability, affordability and convenience.

Since the process is fully automated, payments are reflected almost in real-time thus providing our customers a fast and more secure mode of carrying out transactions.

http://www.africa.airtel.com/wps/wcm/connect/africaairtel/Kenya

http://www.posta.co.ke

China commits to invest in Africa

China-Africa Forum to boost Chinese investments in Africa

China has reiterated its commitment to deepen its cooperation with Africa in line with new measures announced during the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in July.

In a statement, China insists that it will implement the measures in relation to economic cooperation and trade promotion in three priority areas, which include expanding cooperation in investment and financing, increasing development assistance and supporting the African integration process.

In light of the development pursuit of African countries and the need of practical China-Africa cooperation, the new measures focus on development as the theme and cooperation as the main way.
While extending existing measures, the new measures also highlight the features of “diversification, innovation and sustainability” and aim to boost economic growth in Africa through the collaboration between Chinese and African governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses, financial institutions, think tanks, and the press.

“These new measures indicate the great importance attached to the traditional China-Africa friendship and the goodwill to upgrade bilateral commercial cooperation for common development, “the statement reads.

The Chinese government says it will work closely with African countries to implement economic cooperation and trade promotion measures adopted at the Ministerial Conference in a bid to help African countries improve the livelihood of their people, enhance their capacity for independent development, push ahead with the African integration process, and inject new vitality in the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.

“China will provide 20 billion dollars of credit line to African countries to assist them in developing infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and small and medium-sized enterprises,”said China’s President Hu Jintao during the forum.

China had also promised to send 1,500 medical personnel to Africa and continue with the Brightness Action to provide free medical treatment for cataract patients in Africa.

There are also plans to implement the African Talents program to train 30,000 Africans of various professions and offer 18,000 government-sponsored scholarships.
Since 2010 the Chinese government has provided to Africa USD 10 billion (Sh840 billion) worth of concessional loanshttp://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=2833&lang=en