Tech

Kenya set to launch first satellite codenamed Taifa-1

Published

2 years ago

April 4, 2023

The Kenyan Space Agency (KSA) is set to launch the country’s first operational satellite next week in what is said to be a landmark achievement for the country’s space program.

The satellite codenamed Taifa-1, or Nation-1, in an announcement by the Agency on Tuesday, is scheduled to be launched on April 11, in conjunction with the Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, and is projected to take place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States.

The announcement made by the KSA Acting Director, Brig Hillary Kipkosgey, said the Taifa-1 satellite will “provide data for decision support to agriculture and food security, natural resources management, and environmental monitoring” among other details.

Kipkosgey said the mission is set to play a pivotal role in articulating Kenya’s contribution to the growth of satellite development.

“Space is the next frontier in many ways and we are happy to be part of this. This is our moment of pride,” Kipkoskey said.

“The observation satellite is fully designed and developed by Kenyan engineers and will be used to provide data on agriculture and food security, among other areas.”

The launching of the Kenyan satellite will add to a push by African nations for scientific innovation and the development of space programs, after Egypt became the first African country to send a satellite into space in 1998.

As of 2022, 13 African countries had manufactured 48 satellites, according to Space in Africa, a Nigeria-based firm that tracks African space programs.

Kenya had, in 2018, launched its first experimental nano-satellite from the International Space Station.

Related Topics:Featured Kenya Satellite Space Taifa-1

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Tech

MTN Nigeria set to acquire two more licences for its fintech

Published

15 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria’s largest telecommunications company, MTN Nigeria, is on the verge of obtaining two licences that will enable it expand its fintech subsidiary, MoMo PSB, signaling an increased focus on digital payments within Nigeria.

The company, in a statement on Wednesday, said it has applied for Payment Service Solutions Provider (PSSP) and Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP) licenses for Momo in a bid to upscale it to a full fledge payments platform.

“The PSSP license will enable MoMo PSB to offer payment processing gateways, create financial solutions, and provide merchant aggregation and collection services,” the statement said.

“With this license, MTN can process its payments in-house, reducing its reliance on external PSSPs and minimizing associated costs.

“In addition to addressing MTN’s internal payment needs, MoMo PSB will also be equipped to handle payment processing requirements for merchants and partners.

“The PTSP license, meanwhile, will allow MoMo PSB to deploy and service POS terminals, develop POS applications, and provide training and support to over 302,000 merchants, agents, and 5.3 million users on the MoMo PSB,” it added.

Tech

Kenyan fintech Chumz expands into Rwanda after hitting 200k users

Published

2 days ago

November 6, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenya’s fintech startup, Chumz, has announced its imminent expansion into Rwanda after hitting 200,000 registered users in its home market.

Chumz, which helps users set and achieve saving and investment goals through behaviour-based prompts and mobile money deposits, said the expansion drive was part of testing its solution by going live in Rwanda.

Co-founder and CEO of Chumz, Samuel Njuguna, who spoke on the move, said the fintech had built a goal-based mobile app that helped users save and invest money from their mobile money accounts, with as little as $0.05 and wanted to take its offering out of Kenya.

He stated that one of the unique features of Chumz that stands it out is that it encourages users to save based on their behaviour.

“For instance, if a user spends money at a pub, the app suggests investing some of that money instead of spending it all,” he said.

“Similarly, if a user receives mobile money, the app prompts them to save some of the money. Our app offers an easy, convenient and accessible way for users to save and invest, helping them to reach their financial goals.

“Our next big leap is to hit one million users in Kenya by 2026 and be operational in Uganda, Tanzania and Botswana by then as well,” said Njuguna, who is also behind Kenyan mobile money startup Chura.

Founded in 2019, Chumz worked on a prototype in 2020, reaching out to the regulator for a license in late-2020 and receiving one a year later.

According to several reviews, the platform works by channeling funds collected from a user’s mobile money account to a licensed fund manager, who then offers a return to the fund. Earned interest is then redistributed to individual clients.

The startup has also launched a new feature, the Superfan Challenge, where users save and invest based on their favourite football team’s performance.

“For example, if your team wins, the app prompts you to save a set amount. We have seen segments such as parents using the app to educate their kids about financial literacy and at the same time create goals for them on the app. A majority of the savers and investors are women,” Njuguna said.