Tech

Telecom Egypt launches digital platform to connect networks with subsea cable systems

Published

1 year ago

September 27, 2023

Egypt’s first integrated telecom operator and the country’s largest subsea cables operator, Telecom Egypt has announced launching its new subsea cable system which will connect internet networks in the country.

The infrastructure known as
“WeConnect ecosystem”, according to Mohamed Nasr, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Telecom Egypt, will provide the North African country with an “agile access” to extensive subsea cable infrastructure.

“WeConnect enables users to mix and match connectivity between subsea cable systems in the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea using an open and neutral model,” Nasr said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We have a profound understanding of people’s connectivity needs, and throughout our journey have been keen to design solutions and develop our well-established infrastructure to cater to those needs,” he said.

“We have a clear vision that WeConnect will accelerate and support the deployment of our customers’ digital infrastructure.

“It will further enhance how our global partners choose to cross-connect their capacity over various subsea systems.

“WeConnect is our way of adding value to our partners by enabling them to make the best use of their assets, which will ultimately echo into the end user experience globally,” he added.

Seif Mounib, Telecom Egypt Vice President for International and Wholesale, in another statement, said WeConnect’s digital platform would enable users to click-to-order cross-connectivity between the 14 subsea cable systems landing in Egypt’s 10 cable stations, and linked via the 10 terrestrial routes spanning the country.

“Today, with globally competitive pricing schemes, WeConnect users will easily manage their commercial agreements through the online platform to enjoy accelerated access to the growing number of subsea cable systems with greater agility, adaptability, diversity, and resiliency,” he said.

“All our investments focus on accelerating how our partners connect and grow their global network reach. WeConnect is a great step forward in enhancing our operational excellence, demonstrating our commitment to providing an open and transparent global digital infrastructure hub for the international community.”

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Tech

20 African tech-preneurs embark on Korean innovation tour

Published

48 minutes ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The African Development Bank Group’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab has selected 20 promising tech entrepreneurs from various African technology ventures and enterprise support organisations to embark on a two-week study tour of the Republic of Korea, with the aim of seeking investment and insights from the country’s innovative tech ecosystem.

The selected entrepreneurs are from 133 ventures that participated in last month’s Africa Tech Startup Forum.

The forum which will hold under the auspices of the lab’s “Leveraging the Entrepreneurial and Innovation Success of Korea to Strengthen African Enterprise Support” project, had selected entrepreneurs who pitched the best business models during the week-long virtual market access and acceleration programme preparing, training, and connecting technology ventures with opportunities.

The 20 young tech-preneurs were selected from eight African countries including Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda, with the delegates spanning various sectors in the technology space.

While in Korea, the African delegates will pay visits to prestigious institutions such as Global Startup Centre, LG Science Park, the Korea Software Technology Association, and the Global Digital Innovation Network.

Speaking on behalf of the delegates, founder of Kenya-based health technology venture Zuri Health, Uche Ezadinachi said:

“I am excited to go to Korea because the country has made serious technological developments. The country is a technology-driven society, and this tour is an opportunity for me to see how we can bring such technology to Africa.

“We will share experiences with our Korean counterparts; they will learn from us as much as we learn from them,” he added.

Tech

Kenya’s ticketing startup BuuPass partners Flexpay for flexible travel payments

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan digital ticketing startup, BuuPass, has entered into a partnership with goal-based savings platform, Flexpay, to offer customers flexible payment plans ahead of holiday travels as well as simplify travel planning and ease the financial burden of holiday travel for Kenyans.

Co-founder and CEO at Buupass, Sonia Kabra, who unveiled the package at a press conference, said the collaboration between the two platforms will allow travellers to save for their journeys in manageable, interest-free installments over four to 12 weeks.

“Travelers can select their travel dates, book tickets, and pay a small deposit upfront, with the remaining balance spread across weekly or monthly payments,” she said.

“This approach offers a stress-free way for families and large groups to secure their tickets early, helping them avoid last-minute price hikes as fares are locked in.

“By partnering with Flexpay, we’re giving travelers the flexibility to budget for their trips in advance. This initiative aligns with our mission to make travel accessible to everyone, providing a solution that meets customers where they are financially,” said Kabra.

Also speaking at the event, Richard Machomba, CEO and founder of Flexpay, said:

“Flexpay’s mission is to empower individuals by providing accessible financial solutions that make it easier for them to achieve their financial goals.

“By partnering with BuuPass, we’re making travel more accessible and stress-free for Kenyans, especially during the holiday season when expenses can be overwhelming,” Machomba added.

Founded in 2016 by Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.

FlexPay, on the other hand, is an online and offline payment gateway that allows merchants to offer interest-free targeted savings to their customers in Africa.