Tech

SA internet service provider Kaya Konekta launches data access for underserved communities

Published

8 months ago

April 19, 2024

South Africa’s leading Internet Service Provider (ISP), Kaya Konekta (KaKo), has launched new operations aimed at reaching underserved communities in the country.

The new service which the company says will revolutionise connectivity in the catchment areas comes with affordable and accessible internet services.

Founder and CEO of KaKo, Kagisho Dichabe, who praised the efforts of his team in a statement on Friday, said “KaKo aims to bridge the connectivity gap by providing reliable and affordable data, with a host of mobile and home broadband packages at below market rates.”

“For financial inclusion to be a reality, we need to connect the unconnected, and “Data Must Fall,” he said.

“We are dedicated to providing affordable, reliable internet services to underserved communities, empowering individuals and businesses for a better future.

“Data has become too expensive for people in our communities, especially in our townships,” Dichabe said.

He added that KaKo also aims to empower youth with accessible, high-speed internet, enabling them to access educational materials and online courses conveniently.

“This connectivity offers opportunities for knowledge expansion, higher education pursuits, and skill development,” he emphasized.

The startup’s CEO Thabiso Malekele, also noted that the company views the “internet as an essential tool, not a privilege, for unlocking potential, fostering learning, and connecting communities.”

“This belief fuels our passion to change and improve the lives of underserved and unconnected individuals.

“Our nation’s history compels us to actively champion this cause. While we strive to expand our reach like any ISP by deploying various technologies including fibre, LTE and 5G to different customers, we prioritise addressing the critical gaps in connectivity that leave many behind.

“At Kaya Konekta, we’re passionate about both customer service and the community.”

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Tech

Facebook returns to Uganda after 4-year ban

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2024

Isaac Dachen

After four years of being in the cooler as a result of suspension by government, Facebook, now Meta, is making a return to Uganda after prolonged negotiations saw the Ugandan government reverse the ban it placed on the platform since 2021.

The suspension of the social media platform had stemmed from accusations by the government that Facebook was meddling in the country’s political affairs during the 2021 presidential elections which arose after it deleted government-affiliated accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation.

This ban of Facebook has led to widespread disruptions across the nation, affecting not only political discourse but also personal connections and business operations.

But according to reports, with a potential re-launch on the horizon for December 2024, Facebook’s comeback could be a game-changer with approximately 2.5 million Ugandans poised to reconnect on the platform, while the Uganda Revenue Authority stands to gain financially from its revival just as businesses, especially smaller enterprises, stand to benefit from advertising incomes.

Tech

20 African tech-preneurs embark on Korean innovation tour

Published

4 days 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.