Tech

Safaricom, M-Pesa Foundations donate Sh15m to victims of Kenyan protests

Published

5 months ago

July 5, 2024

Kenya’s tech giants, Safaricom and M-Pesa, have made a joint donation of KES Sh15m to victims of the protests that have rocked the country in the last two weeks.

The two companies which made the donation through their Foundations also rolled out infrastructure developmental projects and support to hospitals catering for the project victims.

Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa, who spoke at the Kenyatta National Hospital while visiting the victims on Thursday, said as part of the donation, KES 10 million would go to the hospital’s Disaster Response Centre, while KES 5 million would go towards supporting those injured and admitted at the hospital.

“Our Foundations are there to stand with people, especially in times of need. We are happy to provide hospitals with structured support in times of emergencies, both for infrastructure improvement and patient recovery,” Ndegwa said.

He said the KES 5 million will be for the provision of assistive devices to the injured, smartphones and airtime for those who lost their phones, supporting affected individuals with three months’ worth of food as well as one year’s worth of rent for those in extreme condition.

The Safaricom CEO added that to provide further immediate support, the firm, through its M-Pesa Foundation, is organizing medical camps in affected areas, starting with Githurai on 6th July, followed by Rongai at a later date.

“In the medium term, Safaricom will also mobilize its Gen Z employees as well as other like-minded corporates and foundations, under the #GenZforGenZ initiative, which will entail volunteer squads leading community outreaches, clean-ups, and medical camps.

“The long-term plan will entail a comprehensive execution of community programs through M-Pesa and Safaricom Foundations, with an increased focus on Gen Z.

“This includes providing TVET scholarships, economic empowerment through the Ndoto Zetu program, agri-business value chain opportunities through the Wezesha Agri Program, and offering access to business training and micro-loans in 13 counties, starting with Nakuru, Nairobi, Kajiado, and Migori.

“The plan will also include supporting mental health through strategic partnerships and provision of complimentary counselling services,” he said.

Related Topics:Donations Featured Kenya M-Pesa Protests Safaricom

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

4 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.