Pan African Broadband Plan

Subscribing to broadband Internet services is rising in Africa, but we can go further to connect more people to the web. We can create a Pan African Broadband Plan designed to allow investments in broadband technologies on the continent. A continuing massive investment in broadband infrastructure can result in the increasing availability, lower price, and improved connection of high-speed Internet services in Africa. We need policymakers and new regulations to allow more competition among African broadband providers. The goal is to cut the price and increase the speed of broadband access for the average African household. Broadband can also have a positive impact on the African economy and on employment. Broadband allow businesses to use e-commerce to order, market and distribute their products worldwide. Young African programmers can create new softwares and networks to enhance the online educational experience. To be successful the Pan African Broadband Plan should unite all the cyber resources of the continent with a minimum of governments interference.

E-commerce in Africa

What is the status of e-commerce in Africa?. Connectivity is now sufficient; Africa is now ready for
e-commerce and there are many excellent African IT companies who provide hardware and software. The leading African countries in
e-commerce are South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya and Senegal. Many others African countries have started initiatives to develop
e-commerce services. The problem with e-commerce in Africa is the lack of online payments. We urgently need to create a common African e-payment system especially adapted to Africa market. This new African e-payment system can be an alternative to debit and credit card payment systems for e-commerce. We need to customize e-commerce to fit the way of life of people living in Africa. Today there is a growing African e-commerce industry. In Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, a Pan-African Alliance on e-Commerce has been launched. Senegal, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, (Ivory Coast), Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco, Ghana, Libya, Kenya and Togo were listed as the 10 countries that have signed with the alliance.

New online payment system for mobile users in Tanzania

Mobile phone users in Tanzania can perform online payments and transfers using a new system developed by local firm, Wide International Network, writes The East African publication. From March this year people will be able to transact business online in tourism, travel, sports and entertainment, web maintenance and solution and ticketing. The system allows users to pay for around 30 services offered by a number of companies, businesses, government, learning institutions, faith-based organizations, health institutions, manufacturing and financial institutions. Wide International Network system will merge all related services into a single mobile transaction. In the tourism industry for example, booking offices, travel agents, hotels etc will be possible altogether to simplify the transaction process. Payments are hosted by IX Webhosting of the United States. Using the system, consumers will be able to simplify their tourism arrangements, facilitate bookings and pay bills for local services like water, electricity, insurance and others. The system has been already embraced by several organizations including Azam Marine Company Ltd, Vodacom and Zain Tanzania. Over 10 million Tanzanians with mobile phone access will be able to use the technology, by effecting transactions directly from their bank accounts. The main customers of the system include banks, telephone, water, electricity companies, ministries, revenue authorities, transport companies, municipal councils, exporters, importers, regulatory bodies and online markets.