5 posts and columns on Kenya

Telecom Giants Battle for Kenya

in News on January 14, 2011 at 12:05 am PT

Mobile-phone companies across Africa are drawing battle lines to capture the rising middle-class consumer. But in Kenya, the war already is well under way, stocked with ammunition from abroad.

Wireless Wars Wend Way Across Africa

in News on January 13, 2011 at 4:40 pm PT

Bharti Airtel Ltd.’s assault on the Kenyan cellphone market wasn’t the Indian company’s first attempted foray into Africa. Bharti in 2009 attempted a $24 billion merger with the continent’s largest telecom, MTN Group Ltd., a South African company that operates in 21 African countries and the Mideast. But that deal fell through.

Gates Foundation, U.S. Government Back Cellphone Banking for Haiti

in Mobile on January 10, 2011 at 10:35 am PT

Digicel has been given a $2.5 million grant for being the first company to establish mobile banking in Haiti. It’s part of $10 million in funding established to boost cellphone-based savings in the impoverished and quake-stricken country. Even before the quake, only one in 10 Haitians had access to traditional banking services.

Kenya Launches Country's First Viral Music Video

in News on March 24, 2010 at 11:00 am PT

Boy group Just-a-Band have sparked what many are calling Kenya’s first viral sensation. Conjuring up references to 1970s cult classics like “Shaft,” Just-a-Band’s latest video, “Ha-He,” introduces the fictional Makmende sporting shades, chains, an Afro pick and what appears to be polyester.

CES: Intel Chairman Barrett Touts Education for Developing World

in News on January 9, 2009 at 2:37 pm PT

Intel chairman Craig Barrett held a talk at CES this afternoon on technology in the developing world. On stage with him were NetHope and Save the Children, which are both working to bring IT to places like China, Africa and Bangladesh. But ask Barrett what’s the most important technology to put in a classroom and he’d say “a really good teacher.”