Today we are discussing:
Kenya’s plan for 5G deployment
NALA’s international expansion
Some funding news
FIRS and taxes on online transactions
Biden reverses Nigeria travel ban
Kenya plans 5G deployment
Photo Credit: Ivan Radic Flickr via Compfight cc The Communications Authority of Kenya is making plans to deploy 5G technology across the country. The regulator hinted at this after it allocated 122 frequency bands bearing the hallmarks of mid to high-frequency 5G bands.
Some background : Internet coverage in Kenya has been steadily increasing in recent years. According to GSMA, 96% of its population has 3G coverage as of 2017. The 4G network is also present in all of Kenya’s 47 counties. However, GSMA’s map shows denser range in the Nairobi region than in other parts of the country.
With $1.05 for 1GB of data, Statista recognises Kenya as the 41st cheapest in the world to purchase mobile data . In 2020, telcos like Safaricom and Airtel also proceeded with 5G trials which they temporarily shelved.
But the problem : Kenya has the network infrastructure, but smartphones – 4G-enabled smartphones – are barely affordable. In 2020, you could buy a smartphone in Kenya for as low as $35. For a 4G-enabled phone, you would need to part with $86.Kenya’s minimum wage is $123 and 36% of its population lives below the poverty line. If people can barely afford 4G smartphones, what hope is there for 5G enabled phones? Being hopeful : 5G network is gaining popularity across the globe, Nigeria inclusive . Though it was the subject of controversy at the heart of the pandemic, it is gaining traction given its massive potential. From East Africa to the world: NALA, Tanzanian fintech startup plans expansion to the UK NALA Beta Testing. Source: Supplied NALA, a Tanzanian fintech startup wants to expand its services to the UK this year. The plan is to include remittances into its current offerings so that Tanzanians in the diaspora can quickly transfer money to people at home.Having concluded the paperwork and received necessary permission, in February, NALA will launch a beta app tailored for users in the UK to send money to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. So what has NALA always done? The YC-backed startup launched in 2018 to help customers perform basic financial transactions from their bank accounts and service providers (mobile money), buy airtime and pay bills via an offline mobile app.Like many […]
