African Tech Roundup

Nigeria's tech scene was abuzz last week following Mark Essien's hotel booking platform Hotel.ng securing international investment co-led by Omidyar Network and the EchoVC Pan-Africa Fund. However, for undisclosed reasons the parties involved have chosen not to make public the fine points of the deal. This week we debate whether it does Africa's tech ecosystem any good for important transactions like these to happen behind closed doors, and for details to remain secret. While we're at it, we poke a little fun at Jovago Co-founder and CEO, Marek Zmysłowski and Mark Essien’s on-going public tiff over who's hotel booking platform reigns supreme.

Also, we share two expert comments we received in response to last week's discussion topic: Bitcoin and the Blockchain: Worth Embracing? on the future of bitcoin and the possible future applications of the blockchain technology. As usual, we also have all the biggest tech, digital and innovation news from across Africa:

-- Discover how Nigeria's fuel and electricity shortages are affecting big tech,

-- Hear how Nkosana Makate aka the Please Call Me Guy's billion dollar case against Vodacom is going, and

-- Find out how a Nigerian computer science Masters student at the University of Cape Town is using tech to save endangered African languages.

Music Credits:

All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

There are three prevailing views on bitcoin and the blockchain: 1) that it's a scam, 2) it's one of the most fascinating technological developments of the decade, and 3) it's just another tech fad that's not worth trying to grasp, nevermind fussing over. View number three is probably held by the vast majority of people on the continent. This week, Tefo Mohapi and I (Andile Masuku) will try and establish whether the hype around bitcoin and the various useful applications of the blockchain (which Africa has so far tentatively embraced) is justified.

Despite Wall Street's gradual warming to bitcoin, and companies like Kenya's BitPesa building clever service offerings on the back of the bitcoin blockchain, it remains to be seen whether bitcoin will go on to be widely accepted worldwide as a trusted measure of value, and whether the blockchain will be used to platform future technological innovation.

We've decided to make featuring listeners' comments a permanent part of the show, and so this week we share comments made in response to last week's debate: "Open Source vs. Proprietary Software: What is Best For Africa?"

As always, you can also expect all the week’s most important tech, digital and innovation news:

-- Discover why there's an outcry over South Africa's recently-announced aerial drone laws,

-- Get details on Automattic's acquisition of WooThemes,

-- Learn more about the MTN South Africa workers' strike that saw 2,000 people down tools, and

-- Find out which African country Kenya's BitPesa is expanding into.

Music Credits:

All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

There are three prevailing views on bitcoin and the blockchain: 1) that it's a scam, 2) it's one of the most fascinating technological developments of the decade, and 3) it's just another tech fad that's not worth trying to grasp, nevermind fussing over. View number three is probably held by the vast majority of people on the continent. This week, Tefo Mohapi and I (Andile Masuku) will try and establish whether the hype around bitcoin and the various useful applications of the blockchain (which Africa has so far tentatively embraced) is justified.

Despite Wall Street's gradual warming to bitcoin, and companies like Kenya's BitPesa building clever service offerings on the back of the bitcoin blockchain, it remains to be seen whether bitcoin will go on to be widely accepted worldwide as a trusted measure of value, and whether the blockchain will be used to platform future technological innovation.

We've decided to make featuring listeners' comments a permanent part of the show, and so this week we share comments made in response to last week's debate: "Open Source vs. Proprietary Software: What is Best For Africa?"

As always, you can also expect all the week’s most important tech, digital and innovation news:

-- Discover why there's an outcry over South Africa's recently-announced aerial drone laws,

-- Get details on Automattic's acquisition of WooThemes,

-- Learn more about the MTN South Africa workers' strike that saw 2,000 people down tools, and

-- Find out which African country Kenya's BitPesa is expanding into.

Music Credits:

All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

As long as "Microsoft" remains synonymous with "Proprietary Software" the jury will be out on whether proprietary software is superior to open source software (OSS). For many ardent proponents of OSS, this debate is mostly about rooting for the 'little guy', but in this week's discussion, your hosts Tefo Mohapi and Andile Masuku, will start a conversation about the pros and cons of both regimes, and highlight some issues that they think should headline this debate.

Then they will leave it up to you to decide which of the two might be best for Africa to embrace, considering how important it is for the continent to create innovative solutions to its own problems, and develop marketable technologies that compete favourably against the very best in the world.

Also, for the first time since the launch of this podcast, we're excited to feature comments we've received from our listeners following the passionate conversations sparked by our previous podcast around the the question, "Are Tech and Innovation Hubs in Africa Effective?"

And as always, you can expect all the week’s leading tech, digital and innovation news:

--Discover what Nokia has in its stable that's causing a feeding frenzy among the likes of Audi, Mercedes Benz, Uber and Facebook,

--Take a peek under the hood of one of Africa's biggest tech deals this year: Telkom’s acquisition of Business Connection,

-- Observe the dynamics of Ghana's decrease in mobile data use,

--Get details on the "hacktivism" attack on South African firm Sekunjalo Investment Holdings' news archives, and

--Learn how a pharmacy in Harare, Zimbabwe is cleverly harnessing Whatsapp to facilitate online payments.

Music Credits:

All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

As long as "Microsoft" remains synonymous with "Proprietary Software" the jury will be out on whether proprietary software is superior to open source software (OSS). For many ardent proponents of OSS, this debate is mostly about rooting for the 'little guy', but in this week's discussion, your hosts Tefo Mohapi and Andile Masuku, will start a conversation about the pros and cons of both regimes, and highlight some issues that they think should headline this debate.

Then they will leave it up to you to decide which of the two might be best for Africa to embrace, considering how important it is for the continent to create innovative solutions to its own problems, and develop marketable technologies that compete favourably against the very best in the world.

Also, for the first time since the launch of this podcast, we're excited to feature comments we've received from our listeners following the passionate conversations sparked by our previous podcast around the the question, "Are Tech and Innovation Hubs in Africa Effective?"

And as always, you can expect all the week’s leading tech, digital and innovation news:

--Discover what Nokia has in its stable that's causing a feeding frenzy among the likes of Audi, Mercedes Benz, Uber and Facebook,

--Take a peek under the hood of one of Africa's biggest tech deals this year: Telkom’s acquisition of Business Connection,

-- Observe the dynamics of Ghana's decrease in mobile data use,

--Get details on the "hacktivism" attack on South African firm Sekunjalo Investment Holdings' news archives, and

--Learn how a pharmacy in Harare, Zimbabwe is cleverly harnessing Whatsapp to facilitate online payments.

Music Credits:

All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Tech and innovation hubs are all the rage in Africa at the moment. With reportedly as many as 150 in existence from Cape to Cairo, these organisations are undoubtedly "da flava" in donor funding terms. However, it seems that the question of whether or not these hubs are actually effective at achieving what they set out to do is rarely asked.

In his article "Startup Incubators in Africa and why they don’t work" Hotels.ng founder, Mark Essien, asserts that tech and innovation hubs have precious little to show for all the fuss that's made about their usefulness. In this week's discussion we try to determine if these hubs are truly a means of cultivating Africa's up-and-coming tech talent, and an efficient way to support the launch of the continent's next generation profitable (or at least, sustainable) game-changing startups.

As usual, we also give you a run-down of the week's tech, digital and innovation highlights:

--A quick update on Burundi's internet shut-down,

--A brief summary of the latest insights gleaned by the Report Xenophobia initiative,

--Details on how iRoko Founder Jason Njoku is offering NGN 1 million to Nigeria's best developers,

--News regarding a DDoS attack on MTN's Data Center, which affected ISPs like Afrihost,

--The low-low on how to get your hands on Elon Musk's latest innovation, Tesla's new Powerwall, and

--A rather detailed report on South Africa's plans to drop it's ICT Charter in October 2015 in favour of generic BEE codes.

Music Credits:

All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Tech and innovation hubs are all the rage in Africa at the moment. With reportedly as many as 150 in existence from Cape to Cairo, these organisations are undoubtedly "da flava" in donor funding terms. However, it seems that the question of whether or not these hubs are actually effective at achieving what they set out to do is rarely asked.

In his article "Startup Incubators in Africa and why they don’t work" Hotels.ng founder, Mark Essien, asserts that tech and innovation hubs have precious little to show for all the fuss that's made about their usefulness. In this week's discussion we try to determine if these hubs are truly a means of cultivating Africa's up-and-coming tech talent, and an efficient way to support the launch of the continent's next generation profitable (or at least, sustainable) game-changing startups.

As usual, we also give you a run-down of the week's tech, digital and innovation highlights:

--A quick update on Burundi's internet shut-down,

--A brief summary of the latest insights gleaned by the Report Xenophobia initiative,

--Details on how iRoko Founder Jason Njoku is offering NGN 1 million to Nigeria's best developers,

--News regarding a DDoS attack on MTN's Data Center, which affected ISPs like Afrihost,

--The low-low on how to get your hands on Elon Musk's latest innovation, Tesla's new Powerwall, and

--A rather detailed report on South Africa's plans to drop it's ICT Charter in October 2015 in favour of generic BEE codes.

Music Credits:

All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The word "startup" is often used loosely in the world of tech, and frequently worn as a badge of honour by individuals and organisations who aspire to the glamour commonly associated with modern-day entrepreneurship. In this week’s African Tech Round-up Podcast, Tefo Mohapi and I attempt to pin down a definition for the term and determine what business ventures qualify to be classified as startups. Our discussion is inspired by an article by David Adamo Jr-- a Nigerian Computer Science PhD student at the University of North Texas, entitled "What is a startup?"

You can also expect a concise run-down of the week's tech, digital and innovation highlights:

--News regarding an alleged internet shut-down by the Burundian government to quell political protests,

--A word on the Malawian government's bullish move to further digital payment payment services,

--The low-low on the assisted acquisition of Nigeria's Jobberman and Kenya's BrighterMonday by One Africa Media,

--A glance at recent research into mobile handset habits of Nigerian blue collar workers,

--The latest on how US rapper and business mogul Jay Z's struggling music streaming service-- Tidal, is desperately attempting to gain traction by courting Nigerian musical talent, and

--Details on which famous African city is featured in the international blockbuster film, Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Music Credits:

All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The word "startup" is often used loosely in the world of tech, and frequently worn as a badge of honour by individuals and organisations who aspire to the glamour commonly associated with modern-day entrepreneurship. In this week’s African Tech Round-up Podcast, Tefo Mohapi and I attempt to pin down a definition for the term and determine what business ventures qualify to be classified as startups. Our discussion is inspired by an article by David Adamo Jr-- a Nigerian Computer Science PhD student at the University of North Texas, entitled "What is a startup?"

You can also expect a concise run-down of the week's tech, digital and innovation highlights:

--News regarding an alleged internet shut-down by the Burundian government to quell political protests,

--A word on the Malawian government's bullish move to further digital payment payment services,

--The low-low on the assisted acquisition of Nigeria's Jobberman and Kenya's BrighterMonday by One Africa Media,

--A glance at recent research into mobile handset habits of Nigerian blue collar workers,

--The latest on how US rapper and business mogul Jay Z's struggling music streaming service-- Tidal, is desperately attempting to gain traction by courting Nigerian musical talent, and

--Details on which famous African city is featured in the international blockbuster film, Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Music Credits:

All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

On the second episode of the African Tech Round-up we get an update on progress being made by iAfrikan and Ushahidi’s Report Xenophobia Initiative (ReportXenophobia.co.za), find out which African country Facebook’s Internet.org app will be rolling out into next, reveal details regarding the latest tech firm seeking delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, prepare to bid farewell to South Africa’s largest e-commerce brand, examine whether or not the vinyl record is making a bold comeback and poke fun at an initiative that will allow South Africa’s business elite experience homelessness for one night.

Be sure to listen right through to the end of this week’s show to hear us debate the role of diversity in Africa’s tech industry-- and business in general. We’ll pose the question-- does nurturing diversity enhance productivity and contribute to increased profitability?

Music Credits:

All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/