Wrap-Up: Our pick of main stories, Monday August 10th, 2015

Kenya gov’t removes Dahabshiil from list of terrorist-linked firms…Telecoms sector key focus of Kenya’s $55.6 billion infrastructure development plan… KU, BRCK sign MoU to promote digital literacy….and much more.

Kenya gov’t removes Dahabshiil from list of terrorist-linked firms

An official Kenyan Government Gazette notice has officially removed Dahabshiil Kenya from the government’s list, published earlier this year, of people and businesses who were to be investigated in order to ensure they had no links to terrorist groups or activities. The Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and the Co-ordination of National Government confirmed that Dahabshiil Kenya has shown cause why it should not be listed as a specified entity, as it abides by all stipulated conditions for licensed remittance providers active in Kenya.

Telecoms sector key focus of Kenya’s $55.6 billion infrastructure development plan

An estimated $55.6 billion in investment into infrastructure development for Kenya is planned (as of 2015), the majority of which will focus on telecommunications and power generation infrastructure, a new study reveals. Dubbed as African Infrastructure Tracker: Kenya, the research and analysis was done by Frost & Sullivan. The study also reveals that Kenya is set to become a hub for intra-regional trade in Africa.

Kenyatta University, BRCK sign MoU to promote digital literacy

Kenyatta University, and BRCK, a local technology firm based in Nairobi, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote digital literacy in the country. The MoU covers among other areas, joint collaboration in the design and development of innovative technological solutions, research, advocacy and stakeholder engagements, content development and training and capacity building.

Facial recognition technology to help in Kenya’s lions’ conservation

The lion is known as one of Africa’s most iconic animals. Few people realize however that illegal killing, relentless habitat loss and overhunting of wild prey by people has left this species teetering insecurely on the brink of extinction. Lion numbers in Africa have collapsed greatly, between 20 – 30 percent, over the last 20 years. In 2011, no more than 32,000 lions were thought to exist, although some researchers put the figure considerably lower than this. In Kenya, lions occur across an estimated 19 percent of the country including significant areas outside of formally protected sites such as National Parks and Nature Reserves. One of the greatest threats to wild lions is conflict with humans.

Nivi Mukherjee appointed BRCK Education president

BRCK an Internet supply and backup device which ensures connectivity during power supply outages, is now being targeted by Kenya’s education sector through its recently newly created division BRCK Education. BRCK Education, is a new business unit that focuses on school-based solutions where the BRCK software and hardware can be used to make a real difference. It is in regards to this that BRCK has announced the appointment of Nivi Mukherjee, the founder of eLimu and long-time iHub member as the head of BRCK Education.

EAC to integrate customs systems to fast-track movement of goods

The East Africa Community (EAC) member states are set to integrate all their custom systems into one platform in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda to enhance regional bond for goods in transit as well as fast-track movement of goods under customs seals and allow transparency on customs operations. This was said during a regional meeting in Nairobi that discussed the implementation of the EAC Single Customs Territory (SCT) projects.

iHub joins Startup Federation to become its first African member

Nairobi-based iHub has become a member of the global network Startup Federation, the first startup hub from Africa to join the network. The Startup Federation is a global network of the best incubator programmes and startup hubs, curated by Washington-based accelerator 1776.