Wrap-Up: Our pick of main stories, Thursday August 27th, 2015

Google, Digital Matatus partner to launch Google Transit, a feature on Google Maps which helps people plan public transport trips quickly and easily in an effort to provide Kenyans, out-of-town visitors and tourists get instant access to useful information on buses and matatus…For this and much more, read on…

Google Transit to help Kenya’s PSV users plan trips

Google has partnered with Digital Matatus – a Kenya-based startup – to launch Google Transit. Google Transit is a feature on Google Maps which helps people plan public transport trips quickly and easily in an effort to provide Kenyans, out-of-town visitors and tourists get instant access to useful information on buses and matatus within their respective areas as well as public transit directions in a central place.

Kenya to introduce mandatory online visa applications from September 1, 2015

Starting from 1st September 2015, Kenya will introduce mandatory electronic visa application. The new rules were first announced on 1st of July 2015 and the Kenya Government gave a grace period that expires on 31st August 2015. Effective 1st September 2015, Passengers may be denied boarding of their flight to Kenya or denied entry to Kenya if they do not have printed copy of their e-visa with them.

Safaricom tops Euromoney’s ‘Best Managed Company’ list

Safaricom has been named the ‘Best Managed Company in Kenya’ by leading market analysts. Euromoney Magazine awards its Best Managed Companies ranking based on a survey of market analysts at leading banks, consultancy firms and research institutes around the world.

Huawei P8 smartphone now in Uganda via MTN outlets

After a successful global launch in Asia, Europe and South Africa, the sensational award winning Huawei P8 smartphone is being launched in Ugandan today and will be available in MTN Uganda outlets and Service Centers countrywide. Partnering with MTN Uganda, Huawei technologies unveiled the sleek smartphone to the Ugandan market at Kampala Serena Hotel at an exciting price of Ushs1,590,000 is bundled with 50MB of data, daily for 60 days. The unveiling ceremony was presided over by the Prime Minister Ruhankana Rugunda.

Local content in Africa’s internet network increases by 50%

Networking firm Liquid Telecom has said that they have seen an increase in local content hosted within Africa, from 20% in 2012 to 50% this year, signalling the improvement of infrastructure on the continent. Most businesses have been hosting their websites and data offshore, which increases the cost for ISPs having to pick up data from other continents. ISPs are charged international exchange costs, which also limits the possibility of cheap connectivity.