Wrap-Up: Our pick of main stories, Tuesday April 21st, 2015

ITV Choice’ channel coming to DStv’s Africa subscribers from May 5…Safaricom named in plot to delay roll-out of alternative technology… Kenya’s JamboPay set for African expansion… and much more.

‘ITV Choice’ channel coming to DStv’s Africa subscribers from May 5

MultiChoice Africa is set to launch a new channel, ITV Choice, on May 5 following a deal MultiChoice and ITV Studios Global Entertainment. The channel will be available to DStv Premium bouquet subscribers on ITV Choice (DStv channel 123). The new home of great British entertainment and drama, ITV Choice, has an impressive schedule lined up for its much-anticipated launch.

Kenya’s Weza Tele acquired for more than Kshs 154 illion

Weza Tele, do you remember them? I wrote about them here sometime back and mentioned that they were/are on the opposite of the hype cycle- a team of focused individuals who are driven by hard work and execution and are not blinded by the hype in the tech ecosystem.At the time I promised to do a follow up article especially on the hype cycle. Unfortunately, I did not get time to do it but I will keep my word and still do it in the coming days. Meanwhile for today I want to talk about the incredible news about Weza Tele’s acquisition, which will probably come out clearly and openly from them in the coming weeks.

For sometime now there have been rumors within the tech cycles that Weza Tele was acquired. I tried to get news from Hilda, CEO of Weza Tele but all she said, “She has nothing to say for now with regards to the rumors and together with her team they are focused and excited on the new opportunities this year”.

APA Insurance’s ‘Mwezi kwa Mwezi’ platform to enable vehicle owners pay premiums in instalments

APA Insurance has launched a new platform that allows motor vehicle insurance policyholders to pay their annual premiums online in up to six monthly installments. The payment platform dubbed ‘Mwezi kwa Mwezi’ that was developed in conjunction with Swahiba Insurance Agency is meant to make purchase of motor vehicle insurance easy, affordable and convenient.

Safaricom named in plot to delay roll-out of alternative technology

Safaricom Ltd has been named in a scheme to delay the roll-out of alternative technologies in the local market. Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i alleged that the provider of converged communication solutions was paying litigants to delay the roll-out of alternative technologies, in reference to Equity Bank’s suspended cash transfer services. The allegations, if confirmed, could introduce a new angle in an ongoing battle between Safaricom and Equity Bank. Dr Matiang’i said Kenya had become the ‘laughing stock’ of Sub-Saharan Africa over failure to effect proper regulation of the telecommunication sector, where Safaricom’s declaration as dominant was ‘long overdue’.

Kenya’s JamboPay set for African expansion

JamboPay in Kenya is almost synonymous electronic payment services what with its work with government, the private sector where it helps organizations process payments. From e-commerce sites, retailers, ticketing and county governments the company has been able to facilitate payments over platforms such as physical agency networks, mobile and web. According to Forbes magazine the company is now set for an African expansion.