Wrap-Up: Our pick of main stories, Wednesday April 22nd, 2015

Government losing upto Kshs 2 billion annually due to disruption of critical infrastructure… Airtel Kenya, Medanta Africare partner to deliver mobile healthcare…. National Bank joins PesaPoint’s ATM network…and much more

Government losing upto Kshs 2 billion annually due to disruption of critical infrastructure

The Kenya government is making direct loses of between Kshs 1.5 billion to Kshs 2 billion annually due to interference of critical infrastructure in the ministries of Information, Communication and Technology, Energy and Petroleum and Industrialization and Enterprise Development. This was announced by Cabinet Secretary Ministry of ICT, Dr Fred Matiang’i during the opening ceremony of Formulation of Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill.

Kenya’s M-Changa, Farm Capital Africa among Innovation Prize for Africa finalists

Two of Kenya’s innovations – M-Changa and Farm Capital Africa – are among the 10 nominated finalists for this year’s Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) which recognizes talented innovators from the continent. M-Changa, also known as e-Harambee, is a mobile application that empowers individuals and organizations to initiate and manage fundraisers via sms or web devices in an efficient and cost effective way. Combining mass market mobile communication with money transfer technologies, m-changa allows users to solicit support for a cause, track contributions, and withdraw funds using their mobile phones without relying on internet connectivity.

Airtel Kenya, Medanta Africare partner to deliver mobile healthcare

Airtel Kenya has joined hands with Medanta Africare to launch a new mHealth service that will allow customers access quality health advice from doctors through their mobile phones. The service will enable Airtel subscribers consult with doctors from Medanta Africare and access relevant health care advice by calling 1525 at normal calling rates from their mobile phones. This service will be available daily from 8am to 8pm.

National Bank joins PesaPoint’s ATM network

National Bank of Kenya has opened its ATM network for nationwide sharing aiming to attract millions of cardholders from other banks, in a new partnership with Kenya’s largest interbank ATM aggregator- PesaPoint. Following launch of this service, ATMs belonging to National Bank effectively become part of PesaPoint meaning cardholders from all other PesaPoint partner institutions can now use any National Bank ATMs across the country. The partnership has drastically reduced ATM transaction fees for other banks. PesaPoint and its 32 PesaPoint Partner banks encourage cardholders in Kenya to use any ATM branded with the PesaPoint logo to enjoy a wide array of benefits.

Lake Region’s economic blueprint proposes establishment of Regional Data Centre

The Lake Region Economic Blueprint, which was launched during the second Devolution Conference, has identified a Regional Data Centre among key opportunities for potential investors looking to put their funds in the region. The document, which provides a new roadmap by 10 counties in the Lake Victoria basin that is aimed at catalyzing the region’s economic development through targeted joint investments, has also identified a regional ICT platform for services as well as well as Revenue Collection as the other opportunities for potential investors.