BuzzCity Identifies Four Key Factors That Are Driving Mobile Growth In Africa

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June 14, 2011

Enjoy this nice piece from Buzzcity, an international advertising network, which we received via email. They noted that four key factors that are driving the diffusion and penetration of mobile usage across the globe and implicitly Africa: affordable phones, the design, data cost and finally the content. Tekedia will be examining a very interesting report/blog from the same company tomorrow.

There are several key factors that make for the perfect mobile storm, in terms of determining the speed with which mobile phone usage grows in any particular country, says Michael de Souza, VP of Media at international advertising network BuzzCity. “And it has nothing to do with consumers and their perceived level of sophistication.”

De Souza says that the entry of sub-$100 smart phones would have a major impact on South African mobile phone usage. “The bottom line is that the less-sophisticated user becomes ‘smart’ with a smart phone, very quickly. They learn to use the phone and its applications very quickly.”

So what else which drives an increase in the use of mobiles and mobile content in any society? De Souza says the smarter newer phones generally have bigger screens and this also drives increased mobile usage. Thirdly there is the cost of data. As this drops so the usage increases. Another driver is the advent of new technology, like 4G and Wi-Max. Finally when there is a booming and increasing array of content and services the mobile phone.

“When you have all of these elements in place the mobile phone and its strengths come to the fore, and businesses who have accepted this and adapted their business models and marketing strategies to fully utilize these strengths, will succeed.

“Businesses that pay lip-service to the mobile phone as a key marketing channel do so at their own peril.”

BuzzCity is a mobile media company offering brand owners and agencies access to a global advertising network on the mobile internet. The network is made up of publishers from across the world and BuzzCity’s own mobile media properties. As a leading international player, BuzzCity has developed in-depth knowledge of the mobile consumer and provides marketers with clear opportunities to reach this audience via its advertising and publisher programmes.

photo credit/BuzzCity

ShopAfrica53 is Empowering SMEs in Ghana By Providing International Gateway

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Tekedia Editors

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June 14, 2011

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ShopAfrica53 advertises goods and services from across Ghana online. It helps to connect small companies to the wider markets across all the African region and beyond. This helps to provide opportunities for the smaller companies.

ShopAfrica53 is a kind of web-mall – advertising goods and services from a range of small businesses in Ghana. This means the tiniest and most remote operator now has access to an international market. The website also handles logistics like collection and delivery of goods, and takes payment on behalf of the vendors.

The technology being used by ShopAfrica53 can be a lifeline for small entrepreneurs ranging from tailors to artists.

The organization operates a series of virtual web malls, one for each African country. It receives payment via a BSL owned proprietary, Africa friendly payment processing system.

This payment system works either via:

a. African Liberty Credits
b. African Liberty Scratch Cards

Malls representing all the other African countries will be activated over the coming months.

CMOS Image Sensors Makes A Comback – Grew 17% in 2010

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Tekedia Editors

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June 14, 2011

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IC Insights reports that CMOS imagers are regaining their lost momentum in a new report. Most of the cameras and camcorders in use today are done with CMOS imagers. CMOS offers lower static power dissipation making it possible for the battery to last longer. It is also efficiently mass produced in the foundry and that is necessary for the mass market.

Less than five years ago, CMOS image sensors were one of the fastest growing segments in semiconductors, but since the middle of the last decade, this optoelectronics category has struggled with price erosion resulting from increasing competition by suppliers, slowing growth rates in camera-phone applications, and the last recession. After dropping 16% in 2009, CMOS image sensor sales rebounded by just 17% in 2010 to $4.5 billion compared to the semiconductor industry’s much stronger growth of 32% last year. Beginning in 2011, however, CMOS image sensor sales are expected to gain new momentum and consistency in growth from new systems applications beyond camera phones and stand-alone digital still cameras, concludes IC Insights’ new 2011

An image sensor is a device that converts an optical image into an electronic signal. It is used mostly in digital cameras and other imaging devices. Early sensors were video camera tubes but a modern one is typically a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) active pixel sensor.(wikipedia)

How to make Nigerian Internet Business Profitable

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Tekedia Editors

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June 14, 2011

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First, the key is offering service. Do not be overly fixated on profitability. Find a niche area – a problem – many people have not addressed and try to solve it. Just focus on addressing that issue and forget for a while the profit aspect.

While solving that societal problem or meeting the need of the society, keep your eye on how you can be sustainable. But let the driving force be anchored on meeting the needs. Do not lose that vision, otherwise, you will not find success.

Internet is a huge opportunity. It is truly a platform for business and you must not ignore it. It gives us the access to tap the world and build wealth doing it. Anyone anywhere can see your products and services.

As you build your site or web presence, never forget your target audience. In other words, who are the people you want to address their needs? How wealthy are there? Are they educated in your offering? How can you connect with them online since all they read there will tell them about the products and services. While you have the second chance to re-explain yourself in person, in online, that may not work out easily. Of course, an online feedback mechanism can help in that. Communication must exist and that must be two-way.

So finding a way to connect to your audience will help you become successful in Internet business.

For Nigeria, the biggest challenge is payment system. How are you going to get them to actually make purchase? Now they have read the good products and services you are offering to solve their needs, how can they get them? You have to evaluate the bank option, office visit option and using Interswitch payment system.

Yet, paying thousands of naira to Interswitch to have them collect few hundreds in a year may not be a good idea. Your business must be strong and growing before you make those kinds of investments unless you have a lot of funding.

But remember, Nigeria is a tough place for business. You need to be adaptive and persevere when things seem to not be looking fine. That means if the original Internet idea is not working, be open to try plan B.

All in all, it will take a lot of money to run a web business in Nigeria. You probably need at at least a million naira because you need security of your site, the payment system and then the expensive data plan in Nigeria to go online. Think through and see if there are people that will buy those services. If you see then, then go for it.

Alternatively, it is happening in Kenya right now, you can brand your products internationally and get someone in US to help you collect the money. There are companies that are emerging for such needs in US. The truth is that your product may not appeal to Nigeria alone, it can have international value. You must have that vision and execute accordingly.

Good luck with your internet busiess.

The 8th Annual West & Central Africa Com Returns to Senegal – June 14/15

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Tekedia Editors

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June 14, 2011

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The West & Central Africa Com 2 day conference agenda addresses the hottest topics facing operators, service providers, regulators and vendors operating in or looking to enter West & Central Africa. Constructed in consultation with the market, the conference agenda is delivered using a series of C-Level roundtables, interviews, presentations, case studies and question and answer panel sessions.

Gain unique market perspectives and insights from a 40 strong speaker-line up including 25+ Operator leaders. The 2 day agenda equips you to capitalise on new networks and services, while the 50 stand networking exhibition will showcase the world’s foremost technology and solutions available for your business. If you do telecoms business in the region, this is an event you cannot afford to miss!

Hot topics To Be Discussed

Operators’ Strategies in West & Central Africa
Networks & Infrastructure
Value Added Services
Special Country Focus: Senegal
Rural Telecoms
Forecasting Future Trends in West & Central Africa’s Telecommunications Markets

Date : June 1 -16

Le Meridien President
Pointe des Almadies, BP 8181
Dakar, Senegal
Phone: (221)(33) 8696969

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How to make Nigerian Internet Business Profitable

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The 8th Annual West & Central Africa Com Returns to Senegal – June 14/15

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