E-Business
African Datacentre Operators Back Free Hosting
Datacentre operators in Africa have highlighted the rationale behind their decision last month to start offering free cloud hosting for applications in an effort to curb COVID-19.
In a statement, umbrella organisation the Africa Data Centre Association (ADCA) said the objective behind the initiative to provide free hosting (up to 10 Us Servers and 2 KW – for related applications for the rest of 2020) is to help Africa in its effort to recover from COVID-19, knowing that the solution for recovery relies on digital tools and ecosystems.
The organisation added that the crisis shows the importance of business continuity plans, citing the role of datacentre infrastructure in sustaining business operations while ensuring safety measures such as social distancing.
Ben Roberts, Chief of Technology and innovation for Liquid Telecom Group, incorporating Africa Data Centres, a member of ADCA, said platforms that have so far benefited from free hosting include the information portal for the Kenya private sector association; an information gathering platform to track the impact of the pandemic on businesses; a site for local innovators in Kenya who are building ventilators, PPEs etc using 3D printing and other innovations; and the First African ‘Zoom’ equivalent video conferencing solution hosted in Africa, Gumzo.
“We have a lot of interest from health system related applications to help deal with both COVID related needs, as well as generally supporting digitisation of healthcare,” said Roberts. “The offer initially included physical rack space for servers, but we requested to have it extended to virtual servers, since many people are experiencing slowness importing hardware to Africa, and virtual servers can ramp up much faster.”
Galaxy Backbone’s Timi Fadeyi said ADCA members see the move as their contribution to the fight against the global pandemic.
A representative from a cloud vendor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, believes the offer targets start-ups, research institutes and SMEs, and adds value because it encourages innovation in the fight against COVID-19 as computing infrastructure can be ticked off from the innovator’s constraint list and further makes the case for ‘work from anywhere’ technologies.
At the same time, the representative maintains that while the combined cost savings on power, space and computing infrastructure is good, some could argue that the offer might be incomplete as organisations aiming to fight COVID-19 would also require scalable and reliable connectivity.
E-Business
Hisense Electronics Unveils Flagship Showroom in Abuja
By Fabian Tarpael, Abuja
Hisense electronics unveiled a flagship showroom in Abuja over the weekend. Speaking at the event, Mr. Mustapha Khries, the Abuja Branch Manager of the Fouani Group, highlighted the significance of the flagship store, describing it as the first of its kind in the entire West African region.
He also addressed the challenges facing businesses in Nigeria, particularly the high exchange rates and transportation costs.
“The Fouani Group remains resilient and ready to overcome challenges, unlike others who often exit the market when faced with similar issues.”
Ms. Haifa Du, Senior Sales Manager for Hisense Electronics, emphasized the brand’s commitment to affordability and innovation, stating that Hisense offers the most cost-effective and advanced solutions in the market.
The event underscored Hisense’s dedication to technological innovation and sustainability while reaffirming its leadership position in the consumer electronics market.
Mr. Robbin Wei, Senior Sales Manager of Hisense Group, supported by Mr. Greg and Ms. Haifa Du, showcased various innovative products from the new flagship store.
Among the standout products showcased include; The Hisense 110″ Smart Ultra AMOLED TV, featuring unique capabilities such as a solar-powered remote control and a “locate remote” function to find misplaced remotes easily.
E-Business
PalmPay, Jumia Partner to Launch Integration for Shoppers in Nigeria
PalmPay, Africa-focused fintech operating Nigeria’s most used mobile wallet, and Jumia, Africa’s e-commerce giant, today announce a strategic partnership to enhance the digital payment ecosystem on the continent, starting with payment integrations and co-marketing efforts in Nigeria.
This partnership underscores both parties’ commitment to developing the digital payment ecosystem in Nigeria and grow the use of the cashless economy.
WIth PalmPay now available as a payment method, shoppers on Jumia will now be able to pay for their purchases with the option to check out with their PalmPay wallet, ensuring a seamless user experience and transaction reliability through the direct integration.
“We are proud to partner with Jumia as we bring together the best of fintech and e-commerce to redefine the online shopping experience,” said Sofia Zab, Chief Marketing Officer, PalmPay. “This strategic alliance aligns perfectly with our shared commitment to delivering a superior user experience and exceptional value to our customers.”
Speaking on the partnership, Sunil Natraj, CEO, Jumia Nigeria added: “At Jumia, we are dedicated to creating value for our customers by ensuring a convenient, reliable, and secure shopping experience.
“This partnership with PalmPay strengthens our commitment to enhancing the digital payments within our platform. By integrating PalmPay, we are providing more options for customers to access affordable and quality goods with the convenience of cashless transactions.”
This alliance marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between two industry giants, aiming to drive innovation, increase convenience for consumers, and foster the adoption of digital payments across Africa.
To celebrate the launch of the partnership, PalmPay and Jumia are launching a special Christmas campaign, running from December 11th to 30th. During this period, customers who make purchases on Jumia using the PalmPay payment method will stand a chance to win exciting cash rewards. More details can be found on the brands’ respective social media pages. @palmpay_ng and @JumiaNigeria.
E-Business
Aero Contractors Launches “12 Days of Christmas” Campaign
Aero Contractors is thrilled to announce the launch of its “12 Days of Christmas” campaign, a festive and engaging social media initiative designed to spread holiday cheer and reward loyal customers.
Running from December 13 to December 24, 2024, this exciting campaign underscores Aero Contractors’ commitment to connecting families, friends, and communities during the holidays.
The “12 Days of Christmas” campaign invites travel enthusiasts, loyal customers, and holiday travelers to participate in fun and interactive activities on Aero Contractors’ social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Each day will feature engaging posts such as trivia, puzzles, and challenges designed to ignite the festive spirit and encourage community participation.
Participants are encouraged to follow Aero Contractors’ social media pages, engage with the daily posts by liking, commenting, or sharing, and follow the specific instructions for each day’s activity.
Winners will be selected daily and announced on the respective platforms. Exciting prizes await participants, with the grand reward of a free return economy class ticket—a perfect gift for reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new destinations this holiday season.
“At Aero Contractors, we believe in the power of togetherness, especially during the holidays,” said Capt. Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors.
“Our ‘12 Days of Christmas’ campaign is our way of giving back to the community that has supported us throughout the year. It’s an opportunity to engage, celebrate, and reward our customers while spreading joy and festive cheer.”
This campaign targets travel enthusiasts, loyal Aero Contractors customers, and families looking to make the most of the holiday season. Through this initiative, Aero Contractors reaffirms its dedication to safe, reliable, and efficient air travel, bringing people closer when it matters most.
Follow Aero Contractors on Instagram, Facebook, and X to join the “12 Days of Christmas” campaign. Engage daily for a chance to win a free return economy class ticket and other exciting offers.
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