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Uganda: VoIP Smile Communications Launches Today
Kampala - The seventh mobile operator in Uganda, Smiles Communication, starts operations today, using the 02 code. Irene Charnley, Smiles’ chief executive officer, yesterday said the firm targets the un-served, bottom of the pyramid consumers in Africa and the Middle East. "For the first time, individuals are offered free electronic identities and voice message boxes without needing to own a phone," said Charnley.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Social Entrepreneur Has Venture Backing to Light Up the World
D.light Design Inc., which manufactures and sells solar-powered lamps in poor areas of the globe, is an example of a company that seeks to bring entrepreneurship to a social mission. GlobalAtlanta met representatives of the company during the First East Africa Energy Conference held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in June. The company, which was incorporated in May 2007, opened its East Africa office in Tanzania this year. Sam Goldman, a co-founder, was a Peace Corps volunte...
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Phillips Develops Off-Grid Lighting for Africa
Phillips apparently sees a fruitful market among the nearly 2 billion people who lack access to electricity. The company is rolling out a small line of lighting products specifically designed for the needs of those at the bottom of the economic pyramid. We’ve seen Phillips’ interest in this area before with its smokeless cooking stove, and we’ve seen what a difference simple lighting technology can make for rural communities. An entrant into this year’s Index Award,...
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Bottom of the Pyramid Plan Boosts Revenues
Family Bank has transformed itself from a building society formed in 1984 to a fully-fledged bank. The indigenous bank has since its conversion in May 2007 been on a growth path in terms of customer outreach and the bottom line. It boasts of 44 branches spread across the country. Within the last one year the bank has added 11 branches to its network ,indicating its growth momentum. Operating in an increasingly competitive market, the bank has managed to hold its head high among its...
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Healthcare focus tackles the heart of the matter
I have been in Nairobi for 10 weeks, but in terms of knowledge and experience accumulated it feels like aeons. I am working as an intern with Acumen Fund, a global social venture fund. It provides equity and debt financing to enterprises that use market-based approaches to supply goods and services to the base of the pyramid - people earning under $4 (€2.79, £2.42) a day. My focus is on healthcare systems in East Africa, in particular mapping out the ecosystem for health...
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Grameen Foundation and Google create mobile apps for Africa
Posted by Kristi Heim Real time information about farming, health and trading will be available to mobile phone users in Uganda with new technology services developed by the Grameen Foundation, Google and telecom operator MTN Uganda. The Grameen Foundation saw the proliferation of mobile phones in Africa as a way to get ...
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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The missing middle to drive sustainable growth
Just imagine how different the world would be if, back in Microsoft’s earliest days, Bill Gates had been unable to find anyone to invest in him or if a decade ago the same had happened to Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page as they tried to get the business going from the garage of a suburban home in California. Entrepreneurs the world over who try to start up and grow businesses face the problem of lack of access to finance. Often, they also experience an equ...
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Coca-Cola Distribution Model Contributes to Entrepreneurship
Report finds that the company’s Manual Distribution Centers have led to the creation of 12,000 jobs while contributing to the Millennium Development Goals. SocialFunds.com -- As part of its commitment to the Business Call to Action, Coca-Cola has developed a Manual Distribution Center (MDC) model in Ethiopia and Tanzania that has the potential to contribute to some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Coca-Cola’s efforts in Africa are described in a report entitled ...
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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