The intensifying competition between telecoms and Starlink for broadband access marks a new era of connectivity for rural regions, as both strive to bridge Africa’s digital divide. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | As Elon Musk’s Starlink continue to cannibalise small internet service providers in major African cities and telcos …
Read More »Malawi Revenue Authority benchmarks Uganda’s Digital Tax Stamps
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has hosted an eight-member delegation from the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) for a five-day benchmarking visit on Digital Tax Stamps (DTS). The visit aimed to provide insights into the implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of the system as Malawi prepares …
Read More »Digital IDs are a mainstay in Africa’s internet economy drive
Countries across the continent are rapidly adopting national digital ID systems, a key pillar of the continent’s growing internet economy. These digital identities promise financial inclusion, secure online transactions and improved access to public services, all while strengthening fraud prevention. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | African nations are rapidly …
Read More »EAC set to enhance regional digital payments with new masterplan
Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The East African Community (EAC) is moving forward with an ambitious plan to accelerate regional digital integration through the development of the EAC Payment Systems Masterplan. The Masterplan aims to harmonize legal, regulatory, and oversight frameworks, creating a conducive environment for cross-border payments across the …
Read More »What you need to know about new digital number plates
Owners or importers will be required to pay a total of 714,300 shillings for the digital registration plate, while replacing an old plate with a new one costs 150,000. Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Monday, January 6, marked the rollout of the third phase of the Motor Vehicle Digital …
Read More »Digital stamps enhancing standards of products in the market – Finance
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Government of Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging digital innovations to bolster tax compliance, with Digital Tax Stamps (DTS) emerging as a cornerstone of this effort. Introduced in November 2019, DTS have played a critical role in enhancing transparency, combating tax evasion, …
Read More »Schools defy Ministry, implement their own rules on phones
Students from Mbale SS noted that the school permits boys to carry phones, but they are only allowed for use during weekends, while at off-campus hotels, or during free time, with some locations providing Wi-Fi. However, girls are not permitted to have gadgets. Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | While …
Read More »Equity Bank unveils digital savings options to boost financial inclusion
2023 FinScope Uganda survey shows that 60% of Ugandans are saving with a significant portion of the population relying on informal means Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Equity Bank has unveiled a range of new digital savings products designed to help customers save seamlessly, grow their money and reach their …
Read More »Starlink seek greater market share in Africa with “game-changing” router-free service
Starlink’s intention to offer a router-free service would be a “wake-up call” for Africa’s telecom giants, according to one analyst, and could trigger a pricing war across Africa’s telecom sector, forcing traditional giants to innovate or risk losing their market stronghold. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Billionaire Elon Musk’s …
Read More »Rise of digital activism in Africa as smartphone adoption surges
With Africa’s youth increasingly taking to smartphones to engage in a variety of activities – including civic and political activism – on social media, smart handset shipments are on the rise across the continent. They have now overtaken feature phone shipments for the first time, according to new reports. SPECIAL …
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