iHub First Look – Nairobi’s Tech Innovation Hub from Ushahidi on Vimeo.

The iHub is:

A free of charge redundant 10Mbs connection( hardwired and WiFi).

-Membership base ,the fee,  is that you have to be  indeed involved in the tech space as a programmer, web designer or mobile application developer.

-Fresh design and an atmosphere that is conducive to techies getting cool stuff done.

-Access to the entrepreneurs and startups who need space to meet with VCs, seed funders and local businesses.

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TheJune 2009 edition of Card Expo Africa held all its promises and the 2010 edition should be a repeat of the  successful and fruitful three days of reflection,pondering and insight sharing.

2009 topics of choice were the following:

“Channel strategy: ATM, POS, Internet and Mobile”
– Ismail Radwan

“The Dynamic of e-payment in an economic recession”
– Doyin Salami

“ATM – Aggregation and convergence of channels everyone is a winner”
– Piet Cooreman   Download

“Trends & new technologies in the transport market”
– Deniz Karan

“Interfaces with e-Government”
– Barry Coetzee

“Benefits of EMV (fraud reduction, multi-application), EMV implementation process, future developments (contactless and mobile)” – Gaham Bond

“Review of the specific challenges that granting credit in Africa can pose”
– Stephen Leonard

“Case study presentation on using Biometrics and Card technology to establish a means of identifying borrowers to deliver a successful credit bureau in Uganda”
– Michael Malan

“Challenges facing financial institutions in the e-payment arena, how to build an e-payment business”
– Hany Fekry

“Mobile: A new banking paradigm”
– Andrew Oduory

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Who are the Middle Classes in Africa and what do they look like? The CMA project launched by Joan Bardeletti uncovers this hidden population through photo and research publications until end 2010.

A video shot in Nigeria also gives us a look into the live of middle class Nigeria

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What:Social MediaWeek

When: Feb 1st-5th 2010

Where:New York,Berlin,London,San francisco,Toronto and Sao Paulo

The five day conference ,will explore the impact that social media has on culture, business communications and society at large.
The programs will span a variety of formats, ranging from talks, presentations and panel discussions, to interactive workshops, seminars, networking events and drinks receptions.

The social media week is being sponsored by meebo,mashable,pepsico,PSFK,wired.com and eventbrite among others.

We shall “see an increase in businesses [Watch what : Google, GE, Microsoft, Nokia are currently doing ] looking to developing nations, including Africa, as ground zero for new product and service innovation.”

Annan envisionnes 2010 as the year where we wshall  ” see a surge in government-funded connectivity efforts and legislation around Africa. 2009 annouced that trends with the new fiber-optic cables launch in Kenya and   the governement of rwanda most  recent launch of a $7 million wireless hot spot facility.

K.Annan also predicts the emergence of Africa creative class.he points out trends,signs and individuals to watch: Arise Magazine, Fela on Broadway, Design Indaba, Maker Faire Africa 2010, The Blk Jks, FESPACO, African Gay & Lesbian groups, Paul Sika, African Avante Garde

See trends 4,5 and ,6 here

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Through the use photographs taken during the 2007 – 2008 post election violence, Picha Mtaani hosts street exhibitions in towns in Kenya that bore the brunt of the violence and engage locals in self reflective dialogue.

Date:26th January 2010

Location:Lewis Media Centre,Westminter,London

Social Politics is a one day conference designed to address the issues surrounding Politics, Local Government, Healthcare and the social media space, how they are impacting on each other and how Politicians & Government can relate and work effectively within the new challenges web 2.0 communication channels bring.

• Learn from experts about how social media is changing the political space
• Hear from those who have successfully included social media in political campaigns
• Listen to top commentators and experts on their take on why social media can be effective in politics and why not to fear it
• Learn about which politicians are using social media, case studies on Obama and Number 10
• Find new insights about which levels are embracing social media, both local and national
• Understand what the future holds, and will a traditional area be able to embrace new media
• Network immediately with our first-class pre-show online meeting planner

Speakers include:
Ingrid Koehler, Improvement Strategist, IDeA

Dave Briggs, Community Evangelist, Learning Pool

Huw Edwards, Communications Officer, NHS Hounslow

Kerry McCarthy, MP (New Media Campaigns), Labour Party

Scott Redding, Press Officer, Green Party

Craig Elder, Online Communities Editor, The Conservative Party

E+Co is a mission driven investment company that provides services and financing to clean energy entrepreneurs in Africa, Asia and Latin America. E+Co invests in  local enterprises that identify market based energy solutions that are environmentally sustainable and commercially viable.

E+Co combines services and capital to support these local energy businesses.They monitor their investments via impact reporting, based on social, environmental and financial indicators. E+Co secures investment and operating funding from foundations, financial institutions and individuals, in the form of grants, contracts and borrowing.

Job Opportunity

E+Co is seeking an experienced professional to lead its Africa operations.  The Director, Africa will have overall responsibility for the implementation, performance and growth of E+Co’s Africa operations and investments.   This will include managing a staff of 8-10 people based in Ghana, South Africa and Tanzania, to develop an investment pipeline leading to new investments and manage the existing portfolio in several countries. This will include ensuring compliance with investment guidelines, overall risk and diversification management and realizing the return objectives.  The Director will work with E+Co’s Senior Management to develop new markets and additional pipeline and if appropriate, design and establish regional funds in Africa.

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