Say no to e-wasteTEAMS (The East African Marine System) was officially launched in Kenya this month without much publicity. It is however an important event for Africa, but more so for East Africa, who can now finally connect with the rest of the world after being the longest coastline in the world without fibre-optic cable linkage. This is great news for countries like Kenya that wants to expand and explore business opportunities with other African countries as well as with other continents. If used to its full potential and embraced by all involved, TEAMS should lead to a boost in development; bridging the digital divide will be much easier and will happen at a faster rate provided the effort is made by governments in the region. Africa, however, must be wary as this development could very well be a double-edged sword. E-waste is a by-product of technological advancement and emerging nations are fast becoming dumping grounds for these used resources. While importing second-hand hardware from developed countries might seem to be the best solution for economically challenged communities, this system should not be allowed get out of hand and African countries should be guarded against becoming the last stop for recycled resources. Regulations and standards must be drawn up and maintained so that Africa ensures it is environmentally and socially responsible in the digital age. Cheers! Sindy Peters, Content manager Send all your Africa marketing news to africanews@bizcommunity.com. Today's top stories
2010 FIFA World Cup
[Proffesor Ndawonde] JOHANNESBURG: A colourful closing ceremony of drummers, dancers and musicians drew the curtains on Sunday evening, 27 June 2009 on a successful FIFA Confederations Cup, a trial run for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Read more >> Digital
STAMFORD: Demand for secondary PCs will outstrip supply for years to come, but reuse does not necessarily mean "greener" IT because growing exports for reuse or recycling are leading to increasing e-waste in emerging markets, according to Gartner. Read more >>The first undersea internet cable linking East Africa to the rest of the world was launched this month, June 2009, in Kenya. The 5,000km cable stretches from Fujairah in United Arab Emirates, passing through the Indian Ocean to Kenya. Read more >>Education and Training
[Moses Mudzwiti] The University of Zimbabwe, which has been closed for five months, could reopen its doors next month. University authorities have informed the government that the university will reopen on 6 July 2009. Read more >> Media
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged the international community to help stop violence against media in Somalia after the murder of Muktar Mohamed Hirabe, director of Radio Shabelle in Mogadishu, who was shot dead by gunmen in the war ravaged Somali capital on Sunday, 7 June 2009. Read more >>Retail
HARARE: Zimbabweans continue to face serious food shortages despite a significant improvement in the maize harvest this year and the filling up of shop shelves since the formation of a unity government, the United Nations (UN) said. Read more >>TUNIS: A new international organisation established to level the field in litigation of debt claims by "vulture funds" against African countries and in the negotiation of complex commercial transactions, especially on extractive resources, has been created. Read more >>As African banks layer more security into their banking procedures, software manufacturer Oracle has unveiled solutions which it says makes transactions easier and more secure. Read more >>ADDIS ABABA: The late start of Ethiopia's wet season and the unreliability of the rains could affect crop production this year and increase the number of those in need of aid, officials said. Read more >>Mobile
Starfish Mobile International, an African Wireless Application Service Provider (WASP), has partnered with Telekom Network Malawi (TNM), an African mobile network provider, in launching and strategically driving TNM's Mobile Content business and services in Malawi. Read more >> "The future, according to some scientists, will be exactly like the past, only far more expensive." - John Sladek
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