EAST AFRICA

Ethiopia detains two Swedish journalists

NEW YORK: Two Swedish journalists reporting on the activities of armed separatists operating in an oil-rich province of eastern Ethiopia have been detained without charge since last Thursday, 30 June 2011, in the Horn of Africa nation, according to news reports and government officials. Read more >>

AFRICA

Airtel TVC aims to break down communication barriers

NAIROBI: Airtel Africa this week launched a thematic television ad that focuses on breaking down communication barriers. The commercial - named "Breaking Barriers" - delves into the need and use of communications across various cultures in the world. Read more >>

KENYA

Dealfish tops in mobile advertising

[Carole Kimutai] Through a mobile advertising partnership with InMobi, an independent mobile ad network, Dealfish.co.ke is now one of the most visited local websites in Kenya. Dealfish, a free, online classifieds site for local communities, provides users with a means to buy, sell, rent and find products, services and jobs. Read more >>

AFRICA

Social media, popular revolt: cure against African dictators?

[Issa Sikiti da Silva: @sikitimedia] The events and developments of the past six months in Africa have demonstrated that the rise of social media has not only revolutionised the business environment, but also redefined the political scene by shaking the foundation of dictatorship, lack of service delivery and corruption for the first time since the dawn of independences. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Neo@Ogilvy global CEO talks up role of emerging markets, mobile

[Herman Manson: @marklives] Neo@Ogilvy's global CEO, New-York based Nasreen Madhany, has been visiting South Africa for a corporate summit, where she talked up the role emerging markets will play in the future profitability of her company. Read more >>

EAST AFRICA

iBurst sees success in DRC

[Bontle Moeng] iBurst Africa is a wireless data provider established by its current founder and CEO, Thami Mtshali, to offer superior connectivity solutions to consumers and businesses on the African continent. iBurst Africa has established operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Ghana and intends to launch its services in newly independent, South Sudan. Read more >>

KENYA

Kenya heading for shared mobile money transfer system

[Carole Kimutai] Following the success of Safaricom's mobile transfer service MPesa, the government of Kenya has formed a taskforce to look into the possibility of developing a common system for facilitating mobile money transfers across networks. Read more >>

UGANDA

Stanbic Bank supports Uganda's agriculture sector

Stanbic Bank plans to increase its lending to Uganda's agriculture sector this year, adding to the US$25 million already made available by financial institutions, according to Ricardo Sengo, head agriculture development finance, Standard Bank Africa. Read more >>

ANGOLA

Nampak Bevcan opens beverage can factory in Angola

The official opening of Nampak Bevcan's US$160 million beverage can factory, Angolata took place late last month. The factory is situated in the Viana Industrial Zone in Angola's capital, Luanda. Read more >>

AFRICA

Big Brother fans able to influence show via gaming portal

DStv Online has launched a gaming portal that offers users over 600 games for PC and over 300 mobile games, with a focus on social media integration and multiplayer offerings for its online community of gamers. Read more >>

EAST AFRICA

Chinese television shops for journalists in East Africa

[Walter Wafula] China Central Television (CCTV), the Chinese national broadcaster has announced several vacancies for East African electronic media journalists, setting the stage for increased competition for the limited talent-base. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

May 2011 US mobile subscriber market share

RESTON, US: comScore, Inc, a leader in measuring the digital world, today released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the US mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending May 2011. Read more >>

JAPAN

Next generation brand ambassador

TOKYO, JAPAN: Celebrity endorsements are a powerful marketing tool in the Asian pop market, and so it is crucial for a brand to find just the right celebrity to promote its product. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Capetonians, help name your neighbourhoods

[Sindy Peters: Africa editor] Capetonians are renowned for being exceedingly proud of their city - and Cape Town does indeed have some unique characteristics to brag about (apart from the mountain). Most road trips will provide you with a scenic view - I've been here for more than eight years and still, while commuting between home and the office, I admire the beautiful surroundings. The vibe is so eclectic that just crossing over into a different street in the CBD could take you to a distinctly different atmosphere. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Kenya Airways opens new lounge at the JKIA

With a view to enhancing the range of value-added services for its customers, national carrier Kenya Airways has announced the opening of a new lounge for its SkyTeam frequent members. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Official Springbok IRB World Cup song to be released

Let's Do It Again, a song by Freshlyground and Goldfish, which is the official song for the Springboks at the IRB Rugby World Cup 2011, will be released on 15, July 2011. Let's Do It Again is an integral part of the Springbok Fans Unite 2011 campaign and will be the musical flag flown in support of the Springboks. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

No room for broom... on the upside of town

[Zeenat Ebrahim] A mediocre black comedy centred on two families whose differences are apt to adopt a 'chalk and cheese' label. Jumping the broom is every bit as literal as the phrase suggests and stems from a family tradition that symbolises 'tying the knot'. Read more >>