A week of launches - 14 May 2012

Last week saw the launching of the African News Innovation Challenge, the West Africa Cable System, Airtel's Green Data Centre and the ITWeb Africa website.

With the help of generous sponsors, Google launched the African News Innovation Challenge which looks for ideas that will transform the way that African media work and to help African journalism flourish in the digital age. I look forward to seeing some of the great ideas that will emerge from this challenge. To apply, go to africannewschallenge.org.

The West Africa Cable System, also known as WACS, linking Southern and Western Africa to Europe with a 17 200 km fibre optic submarine cable system is set to meet the high demand for fast, efficient broadband in Africa, launched on Friday, 11 May 2012. This is the start of a new chapter in the development of connectivity across the continent. Here are 10 facts about WACS.

After pioneering the green site technology in Nigeria, an initiative that prevents network outages associated with inconsistent power supply, Airtel Nigeria has launched the environmentally friendly Green Data Centre which aims to provide seamless services to the millions of Airtel subscribers in Nigeria.

South African technology publisher, ITWeb on Wednesday last week, launched its new ITWeb Africa website which will provide news, insight and analysis for Africa's ICT sector. The good news is that access to content is free of charge to ITWeb Africa's readers and is funded by advertisers who seek to deliver their message to decision-makers.

Lastly, the 2012 Biz Trends Report (still available for download), which was sponsored this year by Aegis Media, was the main focus of the online media marketing sector discussion at the 5th Thought Leadership Digibate which recently took place.

Have a great week!

Evan-Lee Courie @evan1985