HiPipo Money

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MTN Côte d’Ivoire today announced that the company has paid 75% of the new telecommunications operator unified license acquisition cost to the Government of Cote d’Ivoire.

Indeed, given that the GSM license expires on 1 April 2016, after 20 years of operation, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire had anticipated the allocation of the new telecommunications operator unified license as of 15 December 2015, by receiving the required advance payment representing 50% of the license cost amounting to CFAF 100 billion.

By paying 75%, which is above the required 50% minimum, MTN CI obtains the extension of the operating term of the unified license for 17 years, for commissioning all services and products associated to 2G / 3G / 4G /  LTE and upcoming new technologies.

The CFA F 75 billion cheque handing over ceremony took place on 15 December 2015 at 19:30 at the premises of the Prime Minister in the presence of Mr. Daniel Kablan Duncan, Prime Minister of the State of Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Bruno KONE Nabagné, the Minister of ICT and Postal Services and Government Spokesman, the CEO of MTN Côte d’Ivoire and CEOs of all operators concerned by the renewal of their licenses.

For MTN, this CFA F 100 billion investment confirms its commitment to work as a key player for telecommunications development for the Cote d’Ivoire economy and its clients.

Through this new license opportunity, MTN Côte d’Ivoire is consolidating its positioning as the leading provider of the bold new digital world to the Ivorian market.

MTN Cote d’Ivoire announces partial payment of the new telecommunications operators unified license cost

MTN Côte d’Ivoire today announced that the company has paid 75% of the new telecommunications operator unified license acquisition cost to the Government of Cote d’Ivoire.

Indeed, given that the GSM license expires on 1 April 2016, after 20 years of operation, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire had anticipated the allocation of the new telecommunications operator unified license as of 15 December 2015, by receiving the required advance payment representing 50% of the license cost amounting to CFAF 100 billion.

By paying 75%, which is above the required 50% minimum, MTN CI obtains the extension of the operating term of the unified license for 17 years, for commissioning all services and products associated to 2G / 3G / 4G /  LTE and upcoming new technologies.

The CFA F 75 billion cheque handing over ceremony took place on 15 December 2015 at 19:30 at the premises of the Prime Minister in the presence of Mr. Daniel Kablan Duncan, Prime Minister of the State of Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Bruno KONE Nabagné, the Minister of ICT and Postal Services and Government Spokesman, the CEO of MTN Côte d’Ivoire and CEOs of all operators concerned by the renewal of their licenses.

For MTN, this CFA F 100 billion investment confirms its commitment to work as a key player for telecommunications development for the Cote d’Ivoire economy and its clients.

Through this new license opportunity, MTN Côte d’Ivoire is consolidating its positioning as the leading provider of the bold new digital world to the Ivorian market.

About MTN Group

Launched in 1994, MTN Group (Mobile Telecommunications Network) is a leading emerging market operator operating in 22 countries of Africa, Asia and  Middle East : Afghanistan, South Africa, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cyprus, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Guinea, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, Sudan, Swaziland, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Zambia. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN”. As of 30 September 2015 MTN recorded 233 million subscribers across its operations.

About MTN Côte d’Ivoire

MTN Group became shareholder of Loteny Telecom, now called MTN CI following a change of denomination in December 2005 after a the acquisition of the majority stake of the company from SOW Group. MTN CI is a global phone operator ” mobile + fixed + internet” offering services and innovative products and strategically customer centric. As a committed corporate citizen, MTN CI has more than 65,000 points of sale throughout the country. As at 30 June 2015, the number of regularly registered “mobile” subscribers was 8,248,641.

To follow all news about MTN CI and have exclusive information, visit:

www.mtn.ci, www.mtnbusiness.ci,  www.mtn.ci/MTNCI/fondationmtn,  www.facebook.com/MTNCotedIvoire,  www.facebook.com/FondationMtnCoteDIvoire,  www.twitter.com/MTN_Cotedivoire  and www.youtube.com/MTNcotedivoire

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MTN Uganda has launched MTN Please Call Me. This is a free service that allows an MTN customer to send an SMS message to any other MTN customer requesting them to call back.

Customers can access the service by dialing *160*1*5# and use either the default message which reads “Please call me” or a personalized message where they type their preferred message of up to 20 characters. A customer will receive a maximum of three (3) free MTN Please Call Me messages daily.

MTN has continuously launched products designed to address different customer needs and segments. “When we commenced operations in Uganda in 1998, we had a mission to deliver the best quality and relevant services in the industry to our customers and over the years we have steadily achieved this with the numerous services we offer.” said Kenneth Kiddu MTN’s Ag. Chief Marketing officer.

MTN Please Call Me is an easy to use and free service that provides customers from all walks of life an alternative to beeping and ensuring that customers can always stay in touch regardless of whether they have airtime or not. 

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NBS will now be available on Channels 94 on GOtv

 Viewers in Kampala, Entebbe, Mbarara, Gulu, Arua, Mbale, Jinja and Iganga to enjoy NBS tv

Part of GOtv’s strategic plan of promoting and showcasing quality local content

GOtv Uganda, the number one Pay TV digital terrestrial television platform in  the country and NBS TV, one of Uganda’s top ranked privately owned television station have signed an agreement that will see NBS TV, being carried on GOtv. This exciting partnership will give Ugandan viewers that can access the GOtv network across the major towns in the country the opportunity of enjoying NBS’s fantastic all round local and international programming in crystal clear digital quality.

Kin Kariisa, the Director of NBS said “This is a historic partnership which have been looking forward to for a long time, we are both proud and excited about the opportunities this collaboration presents and are confident that our viewers will appreciate the value it will bring them in terms of reach and quality of signal”.

He continued “NBS is ranked amongst the top television stations in country based on our local, attractive programming that resonates with Ugandans. We are also an innovative brand, with fresh exciting technologies and programs that everyone can enjoy anytime and anywhere”.

Ms Patricia Kiconco Brand Segment Manager of GOtv Uganda said “At GOtv we are constantly looking for ways of improving the viewing experience for our current and potential subscribers, this includes promoting local content on our platforms; the addition of NBS TV onto GOtv is a manifestation of our commitment towards this objective. Our business firmly believes that the future of digital television in Africa lies in the adoption of the latest technology and a company’s willingness to invest in showcasing programming that is increasingly relevant to the end consumer. NBS fits within this strategy which is the reason we have entered this partnership”.

In closing Ms Kiconco thanked NBS for committing itself to the partnership with GOtv which will bear fruit for the company and its viewers. She encouraged Ugandan viewers to go out and purchase GOtv kits so they can enjoy watching NBS and other fantastic GOtv channels on the platform.

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Black was the dress code as revelers made their way to the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala to celebrate Guinness’ new-look in the ‘All-Black VIP Party.’

The celebration that was christened the ‘Party of the Year’ attracted hordes of Guinness consumers and celebrities who included Nigerian Standup comedian Basket Mouth, musicians Chameleon, Cindy, Maurice Kirya, among others.

Headlining at the party was Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly known as Wizkid. A host of other performances had also been lined up for the night.

As early as 7pm, revelers were already making their way into the venue, anticipating an unforgettable night of fun and merrymaking.

Speaking prior to the event, Mark Mugisha, the Marketing Manager at Uganda Breweries Limited said; “We have put together the biggest party of the year for existing and new consumers to reveal to them that they can enjoy a colorful world of more. A world made of more style, more fun and more adventure.”

Despite having only two albums to his name, Wizkid has amassed a following of adoring fans world over and it was evident that the Nigerian superstar’s maiden appearance in Uganda was going to be a memorable one.

By 9pm, there a full house at Golf Course Hotel’s Banquet Hall drinking chilled Guinness that was available free of charge as they wiggled to mixes from Uganda’s top DJs like spin master, Aludah.

Afro-pop singer Cindy then took to the stage, belting out her popular hits like ‘Amateeka’, Selector, among others as the audience danced and sang along. The audience that was now fully in party mode created a sea of black waves as they danced, waved their hands and as is the norm today, took photos of the proceedings.

After Cindy’s performance, the DJs momentarily stole the show as they played different genres of music before Uganda’s self-proclaimed Music Doctor Jose Chameleon stepped onto the catwalk. In his signature coarse voice, the ‘heavyweight’ thrilled with his latest hits; ‘Wale Wale’, ‘Owakabi’, among others.

The party reached a crescendo when DJ Exclusive, Wiz kid’s official spin master took over the turntables. Hysterical screams could be heard as the lanky Nigerian prostrated before the audience.

His mixes ushered in the main act, Wizkid who was, as he said in the press conference a day before, eager to ‘bring the house down.’

He took the audience on a musical journey; kicking off with ‘Holla at yo boy’, ‘Tease Me’, before taking it a notch higher with his more recent tracks.

The award winning singer/songwriter then continued with JaiyeJaiye (featuring Femi Kuti), Star boy, Love My Baby and the very popular Only Man She Want (featuring Popcaan). He then performed Sexy Mama, a song hesang with Iyanya a popular hit among Ugandans. 

As the party drew to a close, it was evident that the event had lived up to its billing as the Party of the year.

Uganda Breweries Limited’s Mark Mugisha says that the new-look Guinness still retains the dark, rich and deeply satisfying taste that the brand has come to be known for since 1759.

“By hosting our consumers to this party, our aim was to celebrate the new bold look of the brand and to show appreciation to them because they are behind the popularity of the brand. We shall as usual continue engaging with them in various for a,” he said.

The new look Guinness pack comes with more pronounced features including an accentuated harp, a more distinct, Arthur Guinness signature and a stylish foil cover that gives the pack a modern contemporary look.

Guinness has always engaged its customers in several activities and is the brand behind the popular television show Guinness Football Challenge, Guinness Fantasy Football Manager that saw several soccer fans win cash and prizes across Uganda.

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MTN Grouptoday announcedit is the Platinum EventSponsorfor the GSMA Mobile 36-Africa event to be held in Cape Town from5-7 November 2014.

Mobile 360-Africa will attractkey stakeholders from mobile and adjacent industries to examine practical steps to help bring about collaboration, including coordinating and enabling policies to promote digital and financial inclusion.

MTN Group President and CEO Sifiso Dabengwa will also deliver a keynote address on the opening day of the conference. Dabengwawill share his thoughts about the development of the industry and the role of telecoms in the further growth and evolution of the African continent.

Commenting on the partnership with the GSMA, Executive for Corporate Affairs at MTN Group, Chris Maroleng said: “MTN is at the coalface of the mobile evolution underway in the majority of our markets, where we are enabling customers to access financial and digital services through mobile devices. Oursponsorship of the GSMA Mobile 360-Africa event gives us an opportunity to take an active role in engagements that seek to move the continent closer to realising the promise of mobile.”

Mobile 360-Africa serves as an extension of previously established GSMA events, including the Mobile for Development Summit and the Mobile Money for the Unbanked Leadership Forum.  These events are featured at Mobile 360-Africa as co-located programmes, showcasing the progress of initiatives already benefitting millions within the region.The co-located programmes will take a closer look at many of the initiatives driven by GSMA’s work in Mobile for Development, Mobile Money for the Unbanked (MMU), Connected Women and policy and regulation.

We’re very pleased to have MTN Group’s strong support of Mobile 360-Africa,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. “Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the fastest-growing regions globally, with the number of unique mobile subscribers growing by 18 per cent annually over the last five years, and it’s also a tremendously diverse environment. We’re looking forward to Mobile 360-Africa and exploring how mobile is driving digital and financial inclusion in the region, for the benefit of citizens, businesses and governments alike.”

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• Locomotives are the first to have been purchased for commercial use on the Uganda – Kenya Railway in 27 years
• RVR set to double its locomotive capacity with the arrival of another 17 over the next 8 months
• Business community welcomes development as a game changer

The first three of 20 locomotives RVR purchased in a project aimed at doubling its freight haulage capacity arrived in Kampala today at a ceremony held at the central railway station.

The GE B23-7 locomotives which cost 64 Billion shillings were built by American industrial conglomerate General Electric, are equipped with a state of the art microprocessor control system that monitors the engine’s performance and boosts the load-carrying capacity by 20 per cent by optimizing the traction between the wheels and the railway track.

RVR’s Locomotive capacity has been growing steadily over the last 18 months through a combination of rehabilitation of existing locos and purchases.

The arrival of the Locomotives is considered to be a major milestone in the history of the concession and a further sign that the investments being made into the railway by RVR are beginning to register tangible results by delivering the much needed infrastructure and rolling stock required to turnaround the Kenya Uganda railway.

Eng. Michael Kamau, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure noted last month at a ceremony in Mombasa to commission the GE locomotives that “since January 2013, RVR’s performance on freight haulage has seen a fairly steady rise mainly due to investment in railway track on the Mombasa-Nairobi section and the refurbishment of rolling stock”.

Highlighting the investments the shareholders have made in the Railway so far Charles Mbire a shareholder and company director noted that RVR has made significant capital injections aimed at improving both the commercial and operational side of the business resulting in reduced turnaround times and increased efficiencies. “Transit times between Mombasa and Kampala are now down by 40pc from November last year with one way trips Mombasa –Kampala now taking less than 4 days, our target is to cut this down further to approximately 2.2 days”.

Members of the business community who attended the ceremony welcomed the arrival of the Locomotives which regional economists believe will be a game changer in the East African transport sector given the additional capacity that will be available, this will provide more flexibility and the possibility of doing greater volumes business, eventually driving down transport prices and benefiting the rest of the regional economy.

Speech by Hon. John Byabagambi, Minister of State for Works

At inceptionceremony of the first three of 20 US built locomotives acquired by RVR

Monday 20^th October 2014, Kampala Railway Station

Honourable Members of Parliament, the Managing Director of the Uganda Railways Corporation, representatives from Kenya Railways Corporation, Directors and Management of RVR present, representatives of RVR investors and lenders, ladies and gentlemen.

It gives me great pleasure to be here today to officiate at this ceremony to receive in Kampala the first three locomotives of a larger consignment of 20, purchased by Rift Valley Railways.

These 20 US-built locomotives, acquired at a cost of shillings 64 billion shillings, or 25 million dollars will help expand haulage of cargo on the Uganda – Kenya railway, and I am told will help double RVR’s freight cargo carrying capacity when the full consignment is delivered by April next year.

The investment is significant as it is the first major acquisition of railway locomotives to for the Kenya-Uganda railway in 27 years.[i]

This is a commendable achievement which cannot go unnoticed. It is a further sign that the investments being made into the railway by RVR are beginning to register tangible results and delivering the much needed improvements in infrastructure and rolling stock required to revitalise the Kenya – Uganda railway.

Ladies and gentlemen the value of a fully functional railway for Uganda and the region cannot be overstated. The trucks carrying heavy loads in and out of Uganda are exerting unsustainable pressure on our road infrastructure.

As government we are therefore very supportive of the efforts being made by RVR to improve railway services because we fully appreciate the direct impact an efficient railway system has on our overall transport network, and the impact that this, in turn, has on the growth of the economy of Uganda and indeed of the region.

I am also pleased to hear that, in order to ensure there is adequate capacity to maintain these locomotives and the other mechanized track maintenance equipment RVR has acquired, the RVR workshop at Nalukulongo has now achieved ISO certification in environmental management, safety and overall quality management.

I am also encouraged by comments from my counterpart, Eng. Michael Kamau, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure in Kenya who noted just a month ago at ceremony in Mombasa to commission these locomotives that since January 2013, RVR’s performance on freight haulage has seen a fairly steady rise mainly due to investment in railway track on the Mombasa-Nairobi section and the refurbishment of rolling stock.[ii]

The arrival of these locomotives holds the potential for further major increases in rail freight transportation and provision of logistics services by RVR for Uganda based importers and exporters. 

The growth in freight volume is a clear sign of the renewed confidence the business community has in the railway in the wake of these improvements in efficiencies and performance.

One notable example is that heavy steel coils for the construction industry in Uganda have begun being transported by rail on specially adapted wagons, helping decongest and protect our roads, while taking advantage of the many benefits of long distance haulage of heavy cargo by rail.[iii]

I would encourage other companies and operators to emulate this example and help support the government’s efforts to spreadthe transport load by getting more heavy freight off our overburdened roads.

I was also pleased to hear that last week RVR commissioned a train simulator in Nairobi to improve train driver performance and skills in safely handling locomotives. Rail safety and driver training are aspects that are often overlooked and the fact that RVR has made it a priority to ensure all its train drivers will get the opportunity to refresh and upgrade their skillsusing modern technologyis commendable.

In closing I would like to thank RVR’s investors and the lenders, our partners in this Public Private Partnership for your commitment to continue investing and working to turn around the railway company. The funding envelope you have committed of 746 billion shillings, or 287 million dollars over a 5 year period that begun towards the end of 2011, speaks eloquently of your resolve to make this partnership succeed.

I wish you every success as you continue to roll out your investment and improvement plans.

Thank you and I wish you all a pleasant rest of the day.