Bharti drives Africa growth strategy

Following the completion of Bharti Airtel's deal to acquire 15 of Zain's country operations in Africa, company executives have embarked on a tour of the continent, to promote the telco's growth strategy, reports Computerworld.

Airtel, as the company will be known in Africa, has promised to drive its network coverage deep into rural areas, providing affordable services.

"This is our first step in Africa, which means our commitment to Uganda is the highest," says Manoj Kohli, the CEO of international operations and co-managing director, at a press conference in Kampala, Uganda.

The World Bank's board of executive directors has approved $63.66 million to deploy a regional network of 25 public health laboratories across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda, states All Africa.

This network will operate across country borders, improving access to diagnostic services to vulnerable populations in cross border areas and making optimal use of Internet and mobile communications to improve public health.

Obiageli Ezekwesili, the World Bank vice-president for Africa, says: "At a time when the global economic crisis has undermined Africa's recent economic achievements, regional integration is an essential strategy for restoring medium-term growth, unlocking economies of scale, and sharpening competitiveness in Africa.”

Shaky credit histories and fear of contracts are keeping Kenyans away from post-paid telephony, according to industry analysts, says Business Daily Africa.

Over the years, post-paid subscribers numbers have declined as the market progressively liberalised, moving from a predominantly post-paid market in the days of Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation to its current pre-paid state where multiple players exist.

According to a recent report by the Communications Commission of Kenya, the total number of mobile phone subscribers stands at 19.3 million.