An explosion from an overturned fuel tanker in northern Nigeria has killed more than 150 people, including several children. Many others were injured and taken to hospital. Officials say, the death toll could rise. Fuel tanker accidents are not uncommon in Nigeria, so why does this keep happening?
Also the International Criminal Court says it's renewing investigations into alleged war crimes in DR Congo
And how an online post showing the lack of care of infrastructure in Johannesburg has sparked a debate in South Africa!
Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen, Yvette Twagiramariya, Victor Sylver, and Benjamin Woodroof in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The U.S. Navy is scheduled to formally apologize to Alaska Native residents of Angoon, Alaska, 142 years after they bombarded the village. The Navy also just apologized to the residents of Kake for a similar assault some years earlier. Both deadly assaults on the villages came after the deaths of Tlingit residents prompting a series of escalating actions. The shellings occurred during a time of tense interactions between Alaska Natives, the U.S. military, and outside corporate interests. Navy and village leaders alike say the apologies will help healing these many years later.
In October 2022, Safaricom launched its telecommunications services in Ethiopia, marking a major milestone as the first private operator to enter the Ethiopian telecom market. This move broke the long-standing monopoly of state-owned Ethio Telecom and was seen by many as a significant step towards liberalising the country’s telecom sector.
The company had officially been licensed in July 2021, with a record $850 million licensing fee—the largest foreign direct investment in Ethiopia at the time. Safaricom committed to investing around $8 billion over the next decade to build its infrastructure and services, aiming to enhance competition and improve connectivity for millions of Ethiopians.
However, Safaricom’s launch did not come without challenges. The rollout faced delays due to socioeconomic and security issues within the country. Initially planned for an earlier start, the company adopted a phased approach, beginning with services in Dire Dawa and targeting expansion to 25 cities by April 2023. That move reportedly saw significant infrastructure investments being made, including the construction of mobile towers and a national transmission network, alongside the importation of over $300 million worth of equipment.
Episode overview:
Fast forward to October 2024, in this episode of the African Tech Roundup Podcast, Yahya Banafa gives Andile Masuku a behind-the-scenes peek at the challenges and opportunities Safaricom is facing as it continues to establish itself in Ethiopia. He offers a practical perspective on building and deploying modern telecom infrastructure from scratch in a market that’s evolving rapidly.
Key topics:
• Planning and engineering a mobile network in a new market
• Tackling Ethiopia’s unique terrain and altitude challenges
• Balancing regulatory hurdles with business goals
• Managing unexpected surges in data demand
• Forming strategic partnerships within the telecom sector
• Exploring the future potential of mobile money services
• Optimising network coverage across diverse landscapes
• Introducing 5G technology to meet growing demand
• Meeting the digital needs of Ethiopia’s younger generation
• Addressing competition from new market entrants like Starlink
Notable points:
Banafa delves into the complex process of network planning, touching on the importance of meeting both regulatory standards and service quality benchmarks.
He explains how Safaricom has adjusted its approach to handle Ethiopia’s high-altitude regions and varied geography.
The conversation reveals that higher-than-expected demand for data services has pushed Safaricom to accelerate its 5G rollout.
There’s also a discussion about the potential of mobile money services in Ethiopia, with insights drawn from the success of M-Pesa in Kenya.
Banafa stresses the importance of collaboration across the telecom sector to enhance the customer experience.
Listen in for valuable insights into the strategic decisions behind Safaricom’s efforts to establish a cutting-edge telecom network in Ethiopia. It sheds light on how technology, regulations, and market dynamics intersect to shape the country’s digital future.
Editorial Note: This interview was recorded at the fringes of NOVACOM Africa 1-to-1 Telco Summit 2024 in Franschhoek, South Africa, where Andile Masuku attended as an independent media guest. African Tech Roundup maintains complete editorial oversight and is not affiliated with the event organisers.
Image credit: Gift Habeshaw
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris reach out far beyond their base voters. Mourning pop star Liam Payne. Plea to save a death row inmate. CBS News Correspondent Steve Kathan has today's World News Roundup.
Half a century ago a dozen Chicago women working in a male-dominated profession launched, “Chicago Women in Architecture.” Among the issues the group discussed in those early years were lack of recognition for their part in what are often team projects, the challenge of working in a demanding profession while raising children and inequitable pay.
The Chicago Architecture Center currently has an exhibit called “Disrupters,” that tells the story of women in architecture. Reset goes on a field trip with architecture guru and resident real estate journalist for Crain's Chicago Dennis Rodkins to explore the buildings downtown that were designed by women. Beginning at this exhibit they find along the way legendary Chicago architect Carol Ross Barney, an original member of Chicago Women in Architecture to discuss her experience and why women have a prominent place in architecture.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Vice President Harris is making the case that she's the right president for Republicans. Former President Donald Trump is courting Latino voters with an economic argument for his candidacy. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address leaders of the European Union to lay out his plan to end the war with Russia. And the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million to victims who say they were abused by catholic priests.
Today's episode of Up First was edited by Meghan Pratz, Ryland Barton, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woefle. It was produced by Paige Waterhouse, Nia Dumas and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.
For this installment of our Sound Bites series, we're thinking about why fall favorites are so beloved.
Of course, there's the staples, like apples and pumpkins and yams. But what about other in-season offerings, like guavas, and watermelons?
We dive into the familiar and not-so-familiar flavors that make this season special, discuss nutrition, and offer up some recipes you can use to make the most of your fall harvest.
Elkhan Shabanov was born in the Soviet Union, and started out in the tech world. He eventually left tech to try some other types of businesses, but eventually returned. He has done a few early stage startups in the past, in particular in the 3d printing space before it was cool. Six years ago, he joined his current venture. Outside of tech, he enjoys traveling, and is in a competition with his daughter to see how many countries he can visit. When he reads, he prefers to go back to the books he has read and enjoyed before, and being in Texas, he is a big fan of grilling out on his big green egg.
As I mentioned, six years ago Elkhan joined a company that wanted to be more than a software development shop. He and the founder of the company wanted to build a company that did more than throw bodies at a problem - but actually because a long term partner to their clients.
In which the long war between alternating and direct current produces power outlets that multiply nto a dizzying world of configurations, and Ken needs a grounding prong. Certificate #29673.
Burying the dead in San Francisco has long been banned, but at the Presidio pet cemetery hundreds of dogs, cats, fish, iguanas, and turtles have been laid to rest. This week, Bay Curious Intern Ana De Almeida Amaral takes us to the Presidio to learn about the history of the pet cemetery and to ask "Can I bury my pet here?"
This story was reported by Ana De Almeida Amaral. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Holly Kernan, and the whole KQED family.
