
<p>NAIROBI (Reuters) &#8211; Kenya’s top telecoms operator Safaricom has seen a 70% surge in data usage as people stay at home to <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/east-africa/2020/04/08/how-african-economies-can-survive-the-covid-19-crisis/">curb the spread of the new coronavirus</a>, it said on Tuesday.</p>



<p>The government closed schools and asked people to work from home where possible last month, after the East African nation reported its first case of the virus.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/videos/2020/04/14/how-kenya-plans-to-help-its-informal-sector-survive-the-covid-19-crisis/">Confirmed cases have risen to 208</a> and additional restrictions, including a night time curfew, have been imposed.</p>



<p>Safaricom, which is partly owned by South Africa’s Vodacom and Britain’s Vodafone, said mobile phone data usage had jumped 35% as users streamed movies, worked from home and used social media sites like Facebook.</p>



<p>The company is one of the biggest providers of internet access in Kenya, supplying 300,000 homes with a fibre connection, and nearly all of the 47 million population with second, third and fourth generation mobile internet coverage.</p>



<p>Along with financial services platform M-Pesa, the data business has been one of the key drivers of earnings growth for Safaricom in recent years.</p>



<p>(Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Jon Boyle and Mark Potter)</p>



<p>This article was first published on Reuters Africa <a href="https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKCN21W1NH-OZABS">https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKCN21W1NH-OZABS</a> and is republished with its permission.</p>



<p>For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a></p>


Here’s how to apply for SA’s COVID-19 loan guarantee scheme

Kenya’s Safaricom sees 70% jump in data usage during COVID-19 lockdown


<p>By Chris Bishop</p>



<p>As the COVID-19 spreads across Africa there have been 10,000 cases – with South Africa suffering the most &#8211; killing 500 people with a 9.4 per cent recovery rate.</p>



<p>The figures are likely to be even higher, in reality, as the World Health Organization admits that it is struggling to test outside African capitals because of a lack of resources, equipment and planes.</p>



<p>“We now have 44 African countries in the WHO region, sub-Saharan Africa, including Algeria, who are testing. In most of these countries there is urgent need to move testing beyond capital cities. We are also facing very much challenge of procurement and supply of equipment,” says Matshidiso Meoti, the director for Africa for the WHO.</p>



<p>“There is a shortage on a global level this is a huge concern for WHO as we work to procure testing kits. Some philanthropists are procuring and providing. There is availability on international markets and transportation but there is a lack of availability of flight in countries. We are working on how can kits can be moved and it is one of the most acute issues we are working on at this time.”</p>



<p>When asked about certain countries in different continents restricting the export of COVID-19 testing and protective equipment Michel Yao, a WHO representative to the Central African Republic, said: “ We are in talks with manufacturers, we need solidarity with countries , who can produce, to have a global approach in this outbreak The outbreak needs to be addressed everywhere at one time if we continue to have outbreaks in Africa, it will continue to affect everyone else.”</p>



<p>A lack of mobility was also causing problems for Africa’s migrants. The lockdown in many countries had seen people stranded up at borders, from Djibouti to the border between Burundi and Tanzania, according to Nairobi-based Mohammeed Abdiker a regional director for the International Organization for Migration. He also warned governments to be careful with refugees.</p>



<p>“Governments should think hard about deporting refugees at this time. If we look at cross border movements, just by deporting two or three thousand people across a border we are increasing the risk of pandemic,”</p>



<p>On the movement front, Ethiopian Airlines told CNBC Africa that, despite losing $550 million dollars through the pandemic, it was prepared to fly equipment to every country in Africa. The airline said billionaire philanthropist Jack Ma had cooperated with the government of Ethiopia to supply equipment for mercy flights across Africa.</p>


Dr Matshidiso Moeti – WHO Regional Director for Africa

COVID-19 kills 500 Africans says WHO – and why it could be a lot worse than we know.

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<p>In an attempt to ease the burden of high interest costs on customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, I&#038;M Bank Rwanda has reduced their interest rates by 0.5 per cent. CNBC Africa spoke to CEO, Robin Bairstow for more.</p>


I&M Bank Rwanda reduces interest rates by 0.5% to cushion customers from COVID-19


<p>By Louw Nel – Political Analyst</p>



<p>Islamist extremist militants have carried out a spate of attacks targeting villages in the northern Cabo Delgado province on April 6 and 7.</p>



<p>According to reports, armed groups attacked the villages of Bilibiza, Meangalewa, Miengueleua, Muatide, Mueda, Muidumbe, and Ntchinga over two days, burning churches and buildings and abducting people in different locations. No one is believed to have been killed in the attacks.</p>



<p>This follows two incidents on March 23 and 25, in which militants launched brazen attacks and briefly occupied the towns of Mocímboa da Praia and Quissanga.</p>



<p>The first of those attacks was claimed by the Islamic State Central African Province (ISCAP) militant group, but groups active in the province since 2017 have also been referred to as Al-Shabab and Ansar al-Sunna, among others.</p>



<p>There are no conclusive links between the Mozambican jihadists and foreign-based Islamist extremist groups, and their motives and leadership structure remain unclear.</p>



<p>Mozambican authorities, alarmed by the attacks on Mocímboa da Praia and Quissanga and the threat they represented to the development of offshore natural gas finds, responded by saying that reinforcements were being deployed to Cabo Delgado.</p>



<p>This has clearly not succeeded in containing the threat posed by militants; however, the most recent attacks are more consistent with the groups’ modus operandi. Indeed, the attacks in March represented a significant escalation due to the size of the towns attacked and the fact that security forces had been stationed in both locations.</p>



<p>The more recent attacks targeted more familiar undefended, civilian locations, although Bilibiza is only 34km from Quissanga.</p>



<p>The escalation in Islamist militant activity in Cabo Delgado, along with depressed natural gas prices and concerns over the global coronavirus pandemic, will threaten proposed LNG projects.</p>



<p>Should the deteriorating security environment in the region result in the postponement or even reversal of investment decisions, Mozambique’s medium-term growth prospects will be seriously undermined.</p>


Mozambique records first COVID-19 death

Op-Ed: Mozambique – Islamist militants continue attacks in Cabo Delgado

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<p>This week Rwanda recognises the 26th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Typically at this time communities come together and participate in events such candlelight vigils and the Walk to Remember, but this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those activities and all gatherings have been cancelled. CNBC Africa spoke to Dr. Diogene Bideri, Principle Legal Adviser, for the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide for more on the changes to this year’s commemoration plans.</p>


Rwanda commemorates the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi indoors

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<p>Safaricom and Vodacom recently announced the completion of the acquisition of the M-pesa brand as well as product development and support services from Vodafone through a newly created joint venture.  This move is expected to accelerate M-pesa&#8217;s growth in Africa. Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, Safaricom Chief Officer for Financial Services joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Safaricom

Bank of Uganda slashes key interest rate to 8%

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<p>Governments on the continents have put forward strict measures in an effort to fight coronavirus of which, the impact will be greatly felt across the economies. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have stressed on the need to provide debt relief to developing countries. Grant Harris, CEO, Harris Partners LLC joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


How African economies can survive the COVID-19 crisis

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<p>Analysts at UBS Global Wealth Management say the near term disruption in the financial markets as a result of the coronavirus pandemic presents potentially attractive entry points to the related longer-term themes.</p>


UBS Wealth on investment opportunities amid COVID-19 crisis

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<p>With over 100 COVID-19 cases, Rwanda is one of the countries in which the outbreak has caused significant disruptions to the economy. We seek to understand how the private sector is coping with the situation and its contribution in overcoming it. Spokesperson of the Private Sector Federation Rwanda, Theoneste Ntagengerwa spoke to CNBC Africa for more.</p>


How Rwanda’s private sector is dealing with COVID-19 shocks

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<p>Over the weekend South Sudan confirmed their first and second cases of COVID-19. The country&#8217;s much anticipated oil licensing round has been postponed and various measures are underway to control the spread of the virus, but with a country that has seen hard times in the recent past in the form of civil war and extreme weather, are these measures enough to protect the country&#8217;s most vulnerable and high risk people? And in a country whose economy depends heavily on oil, how will they afford to recover from this? Akol Dok, Africa Political and Economic Affairs Analyst joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


COVID-19: Can South Sudan afford to take on another crisis?

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<p>As Rwanda prepares for the Genocide Commemoration week while being in lock down, CNBC Africa is joined by Christian Ntwari, Managing Director of Our Past, to tell us more on this year&#8217;s plan for the event and how coronavirus pandemic is going to affect the event.</p>


How COVID-19 is impacting genocide commemoration events in Rwanda

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<p>Rwanda&#8217;s leading bank, the Bank of Kigali has announced their contribution to the country&#8217;s relief efforts in a statement outlining concessions they&#8217;re making for vulnerable clients, and the fund of over $296,000 that the institution will be handing over to the Government to oversee distribution of cash and supplied to families affected by the Covid-19 crisis. Bank of Kigali CEO, Diane Karusisi joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


How the Bank of Kigali is tackling the COVID-19 crisis

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<p>South Sudan is the latest African country to confirm its first case of COVID-19. The virus is having profound and serious impact on the global economy and has sent policymakers looking for ways to respond. Parek Maduot, Director of Economic Development &#038;Regional Integration, at the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


South Sudan confirms first case of COVID-19

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<p>The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted supply chain and trade and thereby restricting access to food. Now experts have warned that there is a risk of food crisis if measures to protect the vulnerable and keep food supply chains live are not taken. Agricultural Economist and Food Systems expert Dr. Kirimi Sindi joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


How Africa can avert a COVID-19 triggered food crisis

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<p>In Rwanda, IMF has confirmed that it has approved $109.4 million in credit to help address the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, The City of Kigali and Nyarugenge District Authorities have shifted some food trading activities from city markets to Nyabugogo Bus Park to decongest marketplaces, and RwandAir is working on launching cargo flights in the coming days to respond to demand in movement of good. CNBC Africa is joined by Hudson Kuteesa, Journalist with The Newtimes for more.</p>


Rwanda gets $109mn from IMF for COVID-19 fight

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<p>The US Trade Department has started negotiations on a comprehensive trade agreement with Kenya in a move that will extend Kenya’s preferential access as the current trade arrangement under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) closes in 5 years. If successful, the United States would forge its first bilateral trade accord with a sub-Saharan African country. Grant Harris CEO, Harris Partners LLC joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


East Africa

Kenya’s Safaricom sees 70% jump in data usage during COVID-19 lockdown

COVID-19 kills 500 Africans says WHO – and why it could be a lot worse than we know.

I&M Bank Rwanda reduces interest rates by 0.5% to cushion customers from COVID-19

Op-Ed: Mozambique – Islamist militants continue attacks in Cabo Delgado

Rwanda commemorates the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi indoors

Safaricom, Vodacom partner to grow M-pesa across Africa

Bank of Uganda slashes key interest rate to 8%

How African economies can survive the COVID-19 crisis

UBS Wealth on investment opportunities amid COVID-19 crisis

How Rwanda’s private sector is dealing with COVID-19 shocks

COVID-19: Can South Sudan afford to take on another crisis?

How COVID-19 is impacting genocide commemoration events in Rwanda

How the Bank of Kigali is tackling the COVID-19 crisis

South Sudan confirms first case of COVID-19

How Africa can avert a COVID-19 triggered food crisis

Rwanda gets $109mn from IMF for COVID-19 fight

Kenya, US start talks on trade agreement

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East Africa

Kenya’s Safaricom sees 70% jump in data usage during COVID-19 lockdown

COVID-19 kills 500 Africans says WHO – and why it could be a lot worse than we know.

I&M Bank Rwanda reduces interest rates by 0.5% to cushion customers from COVID-19

Op-Ed: Mozambique – Islamist militants continue attacks in Cabo Delgado

Rwanda commemorates the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi indoors

Safaricom, Vodacom partner to grow M-pesa across Africa

Bank of Uganda slashes key interest rate to 8%

How African economies can survive the COVID-19 crisis

UBS Wealth on investment opportunities amid COVID-19 crisis

How Rwanda’s private sector is dealing with COVID-19 shocks

COVID-19: Can South Sudan afford to take on another crisis?

How COVID-19 is impacting genocide commemoration events in Rwanda

How the Bank of Kigali is tackling the COVID-19 crisis

South Sudan confirms first case of COVID-19

How Africa can avert a COVID-19 triggered food crisis

Rwanda gets $109mn from IMF for COVID-19 fight

Kenya, US start talks on trade agreement

News Tips

Advertise With Us

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