Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Safaricom set to unveil App Store



Kenya’s leading mobile operator Safaricom is set to give local software developers a platform to market their applications with the launch of an applications-store next month.
“The platform would give developers the opportunity of reach out to local market to expose the local products towards the international market,” said Nzioka Waita, Safaricom’s Corporate Affairs Director.  
Safaricom hopes to venture intensively in local apps and content, a field its competitors haven’t sufficiently explored. Currently Kenyans enjoy App Stores such as Google Play, Nokia’s Ovi Store, and Samsung Apps.  
There will be a competition for app developers where the winner will pocket Sh1 million and earn top placement in the Safaricom Apps Store.  
Safaricom is expected to spend over Sh2 million on the award scheme with the competition running from September 6th to November 21st, featuring entries in 6 categories that include  Games/Entertainment, Health, Education, Agriculture, Financial Inclusion and Productivity.

Safaricom to invest Sh8 billion in fibre-optics  
The company is also set to invest Sh8 billion to lay a 2,300km of fibre-optic cable within the coming 4 years. The move is geared at its increasing customer base and increased data consumption by its subscribers.
Bob Collymore, Safaricom’s CEO said that the company is highly dependent on fibre for voice and internet services resulting to increased to its investment in developing and expanding its coverage in the country. 

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