Issue 130: Rate Cuts, Celebrities & Critical Questions

Hi, Shega Weekly is here with your timely update, featuring a roundup of 10 important stories from Ethiopia's innovative ecosystem.This edition covers the slashing of mobile termination rates, the sharing of high-resolution satellite data, VISA’s partnership with Ride, and an in-depth piece on how we should think about financial inclusion in EthiopiaIf you are here because someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here to get future newsletters.

ECA Slashes Termination ChargesSafaricom has been handed a boost after Ethiopia's telecommunications regulator cut mobile termination rates (MTR) by a quarter, making it less costly to connect its customers' calls with those of its rival Ethio Telecom.The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) cut the rate to 0.23 birr per minute from 0.31 birr per minute, translating to a 25.8 percent reduction. The rates become effective on May 1 and run until the end of April next year, when a further cut will be made. Read More.

How to Think about Financial Inclusion in Ethiopia?While Ethiopia draws lessons from the financial inclusion successes of its neighbors, we need to ask bigger questions. How should we tailor financial solutions to truly resonate with the unique socio-economic fabric of Ethiopia?Catch up with the first of many monthly analysis articles by AKOFADA (Advancing Knowledge on Financial Accessibility and DFS Adoption), a project that is working to increase the knowledge base of Ethiopia’s DFS ecosystem. Read More.

Ride Partners with VisaRide-hailing service provider RIDE has integrated VISA as a payment option. Read More.

Love, Sweat, and No CustomersIn our second edition of Shega Forensic, which looks into the failures of startups, products, and business models within our ecosystem, we explore BeQetero, an appointment booking and management app that met its demise before reaching the light of usage. Read More.

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Space Science, Geospatial Institute Shares High-resolution Satellite Data for Free 

The Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute announced that it has made high-resolution satellite data freely available.

The data was collected through a collaborative project signed with China's Ministry of Natural Resources. Read More.

Meet Zemeo: a Platform That Lets Fans Request Personalized Videos from Ethiopian CelebritiesInspired by the global platform Cameo, Zemeo is a new Ethiopian online platform that allows fans to request personalized video messages from their favorite celebrities. Read More.

Former INSA Employees Establish Cyber Security Firm 

Five former Information Network Security Administration (INSA) employees have ventured out to establish their own cybersecurity firm. Read More.

Reach for Change to Accelerate 36 EdTech Startups in Ethiopia, Allocating $2.1 Million for Equity-Free Funding 

Reach for Change Ethiopia, a social enterprise incubator focused on improving youth and children’s lives, has announced a new EdTech Fellowship in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Read More.

Safaricom M-Pesa, Arifpay Sign Partnership Agreement 

Safaricom’s M-Pesa and Arifpay Financial Technologies have signed an agreement to provide M-Pesa services on Arifpay’s payment systems.

The agreement enables customers and merchants to utilize M-Pesa services to make and receive different payments through Arifpay’s online payment gateway and POS machines. Read More.

Wingu Africa Becomes the First Tier III Certified Data Center in Ethiopia 

Wingu Africa, a data center provider in Ethiopia, has become the first company in Ethiopia to receive Tier III certification for its facility located in the ICT Park from Uptime Institute, the global authority on data center standards. Read More.

Here is what we've been reading:

Kenya’s Ministry of Communications recommends regulating TikTok, rejects outright banBangladesh built a tech park for 100,000 workers. Now it’s a ghost townAfrica's $25 billion payment problemIf you are here because someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here to get future newsletters.