Zambia sells 75% of Zamtel

Zambian president Rupiah Banda says the government has sold 75% of Zambia Telecommunications Corporation (Zamtel) to a private equity partner, reveals IT News Africa.

The Zambian government will now retain 25% shares saying this will enable the company operate profitably. Zamtel is said to be in need of $200 million to recapitalise.

Banda claims the move was the only way to resolve the financial problems the company is facing while enhancing the viability of the company.

Burundi has become the first African country to benefit from Makerere University's $20 million ICT centre, states The New Vision.

The faculty dean, Professor Venansius Baryamureeba, says the project will support the implementation of the ICT memorandum of understanding signed between Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza and the government of Uganda.

The plan is also in line with Makerere University's plans of developing ICT skills in the communities.

Kenyan entrepreneur, Simon Mwaura, an electrician based in Kiambu, has created a system that uses a mobile phone to perform household tasks, reports Standard Media.

Using an ordinary mobile phone to relay remote signals, Mwaura can activate a device that uses electric motors to automate various processes.

Mwaura has been drawing eager crowds to watch his gadget open his door, switch on the lights and even start an electric kettle that makes tea and pours it into a flask. Mwaura says his innovations border on making house work easier and on enhancing private security.