HiPipo Money

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MTN Group has reviewed its operating structure with a view to strengthening operational oversight, leadership, governance and regulatory compliance across its 22 country operations in Africa and the Middle East.

To this end, the Group has resolved to re-implement its previous reporting structure. This will see MTN Group restructured into three regions – namely West and Central Africa  (“WECA”), South and East Africa (“SEA”),  and Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”).  MTN has also made a number of senior appointments to support this structure.

Effective 1 December 2015 Jyoti Desai assumed the new position of Group Chief Operating Officer (“COO”). Based in Johannesburg, she reports to the Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko. Ms Desai has 14 years’ experience at MTN. She has previously held the positions of Chief Information Officer at MTN Nigeria, was COO of MTN Irancell and was recently seconded to support the Nigerian country operations. Her replacement as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer will be announced soon.

Two regional Vice Presidents (“VP”) have been appointed, also reporting to the Executive Chairman. The VP for WECA is Karl Toriola, with Ismail Jaroudi the VP for MENA. The VP for SEA will be announced soon. 

Based in Nigeria, Mr. Toriola has been at MTN for 10 years, having held senior operational roles at MTN Group and MTN Iran. He was formerly also the Chief Technology Officer at MTN Nigeria and CEO at MTN Cameroon.

Mr Jaroudi has been CEO of MTN Syria since 2006. Prior to this he held senior operational roles for Investcom’s subsidiaries across the Middle East and North Africa.

Also reporting to the Executive Chairman is the new Group Executive for M&A, Matthew Odgers. The former head of TMT for Africa & the Middle East and head of investment banking for MENA at UBS, Mr Odgers led UBS’s overall relationship with MTN.

MTN Nigeria’s CEO Michael Ikpoki and the head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Akinwale Goodluck have tendered their resignations with immediate effect.  They are replaced by Ferdi Moolman as MTN Nigeria CEO and Amina Oyagbola as its head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs. Mr Moolman was previously COO at MTN Irancell and most recently CFO at MTN Nigeria.   A Nigerian national, Ms Oyagbola also retains the position of MTN Nigeria’s Head of Human Resources. She formerly headed regulatory affairs at the Nigerian operating company.

The search for the MTN Group CEO is underway and remains a priority.

Commenting on the announcements, MTN Group Executive Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko said:  “This revised structure and strengthened leadership will improve operational oversight and increase management capacity. This will enable MTN to continue to realise its strategy and vision, while also ensuring we achieve high governance standards and robust risk mitigation.”

With the financial year closing on 31 December 2015, the MTN Group will report its FY2015 results in line with the former structure – namely for MTN Nigeria, MTN South Africa, Large Operating Companies and Small Operating Companies.

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Shareholders are advised that, after further engagements with the Nigerian Authorities, the NCC has reduced the imposed fine.

MTN has received a formal letter dated 2 December 2015 from the NCC informing the Company that, after considering the Company’s request, it has taken the decision to reduce the fine on the MTN Nigerian business from the original N1,040,000,000,000 (One Trillion, Forty Billion Naira) to N674 Billion Naira which has to be paid by 31 December 2015. The fine relates to the late disconnecting of 5.1 million MTN Nigerian subscribers in August and September 2015.

The Company is carefully considering the NCC’s reply, however the Executive Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko will immediately and urgently re-engage with the Nigerian Authorities before responding formally, as it is essential for the Company to follow due process to ensure the best outcome for the Company, its stakeholders and the Nigerian Authorities and accordingly all factors having a bearing on the situation will be thoroughly and carefully considered before the Company arrives at a final decision.

Shareholders are therefore advised to continue to exercise caution when dealing in the Company’s securities until a further announcement is made.

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MultiChoice Africa is further expanding its religion genre on DStv with the addition of Dove TV, the official television station of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). The channel will launch onThursday, 03 December 2015 on DStv channel 349.

Dove TV will broadcast wholesome family entertainment with high moral and ethical values that appeals to children, the youth and the elderly. It will also include live coverage of all the Holy Ghost Services, Annual Conventions and Holy Ghost Congress of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Other ministrations of the General Overseer from countries around the world can also be watched from time to time, not to mention series of ministrations from anointed men of God.

Speaking on the latest development, Charles Hamya, MultiChoice Uganda General Manager says this channel launch is in line with the company’s efforts to provide a diversified range of content that will appeal to its different subscribers.

“We are pleased to have Dove TV join the DStv and MultiChoice family. We believe that this addition to our growing list of channels will enhance our subscribers’ viewing pleasure as well as expand our range of quality local content on our platform,” says Hamya

Dove TV will be available to DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access subscribers on DStv channel 349 fromThursday, 03 December 2015 at 11am CAT.

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Under the auspices of the ICT Clubs for Primary Schools initiative, the MTN Uganda Foundation today handed over 25 computers to 5 primary schools that are currently participating in the project.

The ICT Clubs for Primary Schools initiative is part of the MTN Uganda Foundation strategy that focuses on investment in education currently being implemented in Kampala with the objective of creating social and peer-to-peer learning of information technology solutions from the grass root of the educational structures.

“We hope to achieve quality education by setting up ICT clubs in primary schools, training learners and teachers and donating hardware and free internet connectivity  to the clubs. This will be followed by the setting up of a universal e-learning portal that will facilitate knowledge sharing amongst the schools,” said Anthony Katamba, MTN’s General Manager Corporate Services.

The project intended to cover the entire country, kicked off in Kampala covering five (5) selected schools which included; Kiswa Primary School, Nakasero Primary School, Buganda Road Primary School, Kitante Primary School and Bat Valley Primary School.

The schools were selected based on availability of a dedicated computer room, availability of electricity and internet connectivity and commitment of administration to the project sustainability.

Each of the schools has currently undergone ICT training for students and teachers through the MTN Internet Bus and internet connectivity has been setup for the respective schools.

The MTN Internet Bus spent one week at each school and delivered experiential introductory education on computers and the internet for the students and teachers.

MTN will also support the schools with free high speed internet access of up to 1Mbps for one year.

Today’s handover ceremony was hosted by the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority, Ms. Jennifer Musisi.

She applauded MTN Uganda for today’s donation of computers to KCCA schools, adding that this extension of good will comes only days after MTN also identified KCCA as beneficiaries of the MTN Kampala Marathon.

“We are delighted to receive this generous contribution from MTN. It will go a long way in improving ICT education in our schools. I appeal to other corporate organizations to emulate MTN and support the community,” she said.

Officiating as Guest of Honor at today’s ceremony, the South African High Commissioner, who is also a trustee member of MTN Foundation, Prof. Maj. Gen (Rtd) L. S. Mollo urged the benefitting schools to utilize the equipment to improve the quality of education.

“We live in an era where ICT is the core of all aspects of our lives. MTN Foundation’s donation of computers is a sign of its commitment to pursue its vision of promoting ICT Education in Uganda,” he noted.

Following the handover of computers, the MTN Foundation will work together with KCCA and the schools to setup the ICT clubs, each with a patron.

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Newly-delivered Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft feature industry’s largest screens and three times the media storage

DUBAI, U.A.E, Emirates introduces its new generation in-flight entertainment (IFE) system reaffirming its commitment to continual product enhancement. The latest features include larger screens in First Class and Economy Class and three times the media storage – offering passengers an even greater choice of content on board.

The new products can be found on Emirates’ newly-delivered Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A380 aircraft.

Passengers travelling in First Class will have a more immersive viewing experience to look forward to with IFE screens increased from 27 to 32 inches – the 40% increase makes it the largest screen on any aircraft.

“We continually upgrade our fleet, as well as our products and services on board to ensure an unparalleled travel experience. In addition to the technology, Emirates also puts emphasis on curating our award-winning inflight entertainment system and we always aim to surpass industry benchmarks. Our new generation ice system elevates the viewing experience, and offers passengers the most comprehensive movie and TV selection on any airline,’ said Patrick Brannelly, Emirates’ Divisional Vice President – Customer Experience.

Economy Class passengers can also look forward to immersing themselves in Emirates’ selection of inflight programmes, with the industry’s largest in-seat screens at 13.3 inches. These can also be found on Emirates’ latest two-class configured A380. The Business Class screens, at 23 inches wide, remain one of the industry’s largest for its class.

With three times the media storage on the new IFE system, ice Digital Widescreen now has 2,186 channels of on-demand entertainment and 1,230 music channels which amounts to about 4,300 hours of entertainment. This includes over 50 full TV box sets and close to 600 movies. Reflecting Emirates’ global and diverse customer base, the enhanced system also features a multilingual interface in 14 languages.

This year, Emirates clinched its 11th consecutive SKYTRAX World Airline Awards for ‘World’s Best Airline Inflight Entertainment’.

Other new features on ice includes enhanced handset controllers, USB ports and PC power outlets on all seats across the three cabin classes to allow passengers to charge their own mobile phones and portable devices.

Connectivity on board

Emirates’ next generation IFE system is complemented with connectivity on board. The airline offers Wi-Fi on 142 aircraft, more than half of its fleet, and Live TV now on 75 aircraft. Emirates began offering free Wi-Fi on board last year and has invested US $15 million to offer its passengers data connectivity in 2015. From January to September this year, 2.6 million Emirates passengers connected to Wi-Fi on board – a four-fold increase from last year, reflecting the strong consumer demand for connectivity services while travelling.

Other product enhancements include new micro fibre optic carpet in the First Class cabin which helps to reduce the effects of jet lag, and private suites in the Centre aisle have been widened by 1.9 inches.

Emirates’ new generation in-flight entertainment system product enhancements at a glance:

• IFE screen in First Class increased from 27 inches to 32 inches
• IFE screen in Economy Class increased from 12.1 inches to 13.3 inches
• All PC power outlets equipped with HDMI & USB ports for charging of portable devices
• 3x media storage offering an even greater choice of content
• Enhanced handset controllers
• Personal video playback
• Multilingual interface in 14 languages

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Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider thrilled this year’s MTN Marathon attendants with 500 plus smartphones to attendants worth 30,000USD.

The previously concluded 2015 MTN Kampala Marathon took place last Sunday 22^nd November at Kololo airstrip with Huawei technologies as the major sponsor with 250,000,000 UGX and 500 plus smartphones won through the early bird registration. 20 more smartphones and 100 Bluetooth speakers were given out to revelers who answered various questions about the Brand and the MTN Marathon.

“We are honored to be part of the Marathon for the last four years. This year we have sponsored 250,000,000UGX for the welfare of students in Kampala government aided schools. We thank our co-sponsors Vision group, Stanbic Bank and Rwenzori for supporting this cause along with us. In addition, we have given smartphones to the runners at the Huawei moment just to make the activity exciting,” says Allan Kyobe, the PR Manager of Huawei Technologies Uganda.

This year’s Marathon attracted approximately 20,000 runners with 200 of them from Huawei.

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Award-winning British actor Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) pays tribute to Madiba in the riveting documentary Mandela, My Dad and Me, which will be screened on HISTORY® (DStv Channel 186) on Sunday, December 6 at 20h30 CAT.

Elba was inspired by his role in the acclaimed biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom to create an album, mi Mandela, based on his experience of playing Nelson Mandela and featuring the talents of both South African and UK artists.

He was influenced by the musical culture of South Africa, both present day and historically, and connecting to the music Mandela would have listened to throughout his life was a great help, said Elba, in preparation for the role.

Arrangements were made to record the album in South Africa and Mali at the end of 2013. Just before the project began, Elba’s father Winston sadly passed away, which further inspired the music on the album.  While working simultaneously on the album and promoting the film, Elba had BAFTA award-winning director Daniel Vernon document his movements. The film they had originally intended to create was centred on the recording of the album, but ultimately evolved into something far deeper.  Mandela, My Dad and Me not only documents one man’s struggle in producing his first album, but also his emotional quest to pay a fitting tribute to two inspirational men.

Says Elba: “Although difficult at times, Mandela, My Dad and Me was an incredibly fulfilling project and I’m thrilled to bring the film to Africa. HISTORY offers the perfect platform to share this story and I hope viewers will enjoy following my journey while producing my album Mi Mandela, which is a tribute to my father and to Madiba, one the world’s most inspirational icons.’’

Elba reveals that he based his portrayal of Mandela on his father, and that in order to speak like the former president of South Africa, he imitated the speech patterns of his dad, who was brought up in Sierra Leone and moved to Britain shortly before Idris’s birth.

Mandela, My Dad and Me is a Green Door Pictures, Shine North, Woodcut Media, Bob & Co production and it is distributed by Content Media.

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“With over 40 million MTN Mobile Money transactions each month, the service has become an integral part of society today,” declared MTN in a media release last month. They announced that MTN is now “Uganda’s leading financial services provider”, the same time as they celebrated an exuberating total monthly value of transactions that now exceeds UGX 1.8 trillion.

It was the first time MTN referred to itself as a financial services provider. MTN consequently kicked off a campaign in which they illustrate Mobile Money as the “easy way of life”.  The campaign is geared towards celebrating the various ways MTN Mobile Money has positively redefined the way of life across Uganda and beyond through the services it offers and promotes.

MTN believes, “to the impatient student hungry for education, it’s the easy way to confidently move towards a brighter future”. “To the isolated man who lives where there are no banks, it’s the easy way to bridge the gap between himself and the world”.  “To the worried mother nursing her child in hospital, it’s the easy way to secure her child’s heath.” “To the time starved executive needing to pay bills from anywhere, it’s the easy way to buy time to spend with loved ones.” With this campaign, MTN addresses the various aspects of lives its Mobile Money service have altered since launching the product in 2009.

Initially, MTN Mobile Money was designed to enable customers to send and receive money domestically as well as buy airtime using their mobile phone. Today “MTN Mobile Money is so much more than money on your phone,” according to MTN Uganda CEO Brian Gouldie.

Since 2009, Mobile Money has been growing consistently and evolved into Uganda’s mainstream method of payment for goods and services. Today MTN Mobile Money facilitates seamless banking transactions, tax payments and payment of utility bills to UMEME, NWSC or DSTV among many others.

“The convenience aspect of mobile money means people are no longer carrying loads of cash,” noted Michael Niyitegeka, a Ugandan ICT Consultant and former ICT Lecturer at Makerere University.

He observed that mobile money has lately been adopted by funding agencies paying beneficiaries at the bottom of the pyramid. “If you’re paying by mobile money, you’re sure the money is being delivered to the intended people, thereby eliminating chances of misuse,” he argued.

“The other thing is the economies of scale. If I’m paying 1,000 people, it’s easy to pay directly from the bank to people’s mobile phones,” added Niyitegeka.

The development of mobile money has enabled MTN to serve as a payment gateway, allowing parents to pay their children’s school fees, PayTV subscription payments like DSTV or GoTV in addition to facilitating merchant payments, even online. Just two months ago, MTN  announced a partnership with Vivo Energy thanks to which customers can purchase fuel at all Shell petrol stations across the country using Mobile Money.

Notable partnerships with over 10 financial institutions – including Centenary Bank, Stanbic Bank and Bank of Africa – have helped MTN Mobile Money facilitate almost 90% of all recorded mobile money transactions to and from banks in Uganda.

Niyitegeka adds: “With Mobile Money, you don’t need to keep a lot of cash – and that’s a security advantage.”

MTN Uganda’s General Manager for Mobile Financial Services, Phrase Lubega points out that in fact, 72% of all utility bills in Uganda are paid through the MTN Mobile Money platform.

This can in part be attributed to the fact MTN Mobile Money is the largest single payments platform, with over 7.5 million Mobile Money subscribers currently registered.

Furthermore, MTN recently launched a new smartphone app that extends the usage of Mobile Money beyond USSD. The app, named MyMTN, is available for all major mobile operating systems, including Android, iOS, Blackberry OS and Windows.

In this regard, it is also important to note that there are over 60,000 active MTN Mobile Money agents across the country, meaning there is  an agent almost every few meters in all towns and trading centers.

As such MTN Mobile Money has become an integral part of both society and the financial ecosystem in Uganda, not only driving financial inclusion but also transforming the way of life by making payments more convenient and easier.

“It’s a bold and simple step towards an easier way of living,” MTN’s CEO Brian Gouldie professed.

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Preparations for Uganda’s top sporting event, the MTN Kampala Marathon 2015 are in full gear, with nine foreign elite runners confirming their participation.

The nine sprinters include Kenya’s Rael Kimaiyo Jepyator, Kiprop Tonui, Julius Kibet, Doris Jepchumba Todophus, Pamela Anisomuk, Barnabas Kipyego, Kiptoo Julius Kibet and Tanzania’s Fabiola William John, Msenduki Mohamed all running the 42km race.

In 2014, Ugandans, Alex Chesakit and Carolyne Migadde broke the Kenyan dominance winning the main 42 Km event for both men and women’s category.

Chesakit thus became the third Ugandan to win the 42 event in the 11 years of the Marathon since Francis Musani (2008) and Joseph Nsubuga (2004).

Now with the entry of the nine elite runners, Uganda’s chances at the top prizes remains to be seen yet again.

The annual event is sponsored by MTN Uganda. Other sponsors are Stanbic Bank, Huawei, Rwenzori Bottling Company and Vision Group with main partners being Uganda Athletics Federation.

With a theme “Run for Kampala, This year the proceeds of the MTN Marathon will go towards the construction of smart bio-toilets in KCCA managed schools in Kampala.

Below is the profile of some of the elite runners

Rael Kimaiyo Jepyator (Born 1984)

She has attended several marathons overtime having a personal best of 2:34:23 set in Warszawa 2011. Her season best is 2:37:46 set at the Luxembourg marathon. Kimaiyo has run the Odense marathon finishing with a time of 2:41:25, the Porto marathon (2:40:21) and Bruxelles marathon (2:41:20)  

Kiprop Tonui (Born 1986)

He has a personal best of 2:16:19 set at the Mombasa marathon last year – 2014. He won the 2015 Tallinn marathon winning the race in 2:18:04 this year.

 Fabiola William John (Born 1984)

She has represented Tanzania at the World Championships and Olympic Games on several occasions. She has a personal best of 2:34:41 set at the Edinburg marathon. She won the Kilimanjaro marathon this year.

 Msenduki Mohamed

Msenduki represented Tanzania at the World Championships in Athletics, Moscow. He has run several international marathons including the Groningen Marathon where he finished 2^nd with a time of 2:14:21.  

Kiptoo Julius Kibet

Kibet is starting his full marathon career. He has been participating at the 10,000m track event and had his debut half marathon this year at the Stanchart Marathon – Nairobi running 1:02. (62 minutes).