Kenya pushes technology into overdrive

The country that gave the world two groundbreaking innovations in technology: M-Pesa, a mobile banking system, and Ushahidi, a platform for crowdsourcing information during disasters, is now taking its technological talents to new heights. 23 Apr 2013 16:59

Mobile and digital trends in 5 African countries: a cultural interpretation

[Marcela Ospina] This piece addresses the intersections between technology and culture that I identified while doing fieldwork. Therefore, this is not the result of strict data analysis, but rather the outcome of an immersion in each of these cultures. 7 Feb 2013 12:15

[2013 trends] Africa's dynamic markets

[Obaika Consulting Team] The year 2013 for most brands, especially the ones coping with saturated markets in developed countries, will be a decisive one. Incorporating Africa into their corporate brand strategy, if they haven't done so, will be the better part of valour, so to speak. 31 Jan 2013 13:20

[2013 trends] Out-of-the-box branding

[HKLM Exco Team] No, the concepts of "tribalism", "gamification" and "engagement" aren't a promo for the latest computer game, but are in fact the trends that will characterise the way companies and consumers interact in 2013. The branding industry is constantly developing and. while the following trends are evolutions rather than dynamic, short-term changes, we believe there are 10 areas that will define the brandscape over the next year. 31 Jan 2013 12:33

[2013 trends] Africa poised for a great future

[Nandkishor Buty] As 2013 commences, afro-pessimism seems to cede to afro-optimism. There is a global consensus: Africa is poised for a great future. What will be the impact of Africa's growth on our industry? What will be the major trends of the year? In the business world, predicting the future is a crucial exercise. 30 Jan 2013 12:39

[2013 trends] Africa finding its own solutions using mobile tech

[Dr KF Lai] There are several key trends that will present themselves in 2013. From m-payments to HIV/AIDS prevention, emerging markets are leading the way when it comes to innovative uses of mobile technology. Marketers, too, are seeing their roles and responsibilities expand. 25 Jan 2013 10:57

[2013 trends] Mobile money to give SoLoMo a kick in the pants?

[Vanessa Clark] SoLoMo: the glorious intersection of social, location and mobile that was going to superpower hyperlocal search and prove to be the holy grail, allowing retailers and other businesses to attract an army of smartphone-wielding customers. Pretty exciting stuff, especially during an economic downturn, right? In my opinion, quite the contrary. 23 Jan 2013 11:54

2013 at a glance: Five crucial consumer trends business leaders should know

[*David Mattin and Saint-Francis Tohlang] LONDON, UK / JOHANNESBURG, SA: Turbulent times were predicted on the back end of 2012. The ANC Mangaung conference precipitated very little stormy seas other than an anti-climactic conclusion. The Mayan apocalypse materialised into nothing but an ordinary day. In fact with so many forecasts for change and a chasm of chaos, one may tend to be a bit sceptical with further predictions of change. 8 Jan 2013 07:55

NTV tops social media use in Uganda

[Walter Wafula] Nation Television (NTV) is the savviest user of global social media networks in Uganda according to Top Corporate Brand on Social Media 2012, an online survey by HiPio.com, a social entertainment website in the country. 9 Nov 2012 10:41

Expanding your brand across Africa

[Nonye Mpho Omotola] Many companies talk about expanding into Africa. It's the next obvious frontier. However, it would be wrong to assume that a week's visit to Nigeria for example, with a population of over 160 million and 350 ethnic groups with twelve languages, will give you a true understanding of how to operate your brand in that market. 8 Nov 2012 09:53

What trends will take African tech to the next level?

[Gareth Knight] Three years ago I decided to bring a major tech conference to Africa - Tech4Africa. The incredible personal journey that I have been on since the conference's inception has tested my resolve to the limits as there have been many obstacles to overcome and it would have been so easy to have compromised my ideals or given up altogether. 25 Sep 2012 12:14

Video streaming coming to Africa

[Russell Southwood] LONDON, UK: Video streaming will be the next big wave of online content use in Africa. There are still considerable network challenges but... the level of existing use shows that once these issues are resolved, the volume of users will be in the millions. Russell Southwood spoke to the biggest player in the market, Google's YouTube. Elijah Kitaka explained how it sees the potential of video streaming being realised. 16 Jul 2012 12:45

Kenya's advertising sector attracts new players, technologies

[Carole Kimutai: @CaroleKimutai] In the last six months, Kenya's advertising industry has attracted both local and international players. The new kid on the block is American agency TBWA which opened an East Africa office barely four months ago. Other new international agencies who have already come to the scene are French-based, Havas Media International and South African media group, Carat. 11 Jul 2012 10:36

The role of email marketing in the multi-channel evolution: Part 1

[Wikus Engelbrecht] Email is still the most cost-effective marketing tool, enabling you to reach people who have actually given you permission to communicate with them and who are therefore more likely to pay attention to your message and respond to your calls-to-action. 21 Jun 2012 14:31