[Netprophet 2011] African ecommerce market has a long way to go

[Herman Manson: @marklives] A billion Africans and 50 million bank accounts. In South Africa, credit cards are used by only 16.5% of the population (2008). No African country comes close to 1% of total retail spend spent online - the magic figure which constitutes the tipping point for digital retail growth (in SA, ecommerce has a 0.4% share of the retail market, while in countries such as Egypt and Nigeria, the figure stands at 0.01%). No wonder, then, that the ecommerce market in Africa hasn't bloomed. 12 May 2011 18:55

Dario Milo and media law: is legal sky a limit for journalists?

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] There is some substantiated regulation of what the media can do and what it cannot do, but the balance must be struck between what the law has prescribed and freedom of expression, Prof Dario Milo, Wits University media law visiting professor and Webber & Wentzel partner, said last week in Johannesburg at the two-day Regulations and Rights media conference. 15 Mar 2011 14:01

Shoprite competition closes in

[Stafford Thomas] "Shoprite has taken advantage of the strong rand to invest in a lot of real estate in Africa by opening 16 additional stores in Nigeria this year and planning three new stores in Ghana," says Shoprite CEO Whitey Basson. 28 Feb 2011 09:30

Google launches online marketplace for Ghana

ACCRA: Google announced yesterday, 2 December 2010, the launch of Google Trader for Ghana highlighting the entrepreneurial opportunities presented by the internet. Trader is a free online classifieds service that allows Ghanaians to buy and sell products and services, as well as search for jobs among other things. 3 Dec 2010 10:32

Social media, popular revolt: cure against African dictators?

[Issa Sikiti da Silva: @sikitimedia] The events and developments of the past six months in Africa have demonstrated that the rise of social media has not only revolutionised the business environment, but also redefined the political scene by shaking the foundation of dictatorship, lack of service delivery and corruption for the first time since the dawn of independences. 5 Jul 2011 10:14

Loerie Awards adds PR category for 2011

The Loerie Awards has introduced a PR category to this year's awards. Public Relations Industry of Southern Africa (PRISA) spokesperson Bridget von Holdt believes the move is indicative of the importance of strategic communication in the overall communication mix and that the inclusion of PR exposes other industries to the real value of strategic communication and its vital role in brand management. 20 Apr 2011 13:11

Red carpet treatment for Loeries

In line with international festivals, the 33rd Annual Loerie Awards have upscaled and this year the festival weekend, 16-18 September 2011, features black tie affairs, with red carpet, at its new venue, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Tickets to the awards ceremonies are limited to 1500 per night and an additional 1000 tickets will be available for the Official Party. 6 Apr 2011 08:59

First credit card introduced in Ghana

[Emily Nyarko] Ghanaians to have a taste of an electronic Visa credit card to carry out transactions. 10 Aug 2007 13:40

Africa's five major trends for potential growth

[Issa Sikiti da Silva: @sikitimedia] Population growth, rapid urbanisation, adoption of new technologies, unlocking of abundant resources and the deepening of the financial sector are the five major trends that are set to drive Africa's economic growth, Simon Freemantle, Standard Bank Africa senior analyst, told a media roundtable in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday, Thursday 6 October 2011. 7 Oct 2011 09:56

Airtel Ghana awarded Telecoms Company of the Year 2010

At the recent Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) Awards, held in Accra, Airtel Ghana was awarded the "Telecoms Company of the Year 2010" for its effort at transforming the telecommunications industry in Ghana. 30 Aug 2011 09:53

Swedish firm exits Africa pay TV market

[Walter Wafula] Next Generation Broadcasting (NGB), a Swedish digital terrestrial pay TV operator has sold its ownership in its lcoal subsidiary to Digital Broadcasting Uganda, to pursue other markets. 10 Aug 2011 11:34

2011 Maputo International Ad Festival set for May

The sixth Maputo International Advertising Festival will take place from 25-27 May 2011, AMEP - the Mozambican Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations Association announced yesterday. The festival recognises advertising agencies, producers and communications companies worldwide especially from Africa and the Indian Ocean regions. 23 Feb 2011 07:22

Mr Price takes aim at Nigerian market

[Michael Bleby] Retailer Mr Price is eying Nigeria, a market it says could host up to 100 stores, if it could only end its ban on the import of clothing. 22 Nov 2010 11:00