The Trends community of East Africa

Kenya pushes technology into overdrive

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:59:00 +0200

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

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:15:00 +0200

As part of a multi-national mobile and digital insights gathering project for mobile agency, Yonder Media, I was commissioned to gather cultural and behavioural insights in five African countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.
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[2013 trends] Africa's dynamic markets

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:20:00 +0200

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

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:33:00 +0200

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.
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[2013 trends] Africa poised for a great future

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:39:00 +0200

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

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:57:00 +0200

There are several key trends that will present themselves in 2013. Increasingly, we will see more and more innovative solutions to issues facing emerging countries being developed in-country and, while cost of smartphones is still hindering wide-scale usage of these handsets, the tide is turning as cheaper units enter the market. Marketers, too, are seeing their roles and responsibilities expand.
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[2013 trends] Mobile money to give SoLoMo a kick in the pants?

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:54:00 +0200

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

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 07:55:00 +0200

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.
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NTV tops social media use in Uganda

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:41:00 +0200

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.
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Expanding your brand across Africa

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:53:00 +0200

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.
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