₦airaland Forum

I still remember when I first got my Visa Debit Card from Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank Ghana) Labone branch which took me approximately 20 min. In my opinion most of the Nigerian banks in Ghana are operating better and also payng much attention to their customers needs than any other bank in the country.

The Bank has several modern ways to reaching out for new and old customers with the introduction of Social Banking. For instance, you can open a GTBank account via social media. (Facebook and Twitter). Guaranty Trust Bank is considered an innovative bank. Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/08/02/gtbank-ghana-obtain-the-technology-to-issue-instant-debit-card/

Remember the Pitch For Accra event that happened last week? Well there is something more interesting and tempting that want to make me quit my job and become an entrepreneur who solves real world issues. If you think the $25k that was given to Wanjo Expertise was dope, that’s probably lame.

Seedstars World, the global seed-stage startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes, is returning to Ghana on August 5th. Read More...

http://techafrikico.com/2015/08/01/forget-the-25k-win-500k-from-seedstars-world-final-competition/

Getting around the cities on Ghana can sometimes be frustrating and this is due to our addressing system. We don’t have a well structured addressing system in place to help navigate through the cities without any hustle. One of the known methods used in moving around town especially if you’re a stranger or not entirely familiar with where you’re going is to ask someone for a direction.

Though you might meet a good samaritan to assist you, it’s not always the case especially when you find yourself somewhere in circle. Someone people would give you a wrong direction for no reason. Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/07/31/snoocode-is-better-gps-mapping-app-that-understands-our-local-streets/

A decade ago, African countries were among the beneficiaries of a broader boom in investment in emerging markets worldwide. The financial crisis in 2007-2008 put paid to that. Now, many private-equity funds are making Africa a primary target, and record amounts are being raised to invest in businesses here in Africa.

On January 12, 2015, Helios Partners, a London-based firm, said it had raised the first Africa fund worth more than $1 billion. Abraaj, a rival, is expected to follow suit soon. In some respects it is no surprise that Africa has become such a popular destination for business investment. It certainly needs more capital—an extra $90 billion a year for infrastructure alone, the World Bank reckons. Read more..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/07/28/here-are-6-investment-opportunities-for-african-businesses/

Entrepreneurs are on the rise in Africa and most of their innovations and ideas are changing the Continent and the globe at large. We can’t argue to the fact that entrepreneurs all over the world are facing some sort of challenges in one way or the other.

But the challenges facing African entrepreneurs are quite different and can sometime be disturbing as those challenges are the essentials of what every entrepreneurs need to succeed.

One might ask “What are the challenges affecting African Entrepreneurs?” This is a question which can’t be easily answered by a single individuals, but with the help of entrepreneurs across the Continent and that’s what GeoPoll has been able to help to answer this very question. Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/07/24/african-entrepreneurs-whimpering-over-the-following-essentials-according-to-reports/

Since independence in 1957, Ghana has long thrived to push itself to where it belongs economically through different channels. Though the journey hadn’t been that easy, we still have come a long way and we need to take some time to reflect on ourselves as a country and as individuals on how far we have come. This will help the generations of young leaders know where we come from and where we’re going as a nation.

Today, we are taking some time to look at how far we have come as a country in terms of Technology. This is going to be more of a series which we will be discussing each month and this month’s post is titled “#ThrowBackTech: Science & Technology In Ghana As Far Back As 1992“. Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/07/24/throwbacktech-science-technology-in-ghana-as-far-back-as-1992/

2016 is probably going to be a year where we will witness at least one fresh, promising, and experimental cleantech idea put to the test: deploying what is believed to be the country’s first ever underwater power generator that would add up to improve our current power crises in the country.

The project is expected to be commissioned by December 2016, is budgeted at US$4bn and is being developed by a private sector energy company. Already, the technology is playing a huge role in the energy sector in U.S., Australia, Europe, Japan among other countries. Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/07/22/ghana-to-commission-undersea-power-generator-project/

Microsoft is mostly known when it comes to operating systems and though the company is in the smartphone business, their devices ain’t selling that much as its competitors. But looks like there is much hope for Microsoft especially with its yet to be released operating system, the Windows 10.

A new leak out of China reveals some badass specs for a rumored Lumia 950 and Lumia 950XL respectively. Read More...

http://techafrikico.com/2015/07/22/windows-10-smartphone-lumia-950-lumia-950-xl-specs-leaked/

Xiaomi, the world’s third biggest smartphone maker while still operating in Asia is known for their affordable but yet solid build devices. The company since its inception has launched many products ranging from smartphones, tablets to home automation. The Chinese company on 16 July launched a couple of new products to add to their portfolio.

Xiaomi already launched its Air Purifier earlier this year with the aim of helping homes to have a clean and healthy life. Adding to their home system is the Mi Water Purifier which the they said was developed to help reduce our plastic footprint in the water we drink with ‪Mi Water Purifier‬... Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/07/20/xiaomi-products-update-what-you-missed-on-july-16/

The aesthetics of the Tecno Phantom Z are what makes out the device. The beauty of the Tecno A7 is mainly dignified by its thinness. Tecno Mobile has gone back to the drawing board to improve their devices and I guess the Phantom Z was a comeback for the company... Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/07/18/review-the-tecno-a7-beyond-the-name-you-hate-to-hear/

Most geeks are found to have lots of charging cables in their backpacks due to the number of gadgets they carry around with them and I am no exception. I mostly have different charging cables in my backpack anytime I am on the move. But staying organized with these cables might seem impossible. Luckily, there is a solution to reduce the number of chargers you have to carry around for your devices.

http://techafrikico.com/2015/07/07/review-why-i-ditched-my-power-strip-for-the-16-xiaomi-power-strip/

As it stands now, forty percent of African-born scientists live in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, predominantly NATO and EU countries are they are being referred as an African brain drains.

Names like Dr. Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu, Prof. Nii Narku Quaynor, Ave K. P. Kludze, Jr. among other are making Africa proud with their contributions to some of the world top projects. But the question still remains, how many are making impacts on their countries?... Read More

http://techafrikico.com/2015/07/03/african-leaders-invest-in-skills-in-sciences-engineering-and-technology/

The market for connected health just got crowded as Google’s X research division unveiled Its Health-Tracking Wristband that is aimed for in clinical trials and drug tests, giving researchers or physicians accurate and relevant data on how patients are faring which therefore can help them with the next line of action best for their patients.

The device though is currently an experimental device which is capable of measuring pulse, heart rhythm and skin temperature, and also environmental information like light exposure and noise levels. Nevertheless, Google’s Andy Conrad, head of the life sciences, said the device isn’t targeted for the consumer market It won’t be marketed as a consumer device.. Read More..


http://techafrikico.com/2015/06/24/googles-health-band-can-only-be-prescribed-by-a-doctor/

The Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), will from July 29 through July 31 be filled with Techies and geeks from across Ghana. You can call it Africa’s version of the West’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES) which is first of its kind to hit Ghana’s capital.

It’s called Africa Mobile & ICT Expo 2015, an event organised by Coasters Company Limited in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Samsung.

The programme which was officially launched today at the Holiday Inn Hotel, will bring together Apps/Software developers, programmers, tech engineers, mobile technology lovers, students, device manufacturers, telcos, regulators and policy makers, investors and enthusiasts of the ICT industry under one roof.. Read More...

http://techafrikico.com/2015/06/23/africa-mobile-ict-expo-2015-africas-version-of-ces-launched/

Thinking of getting a new phone, but on a tight budget? Here are our 4 Best Budget Smartphones Under GH₵ 500 you can choose from. With smartphones becoming much more affordable, most people are faced with the difficulties of choosing which one can best meet needs especially when they have a budget of not more than 500 GHC.

To make things simpler, if you ever find yourself in that situation, we have a list of some of the best smartphones you can choose from so you can save money for other things...Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/06/22/4-best-budget-smartphones-under-gh%E2%82%B5-500-june/

In 2014, the Ministry of Communications reported that Ghana was preparing to migrate its analogue transmission to a digital signal.

Ghana was among the countries that signed the Geneva 2006 (GE06) Agreement, which established the Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting Plan (in the frequency bands 174 – 230 Megahertz (MHz) and 470 – 862 MHz) at the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) Regional Radio Communications Conference in conformance with the Antalya Declaration of 2006.

The Agreement sets 17 June on this year as the deadline for the cessation or stoppage of international protection for analogue broadcasting transmissions. Switching from analogue to digital would not only ensure that Ghana conforms to global standards in television but also offers better picture quality, clearer sound, more channels and more viewer interactivity.

The migration process so far have faced some delays last year due to financial constraints, but with a Chinese government agreed to back our quest to the digital migration process which they gave the country a load. Unfortunately, the amount of the loan wasn’t disclosed.

According to First Digital Ghana, the Government of Ghana terminated the digital migration contract with Chinese firm and the reason being so was that... Read More

http://techafrikico.com/2015/06/20/ghana-again-reschedules-its-digital-tv-migration-to-2016/

The Oneplus 2 is the probably the most anticipated smartphone every geek is waiting for to be unveiled. Though there has been lots of rumors about what we should expect in terms of specs, but not all those rumors were true. The confirmed one we have had so far is from the horse’s own mouth.

OnePlus yesterday in a forum post confirmed that the OnePlus 2 will be powered with the Qualcomm... Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/06/18/oneplus-2-is-confirmed-to-be-powered-by-a-snapdragon-810/

These days almost everyone own a smartphone and the main reason behind this is, smartphone have become more affordable while being smarter at the same time. It’s easy to get a great smartphone for less than $200 than it is a tablet. North America is the leading Continent with the highest smartphone penetration in the world, but according the the latest Ericsson Mobility report, the world is gradually catching up with North American for that matter.

Read More...

http://techafrikico.com/2015/06/16/global-smartphone-penetration-to-spike-up-by-70-in-2020/

If you are reading this post from anywhere in Africa or the world entirely, you probably might have heard and used an electronic device or machine manufactured by Huawei e.g. USB Modem (Vodafone Modems, Surfline, Glo, Tigo, Airtel), Routers, Smartphones, Network Switches and Routers etc.

The company is the largest telecommunications equipment maker in the world, having overtaken Ericsson in 2012. Perior to its establishment, Huawei was focused on manufacturing phone switches, but has since expanded its business to include building telecommunications networks; providing operational and consulting services and equipment to enterprises inside and outside of China; and manufacturing communications devices for the consumer market. Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/06/14/huawei-to-lead-ghanas-endeavour-for-ict-modernization/

Last week we wrote that Xiaomi will be unveiling a new line of products today and yes they did! Since its inception is the consumer electronics market, Xiaomi has played a major role by redefining the way smartphone should look like and how they should be sold in terms of pricing.

Just recently, the Chinese company was announced to have sold 14.2M Xiaomi phones in China for the Q1 of 2015 according to IHS, therefore beating Apple & Samsung. Though we were eager to know what Xiaomi will be launching today, we were quite surprised at the products that were launched today.. Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/06/10/all-you-need-to-know-about-xiaomis-products-launch-today/

As our jobs become demanding, we get less time to do things that matter to us and most importantly do the laundry. Taking your clothes to a laundry service hasn’t been easy.

Then there’s the annoyance of dropping the clothes off and picking them up – a few have pickup and drop-off services, but it was like waiting for the guy from your internet service provider to come and fix your internet connection – we will send someone to come to your house and check the issue in the morning or afternoon and so you would wait.

You could always leave the bag on the front porch, but what about the clean clothes being delivered – are you going to put a hanger on your front door? What if there could be a simple and easy way to have someone pick your clothes and do the laundry for you for just a penny at the convenience of your armchair? Read More...

These days it’s almost impossible to wake up without hearing of a new smartphone manufacturer from China on the web. Does too many gadgets manufacturers on the market bad? Well No! Actually it’s a great thing as it bring competition to the market and stretches manufacturer to build high-quality devices at an affordable price.

Brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Elephone, Meizu, Jiayu among others have been able to penetrate into the market one way or the other. If you have fallen in love with Chinese brands lately, well not this one because its new on the block. Oukitel have been manufacturing.. Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/06/07/the-oukitel-u9-will-steal-your-200-with-its-2-5d-3gb-of-ram/

Just like any manufacturer, Xiaomi has yet released another teaser following its launch of the Mi 4i in most Asian countries. The new teaser showcase an upcoming water-related product which we have some few clues what the products might be.

The event is scheduled to take place on June 10 in China. The picture and its text mean water, but there is nothing beyond that. Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/06/05/xiaomi-to-launch-a-new-line-of-products-come-10th-june/

If you ever thought the Xperia C3 selfie-focused smartphone with its 5-megapixel front facing camera, with flash and a 25mm wide-angle lens was dope, then you better rethink. Asus just announced another flagship phone which it reportedly named the “ZenFone Selfie“.... Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/06/02/hold-my-beer-asus-zenfone-selfie-shoots-13-megapixel-selfies-from-the-front/

Earlier this year, Microsoft approached Xiaomi to work on porting Windows 10 unto the Xiaomi Mi4. According to microsoft, the team was working with a selected group of Mi4 users in China to have them test the Windows 10 Rom build specifically for the Mi4.

While Xiaomi isn’t participating in the project and isn’t endorsing it, the company is still keen on giving the Mi users rich ROM options. Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/05/29/windows-10-rom-for-xiaomi-mi4-will-officially-go-public-on-june-1/

Back in 2007, Steve jobs said the Finger is the best input device ever and I couldn't agree more with him. But what if we can take it a step further by marrying Technology to your finger?

These days most of us literally use pen or pencil to write. This is because, smartphones and tablets makes it easy for us to type on the go and with ease.

Though smartphones and tablets are great innovations that helps us in numerous ways in our daily lives, it also has some down sides to it. For instance, using computers, smartphones and tablets for could change the way your handwriting looks on paper.

But what if there is a way to bring back the fun of writing on our tablets, smartphones, on paper or on any surface at all? This is now possible thanks to Phree. Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/05/22/phree-the-worlds-first-smartpen-that-lets-you-write-on-any-surface/

These days is almost impossible to see young people taking pictures of their meal to post on Instagram on Twitter before they eat. This, experts believe could be due to mental illness. It does not end there, you find couples on a date and they all face-down staring at screens and this is making us lose valuable moments with our friends and loved ones.

In a move to control the way we use our phones, two innovators come together to invent a phone that does just what it says and it’s called ‘The Light Phone‘. The phone is.. Read More...

http://techafrikico.com/2015/05/21/the-light-phone-is-an-anti-smartphone-that-brings-back-the-human-in-us/

Smartphones have evolved with they being more efficient and useful in our daily lives. But what actually makes a great smartphone? Is it the Hardware or the Software? Well, its both, but that’s not all. Having a great smartphone running on the latest version of the operating system isn’t just enough. You need a dedicated community of users and developers who will support and provide tips and how-tos.

This is one strategy the smartphone manufacturers like Xiaomi and Ubuntu have been working with over the past years. In 2014, Canonical signed a ‘strategic agreement’ with Meizu to ship Ubuntu Phones in China and other territories (excluding the US). Read More..

http://techafrikico.com/2015/05/18/the-meizu-mx4-ubuntu-phone-goes-on-sale-in-china/

When you think Samsung, probably three things comes to mind, Smartphones,Tablets and TV mostly. Though the company is known in those field, it also a major manufacturer of majority of the electronics components and circuits that powers some of the the electronics devices you see around you.

Samsung today announced at the Internet of Things World, that it has officially entered the Maker world with their ARTIK platform, an Arduino compatible family of devices targeted towards Internet of Things applications. Read More...

http://techafrikico.com/2015/05/12/samsung-announces-the-samsungartik-its-advanced-arduino-board-like/