Telkom Kenya signs tower management partnership with Eaton Towers

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 14, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Integrated telecommunications services provider, Telkom Kenya, which operates Orange’s mobile and fixed-line telecommunications services (http://www.orange.com) in Kenya, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Eaton Towers for the management of its passive network infrastructure. The fifteen-year tower management and leasing deal is focused on both the maintenance of existing sites by Eaton Towers and the building of new sites. This will help reduce operating costs and capital expenditure, while improving network coverage and quality, as well as reducing Orange’s overall carbon footprint.

Logo Orange: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/orange-logo.jpg

Telkom Kenya will retain ownership of its existing portfolio of over 1,000 towers while Eaton Towers will invest in passive infrastructure upgrades and build new towers to provide Telkom Kenya with improved coverage and network quality. In parallel, the partnership will create a solid platform that will allow Telkom Kenya to focus on developing value-added services such as innovative data offers as well as an enhanced customer care experience.

“We are confident that our agreement with Eaton Towers is a step in the right direction,” said Mickael Ghossein, CEO of Telkom Kenya. “The partnership will place us in a strong position to expand our network and develop innovative new services, in particular in rural areas, helping us achieve our ambition to provide the Kenyan population with excellent nation-wide coverage and relevant offers. Through this partnership, we will be able to reduce our operational costs and, at the same time, minimise the environmental impact of our network by reducing the use of diesel fuel.”

Alan Harper, Chief Executive of Eaton Towers, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Telkom Kenya as the first infrastructure tower company to operate in Kenya. This agreement extends our successful relationship with the Orange Group in Africa and brings significant benefits to all parties. Eaton Towers’ expertise in tower management and its commitment to top-quality service will allow Telkom Kenya to expand and improve its network while optimizing costs.”

The agreement represents an important step forward in Orange’s efforts to improve efficiency and control operating costs across its footprint in Africa. Sharing passive infrastructure is a key part of this strategy and similar deals have already been struck in Uganda, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of France Télécom-Orange.

About Telkom Kenya

Established in 1999, as Kenya’s national telecommunications provider, Telkom Kenya provides integrated telecommunications solutions with a wide and growing range of voice and data services as well as network facilities.

Telkom Kenya has shareholding in both the East African Marine System (TEAMs) and the Eastern Africa Submarine System (EaSSy) and has over 4,000 terrestrial fibre infrastructure that run across the country. The company, therefore, has the largest footprint within Kenya and has further interconnected to the wider Eastern Africa region. Moreover, the commissioning of France Telecom’s Lower Indian Ocean Network II (LION II) has bolstered the company’s infrastructure capacity.

With fixed network, wireless, mobile and internet services, Telkom Kenya is the only truly integrated telecommunication solutions provider in the country. Orange Mobile, Orange Fixed Plus and Orange Broadband are Telkom Kenya’s GSM, wireless and internet services provided under its commercial brand, Orange. The national and only fixed line service, Telkom Fixed, is provided under the Telkom Kenya brand.

Telkom Kenya also has a broad business portfolio offered under the brand name Orange Business Services and continues to be a major provider within the country and region for wholesale traffic (carrier to carrier), enabled by its vast fibre optic infrastructure.

Telkom Kenya became a part of one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators, the France Telecom Group, in 2008, following the Group’s purchase of a majority share capacity from the Government of Kenya. This partnership saw the launch of the Orange brand in Kenya, complete with a new approach to serving customers; placing people at the centre by making our services straightforward, simple and more enriching, while maintaining a sustainable and responsible business model that could be adapted to the requirements of a fast-paced and changing eco-system.

About Orange

France Telecom-Orange (http://www.orange.com) is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 43.5 billion euros in 2012 and has 170,000 employees worldwide at 31 March 2013, including 104 000 employees in France. Present in 32 countries, the Group has a total customer base close to 230 million customers at 31 March 2013, including 172 million mobile customers and 15 million broadband internet (ADSL, fibre) customers worldwide. Orange is one of the main European operators for mobile and broadband internet services and, under the brand Orange Business Services, is one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.

With its industrial project, “conquests 2015″, Orange is simultaneously addressing its employees, customers and shareholders, as well as the society in which the company operates, through a concrete set of action plans. These commitments are expressed through a new vision of human resources for employees; through the deployment of a network infrastructure upon which the Group will build its future growth; through the Group’s ambition to offer a superior customer experience thanks in particular to improved quality of service; and through the acceleration of international development.

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more information (on the internet and on your mobile): http://www.orange.com, http://www.orange-business.com, http://www.orange-innovation.tv or to follow us on Twitter: @presseorange (http://twitter.com/presseorange).

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Brand Services Limited, Orange France or France Telecom.

About Eaton Towers

Eaton Towers is a leading African tower company. Based in London, Eaton is a truly independent pan-African infrastructure–sharing company owning and managing towers across Africa.

Eaton Towers is the first independent tower company in Kenya, adding more than 1,000 towers to a total of more than 2,500 towers in Ghana, Uganda and South Africa and now also Kenya.

Eaton is backed by Capital International, one of the largest and most successful investors in emerging markets and by DPI, the specialist African-focused fund.

Further information is available from http://www.eatontowers.com

Press contacts:

Telkom Kenya: Maureen Sande, +254 20 495 2502, [email protected]

Orange: Tom Wright, +33 1 44 44 93 93, [email protected]

Eaton Towers: Alan Harper, Chief Executive Officer, +44 20 7467 3945

Eaton, College Hill: Kay Larsen / Adrian Duffield – London, +44 20 7457 2020

Fred Cornet / Lexi Ball – Johannesburg, +27 11 447 3030

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Interswitch creates holding company and spins off two core divisions for regional and international growth

LAGOS, Nigeria, June 10, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Interswitch Transnational Holdings (“Interswitch” or the “Company”) (http://www.interswitchng.com), a pan-African integrated payment processing and transaction switching company, announces the spin-off, of two of its core divisions: Verve International (“Verve”) and Switching and Processing, as separate, autonomous businesses.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/interswitch.jpg

Highlights

• Verve (the payment card solutions business) and Interswitch Switching and Processing (the transaction switching business) have been spun off as separate, autonomous businesses

• Rationale for separation is driven by Interswitch’s strategy to orchestrate the next stage of sustainable growth through empowering the various line businesses to broaden and deepen their solution and service offerings to better serve their customers across Africa

• Separation will enable Verve to leverage, to the maximum extent, its recent strategic alliance with the ‘Discover’ network, providing new business opportunities in over 185 countries around the world

• Separation will enable Interswitch Switching and Processing to take its card-agnostic pureplay switching services and third party transaction processing (Mastercard, Visa, Union Pay, Verve) capabilities across the region

• Separation also brings Interswitch’s corporate structure into line with the guidelines of the Payment Systems Vision 2020 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (“CBN”), Verve International and Interswitch Switching and Processing to have separate management teams. Verve International to be led by Mr. Charles Ifedi

• Interswitch Switching and Processing to be led by Mr. Akeem Lawal

Mr. Mitchell Elegbe, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Interswitch Transnational Holdings commented:

“It has always been our desire to evolve into an integrated payments holding business where the various parts of the business are driven to deepen and broaden their relationships with their various customers by creating innovative products and services of real value. Creating the right governance structure to herald this new phase of sustainable growth has been the focus of the board and management in the last few months. I am elated that we have successfully completed this separation, which took effect from April 1st 2013.”

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of Interswitch Transnational Holdings.

Further information

Interswitch Limited

Enyioma Anaba

Head, Group Marketing

+234 1 9065000

Pelham Bell Pottinger

Victoria Geoghegan / Nick Lambert / Philip Peck

+44 20 7861 3232

Summary

Verve, Interswitch’s payment card solutions business and the Company’s core switching platform, have been spun off as two, separate standalone businesses, with effect from April 1, 2013. These entities would be called Verve International and Interswitch Switching and Processing.

The transaction forms part of Interswitch’s planned strategy to separate its core divisions, allowing each division focus on its core competencies and best facilitate regional and international expansion, with a clear mandate to provide the” best services at the lowest cost”. The separation will result in no disruption to services enjoyed by the business’s clients; the two companies will further strengthen the existing teams by identifying and attracting key talents from across the continent that will focus on delivering the best services.

This separation is also in line with the CBN’s guidelines as contained the Payments System Vision 2020 and will ensure that Interswitch Group’s corporate structure is geared to CBN’s goals of developing effective payment systems in Nigeria. Both businesses will have separate management teams and Boards. The Switching and Processing division will be led by Mr. Akeem Lawal while Verve International will be led by Mr. Charles Ifedi.

Transaction Switching and Processing which was the core switching and processing platform of Interswitch and has over a decade offered issuers, acquirers, card schemes and networks with array of services which include but are not limited to: transaction switching, payment processing, settlement reporting services. The company will continue to provide these services with a focus on multiple markets, while also enhancing customer experience with product innovation and extensions, at the least costs.

The switch is connected to all 20 banks in Nigeria including 7 Microfinance institutions and 16 Mobile Money operators. In addition, the switch processes local and international transactions originating from payment cards such as UnionPay of China, MasterCard, VISA and Discover Financial Services (Discover and Diners Club).

Verve offers issuers, cardholders and organizations with payment card products and solutions in Nigeria and it’s pan-African chip + PIN payment card, is the first chip card accepted across all payment channels in Nigeria.

Verve has over 20 million cards in circulation and access to over 119,631 points of sale (“POS”), 11,287 ATMs and over 1,000 online merchants. Verve has been developed with unique value added services available to cardholders in Nigeria, including loyalty and Reward Money® at specific merchant locations.

Following today’s announcement, Verve will drive the payment card business internationally with a focus on ‘issuing’ and ‘acquiring’ while also driving awareness of the Verve brand. This separation will also enable Verve leverage, to the maximum extent, its recent strategic alliance with the ‘Discover’ network. The alliance will enable the acceptance of Verve cards on Discover and Diners Club International Network of ATMs and POS in over 185 countries around the world for international purchases and cash access. Driving these unique offers across the region will be a major strategic focus for Verve International, post-separation.

Akeem Lawal has over 15 years experience in electronic payments processing, payment cards business, implementation and management of projects in the financial services sector and ICT. He is a fellow of Archbishop Tutu African Leadership Institute for Young African leaders.

Charles Ifedi was a member of the project team that developed the business plan at the start of Interswitch’s operations in 2001. He has over 14 years experience in various positions including: managing acquisitions and expansion into various markets and has worked with PWC, Accenture in Nigeria as well as American Express in the UK and other countries.

Notes to Editors

About Interswitch

Interswitch Limited (http://www.interswitchng.com) is a Pan-African integrated transaction and payment processing company with a business footprint that covers the provision of shared, integrated e-payment solutions for financial and non-financial institutions, enables electronic payments to facilitate e-commerce, and provides value-added services as well as real-time online electronic reporting and monitoring to various corporate organizations. Interswitch in its innovative way has continued to develop and improve on existing products and services to meet the needs of various industries.

Further information about Interswitch Limited can be found at http://www.interswitchng.com

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Yahsat Awarded SatCom “Most Innovative Product and Service for Africa” for Second Consecutive Year

ABU DHABI, UAE, June 5, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae), the Middle East’s leading satellite service provider, took home the highly coveted SatCom Star Award for the “Most Innovative Product/Service for Africa” for the second consecutive year. The award is a testament to the successful growth and uptake of YahClick, which provides connectivity to residents in unserved and underserviced areas across 28 countries in the Middle East, Africa and Central and South West Asia.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/yahsat.jpg

Commenting on the award, Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat, stated: “It is a privilege to take home this award for the second consecutive year. The African market is extremely important to Yahsat and we are pleased that the industry recognizes the important role we play and the contribution we are starting to make in Africa.”

“According to the International Monetary Fund, growth in Africa is expected to continue over the next five years and between 2010 to 2015, nine out of the top twenty fastest growing economies in the world are expected to be in Africa. This represents a huge opportunity for satellite operators such as Yahsat and Internet service providers who can help connect urban, rural and remote communities so they may join the 21st century global economy.”

In Africa, YahClick is already operational in Angola, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan. Launched in August last year YahClick is fast becoming Africa’s must-have product, pushing boundaries in creating connected communities across the continent. With high speed services of up to 15Mbps and cost effective service plans at monthly subscription prices to suit a variety of audiences, YahClick’s current subscribers include a mix of energy, construction, agri-based verticals, SME, NGOs, and individual users who are looking for high speed, reliable Internet connections.

“African countries currently face major challenges including insufficient or congested telecommunications infrastructure, unconnected communities, unskilled workers and an education and healthcare system that needs serious improvements and assistance. At Yahsat, we believe that access to information is a powerful tool that can boost individual, business and societal development. YahClick is our solution to connectivity challenges to maximize the chances of success for the many individual, business and government projects that are springing up in Africa,” added Shawkat Ahmed, Chief Commercial Officer at Yahsat.

YahClick also offers a backup connectivity solution “YahClick Insure” designed for any entity that cannot risk being without continuous Internet access for financial, security or legal reasons if their primary link is disrupted.

For organizations that require connectivity on-the-go, YahClick offers a transportable solution which is a service that is mounted on a vehicle that instantly provides high speed Internet connectivity in changing locations for broadcasters, businesses, government entities, and even private users in remote areas.

“By providing communities with greater access to high speed, reliable Internet connectivity governments have the chance to turbo-charge economic growth and development. Businesses, the public sector and all stakeholders involved need to help shape the way emerging countries move to the next level.” concluded Masood.

Yahsat works with a network of 30 service partners across 28 markets. Key partners in Africa include Vox Telecoms, CoolLink, Hyperia, Infinity, Netone, Sistec, Simbanet, RCS Communications, and TruIT.

The SatCom Star Awards were launched in 2007 to identify and recognise outstanding new contributions to the field of satellite communications in Africa. The awards are designed to celebrate the continued growth and success of the satellite marketplace and focus on the exceptional and innovative performers within the industry.

The awards are judged by an independent board of advisers comprising industry professionals. Winners are selected according to strict criteria, with award recipients reflecting the strong foundation and potential for the satellite industry in serving and developing the African continent.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC “Yahsat”.

About Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC “Yahsat”

Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae) provides multipurpose satellite solutions (government and commercial) for broadband, broadcast, military, and communications use across the Middle East, Africa, Central and South West Asia. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE and wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company (http://www.mubadala.ae), the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Yahsat is the first company in the Middle East and Africa to offer multi-purpose satellite services:

• YahClick – offers home solutions, business solutions and transportable solutions

• YahService – offers managed solutions and government capacity

• YahLink – offers IP trunking solutions, corporate networking capacity and backhauling capacity

Yahsat’s first satellite Y1A was successfully launched in April 2011 and the company’s second satellite Y1B was successfully launched in April 2012.

Media contact

• Shaheena Abbas – [email protected]

• Sarah Mheidly – [email protected]

• Tel: +971 (0)4 33 44 930

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South Africa selects Gemalto for its national electronic identity card program

AMSTERDAM, Netherland, June 5, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) (http://www.gemalto.com), the world leader in digital security, will supply the Government Printing Works (GPW) of South Africa with Sealys eID cards (http://www.gemalto.com/govt/sealys/id_solutions/index.html) for their national identity program. GPW will harness Gemalto’s secure embedded software to protect the holder’s image and biometric data within the secure identity e-document, delivering outstanding levels of integrity and privacy. Moreover, GPW selected the high-end Sealys document fitted with the contactless feature, ensuring added levels of convenience with unrivaled security for citizens.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/gemalto.jpg

Designed to modernize and replace South Africa’s traditional, paper-based ‘green book’ identity documentation, the new Sealys eID card will be offered by the Department for Home Affairs (DHA) to citizens aged 16 and over. The South African government embarked on this service program to improve confidence in official identity credentials and to prepare for the deployment of a comprehensive suite of efficient and convenient eGovernment services.

Leveraging experience that already includes participation to over 80 national programs worldwide, Gemalto is providing GPW with an advanced and highly durable polycarbonate eID card specifically designed to counter forgery. Furthermore, the Sealy eID supports public key infrastructure (PKI) and match-on-card authentication techniques to enable easy verification of authenticity and a future-proof platform capable of providing a broad range of secure online services such as online and in-person authentication as well as legally binding digital signatures.

“Gemalto demonstrated their proven ability to deliver high-end eID secure documents within an ambitious schedule,” said Professor Anthony Mbewu, CEO of GPW. “Plans are already in place for the next phases of the modernization program, and we are very confident in Gemalto’s deep expertise and state-of-the-art technology in supporting our future aspirations.”

“Our local presence in Johannesburg provides a key benefit in ensuring a strategic partnership with the GPW,” said Ari Bouzbib, Senior Vice President of Government Programs at Gemalto. “This new project marks another significant acceleration in the momentum behind eGovernment initiatives on the continent, where Gemalto has already deployed a number of major programs.”

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of Gemalto.

About Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) (http://www.gemalto.com) is the world leader in digital security (http://www.gemalto.com/companyinfo/digital_security.html) with 2012 annual revenues of €2.2 billion and more than 10,000 employees operating out of 83 offices and 13 Research & Development centers, located in 43 countries.

We are at the heart of the rapidly evolving digital society. Billions of people worldwide increasingly want the freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain and work – anytime, everywhere – in ways that are enjoyable and safe. Gemalto delivers on their expanding needs for personal mobile services, payment security, authenticated cloud access, identity and privacy protection, eHealthcare and eGovernment efficiency, convenient ticketing and dependable machine-to-machine (M2M) applications. We develop secure embedded software and secure products which we design and personalize. Our platforms and services manage these products, the confidential data they contain and the trusted end-user services made possible.

Our innovations enable our clients to offer trusted and convenient digital services to billions of individuals. Gemalto thrives with the growing number of people using its solutions to interact with the digital and wireless world.

For more information visit http://www.gemalto.com, http://www.justaskgemalto.com, http://blog.gemalto.com, or follow @gemalto on Twitter.

Gemalto Media Contacts:

Peggy Edoire

Europe, Middle East & Africa

+33 4 42 36 45 40

[email protected]

Nicole Smith

North America

+1 512 758 8921

[email protected]

Pierre Lelievre

Asia Pacific

+65 6317 3802

[email protected]

Ernesto Haikewitsch

Latin America

+55 11 5105 9220

[email protected]

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SkyVision to Launch New Corporate Voice, Data and Video Services at Nigeria’s “NOGTech 2013” Exhibition

LAGOS, Nigeria, June 4, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — SkyVision Global Networks Ltd. (http://www.skyvision.net), a leading global provider of IP connectivity over satellite and fiber optic systems, today announced the upcoming launch of its new corporate voice, data and video services at NOGTech 2013, Nigeria’s fourth annual oil and gas technology exhibition and conference, Lagos, Nigeria, June 4-6, at the EKO Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event is strategically positioned to bring together government ministries, industry stakeholders and key oil and gas professionals.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/skyvision.jpg

Participation in this important event is part of SkyVision’s efforts to expand its corporate services into the fast-growing oil and gas industry in Africa, and in particular, in Nigeria.

For over a decade, SkyVision has focused on the Nigerian market, with the establishment of hubs and PoPs in Lagos and Abuja to provide seamless fiber/VSAT connectivity for customers in the region.

“As a longstanding local provider, SkyVision is proud to be participating in this important industry event in Lagos,” comments Doron Ben Sira, SkyVision CEO. “We welcome this opportunity to strengthen our support for local oil and gas customers in the region, and enable them to improve their productivity and network security. This exhibition provides the opportunity to showcase our latest services and further SkyVision’s commitment to reliable network coverage in Nigeria,” he added.

At NOGTech 2013, SkyVision’s Nigerian team will showcase SkyVision Active – business continuity series and other new solutions suited to the oil and gas industry as well as other corporate markets. With the promise of quality connectivity, SkyVision Active will provide these large corporates with cost-effective and reliable connectivity services for on-demand bandwidth. This includes licensed satellite services and fiber optic communications for enhanced voice, data and video for services, both on- and off-shore service with ad hoc fly away and stabilized antennas.

Visit SkyVision at NOGTech 2013 – Lagos, Nigeria, June 4-6 – Booth #C27

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of SkyVision Global Networks Ltd.

About SkyVision

SkyVision (http://www.skyvision.net) is a leading global IP telecommunication service provider to emerging markets, offering solutions that combine satellite service platforms with high-capacity fiber optic connections. Via its gateways in Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East, the company provides IP connectivity with access to the global Internet backbone, as well as an extensive suite of both customized end-to-end solutions and industry-standard services. With a network spanning 100 countries, SkyVision’s solutions combine global reach with active local presence and support. SkyVision’s customers include incumbent telecoms, ISPs, cellular operators, global and local enterprises, government entities and NGOs. For more information, visit http://www.skyvision.net.

Contact:

Iris Tovim

Marketing Communications Manager

SkyVision Global Networks

+44 20 8387 1750

[email protected]

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APO Named Official Wire Service for AfricaCom, Connecting West Africa and NigeriaCom 2013, Africa’s Leading Telecoms Events

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, June 3, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ —

 APO will distribute AfricaCom, ConnectingWest Africa and NigeriaCom’s press releases via Africa Wire®, the service for press release wire distribution and monitoring in Africa

 As the official newswire, APO is offering exhibitors a 20 percent discount off news release distribution

The Com World Series, part of Informa Telecoms & Media has named the African Press Organization (APO) (http://www.apo-opa.org) the official wire service of AfricaCom 2013, Africa’s leading telecoms event (www.comworldseries.com/africa), held in Cape Town, South Africa, 12-14 November 2013, Connecting West Africa (www.comworldseries.com/westafrica) held in Dakar, Senegal, 11-13 June 2013 and NigeriaCom (www.comworldseries.com/nigeria) held in Lagos, Nigeria, 17-18 September 2013.

As the official newswire, APO is offering exhibitors of the 3 events a 20 percent discount off news release distribution.

AfricaCom, Connecting West Africa and NigeriaCom’s press releases will be distributed via Africa Wire®, the service for press release wire distribution and monitoring in Africa, reaching over 25,000 media contacts, bloggers, social networks, and redistributing content to over 50 African websites.

Used by some of the world’s largest technology companies, including Orange, Airtel, Microsoft, Symantec, Tigo, Main One Cable, Mahindra Comviva, and more, Africa Wire® guarantees the most extensive reach to Africa, helping APO’s clients engage with their audience in all parts of the continent.

APO Executive Director, Eloïne Barry comments, “APO is delighted to have been named official wire service for events as prestigious as AfricaCom, Connecting West Africa and NigeriaCom. This once again shows the unrivaled capacity of APO to not only reach mainstream media but industry-specific publications across Africa.”

Julie Rey, Research Director, Com World Series comments “we are pleased to work with APO on AfricaCom, Connecting West Africa and NigeriaCom; these events already have a great reach in Africa’s business community and we are looking forward to expanding it further through this partnership”.

More information about Africa Wire®: http://www.apo-opa.org/our-services/press-release-distribution-monitoring

Contact:

Aïssatou Diallo

[email protected]

+41 22 534 96 97

About APO

The African Press Organization (APO) (http://www.apo-opa.org) is the leading press release wire in Africa, and the global leader in media relations related to Africa.

With headquarters in Dakar, Senegal, APO owns a media database of over 25,000 contacts and the main Africa-related news online community.

It offers a complete range of services such as press releases wire and monitoring services, online press conferences, interactive webcasts, media interactions, strategic advice, public diplomacy, government relations, and events promotion. To know more please visit, http://www.apo-opa.org.

About the Com World Series & Informa Telecoms & Media

The Com World Series is a world-class series of congress & exhibitions delivering next generation solutions for the telecoms, media & technology industries in developing markets.

Event locations for 2013 include Senegal, Nigeria, Dubai & South Africa and will attract over 10,000 senior-level delegates including 700+ CxOs.

For more information, please visit our website http://www.comworldseries.com/.

Informa Telecoms & Media is the leading provider of business intelligence to global telecoms and media markets.

Our aim is to provide actionable, strategic advice and forecasting on all aspects of converging mobile, fixed, entertainment and IT markets.

Driven by constant first-hand contact with the industry our team of analysts and researchers produce over 300 annual events and intelligence services including news and analytical products, in-depth market reports and data sets.

We benefit from outstanding people, including 100+ analysts, researchers and journalists across 14 countries. Our customers include major blue-chip vendors, operators, and regulators in addition to key players from the financial and content communities.

We are proud of the role we play in bringing the industry together and keeping 100,000 individuals better informed.

For more information, visit our website http://www.informatandm.com.

Contact:

Subuola Akinkugbe

Marketing Executive

[email protected]

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Address by Minister for Trade, Dr Ewa Björling, ICT seminar in Luanda Angola

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ICT seminarium in Luanda Angola, 8-9 30 May 2013 30 May 2013

Ewa Björling, Minister for Trade

Speech

Check against delivery

Minister, your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I am very pleased to be back here in Luanda, and to be able to welcome you all to this important seminar on information and communication technology.

In Sweden, I notice a growing interest in Africa on a daily basis. I see it in the political, cultural and business communities.

Angola, being among other things one of the countries in Africa with the highest level of economic growth, is certainly of special interest to a lot of people.

Sweden and Angola have developed an excellent relationship over the years, and created close ties in several areas. I would very much like us to strengthen and develop these ties even further.

There is a number of interesting areas to explore, ranging from improved trade relations, knowledge transfer and increased foreign direct investments, to institutional partnerships, student exchanges and research cooperation.

Promoting commercial exchange with Africa is already a policy priority for Sweden. And although comparatively small, our trade with Africa is on the rise.

Swedish exports to Africa have increased by 200 per cent over the last ten years. But there is no doubt in my mind that there is a potential to rapidly increase both exports and imports in the years ahead.

I believe that sharing our Swedish experiences and transferring our technology can improve the possibilities for a sustainable development in many parts of the world – especially in countries such as Angola, that have an ambitious development agenda.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The subject of today’s presentations and discussions is ICT, information and communication technology, and I´m proud that Sweden is one of the leading nations globally in this area. This is something that is shown in a lot of ways:

Sweden was, for example, the birthplace of wireless technologies such as GSM, LTE and Bluetooth.

Today, networks manufactured by Ericsson handle almost half of the world’s mobile traffic, and many smaller Swedish companies have broken through on the world ICT stage during the last years.

Eighty-nine per cent of the swedes have internet access at home. And there are more than 12 million mobile phone subscriptions registered in Sweden – not bad for a country with around 9 million residents&

Virtually all – 99 percent – of Swedes aged under 30 go online every day, and 78 percent of the population as a whole.

People, businesses and public authorities in Sweden are among the quickest to adopt new technologies, applications and services, and technology companies from around the world often use our country as a test market for new products.

Many foreign companies also conducts research and development in Sweden.

Ladies and gentlemen,

ICT is an essential tool for finding solutions to many challenges facing a modern society. One such area, that I know is of great importance for both Angola and Sweden, is the construction and developing of sustainable cities.

Sweden has created a platform towards this goal, based on holistic and integrated methods. We call it SymbioCity. This platform brings together government agencies and Swedish enterprises with environmentally friendly methods and experience in sustainable urban development.

The foundation of this work can be traced back to the 1970s. At that time, decades of heavy industrialisation had taken their toll on Sweden, and we were the most oil-dependent country in the industrialised world.

This situation triggered political action and tougher legislation. It spurred cooperation between local, regional and national authorities and the private industry.

Gradually, companies began to turn sustainable ideas into reality – finding new ways to treat water, insulate buildings and develop automatic energy-saving systems and alternative fuels.

A new insight was that these innovations turned out to be really profitable.

Another insight was that the results could hardly have been achieved without highly developed and constantly improved technology.

SymbioCity builds on these experiences, and identifies the links between – among other things – land-use planning, waste management, architecture, urban functions, industry and buildings, energy, traffic and transport, water supply and sanitation.

With first class ICT systems, it is possible to unlock the synergies between different urban systems and units of public administration.

To name a few examples:

• Smart logistics can save transportation fuel as well as storage space, electricity and heating.

• Digitalized communications reduces the need for some transport altogether.

• Smart power grids avoid peak loads, save electricity, and make use of multiple energy sources.

• Smart monitoring makes buildings and factories highly energy efficient.

• And not to forget: good ICT solutions make it possible to maintain an open dialogue with stakeholders about public projects before and after implementation, something that contributes to involvement and responsibility.

This is just some of the reasons why ICT is an important part of our Symbio City platform. It’s all about easily accessing, analyzing and sharing vital information in and between urban systems and parties – including the public.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest growing ICT market in the world, and Angola is one of the largest in the region.

There are, of course, a lot of benefits to be had from developing a well-functioning ICT sector.

In Sweden, our experiences has shown that ICT helps to diversify the economy and make it grow faster.

ICT is currently one of our most important industries, a sector that generates many new companies and jobs through new innovations and ideas.

ICT also makes both the Government and the private sector more efficient. It makes it easier for the Government to communicate with citizens, and for companies to communicate with consumers.

As I just indicated, Sweden is one of the most mature ICT countries in the world today. And there are a lot of Swedish companies with cutting-edge know-how in mobile IT, network solutions, eGovernance, eLearning, eHealth, and other areas. Some of them, I am glad to say, are represented here today.

The Swedish Government’s push for wide-spread broadband roll-out and use of computers has contributed in creating a platform for the digitalisation of our entire society. And in the Swedish private sector, ICT is estimated to account for a 33-per-cent productivity increase.

Close collaboration between the Government and the private sector has been key to our positive development, and there is a lot to be learned from both our successes, and our mistakes.

I´m certain that Angola have the opportunity to undertake the same fantastic journey that we have made (most probably a lot faster though), and we are, of course, more than willing to contribute with our expertise and know-how.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This seminar is intended as a platform for government officials and Angolan and Swedish businesses to come together and discuss how we can work together to meet the challenges ahead, and strengthen our commercial links.

I am hoping that we can establish new long-term partnerships, and that we, together, can develop a strong ICT sector in Angola, a sector that creates jobs and improves the standard of living for your people.

ICT is certainly an asset and opportunity for nations and society – but perhaps most of all, a dynamic tool for each and every one of us in our everyday lives.

Thank you.

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Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs get special fundraising opportunity at VC4Africa

Venture Capital for Africa (VC4Africa), Africa’s largest entrepreneur and investor community, launches a unique opportunity for Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs to raise capital: entrepreneurs selected to be a part of ‘VC4Africa’s June 2013 Cohort’ will receive three months of targeted coaching, personal introductions … Read More

SkyVision to Showcase New Services at South Africa’s “Satcom 2013” Exhibition

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, May 27, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — SkyVision Global Networks Ltd. (http://www.skyvision.net), a leading global provider of IP connectivity over satellite and fiber optic systems, today announced that it will be showcasing a host of new products and services at the Satcom 2013 exhibition and conference, May 28-29, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/skyvision.jpg

To consistently reinforce its leading position in Africa, SkyVision is dedicated to continuous development of new solutions and services to meet the increased demand for reliable connectivity. The company’s intensive efforts and corporate strategy have led to its reputation of delivering superior solutions across the continent. SkyVision’s success in the African market is also a result of its comprehensive network of local partners and representatives, and dedicated SkyVision offices in Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.

SkyVision Voice services, Mobile Satellite services, Managed Firewall services, and the SkyVision Active – business continuity series are amongst the company’s most recent launches. This range of new services is designed to serve corporate customers, and tailored to meet the needs of commercial sectors, including mining, oil and gas, government, NGOs and financial institutions. In addition, SkyVision also delivers end-to-end Private Network and VPN solutions which provide the ability to connect/share information between headquarters and remote offices, featuring extensive global coverage and seamless network integration. As highly reliable solutions, connectivity is maintained under any conditions and offers the ideal solution for mission-critical business applications.

“Today’s African market presents a clear need for robust and efficient telecommunication services,” comments Doron Ben Sira, SkyVision CEO. “We are proud to extend our services offering throughout the continent, and the ability to provide a wide range of enterprise solutions. It’s SkyVision’s experience and expertise in Africa that enables us to deliver reliable and competitively priced connectivity solutions,” he added.

Visit SkyVision at Satcom 2013, May 28-29, Booth C11

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of SkyVision Global Networks Ltd.

About SkyVision

SkyVision (http://www.skyvision.net) is a leading global IP telecommunication service provider to emerging markets, offering solutions that combine satellite service platforms with high-capacity fiber optic connections. Via its gateways in Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East, the company provides IP connectivity with access to the global Internet backbone, as well as an extensive suite of both customized end-to-end solutions and industry-standard services. With a network spanning 100 countries, SkyVision’s solutions combine global reach with active local presence and support. SkyVision’s customers include incumbent telecoms, ISPs, cellular operators, global and local enterprises, government entities and NGOs. For more information, visit http://www.skyvision.net.

Contact:

Iris Tovim

Marketing Communications Manager

SkyVision Global Networks

+44 20 8387 1750

[email protected]

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Orange inaugurates a new Campus in Dakar dedicated to managerial development

DAKAR, Sénégal, May 16, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With the creation of a new Orange Campus site in Senegal, the France Telecom-Orange Group (http://www.orange.com), which is present in some 20 African countries, reaffirms its commitment to strengthening its worldwide managerial community and to supporting managers in their daily responsibilities.

Logo Orange: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/orange-logo.jpg

Located in the Dakar technology park, the first priority of the Orange Campus international site will be to offer development programmes to the 1,000 managers of the Group’s subsidiaries in Western Africa (Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal). Managers from other Orange subsidiaries in French-speaking Africa – the Central African Republic, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – may also benefit from the programmes on offer. In addition, the site will host managers from all of the Group’s countries through its international programmes, fostering diversity, which is integral to Orange Campus’s identity.

In 2013, more than 20 different managerial development programmes are scheduled at Orange Campus Dakar

The new Orange Campus site consists of several classrooms, a library area and an amphitheatre, and was designed to be configurable to the different teaching methods used during the sessions. Located next to the Orange-Sonatel Competency Development Centre, the site’s surface area of more than 300m2 can accommodate up to 160 people.

The programmes to be offered at the Orange Campus Dakar site are focused on three main priorities that are designed to strengthen the international approach favoured in Africa. These include:

 basic courses to give new managers the ability to take up their responsibilities quickly

 collective development programmes – the “collective challenges” – to enable executive managers to mobilize and develop their teams

 individual development programmes and management fundamentals to reinforce key managerial practices

In addition, a “made-to-measure” offering builds on existing programmes while targeting the managerial priorities of each country and adapting to the number of managers participating in the session.

The creation of Orange Campus Dakar is an expression of the Group’s commitment to preparing its international subsidiaries to take charge of certain training events directly by supplying them with all the necessary educational components and offering them special training sessions for local instructors, both internal and external. Eight internal instructors have already been certified in Africa. These measures will be applied to each country, based on their needs and resources. Each country will receive the necessary support to allow them to independently deploy the Orange Campus programmes.

For all that, the development of the Group’s managers in Africa is not new. Since 2011, more than 1,000 managers in 11 countries of Africa, the Middle East and Asia have already benefitted from Orange Campus programmes through sessions organized within the subsidiaries.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of France Télécom-Orange.

About Orange Campus

The Orange Campus concept was created in January 2011 to promote cooperation, interaction and a shared foundation of knowledge and managerial practices common to all of the Group’s managers. Under the leadership of Stéphane Richard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of France Telecom-Orange, Orange Campus plays a central role in managerial renewal, with the Group’s men and women forming the core of the organization.

All Orange Campus programmes are now carried out at five dedicated sites in Paris, Serock (Poland), Madrid, Marseille (southern France) and Dakar, as well as in two Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean hubs serving several countries which bring together optimum managerial density and diversity.

In two years, more than 20,000 participants with 42 different nationalities have already benefitted from the managerial development activities offered by Orange Campus.

About Orange

France Telecom-Orange (http://www.orange.com) is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 43.5 billion euros in 2012 and has 170,000 employees worldwide at 31 March 2013, including 104 000 employees in France. Present in 32 countries, the Group has a total customer base close to 230 million customers at 31 March 2013, including 172 million mobile customers and 15 million broadband internet (ADSL, fibre) customers worldwide. Orange is one of the main European operators for mobile and broadband internet services and, under the brand Orange Business Services, is one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.

With its industrial project, “conquests 2015″, Orange is simultaneously addressing its employees, customers and shareholders, as well as the society in which the company operates, through a concrete set of action plans. These commitments are expressed through a new vision of human resources for employees; through the deployment of a network infrastructure upon which the Group will build its future growth; through the Group’s ambition to offer a superior customer experience thanks in particular to improved quality of service; and through the acceleration of international development.

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more information (on the internet and on your mobile): http://www.orange.com, http://www.orange-business.com, http://www.orange-innovation.tv or to follow us on Twitter: @presseorange (http://twitter.com/presseorange).

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Brand Services Limited, Orange France or France Telecom.

Press contacts : +33 1 44 44 93 93

Sébastien Audra, [email protected]

Mylène Blin, [email protected]

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