Wananchi to venture into six African countries

Wananchi Group has announced plans to rollout services in six African countries.

The firm, which provides triple-play: broadband, multi-channel cable TV, and voice telephony, as well as VSAT; broadband data and Internet services, says it will venture into Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Ethiopia, Sudan and Zambia by September.

The firm has a presence in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The move is part of the company’s drive to position itself as a one-stop entertainment and internet connectivity service provider in the region.

The home-grown company, whose multi-media brand Zuku is gearing up for rebranding, has in the recent past sought to dislodge South African-based DStv from its position as one of the top premium television content providers in the region, with the introduction of a Sh1.5 billion content development division.

“This multi-year deal forms part of our strategy to revolutionise triple play services and technology to hitherto experienced standards globally and we are glad that Cisco will be an integral part of this process,” said Mr Mark Schneider, the group chairman.

Mr Schneider was speaking after signing a contract to buy Cisco network technology solutions through a vendor financing agreement i.e lending of money by a company to one of its customers so that the customer can buy products from it.

According Wananchi, Cisco will help the group to deliver the necessary technology enhancements to its infrastructure to service its customer needs and remain at the forefront of delivering new and innovative services.

Cisco’s Emerging Markets President Paul Mountford told journalists in a teleconference interview that Kenya had the best internet connectivity on the continent, and that it was upto companies to come up with creative solutions that will make the internet an economic growth enabler.

“This agreement with Wananchi is significant for Cisco’s business in Africa because Kenya now is a strategic point as it is witnessing major developments in the information, communications and technology landscape.”

Boost business

Mr Schneider said the company was betting on the growing entertainment market in the region to boost its business.

“The entertainment market for both home and corporate customers in Africa continues to reshape in light of technological advancements and new industry partnerships. Our key objective is to expand our portfolio, enhance our commercial proposition, revenues and reputation,” said Mr Schneider.

According to Wallace Kantai of Wananchi, the partnership will enable the company to deliver technology enhancements to the groups’s infrastructure.

“Under this agreement, Cisco and Wananchi Group will provide a number of innovative and competitive managed and hosted communications and collaboration services for residential, corporate and government sectors,” said Mr Kantai.