Rwanda now offers the cheapest broadband internet in the East African Community bloc, leapfrogging Kenya and Tanzania, a new report shows.
New data published by British technology research firm Cable shows that netizens in the Paul Kagame-led country are paying a monthly average of $43.22 (Sh5,603) for fixed broadband connection this year down from the $60.96 (Sh7,904) that was charged last year, marking a 29.1 percent year-on-year drop.
Tanzania, which led the pack last year, saw its average cost rise to $43.44 (Sh5,632) up from $42.31 (Sh5,485) pushing it to the second position, while Kenya’s costs dropped marginally from $49.13 to $47.73 (Sh6,188) resulting in the country holding the third position this year.
Burundi has the highest charges in the region at $304.57 (Sh39,490) which is a drop from last year’s $383.79 (Sh49,604) followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) whose average pricing has dropped to $170.97 (Sh22,097) from $193.46 (Sh25,004) last year.
Citizens in Somalia and Uganda are this year paying a monthly average of $54.58 (Sh7,054) and $52.59 (Sh6,797) from $52.50 (Sh6,785) and $58.69 (7,585) respectively last year.
The publication did not contain pricing figures for war-torn South Sudan.
Globally, Kenya ranks 125th while it holds the 20th position in sub-Saharan Africa beating continental powerhouses like South Africa, Ghana, and Cameroon.
According to the data, citizens of Sudan pay the lowest monthly rates globally at $2.40 (Sh310), with all sub-Saharan African nations ranking within the top 230 cheapest jurisdictions.
In Kenya, the fixed internet market has remained under the tight grip of Safaricom which enjoys a 37.4 percent market share as per the latest statistics published by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
The giant telco is trailed by Jamii Telecommunications Limited (JTL), Wananchi Group-owned Zuku, and Poa Internet Kenya Limited at 22.6 percent, 18.8 percent, and 13 percent share respectively.
The market has in recent times signaled hope for cheaper pricing with a new wave of intensified competition that’s being chiefly driven by an aggressive influx of commercial satellite internet providers with low-cost offerings.
Analysts have opined that traditional internet vendors will either have to toe the line regarding pricing, or risk being pushed out of business by market forces.
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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
ALSO READ: NBC participates in TFF 2023/24 awards, promises to enhance competition
On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
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