Airtel International has registered a 38.6 per cent growth in revenue for the first quarter ended June 30. In a press statement released on Wednesday, the telecommunications firm’s said its revenue increased from $2.62 billion to $3.79 billion as of June 30, 2011. “The above figures represent total revenue generated from 19 countries from Africa and Asia where the telecom has operations,” read the statement in part.

Africa’s contribution
Africa’s total revenue increased by 6 per cent with the continent generating $979 million as of June 30, 2011 compared with $924 million in June last year. However, net profits dropped by 28 per cent in the period under review, registering $272 million down from $361 million.

The drop in net revenue is attributed to increased tax charges and the many investments undertaken by the telecom firm in India and Africa. Mr Sunil Mittal, the Airtel international chairman and managing director, said the firm is hopeful that the good start to the fiscal year will be maintained.

From: Monitor

Government has initiated the establishment of an innovation centre that would promote export-oriented Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services industry, as well as generate employment.

The ICT Park to be built in Tema is one of several initiatives being implemented by government under an enabling environment for the take-off of a knowledge-based economy.

As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to boost technical and engineering skills, Samsung Electronics South Africa launched the Samsung Electronics Engineering Academy.
The initiative strives to transform communities through education and skills development and in return, open up skilled, well-paying job opportunities for individuals. Samsung will equip underprivileged students attending government technical schools with the skills and practical experience required to make them competitive in the local job market.

The 2010 edition of the World e-Parliament Conference has officially opened at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) with delegates from eighty (80) parliaments and five continents attending. The conference is aimed at sensitizing parliaments across five continents on the need to use modern technology to help improve communication with their constituents, particularly at the grassroots.

Thomas Stelzer, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-agency Affairs of the United Nations stressed the need for national parliaments to use information and communication technology (ICT) as a tool to reach out to the less privileged people for the betterment of their countries.