Salve,
The US Department of State formally launched the Sudan Conflict Observatory platform to provide independent, expert reporting on conflict activity in Sudan.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said the platform will begin publishing public reports on transgressions of international humanitarian law and other abuses.
Some of the outcomes of this monitoring will be made public through the Sudan Conflict Observatory platform.
This comes after widespread protests over the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko led Senegal to restrict access to social media platforms.
Here's what I've got for you today:
- Ride-hailing drivers resume work in Nigeria
- Kenya plans to test Digital Sound Broadcasting services
Ride-hailing drivers resume work in Nigeria
Following a nationwide strike last week, Nigerian ride-hailing drivers returned to work yesterday, Monday, despite claims that their demands were not met.
One report said that some members of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON) claimed it was unreasonable to continue the strike given that many drivers depend on daily pay to survive.
Bolt and Uber increased prices by 30 - 40% despite the Union's demand for a 200% price increase.
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Last week, Bolt tried to entice drivers with a bonus of ₦6,000 ($12.64) to end the AUATWON strike action.
Drivers were to receive the bonus if they met several criteria, including making between 9 and 11 trips, working a minimum of 7 hours, and accepting up to 90% of orders.
However, many drivers objected to the bonus because they felt it was insufficient.
So, should we expect another strike? Most likely.
Last Friday, the Union and the ride-hailing companies met, which seemed promising. If negotiations fail again, there will almost certainly be another strike.AUATWON plans to review every immediate response they have gotten over seven days.
They anticipate that some ride-hailing companies will follow through on their commitments to take action within the next week and will then contact them to continue discussing their demands.
Kenya plans to test Digital Sound Broadcasting services
The Kenyan Communications Authority (CA) has developed a framework to move Kenya from FM radio frequency to Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) services to address market demand and frequency spectrum scarcity.
DSB is a technology that transmits audio content using digital signals. It uses the spectrum more effectively than conventional analogue broadcasting.
Why does it matter? In Kenya, audio broadcasting is a significant source of knowledge, instruction, and entertainment.
Almost 200 broadcast services have received licences, and 98% of homes in the country have access to equipment that can receive sound broadcasts.
However, there is no room to add more FM stations because there is not enough FM radio spectrum available. But DSB presents a chance to launch new sound broadcasting services in these regions.
Consequently, the ICT regulator claimed that over 1,000 investors were waiting in line for applications.
The Association for Progressive Communication, Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), and the United Kingdom's Digital Access Programme all collaborated to develop the DSB framework. The regulator also included other stakeholders through open consultations.
The proposed framework presents digital radio as an additional service that will coexist with analogue radio.
The CA disclosed plans to test digital sound broadcasting (DSB) between March 2023 to December 2024 to show Kenyans the importance of the DSB.
A three-phase rollout covering 29 locations across Kenya will adhere to a process similar to that used for the rollout of digital terrestrial television.
For context, twelve towns will be included in the first phase, accounting for 40% of the population and 12.6% of Kenya's total area. They are Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Meru, Nyeri, Londiani, Kibwezi, Webuye, Voi, and Machakos.
Phases two and three will each add 17 and 22 additional sites, respectively.
In case you missed it
- SEC ban: Binance says it is not affiliated with Binance Nigeria Limited
- Nigerian customer engagement startup, Termii raises $3.65 million to expand across Africa
What I'm reading and watching
- Read the new Twitter CEO’s first email to employees
- How Your Memory Works
- Why you’re probably not doing your “dream job”
- Mary Roach: 10 things you didn't know about orgasm
Opportunities
- Substack is hiring a Product Designer. Apply here.
- Messari is hiring a Senior Frontend Engineer (data visualisation). You can apply here.
- SourceGraph is looking for a Product Manager. Apply here.
- Coinshift is looking for a Senior Product Designer, Customer Success Manager, and Senior Product Marketing Manager. Check out this link to apply for any of these remote positions.
- Several companies are looking for remote Product Manager, Software Engineering Manager, Data Engineer, Enterprise Account Manager, Security Researcher and Learning Experience Designer Jobs. Check out this link to see these roles and apply.
- Gelato Network is hiring remote for the following roles: Business Development Intern, Data Engineer, Develop Relations, Product Manager, Senior Frontend Engineer. Apply here.
- Kalepa is looking for a Senior Backend Engineer. Check out this page to apply.
- Paxos is hiring a senior IT engineer. Check out this link.
- Infra is looking for a lead software engineer. Apply here.
- If you are a software engineer, creative designer, product manager, design researcher, or a techie looking for an internship role, please, check out this website.
Have a great Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
