Monday 1 October 2007

MASCOM/VISA Launch (21 April 2004)

The Governor of the Bank of Botswana will officially launch a world first Direct Mobile Top-Up service in Gaborone – Botswana on Wednesday, 21 April 2004.

The hi-tech filled launch will take place at the Gabarone International Conference Centre, Grand Palm Hotel at 1900.

The Governor of the Bank of Botswana, Mrs. Linah Mohohlo will officiate at the launch in the presence of three Cabinet Ministers – Mr. Jacob Nkate – Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Baledzi Gaolathe – Minister of Finance and Development Planning and Mr. Boyce Sebetela – Minister of Communications, Science, and Technology. Senior delegates from Visa International, Barclays Bank, First National Bank and Standard Chartered Bank will jointly support the event.

An innovative and exclusive mobile commerce solution named “PayM8” is intended to afford Mascom pre-paid subscribers the ability to purchase airtime directly from their Mobile Handsets and is set to revolutionalise virtual recharge concepts the world over. “This is just the beginning for Mascom and it’s Botswana Banking partners whom will make Mobile Commerce a reality in Botswana” says Mr Andrew Springate, CEO of JHI Commerce, the developers of the technology.

The national launch event culminates years of effort in developing a technology that is Certified by Visa and supported by all the Visa card issuing banks in Botswana. “It is truly amazing what can be achieved when organisations as powerful as Mascom, Visa Inetrnational, First National Bank, Barclays and Standard Chartered cooperate on a project such as this” says Mr. Jose Antonia Ferreira, CEO of Mascom.

Mrs. Maureen Williams, Visa International Botswana Country manager explains; “Visa is pleased to be supporting it’s member banks in Botswana in delivering new value added services to it’s card-holders, and leading the African Renaissance through the use of new technologies such as Mobile phones”.

Mascom proudly serves 70% of the Mobile market in Botswana where currently 90% of the top-up is provisioned through pre-printed ‘scratch-cards’ and paid for in cash. The Mascom Direct Top-up service that uses “Verified by Visa” technology will allow Visa card-holders to purchase Airtime using their Botswana issued Visa card as the means of payment. In the near future card-holders will be able to request the available balance on their Visa card, send money to other Visa card holders and even pay their bills directly from their Mascom phone.

JHI Commerce with their technology partners Radiospoor South Africa and Cardinal Commerce USA have developed the Visa certified solution under the guidance of Visa International and named the solution “PayM8”. The solution is intended to bridge the gap between non-Internet based Mobile phones and the Internet. “The Mobile phone is the PC of Africa. PayM8 brings the power of the Internet to everyone that owns a Mobile phone” says the Chief Technical Office of JHI Commerce.

The “PayM8” solution is simple and most importantly safe to use, as the card-holders transaction details are safely transported and secured in a Visa certified environment.

“A technical test pilot phase has been running for two months with First National Bank customers with amazing success. Already more than Pula 100,000 worth or airtime has been sold directly to card-holders” says Denis Ivins of First National Bank of Botswana.

To enrol for the Mascom Direct 109, Visa endorsed Direct Top-up service, a customer needs to have a VISA Credit or VISA Electron card from any of the participating banks in Botswana (First National Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Barclays Bank).

Customer dial free, “109” from their Mascom phone to register on-line and provide the following information:

  • 16 Digit VISA Credit or Visa Electron Number

  • Visa Card Expiry date

  • National ID Number

  • Select another new Passcode/PIN for the service.

Once the information has been verified, a customer can start buying airtime to the value of their choice.

The launch of the Mascom Direct Top-up service will offer Mascom customers more convenience and lower its distribution costs of Airtime, and increase data security. Customers will have convenience, utility and security. This service saves time, is simple to use and is always available.

Mascom as the first cellular operator in Botswana, is the torchbearer in harnessing the cellular technology in line with the national vision - A Long Term Vision for Botswana – Vision 2016. The organisation is truly living to its mission statement that reads: “To serve Africa by pioneering, developing and sustaining reliable and efficient high quality telecommunications of uncompromising world class standards and ethics” says Mr. Jose Antonia Ferreira, CEO of Mascom.


For more information, contact:

Mascom Corporate Information: Joao Perreira, Marketing Director of Mascom on +267 390 3396

Technical Information: Kerry Stephenson on +27 11 847 6100

Visa International: Maureen Williams or Zubier Shah on +27 11 483 4300

Or Barclays, First National or Standard Chartered Bank of Botswana.

Company Profile: Investec Asset Management Botswana (Proprietary) Ltd.

Primary SIC:
  • Security Brokers And Dealers
Primary NAICS:
  • Securities Brokerage
Description:
  • Finance:Asset Management

Sunday 30 September 2007

FNBB Launches Business Banking Unit (Friday, September 28, 2007)

The First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) has entered into agreements with the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and the Women in Business Association (WIBA) to promote business growth and development in Botswana.

The First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) has entered into agreements with the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and the Women in Business Association (WIBA) to promote business growth and development in Botswana.

This was revealed at a breakfast meeting hosted by FNBB to launch its new business unit, Business Banking, at the Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC) yesterday.

Delivering the keynote address, Tsholo Kokorwe, who will head the new specialised unit, said FNBB was responding to new and emerging businesses which are a compelling source of growth in Botswana and the rest of the SADC region.

"We are working very closely with other stakeholders who are keen to promote business development in Botswana," Kokorwe said.

"This is why we are so proud to inform you of the partnerships we signed with the two organisations, LEA and WIBA, as we seek to promote business growth in this country,"

She said it is evident that there is potential for growth in this sector: "This is so, especially given the extent to which the Botswana Government promotes diversification of the economy in order to reduce the current reliance on the diamond industry."

In addition to catering for established and new businesses, the FNBB Business Banking unit will identify customers' needs and offer solutions.

The unit will offer cheque accounts, foreign currency accounts, investment accounts, business loans and overdrafts, guarantees, trade finance, property finance, and vehicle finance through Wesbank.

Furthermore, Kokorwe said, "we have a range of electronic banking services, including the Business Internet Solution that enables transactions over the Internet at your convenience and inContact Pro.

"One of the added bonuses of FNB Business Banking is an initiative we will be launching shortly, known as the BIZnetwork."

The Chief Executive Officer of FNBB Danny Zandamela said the new business unit marks a milestone in the history of his bank and the strengthening of FNBB's relationship with the business sector in Botswana.

"This pioneering move to establish a Business Banking unit acknowledges the diversity of the Botswana economy,' he said. "We recognise the need for solutions that cater for specific segments and are proud to be offering a service tailored to the needs of new and emerging businesses, in addition to our usual diverse (product range)."

FNBB's introduction of a special business section comes shortly after another bank, Standard Charted, launched a special credit facility for small and medium enterprise (SMEs) a key feature of which is the elimination of collateral.



Stanchart said it was responding to widespread criticism that banks were reluctant to fund SMEs under the pretext that small businesses posed a higher risk of defaulting on loan repayments.

At the launch of the Stanchart facility, LEA said it would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Standard Chartered to assist its (LEA's) clients.

It said it would present complete business plans to the bank for assessment, which would cover direct observations, surveys and interventions, if necessary.

African Diamonds Appoints CEO in Botswana ( 04.09.07)

African Diamonds plc, the AIM and Botswana-listed diamond exploration company, said on Monday it had appointed Ribson Gabonowe as CEO of its wholly owned Botswana subsidiary, Kukama.

Recently, Ribson retired from his position of Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government. He also served as Director of Mines in Botswana, overseeing the administration of mineral licenses as well as involvement in negotiations of major mineral agreements for diamonds, copper/nickel, soda ash and coal.

Ribson’s first assignment will be to work on the AK6 mining license application due to be submitted to the Botswana Government by the end of September 2007.

African Diamonds, in joint venture with De Beers, has a number of prospects in Botswana and is developing the AK6 diamond mine.


More on this subject:
Production at AK6 Project in Botswana to commence in two years (20/05/07)
African Diamonds Awarded Two Licenses (02/08/07)
African Diamonds Announces Orapa Interim Diamond Valuation (01/07/07)

African Diamonds Appoints CEO in Botswana ( 04.09.07)

African Diamonds plc, the AIM and Botswana-listed diamond exploration company, said on Monday it had appointed Ribson Gabonowe as CEO of its wholly owned Botswana subsidiary, Kukama.

Recently, Ribson retired from his position of Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government. He also served as Director of Mines in Botswana, overseeing the administration of mineral licenses as well as involvement in negotiations of major mineral agreements for diamonds, copper/nickel, soda ash and coal.

Ribson’s first assignment will be to work on the AK6 mining license application due to be submitted to the Botswana Government by the end of September 2007.

African Diamonds, in joint venture with De Beers, has a number of prospects in Botswana and is developing the AK6 diamond mine.


More on this subject:
Production at AK6 Project in Botswana to commence in two years (20/05/07)
African Diamonds Awarded Two Licenses (02/08/07)
African Diamonds Announces Orapa Interim Diamond Valuation (01/07/07)

African Copper Receives Licence Renewal for Over 3,500sq km of Matsitama Exploration Property in Botswana (Tuesday, September 18, 2007)

(TSX:ACU)(AIM:ACU)(BOTSWANA:AFRICAN COPPER) is pleased to announce that the exploration licence renewal application submitted by African Copper to the Botswana Geological Survey ("BGS") was accepted for the Matsitama Exploration Licences, adjacent to the Mowana Mine licences.

These four exploration licences (PL14/2004, 15/2004, 16/2004 and 17/2004), totalling 3,528 sq km (see Figure 1) represent approximately 88% of the original licence area granted in 2004 and allow African Copper to continue carrying out its aggressive exploration programs in the prospective Matsitama volcano-sedimentary fold belt. Including exploration licences surrounding the Mowana Mine, African Copper now maintains a land position of over 3,800 sq km in Botswana.

"We are very enthusiastic about the prospects for this licence area and are pleased that the BGS has allowed us to retain such a large percentage of the original land position," commented Joseph Hamilton, CEO. "This allows the Company to retain the best exploration targets in a contiguous package. Systematic exploration programs continue throughout the belt. We are very encouraged by the results of our exploration and remain confident that our efforts will result in further mineralisation that may support our operations at the Mowana Mine."

African Copper PLC

African Copper is a tri-listed (AIM, TSX, Botswana Stock Exchange) international exploration and development company. The Company is currently developing the Mowana Mine at the Dukwe Project in Botswana, southern Africa, and anticipates copper production in the first half of 2008. The Company's other interests are the 3,500sq km Matsitama exploration concession adjacent to the Mowana Mine property, which contains two known copper deposits and numerous base metal exploration targets. African Copper has approximately 139.6 million shares outstanding.

This press release contains or refers to forward-looking information, including statements relating to exploration results, potential mineralisation, exploration and mine development plans, future production, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions, and is based on current expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the grade and recovery of ore which is mined varying from estimates, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks arising from operating in Africa, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances other than as required by law.

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