Nairobi, Kenya, February 07, 2012: Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solution provider, and Integrated communications company Safaricom, today awarded winning android applications  for the first inter-universities Huawei Android Applications Challenge (HAAC) under the Telecom Seed for the Future programme signed by the two companies and three universities (Moi, Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta) in June 2011.

In his speech during the ceremony, Li Dafeng, President of   Huawei East and South Africa Region said,  “Today’s Huawei Android Applications Challenge awards are an important milestone in the country’s ICT industry efforts to create linkages with learning institutions,  and our partnership with local universities in  pursuit to increase knowledge transfer to bridge the digital divide, which is a key pillar to Huawei’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy.” He added, “We hope that through such initiatives, we can continue tapping and promoting  local talents especially in the universities to increase localized content,  and spur growth and development towards the achievement of vision 2030.”

Since the signing of the MoU June last year, over 87 students have received training at Huawei’s East Africa training center, another 32 students have undergone internship and 5 have received jobs with Huawei.

Speaking during the ceremony, Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore said: “Being the leading integrated communications firm in the country, Safaricom has an important role to play in supporting creativity and technological innovations that make a difference in the lives of Kenyans.”

He added: “We will continue to identify opportunities for collaboration with other ICT solution providers and institutions of higher learning to support the development of relevant Kenyan applications content. This will in turn improve the uptake of data services in this market.”

As the biggest investor in data infrastructure in Kenya, Safaricom has already demonstrated leadership in this segment, with nine out of every 10 Kenyans who access the internet regularly doing so through the Safaricom network.

Officiating the launch, on behalf of the Minister for Information and Communication Hon. Samuel L. Poghisio, Ambassador Bruce Madete said, “I would like to commend Huawei and Safaricom for this initiative to address the challenge for local content.  Over 25% of Kenyans now have access to the internet, majority of whom access the internet through their mobile phone. It is now time to develop services and products to reach these millions of Kenyans through new media.” The Ministry of Information and Communication through the ICT Board have come up with the Tandaa Digital Content grant to support products and services developed for the Internet and mobile phone.

The challenge whose theme was ‘Enriching Life Through Communications’  attracted applications in Education, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Health, Farming, among others.

The winning applications were as follows:

1.    KaroPay- This is an app that will enable students and parents pay fees at the convenient of mobile phones. This they can do from their Android or Java-enabled phones, and using the following payment methods - MPESA, Bank account, Airtel Money, Yu Cash, among others. The developer is MASAI ABEL JEVAYI from JKUAT University.  The award includes a training gift voucher for mobile entrepreneurship workshop , Huawei S7 Slim, laptop with Kshs 50,000 

1. Ifuel Mobile Application-Ifuel acronym for Intelligent or smart fueling is a mobile application solution to act as a fuel station informer and locator, pump prices comparator. Features in  the application include fuel station location Google maps,

report falsified information, auto refresh data and cheap deal in all fuels. It is available in Android application, SMS and USSD. The developer is Kelvin M.

Mwendwa from Moi university. The award includes a training gift voucher for mobile entrepreneurship workshop , Huawei S7 Slim, laptop with Kshs 30,000 

1. Smart Milk Collection Clerk- this application seeks to inform and manage data on collection for dairy companies and to the farmer. It is available in Android application and gives sms updates. The developers are WAWERU D.  GATUHU and NKONGE CLEOPHA from Moi University. The award includes a training gift voucher for mobile entrepreneurship workshop , Huawei S7 Slim with Kshs 20,000 
2. Dr. Sider – this is an interactive Mobile Patient information, recording  and feedback system . This is a life changing tool that will help drug users in reporting the side effects of specific drugs using mobile phones. The app has  many features of the locations, multimedia feedback of side effects. It is available in Android application and gives sms updates. The developer are Paul Njoroge Kimani  and Moses Mwangi  Ndungu from Nairobi University. The award includes a training gift voucher for mobile entrepreneurship workshop , Huawei X5 with Kshs 15,000 

4.    Manyatta-this mobile application gives a chance to property owners to upload their property and also to those who are searching to view property. This game changing tool provides a virtual meeting point for real estate dealers and prospective buyers. The developer is SHIHEMBETSA EDNA MUGOSHI from JKUAT University. The award includes a training gift voucher for mobile entrepreneurship workshop , Huawei X5 with Kshs 10,000         

About Safaricom

Safaricom offers total communications solutions to a growing clientele in Kenya. With a subscriber base of over 17 million, Safaricom provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof: mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms: Kenya’s widest and only 3G network; a growing fibre optic cable footprint and its most expansive WIMAX presence.

Safaricom also pioneered commercial mobile money transfer globally through M-PESA, the most successful such service anywhere in the world. Safaricom’s distribution network consists of over 35 retail shops and over 24,000 points of presence countrywide. http://www.safaricom.co.ke/

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Through our dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong partnerships, we have established end-to-end advantages in telecom networks, devices and cloud computing. We are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers by providing competitive solutions and services. Our products and solutions have been deployed in over 140 countries, serving more than one third of the world’s population.    For more information, visit Huawei online: www.huawei.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/huaweipress  and YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/HuaweiPress

For further press information please contact:

Brenda Nakhulo Khaimia

Silver Bullet PR                                                                      

Tel: 020 2348076 /81

Cell: 0753 888 267                                         

E-mail: brenda.khaimia@silverbullet.co.ke