Digital wallets drive online conversations on payments innovation in Kenya

According to the MasterCard Innovation Social Listening Study, digital wallets are the main topic of discussion online when it comes to payments innovation in some of the world’s biggest emerging markets. 

In partnership with PRIME Research, the MasterCard social listening study analysed over 10,000 online conversations between 1 May 2015 and 30 July 2015 in seven countries including Kenya, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates, China, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia to learn what payment innovations people in these markets are most excited about and what safety and security concerns they have about adopting the latest technology.

Spikes in volume in Kenya were driven by announcements on hot topics such as digital or mobile wallets, despite the fact that some of the products being talked about have not been rolled out in the market yet.

The study also found that one of people’s greatest concerns when it comes to taking up innovative payments technology is how vulnerable their data could be to hackers and criminals.

The announcement that MasterCard is looking into facial recognition software that would allow people to use a selfie to complete a transaction was widely discussed across the region, showing that there is interest in using biometrics to make payments both easier and more secure.

Of all the emerging markets, India was where most discussions on payments innovation took place – with nearly half the total number of posts (48 percent) – followed by Indonesia (22 percent) and Nigeria (10 percent). Overall, the majority of posts were driven by news-story sharing with 96 percent favourable tonality.

Anthony Karingi, Vice President, Business Development for MasterCard, East Africa, says: “Kenyans are looking for newer and more convenient ways to pay provided it is secure and easy to use. From mobile payments to contactless technology, MasterCard’s innovations are changing the way people pay for everyday items, providing unrivalled levels of ease and convenience.”

The study demonstrates that emerging markets are ripe for innovation, and this is one of the driving factors behind the organization of the MasterCard Innovation Forum in Kuala Lumpur, which brings together experts from the financial services industry, merchants and the public sector to discuss the future of payments.

Starting today, the two-day Forum will focus on innovation in the payments and financial inclusion space, trends in relation to digital convergence and commerce, the rise in e-commerce through digital and social strategies, as well as the future of risk management given the critical importance of safety and security in payments. 

Many of the innovations in payments to date have been facilitated by the expansion in mobile telecommunications, and the easy availability of mobile phones across the world. Therefore for MasterCard, constantly innovating to meet the challenges of tomorrow is crucial. Together with its partners, it is constantly developing new technologies that make transactions not just smarter and faster, but also more convenient and secure.

At the MasterCard Showcase which is happening alongside the Forum, delegates will also get to experience, first-hand, some of these innovative payment technologies brought to life for the Global Connected Cities of tomorrow.

Tecno launches flagship phantom 5 device

Tecno Mobile Limited has today delivered on the promise of optimized smartphone innovation by introducing its flagship device - the Phantom 5.

Retailing at Kshs 39,999, the device will be available countrywide starting today and all Tecno official distributor shops.

Tecno Mobile Limited General Manager Mr. Livingstone Migwi (Left) alongside the company Media & Public Relations Manager Ms. Hanane Karroumi pose take a selfie with Director of Public Communications Mr. Dennis Chebitwey, during the launch of the new Tecno Phatom 5 4G-enabled Device in Nairobi.

 

With many consumers looking for a fashionable smartphone that they can use both for work and leisure, the Phantom 5 provides a perfect balance of features, power, build, while providing the best Android experiences with the Android 5.0 and access to the latest apps.

Phantom 5 is a powerful Octa core smartphone that offers consumers a premium design, 32GB inbuilt memory, a 3000mAh battery giving more talk time, 3GB RAM that makes the device faster and a spacious 5.5 inch Super IPS screen display with an intelligent second generation fingerprint identification sensor.

Available for a premium price, the Phantom 5 marks a new milestone for Tecno Mobile being the first 4G LTE enabled smartphone and epitomizes the brand values of the company; experiencing more out of life, exactly what a consumer desires out of a smartphone.

Making the announcement in Nairobi, Mr. Livingstone Migwi, General Manager TECNO Mobile Kenya said that Tecno will maintain its brand philosophy by unveiling high quality devices to meet the growing needs of consumers across the region and globally. 

·         Experience the full capability of 4G LTE networks with the Phantom 5

• Fingerprint identification sensor - Using the second generation fingerprint identification algorithm of Swedish FPC company enjoy 360 degree no dead angle recognition with a false acceptance rate of as low as 1/100000, a false rejection rate at 1% and fingerprint identifying speed of just 0.7 second.

•  Superior low light performance camera - Capture photos quickly and easily with the 13.0 MP back camera with dual restore natural color flash and F2.0 large aperture, 8.0 MP front camera with natural light level lights flash with a super stack sensor ISOCELL and Finland Visidon extraction algorithm that brightens you photos up to 50% and reduce noise reduction up to 75%.

• Superlative music reverberation effects based on HIFI 2.0 and DOLBY Surround Digital - Enjoy music and videos with ultra-low noise, high output density on Dolby surround digital technology with smart music analytical chip TFA9890 and high capability loudspeakers (AAC181).

• Keep your photos, videos and documents safely backed up with 32 GB free inbuilt memory

• Handle multiple processes faster on your device with the 3GB RAM

• Enjoy longer technology and entertainment experiences with the powerful 3000mAh Battery

•  View videos, photos interact with apps and browse the internet optimally with the 5.5 inch FHD Super IPS screen display with 404 PPI

• Octa Core with the latest Android 5.0 platform

“Tecno Mobile is committed to ensuring customer satisfaction and with the launch of Phantom 5 in Kenya today, we are setting a benchmark of what the public desires in an evolving mobile technology space and a highly competitive market. We will continue providing world class quality products that deliver positive change in customers’ lives,” added Mr. Migwi.

On her part, TECNO Mobile Public Relations Manager, Karroumi Hanane said, “Tecno Mobile is the fastest growing mobile brand in Africa we have continued to prove this with innovation in design, quality and product pricing. By making quality a core focus for continuous improvement in the sector, we have won global awards and are now leaders within just the 5 years we have been in Africa.”