Partnership aims to spread media content across Africa

A content delivery partnership between worldwide software provider IMImobile and media company African Press Organisation (APO) is set to deliver an exclusive feed of Africa-related news releases issued by governments, institutions, nongovernmental organisations, companies and United Nations (UN) agencies to over 250-million mobile subscribers, free of charge.

Mobile network operators across Africa will carry APO’s content, including text, images, video, audio and documents, which will be integrated into IMImobile’s award-winning DaVinci evolved service platform (ESP). Multichannel delivery and superior customer experience to mobile devices using satellite communication technology, is, therefore, guaranteed, says APO founder and CEO Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard.

Countries that will receive the content include South Africa, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, he adds.

“The latest Groupe Speciale Mobile Association Intelligence data from the World Bank and UN, states that total mobile connections in the sub-Saharan region passed the 500-million mark in the first quarter of 2013, increasing by about 20% year-on-year,” notes Pompigne-Mognard.

Connections are expected to grow by a further 50%, or 250-million connections, over the next five years, he says, adding that the continent’s smartphone market is expected to double in the next four years.

In Africa, the most effective marketing tool is now the mobile device, as it reaches the broadest market. “This partnership between IMImobile and APO comes as a natural evolution of the popu- lation’s desire for cross-border knowledge and of international bodies looking more seriously at doing business in a new emerging and developing continent. “APO is excited about being a leading contributor to changing the way business is done in Africa,” he adds.

“With smartphone penetration forecasted to reach 20% of the continent by 2017, mobile devices will become the central access point for news and information using the Internet. “The partnership between APO, a media specialist, and IMImobile’s mobile expertise, will ensure that content is delivered to African mobile users in an enhanced multi-channel format through our relationship with Africa’s mobile network operators,” adds IMImobile CEO Jay Patel.