Contador Harrison

There ’s a common belief in Africa that apps developers always become instant millionaires once they start developing apps.I want to dispel that notion because its simply a white lie and let me explain why. There are about 50,000 apps on the iOS App Store developed by African countries based developers and only a quarter of those were actually opened once downloaded.In addition, most apps are free to purchase, the average cost of an app is about $0, and only 1% of all apps are actually paid for in Africa. So as a developer based in Cape Town or Cairo it is not easy to make money in such an environment . Up-to date statistics are showing more and more developers are finding alternate ways to make money from apps. In Nigeria and South Africa, some are turning to advertisements, others off-selling consumer details to third party providers and most commonly, in-app purchases, where developers hope consumers get so hooked to the app that they are willing to pay for more features or add-ons....

Crystal ecstasy use in Africa has risen by more than 50% according to new research that has found the drug to be the second most popular among African teenagers after Marijuana and ranks at the top among partygoers.Students are being caught using and dealing drugs in alarming numbers and researchers have warned that drug use among young Africans is out of control, saying thousands including primary school aged children are now struggling with addiction with both government and private schools being involved .Scores of school students have been suspended, or expelled, as a result of drug investigations.In some cases in South Africa, sophisticated rackets have been uncovered and some children have landed in rehabilitations after taking drugs on school compound.One of the researchers told your blogger there was a ­growing ­culture of the acceptance of drug use. Teenagers in Africa know the harm of drugs is significant and authorities need to constantly need to look at how they can do bet...

New data shows that it has not been a good year so far for Africa’s traditional television industry with reports that prime time audiences are down almost 22% in South Africa, 19% in Nigeria and 16% in Kenya amid competition from internet streaming services. The decline in the number of Africans watching traditional television has not just occurred since the introduction of online streaming services such as Showmax or Netflix . The trend has been evident for some time now from the audience monitoring data companies in the region.The key reason for the change in television viewing habits is the internet, which has led to a large uptake of new screen media devices such as computers both desktop and portable, smart phones and tablets .There has been claims that Africa’s media groups are quick to make claims about the importance of free speech, disclosure and transparency and demand it from government, business and others, but not themselves.  Despite some of them claiming to have exp...

Investigative journalist Jacques Pauw is currently the most talked about person in whole of Africa, he has done what current crop of journalists don’t dare do, revealing the corrupt state security agencies. Pauw who reaffirmed his allegations contained in his book, ”The President's Keepers,” has grabbed the bull in the name of State Security Agency (SSA) by its horn. We’re seeing a new trend in South Africa where brave individuals are coming out strongly against corruption and whose controversial views a segment of the ruling elite find objectionable. In the case of Pauw, he has ultimately not canned the events amid death threats and few moments ago launched his book despite the power outages which one would suspect was a saboteurs plan. Why this recent trend in silencing controversial figures in rainbow nation? And what about freedom of speech? Isn’t this a dangerous precedent to set if South Africa value democracy, not to mention human rights? Going to think through these questi...

New data in your blogger’s possession shows that by 2025, Africa’s marine industries are forecast to contribute about $200 billion each year to Africa’s economy, with Africa’s ocean and coasts providing an additional $45 billion worth of ecosystem services .  The scientific data identifies food security as one of several challenges, along with biodiversity conservation and environmental health.Others mentioned are commercial, recreational and small scale fishing as well as aquaculture. The study by African scientists identifies national and regional research goals to support sustainable expansion in fisheries and aquaculture.Over 100 people were involved in the research including marine scientists, the commercial fishing industry, other stakeholders and African governments agencies. In many ways, African countries represent ocean superpowers as they share huge marine resources and opportunities. At the same time countries face increasing challenges to their oceans and coastal...

eSports player Artturi is a postgraduate student studying the bachelor of science at a local University in the region of Uusimaa, Finland. He works part time but not in tech company or such but instead, he is paid to play the multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legends professionally.Finnish market for eSports is lucrative and is worth $100 million in the country according to latest Research and though relatively nascent in other parts of the world, Finland is on an eSports revolution."It pays reasonably well. It'd be a part time job but you work your own hours," Artturi told your blogger adding that the pay is comfortably supporting him through university." The better you get the more exposure you get and how much money you get from that exposure ."The growing eSports circuit in Finland is opening opportunities for many players around the country.They go to school, they go to uni come back and play a game all through the night.Last month, Artturi was...

African online video streaming platforms have been expanding into markets outside their countries with localized content and user-friendly subscription methods giving many consumers entertainment alternatives from subscribing to streaming media and video on demand services .Streaming video platforms like ShowMax were expected to put choice back in the hands of the viewer and be able to watch the content they wanted, when they wanted. But the growing fragmentation of the on-demand market threatens to leave African consumers worse off.While DSTV is among the biggest subscription video on demand players, they have plenty of competitors for content. Your blogger sees the future of media as defined by direct relationships between content creators and consumers. In most African countries, falling smartphone prices and improved 4G coverage have also contributed to heighten smartphone penetration and to a growth in Subscription Video on Demand services .One of the earliest examples of such ser...