Airtel, Samsung, Singtel to launch African app challenge

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Bharti Airtel has launched an application challenge for startup developers under a plan to the ‘next big app developers’ into the mobile telephony group.

The challenge – a partnership between Bharti Airtel, Singaporean Telecommunications Company (Singtel) and smartphone company Samsung – seeks to attract developers in Africa and Asia who will partner with the companies to launch applications on the two continents.

According to a 2014 Flurry Analytics study, mobile applications command 86 percent of the time that the average mobile consumer spends on their smartphone while smartphone users spend an average of 2 hours 42 minutes on mobile devices with app usage accounting for 2 hours and 19 minutes of this time.

[blockquote right=”pull-right” cite=”Flurry Analytics study”]”According to a 2014 Flurry Analytics study, mobile applications command 86 percent of the time that the average mobile consumer spends on their smartphone while smartphone users spend an average of 2 hours 42 minutes on mobile devices with app usage accounting for 2 hours and 19 minutes of this time.”[/blockquote]

Announcing the partnership, Mr. Christian de Faria, CEO of Airtel Africa says the company is commitment to empowering the youth to realise their potential in various sectors including Information Communication and Technology (ICT).

According to him, “this initiative is a great opportunity for developers in Africa to come up with innovative mobile apps that directly touch individual consumer’s needs. We hope to partner with like-minded individuals who will come forward and work together with us to come up with apps that will help us deliver the best smartphone experience for customers.”

Under the partnership, Airtel Africa will provide all operational support by running the campaign promotions while Singtel and Samsung together will organise a two- day mentorship programme for the regional winners and the finale in November 2015.

The five-month app challenge will see participants develop consumer-centric mobile applications that will leverage on mobile network services – mobile, data, carrier billing, location and SMS. The deadline for applications submission is September 5, 2015 after which two African winners will be selected to participate in a Startup Mentorship Program in October 2015 in Singapore. The overall winners will be announced in November 2015 and expected to commence assignment with Airtel/ Singtel group of companies in 2016. For more details on the Airtel Africa App Challenge, please, visit www.app.airtellive.com