Page 57 - SAMENA Trends - August 2019

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

talking about digital transformation and and Cyber-security Act. “As of now, in terms dicts that by 2032, the impact of 5G alone
investing in technologies. There is a flour- of infrastructure, we have already laid in Sub-Saharan Africa will be $30 billion.
ishing section of firms providing services 11,000 kilometers fiber backbone across Kazembe said his country has understood
to the population. Leaders say the policy the country, which means that even the the need to invest in broadband infrastruc-
making institutions should be proactive to people in remote areas are able to access ture, highlighting that more than 20,000 km
properly harness digital technologies and network,” he noted. The country has also of optic fiber has been deployed so far. “We
leverage these unprecedented benefits. recently commissioned a project to set up have also ensuring that each and every
However, Mark Botomani, Malawi’s Min- towers to enable citizens to have full-time village in Zimbabwe has access to inter-
ister of Information, Civic Education and signal, and Botomani believes it is such net by deploying what we call community
Communications Technology, argued that kind of commitments that Africa leaders information centers and today, we have
without political leadership commitment, should undertake. But Kazembe Kazembe, installed about 146 centers through our
Africa will never be able to achieve its pol- the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Ser- regulator,” he noted. Zimbabwe became
icy targets. “We can have infrastructure vices in Zimbabwe said there was a need the latest member of the Smart Africa Alli-
and partners to support us, but if we do to harmonize policies and regulations in ance last week, attesting to the belief the
not have strong leadership that will drive Africa to remove border barriers. “We have country has toward the unified ICT agenda
these things, we will not be successful,” he to remove the borders; we have to work as the organization is trying to promote. “I
said. In Malawi, he added, the Government one African family. If we are to have our believe the Smart Africa Alliance is bring-
has committed to drive ICT growth through own Alibaba, we have to look at Africa as ing us together as a continent and it will
investing in infrastructure and establishing one global village when it comes to tech- facilitate to remove borders,” he said.
legislations like the 2016 Financial Crimes nology,” he stated. The World Bank pre-

Oman Based Platform Looks to Revolutionize e-Commerce

Oman-based Nabay Technologies LLC has launched a new the user experience, which would be unique and different from
innovative global online marketplace offering three services conventional e-commerce platforms. ‘The future of e-commerce
from a single platform for consumers and businesses around I believe is primarily through the user’s experience. Our focus is
the world – both on the Web and mobile apps. Nabay.com is a on what’s unique to Nabay and the constant improvement of the
unique e-commerce platform – one of its kind – driven by the consumer experience every day.’ Explaining the bartering concept
vision of its founder and chairman Nabeel Jawad Sultan. This of Nabay.com, Nabeel said that barterers would love the cashless
new platform is a subsidiary of Nabay Technologies LLC, a vibrant exchanges with Nabay members or within their own private
technology firm with a focus on cyber security and emerging and groups. ‘It’s all about giving people the option to opt for upcycling
futuristic technologies. Nabay.comis a triple-offering innovative or recycling their products – swapping something you loved for
platform, which unites opportunities for the online community something you love. We all have items lying around our houses
through its three pillars – Barter Engine, Nabay Mall and Plugged with no signs of wear-and-tear that could do someone else
In. Barter Engine allows users to swap items with one another. some good!’ ‘Our coupling of two social power tools [the Internet
It’s a cashless engagement that can be done in public forums or and bartering] is what I believe sets Nabay.com apart from the
with the familiarity of private groups or special interest groups. competition – a simple feature that provides people a plethora
Nabay Mall allows businesses to open their personalized stores of options,’ he added. Nabay.com, which aims to become one of
within a dynamic and diverse global virtual mall, offering the the largest cross-border e-commerce marketplaces, will drive the
entire gamut of fulfillment bouquet, including payment gateways, focus through the GCC region. On pricing policies, Nabeel said, ‘As
logistics and analytics. They have complete freedom to build their for businesses, we want to build an e-commerce platform with
own brand identity. Plugged In pillar allows users to plug their incredible pricing, policies and velocity. We have no hidden costs
existing websites into Nabay.com and gain access to the Nabay for stores or buyers. Our pricing policy is simple and our pricing
world of opportunity, more global exposure and more access to model tailor fits to the needs of businesses. I am proud to say that
consumers. ‘As a whole, Nabay.com is a unique one-stop multi- we have the lowest marketplace prices.’
purpose global marketplace platform. You think of shopping for
a product or need to use some service – with or without cash –
Nabay.com is the place for you. We have an inclusive mentality
and want to represent the long tail of entrepreneurial initiatives
regardless of the size,’ Nabeel said in an interview with Muscat
Daily. The concept of Nabay.com was conceived in Oman,
structured in the UAE and it now operates globally. ‘A user can be
sitting in London and bartering with a user in India. A business
can be headquartered in Turkey and sell to someone in Brazil
using Nabay services. Our online shopping and brick and mortar
business experiences fuelled the Nabay innovation,’ Nabeel
explained. He emphasized that Nabay.com is designed to enhance
57 AUGUST 2019