This month (August 2011), there have been an astonishing number of news stories, blog posts, and media interest in African technology. Below are 19 of the 70 or so online articles that have focused on Africa this month. The rest will be posted later in the week.

Ethiopia

• On protecting computers from viruses without spending too much money.
  What to do when 50 Million viruses are after you? {Horizon Ethiopia}

Gambia

• Mandinka and Fula will soon be found on the Google search engine:
  Gambian local languages to hit the internet soon {The Point}

Ghana

• The Youth Empowerment Through Art and Media project has given social media skills to 28 youth:
  Plan empowers youth with social media skills {Ghana News Agency}

Horn of Africa

• Help create detailed maps using Google Maps. Humanitarian groups and relief organizations could use the assistance:
  Mapping towards crisis relief in the Horn of Africa {Google}

Kenya

• Physical groundbreaking for Konza City tech park expected to begin in September:
  New Date for ICT Park Takeoff {Daily Nation via allAfrica}

Mozambique

• The annual ICT Congress event will focus on building local skills and capacity to address local needs:
  Mozambique gears up for AITEC 2011 {BiztechAfrica}

Nigeria

• 10 years for GSM in Nigera. 118 million mobile subscribers are expected by 2014, with teledensity to hit 90-100% by 2020:
  GSM@10: Shape of things to come {Vanguard}

• Detailed history of Nigeria’s mobile transformation, 2001-present:
  Celebrating decade of ICT revolution {Daily Independent}

• How can Nigeria secure broadband investment, overcome a lack of electricity, and create wealth?
  Getting the next 50 million Nigerians on broadband {TheNextWeb}

Rwanda

• Over 300 residents in the Gicumbi District have received ICT training this year. Many in rural areas who never dreamed of using a computer are now reaping its benefits:
  Computer Literacy Shaping Lives in Gicumbi {TechZone 360}

Sierra Leone

• 3G arrives in Sierra Leone:
  In Sierra Leone, Africell proves – Might is Right {Awareness Times}

South Africa

• On the power of tech to transform communities:
  Technology should be used for social transformation {IT News Africa}

Tunisia

• A new ICT center (CAETIC) was recently approved:
  TUNISIA: African centre for excellence in ICT {AfricanBrains}

• Thanks to Etisalat, 40% of the nation will soon have 3G coverage (and up to 42 Mb/s):
  Tunisia getting 3G up and running {Bikya Masr}

Africa

• Broadband penetration across Africa is expected to increase sevenfold from 2009 to 2020. In addition, there could be $200 billion in opportunities for networked sectors:
  Africa 2020 and beyond – Are you ready for the future? {Online PR News}

• Another look at Frost & Sullivan’s growth analysis for Africa estimates $2 billion of investment in submarine cables by 2020. Furthermore, 70% of all banking transactions could be via mobile technology by 2020:
  The growing continent {MoneyWeb}

• More than 1/3 of African nations saw 10+% growth rates in the fixed-line sector in 2010. However, continental annual growth continues to be negative as wireless options become available:
  Strong fixed-line growth in many African markets driven by broadband demand and price sensitivity {BuddeBlog}

• Google is funding a project to map all broadband cables in Africa:
  Google Creating a Map of Africa’s Broadband Cables {GBI Portal}

Global

• The PC continues to be eclipsed by new devices and more importantly, social innovation. Of course, the current form of the desktop/laptop will still be widely popular for years to come:
  IBM executive says PC era is in its twilight {CNET News}