Post Bank in partnership with MTN Uganda has launched “Wendi,” an innovative mobile wallet platform designed to support the government in the seamless disbursement of PDM (Parish Development Model) funds.

Wendi is an electronic payments platform powered by Post Bank that strategically pivots on group savings and funds management, digital money savings, transfers, deposits, and withdrawals, to drive financial inclusion within unbanked Ugandan communities.

53% of the Ugandan population is using mobile money services while only 10% of them are banked.

Officials said that investing in a mobile wallet solution helps Post Bank to bridge the gap between banked and unbanked Ugandans. And because close to 74% of Ugandans live in rural areas, Wendi gives them access to financial resources they need to be part of the Ugandan government’s development goals.

Accessible for download from Google Play Store and onboarding via a *229# USSD code, Wendi offers a wide range of mobile transactions, including paying for utility bills such as Umeme, URA, NWSC, TV subscriptions, school fees, and lots more, paying for goods & services, B2W and W2B.

Customers will also enjoy extra ordinary accessibility courtesy of over 3000 Wendi agents that will be stationed countrywide within the next year.

To support the initiative, Post Bank, and MTN Uganda have distributed 170 smartphone devices to 170 SACCO representatives in Bukedea.

The 5G network-enabled smartphones will allow SACCO representatives to facilitate convenient and timely transfers of PDM funds to beneficiaries’ mobile money accounts. The bank also intends to provide all SACCOs with accounts in Post Bank with gadgets.

“The launch of Wendi is indeed a timely intervention for our people. We expect people to save on transport money and time when receiving their PDM funds and ultimately, the ease of access to these funds should trigger faster economic development within our parishes,” said the deputy chief administrative officer Bukedea District Representative, Norah Anyakoit.

Julius Kakeeto, Managing Director of Post Bank shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration between Post Bank and MTN Uganda as it’s a testament to the Bank’s steady digital transformation journey.

“This collaboration represents our unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of individuals through innovative financial solutions. Wendi is not just a platform; it’s a beacon of hope and a bank for SACCOs set to empower communities, reduce financial burdens, and foster inclusive growth,” he spoke.

“With Wendi, convenience meets affordability, security, and financial inclusion to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” Julius added.

MTN CEO, Sylvia Mulinge reiterated MTN’s commitment to its customers’ growth and contributing towards the economic development of Uganda.

“At MTN, we have been champions of financial inclusion through our mobile money services, and we understand that in Uganda’s development story, no one should be left behind. Our partnership with Post Bank on the Wendi mobile wallet is yet another financial inclusion milestone for Ugandans to celebrate,” she said.

Post Bank’s Executive Director and Chief Digital Financial Services Officer, Andrew Kabeera, also assured customers that Wendi is the future of banking more so in the internet space.

“Post Bank is committed to maintaining the highest standards of security and data privacy for its customers. Wendi is built on robust security systems, including encryption and multi-factor authentication to ensure secure transactions, and safeguarding of customers’ information,” Kabeera remarked.

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Shanghai, China – ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions, is set to make a prominent appearance at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai 2023 under the theme of “Shaping Digital Innovation” from June 28th to 30th at Shanghai New International Expo Center. Fully connecting with customers and end users, ZTE presents the new value it has created in seven scenarios. At the ZTE booth, MWC attendees will be immersed in innovations of extending technological boundaries, integrating core capabilities, and enabling autonomous intelligence. 

Located at B20 in Hall N3, ZTE booth will showcase the Company’s groundbreaking ICT technologies and applications across seven immersive exhibition areas: Industrial Field Network, Stronger Computing Power, Green for All, Wireless Infinity, All Optical World, Phygital Innovation, and Better User Experience. 

Joining hands with industry partners, ZTE has rolled out the solution for building fully-connected factories with “Industrial Field Network + ZTE Digital Nebula”. This solution can optimize the value chain for process manufacturing and improve agility in discrete manufacturing, comprehensively building ubiquitous industrial intelligence. An intelligent manufacturing process is simulated at the “Industrial Field Network” exhibition area, involving the scenarios of information center, production management, equipment management, energy & environment protection, and security guarantee. Meanwhile, it showcases how ZTE Digital Nebula enables centralized production control, energy management, security control, AI machine vision, unmanned “3D” jobs, and intelligent logistics in factories, giving an impetus to the high-quality development of enterprises.

The relentless surge in computing power is placing higher demands on the underlying computing power infrastructures, including servers, storage and data centers. ZTE is committed to further enhancing the R&D and innovation of software and hardware products that are related with computing power infrastructures. At the “Stronger Computing Power” exhibition area, MWC attendees can watch the demos of ZTE’s products and solutions for stronger computing power, including scenario-tailored modular data centers, new computing power infrastructure, Cloud DCnet, high-performance optical infrastructure, and cross-domain computing power scheduling. Through multicloud coordination and efficient computing power operation, these products and solutions empower both project builders and operators of the East-to-West Computing Resource Transfer to reduce the cost and monetize computing power. 

As a driver of digital economy, ZTE paves a green path to digital economy with innovative technologies. Through extensive collaboration with more than 500 industry partners, ZTE explores technological empowerment for energy-saving, emission reduction, and operational efficiency improvements. The “Green for All” exhibition zone presents innovative solutions in green operations, supply chain, digital infrastructure, and empowering green industries. Dedicated to the four dimensions, ZTE continues to support operators in building end-to-end green and low-carbon networks, fostering harmonious coexistence among societies, environments, and stakeholders.

At the “Wireless Infinity” area, ZTE offers precise network construction solutions covering all scenarios, which are tailored to operators’ demands for high integration, large bandwidth, multi-band frequency, high power, and high capacity. Turbo Core maximizes the value of every bit by software-hardware integration. Steady Core for highly reliable and resilient networks ensure efficient and smooth operations. AI-empowered 5G New Calling creates a superior real-time communication experience through comprehensive upgrades and innovation across devices, networks, cloud platforms, and vertical industries. Digital twin and intent-driven uSmartNet provide better and more intelligent user experiences. Technologies for 5G-Advanced scenarios, such as 5G Non-Terrestrial Network, Zero-Carbon Network, Internet of Low-Altitude UAVs, and Internet of Vehicles, are expected to bring about a 10-fold network capacity increase and unleash enormous value.

Meanwhile, as a leading player in the all-optical network field, ZTE has launched the solution of high-value all-optical networks, building a high-speed network foundation for the digital economy. At the “All Optical World” exhibition area, ZTE will present the end-to-end product series covering optical terminals, OAN, and OTN. With innovative applications, such as UHD videos, metaverse, and ChatGPT keep emerging, ZTE strives to build optical networks with higher bandwidth and lower latency, and a future-ready digital infrastructure, to embrace ubiquitous connectivity in the 10G era.

The “Phygital Innovation” exhibition zone will demonstrate the innovative values unleashed by ZTE Digital Nebula 2.0. The Company, combining industry demands with product innovation and customization, has introduced the ZTE Digital Nebula platform, a specifically designed digital platform for enterprises. ZTE Digital Nebula 2.0 comes with a comprehensive upgrade in terms of data, algorithms, and computing power, which are known as the three pillars in the digital intelligence era. Together with partners, ZTE will explore more opportunities in various fields to achieve win-win, for example, the digital transformation of large enterprises, critical urban infrastructure, low-carbon industrial parks, big data-driven urban railways, port digitalization, smart ports, and water management based on digital twins. It will enable the modular, flexible, convenient, and highly efficient cloud-network convergence solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of industry clients.

As a global tech leader in smart terminals, ZTE keeps making 5G innovations to build the “1+2+N” Full-Scenario Intelligent Ecosystem 2.0. Attendees will enjoy a full series of smart terminals and mobile devices at the “Better User Experience” zone, including the world’s first AI-powered eyewear-free 3D tablet, the world’s first consumer-grade GPT wireless AR glasses, the world’s first Wi-Fi 7 5G CPE and the first 5G notebook cloud terminal around the globe. These offerings can meet users’ growing demands for visual experience, seamless connection, and extension of senses. 

Additionally, ZTE will hold the grand Partner Event Day and joint events during the show, to engage with global operators, industry partners and thought leaders to share valuable insights, perspectives, and practical case studies on a range of trendy topics centering around 5G, future optical network and digital everything.

Furthermore, a dedicated website for the MWC Shanghai 2023 will be presented online, enabling global customers to access the latest updates and exciting happenings of the event anytime and from anywhere in the world. Playing an indispensable role in digital intelligence industry, ZTE actively embraces the momentum of digital transformation. Internally, ZTE adheres to the business philosophy of “Simplicity, Agility, and Openness for Win-Win”. Externally, ZTE positions itself as a “Driver of Digital Economy”, continuously leveraging its connectivity and computing power to strengthen the ICT full-stack core capabilities and collaborating with partners from various industries to build an open and cooperative ecosystem for mutual benefit. ZTE remains committed to shaping digital innovation while expanding its boundaries in transactions, capabilities, and values.

For more information, please visit: 

https://www.zte.com.cn/global/about/exhibition/mwcs23.html

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Shanghai, China –  ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions, announced today that the company’s CEO, Xu Ziyang, delivered keynote speeches at the “Digital First Networks” session and the GTI Summit Shanghai. During his speeches, Mr. Xu shared ZTE’s insights and practices in this digital era.

During the “Digital First Networks” session, Mr. Xu pointed out that, due to various uncertainties, there may be a limited window of opportunity for the digital transformation of industries. This situation entails greater responsibilities and higher pressure. Against this backdrop, ZTE focuses on key underlying technologies, infrastructure, and applications while promoting the integration of physical and digital realms, convergence of computing and networking, and increased efficiency in production and transactions. By doing so, the company aims to build a Phygital DNA for faster iteration and innovation, ultimately reshaping society as a whole.

At the GTI Summit Shanghai 2023, Mr. Xu highlighted ZTE’s insights and practices in the digital industry. According to Mr. Xu, the digital infrastructure in China, especially dual-gigabit networks and computing power, has developed into a mature phase. To seize the opportunities for a leap forward, ZTE seeks concerted efforts for faster breakthroughs in terms of optimum efficiency, upgraded capability, and intelligent and simplified application. As stressed by Mr. Xu, only by pursuing excellence even when tackling the hardest challenges can the company grow stronger with vitality.

During the MWC Shanghai, Mr. Xu was granted the Outstanding Contribution to the Asia Mobile Industry Award at GSMA’s Asian Mobile Awards (AMO) 2022. The award recognizes Mr. Xu’s outstanding leadership in driving ZTE to continuously promote industrial innovation, enhance cross-industry collaboration, and boost the development of the global mobile industry. 

Below is the original text of Xu Ziyang’s speech titled “Convergence and Innovation – Build Phygital DNA for Faster Growth”:

Currently, the digital infrastructure in China, especially dual-gigabit networks and computing power, has developed into a mature phase. Consumers are shifting from voice and data communications to intelligent and integrated information services tailored to specific scenarios, such as Fiber to the Room (FTTR), intelligent cockpits, virtual-real fusion, and low-altitude economy. In addition, industrial digitalization has entered a crucial stage, with problems emerging from both the demand and supply sides. For example, on the demand side, there are difficulties in service integration, high management costs, and barriers to service innovations. On the supply side, how can we strike a balance between high requirements and low costs, fragmented scenarios and large-scale application, as well as heavy investments and slow monetization? The good news is, driven by such problems, we are finding a way out with technological breakthroughs and collaboration. ICT is iterating at a fast pace, with significant technological innovations occurring frequently, such as 5G-Advanced, 6G, FTTR, 400G OTN, heterogeneous computing, and modern data centers.

This is an era of data explosion, with ubiquitous but distinct requirements for data processing and circulation. As you know, ChatGPT is a heated product that has triggered the AIGC boom globally. Also, challenges are posed in addressing the slowdown of Moore’s Law, closing the gap to the Shannon Limit, pursuing green and sustainable growth, and guaranteeing digital security. Against this backdrop, ZTE focuses on key underlying technologies, infrastructure, and applications, and promotes physical-digital integration, Computing and Network Convergence (CNC), and higher efficiency of production and transaction. By doing so, we aim to build phygital DNA for faster iteration and innovation, ultimately reshaping the entire society.

As for key underlying technologies, the top priority is to achieve breakthroughs in terms of chipset, component and material, and algorithm and architecture. They are the foundation of innovation, and decide how far we can go in capability and efficiency improvement, as well as boundary extension and technology integration. In this respect, ZTE is taking firm steps and making consistent efforts, to pursue excellence even when tackling the hardest challenges.

Just like the brain of a human being or the engine of a car, chipsets are one of the most essential underlying technologies, which directly affect the performance, integration, and Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of a product. In other major fields such as computing facilities, 5G, data center switches, and terminals, there are higher expectations and requirements. Hence, we have made innovations and breakthroughs by taking various measures. For instance, advanced processes are adopted, and innovations are made in Domain-Specific Architecture (DSA), packaging, and systemic design, to prolong the Moore’s Law. Also, we introduce heterogeneous computing to match different scenarios, and therefore enhance performance and efficiency. Moreover, we achieve hardware acceleration based on DPUs and smart NICs, to constantly promote the co-optimization of software and hardware.

Innovations in components and materials, such as new power amplifiers, filters, antenna elements, and heat dissipation design, can also create huge value. Take power amplifiers as an example. Based on ETSI’s standard for measuring power consumption, with a 1% increase in power amplifier efficiency, the overall equipment PUE will rise by 1-2%, which will make possible larger bandwidth and greater transmit power of base stations. With continuous efforts in this field, ZTE has achieved a power amplifier efficiency 8% higher than the industry average. Also, we use flexible, optical backplanes for 32-dimensional Optical Cross-Connects (OXCs) to simplify equipment architecture while greatly enhancing network capacity and performance. To extend the range and reduce the penetration loss of millimeter wave, ZTE has used Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS), to significantly improve coverage, user experience, and deployment efficiency.

Regarding algorithm and architecture, ZTE’s 5G PowerPilot solution enables the energy saving of wireless networks by 35%, and this will reduce the power consumption of a single site to as low as 5 watts in sleep mode. Based on the algorithm for dynamic collaboration between base stations and RIS, our Dynamic RIS solution increases the millimeter wave coverage by 30% and the average downlink rate by six times. What’s more, our distributed database solution, GoldenDB, can raise the performance and capacity of databases tenfold, and save 70% of investments via the decoupling of hardware and software. 

For infrastructure and capability enhancement, the key lies in the network, computing power, and the convergence of computing and network.

To enhance network performance, ZTE is dedicated to providing groundbreaking products and solutions.

The upgraded UniSite solution integrates lightweight devices such as the UBR series, A+P series, and broadband antennas, making it easy to deploy multi-mode and multi-band sites. 

The 5G TSN solution provides deterministic connectivity with “five 9s” availability, guaranteeing a latency of less than 5 milliseconds and a jitter within microseconds in industrial scenarios. 

Our SBFD system has increased the uplink throughput to over 1.4 Gbps while reducing the end-to-end latency to 4 milliseconds for a single carrier. 

Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) base stations have boosted low-altitude economy and made smart transportation a reality. 

Our RedCap technology fulfills the needs of medium- and high-speed IoT scenarios at a lower cost, greatly broadening the application scope of 5G. 

The 400G OTN solution enables ultra-long-haul transmission, building the optical infrastructure for China’s East-to-West Computing Resource Transfer Project.

The FTTR solution provides a whole-home gigabit-plus broadband experience for every household.

On the way to level-4 autonomous networks, we are using digital twins to create mixed reality experiences and building intent-based networks for human-machine coordination, achieving end-to-end processing within seconds and closed-loop O&M across domains with self-X capabilities.

As for computing power infrastructure, ZTE provides a full range of server and storage products, including general-purpose servers, GPU servers/intelligent computing clusters, liquid-cooled servers, and all-flash and hybrid flash storage products. Cold plate liquid cooling is applied to further reduce power consumption. Indirect evaporative cooling, extreme liquid cooling, and AI-driven management reduce the PUE of our modern data centers to 1.13. With TECS Cloud Foundation (TCF), the distributed precision cloud, computing resources are pulled from cloud, edge, and terminal levels to enable multi-service deployment and on-demand scheduling.

In terms of CNC and CPN, ZTE has developed a one-stop ICT solution integrating edge cloud. It features an IaaS/PaaS cloud technology stack, and supports heterogeneous computing as well as the unified planning, building, and O&M of ICT infrastructure. As such, this solution has provided practical guidance for the evolution from edge computing to computing power networks. 

Also, we actively explore computing and network synergy to build a bridge between the application layer and the network layer, so that the network can sense service demands and computing power resources, implement computing power routing, and realize on-demand scheduling across multiple resource pools.

In addition, ZTE is building an orchestration center featuring unified and open APIs. It enables flexible management in multi-vendor and multi-cloud environments, and ensures quality services that integrate “connectivity, computing, and digital capabilities”. In this way, we not only unlock new opportunities, but also empower the digital transformation of various industries in an agile and cost-effective manner.

As industrial digitalization accelerates, we see higher production and transaction efficiency.

ZTE keeps working to improve production efficiency for its partners. 

In the smart steelmaking plant of Ansteel, our URLLC technology for remote control of machinery has been adopted on overhead cranes, achieving “five 9s” availability, a 100% increase in production efficiency, and a 20% reduction in labor costs. 

In the smart factory of Benxi Tool, we have provided AI-powered machine vision, improving quality inspection precision to two microns, and reducing costs by 15%.

AGV-based warehousing and logistics have made flexibility and lean management a reality. For example, we have helped Gree improve the warehouse automation rate to 60%, and shortened the changeover time to less than two days. In the smart factory of JA Solar, AGVs are deployed for the automated distribution of silicon around the clock. 

With situational awareness based on digital twins, we have improved the management of onsite personnel and security for Wonfull Petrochemical.

To improve transaction efficiency and convert it into market value, we empower full-process operation with digital technology, that is, to remove information silos, and enable end-to-end data interconnection and intelligent analysis and matching. 

Working with China Telecom Sichuan, ZTE has launched the 5G+ intelligent supply chain demonstration project. By integrating the technologies such as automatic sorting, AGVs, and RFID labels, we customized a digital distribution system, which features one-stop purchase, direct-to-store service, industry collaboration, and a streamlined structure. With this system, the delivery efficiency is increased by 50%, and inventory is reduced by 1/3.

At Tianjin Port, we have enabled remote quay control, automated driving of container trucks, 5G intelligent tallying as well as intelligent on-demand stacking, quality grading, and real-time sorting of goods. Through such efforts, the overall operation efficiency is increased by 20%. 

Working with China Southern Power Grid, we have connected grid control and detection nodes on a large-scale 5G network and realized high-frequency collection of power consumption data over broadband networks in real time. This solution has not only enabled smart power consumption and electrical safety, but also increased power distribution efficiency by 2.7 times and accelerated access to green energy.

To better adapt to more diversified and fast-evolving scenarios, we have recently released ZTE Digital Nebula 2.0. With a unified architecture and scalable design, this solution can improve adaptability to multiple industries, unlocking greater potential and further enhancing production and transaction efficiency. Finally, it will help various industries achieve data-driven efficiency improvement, build flexibility through cross-domain collaboration, and boost trust based on openness and transparency.

Phygital DNA will ultimately contribute to a more prosperous human society. With a scientific mindset and human-centric spirit, ZTE leverages digital infrastructure and AI to catalyze and boost sustainable growth for good. Specifically, 

By promoting digital inclusion, we help close the digital divide across the globe and ensure a fair distribution of social resources.

With digital capabilities, we strive to build knowledge graphs for the entire human society, so as to make our cultures stay alive.

With innovative technologies, we are committed to achieving more balanced, green, and low-carbon development together with global partners.

We firmly believe that human civilization and technology will complement each other and lead us to a better tomorrow.

In such an unprecedented era, we are all witnessing and enabling historic changes. As a digital native company, ZTE is dedicated to full-stack, all-domain, and full-cycle DICT innovations. As a driver of digital economy, we will always adhere to the business philosophy of “Simplicity, Agility, and Openness for Win-Win”. Together with operators as well as industry and ecosystem partners, we aim to build a digital and intelligent ecosystem for shared success, and will always play our part in promoting sustainable development.

Thank you.

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