Millicom's Tigo Music streaming service to launch in Tanzania

Operator Group Millicom has announced the upcoming launch of the Tigo Music by its Tanzanian subsidiary, claiming it will be the country’s first mobile streaming service.

The service, delivered in a partnership with another music streaming service platform Deezer, will be available to Tigo Tanzania’s approximately seven million subscribers giving them access to 36 million tracks. The service will commence on Saturday 24 January.

“We are delighted to offer millions of Tigo customers such great entertainment through their mobile handsets,” Arthur Bastings, Millicom’s EVP for Africa said.

“Music is everywhere in Africa, which is why we wanted to give people access to such variety whenever they want it. As data use continues to take off in Africa and mobile as the main means to get online,   music will be a key part of our digital strategy.”

Tigo Music was first launched in Africa in Ghana last October, following its debut in Latin America in 2013. It is now offered in six LatAm markets, and according to Millicom it is the biggest music platform available in Colombia.

Mobile music streaming is a fast growing business, and Millicom claimed it is the second most popular mobile content type in sub-Saharan Africa. Tigo Music offers music from a lot local artists, which can make it more attractive to customers. Millicomsit is in the process of acquiring more local content through a venture formed with Africa Music Rights.

Meanwhile Tigo Rwanda has announced a second round of its think accelerator programme calling for Africa-focused tech start-ups to apply to take part in the six-month plan.

Selected companies will be given access to think’s resources including training, coaching, technical resources from Tigo and equity investment from Millicom, as well as assistance in accessing external investors and customers. After the six-month period, the chosen start-ups are expected to be in a position where they can sustain their businesses by themselves.

“We are excited to welcome the 2nd cohort of entrepreneurs at think,” Tongai Maramba, General Manager, Tigo Rwanda said.

“The first batch of talents at think has set the bar high.  We are looking forward to meeting the next cohort of tech entrepreneurs who are leading digital innovation for Africa, and seeing them reach similar success at think.”

Think was first launched last October, when two start-ups were selected out of 150 applications from 20 African countries. Jean Niyotwagira , CEO of TorQue, which was one of the two chosen companies, said: “think provided a perfect opportunity to develop our business further. We have made tremendous progress here, and we are more determined than ever.”

Dare Pius, CEO of Cribpark, an ecommerce design site from Nigeria, which was also chosen, said: “think mentors from Oracle and SalesForce, and partnerships with Tigo brings much value to our business.”

Applications to take part in the think programme must be submitted by February 12.