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AFAM LIMITED
COMPANY PROFILE
Afam Limited
P.O Box 1215,
Arusha, Tanzania.
Arusha International Conference Centre
(AICC) – Ngorongoro wing, Room 403B
Phone: +255 (27) 2504220 / (075) 424 2442
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.afam.co.tz
Company Profile: Afam Limited
Introduction
Background:
Afam Ltd is a private company providing a range of ICT based business solutions. Its
main focus is consultancy in Information Technology. The company was founded in
1995 and incorporated under the Tanzania companies’ ordinance Cap. 212 certificate of
incorporation no. 27562.
Initially Afam was founded to provide customized software business solutions for
Tanzanian companies but today it manages one of the most successful ISP in Tanzania
and is one of the leading in providing ICT services using Open Source solutions. One of
its side businesses is manufacturing high quality clay bricks.
Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision Statement:
AFAM will stand out in Information Communication Technology (ICT) service
provision, striving to improve the social and economic well being of the
Tanzanian community by employing appropriate technology.
Mission Statement:
To provide quality and appropriate ICT solutions that diversify how enterprises
conduct their activities.
Company Values:
• Equal employment opportunity
• Quality-oriented products and services
• Customer centric
• Mutual trust and respect
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Company Profile: Afam Limited
Afam Management
Founder and Managing Director, Erik R. Rowberg, brought Afam Ltd to life in May
1995. Since then, the company has expanded to more than 50 full time employees, with a
management team of high caliber individuals with vast experience of the Information and
Communication Technology industry, and the Tanzanian market place.
Board of Directors
Erik Raymond Rowberg
Founder, Managing Director and Chairman of Board of Directors
Erik Rowberg was Afam’s founding CEO and sole employee back then, and grew
the company to more than 50 employees and profitably. He continues to be
involved in day-to-day operations of Afam in the capacity of the Managing
Director.
Erik, a graduate in Mathematics from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma USA,
began his career in computers in 1988 by developing customized accounting
software for Tanzanian companies and volunteering some of his time and
computer knowledge in establishing Arusha Node Marie (ANM). He is one of the
founding members of the Node and today serves in its Steering Committee as the
Node Systems Analyst.
In May 2005, Erik was nominated into the Executive Committee of Tanzania
Internet Service Providers Association (TISPA), an association geared towards
making the internet accessible to as many Tanzanians as possible by encouraging
the proliferation of the sector. Moreover, he was a founding member of the
association.
Bernice Lusingu Rowberg
Secretary of Board of Directors
Bernice L. Rowberg is a board member of Afam Limited and the Secretary of
Board of Directors. She holds a Masters of Science in Information Systems from
Aspen University, Colorado USA. Currently, she works for World Vision
International – Tanzania office as Child Sponsorship Manager.
Munka Zebedayo Killerai
Board Member
Munka Killerai is a board member of Afam Limited and currently works for
Dorobo Tours and Safaris in the capacity of Operations Manager.
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Company Profile: Afam Limited
Management Team
Erik Raymond Rowberg
Managing Director
Sifuni M.K Amon
Finance Manager
At Afam he is responsible in controlling all finance issues. Sifuni Amon holds a
Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) – Finance option from Dar es
Salaam University, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from National Board
of Accountants and Auditors – Tanzania. He holds vast experience in finance
industry.
Christopher Simon Tarimo
Administration Manager
Christopher Tarimo holds a MSc degree from Pacific Lutheran University. He has
vast working experience and has served as Director of TPRI, Tsetse and
Trypanosomiasis Research Institute, and Director of Research and Planning of
Tanzania Livestock Research Organization. He has also worked for the
UNDP/ECA/KBO Development Project, Kigali, Rwanda as a Project Coordinator
and the African Development Foundation (ADF), Tanzania as Program Officer.
At Afam he manages the administration department.
Kilusu Mattasia
Operations Manager
A network administrator and also oversees day-to-day operations of Afam. He is
also involved in project write-ups and management.
Ismail Settenda
Technical Manager
In Afam Ismail Settenda is responsible in researching for new technologies and
top-level troubleshooting. He is also involved in managing the Network
Operations Center and in general management.
Evelyn Reward Amani
Business Manager
At Afam Evelyn Amani focuses on creating and maintaining lasting relationships
with company customers. She handles some service requests, complaints, product
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Company Profile: Afam Limited
performance, and information requests. She also works with the Network
Operations Centre of the ISP in identifying and troubleshooting network
problems.
Kusirie Emmanuel Senkondo
DSL Network Administrator
Kusirie Senkondo is responsible in researching, deploying and managing Cable
and DSL network infrastructure.
Esther Irafay Menda
Call Center Administrator
At Afam Esther Menda manages the call center. The center does inbound and
outbound call-handling services including customer support, operator services,
and help desk.
She also works with the Network Operations Centre of the ISP in identifying and
troubleshooting network problems.
Peter Haygaru
Wireless Network Administrator
Peter Haygaru is responsible in researching, deploying and managing Cable and
DSL network infrastructure.
NB:
-
Detailed CV’s for the above personnel are attached herewith.
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Company Profile: Afam Limited
Afam Business Model
Afam business model is based on three revenue streams: information technology
consultancy, information technology and networking, and manufacturing clay bricks.
Information Technology Consultancy
ISP Management
Provision of IT consultancy is our primary business. From 1995, we have been
managing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) – Arusha Node Marie (ANM)
(www.habari.co.tz) which has a client base of over 800 or over 20,000 computers
attached to its network.
ANM is an ISP with a difference. It is a non-profit society of members offering
internet service at cost since 1994. You can hardly separate the name AFAM
from ANM. We were there when ANM was born, it was born in our hands,
evolved in our hands, and we continue to strive to make it the leading and most
reliable ISP in Arusha and perhaps in Tanzania.
Afam provides ANM with all the technical and administrative staff, and hence all
the know-how required in managing an ISP successfully. It is worthwhile to note
that ANM’s membership and subscription level has been growing consistently
since its establishment in year 1994. By year 2005, its subscriptions had reached
Tshs.639 million from Tshs.56 million in 1997. Based on 1997 figures, ANM’s
subscription has increased 11 times.
It would be fair enough to say ANM’s success as an ISP is highly attributed to the
efficient and professional management skills provided by Afam.
Help Desk and Call Centre
We maintain a help desk and provide on site professional and personalized IT
support. We provide both inbound and outbound services for individuals and
companies. Such services include:
Technical support for Internet and email applications
Desktop support and troubleshooting
Regular maintenance is the key to keeping PC's running smoothly and
preventing bigger repair expenses down the road. At a flat fee we perform
maintenance tasks for companies on a routine and regular basis. These
tasks include:
o Updating Operating System, Anti-Virus and other software’s
o Malware (viruses and spy-ware) check and cleaning
o Disk clean up
o Dusting computers
o Backing up data
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Company Profile: Afam Limited
Information Technology and Networking
Afam Limited is highly experienced in providing network solutions to the local market.
We put a lot of emphasis on using quality materials and providing quality service in the
first place. We realize latest technology is not necessarily the right technology for the
local market and therefore adopt appropriate technology that is affordable by the local
market yet capable of revolutionizing the way companies go about doing their activities.
Structured cabling
We install UTP / STP (Cat. 5e and Cat. 6) and optic fiber cable networks. We
design and install everything from the communications room to the terminals.
With over 20 intranet installations in the past 2 years alone and with four Siemon
certified Installers no company really matches our standard. We insist on:
• Quality – “Do it right the first time”
• Cable for the future
• On the importance of building cable networks that support high
connectivity and advanced business applications – VoIP, streaming IP
video and Audio, IP video conferencing and any other application that can
be encoded in the IP packet.
• Reliability
Wireless networking solutions
A wireless network is a flexible data communication system deployed as an
extension to, or as an alternative for a wired network. We have over 7 years
experience in managing an ISP with a wireless network of over 150 units.
We offer both indoor and outdoor wireless solutions based on 2.4 and 5.4
GHz band spectrum. We design, install and support both Metropolitan Area
Networks (MAN) and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN).
Our major vendors for wireless products are Alvarion and ZyXel. Other
vendors include Smart Bridge and Trango.
Open Source Solutions
Afam Limited offers a range of services based on flavors of UNIX (FreeBSD)
and Linux, and other Open Source software’s. We pride ourselves as early
pioneers of the Open Source Software Solutions provider in the Tanzanian
market.
Open Source software’s provide scalable, secure, manageable, and low cost
computing environment. Using Open Source software we are able to bring to
you the best in terms of network servers and desktop solutions. We install and
support:
Mail servers
Gateway servers / routers
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Company Profile: Afam Limited
Web and web cache servers
File servers
Dial-in / Remote Access Servers
VPN servers
Voice Over IP (Internet Telephony) servers
Linux Desktops
Domain name registration
Afam facilitates registration and renewal of domain names both local and
international domains.
DNS Hosting
Afam is very experienced in DNS. It runs its own DNS servers and
secondary’s for other DNS hosts.
Manufacturing Clay Bricks
Afam manufactures high quality clay bricks. Currently has a kiln with a capacity of
burning over twenty seven thousand bricks.
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Company Profile: Afam Limited
Financial Strength
Over the years Afam Limited market share continued to grow. By year 2005 sales
turnover had reached Tshs.297 million from an asset base of Tshs 46 million. As a result
the firms’ retained earnings increased to Tshs. 62 million. Trend over the past five years
(figures in Tanzania shilling) is shown below:
Year
Turnover
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
151,128,275
165,340,773
239,797,828
256,777,520
297,159,281
Assets under Management
20,230,011
28,200,458
40,815,662
42,809,287
46,139,929
Retained Earnings
29,924,424
37,880,870
42,397,964
34,894,971
62,291,309
Afam Limited fundamentals remain very strong and businesses continue to generate very
good results every year. In 2005 revenue increased by 11.5% and retained earnings up by
78.5%. Liquidity ratio at 1.6:1 assures company’s ability to meet its financial
commitments. Assets turnover ranged 6 to 7 times during the period indicating quite a
stable asset quality that assures a very strong business stance in the foreseeable future.
Earnings per share for the year of income 2005 was Tshs.1, 767/-. Based on retained
earnings, earnings per share is Tshs. 25,717/-
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Company Profile: Afam Limited
Projects Accomplished
ISP Management
• Arusha Node Marie
From 1995 Afam Limited has been managing Arusha Node Marie, an ISP with a
difference. By contract, Afam is required to provide all the technical and
administrative skills in managing the ISP.
Over the 10 years Afam has been managing ANM, ANM’s membership and
subscription level has been growing consistently. By year 2005, its membership base
had grown to 800 from 12 in 1994 and subscriptions had reached Tshs.639 million
from Tshs.56 million in 1997. Based on 1997 figures, ANM’s subscription has
increased eleven fold.
Structured Cabling projects
Some of the more recent and major projects:
•
Arusha Lutheran Medical Center – Year 2008
We installed a Cat.6 network with over 200 outlets capable of supporting data, voice
and video. We were involved the process of planning and implementation.
•
Tanzania National Park HQ – Year 2001 and 2006
In 2001 we installed a data network of over sixty nodes and in 2006 expanded it by
adding another fifty nodes. The work involved running cables, terminating cables in
the communications room, installing wall sockets, configuring and installing
switches, and a router running on FreeBSD operating system.
•
Ker and Downey (Tanzania Game Truckers Safaris) – Year 2005
The project involved:
o Installing a Cat.6 network on 11 buildings with over 200 outlets capable of
supporting data, voice and video. We were involved in the processes of planning
and implementation.
o Internetworking 11 buildings (office, residential, recreation and workshop) sitting
on over 3,000 square meters compound using fiber optic cable. We were involved
in the whole process of running the cables, terminating and testing.
•
Akiba Commercial Bank, Arusha and Moshi Branches – Year 2004/05
o In Arusha branch we installed a data network of 25 points supporting their
computerized banking system. We were involved in the planning and
implementation process.
o In Moshi branch we installed both voice and data network infrastructure of about
20 points.
o We supplied all the materials.
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Company Profile: Afam Limited
•
Tanzania Seventh Day Adventist Church HQ – Year 2005
o Installed a data and voice network infrastructure with 50 outlets.
o We were involved in both the planning and implementation phases.
o We supplied all the materials – data cabinet, cables, switches, patch panel, etc.
•
Selian Hospital and Clinic, Arusha – Year 2004/05
o Installed a network infrastructure of 15 outlets at the clinic. The network supports
their web based Hospital Management System.
o Installed a similar infrastructure at the hospital.
•
Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), Arusha – Year 2004
o Internetworking several classroom and administration buildings using VDSL
technology. The backbone network infrastructure supports over 300 computers in
labs and offices.
o We were involved in recommending type of equipments to be used, installing
cable network and in supplying VDSL equipments and other installation
materials.
•
World Vision International - Tanzania office, Arusha. – Year 2001
o Installed a data network of 100 outlets on five office buildings.
Projects based on Open Source solutions
•
Gateway/ Web/ Mail/ File servers
Afam has over 80 clients who are running stable servers on Linux or FreeBSD
platforms. Most of them are corporate clients of Arusha Node Marie. The clients
include:
o East African Community
o Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) HQ
o Common Wealth Health Regional Secretariat (CHRS)
o East and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI)
o Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA)
o Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC)
o International School Moshi (ISM)
o Africa Wildlife Foundation (AWF)
•
IP Telephony service
In 2005 Afam Ltd introduced IP telephony service to Arusha Node Marie (ANM).
The service runs on Asterisk, an open source PABX that provides all typical features
of IP telephony systems. Asterisk provides support for SIP, H323 as well as IAX, a
proprietary protocol.
The Asterisk server is connected to a US gateway and therefore provides very cheap
international calling service to ANM members. The server is also linked to local
landline and mobile phone service.
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Company Profile: Afam Limited
Software projects
•
Care2X project:
This is an open source health management system web based program adopted by
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania health centers with the pilot project running
at the Selian Town Clinic –Arusha. Afam participated in installation of the software
and in providing training. Afam continues to provide support and maintenance of the
software in conjunction with German programmers who were hired to customize it.
Clay bricks
Big Clients include:
o Selian Clinic - Arusha
o Scanon
o Arusha Community Church – Arusha
o New Builders – Tanga
o Makumira University College – Arusha.
o Moringe Secondary School.
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