Author: Gugu Lourie
Optasia, an AI-powered financial infrastructure platform serving underbanked customers in emerging markets, notes that FirstRand Limited has increased its shareholding in Optasia to 26.1% through the acquisition of an additional 6% stake. FirstRand acquired 74,103,711 ordinary shares in Optasia at ZAR20.00 on 25 March 2026 from an entity owned by Bassim Haidar, founder and non-executive director of Optasia. This follows FirstRand’s initial strategic investment in Optasia in October 2025, where it acquired 20.1% of Optasia ahead of its IPO. Subsequent to the transaction, Bassim Haidar now holds an aggregate, indirect shareholding of 1.5% of the total issued shares in Optasia,…
A landmark Vodacom transaction, alongside strong operational showings from Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa, has propelled Remgro’s fibre infrastructure arm, CIVH, into profitability. In interim results for the six months to 31 December 2025, released on Wednesday, Remgro revealed that CIVH recorded headline earnings of R216-million – a marked improvement from the R248-million loss in the comparative period. The fibre unit’s contribution to Remgro’s headline earnings similarly strengthened to R123-million, reversing a loss of R141-million a year prior. CIVH contributed a profit of R123 million to Remgro’s headline earnings, a sharp improvement from the R141 million loss a year earlier.…
Cinergy Mobile Power has officially launched in South Africa, bringing smart, diesel-free energy systems to the country’s film, TV and live event industries. The company is the first to offer purpose-built mobile power solutions tailored for African film and entertainment. Instead of relying on traditional diesel generators, Cinergy’s modular systems combine solar and battery technology to deliver silent, cost-effective energy with zero emissions. The systems also provide real-time data on power usage, helping productions work smarter. And crucially, they fit straight into existing workflows – no need to change how crews already do things. “Energy has become a strategic production…
BMW has redefined its iconic sedan. The newly unveiled BMW i3—the electric version of the beloved 3 Series – is making a bold statement, positioning itself as a leader in range and technology. Built on the revolutionary Neue Klasse platform, this vehicle isn’t just an EV; it is a technological quantum leap into a new era for the brand. Record-Breaking Range and Ultra-Fast Charging The headline feature of the new i3 is its exceptional range. Thanks to a massive 108 kWh battery and sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology, the vehicle achieves up to 895 kilometers on a single charge under the…
Spar Group informed shareholders on Tuesday that it will implement a voluntary severance programme in certain areas of the business as part of its ongoing focus on improving operational efficiency and competitiveness. “The severance programme forms part of a broader reset designed to align the Group’s cost base with current trading conditions and ensure Spar is appropriately structured to support future sustainable growth,” reads the statement. The company said the process does not affect the Group’s retailers or services provided to Spar’s retail network. The Group remains focused on strengthening operational performance and supporting its network of independent retailers. This…
Skynamo, the unified sales operations platform built for manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors, has joined Klipboard, a global provider of vertically focused business management software, in a move set to accelerate innovation and expand market reach. The acquisition strengthens Skynamo’s ability to support complex sales and operational environments for nearly 1,000 businesses every day across Sub-Saharan Africa, the UK and the USA. The platform currently facilitates more than $70 million in monthly order value and supports millions of customer interactions annually. By joining Klipboard, Skynamo gains the backing of a global software group serving more than 55,000 enterprise and SMB customers…
Woolworths has announced a landmark deal to acquire one of its longest-standing and largest suppliers, in2food, from a consortium of sellers including the founders and Old Mutual Private Equity, in a transaction valued on the back of the supplier’s massive revenue base. The retail giant confirmed on Monday that it had entered into an agreement to purchase 100% of the issued shares of in2food Holdings, a move that solidifies a partnership that has lasted over three decades. A strategic swallow in2food, a powerhouse in the South African convenience food sector, generates revenue in excess of R5 billion per annum. The supplier…
Vodacom Tanzania, in partnership with M-Pesa Africa and global issuer-processor Paymentology, has officially launched Africa’s first mobile-money Tap-to-Pay feature on the M-Pesa SuperApp, marking a historic shift in how consumers across the continent can pay. The new capability allows M-Pesa customers to make secure, contactless payments using their Android mobile phones at any Visa-enabled point-of-sale terminal, both locally and internationally. The innovation transforms the everyday transaction experience for millions of users, enabling them to pay, travel, and do business with a simple tap. Epimack Mbeteni, M-PESA Director at Vodacom, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the milestone: “What began as a…
In a resounding validation of its AI-driven model, newly listed fintech powerhouse Optasia has dropped stellar full-year results for 2025, smashing through revenue targets and solidifying its position as a dominant force in emerging market financial inclusion. The numbers tell a story of hyper-scalability and strategic genius: Revenue skyrocketed 76% to $265 million, while the total value distributed through its platform hit a staggering $5.5 billion – a 44% leap forward. This explosive growth comes on the heels of its transformative JSE listing and the onboarding of FirstRand as a strategic partner, proving that Optasia is not just growing, but redefining the…
French media group CANAL+ announced on Wednesday that it will initiate a voluntary severance plan at MultiChoice across its support functions. The company will also launch a restructuring programme at Irdeto, MultiChoice’s technology and cyber-security company. “These planned changes are consistent with the commitments CANAL+ made during the acquisition of MultiChoice and align with the ambition of CANAL+ to streamline certain functions while investing more in activities that directly support the Group’s growth and business development,” said CANAL+. CANAL+ will focus on four key medium-term priorities: Turning around MultiChoice and capturing African growth opportunities through the launch of a “boost…