Author: Gugu Lourie

Here’s a simple idea for the new bosses at Canal+: sometimes, the smartest way to win is to make your world less complicated. The French media giant has just bought MultiChoice, and with it, control of Africa’s pay-TV landscape. But the highly publicised purchase comes with a problem; a needless, self-inflicted one. Buried inside this deal are two streaming services – DStv Stream and Showmax – essentially competing for the same customers. This isn’t a strategic move; it’s a classic case of what economists call inefficiency. Think of it like owning two bakeries on the same street, selling similar bread…

In a major move that reshapes the European online classifieds landscape, OLX Group has agreed to acquire leading French auto platform La Centrale for €1.1 billion, signaling a major push into Western Europe powered by artificial intelligence. The deal, expected to close by year-end, grants OLX an immediate leading position in France’s large and dynamic used car market. The acquisition is a strategic leap for OLX, which operates thriving marketplaces in Central and Eastern Europe. La Centrale, with its strong brand recognition, deep dealer relationships, and approximately 4.5 million monthly unique visitors, provides the perfect entry point into Western Europe.…

In a major move signaling the rising strategic importance of emerging markets, PayPal has pledged a landmark $100 million investment to fuel the digital revolution across the Middle East and Africa. This substantial commitment, announced from its regional hub in Dubai, is designed to supercharge one of the world’s fastest-growing digital commerce landscapes. The funds will be strategically channeled to empower local entrepreneurs, accelerate the growth of small and medium-sized businesses, and integrate millions of new users into the digital financial ecosystem, positioning PayPal at the forefront of the region’s unprecedented economic transformation. “The Middle East and Africa are home…

In a move that reshapes the African media landscape, French conglomerate Canal+ has officially assumed control of MultiChoice Group (MCG) after its mandatory takeover offer was declared unconditional. The completion triggers a sweeping executive overhaul, creating a new integrated leadership structure for its expansive African operations. Maxime Saada, CEO of CANAL+ said: “Today marks an important step forward for CANAL+, as we begin to integrate MultiChoice to create a group with enhanced scale, reach and creativity… I look forward to providing the market with a more detailed update on the strategy of our combined group during the first quarter of next…

Joanna Govender, CEO of the Empire Partner Foundation (EPF), has just won at the Women in Tech Africa Awards 2025. She took home the award for ‘Most Impactful Initiative,’ securing her spot to represent the entire African continent at the global finals in Paris this November. This iconic event in Paris is the grand finale of a massive three-month world tour that honoured women tech leaders across seven regions: LATAM, North America, Africa, Europe, APAC, MENA, and Caucasus and Central Asia. The best from each region will now compete for the global title. The award celebrates EPF’s groundbreaking work using…

If you want to understand the future of a country, look at what it drives. For decades, South Africa’s roads have been dominated by the dependable, fossil-fueled stalwarts of Volkswagen Polo, the Toyota Corolla. the middle class and the rich driven in BMW, Mercedes and Volvo, while the rich cruzing on Range Rovers and Porsche. They were symbols of aspirational, practical mobility. But last week, that status quo was handed a pink slip. The world’s biggest electric vehicle maker, Build Your Dreams (BYD), didn’t just enter the South African market; it declared war on the internal combustion engine with a…

The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 7%, with the prime lending rate to also remain at 10.5%. This was announced by SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago following a meeting of the bank’s MPC. “Four members preferred to keep rates on hold, while two favoured a cut of 25 basis points. Since September last year, we have reduced rates by 125 basis points, and we want to see how this is affecting the economy, how expectations evolve, and how inflation risks are resolved. “The forecast has rates easing gradually, as…

There are plenty of tips and tricks to help you make money at PariPesa in Zambia. You might be aware of some, but we want to give every beginner a winning chance. So, we have compiled a list of the best tips that you can deploy for success. Let’s get started! Join the Affiliate Program Register on the https://paripesapartners.com/. Doing so will set you up with an affiliate link. The more people you can bring into the company using it, the more commission you will earn. As long as these people keep betting, you’ll keep getting paid every Tuesday. They…

The barrier to electric vehicle ownership in South Africa has just been ‘shattered.’ BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles, has officially launched the BYD Dolphin Surf with a starting price that sends a clear message to the market: the electric revolution is for everyone. Priced from R339,900, the Dolphin Surf isn’t just another entry on the pricelist; it’s a direct challenge to the status quo. This stylish, practical, and mass-market-focused EV is poised to transform the local automotive landscape by making zero-emission driving both affordable and aspirational for everyday South Africans. Two Trims, One Goal: Mainstream EV Adoption…

Dogecoin is once again at the center of attention as September edges toward its close, with traders closely watching whether the meme coin can hold momentum above key levels. After surging nearly 6% this week, DOGE is consolidating around $0.26 as investors brace for the debut of the first U.S. Dogecoin ETF, “DOJE.” The launch, however, has been delayed until next week, leaving traders to weigh whether the hype can sustain through the final weeks of the month. On-chain flows show that whales have been steadily accumulating, with inflows totaling millions of tokens in recent sessions, yet resistance near $0.29…