Author: Gugu Lourie

Vodacom Group has announced a key agreement with Starlink, the world’s largest satellite broadband provider, to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to millions of businesses across Africa and to expand rural network coverage. A key requirement for the service to launch in South Africa, and other markets, is the completion of individual regulatory approvals. Asked in which markets would this partnership apply, a  Vodacom spokesperson stated: “We aim to launch these services across our footprint once individual regulatory approvals are completed, including South Africa. “Individual market announcements will be made as and when the requisite approvals are obtained. “The master agreement…

While the world accelerates into an AI-driven future, a profound connectivity gap threatens to leave Africa behind. But looking closer, the blueprint for continental digital transformation isn’t found in foreign boardrooms. It was written right here, in South Africa, through Telkom’s decades-long journey to build the backbone of our digital economy. Africa faces a stark reality of only 38% of Africans being connected. The reasons are complex – prohibitive device costs, fragmented regulation, and infrastructural deserts. But the consequence is simple to understand. Without connectivity, Africa cannot compete. I believe Telkom’s transformation offers a great case study. It appears that…

In a landmark move set to redefine the nation’s financial landscape, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has officially become a 50% shareholder in PayInc, the company formerly known as BankservAfrica. This strategic investment, finalised on 11 November 2025, transforms PayInc into a national payments utility and marks a pivotal step in the country’s payments modernization journey. The transaction establishes a unique public-private partnership, jointly owned by the central bank and South Africa’s major commercial banks. This new structure is designed to build a more secure, efficient, and inclusive digital payments ecosystem, aiming to enable greater economic participation for all…

A2X Markets has welcomed the Competition Commission’s landmark decision to recommend referring allegations of anti-competitive behaviour by the JSE to the Competition Tribunal. This follows a comprehensive, three-year industry-wide investigation. For over a century, a single player has dominated South Africa’s equity market. Kevin Brady, CEO of A2X, states the consequences are clear: “fewer listings, stagnant liquidity, and rising costs that deter both issuers and investors.” Said Brady, “We believe this referral validates what we have been saying: that South Africa’s financial markets have been held back by the JSE’s anti-competitive practices that ultimately harm investors, listed companies and competitor…

The humming of a laptop fan was the only sound in the small bedroom on a farm in East London, South Africa. The farm was a world away from the famed innovation hub, Silicon Valley, but for a young Jadon Moerdyk, it was a launchpad. Fast forward to today, and that persistent laptop humming has become the underlying rhythm of RemodelBoom, a multi-national performance marketing agency driving tens of millions in revenue for nearly 300 US home-improvement brands. At 27, Moerdyk isn’t just selling home renovations; he’s selling a radical new blueprint for the modern company. His success story is…

Vodacom Group has announced resilient set of interim results, demonstrating robust financial health as headline earnings per share (HEPS) – South Africa’s main profit gauge – umped 32.3% to 467 cents. This impressive growth came even after the company absorbed a one-off cost related to settling the longstanding “Please Call Me” case. The telecom giant’s diversified portfolio, particularly its explosive growth in Egypt and its financial services arm, proved to be the primary engines for this performance. Vodacom’s strategic investments outside its home market of South Africa paid significant dividends. Its operation in Egypt was a standout performer, posting a…

In a move that closes one of the most protracted chapters in South African tech history, Vodacom Group has reached an out-of-court settlement with Nkosana Makate, the inventor of the “Please Call Me” service. Shareholders were notified that on 4 November 2025, the Vodacom Board approved a settlement agreement, finally drawing a line under the 25-year-old dispute. The announcement signals a strategic decision to avoid further legal appeals and secure closure for both parties. “The parties are glad that finality has been reached in this regard,” the statement read, marking a stark contrast to the years of litigation that saw…

In a strategic move, LLH Capital, the investment vehicle of veteran leaders Romeo Kumalo and Gil Oved, has significantly sold down its stake in AI fintech Optasia during its unicorn-status IPO on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The near-$1.3 billion listing, the largest in Africa this year, provides LLH Capital with a massive capital infusion to accelerate its high-impact investment strategy across the continent. This strategic exit from Optasia, a company providing financial inclusion in emerging markets, emphasises a proven track record of successful exits for the duo, following ventures like Smart Call, Ozow, and Bottles. With capital now unlocked and…

Cell C Holdings has announced its intention to list its shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The listing will be done through a private placement of existing shares by The Prepaid Company (TPC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Label Telecoms. The move is subject to JSE approval and market conditions. .”The decision to pursue a listing on the JSE marks a significant and exciting step in Cell C’s growth story,” Jorge Mendes, Chief Executive Officer of Cell C, stated: “While Cell C is already owned by a listed entity and has operated within that framework, the separate listing of the…

Optasia, a global leader in AI-powered fintech, has officially commenced trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in a landmark listing that underscores its mission to drive financial inclusion in emerging economies. The Initial Public Offering (IPO) was a resounding success, priced at the top of its range at R19 per share. The offering was several times oversubscribed by both South African and international institutional investors, raising R6.5 billion ($375 million). This implies a market capitalisation of R23.5 billion based on the 1,235,061,843 ordinary shares in issue. Optasia now trades on the JSE’s Main Board under the share code OPA.…