Author: Gugu Lourie

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…

As global travel demand continues to surge, with Airbnb recently reporting a 12% revenue increase in the fourth quarter of 2025 and projecting “low double-digit” growth for 2026, a new wave of innovation is emerging from Africa . Durban-based startup AirhostSwap is quietly gaining traction by solving the oldest problem for property hosts: inventory waste. Instead of letting unbooked nights expire, AirhostSwap allows hosts to convert that dormant inventory into a global travel currency. The platform, which now boasts more than 2,500 properties globally, synchronizes directly with Airbnb calendars to allow hosts to exchange nights without affecting existing paid bookings. “After looking closely at…

Smile ID, Africa’s leading identity verification company, has released its 2026 Digital Identity Fraud Report — “From Selfies to Signals: Identity Enters the Security Era.”. The report finds that AI has rapidly reduced the cost, while increasing the scalability and quality of deepfake fraud. In addition, as identity becomes part of the fabric of many essential applications, fraudsters increasingly attack the online ID capture pipeline itself — manipulating devices, operating systems, and verification sessions to try and bypass verification technology. In Southern Africa, nearly nine in ten rejected biometric verification attempts were linked to AI-assisted impersonation and spoofing. Specifically, impersonation…

In an expected move in the African streaming landscape, MultiChoice has officially announced the termination of its flagship streaming service, Showmax. The decision, described as the result of a “comprehensive review,” marks a stunning end to the platform that once stood as the continent’s primary challenger to global streaming titans. The curtain is falling on Showmax due to what the company calls “substantial annual losses” that have “proved unsustainable” in a “capital-intensive global streaming environment.” The board’s decision underscores a brutal new reality: in the war for viewers’ attention, even a homegrown giant could not withstand the financial firepower of…