Author: Gugu Lourie
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…
Nedbank has released its unaudited interim results for the year to December 2025, revealing robust growth driven by its digital ecosystem. With over 700,000 Nedbank Greenbacks members registered on the Avo platform, Greenbacks gross merchant value (GMV) grew by 35%. This surge was supported by key platform enhancements in 2025, including trade-ins, Instant EFT, and an upgraded Travel experience. Since launching the Avo SuperShop in 2020, more than 24,000 businesses have registered to sell their products and services through the platform. Avo Auto has also excelled, surpassing R1bn in cars sold to date. On the financial front, Nedbank Group’s diluted…
Growthpoint Properties and Tricolt officially marked the groundbreaking of Olympus Sandton on Thursday, 26 February 2026, as the development prepares to redefine the skyline at the highest point of the Sandton Summit precinct. The ceremony confirms that momentum behind the project has not slowed since its explosive sales launch. Having released apartments in February 2025, the development has already secured sales for more than 85% of its 527 units valued at R1.4 billion, leaving only 80 residences available. “This is not just a building; it is the physical manifestation of the demand for integrated urban living,” said a representative from…
Samsung has officially taken the wraps off its latest flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S26 series, confirming a major leap forward in on-device artificial intelligence. Described as the company’s “third-generation AI phones,” the lineup – comprising the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra – is engineered to simplify everyday tasks by working proactively in the background. Alongside the global announcement, Samsung South Africa has revealed local pricing and pre-order benefits, confirming that the devices will be available for pre-order from 26 February to 19 March 2026. A New Era of Effortless AI The core philosophy behind the Galaxy S26 series is…
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) experienced significant operational disruptions on Tuesday after a fire broke out in the landside area of the terminal, leading to the suspension of international departures. According to an official statement from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the fire has been extinguished, and there are no reports of injuries. “All passengers, staff, and visitors are safe. Passenger safety remains our highest priority,” an ACSA spokesperson confirmed. The blaze caused substantial damage to critical network and IT infrastructure, knocking out essential services including airport Wi-Fi and internal systems. Flight Disruptions and Diversions…
After 19 years of dedicated service, including two and a half years as Group Chief Executive Officer, Angelo Swartz will depart SPAR on 28 February 2026. His exit marks the end of a lengthy tenure that saw him guide the retail giant through a period of substantial operational complexity and strategic repositioning. Swartz took the helm in October 2023 during a turbulent chapter for the group. His leadership focused on three critical pillars: operational stabilisation, portfolio simplification, and balance sheet strengthening. To ensure business continuity, Swartz will remain available to the group for three months post-departure, assisting with key strategic…
Telkom Consumer’s operating revenue climbed 5.7% to R20.5 billion for the third quarter ended 31 December 2025, fueled by growth in both mobile and fibre services, the Telkom Group announced today. The consumer unit – led by Lunga Siyo – continues to gain traction through targeted customer value management initiatives and aggressive fibre expansion, reinforcing its position as South Africa’s fastest-growing mobile and fixed broadband provider. Mobile Momentum Total revenue for the Mobile business grew by 5.5% to R6.716 billion, driven by mobile service revenue expanding by 7.2%. Pre-paid service revenue—powered by Customer Value Management (CVM) platforms—improved by 11.6% and…
SA’s largest wholesale network provider Openserve has crossed the 1.5 million homes passed milestone with fibre, while maintaining its industry-leading connectivity rate at 52.4%, Telkom Group disclosed in its latest JSE trading update. The wholesale unit’s overall revenue grew by 2.2%, driven by fibre-related data revenue, which climbed 8.7% (or R204 million). Fibre-related revenue now accounts for 87% of Openserve’s operating revenue, underscoring the strategic shift away from copper. “Our exceptional network reliability resulted in uptime of 99.84%, 99.92% and 100.00% across access, transport and core network, respectively,” Telkom reported. “Our Net Promoter Score (NPS) was 79.2 for the quarter…
BCX is entering a critical leadership transition as long-serving industry veteran Jonas Bogoshi prepares to retire, handing over the reins at a time when the enterprise business unit continues to bleed revenue amid cautious client spending. The telecommunications and IT services provider, owned by JSE-listed Telkom Group, confirmed that Bogoshi—who joined as chief revenue officer in April 2018 before being promoted to CEO later that year—will step down effective 1 March 2026. His departure comes as BCX grapples with a 9.3% revenue decline in the third quarter of FY2026 and a 5.9% drop year-to-date, dragged down by continued strain in…
President Ramaphosa confirms nearly 30 companies have signalled interest in building South Africa’s first high-speed rail network — with Johannesburg to Durban and Johannesburg to Musina corridors in the crosshairs. South Africa’s long-awaited bullet train dream just shifted into a higher gear. Delivering the 2026 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that nearly 30 companies have formally expressed interest in participating in the country’s proposed high-speed rail corridors. “We continue preparations for the introduction of high-speed rail in South Africa, covering routes such as Johannesburg to Musina, and eThekwini to Johannesburg,” Ramaphosa said. “Nearly 30 companies indicated their willingness…
In a decisive State of the Nation Address on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa laid out an ambitious plan to digitise the South African state while simultaneously unleashing artificial intelligence and data analytics on criminal syndicates flooding the country with counterfeit goods. “We will harness digital transformation as a driver of growth, inclusion and effective service delivery,” Ramaphosa declared. “This year, Home Affairs will launch the Digital ID to enable safe and secure use of digital services for all South Africans.” The sweeping reforms will digitise driver’s licenses, matric certificates and Master’s Office services. Citizens will soon file police statements online…
Vuma, the Maziv-owned high-speed fibre-to-the-home operator, has officially surpassed the one million subscriber milestone—a number that reflects not just growth, but a profound shift in how South Africa connects. What started as a grassroots project in the streets of Parkhurst has surged into a nationwide digital revolution. Today, Vuma stands as a titan of transformation, having successfully bridged the digital divide and turned a bold vision into a reality for a million households. This achievement is a resounding declaration: world-class connectivity is no longer a luxury—it is a fundamental right. It’s also a powerful testament to Vuma’s commitment to digital inclusion. “Reaching…
In a strategic move aligned with Egypt’s national digital transformation agenda, Vodacom Group has announced a significant intangible asset valuation stemming from its majority-owned subsidiary, Vodafone Egypt. Following an announcement by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) on February 7, 2026, Vodafone Egypt has secured critical spectrum, leading Vodacom to report a $350 million (R5.5 billion) intangible asset. Background: Vodacom, Vodafone Egypt, and a Pro-Investment Landscape Vodacom Group is a leading African telecommunications company, operating in multiple countries across the continent. Its largest and most strategic asset is its majority stake…
Vodacom Group has released a strong trading update for the quarter ended 31 December 2025, showcasing sustained momentum across its diversified portfolio. Group revenue grew 11.0% to R43.9 billion, with service revenue up 12.7%. Strategic Milestones and Financial Performance The quarter was marked by significant strategic progress. Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group CEO, commented: “We made significant strategic progress, marked by two milestones that strengthen our long-term growth profile.” He highlighted the final approval for the Maziv fibre acquisition in South Africa and the agreement to increase Vodacom’s effective stake in Safaricom to 55%, calling it a “landmark transaction.” From a financial perspective, Joosub noted: “The…
Haier, which has ranked No.1 in Euromonitor International’s Global Major Appliances Brand Retail Volume for 17 consecutive years, has officially launched in South Africa. This strategic move is driven by the nation’s ongoing urban development, increasing household electrification, and a rising demand for premium, energy-efficient home appliances. A Market of Strategic Potential South Africa represents a key opportunity within Haier’s global vision of “More Creation, More Possibilities”. The market is characterised by a clear consumer shift toward smarter living solutions and higher-quality home experiences. Haier’s entry reflects a long-term commitment to addressing these evolving needs by combining globally proven technologies…
Today marks the launch of ZAR Universal (ZARU), a new institutional-grade stablecoin pegged to the value of the South African Rand. ZARU is designed to modernise payment and financial infrastructure, enabling both retail and institutional users to transact at the speed of the internet while bolstering the local financial system. The initiative is a powerful collaboration between major South African financial players: A collaboration of Luno, Sanlam Specialised Asset Management (Pty) Ltd, EasyEquities and Lesaka are launching a Rand-backed stablecoin called ZARU. Every ZARU issued will be backed by high quality liquid assets denominated in Rand managed by Sanlam Specialised…
Growthpoint Properties has commenced a major R270 million redevelopment of Paarl Mall in the Western Cape, set to expand its gross lettable area to 44,474m². “Paarl Mall’s extensive upgrade and extension project is the result of a deliberate strategy to optimise its retail mix and elevate the shopper experience,” says Gavin Jones, Growthpoint Properties Head of Asset Management: Retail. “It will ensure Paarl Mall remains well positioned to anticipate and respond to the evolving needs of its growing, diverse customer base, well into the future.” The project targets the high-performing centre, which has consistently low vacancies and strong tenant demand.…
In a world described as fractured and fragile, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has chosen the path of unwavering caution, holding the repo rate steady at 6.75% in a high-stakes decision that pits resilient domestic progress against a tidal wave of global uncertainty. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), in its first meeting of 2026, delivered a “hold” verdict, but the narrative from Governor Lesetja Kganyago was one of a nation navigating between a promising recovery and external chaos. The decision was not unanimous, with two members pushing for an immediate 25 basis point cut, highlighting the delicate balancing act…