Author: Gugu Lourie
Mpilo Technologies has announced the appointment of Motsholane Sebola as Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Deputy CEO) and Sizwe Mabanga as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). These appointments come as the company enters its next phase of growth, focusing on driving digital transformation and delivering scalable, impactful solutions for businesses across Africa. Motsholane Sebola, who has held key leadership roles at Mpilo Technologies, brings extensive experience in technology, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships. His deep understanding of the African market will be crucial as the company strengthens its position as a leader in digital innovation. “We are excited to announce Motsholane’s new…
JSE-listed retail group TFG has reported significant growth in its online sales, driven by the success of its e-commerce platform, Bash. For the first nine months of the 2025 financial year, TFG’s online sales surged by 41.4%, now accounting for 5.6% of the company’s total sales. Launched in February 2023, Bash has also achieved notable market share gains, particularly in December 2024, outperforming several pure-play retailers that experienced declines during the same period. TFG, which owns popular clothing brands such as Foschini and Markham, revealed that group online sales grew by 47.2% in the third quarter of FY2025. In TFG…
The recent seizure of R52 million in illegal coal mining proceeds by the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, in cooperation with Namibia, is a positive step in tackling illicit cross-border transactions. However, this isolated success is not enough to address the systemic failures that have landed South Africa on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach MP, DA Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development, warns that while such victories are commendable, they do not signify a turning point. “One swallow does not equate to a summer,” she said. “The reality is that South Africa remains grey-listed because…
South African insurtech pioneer Naked has raised $38 million or R700 million in its latest funding round, marking the largest insurtech investment in Africa to date. The Series B2 round, joined by global impact investment firm BlueOrchard, alongside continued support from existing investors Hollard,, Yellowwoods, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Germany’s DEG, will accelerate Naked’s mission to transform insurance through technology-driven convenience, transparency, and cost-effectiveness. Founded in 2018 by actuaries Alex Thomson, Sumarié Greybe, and Ernest North, Naked has redefined insurance with its fully digital platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. The app allows customers to obtain final…
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, granting TikTok an additional 75 days before a law banning the popular video-sharing platform takes effect. The move comes as the administration seeks to carefully evaluate the next steps in addressing national security concerns while avoiding a sudden disruption for millions of American users. In the order, President Trump instructed the Attorney General to refrain from enforcing the ban, allowing his administration time to “determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans.”…
Hudaco has entered into an agreement with Insulation Advanced Technologies, Isotec Balancing, Isomec, and Moholi Supplies, collectively referred to as Isotec, to acquire its trading assets and liabilities. The acquisition price will be based on a multiple of Isotec’s average annual profit after tax over the three years following the effective date, with a maximum consideration of R709 million. Hudaco will fund the acquisition using internally generated cash, existing financial facilities, and, if necessary, new financing. An initial amount between R250 million and R287 million will be payable in cash on the effective date, while three additional tranches will be…
Airtel Africa, a telecommunications and mobile money provider across 14 African countries, has teamed up with three internationally acclaimed African artistes – Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), and Simi (Nigeria). This partnership aims to help customers maximise their digital experience by making smarter use of their data bundles. As part of this collaboration, the artistes have worked with Airtel Africa to create a special song that provides practical tips and tools for optimizing data usage. Whether for browsing, streaming, or accessing essential apps, the initiative is designed to help customers make informed decisions about their data…
Used car sales dipped in December, but new car sales showed promising year-on-year growth. Here’s how South Africa’s automotive market performed last month. Following a strong performance in November 2024, new and used car sales experienced a seasonal slowdown in December. While December is typically one of the weakest months for car sales, used car sales remained steady year-on-year. Notably, new vehicle sales increased, reflecting sustained positive sentiment among buyers. The latest industry data from AutoTrader reveals a decline in used car sales compared to the strong performance recorded in November. In December, 26,424 used vehicles were sold, marking a -17.8% month-on-month…
A recent working paper by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) sheds light on how agency banking could be a game-changer in the quest to enhance financial inclusion. Authored by Lwanga Elizabeth Nanziri and Paul Terna Gbahabo, the study emphasises the critical role of agency banking in overcoming barriers to financial services, particularly for underserved populations. Agency banking leverages partnerships between traditional financial institutions and non-financial outlets such as retail stores, supermarkets, and post offices to deliver banking services to the underserved. In South Africa, this model is a preferred distribution channel after ATMs, with key players like Absa partnering…
Intel Corporation announced plans to separate Intel Capital, its global venture capital arm, into an independent fund. This move aims to align Intel Capital’s structure with other leading venture firms, granting it greater autonomy and the flexibility to attract external investors. Intel will remain a key investor in the new entity. Intel Capital will operate under a new name following the separation. Standalone operations are expected to begin in the second half of 2025, and we are committed to keeping you informed of our progress along the way. “The separation of Intel Capital is a win-win scenario as it provides…