Author: Gugu Lourie

Cape Town, AfricaTech Festival — South Africa’s Minister of Communication and Digital, Solly Malatsi, delivered an impactful message on Africa’s digital future, emphasising South Africa’s central role as a regional hub for investment and innovation. In his speech titled “Advancing Africa’s Digital Future: South Africa’s Commitment to Connectivity, Innovation, and Inclusive Growth,” Malatsi laid out the country’s vision to harness digital transformation not only to strengthen South Africa but to benefit the entire continent. Malatsi highlighted South Africa’s unique position to attract digital investment, stating, “To advance this vision, we are positioning South Africa as a prime destination for digital…

A significant portion of African smartphone users still rely heavily on 3G networks, limiting their access to the fast, reliable connectivity essential for modern, data-rich applications. In an analysis by Opensignal, it was found that in 11 of the 27 African markets studied, users spend more than 20% of their time on 3G, an aging technology that struggles to support seamless experiences for streaming, social media, and digital services. In some countries, such as Mali and Zimbabwe, users are even connected to 2G for more than 6% of their time, further restricting their ability to use data-intensive services effectively. According…

South Africa is setting the benchmark for mobile network quality across Africa, delivering a level of consistency that keeps applications running smoothly and without interruption. With robust infrastructure and reliable connectivity, South African mobile networks are enabling users to enjoy seamless performance, solidifying the country’s reputation as a leader in digital connectivity on the continent. A new analysis by Opensignal, assessing mobile network experiences across 27 African markets, highlights South Africa as a leader in Consistent Quality, achieving a score of 58.6%, just slightly ahead of Tunisia. By contrast, more than half of the African countries analyzed scored below 30%…

Digital transformation could significantly shape South Africa’s future, with estimates suggesting it may add nearly 20% to national GDP by 2028, create 300,000 jobs, and improve access to vital services for millions. The latest GSMA South Africa Digital Economy report shows how mobile and digital services are driving economic growth and social progress, creating opportunities and promoting inclusivity nationwide. In addition, the GSMA’s new Rural Renewal: Telcos and Sustainable Energy in Africa report advocates renewable energy for boosting connectivity in rural areas. Together, these reports provide a strategic plan for inclusive digital progress, emphasising the critical role of mobile technology…

The Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team is bringing fans closer than ever to the thrill of F1 racing with the launch of cutting-edge motion simulators, created in collaboration with Memento Exclusives, a leading memorabilia specialist in Motorsport Valley. These high-tech simulators replicate the feeling of racing Aston Martin’s iconic cars around legendary circuits, utilizing advanced motion technology for an ultra-immersive experience. Designed with input from the race team at Silverstone, each simulator features haptic actuators, front pivot configuration, and haptic rumble feedback, allowing gamers and racing enthusiasts to feel every twist, turn, and rumble just like a real F1 car.…

Today, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, addressed the critical need for a dual approach that intertwines renewable energy with digital infrastructure to secure a prosperous digital future for South Africa and the African continent. Speaking at  One & Only Resort in Cape Town, the Ministerial Forum 2024, themed “Building a Prosperous, Inclusive, and Sustainable Digital & Intelligent Africa,” Malatsi emphasised that Africa’s digital progress hinges on sustainability, inclusivity, and the accessibility of resources. “We stand at a crossroads where the choices we make will either narrow or deepen divides,” Malatsi remarked. “Digital transformation must serve as a…

Vodacom Group announced on Monday that on 7 October 2024, Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), represented by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA), awarded Vodafone Egypt a 5G licence at a cost of $150 million, or approximately R2.6 billion. Additionally, Vodafone Egypt extended its existing licences for five more years, now valid until 2039, for an additional $17 million or R264 million. The total amount of $167 million, or about R2.9 billion, is due for payment by 31 January 2025. This development follows Egypt’s recent economic challenges; as of May 2024, the country has been placed on…

JSE-listed retailer Woolworths announced on Monday that online sales rose 36.9%, contributing 6.2% of Food sales, driven largely by its on-demand service, Woolies Dash. For the 18 weeks ending 3 November 2024, Woolies Dash reported an impressive 54.4% sales growth. Woolworths highlighted that its Food segment continues to deliver market-leading turnover and concession sales growth, with a 12.1% increase and a comparable-store growth of 7.3%, reinforcing customer trust in the Woolies brand. “This was driven by positive underlying volume growth on improved availability, ongoing innovation, and our enhanced overall value proposition,” said Woolworths. “Excluding Absolute Pets, which was acquired in…

Vodacom Group reported on Monday that its headline earnings per share (HEPS) dropped by 19.4%, reaching 353 cents for the six months ending September 2024. HEPS is a key measure of profitability in South Africa. The decline in HEPS was largely attributed to the depreciation of the Ethiopian currency, which impacted earnings by 53 cents per share, as well as one-off costs in the company’s international operations. Despite the drop in profits, Vodacom maintained its strong dividend policy, declaring an interim dividend of 285 cents per share, which represents an 86% payout ratio. “The group’s dividend policy remains unchanged and…

On International Day of Radiology, Life Healthcare is spotlighting the critical role of PET-CT scans in cancer diagnosis and treatment, urging for their wider adoption across South Africa. PET-CT technology, which combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT), provides a powerful tool in the fight against cancer, offering precise imaging that can enhance treatment outcomes. Life Healthcare is advocating for the integration of PET-CT scans into standard clinical practice across South Africa, highlighting that broader access to this technology could greatly enhance patient outcomes. “This cutting-edge technology is revolutionising the way we detect and manage cancer, offering significant…