Author: Gugu Lourie
Cape Town has long been a poster child for South African tourism. By any measure, the metropolis is a beautiful city with impressive mountains, pristine beaches, and the charm of its vibrant neighbourhoods. But that’s only one side of the picture. Away from the famed tourist attractions, the city holds a different story for some. While on a recent visit to the “Mother City”, my colleagues and I had a memorable encounter at the Taj Cape Town Whiskey Lounge that gave the narrative sharp relief. We met an advertising executive from Germany with a rather grim perspective on Cape Town.…
Swiggy, India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform backed by Prosus, has today listed on the National and Bombay Stock Exchanges of India (NSE and BSE), valuing the company at $11.3 billion. Prosus sold shares worth more than US$500 million as part of the IPO. Prosus has been a cornerstone investor in Swiggy since 2017. Following the IPO, Prosus holds a c25%1 stake and maintains its two seats on the Board. “Everyone at Prosus extends huge congratulations to the Swiggy team on today’s IPO. We have supported the management team since our first investment in 2017 and have seen the company flourish…
At the Africa Tech Festival 2024, Mohamed Madkour, Huawei’s vice-president of ICT strategy and marketing, highlighted key priorities for Africa’s continued digital advancement. Since his first visit to the event in 2016, Madkour noted Africa’s impressive progress in broadband and digital services, which he described as the “two wings for Africa to kick off and fly.” However, he urged Africa to expand its focus beyond these foundational elements, identifying “intelligent connectivity” and “transformation” as critical to the continent’s future. “Today, everything around us is centred on transformation and inspired by intelligence, built on a solid layer of connectivity,” Madkour explained,…
Digital wallets are emerging as a transformative force, poised to reshape the way businesses interact with their customers. These digital payment platforms are not only streamlining transactions but also unlocking a wealth of opportunities for organisations looking to out-innovate the competition. But banks and businesses must be wary of interoperability challenges and the risk of vendor lock-in if they hope to benefit from the inevitable market consolidation that is coming. Digital wallets are enjoying robust growth. Worldpay, Global Payments Report 2024, estimates that digital wallets will account for 61% of ecommerce payments and 46% of point of sale payments worldwide by 2027.…
Cape Town, AfricaTech Festival — Eswatini Posts and Telecoms Corporation (EPTC), led by Group Managing Director Themba Khumalo, has issued a call for international fibre and technology partners to help drive the nation’s ambitious connectivity agenda. As the Kingdom of Eswatini advances its digital capabilities, EPTC is focused on expanding its broadband infrastructure and enhancing service quality for both urban and rural communities. EPTC, originally a copper-based carrier, has leveraged national broadband goals, optimised resources, adopted cutting-edge technologies, and embraced generational advancements to transform their network. “We are open for business,” Khumalo stated, emphasising EPTC’s readiness to collaborate with global technology partners.…
Volvo Car South Africa has solidified its position as the top choice in the local electric vehicle market, recording 467 sales from January to September 2024. With its streamlined lineup of three battery-electric models, Volvo outpaces competitors in the luxury segment, maintaining month-over-month sales leadership despite offering fewer models. The flagship EX30 has seen remarkable demand, moving 348 units, while the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge followed with 96 and 23 units, respectively. “We have reached new sales heights in the first nine months of the year, driven by strong demand for the EX30,” said Markus Cromwell, Commercial Director at…
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…