Author: Gugu Lourie

Thandile Fikeni, CEO of WIB Group, has collaborated with global creative director Xander Pratt to establish the Nomadhood in Africa platform. The two announced their partnership on the sidelines of Russia’s 8th Eastern Economic Forum, which is now underway, through participation in the Friends for Leadership network of next-generation leaders and entrepreneurs created by Dr. Roman Chukov. The Platform is the first for digital nomads to digitally experience Africa through first-hand community experiences, experiencing not only tourist places but also secret destinations for the next generation traveller. Deemed as Ambassador of Tourism, Culture and Peace, Pratt is a multidimensional Zimbabwean…

Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid), a business of Cassava Technologies, a pan-African technology group, today announced the launch of two new fully redundant terrestrial routes – Kenya to Ethiopia and Zambia to Malawi. This significant achievement will allow for greater efficiency and reliable regional connectivity, both key to the economic development of these countries. Spanning over 1000 km, the fibre link between Kenya and Ethiopia offers businesses in Ethiopia access to data centres and cloud in Nairobi, Kenya, ensuring that data doesn’t leave the continent. In addition, this link is further supported by the cross-border 711 km link between Zambia and…

African super app Ayoba has reached a new milestone – surpassing 30 million monthly active users. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the app’s growing popularity, particularly in focus territories such as Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Moreover, Ayoba has successfully broadened its user base into new markets, such as Kenya and Tanzania, contributing to its rapid growth since passing the 25M MAU mark in May 2023. “Ayoba’s growth reflects our commitment to delivering valuable, user-focused services. This achievement is a significant step in our ongoing journey to deepen connectivity and digital inclusion across Africa and signifies the trust…

MTN Nigeria today announced that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the transfer and assignment of the 10MHz frequency division duplex (FDD) in the 2.6GHz spectrum band from OpenSkys Services Limited to MTN Nigeria. The effective date for the licence is 7 September 2023, and it is due for renewal on 16 April 2033. The additional spectrum will enable MTN Nigeria to enhance network capacity and improve customer experience. “The acquisition of an additional 10MHz FDD in the 2.6GHz spectrum band is an important milestone in the execution of our Ambition 2025 strategy,”  Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of…

International ICT solutions provider  Angola Cables has announced the appointment of Sudhir Juggernath as CEO of TelCables South Africa and will be responsible for the development and expansion of TelCables operations within the Southern and East African regions.  Sudhir has held senior strategic positions within the Southern African Telecommunications and Enterprise market and beyond, within businesses, focusing on growth and strategic business development. He has 20 years of global telecoms and technology experience, stretching across Wholesale Carrier Connectivity, Big Data Analytics, IoT, Digital Transformation, Unified Communications and Contact Centre and Managed Services at Siemens, ATIO, Neotel / Liquid, BT Global…

MTN Nigeria has decided to cancel its tower deal with IHS in Nigeria, and American Tower Corporation (ATC) will assume responsibility for MTN’s tower operations in the country. MTN Nigeria today informed its investors that the leases for approximately 2,500 network sites, currently serviced by IHS Nigeria Limited, are set to expire in 2024 and 2025. In accordance with MTN Nigeria’s procurement policy, the telecommunications company is committed to ensuring a transparent and competitive bidding process for these tower contracts. Consequently, MTN Nigeria initiated a tender process for these contracts. MTN stated that after a thorough evaluation of the bids…

South Africa is currently examining the possibility of establishing a specialized police unit designed to proactively address safety concerns and promptly resolve incidents involving tourists, as detailed in the Department of Tourism’s Green Paper, which has been published for public review and comment. The Green Paper highlights that crimes against tourists significantly impact South Africa’s attractiveness as a travel destination for both international and domestic tourists. It emphasises the need for a research-based tourism safety response program and an investigation into the creation of a dedicated police unit capable of focusing on preventive measures and expeditious resolution of tourist-related incidents.…

Chinese-owned British automaker Lotus charges ahead in electric rivalry with Porsche. Meet the Emeya, following the Eletre SUV. This “hyper GT” shares the Eletre’s platform and boasts a thrilling 905 hp from dual electric motors, achieving a 0-62 mph time in just 2.8 seconds. Emeya has an electronically controlled air suspension system. Its advanced onboard sensors feel the road 1,000 times a second and automatically adjust the vehicle to ensure the smoothest ride. The top specification model for Emeya features Lotus’ high-power dual motor set-up that delivers a top speed of more than 155mph (250km/h) and can accelerate from 0-62mph…

OpenAI will  hots its  first developer conference, OpenAI DevDay, on November 6, 2023 in San Francisco. The one-day event will bring hundreds of developers from around the world together with the team at OpenAI to preview new tools and exchange ideas, said the company in a blog post. In-person attendees will also be able to join breakout sessions led by members of OpenAI’s technical staff. “Since launching our API in 2020, we’ve continuously updated it to include our most advanced models, making it easier than ever for developers to integrate cutting-edge AI into their projects with a simple API call,”…

In response to the surging interest in women’s soccer, BallTalent, a talent scouting app headquartered in Soweto, is illuminating the path for exceptionally skilled female soccer players, ensuring they receive recognition from both local and international scouts. The recent success of international competitions like the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Women’s Africa Cup, where South Africa’s Banyana Banyana claimed victory, has ignited a newfound enthusiasm for women’s soccer. BallTalent, the brainchild of Simon Mokgotlhoa (30) and Lesego Ndlovu (29), two self-taught innovators, has emerged from their profound passion for technology and their dedication to unearthing hidden local talent. Ndlovu…

The recent appointment of former Eskom chief operating officer, Jan Oberholzer, as the new chairman of Mulilo Energy Holdings has raised eyebrows and stirred a conversation about empowerment within the company. Upon hearing the news of Oberholzer’s new role, I was initially excited about the prospect of his expertise being utilised in what on the surface appeared to be a “black-owned company”. However, upon closer inspection of Mulilo Energy Holdings’ profile on their website, it became evident that the company was neither black-owned nor black-led. Despite the name “Mulilo,” which means “fire” in Tshivenda, there is little connection to Tshivenda…

In a groundbreaking development, Bayobab, previously known as MTN GlobalConnect, has received regulatory approval in Nigeria for its National Long-Distance Operator License. This pivotal milestone marks a significant shift in the nation’s connectivity landscape, addressing the growing need for data connectivity within Nigeria. Under this license, Bayobab’s Nigerian subsidiary gains the authority to manage long-distance traffic, creating exciting opportunities for improved communication, collaboration, and innovation. “This achievement marks a transformative moment for us, as we look forward to contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria’s digital economy. At Bayobab, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible…

On September 5, 2023, Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Vice-Chairperson of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), delivered a keynote address at the 2nd Network of Tax Organizations (NTO) Technical Conference in Cape Town. The theme of the conference, “Digitalisation of Tax Administrations and Contemporary Issues,” set the stage for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of tax administration in our rapidly changing world. A Call for Broader Engagement Kieswetter began his address by emphasising the importance of engaging all stakeholders in the tax ecosystem. He highlighted the need to involve policymakers, national…

Vodafone and Project Kuiper, Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite (LEO) communications venture, have unveiled a strategic partnership. In this collaboration, Vodafone and Vodacom intend to leverage Project Kuiper’s advanced network to expand 4G/5G coverage for their customers across Europe and Africa. Utilizing Project Kuiper’s high-capacity, low-latency satellite network, Vodafone and Vodacom aim to bring the advantages of 4G/5G connectivity to regions that would otherwise be challenging and costly to serve using traditional fiber or microwave solutions. Project Kuiper will establish connections between widely dispersed cellular antennas and the core telecom networks of these companies. This strategic move enables Vodafone and…

As the holiday season approaches, businesses are gearing up to express gratitude to their employees and reward loyal clients. While the classic gift of chocolates remains a thoughtful gesture, there’s an even better way to show appreciation – by letting recipients choose their own perfect gift. Scan to Pay, powered by Ukheshe, introduces a game-changing solution known as Scan to Pay vouchers, according to Tracy-Lee Schoeman, VP of Loyalty and Rewards at South Africa’s largest QR payment ecosystem. This innovative service was born out of a rising demand from businesses looking to distribute tailor-made loyalty or incentive rewards efficiently and…

In response to an Enforcement Notice issued by the Information Regulator of South Africa to Dis-Chem, following a data breach which occurred in May 2022, Dis-Chem has disputed the accuracy of the allegations. Dis-Chem in a statement confirmed that it has already responded to and actioned all orders contained in the Enforcement Notice and will report to the regulator within 31 days as requested. The regulator disclosed on Friday that enforcement notice was issued to Dis-Chem for violating POPIA. The company confirms that the data held by the third-party provider was restricted to mailing details only and did not contain…

On the 31st of August 2023, the Information Regulator took action by issuing an Enforcement Notice against Dis-Chem, due to their non-compliance with several provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). In the timeline of events, it was revealed that during the months of April and May in 2022, a brute force attack was launched against Grapevine, a third-party service provider engaged by Dis-Chem. A brute force attack involves repeated attempts to guess a password until the correct combination is discovered. It wasn’t until the 1st of May 2022 that Dis-Chem became aware of this security breach when…

After years of rumors and speculation, Google’s first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, was finally released last month. This new addition to Google’s smartphone lineup promises to redefine user expectations and usher in a new era of smartphone technology. With its striking 7.6-inch internal screen and an ultra-sleek profile, the Pixel Fold sets new standards for design excellence. Not just good looks, the Pixel Fold also presents a world of possibilities when it comes to smartphone multitasking and media consumption. The splitscreen mode and intuitive drag-and-drop feature means users can now be on a Zoom call while responding to a…

For the first time, Volvo Car South Africa has extended its guaranteed future value (GFV) finance offering to their electric fleet.  Previously, the Volvo Versatility Finance scheme was available only for the Swedish firm’s combustion-engined vehicles, but in response to growing local demand for electric vehicles (EVs), the company has added the XC40 Twin Motor Recharge AWD Ultimate to the list of eligible cars, while also further refining its GFV offering. According to Volvo, customers will now have the flexibility to choose between a 36- and a 48-month GFV contract period, with a generous mileage cap of 20 000 km…

Plural, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered policy tracking platform, today announced its expansion into Africa to enable access to public policy data across various African jurisdictions starting with Nigeria and South Africa. In June 2023, Plural began collaborating with a local network organization, Afrilabs, to help refine the platform and spur the region’s economic growth, create political change, simplify increasing regulatory complexity, develop ongoing digital transformation and stimulate transparency and cross-border business expansion. Plural’s expansion into Africa comes at a crucial time, as Africa is currently implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and being met with growing calls for policy transparency, harmonization and improvements to aid free trade and economic development. Plural…

It’s truly remarkable to contemplate that Telkom’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) is commemorating its 25th anniversary. Through the CoE Programme, substantial funding and assistance are channelled into the advanced education of post-graduates (encompassing PhD, Masters, and Honours levels) within the realm of Computer Science and Engineering (CS&E). This initiative not only enhanced technical research and innovation on a significant scale in South Africa but also nurtures the growth of adept professionals in these fields. Telkom has seamlessly integrated several innovations stemming from these students, one notable example being Izwe.AI, which has been harnessed to enhance the quality of customer service.…

Telkom has reaffirmed its dedication to cultivating emerging technological skills as its Centre of Excellence (CoE) reaches its 25-year milestone. Originating as a collaborative initiative involving Telkom, the telecommunications industry, and the government, the CoE was established to advance research in communication technology and related sciences. It also aimed to offer facilities that would inspire young scientists and engineers to pursue their research passions within South Africa. The funding for CoEs was a joint effort involving Telkom, companies within the ICT industry, and the Department of Trade and Industry through the Technology and Human Resource for Industry Programme (THRIP). However,…

Telkom’s participation in the two-day Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) is significant. The overarching theme of the conference, “The Augmented Era: Navigating Artificial Intelligence in a Connected Society” is reflected in the plenary sessions and presentations, which include speakers and panellists from local and international telecommunications, software, networking and infrastructure providers. SATNAC is an annual event held under the auspices of Telkom and attracts more than 400 participants. This important gathering has become the most important ICT conference across the continent. It serves as an important platform for industry, academic and operator stakeholders to showcase their advances…

Telkom recently partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand to inaugurate the Telkom Industry Solutions Lab. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to foster collaboration between businesses and universities in the field of research and development (R&D). The establishment of this lab is a key strategic move by Telkom to strengthen innovation within the group. The partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand aims to create an environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. This venture leverages the collective expertise and resources of both Telkom Group and the university. Ahead of the upcoming Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC), which…

Telkom’s AI system called Izwe.AI is changing the way customer service works. It takes spoken words in English and local languages and turns them into written text. Izwe.AI, which means ‘nation”, is special because it can understand how people with South African accents speak. According to Dr Mmaki Jantjies, Telkom’s Innovation and Transformation Officer, Izwe.AI was developed to celebrate African languages. Most language technologies are designed for different languages and not much effort has been put into supporting the specific languages of South Africa. “So from translation perspective, it’s so important for us because a simple example: In call centres,…