Author: Staff Writer
The blueprint for a sustainable and resilient Africa was demonstrated at the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) yesterday, as the event celebrated the winners of its 2025 Industry Solutions Challenge. Hosted by Telkom, the participants were tasked with proposing cutting-edge solutions across five key categories, Energy and Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Customer and User Experience, and Networking, students to translate academic knowledge and research into practical, industry-ready innovations. Under the 2025 SATNAC theme, “Africa’s Ascent: Enabling Sustainability Through Tech and AI” the competition attracted more than 235 students from 84 local tertiary academic institutions. Over…
Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) itoday announced the upcoming activation of in-car data connectivity for your EX30 electric vehicle. This enhanced connectivity service has officially been activated, delivering a seamless and reliable online experience to drivers across South Africa and Lesotho. With built-in internet now fully enabled, Volvo EX30 owners can stay connected, informed, and in control wherever their journey takes them – without the need for external Wi-Fi routers or mobile hotspots. Volvo has granted all eligible vehicles a complimentary four-year connectivity package, valid from November 2025 through November 2029. In addition to the successful activation, all vehicles have…
For decades, the gold standard of motoring luxury has been defined by cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. With its hushed ride, cutting-edge technology, and decadent interiors that are crafted like Swiss bank vaults, few vehicles this side of a Rolls-Royce Phantom can exceed its sumptuousness or refinement. But here’s the reality: you no longer need R3 million or more to experience the finer things in life. You don’t even need half of that. Step into the latest crop of premium vehicles arriving in South Africa, and you’ll find a surprising level of sophistication at a fraction of the price. Leather-trimmed…
As more people rely on digital platforms for news, entertainment, and everyday decisions, one question grows urgent: is the information we consume truly VERAfied? “Trust can no longer be assumed – it has to be verified. VERAFIED gives people that power,” says Khumo Makiti, Founder and CEO of VERAFIED. The platform is designed to tackle the growing challenge of AI-driven misinformation globally. VERAFIED has teamed up with dynamic creative entrepreneur and producer Nolo Phiri, known for her strategic innovation and passion for storytelling with social impact. Speaking about the collaboration, Nolo says: “In a world where technology can distort reality,…
Zazu, pan-African digital banking platform built exclusively for entrepreneurs and SMEs, has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding from a group of leading African and European investors to accelerate its rollout in South Africa and Morocco, with plans to expand across the continent in 2026 The round includes Plug and Play Ventures with participation from a high-profile group of angel investors and fintech founders, including Zachariah George (Launch Africa Ventures), Axel Peyriere (Co-founder, AUTO24.africa), Akshay Patel (Founder, Paymentology), Ismael Belkhayat (Founder, Chari), Sophie Guibaud (Founder, Fiat Republic), and several founding members of European fintech unicorns like Qonto and Solarisbank -…
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, convened founders, investors, corporate partners, and industry leaders in Cape Town this week for the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator programme Cohort 4 Demo Day. The event spotlighted 22 high‑growth fintech startups from across the continent, marking the culmination of an intensive three‑month journey to develop and scale innovative digital commerce solutions. Cohort 4 reflects the continued momentum of Africa’s fintech landscape and demonstrates the strength, diversity, and ambition of the region’s innovators. This year’s group includes startups headquartered in 12 African countries and operating across 31 markets. Women-led innovation stands out as a defining feature of…
In today’s fast-changing economy, logistics is no longer the quiet link between production and sales. It has become the defining factor in business agility, customer satisfaction, and long-term growth. The companies that master logistics don’t just move goods – they move faster, smarter, and more profitably than their competitors. The momentum behind this transformation is evident in South Africa’s logistics sector itself. According to Mordor Intelligence, the country’s freight and logistics market is estimated at USD 14.70 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 19.90 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.24%…
, South Africa Leading law firm Adams & Adams, announces the launch of the SMARTAI IP Portal, a groundbreaking digital platform and advisory service designed to help businesses understand, assess, and address the risks posed by the AI revolution. “As artificial intelligence transforms industries at an unprecedented pace, businesses face new and complex risks, from intellectual property exposure to governance gaps. The SMARTAI IP Portal is the first of its kind, offering organisations a practical way to measure their AI readiness and take action” says Darren Olivier, Lead Partner in the AI IP advisory team. How the SMARTAI IP Portal…
South African Airways (SAA) confirms it has received an urgent Airworthiness Directive (AD) from Airbus concerning a mandatory software update for the A320 model aircraft. Safety remains SAA’s highest priority. In response, we have taken immediate and proactive measures to ensure full compliance with the directive, which mandates completion of the software installation by 23:59 UTC (Universal Coordinated Time) on Saturday, 29 November 2025. Currently, SAA does not anticipate any flight disruptions because of this compliance action. SAA Technical (SAAT) mobilised resources early this morning to initiate the required software installation. Despite the narrow compliance window, our teams are working efficiently…
Eskom has released the group’s unaudited interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 September 2025, which further demonstrate the continued execution of the turnaround plan leading to a recovery in operational and financial performance. “These unaudited interim results demonstrate that our annual results for FY2025 were not a once-off achievement and that our progress in turning around operational and financial performance, supported by government and stakeholder collaboration, is positioning Eskom for a sustainable future,” said Eskom’s Chairman, Mteto Nyati.. “When this Board took over in October 2022, we found an organisation in crisis. These results reflect how strong…
SwiftVEE, the largest online livestock trading platform in Africa, featured in Bloomberg’s inaugural 25 African Startups to Watch 2025, has completed its Series A funding round. The transaction brings some of the continent’s most accomplished investors onto swiftVEE’s Cap Table, including HAVAÍC, Old Mutual’s former CEO Iain Williamson and private equity firm EXEO Capital. They join swiftVEE’s current shareholders; fund managers Mike Kirsten and Carlo Dickson and private investment vehicle Zire Africa. Launched in South Africa in 2019 and credited as pioneers of online livestock trading in Africa, swiftVEE has become a Pan-African business trading in excess of $100m GMV…
Phuthuma Nathi, the MultiChoice South Africa’s broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) share scheme, is calling on shareholders and families of deceased shareholders to come forward and claim dividends owed to them. Since 2020, Phuthuma Nathi has run an annual national campaign to locate shareholders with unclaimed dividends dating back to 2006. Thanks to these efforts, more than R125 million has already been paid out, but more than R270 million in dividends remain unclaimed. Phuthuma Nathi is committed to finding its shareholders and ensuring that they receive what is rightfully theirs. The most common reasons for unclaimed dividends include shareholders not…
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, and Tyme Group – the global digital banking group head-quartered in Singapore with over 20 million customers in South Africa and Southeast Asia, have announced a multi-year, multi-market deal aimed at accelerating financial inclusion and digital payment innovation across South Africa, the Philippines and Vietnam. “This multi-year, multi-market partnership reflects our shared ambition to accelerate digital adoption, broaden financial inclusion, and bring innovative, low-cost banking solutions to millions. Through enhanced card-issuance programmes, digital infrastructure support, and data-driven value-added services, Visa is proud to empower Tyme Group as they continue to scale across regions,”…
Cell C Holdings Limited (Cell C) today listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) under the ticker CCD, marking a defining milestone in South Africa’s telecommunications landscape and opening a new chapter in the company’s journey. The listing closed at R26.50 per share, valuing the business at approximately R9 billion with 340 million ordinary shares in issue. The offer included 102 million sale shares, raising R2.7 billion for the selling shareholder, The Prepaid Company (TPC), a subsidiary of Blu Label Unlimited Group. The offer also included a further allocation of 54.2 million shares to Sisonke Growth Partners as part of TPC and Cell…
Oni-Tel Fibre Networks, a fibre optic cable infrastructure provider in South Africa, has launched its Inter-Data Centre Fibre Network, with Digital Parks Africa (DPA) serving as the inaugural point of presence (PoP). This high-speed fibre backbone connects all major data centres across Gauteng, enabling seamless, low-latency connectivity between facilities and unlocking new possibilities for enterprise and cloud infrastructure. This milestone marks a significant step forward for the region’s digital infrastructure, with Oni-Tel set to become: The first provider in this space to introduce new infrastructure access models through a purpose-built network engineered for data centre interconnectivity (DCI) and external connections,…
SwapVend, South Africa’s digital-hybrid ecosystem connecting informal and formal economies, has launched its long-anticipated Barter feature, a core part of its ecosystem that honours one of the continent’s oldest and most dignified forms of trade. Bartering is not new. It is not foreign. It is rooted in our history, our kasi economies, and our everyday exchanges; from “I’ll help you with your tax return if you design my flyer” to “You fix my tap, and I’ll repair your fence.” SwapVend has now digitised that familiar tradition and placed it back at the centre of South African commerce. The Problem: Value…
Plentify, the pioneering South African electrotech company, using AI-fueled hardware and software to connect home appliances to cheaper, cleaner energy, has raised an oversubscribed Series A funding round, bringing its total capital raised to date to nearly $15 million. The raise marks a major milestone in Plentify’s journey from rapid early-stage growth to global expansion, reinforcing investor confidence in its team, technology, and strategy at a time when venture capital funding in the climate tech sector remains highly competitive. The round was led by Secha Capital, Buffet Investments, and a South African family office, with participation from existing investors E3…
A major contract dispute at the Kusile Power Station has been resolved, saving the utility over R1 billion. The settlement avoids protracted legal battles and safeguards public money. In a significant financial victory for the state-owned power utility, Eskom has confirmed the full and final settlement of a long-standing commercial dispute with the Stefanutti Stocks Basil Read Joint Venture (SSBR) concerning the Kusile Power Station. The resolution slashes the original claim of R1.6 billion down to a R580 million settlement, saving just over R1 billion. The dispute, which began in 2022, was resolved following a formal Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB)…
Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal has announced a transformative investment of over R1.1 billion in network infrastructure for the current financial year (FY26), reinforcing its commitment to connecting communities and driving digital inclusion across South Africa’s most populous province. “Our investment in KwaZulu-Natal reflects our commitment to building a digitally inclusive province where everyone can access the opportunities of the digital economy,” says Imran Khan, Managing Executive for Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Region. R1.1 billion network investment strengthens connectivity Vodacom’s R1.142 billion investment in KZN’s network infrastructure during the financial year demonstrates the company’s commitment to ubiquitous connectivity across the province. The investment breakdown includes…
Vodacom Group today announced a strategic collaboration with Google Cloud to accelerate its digital transformation using Google Cloud’s advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) product portfolio. The collaboration will enhance Vodacom core solutions and establish a powerful platform for creating new, disruptive products and services specifically tailored for the African market. Under the terms of the collaboration, Vodacom will harness the capabilities of Google Cloud’s secure, scalable infrastructure to unify its vast data assets – and then apply generative AI models, including Gemini, Veo, and Imagen, across its business. This will result in improved operational efficiencies for Vodacom and…
YouTube and Vumatel (Vuma), (a company of the MAZIV Group) announced a joint pilot program aimed at tackling digital inequality in South African township homes by enabling affordable, high-speed fibre connectivity bundled with Smart TV streaming. The initiative, launching in previously disadvantaged areas like Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, will see 2,000 fibre-connected households equipped with free Google TV streaming dongles, turning standard televisions into smart, connected entertainment hubs. This partnership underscores MAZIV’s broader mission of creating an inclusive, connected South Africa by extending the benefits of digital access to underserved communities. Driving digital inclusion and access for all The primary goal…
Cardano is entering a global listing vote that could reshape its reach, while Maxi Doge is rapidly trending across meme-coin circles, two very different narratives, both gaining attention fast. In a market shifting between fundamentals and culture, investors are turning to projects offering clear direction and strong community pull. The contrast is sharp: Cardano leans on governance and long-term structure, while Maxi Doge fuels momentum through branding and trader identity. Together, they show exactly how diverse crypto investing has become. Why Cardano’s Global Listing Vote Matters Cardano’s governance community is now voting on expanding global listings, a move many analysts…
VALR, the largest crypto exchange in Africa by trade volume, has partnered with Mukuru, a leading financial services platform serving over 17 million customers across Africa, Asia and Europe, to introduce a USD Coin (USDC) wallet. This collaboration provides infrastructure for users to access USDC, a USD-backed stablecoin, supporting broader adoption of alternative savings options in regions facing currency volatility. Farzam Ehsani, Co-Founder and CEO of VALR, stated: “VALR is proud to support Mukuru with the crypto infrastructure needed to launch this offering. This partnership is a profound step toward realising our shared vision of an inclusive financial ecosystem that…
Huawei used AfricaCom to showcase how its Fibre to the Room (FTTR) solutions are reshaping broadband into a full digital platform for homes and small businesses across Africa. FTTR extends fibre from the front door into every room, supporting consistent high-speed Wi-Fi, smart-home applications and value-added services that operators can build into simple, managed offerings. This as households and SMEs want strong Wi-Fi everywhere, with digital tools that make daily life easier. FTTR allows operators design services around those needs from whole-home coverage and smart apps to integrated SME bundles. Fibre that follows people, room by room Huawei’s FTTR architecture…
Next-generation financial services provider Mukuru and WeThinkCode_, South Africa’s premier software engineering academy, have marked another milestone in their ongoing partnership with the 2025 edition of the SheHacks Hackathon, a dynamic initiative aimed at driving diversity, inclusion, and innovation in the tech space. Held recently, the SheHacks Hackathon challenged students to design a Loyalty Rewards App that reflects Mukuru’s mission of financial accessibility and customer empowerment. The results were nothing short of inspiring: teams delivered slick, user-friendly prototypes while demonstrating leadership, creativity, and resilience under pressure. “At Mukuru, we believe innovation thrives when diverse voices are empowered,” said Koketso Ramose,…