Author: Staff Writer
South Africa’s energy crisis has created opportunities for innovation, especially given Africa’s abundant natural resources which can be harnessed for renewable energy supply, according to Muhammed Ismail Seedat, Huawei’s Senior Systems Architect, Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa Region, who gave the keynote address at the 2023 edition of Huawei’s ICT Editors Xchange. With the theme Energy Resilience: the future of energy reimagined, a panel of experts in technology, energy, finance and academia came together for the annual event, which was hosted at Huawei’s Innovation Centre in Johannesburg, to discuss the issues of energy security and sustainability, and the growth of small…
McKinsey & Company today announced the expansion of QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, to its offices in Johannesburg, Casablanca, Lagos, and Cairo and to serve as hubs for its global QuantumBlack network. While McKinsey has always served clients in Africa on data and analytics, QuantumBlack has been an accelerating force for McKinsey, blending powerful AI and technology with deep strategic thinking and domain expertise to help clients unlock substantial growth. McKinsey acquired QuantumBlack, a London-based company with roots in Formula 1 motor racing, in 2015. “The breakneck pace at which AI is changing and evolving is challenging investors and business leaders…
More than R10 million has been paid out to community members and over 10 million kilograms of waste diverted from landfill by Packa-Ching, a Polyco recycling initiative supported by Shoprite. With mobile units operating in low-income areas where recycling infrastructure is hard to come by, Packa-Ching incentivises communities to collect and recycle waste. Recyclable packaging materials, including plastic, glass, cans, and paper, are weighed, and community members are paid instantly via a cashless eWallet system. The funds can be used at any participating retailer or can be withdrawn or transferred to anyone in South Africa. Packa-Ching launched its first mobile…
The mission of Google’s first AI research centre in Africa is to push the boundaries of AI while solving pressing problems affecting millions of people both locally and globally, like mapping buildings in remote locations to provide better electricity. The centre was opened in 2018. Here are six AI projects the Accra research centre is working on and how they are hoping they’ll make a difference. Mapping buildings Even with satellite imagery, it can be difficult to map buildings in remote locations. When these buildings go unmapped, it can make things like planning infrastructure difficult. Our Open Buildings dataset project, launched…
Fraud, identity theft and impersonation are three of the most significant risks South Africans face in an already stressful environment caused by the country’s energy crisis, a growing cost of living/unemployment crisis, and constant news about political instability. Dalene Deale, Executive Head of Secure Citizen, points out that the desperation South Africans face daily has made them prime targets for fraudsters. “Unfortunately, human beings only have one emotional bucket, which can be rapidly depleted when dealing with fraud, identity theft and impersonation. Resolving the issue becomes all-consuming as they face an uphill battle to reclaim what is rightfully theirs,” says…
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter today announced the appointment of 3 Deputy CommissionerS to strengthen his executive team. This follows an extensive executive search which resulted in the appointment of one internal candidate and two from private sector. The appointment of Deputies is also one of the recommendations in the final report of the Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by SARS headed by Judge Robert Nugent. Commissioner Kieswetter says: “I am delighted with these appointments. The Deputy Commissioners will provide valuable support to build on the work we commenced 4 years ago in the rebuilding program. To enhance…
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is accelerating its social employment efforts as part of its portfolio of job creation and livelihood support interventions under the Presidential Employment Stimulus. The Social Employment Fund, launched under the Presidential Employment Stimulus, is contributing to sustainable job creation by creating 50 000 new job opportunities in its first phase. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has established a Social Employment Fund, which is managed by the IDC. To date, a total amount of R800 million has been invested through 28 strategic implementing partners tasked with creating 50 000 temporary jobs. Speaking during the…
South Africa’s healthtech player, Kena Health, has closed $2 million in seed extension funding from NEXT176, the innovation subsidiary of African financial services giant Old Mutual, and a further $100 000 from US-based frontier market investor Tofino Capital. Launched in March 2022, this start-up based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has quickly gained market traction and investor attention for its unique healthcare offering. The Kena Health App allows customers to consult with a doctor, nurse, or mental health professional from their smartphone. This full-stack solution of expert clinical teams and technology work together to deliver seamless, quality healthcare, while lowering the…
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) recently announced the winners of its first hackathon, which aims to promote entrepreneurship and innovation among South African youth African youth. The winning team, Tech Busters, dominated the competition and took home R20 000. They have also been given the opportunity to work with FSCA’s ICT department to further develop their winning idea. “We built a smartphone game that will make entrepreneurship entertaining and simpler for individuals who need help starting a business and those who are already running Small Medium and Micro Enterprises ( SMMEs ) and are stuck and need direction. We…
The Shoprite Group has reduced its electricity consumption by 11.8% following the installation of 1 001 932 energy-efficient LED lightbulbs across 1 647 of its supermarkets and distribution centres nationwide. This has eased pressure on the national electricity grid as well as generated savings of 164 million kWh and R346 million in electricity costs for the Group during its 2022/2023 financial year. “By taking a proactive stance in energy planning, the Shoprite Group has bolstered its stores’ energy resilience to withstand both anticipated and unforeseen disruptions in energy supply and electricity tariffs,” said Sanjeev Raghubir, Sustainability Manager for the Shoprite…