Author: Staff Writer

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,…

Yellow Card, one of the largest licensed stablecoin-based infrastructures with capabilities spanning 34 countries, with a network spanning Africa, and other key global markets, has appointed Maria Oldham as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). A global executive with two decades of experience across finance, payments, and technology, Oldham joins Yellow Card to help scale the company’s next stage of growth as it expands its pan-African infrastructure for stablecoin-based payments and international money movement to South East Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. “Over the past two decades, I have witnessed first-hand multiple waves of disruption in the payments…

Cape Town, 10 November 2025 – African ministers and ICT leaders have endorsed a continent-wide push to build shared artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, following a ministerial forum co-hosted by South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) on the side-lines of AfricaCom in Cape Town. The forum called for coordinated investment in sovereign computing power, local-language models and AI skills so that economic gains from AI are created in Africa and for Africa. Building on the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy, the AU’s framework to guide member states on AI policy, skills and infrastructure…

 Choice of mild hybrid (B5) or plug-in hybrid (T8) powertrains, with up to 81 km of pure electric range and fuel consumption as low as 1.8L/100 km. Updated exterior styling, premium cabin finishes, and enhanced comfort features, including advanced air purification. New 11.2-inch Google-powered infotainment with Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, premium audio options, and comprehensive safety systems as standard. Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) today introduced the new XC60 to the local market. With refreshed styling, an advanced user experience, updated design details, and enhanced comfort, the automaker’s best-selling model has received upgrades that bring it in line with Volvo’s growing…

The Drinks Federation of South Africa (DF-SA) commends the Minister of Finance’s unequivocal identification of the illicit alcohol trade as a critical threat to South Africa’s economy in his mid-term budget speech. “South Africa faces a problem of illicit trade that threatens our economy, endangers consumers, and robs the fiscus of billions in revenue,” the Minister stated. “The growing markets for illicit cigarettes and alcohol pose serious risks to public health and undermine legitimate businesses.” This declaration aligns with the stark findings of our sector.  According to an independent 2025 study by Euromonitor International, commissioned by DF-SA, as of 2024,…

The inaugural edition of the Africa Stablecoin Summit 2025, powered by Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users, and supported by Tether, the largest company in the digital asset industry, VISA, and Telcoin, successfully brought togethermore than 300 high-level leaders from across Africa and beyond to explore how stablecoins can strengthen the continent’s financial systems, trade, and economic resilience ahead of the all important G-20 Summit. Larry Cooke, Africa Head of Legal, Binance, said; “Stablecoins are more than a technological innovation—they are a pathway to inclusive, cross-border financial systems that can empower businesses and individuals…

Vodacom has unveiled its new Black Friday deals, aimed at delivering extra value to customers, with up to 70% off many deals this Black November. The deals are aimed at making affordability accessible, with massive discounts across a wide range of products and services, accessories and so much more. “Our research shows that customers are constantly looking for ways to stretch their wallets, particularly at time when the cost of living is so high. As a brand, we recognise that every rand counts, which is why we regularly introduce affordable propositions to help customers ease the burden,” says Rashid Tar-Mahomed,…

Super Money SA (Pty) Ltd today announced the launch of ZAR Supercoin, a new stablecoin purpose-built for South Africa and the wider African market.  ZAR Supercoin combines the speed and accessibility of blockchain technology with the trust and oversight of regulated finance. Licensed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and fully backed by rand reserves held in segregated accounts at ABSA Group Ltd, a Tier 1 South African bank, ZAR Supercoin allows users to hold, send, and redeem digital rands instantly and securely. Each ZAR Supercoin is redeemable 1:1 for the South African rand through approved channels. Super Money…

Vodacom Group announces a pivotal agreement with Starlink, the world’s largest satellite broadband provider, to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to millions of businesses across Africa and to expand rural network coverage. This collaboration marks a crucial step in bridging the digital divide and unlocking new opportunities for economic growth, education, and innovation across Africa. Transformative Impact Connecting the Unconnected: Integrating Starlink’s satellite backhaul into Vodacom’s mobile network will accelerate network coverage expansion while increasing network performance in rural areas. The collaboration will deliver robust connectivity to remote schools, health centres, and communities, empowering millions with access to digital services…

Barloworld Equipment is sharpening its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving yellow parts & component market, unveiling a series of operational upgrades, training initiatives, and strategic shifts that position its Barloworld Rebuild Centre (BRC) as a future-ready hub for high-precision component rebuilding. “We’ve commissioned new machining technology and smart tooling systems at the BRC, alongside innovative process changes such as the cylinder heads flow cells & warehouse-onwheels concept. The warehouse project ensures all required parts are prepared and secured in mobile storage before work begins, cutting downtime and boosting efficiency,” says Kamogelo Mmutlana, Executive Head: Business Excellence at Barloworld Equipment.…

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB), in collaboration with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), today announced the winners of the 2025 G20 TechSprint challenge on trust and integrity in scalable and open finance. Hosted under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, the 2025 G20 TechSprint marks the first time the global innovation initiative has taken place on African soil. The competition sought to identify practical, technology-driven solutions to enhance trust, integrity and inclusion in the global financial system. The G20 TechSprint is a joint initiative between the G20 Presidency and the BIS Innovation Hub, designed to harness innovation in addressing challenges…

In a world where connectivity creates opportunity, millions of South Africans still sit on the wrong side of the digital divide. Approximately 21% of the population – around 13.6 million people – remain offline, locked out of the digital economy because internet access is intermittent or too expensive. Vuyani Jarana, CEO of Ilitha Telecommunications, says that this doesn’t have to be the case. To meet digital inclusion goals and enable affordable, meaningful broadband connectivity in every home, the traditional business model must be reimagined. “Investment in digital infrastructure must be about more than just statistics,” says Jarana. “These unconnected households…

SOFTSWISS, a global technology company with a growing presence in South Africa, has released its 2026 iGaming Trends Report, developed in partnership with NEXT.io. The study highlights a major shift in the digital entertainment and tech landscape, where operational AI, advanced cybersecurity, and brand reputation are becoming more critical than traditional performance marketing. The fourth edition of this annual study offers an in-depth look at the factors driving market transformation, with key findings relevant to South Africa’s entire digital economy: AI goes operational: The perceived importance of AI scored 8.41/10 in 2025, up from 8.15 the previous year, with 56%…

RoadMind AI, an innovative new startup, set to make waves in the African tech scene with its cutting-edge AI-driven solutions designed to transform the future of mobility across the continent. Co-founded by Tendai Joe and Athenkosi Nzala, the company aims to tackle some of Africa’s most pressing road safety and transportation challenges by leveraging advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology. A Vision to Revolutionize African Mobility At the core of RoadMind AI’s mission is a commitment to making African roads safer, smarter, and more efficient. With a focus on real-time hazard detection and predictive vehicle maintenance, the company is addressing critical…

Tracker’s vehicle crime statistics for January to June 2025 reveal that business-owned vehicles* are 48% more likely to be targeted than personally-owned vehicles. This trend is largely driven by hijackings, with notable shifts in both timing and location – Mpumalanga has emerged as a new hotspot, and incidents are increasingly occurring during the week rather than over weekends. The Tracker Vehicle Crime Index aggregates information from Tracker’s more than 1.1 million subscriptions. The data indicates that business-owned vehicles experience 32% more crime than their proportion within the Tracker base, highlighting a significantly higher risk compared to personally-owned vehicles. The majority…

FSCA issues public warning regarding impersonation of 27Four Investment Managers (Pty) Ltd and its Managing Director, Ms Fatima Vawda The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) warns members of the public to exercise caution when engaging in financial services-related activities with the administrators of a Telegram group operating under the name “LeaderFatima_Vawda.” The administrators of the “LeaderFatima_Vawda” Telegram group falsely claim to be affiliated with authorised financial services provider 27Four Investment Managers (Pty) Ltd (27Four Investment Managers), FSP number 31045, and its Managing Director, Ms Fatima Vawda. According to information received by the FSCA, the administrators of the “LeaderFatima_Vawda” Telegram group…

FSCA issues public warning regarding impersonation of Cuthman Capital (Pty) Ltd and its Chief Operating Officer. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) urges members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with individuals who falsely purport to represent Cuthman Capital (Pty) Ltd (Cuthman Capital) and its Chief Operating Officer. Ms Thandi Wille, the Chief Operating Officer of Cuthman Capital, submitted a complaint to the FSCA after discovering that impersonators were using Telegram accounts to pose as the company’s executives. These individuals are misleading the public by falsely claiming affiliation with Cuthman Capital. The Telegram usernames used by the impersonators…