Author: Staff Writer
Sentech is introducing its new broadband offering known as Sentech Connect, South Africa’s biggest digital content services provider disclosed on Monday at AfricaCom. The state-owned company said the new broadband service will digitise healthcare, education and government services in underserviced and rural areas, bridging the digital divide with fast reliable broadband connectivity. The company said the broadband offering will range from a bandwidth of 10mbps-100mbps, allowing for the creation of Smart Classrooms; Smart City Services; Smart Clinics and Hospitals; the Internet of Things (IoT), and Public Safety Initiatives. These solutions will make use of various networks ranging from broadband to ultra-narrow…
MTN wants to bridge the digital divide by ensuring that rural people in Africa and the Middle East are connected to the internet through its network, Africa and the Middle East-biggest mobile phone operator disclosed on Tuesday. At AfricaCom, MTN revealed its innovative rural connectivity strategy. The company said it is amongst the Pioneers of OpenRAN – the technology which enables operators to achieve cost-effective deployments allowing for greater connectivity to previously unconnected areas. MTN announced it has deployed over 200 commercial rural sites across its footprint, using OpenRAN technology. The operator added that it is projecting to deploy more…
Vodacom Business is extending its pan-African network to Miami in the United States, the enterprise unit of Vodacom Group said on Tuesday. The company said it is extending its network through the new undersea South Atlantic Cable System (SACS). SACS is the first to directly link the African continent’s southern hemisphere with South America. This new trans-Atlantic route offers a significantly cost-effective and faster way for African-based American multi-national corporations to connect back to the United States, reducing latency by up to 40%. “Vodacom Business is undertaking this investment to shorten the distance between the American and African continents. The…
South African stock exchange A2X Markets launched on 6 October 2017 with three listings and four of the industry’s leading brokers on board. After just two years, A2X boasts a combined market cap of about R2 trillion with nine approved brokers, including five of the six largest brokers in South Africa. It was also recently named best new stock exchange in Africa in the 2019 Global Banking & Finance Awards. “We are very excited about how the business has developed over the past two years. Starting an exchange to compete with an incumbent that has been a monopoly for over…
MTN Group on Tuesday announced that its instant messaging platform, Ayoba has reached 1 million monthly active users. Ayoba is an advanced communications application localised for African and Middle East consumer needs, under an independent Over the Top (OTT) brand with unique features for MTN customers. The app supports many local languages spoken across the MTN markets including isiZulu, isiXhosa, Pidgin, Yoruba, Swahili, Hausa, French and English. MTN, together with its partners, is driven to improve access to affordable communications to ensure that people in its markets can reap the social, economic and developmental dividends of being online. Ayoba underscores…
EVINA is expanding into South Africa to help local telecoms players to protect their end-users from fraud, the French anti-fraud solutions provider said on Tuesday. The company, which is based in Paris and provides services in Ivory Coast, Morocco, Cameroon and Senegal, will provide local telecoms players with solutions to beat mobile fraudsters. Mobile digital marketing has become an eldorado for fraudsters. African telecoms firms are increasingly exploring partnerships with firms like EVINA in order to protect their end-users from fraud. EVINA is now protecting 90% of mobile transaction activities in Ivory Coast, Morocco, Cameroon and Senegal, and is also…
FNB customers have made over R14 billion in ‘tap’ or contactless payments in the twelve months to June 2019, with continued month on month growth. This upward trend points to a growing appetite for the convenience of contactless payments in South Africa’s consumer and business sectors. The bank’s customers processed over 60 million ‘tap’ transactions over the 12 months using their contactless-enabled FNB Credit and Debit Cards. In excess of 46 million transactions were on Debit Cards while Credit Cards accounted for nearly 20 million. “All our customers have contactless-enabled cards, and this contributes significantly to our efforts to empower…
Tomorrow (12 November 2019) marks the 28th birthday of the South African Internet. The year 1988 saw Mike Lawrie lead the Rhodes University team that established the very first South African Internet networking system. While SA’s first Internet Protocol (IP) address was established in 1988, it was on 12 November 1991 that the first local IP connection was made. “With over 10 000 days of Internet excellence under its belt, South Africa stands ready to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). “Mike Lawrie and his colleagues have provided SA with a phenomenal foundation…
The Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has presented President Cyril Ramaphosa with its draft diagnostic report towards the country’s 4IR plan and opportunities available to harness it. The report was presented to President Ramaphosa during a meeting on Thursday. The Commission, which was established earlier this year and chaired by the President with Professor Tshilidzi Marwala as his Deputy chairperson, is tasked with advising the President and government as a whole on relevant policies, strategies and action plan to position South Africa as a smart, connected and competitive global player. The Presidency in a statement said President…
Hlayisani Capital, which is chaired by former Nedbank chair Reuel Khoza and a majority shareholder, continues to invest millions in growing South African startups. The company, which also includes former FNB head Michael Jordaan as its investment committee chair, said in a statement it has so far invested R200 million to a number of enterprises in Southern Africa. The firm started operating early this year and is majority-owned by the Khoza family. The funds have been invested through Hlayisani Growth Fund which offers high-growth private equity investments in South Africa and Africa. The fund specialises in growing SMEs into large,…
The Post Office has warned the public about a parcel delivery scam designed to defraud them of their hard-earned money. “Members of the public receive SMS messages informing them that a parcel could not be delivered to them because VAT needs to be paid on the parcel. A link on the SMS leads them to a web page where they are requested to deposit money into a bank account,” it said on Wednesday. The SA Post Office does not require customers to make any bank deposit before parcels are released. If VAT or any other fees are payable on a…
Volvo Cars will become the first carmaker to implement global traceability of cobalt used in its batteries by applying blockchain technology. The announcement follows the reveal last month of the company’s first fully electric car, the XC40 Recharge. Traceability of raw materials used in the production of lithium-ion batteries, such as cobalt, is one of the main sustainability challenges faced by carmakers. Volvo Cars is committed to full traceability, ensuring that customers can drive electrified Volvos knowing the material for the batteries has been sourced responsibly. According to Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa, cobalt has long…
“Disruptive digital and e-commerce businesses, from scale-ups through to big giants like Amazon or Google, are growing at such unprecedented rates that the gap between the staff they need and the talent available in the marketplace is widening,” says Matt Putman, CEO of iKhokha, one of SA’s fastest-growing FinTech companies after returning from Paris where he attended Unleash World, the world’s top HR tech event. “This is particularly true in South Africa.” He adds: “To challenge entrenched market players, digital businesses need to innovate, but at times battle to find the technical expertise to do so. It’s ironic that in South Africa,…
Airports Company South Africa and BMW South Africa today announced the launch of BMW ChargeNow electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at O.R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport. EVs accessing the BMW ChargeNow stations will now enjoy exclusive parking bays at three airports. O.R. Tambo International and Cape Town International Airport will each have two ChargeNow stations that accommodate up to four cars at a time, while King Shaka International Airport has one ChargeNow station able to charge two cars at a time. The BMW ChargeNow stations are located at prominent areas with maximum…
In its continued effort to fight against the exploitation of children on the internet, MTN announced the launch of its Child Online Protection initiative by signing a partnership with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). MTN claims to be the first Africa-wide telecommunications company to partner with the IWF. MTN said that everyone deserves the benefits of modern connected life and that all users of its products and services have the right to freely and safely enjoy the digital solutions it offers. “We’re good together” initiative that was launched in October aimed at demonstrating how through partnerships we can help to…
Sun Exchange, a global solar micro-leasing marketplace, which last month kickstarted a R7 million ($460,000) Uprise.Africa equity crowdfunding campaign, for about 5.2% equity stake in the company is extending the campaign. To date, 216 individuals have invested R3,454 million ($230 000). Seeing the investments surpass the R3 million tipping point this week was exciting and encouraging, as having achieved this milestone means the campaign is officially a success and, pending FICA Compliance checks (identity verification) and a prospectus review process, shares will be issued to all verified participants. “We want to build on this momentum and continue pursuing our ultimate…
MTN is turning 25 and we are making this year’s Summer more special for our Prepaid customers. This year, new and existing MTN prepaid customers will experience that “Winning Feeling” during MTN’s Summer campaign by playing MTN CakeCrush. With over a R100 million in prizes including 12 Polo Vivos, shopping vouchers, devices, data, social and voice and discounted bundles up for grabs, plus a number of recharge promotions, it’s set to be a very special summer. MTN customers can access the CakeCrush app by downloading the new MTNApp on Android and iOS stores. This Summer will also see the price…
Despite being the most valuable asset class in the World[1], the technology underlying the real estate investment market has remained largely unchanged for decades. Max Property Group, a real estate investment company in the Netherlands, having suffered antiquated practices and outdated technology first hand, has developed a platform with the potential to rock a US $228 trillion market. The World’s Most Valuable Asset Class In 2016, the Savills World Research team calculated the value of all global property at US $217 trillion total. In 2017, their research showed that global asset price inflation had grown by 5 percent to US…
South Africa’s leading telco has launched a new affordable prepaid device offering for Vodacom customers that will see barriers to entry for more aspirational smartphones fall by the wayside. The high price of smartphones has long been an inhibitor for the majority of prepaid customers. Vodacom has taken an active step in driving financial and digital inclusion by now providing such customers with the opportunity to purchase a 4G smartphone with an option to pay over a period of 12 months with zero interest. “Many people in the country cannot afford high-tech smartphones or don’t want to commit to a…
Seedstars World, a Swiss-based startup competition in emerging markets, and the African Development Bank on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership to implement its innovative ‘job creation track’ model to support youth employment and entrepreneurship in Africa. The partnership is in line with the Bank’s entrepreneurship and innovation lab under its Jobs for Youth in Africa (JfYA) strategy. The aim is to create 25 million jobs and equip 50 million young people with skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial success by 2025. The strategy will support countries to stimulate entrepreneurship, youth employment and economic development with a focus on young…
The Limpopo provincial government is embroiled in a tender irregularity controversy following its decision to award a R585-million broadband connection tender. At the centre of the controversy is that the tender was awarded in contravention with the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) Act. According to a report by City Press, Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha has allegedly suspended a senior official who made it known that he would testify to the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture about possible corruption in the province relating to a R585 million broadband connection tender. Limpopo provincial government IT officer Lesetja Mathiba has been suspended…
The eighth edition of the MTN Business App of the Year Awards concluded with the much-anticipated announcement of the overall and category winners in South Africa’s most prestigious app development competition. The winners were announced at a gala event held in Johannesburg last night. The overall winner for 2019 is Naked Insurance. The app uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence and chat-bots to give consumers insurance cover at the touch of a smart-screen in under three minutes. The app is almost fully automated to manage clients’ policies, keeping costs lower while driving greater efficiency. Users have constant control over when and how…
To leverage its downstream supply chain activity, Pamodzi Group announced that it has acquired a 60% stake of Siyanda Petroleum. Pamodzi’s strategy is to invest in growth sectors to grow its portfolio and partner with credible delivery partners and institutions to realise our vision. Siyanda Petroleum is an oil and gas distribution company that markets and sells diesel, petrol, jet fuel, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and lubricants. The company has wholesale licenses and import permits and has been able to establish long-term arrangements with international oil refineries with shipping, terminal and storage capabilities. Siyanda Petroleum was established in 2002 and…
Today, premier Internet of Things (IoT) focused conference concluded with the announcement of the winner of the 2019 MTN Business IoT Solution of the Year Award. The Informed Decisions solution took top honours at this year’s awards. This will see its developers, travelling to Silicon Valley later this year – the grand prize is valued at R200 000. A proudly South African original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Informed Decisions provides a multitude of full IoT tracking, monitoring and analysing solutions, all produced and designed in-house. Its innovative hardware technology enables IoT in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, the cold chain and…
MTN SA customers who download the new MTNApp from either Google Play store or Apple App Store will get 1GB free data, valid for 24 hours. The new app offers ease of use and navigation, allows customers to effectively manage their accounts, monitor their data usage, and recharge quickly and easily. It also unlocks exclusive deals for customers that are not yet available anywhere else. The 1GB data reward promotion ends on the 30th of January 2020. “We have considered the feedback received from our customers and designed an all-new MTN app which has an improved user interface and provides…