Author: Staff Writer
SA Taxi has teamed up with Bridgestone South Africa, a tyre manufacturer, to provide tyre specifically designed for the Toyota minibus taxi. The tyre has been designed to meet not only the stringent requirements of the Ses’fikile Toyota Quantum minibus taxis but also the Original Auto Equipment Manufacturer requirements. SA Taxi finances entrepreneurs who operate minibus taxis that may not otherwise have access to credit from traditional banks. The South African National Taxi Council owns 25% of SA Taxi. Through SA Taxi Rewards, an associated multi-faceted loyalty programme, operators will be able to save R400 per tyre and earn rewards…
MTN Group today launched its “We’re good together” initiative. This is aimed at demonstrating how, in partnering with our host countries, we can change lives by improving digital access, driving financial inclusion, empowering and enabling SMEs, creating jobs and broad community development, among many others. As a pan African company with roots that are deeply anchored in the continent, MTN is telling its story that doing good business extends far beyond corporate social investment initiatives. Watch the Video Below: Our approach going forward is to always ask: how far can we all go? “To harness the potential of Africa and…
The top 12 innovative and sustainable FinTech solutions have been shortlisted for the Global Fintech Hackcelerator Southern Africa. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will host a Fintech Demo Day on 29 October 2019 to select the two winning solutions. In August 2019 the SARB joined forces with KPMG Matchi to run the 2019 Global FinTech Hackcelerator Southern Africa, an acceleration programme that creates a platform for FinTech firms to demonstrate their innovative solutions to complex financial challenges in the Southern African region. FinTech firms from all over the world were invited to submit an application in response to problem…
Cape Town-based 4ORT has launched the world’s first ‘fraud-free’ dynamic QR (Quick Response) code. A globally-patented algorithm ensures mobile users’ unique identities are securely stored within the code making duplication by fraudsters virtually impossible. Primarily used today within advertising and marketing campaigns, QR codes would be familiar to cellular users as a type of visual barcode readable by mobile handsets and which typically contains information about the item to which it is attached. 4ORT’s homegrown IP (Intellectual Property) takes static QR codes and introduces a dynamic element in the form of its patented algorithm. This ensures the watertight identification of…
Several million Zambian mobile users have been successfully registered by over 3 000 local agents over the past nine months using South African SIM card registration software. The African-developed SIM (Subscriber Identity Mobile) registration system is helping Zambian mobile network operators (MNOs) comply with ZICTA (Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority) KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements. After winning a tender last year, the system designed by Johannesburg-based firm Axon Wireless is now fully bedded down and processing tens of thousands of mobile SIMs across Zambia each day. “This is pan-African knowledge transfer at its best. After using…
Connectivity specialist SEACOM is partnering with IT solutions provider, Accelerit Technologies, to bring a ‘first-of-its-kind’, flexible bandwidth product to the market. This move expands the services of both Seacom and Accelerit to the country’s sixth-largest city for the first time. Developed in response to market needs, the new prepaid connectivity solution is sold by Accelerit and powered by Seacom. Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) and mini ISPs in Bloemfontein will now be able to access IP Transit at competitive rates and on flexible contract terms. Empowered with expanded choice in best-in-class connectivity, product flexibility and cost-effective bandwidth rates, mini ISPs…
EdTech company Snapplify has raised $2 million (R29.7 million) to accelerate its international expansion initiatives and advance its data analytics capabilities to enhance classroom teaching effectiveness. Snapplify currently has offices across South Africa, as well as in Nairobi, Amsterdam and New Jersey. Knife Capital’s London presence will further capacitate Snapplify’s UK expansion initiatives. This round of growth funding will enable the company to gain more customers and increase its market footprint through business development, growing the team and refining customer-led product features. The funds were raised from venture capital firm Knife Capital via its SARS section 12J Venture Capital Company, KNF…
What is BeerMoney? Beer Money is the union of blockchain technology and the passion for cryptocurrencies, with the world of beer and the passion for craft beer. Undoubtedly a safe bet, since craft beer is one of the most demanded beverages in a large number of countries and an expanding market in both total litres and totals billed worldwide. Beer Money is a complete ecosystem, which orbits the concept of craft beers. Next, we will break down everything that can be done with them. The beer token The main element that unites the digital ecosystem is the appearance of Beer…
ICT experts say service innovation is key to reaping the upcoming 5G dividend; with a strong focus on accelerating the proliferation of 4G LTE networks during the SADC Ministerial ICT forum held in Dar es Salam last week. Innovative Services will drive the 5G Dividend 5G is now a reality in Africa as South Africa’s mobile data network operator rain and Huawei jointly announced the commissioning of Africa’s first commercial 5G network. rain has built the 5G network using its 3.6GHz spectrum, which adopts Huawei’s 5G end-to-end network products and terminals, taking the lead in rapidly deploying 5G networks. The…
South African mobile data network operator rain and Huawei have jointly announced the commissioning of Africa’s first commercial 5G network. rain has invited a select number of existing clients to experience its 5G home offering of unlimited, ultra-fast 5G internet using Huawei’s 5G CPE Pro. rain has built the 5G network using its 3.6GHz spectrum, which adopts Huawei 5G end-to-end network products and terminals to take the lead in rapidly deploying 5G networks. According to the roll-out plan, rain expects the first phase of the 5G network to cover the key areas of Johannesburg and Tshwane. During 2019 and 2020,…
At Huawei Connect 2019, Huawei announced its strategy for the computing market. The conference is an annual flagship event hosted by Huawei for the global ICT industry and is held in Shanghai from September 18 to 20, 2019. This year’s Conference is themed on “Advance Intelligence” and aims to establish an open, cooperative, and shared platform for customers and partners to explore new opportunities for an intelligent future. At Huawei Connect 2019, in his keynote address Ken Hu, Huawei’s deputy chairman outlines Huawei’s computing strategy. “The future of computing is a massive market worth more than two trillion US dollars,”…
Refinitiv today announced the 2019 Top 100 most diverse and inclusive organizations globally as ranked by the Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Index. The D&I Index, launched in 2016, ranks the top 100 publicly traded companies globally with the most diverse and inclusive workplaces, as measured by 24 metrics across four key categories: Diversity, Inclusion, People Development and News Controversies. The Index is then calculated by weighing each metric based on importance in the market and how each company compares with its peers. The index ratings are informed by Refinitiv’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data, designed to transparently and objectively…
Ulwembu, a South African black-owned management consulting and ICT services company, has bought a stake in JumpCo Consulting. JumpCO Consulting is a professional service and software product business focused on delivering digital economy-ready enterprise solutions in integration and business process management (BPM), cloud and container technology, app development and DevOps. Established in 2000, JumpCO is a gold IBM and premier Red Hat business partner and solution provider. The partnership is a collaboration of the best of both companies, with Ulwembu taking a definitive step into the IBM services and product market, and JumpCO broadening its reach and consulting offering through…
“My Name is Reeva”, a tell-all documentary focusing on the late Reeva Steenkamp, her story and the impact her murder and trial had on her parents, family and close friends has received bids from four private investors. One of the investors, who cannot be named at this stage is a well-known distributor of premium content across the globe. Uprise.Africa, an equity crowdfunding platform, facilitated the fundraising campaign for the documentary during women’s month in August 2019 with the launch being in conjunction with Reeva’s birthday on 16 August. The campaign was open to only private funders during the launch with…
With South Africa’s unemployment rate recently increasing to 29%*, leading direct-selling beauty brand – Avon Justine – today announced the launch of its initiative to provide women with sustainable earning opportunities, tackling the country’s growing unemployment crisis while playing its part in empowering talented, yet undiscovered, local female entrepreneurs. Speaking about the launch, Nishani Singh, Director at Avon Justine Pty Ltd, who says “While its positive to note that the ratio of South African women engaging in early-stage entrepreneurial activity compared to men is on the rise (annual increase of 17%**), an environment that supports female entrepreneurs needs to be…
During ITU Telecom World 2019, Huawei unveiled the DigiTruck project, in partnership with Belgium nonprofit organization Close the Gap, to provide digital skills training to rural and remote communities in Kenya. The DigiTruck is Huawei’s latest effort driving their digital inclusion initiative Tech4ALL. The Launching Ceremony of DigiTruck With the rapid development of the global digital economy, the World Bank’s latest report [1] points out that Southern Africa’s demand for digital skills in 2030 is as high as 230 million people, which is in stark contrast to the current prevailing lack of digital skills in Africa. In Kenya, for example,…
Vodacom Tanzania and Smart Lab have today launched “Vodacom Digital Accelerator,” a program that intends to help early-stage and growth-stage technology startups become profitable and revenue-generating businesses. The new program which will run yearly aims at identifying and supporting startup entrepreneurs in mobile, telecom, FinTech, media, health, education, and e-commerce will have three phases which include application, selection and acceleration. During the program which also aims at leveraging corporate resources, networks, mentors, and partners, participants will present their progress to a panel of investors and associates at the end of a 3-month acceleration period from which winners will get further…
South African-based venture capital firm Vunani Capital announced on Wednesday it has invested in e-commerce player SnapnSave. The venture capital, which invested through the Vunani Fintech Fund, did not disclose the investment amount and valuation. SnapnSave is South Africa’s #1 cashback grocery coupon app that gives shoppers cashback on their favourite products, wherever and whenever they shop, just by snapping a photo of their till slip. The investment by Vunani Capital, a prominent pan-African diversified financial services group, will be used to further grow and scale the shopper and vendor base of SnapnSave to further enhance the company’s position as…
Since its initial introduction in April of this year, the DHL Africa eShop app has seen its user base grow rapidly, and within the first three months of operation, it had already been rolled out to 20 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). DHL Express announced this week that the innovative mobile and desktop platform is now available in 14 additional countries across the region. This increases the platform’s reach to 34 countries across SSA. Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa, says that user uptake on the DHL Africa eShop app has been remarkable over the last five…
Apple has just officially announced the next generation of the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 5. The new model has an Always-On Retina display that never sleeps, so it’s easy to see the time and other important information, without raising or tapping the display. Combined with the power of watchOS 6, users are empowered to take charge of their health and fitness with new features like Cycle Tracking, the Noise app and Activity Trends. The new built-in compass and updated Maps app allow users to see which way they are facing. With Apple Watch Series 5, customers can use…
The Vision EQS creates a connection between rationality and emotion. It presents the thrilling design of future EQ models from Mercedes-Benz. Its “one bow” proportion and dramatic fluidity are stylistic heralds of a new generation of electric Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The concept car will be unveiled at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt. With electric motors at the front and rear axles and the battery integrated into the vehicle floor, the Vision EQS represents a very well-balanced vehicle concept. The basis for dynamic high-level performance and safety comes courtesy of the electric all-wheel drive with axle-variable torque distribution and a battery…
Luno, South Africa’s cryptocurrency exchange, now has three million customers (wallets) spanning 40 countries. One of the reasons behind this positive trend is the growth of new online casinos. All the latest casino websites featured on this page allow to deposit and withdraw with Bitcoin and Ethereum, hence boosting the number of daily cryptocurrency trades. The trend is becoming so big that now, there are even casinos that operate only with cryptocurrencies . This new wave is certain to boost the value of bitcoin and other digital currencies that use similar technology. Marius Reitz, Luno’s GM: Africa, says that despite…
The BMW Concept 4 – a future-focused interpretation of the BMW Group’s enduring DNA that represents the magic of coupe driving at its most exciting. “The BMW Concept 4 embodies the aesthetic essence of the BMW brand. It combines perfect proportions with a clear and precise design,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. The BMW Concept 4 is being unveiled today at the 68th IAA Cars show in Frankfurt. The front end – the new face of the 4 Series range. The distinctive kidney grille, remarkable air intakes and prominently sculpted surfaces provide an immediate advert…
Sasol announced on Friday it has concluded two Local Development Agreements (LDAs) with the communities in Mozambique. The LDAs was signed with the communities of Inhassoro and Govuro districts in Inhambane Province, where Sasol’s Exploration and Production International Pande/Temane Gas fields and Central Processing Facility (CPF) are located. The LDAs represent a tripartite agreement between Sasol, local communities and district governments and are aimed at aligning the priorities of all three parties. From Sasol’s perspective, the LDAs are an opportunity to build on and leverage the Social Investment platform – totalling approximately $40 million between 2004 and 2018 – already…
Naspers confirmed today the completion of the exchange of its stake in Nasdaq-listed MakeMyTrip for a 5.6% stake in Ctrip.com. Ctrip is a Chinese provider of online travel. Naspers has swapped its interest in India-based online travel platform MakeMyTrip for a stake in Ctrip. The share exchange transaction allows Ctrip to enjoy a larger exposure to the India travel market and benefit from the growth of MakeMyTrip. The deal was announced in April “The India travel and tourism market continues to grow rapidly, with MakeMyTrip playing a pivotal role in the development of the industry since 2000,” Bob van Dijk,…