Author: Staff Writer

DappRadar, a global platform for discovering and analyzing dapps, has announced it has raised $2.33 million in seed funding. The investment was led by Naspers, a global internet group and one of the largest technology investors in the world, through its Naspers Ventures division, with participation from Blockchain.com Ventures and Angel Invest Berlin. DappRadar will use the investment primarily for R&D, developing new functionality to help the business expand its service and reach the next stage in its growth. DappRadar tracks over 2,500 dapps across seven blockchains, including Ethereum, EOS and TRON, with plans to expand to others, filtering data to…

The deadline for the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) Youth Challenge competition has been extended to 30 September 2019. The bank is impressed by the number of entries received since the launch of the campaign in July and believes that the deadline extension will provide more young people with more time to think through and submit entries, which can contribute to building Africa’s prosperity. Called the DBSA Youth Challenge, the competition invites entrants aged 18-35 to submit innovative development ideas that address infrastructural needs across various sectors. The winning submissions will attract a total of R1.5 million in prize…

MTN Group reiterates its stand against any form of xenophobia and damage to property and remains concerned about the situation in its markets. The mobile phone operator announced on Wednesday it has shut down all of its stores and service centres in Nigeria. MTN in a statement confirmed that over the last day four its outlets in Nigeria have been the subject of attacks and it had to close some stores in Johannesburg. The company said there are no reported injuries. “While we remain committed to providing uninterrupted services, the safety and security of our customers, staff and partners is…

The Molecular Sciences Institute (MSI) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa, in partnership with the Cirrus Initiative, today announced plans for a new artificial intelligence (AI) research operation in Africa. The AI initiative was announced at the 2019 AI Expo Africa in Cape Town. Hosted by the MSI in the Wits School of Chemistry, the newly formed Cirrus Initiative will focus on the analysis of research data in chemistry, with a view to collaborate with physics, technology and engineering projects using machine learning. Advances in AI and its application in addressing the challenges facing Africa…

As MTN we strongly condemn prejudice and xenophobia and we reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of any and all violence, Africa’s biggest mobile phone operator said in a statement on Tuesday. “As a leading pan-African telecommunications company with operations in 21 countries, MTN believes in the potential of an Africa whose nations pursue deeper trade, integration and cooperation,” MTN said. “We actively encourage the dialogue necessary to maintain peace and sustain strong relationships and urge all our customers and stakeholders to support and defend the principles of human rights, diversity and inclusion and an integrated collaborative Africa.” South African police on…

JSE-listed tech firm Datatec has acquired 70% of Cilnet, a Portugal-based Cisco systems integrator and managed services business. Datatec announced its subsidiary, Logicalis has bought 70% stake in Cilnet. The company, which is valued at more than R billion, said the transaction will increase Logicalis’ Cisco technical expertise for the Iberian region. It also complements the existing Spanish operation with a data centre, collaboration, networking, infrastructure and managed services capabilities. Cilnet was founded in 2000 and has over 90 employees, including 8 Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts (CCIEs). The company designs and integrates networking, data centre and contact centre solutions, complemented…

They have changed the way we live our lives, have simplified everyday tasks and made us more productive, and once again it is time for the biggest celebration of app development on the continent. The MTN Business App of the Year Awards is taking place on 24 October and event founder and organiser Creative Space Media is urging any local champions of app development talent in South Africa to enter. The Awards categories include best consumer solution, best enterprise solution, best incubated solution, most innovative solution, best health solution, best gaming solution, best agricultural solution, best educational solution, best financial…

Sun Exchange, a global solar micro-leasing marketplace, has kickstarted a R7 million ($460,000) Uprise.Africa equity crowdfunding campaign, for about 5.2% equity stake in the company. Following a two-week private sale period, the Uprise.Africa campaign is now open to the public. Sun Exchange is renowned as a technology and renewable energy leader across Africa. Since launching in 2015, the company has built a community of more than 8,000 Sun Exchange members across approximately 140 countries and brought solar power to 13 South African schools, businesses and organisations, offsetting 1,500 tonnes of carbon per year, and growing. It has received extensive accolades for its unique approach…

AlphaCode, Rand Merchant Investment Holdings (RMI)’s incubation, acceleration and investment vehicle has awarded R23 million supplier development loans to three FinTech startups, Zande Africa, Bright On Capital and Livestock Wealth. All businesses have exciting growth stories. Zande Africa started in 2016 with just two founders, Siya Ntutela and Mdu Thabethe. The business provides trade and merchant finance to spaza shops to enable stock purchases. It now has a turnover of R17 million with 71 staff and it is about to open a third depot in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, after growing its operations in Nelspruit and Ermelo. Bright On…

Vodacom Tanzania and Flickswitch today announced the availability of SIM Manager, a mobile connectivity management platform for companies looking to provide Mobility and Internet of Things (IoT) services. The new Vodacom service creates an innovative mobile eco-system that gives businesses in Tanzania with large scale communication needs access to self-help online SIM management tools. Customers can now self-provision mobile numbers and build their own monthly packages by setting up smart Top-Up rules. “We firmly believe that the launch of this service will stimulate innovation and support for both SME’s and large corporates alike with the necessary business tools to address…

The Telkom September Big Deal has been revealed. The operator is offering a FreeMe 20GB SIM Only Promotional Deal at R499 a month. This promotional deal is a month-to-month SIM Only promotion for the next 24-months with no device included in the deal. The FreeMe 20GB SIM Only Promotion will expire on the 30 September 2019. The deal provides more than 80GB of data. The deal also includes: 1500 free minutes on all networks 3000 Telkom-to-Telkom free minutes 2GB for WhatsApp calls and messages 10GB for music streaming 50GB for video streaming

The Presidential e-toll task team created by President Ramaphosa proposes that motorists pay R100 a month or 10 cents to pass under each gantry. According to City Press, the task team believes this will provide a 70% discount of the current fees for Gauteng’s e-tolls. The newspaper added that another proposal calls for the scarpping of Gauteng e-tolls. The Department of Transport, Sanral, the Gauteng provincial government and Treasury has until the end of last month to come up with a solution. The decision on the future of e-tolls is still awaited. The Austrian-owned ETC collects tolls on behalf of Sanral.…

Toyota South Africa has teamed up with Altron and Vodacom Business, to roll-out connectivity features and in-car Wi-Fi on all new Toyota and Lexus models. Known as Toyota Connect, the new connectivity hub will be housed within the MyToyota App which was launched in 2014. The technology allows Toyota owners access to a myriad of convenience, connectivity and safety benefits. “As of 01 September 2019, all-new Toyota and Lexus models sold in South Africa will come standard with in-car Wi-Fi including 15GB free data (which you can top up) as well as a host of connectivity features and benefits…

Mozambique needs to create more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of extractive sector megaprojects. This is according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), which believes that this sector is still 70% characterised by informal micro-enterprises. Mega-projects such as coal mines or gas liquefaction are often forced to import equipment, consumables and services from overseas because of the lack of local companies able to guarantee their supply. However, petrochemical group Sasol is seeking to change this and enable SMEs to grow by diversifying its supplier base. In South Africa [it’s home market], Sasol focuses specifically on…

The new Audi Q3 is a family SUV with great all-round talents. Just like the Audi top-of-the-line models, it features a digital cockpit and a large MMI screen with touch response. Numerous infotainment solutions from the full-size segment connect the compact SUV with its environment. New assist systems support the driver when parking, in town and on long journeys. These features also enhance comfort, as does the further developed suspension. The Audi Q3 range is priced as follows, along with the standard Audi Freeway plan (5 year / 100 000 km) and inclusive of all taxes: Audi Q3 35 TFSI…

Fuel and petrochemicals company Sasol released its plan to bolster connectivity in Mozambique to enable its workers well-equipped and ready for the digital world. Mozambique has become a hotbed of investor activity after one of the largest gas finds in the world’s recent history located offshore in the Rovuma basin, near the Tanzanian border. About 20% of the gas Sasol produces in Mozambique is used for power generation there. The balance mainly feeds into an 860km pipeline to the company’s Secunda plant in SA, to be used in its production processes. As part of its connectivity strategy, Sasol announced on…

Volvo’s best-selling XC90 has been recharged to offer South Africa’s growing families a new six-seater configuration. The refreshed premium quality SUV boasts new wheels, more colour options, and some subtle styling enhancements. Pricing for the recharged Volvo XC90 for 2019 starts at R1 023 700 (T5 Geartronic AWD Momentum) The latest XC90 follows in the esteemed footsteps of the all-new XC90, which was launched globally in 2015. At the time, it was the first of Volvo’s cars to feature the company’s new more prominent iron mark, which has the iconic arrow elegantly aligned with the diagonal slash across the grille.…

MTN has announced the launch of new-and-improved premium MTN Sky plans – MTN Sky, MTN Sky VIP and MTN Sky Black – offering unlimited calls, unlimited SMSs and a significantly higher inclusive-data value from R999 PMx24. As part of the plan, customers will receive exclusive access to Priority VIP Help Desk and travel discounts on flights and accommodation in partnership with Travelstart. “Tailored for customers who spend a lot of time on their phones, the revamped proposition is underpinned by our commitment to give value back to our high-spend customers by developing plans that are innovative and offer premium benefits,”…

JSE Limited has agreed to acquire Link Market Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Link SA). The operator of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) – Africa’s largest, multi-asset class stock exchange – is buying the second-largest share registry business in South Africa for a cash amount of R224,5 million. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals. JSE Limited will acquire a 74.85% shareholding in Link SA with Link SA’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) shareholder retaining the remaining 25.15% and the Link SA CEO, Iqbal Haniff, remaining as CEO of the company. The acquisition will see Link SA being merged into the…

South Africa’s Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) remains concerned about the lack of transparency and ongoing delays in the introduction of full number portability. Consumers have received no word from ICASA (the Independent Communications Authority of SA) on why, 13 years after the launch of mobile number portability in 2006, we still cannot port non-geographic numbers used for toll-free, shared-cost, premium rate and general voice services (i.e. 0800, 0860, 0861, 0862 and 087). “ISPA members receive daily requests from consumers looking to port non-geographic numbers but are not able to accommodate these requests due to the delay in implementing the…

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) calls FinTech firms to submit their innovative and sustainable solutions to challenges identified within the financial services industry. Today SARB launched the 2019 Global Fintech Hackcelerator Southern Africa competition. The Global Fintech Hackcelerator, powered by KPMG Matchi, is a FinTech 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 anywhere in the world can apply to participate in the programme, to address problem statements constructed by the SARB. The SARB views such global FinTech acceleration programmes as…

Uprise.Africa, an equity crowdfunding platform, will facilitate fundraising for Reeva Steenkamp documentary. The company aims to raise R40 million. The documentary series dubbed ‘My Name is Reeva’, set to be produced by Director and Co-Producer Warren Batchelor and Co-Producer Tony Miguel. Reeva’s dreams were short-lived after she was brutally murdered on the 14th February 2013 by celebrity athlete Oscar Pistorius. As we commemorate Reeva Steenkamp’s birthday today, a law graduate, aspiring model and reality show contestant who was a household name in South Africa, let us remember her as an individual who had a voice, said Uprise.Africa. The documentary delves…

Rand Merchant Investment Holding (RMI), through AlphaCode, has awarded entrepreneurial packages valued at R16 million to eight of SA’s most promising financial services startups. All businesses are under two years old and at least 51% owned by black South Africans. Each business will receive a package valued at up to R2 million including R1 million in grant funding and R1 million in support services. This includes mentorship, monthly expert-led sessions, exclusive office space in Sandton, marketing, legal and other business support services as well as access to like-minded entrepreneurs, RMI’s extensive network of thought leaders, potential clients and capital. The…

Thanks to a partnership between Sasol, Mozambique Institute of Vocational Training and the Labour Studies Alberto Cassimo (IFPELAC), last week, twenty artisan learners graduated as professional welders from the Inhassoro Training Center in Inhambane province. The Inhassoro Training Centre, which has been in operation since 2014 and now offers training to young people in a variety of trades, including welding, scaffolding, steel fixing and painting. To date, over 320 artisans have been trained with a total of 460 expected to be trained within the coming years. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Ovidio Rodolfo, Managing Director for Sasol in Mozambique said:…

Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the fastest-growing investment zones for financial technology companies according to new research says Forbes. The GSM Association says in its Mobile Economy, Sub-Saharan Africa 2019 report that the region will remain the fastest-growing worldwide. Predicting a total subscriber base of over 600 million by 2025, which represents approximately half the population, Sub-Saharan Africa will become a flagship for mobile disruption. One of the driving forces behind this growth, according to Mike Smits, co-founder, uKheshe, a microtransaction platform, is unbanked. “Mastercard reports that while around 1.2bn adults opened bank accounts for the first time over the…