Author: Staff Writer
The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, in partnership with Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and Dogpatch Labs Ireland is thrilled to announce the selection of five tech startups for the prestigious Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2023. Now in its second successful year, the collaboration between the Irish Embassy in South Africa and the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct aims to forge mutually beneficial partnerships between South African entrepreneurs and Irish technology expertise, leveraging Ireland’s global tech hub status. This year’s Challenge saw nearly 300 entries from South African-owned, growth-stage tech startups focused on…
Global payment company Paycorp has unveiled CryptoExpress, an app designed to simplify the conversion of cryptocurrencies to cash for South Africans. The CryptoExpress app seamlessly integrates with users’ crypto wallets, enabling them to effortlessly withdraw their cryptocurrency as cash at more than 3,000 crypto-enabled Cash Express ATMs nationwide. Cash Express ATMs are operated by Paycorp subsidiary, ATM Solutions. Available on both iOS and Android, CryptoExpress features state-of-the-art encryption technology and robust multi-layer security measures, ensuring the highest safety for users. The app also includes an ATM locator feature to help users easily find the nearest Cash Express ATM. To withdraw cash, users simply convert…
Standard Bank’s Jörg Fischer was crowned CIO of the Year, at the first annual CIO Awards on 15 November 2023, a glittering gala event, dubbed the Oscars of IT. The exquisite event took place at the Polo Room at the Inanda Club in Johannesburg. The CIO of the Year Award, which was presented by Ziaad Suleman, chief commercial officer at EOH, CIO South Africa Principal Partner, the award recognises a CIO who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation, contributing to the success of their organisation over a number of years. Jörg is proud of the “exceptional” relationship between IT and…
Seacom, Africa’s converged ICT services provider, today announced the appointment of Lucas Malamule Ndala as the new Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO), succeeding Richard Schumacher, who previously held the role. Ndala’s appointment as GCFO marks a pivotal moment in Seacom’s ongoing journey of growth and innovation. With a career spanning over two decades, Ndala brings a wealth of financial expertise and industry insight to the organisation. He has a remarkable track record, having served in various executive roles within the Telkom Group, including CFO, COO, Group Executive for the GCEO Support Office, and board member of the Telkom Group division,…
As part of AfricaCom 2023, Huawei this week hosted the Operations Transformation Forum Africa 2023 (OTF Africa 2023). The forum brought together leading African operators, industry partners and organisations, and other top experts to discuss how the telecoms industry can use digital intelligence to unlock new opportunities. Held under the theme, “Embrace Digital Intelligence, Explore the New Blue Ocean” discussions at the event focused on using innovative digital services to explore a new blue ocean for growth in the consumer and home markets by building unique advantages for carrier operators through advanced infrastructure and network convergence. Operators also shared their…
The Africa Fibre Forum 2023, hosted by Digital Council Africa (DCA) and co-sponsored by Huawei and the World Broadband Association (WBBA), took place in Cape Town and saw a multitude of stakeholders commit to accelerating the rollout of fibre across Africa. Set against the backdrop of Africa Com, the continent’s largest technology conference, the event brought together more than 100 industry leaders and experts from 50+ organizations, and several media outlets. Among the consensus points reached during the event is that digitalisation and globalisation have made the fibre infrastructure industry more important and relevant than ever. As such, having the…
1K Africa and Ascension Capital today announced an investment in Consumer Profile Bureau (CPB), a South African payment profile hosting credit bureau. This strategic investment reinforces their commitment to bolstering CPB’s innovative solutions and expanding its market presence. CPB, known for its credit bureau services, including tracing, credit verification and debtor profiling, goes beyond the conventional by offering real-time credit solutions to a diverse client base. These solutions encompass reporting and analytics, digital identification, paperless FICA and online data analytics. CPB operates as a registered credit bureau under South Africa’s National Credit Act No. 34 of 2005. Established in 1981, CPB…
Legacy Africa Capital Partners’ (LACP) Fund 1 today announced a significant investment for a minority stake in Welltec, a leading Financial Wellness Technology (FinWellTech) firm. This investment strengthens Welltec’s position in the market, allowing them to expand their bespoke financial wellness programs targeted at financial and fintech organisations. This investment arrives at a pivotal moment, as South Africans navigate a landscape of financial stress marked by high debt levels and an ailing economy. In these challenging financial circumstances, many consumers are turning to personal loans as a crucial lifeline, supplementing their income with unsecured credit. Welltec’s FinWellTech software plays a…
Tracker’s vehicle crime statistics for the period January to June 2023 reveal that hijackings still dominate, accounting for 55% of all national vehicle crime incidents versus theft at 45%. However, while the hijacking to theft ratio for personal vehicles is relatively even at around a 50/50 split, a business vehicle has a far higher hijacking propensity at 65% versus theft at 35%. The Tracker Vehicle Crime Index aggregates information from Tracker’s more than 1.1 million subscriptions. Tracker’s data indicates that a business vehicle is 59% more likely to experience vehicle crime and 32% more likely to experience hijacking than a…
Pick n Pay asap! is on track to refunding its customers for 19 days’ worth of groceries as the Proteas entered the semi-finals, having beaten Afghanistan last Friday. “This has unlocked a 1 in 4 chance for every qualifying asap! customers to recoup their grocery expenses,” says Vincent Viviers, Retail Executive: Omnichannel at Pick n Pay. The retailer has strategically backed the Proteas to win as it aims to deliver South Africa’s most extensive free grocery giveaway. All qualifying Pick n Pay asap! orders will be refunded if South Africa emerges victorious in the Cricket World Cup. This is elevating…