Author: Staff Writer

SwapVend, South Africa’s digital-hybrid ecosystem connecting informal and formal economies, has launched its long-anticipated Barter feature, a core part of its ecosystem that honours one of the continent’s oldest and most dignified forms of trade. Bartering is not new. It is not foreign. It is rooted in our history, our kasi economies, and our everyday exchanges; from “I’ll help you with your tax return if you design my flyer” to “You fix my tap, and I’ll repair your fence.” SwapVend has now digitised that familiar tradition and placed it back at the centre of South African commerce. The Problem: Value…

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,…