Author: Staff Writer

The Intel Liftoff Hackathon for African AI Startups is back. The second edition of this event will be held online from 27 – 31 May 2024, themed Hack and Connect, and is designed to bring together aspiring tech entrepreneurs, software developers, and AI enthusiasts to collaborate, innovate, and create solutions to concrete African challenges. Intel Liftoff Hackathon for startups is open to early-stage AI and machine learning startups. This year’s Intel Liftoff Hackathonpartners include Modus Africa; University Mohamed VI Polytechnic- Morocco; TUT Hub of Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa; Prosper Africa; UM6P Ventures; FAST Accelerator; Innov8 Technology Hubs and…

Volvo Car South Africa’s position at the forefront of the fast-growing new-energy vehicle space has been cemented, this time by the fact that the XC40 Recharge was the country’s most sold used electric vehicle in 2023, according to data from AutoTrader. The XC40 Recharge accounted for 20% of all EV sales through that platform. AutoTrader’s figures furthermore show that the XC40 Recharge experienced a 1,550% year-on year increase in used car sales moving from the ninth most sold used EV in 2022 to most sold in 2023. “The XC40 Recharge’s dominance of both the premium C-SUV EV segment and the…

Today, the Linux Foundation AI & Data announced the Open Platform for Enterprise AI (OPEA) as its latest Sandbox Project. OPEA aims to accelerate secure, cost-effective generative AI (GenAI) deployments for businesses by driving interoperability across a diverse and heterogeneous ecosystem, starting with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). At Intel Vision 2024, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger outlined the industry challenges and declared the intention to create an industrywide open platform for enterprise AI. Today is the next step in that journey and Intel is in on the ground floor. Initially in this effort, Intel plans to: Publish a technical conceptual framework. Release…

Tarsus Distribution has signed a distribution agreement with iiDENTIFii, a Cape Town-based innovator in biometric technology. The partnership brings the latest in identity verification solutions to the African continent. As a leading provider of integrated information and communications technology (ICT) solutions in Africa, Tarsus Distribution is excited about the partnership’s potential to significantly enhance identity verification processes across the region. This strategic collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to improving security and accessibility in Africa’s evolving digital landscape. iiDENTIFii is at the forefront of face authentication technology, offering innovative solutions that cater to the diverse and unique requirements of the African…

ISPA, South Africa’s official internet Industry Representative Body (IRB), questions recently announced aggressive reductions in fixed call termination rates. ISPA furthermore calls for implementation of the planned convergence of mobile and fixed call termination rates towards eventual parity. Call termination rates are fees charged by telecoms networks to ensure calls originally placed by a subscriber on one network can reach, or terminate, a subscriber on another network. These costs are worthy of interrogation as they are almost always passed on to the end telecoms consumer. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has decided not to align South Africa’s…

Today, Volkswagen Group Africa announced a R4 billion investment in its manufacturing plant in Kariega, Eastern Cape Province. The investment will be used to upgrade facilities in various areas in preparation for the addition of a third model to its production line-up from 2027. Most of the R4 billion investment will be allocated to capital expenditure for production facilities, manufacturing tooling, local content tooling and quality assurance. Nearly R877 million will be spent to enhance automation in the Body Shop. In the Press Shop, an estimated R418 million will be utilised to procure new press tooling. The first phase of…

Lexus has launched the All-New Lexus RX 450h+ Plug-In Hybrid. Touted as the best of both worlds, the plug-in hybrid has truly come into its own in recent times. Driven carefully by maximising the range permissible on a single full charge, the new Lexus RX 450h+ should be viewed as a bona fide electric SUV in its own right. For example, if you have the ability to plug in overnight after returning home from work, you’ll find that most of your daily commute can be dispatched in complete electric silence. The Lexus RX 450h+ retails for R1,629,300 and as with…

Metrofile, the leading provider of document management and digital solutions in East Africa, is proud to announce the launch of its new cloud services. This offering marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to deliver unparalleled data security, accessibility, and compliance with regulatory standards. The Metrofile cloud services are designed to cater specifically to the dynamic needs of Kenyan businesses, addressing the challenges of data volume growth, security threats, and the increasing demand for compliance with the Data Protection Act. “Our cloud services are not just about storage; they’re about empowering businesses to thrive in the digital era with…

VALR, the Pantera-backed crypto exchange headquartered in Johannesburg, announced that it has been granted both a Category I and Category II license by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa as a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP). This milestone makes VALR one of the first crypto asset platforms to receive regulatory approval in both categories in South Africa. The FSCA opened CASP license applications in June 2023, giving crypto asset providers six months within which to apply for a license to be compliant with South African regulations. The South African regulatory authority has established a regulatory framework for…

BDO Cyber Lab, a top-tier global network providing advisory services, and Darktrace, a leader in autonomous cyber defence, have today reaffirmed their strategic partnership. This collaboration is built on a shared commitment to combat the evolving landscape of cyber threats using cutting-edge AI technology and expert risk mitigation strategies. Together, they offer a robust value proposition to organisations seeking to fortify their defences against sophisticated cyber-attacks. The synergy between Darktrace’s AI-driven cyber defence solutions and BDO Cyber Lab’s comprehensive risk management expertise creates a formidable barrier against cyber threats, ensuring clients are well-equipped to identify, prevent, and respond to malicious…