Author: Staff Writer

As the Internet of Things (IoT) gains traction, South Africa is sitting on a gold mine of opportunities for business and job creation across the IoT ecosystem. This is according to Mark O’ Donoghue, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Link Africa, who says IoT data transmission is not only where the money lies in the increasingly interconnected IoT world. Described by Gartner as one of the top 5 game-changing technologies, IoT is already so widely in use that 3.74 billion IoT devices are expected to be connected by 2025, producing nearly 80 zettabytes of data. But IoT deployments are…

The ongoing expansion of Africa’s mobile networks and ecosystems is driving unprecedented levels of digital and financial inclusion across the continent, and is already helping build more economically active populations and more equitable societies, says Lukas Barnard, chief technology and information officer (CTIO) of African Insurtech aYo Holdings. The GSMA’s Mobile Economy Report 2022 shows significant increases in mobile money activity and other financial services on the continent, which highlights the fact that more Africans are able to access a range of financial services from their mobile phones, says Barnard. The GSMA expects the global economic contribution of mobile to…

Audi Centre Centurion, part of the award-winning Autohaus Group, has introduced a world-first home-based solar charging solution for Audi e-tron customers. Announced at a client function at the dealership in Gauteng on 22 August, the new solution uses smart charging solar technologies from Germany’s SMA Solar Technology with local installation support by their South African partners, ANH Technologies. The charging solution includes various technologies that are packaged together for smart, seamless and flexible home charging of Audi’s newest all-electric range. “Our new solar charging solution for e-tron customers represents the culmination of many months of planning and preparation to make…

South Africa is the 41st largest market for e-commerce with a revenue of $5 billion or R85 billion in 2021 . Global e-commerce sales are expected to increase over the next few years with South Africa’s yearly growth rate of 8% between 2021 and 2025 expected to outperform the global average of 6% . Aiming to capitalise on the growing e-commerce trend, City Logistics, the largest privately-owned logistics provider in South Africa, and private equity management company Clearwater Capital, have partnered to acquire 100% of franchised courier company, Fastway Couriers South Africa. The acquisition has created one of the largest…

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) today announced the appointment of Adv. Nkhetheleni Norman Gidi as its Acting CEO. ICASA said the appointment of Adv Gidi is effective from 01 September 2022 to 30 November 2022, or until a permanent appointment has been made. The appointment of Adv Gidi follows the announcement of the end of term of office for the outgoing CEO, MWillington Ngwepe. Ngwepe’s last day at ICASA will be on 31 August 2022, following his resignation. The regulator said Adv. Gidi brings a wealth of ICASA-specific knowledge and experience to the acting role, having been…

Google has launched Google Wallet in South Africa. From now on, South Africans can look forward to a safer, simpler and more helpful experience when transacting, said Google in a statement. This includes being enabled to save and access payment cards, loyalty cards and boarding passes, with support for additional items being added over time. “Access to technology is vital for economic prosperity as millions of people use their mobile devices daily to tap and pay at stores, pay for public transportation and to utilise a variety of passes. At Google, we have learned that great things happen when technology…

JSE listed REIT, Octodec Investments Limited, today announced that it has commenced upgrading its Shoprite building in the heart of the Tshwane CBD, at a cost of just below R60 million. The facelift is a welcome boost to the existing, bustling retail trade in the CBD, and proves renewed confidence in a node which has clearly emerged stronger post the Covid-19 pandemic. Jeffrey Wapnick, MD of Octodec, says: “With many retailers having returned to the CBD and various in-person university classes resuming, Octodec’s CBD retail assets are experiencing a renewed energy. We are thrilled to announce the news of this…

Yesterday, Eskom and the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formalise the collaboration to develop renewable energy artisan skills in South Africa, to support the implementation of the Eskom Just Energy Transition (JET) Strategy. Eskom has developed a comprehensive JET Strategy which places equal importance on the ‘transition to lower carbon technologies,’ and the ability to do so in a manner that is ‘just’. In support of this strategy, Eskom has a pipeline of clean energy projects at various stages of development and recognises that there is a dire lack of skills…

MTN Group today announced that Marvin Ncube has been appointed Executive: Business Finance, effective 1 September 2022. Ncube is a seasoned finance executive with more than 19 years’ experience in strategic business planning, business performance, capex management, statutory reporting and revenue assurance, said MTN. In his role, Ncube will lead three core finance sub-functions which impact and influence financial business performance for the Group. These are Group Financial Planning and Analysis, Regional and Manco Finance Business Partnering and Group Capital Management. “Given his vast experience, expertise and accomplishments, I am confident that (Ncube) will add immense value to these portfolios…

The Shoprite Group has finalised sustainability-linked loans totalling R3.5 billion for investments to expand its key environmental programmes as part of its wider sustainability strategy. These include a R2 billion loan from Standard Bank (the bank’s biggest in the retail sector to date), and a R800 million sustainability-linked loan and a R700 million green loan (a first in the retail sector) from RMB for investment in environmental projects. A further sustainability-linked loan is in the pipeline. The loans will be used to expand the Group’s investment in:   Renewable energy and the increase of energy from renewable sources as a percentage of total electricity consumption; Recycling cardboard and plastic; Sustainable packaging, including reusable,…

More cardless ATMs with greater functionality are now available to more people thanks to the ongoing partnership between leading fintech enablement partner, Ukheshe, and leading global payments provider, Paycorp. The partnership sees ATM Solutions, a division of Paycorp, which owns and operates over 4000 Cash Express branded ATMs, add rich embedded functionality to its fleet of ATMs enabling customers to make cardless cash withdrawals. Says Clayton Hayward, CEO of Ukheshe: “Cardless withdrawals allow customers to access cash conveniently from their mobile wallet without using a card. Initiated securely in a mobile wallet such as MTN Momo or OzowMe, a transaction…

The Reach Group, a specialist provider of communications infrastructure management solutions to landlords, property managers and telecoms providers throughout South Africa, has acquired 100% of Jasco Property Solutions. This acquisition will enable the Reach Group to broaden their services offering platform and deliver more value to customers through the new consolidated Reach Property Solutions business. The Reach Group are experts in both the real estate and telecommunications management industries and have a proven track record in property leasing and professional infrastructure lease management services. The augmented offering enabled by the acquisition now allows Reach Property Solutions to compressively offer a…

Opera, the company behind the eponymous web browser, together with MTN, is providing South Africans with 3GB each of free data per month within Opera browsers to enable internet access for everyone. In July 2022 alone, Opera and MTN delivered in total 17.7 petabyte of free data to 5.9 million users. The need to communicate and access the internet is fast becoming a basic human right in South Africa, according to the non-profit group Media Monitoring Africa. Data access is now considered nearly equal to utilities like water and electricity – an intrinsic and essential commodity that every home needs.…

Applications for the Vodacom bursary programme aimed at first, second, and third-year university students in South Africa, who are pursuing further education within STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, are now open. Each year, the Vodacom Foundation’s bursary programme offers deserving students an opportunity to further their studies. The students are selected based on merit and their neediness for financial assistance. More specifically, the Vodacom bursary 2023 will cover the following fields of study: Information Technology Information Systems Computer Engineering Computer Science Electronics Engineering Mathematical Sciences Data Analytics/Sciences The bursary covers the cost of full-time education and will pay…

In a first for retail in South Africa, the Shoprite Group has acquired over 100 of the most fuel-efficient trucks in Southern Africa. The Scania Euro V trucks have a proven fuel saving of around 10% along with lower CO2 and NOx emissions. The Group’s world-class supply chain – which includes 29 distribution centres covering 673 843m2 – provides it with a competitive advantage in the retail industry to consistently deliver on its business promise of everyday low prices. Key to its supply chain is a highly sophisticated transport route planning and scheduling system which optimises energy efficiency and deliveries…

Since launching Airfibre in March last year, Supersonic by MTN SA has seen staggering growth and now covers over 3.4 million households across the country with the service. After passing 10,759 homes in the first month after launching in March 2021, the rate of growth increased rapidly to reach 3.1 million homes in one year. This has continued to reach over 3.4 million in May this year. “We are continuing to see impressive growth as demand for Airfibre as an alternative to traditional fibre continues. Our aim is to continue delivering and innovating so that more homes are covered and…

Tiger Brands will soon begin rolling out solar power at its manufacturing sites. This kicks off a multi-million-rand investment with the goal to have 65% of the business’ electricity requirements at a manufacturing level across South Africa sourced from sustainable energy solutions by 2030. This will be done through the procurement of Power Purchase Agreements from Independent Power Producers, as well as other renewable energy options. Onsite solar power, and other renewable energy solutions, will be installed at 35 Tiger Brands manufacturing sites across South Africa by 2030, beginning with 4 sites, which will generate 2 megawatts of power, providing…

MTN Group today announced the appointment of Willington Ngwepe to the new post of Chief of Staff in the office of the Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 October 2022. Willington joins from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), where he has spent the last five years as CEO. Before that, he was ICASA’s chief operating officer. “Willington brings with him extensive leadership, technology and regulatory experience that will be invaluable as we execute on our strategic intent of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress,” said MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita. “We welcome him to the MTN…

Uber has appointed Kagiso Khaole as the new General Manager for Uber in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), taking over Frans Hiemstra’s role who has been appointed as the Regional General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Uber. Kagiso joined Uber in 2021, where he led mobility operations across SSA and has previously worked in several industries, including eCommerce, Software and Services, Consumer Electronics, Management Consulting, Insurance and Banking. This makes Kagiso well positioned to further grow the business in the region, which is operational in over 50 cities across South Africa, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and…

African technology infrastructure and services provider Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid), a business of Cassava Technologies (Cassava), today announced the finalisation of its 100% acquisition and delisting of Telrad, an Israeli-based technology company (TASE: ILA). Telrad has a significant presence in 13 countries across the Middle East, South America, United Sates, Eastern Europe, Asia and provides high-quality technology products and services for global businesses and governments. The company offers innovative technology solutions, including networking, cloud infrastructure, information technology, geoinformatics and cybersecurity. “Earlier this year, Liquid had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Telrad, and I am pleased that we have…

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, held an engagement this week with the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) where he announced the City government’s continued cooperation with the development facilitation agency for socio-economic development in the greater Tygerberg area. This partnership brings renewed assurance for Capetonians in the catchment area that the regenerative initiatives run by the GTP will continue to grow into 2023. Under the partnership, the City’s Bellville Future City Masterplan, which aims to transform the greater Tygerberg area into a second central business district, will push ahead. Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member…

Audi South Africa, in partnership with GridCars, has finalised the installation of 33 electric vehicles (EV) charging stations across the country. These represent a total of 70 charge point connectors and expand on the existing network in the country. The chargers range in their charging capacity from 22kW (AC) to 80kW (DC) and 150kW (DC) ultra-fast charging and are immediately available to all South African electric vehicle drivers, regardless of model or brand ownership. “Audi is committed to ensuring that customers of any electric vehicle can comfortably travel the country, with the reassurance that the EV charging infrastructure is in…

Verdant Capital has raised $10 million or R161 million of debt funding for Zeepay.  The medium-term debt raise, which forms part of its A.5 series, comes to support Zeepay in a bid to augment its fast-growing remittance to wallet business. The debt funding is intended to support the rapid growth of the business.  In 2021, the company processed USD 1.8 billion of transactions volumes, cross-border and domestically.  It is the vision of the Founder and Managing Director, of Zeepay, Andrew Takyi-Appiah I, to reach the milestone of USD 200 billion of annual transaction volumes in the long-term. Zeepay is the…

Willington Ngwepe, the CEO of the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) is planning to leave his top post by 15 October 2022 to pursue other opportunities. ICASA announced today that the the term of office of its long-standing CEO comes to an end on the 15th of October 2022. The regulator said Ngwepe has, however, advised that he is not available to be considered for re-appointment to serve a further term as CEO, having decided to pursue other career opportunities. Ngwepe has served ICASA with both dedication and distinction for eight eventful years, formerly as Chief Operating Officer from…

DataProphet, a world-leading AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS) for manufacturing innovator, today announced the completion of its $10 million or R165 million Series A funding round. Knife Capital led the round, joined by South Africa’s IDC and Norican – the world’s largest metal surface preparation and finishing equipment provider. The funding provides DataProphet with the capital to invest further in its award-winning industrial AI product set while facilitating targeted growth in selected geographies and manufacturing verticals. Knife Capital had initially invested in DataProphet in early 2018 via its KNF Ventures Section 12J funding vehicle. This latest round is the first investment made by…