tagresults
South African fintech, Xago, launches xgb, enabling end-to-end British pound transfers within minutes
Xago Technologies (Pty) Ltd. in Cape Town, South Africa, announces support for the British Pound with its stable coin XGB which is backed 1:1 with the Pound, enabling clients across the world to purchase GBP, transfer and reach its pay-out point within minutes, highly securely, compliantly and with certainty.
New ICUs set to open at hospitals across South Africa
Critical care patients in Lesotho will soon be spared a trip to South Africa to receive treatment.
[South Africa] Vodacom launches initiative to connect youth to the gig economy
Get-A-Gig was launched as an extension of Vodacom’s recently revamped NXT LVL (pronounced next level), a platform aimed to address the challenges faced by young people.
[South Africa] The time to unlock the skills development potential of 4IR is now, says PBT Group
Mobile technologies and services have already generated 1.7 million direct jobs. Digitisation is resulting in increased efficiencies bringing with it fresh opportunities for economic growth and job creation
To create a world class supply chain, SA logistics industry needs better and faster KYC, says SearchWorks
Although KYC is a priority for most businesses, conducting manual checks is onerous, time-consuming, and open to human error and oversight.
[South Africa] IoT providing business leaders with much-needed assurance in ESG initiatives, IOTIC
According to Statista, ESG integration has become the most common approach to investing and, according to Bloomberg, saw $120 billion in funding in 2021.
Help us fight back against the attack on African oil and gas, a call by African Energy Week
Representing the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) has become an invaluable advocate for Africa’s oil and gas industry at a time when global stakeholders are calling for the immediate end to fossil fuel utilization.
[South Africa] World’s fastest-growing payment method favoured as cost of living soars
According to SA’s largest buy now pay later (BNPL) provider, Payflex, this payment method provides short-term relief by offering a convenient interest-free way for consumers to pay off their purchases.
AWIEF and African Development Bank’s AFAWA join forces to increase access to finance for women SMEs
AWIEF and the AFAWA the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) have joined forces to drive increased access to finance and markets for women-owned and women-led small and medium enterprises (WSMEs) across Southern, East and West Africa.
South Africa's Private equity fund PAPE acquires interest in fintech provider Entersekt
Entersekt, a global player in device identity and payment authentication, announced a new investment from PAPE Fund 3 (PAPE), a mid-market South African private equity fund.
Africa Data Centres expands South African footprint with new 20MW facility in Cape Town
Africa Data Centres, part of the Cassava Technologies Group, a pan-African technology group, is pleased to announce building a second data centre in Cape Town, South Africa.
News24 named South Africa’s most trusted news brand for the fourth consecutive year
News24 has for the fourth consecutive year been named as South Africa’s most trusted news source, according to the 2022 Digital News Report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford.
[Interview] Michelle Matthews, Director, Viridian, South Africa
Following the rising levels of unemployment among young South Africans, the UK-South Africa Tech Hub Launch League initiative undertook a research project.
[Column] Andrew Springate: South Africa's unsustainable consumer debt levels require urgent attention
The rising cost of living and significant debt levels mean a worrying proportion of South Africans are battling to meet their financial obligations each month.
[South Africa] JSE unveils guidance framework to aid progress in disclosure and governance
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), released its Sustainability and Climate Disclosure Guidance that aims to promote transparency and good governance, and guide listed companies on best practice in ESG disclosure.
[South Africa] JSE secures secondary listing from Australia’s Southern Palladium
In a major boost for the efforts to attract international companies for a secondary listing on the bourse, shares in Australia’s Southern Palladium began trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).
South African Airways appoints Discover the World as its general sales agent in the UK
South African Airways (SAA), the national carrier of South Africa, has appointed Discover the World, a global player in tourism and airline representation, as its general sales agent (GSA) in the United Kingdom (UK).
[Column] Lorna Hardie: From Generation Z to Baby Boomers – The impact of hybrid working across the generations
When it comes to the discourse around the way we work in the new era of hybrid working, it has never felt more balanced between the technology that enables it and the culture that defines
South Africa shows the lowest rise in cybercrimes YoY, report
According to the research, South Africa has the lowest YoY density increase of 2%, while in the previous year, the country showed the sharpest rise of 277%.
Vodacom achieves Level 1 B-BBEE status for the fourth year
The achievement is the result of Vodacom’s unwavering commitment to the ideals of B-BBEE, aimed at attaining economic transformation for historically disadvantaged people.
ESET Southern Africa announces 2022 partner awards winners
Global leader in digital security ESET, recently acknowledged outstanding successes and innovations of its partners at its annual Partner Awards events held from April to June in Namibia, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
IFC and Anglo American partner to improve education and livelihoods in South Africa
IFC and global mining company Anglo American signed a sustainability-linked loan agreement which is to be used to support community development in rural communities close to Anglo American's mining operations across South Africa.
European Investment Bank to support increased vaccine production in South Africa
The European Investment Bank, in close cooperation with the European Union, is planning to support large-scale investment by South Africa’s specialist human vaccine manufacturer Biovac to increase development and manufacturing of vaccines and enable a quicker response to future pandemics.
First electric minibus taxi set to launch in South Africa
A project team of companies and research institutions announced a research partnership to investigate and advance the feasibility of an electric minibus taxi in South African conditions by testing production vehicles in South Africa in 2023.
South African fintech Hello Pay launches Business Solution package to support SMEs
Pay has created a new turn-key suite of business solutions that will enable growth, save costs, and give users peace of mind that financial access is available to them when they need it.
[Column] Carlo Bolzonello: Cybersecurity is a key national issue for Government – at every level
There’s been a substantial increase in the number of cyber security incidents that have compromised critical and state infrastructure in South Africa in recent months.
[South Africa] Hello Pay launches Business Solution package to support SMEs and informal entrepreneurs
To better serve this sector, Hello Pay has created a new turn-key suite of business solutions that will enable growth, save costs, and give users peace of mind that financial access is available to them when they need it.
McCain announces new Farm of the Future in South Africa to tackle the impacts of climate change
McCain Foods has unveiled plans for a second Farms of the Future in South Africa, as part of its drive to cut carbon emissions and tackle the impacts of climate change.
Radisson Hotel Group opens its 14th South African hotel in Durban
Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce its entry into its fourth South African city, Durban, with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Durban Umhlanga.
[ South Africa] Gaia announces listing of B Preference shares for its Gaia Fibonacci Fibre REIT 1
The REIT provides a first of its kind tax-efficient structure through which investors can realise inflation-tracking returns as a result of their exposure to exclusive fibre networks that provide internet access to a growing base of end users.
[SLVA Cybersecurity] The evolution of vulnerability management
As organisations focus on digitally transforming their enterprises, cybersecurity professionals have been facing an expansion of their attack surface – compounded by the digital explosion during the pandemic.
SAP announces plan to establish Africa’s first AppHaus in Cape Town
Tracy Bolton, COO at SAP Africa says the customer-facing AppHaus represents the next step in SAP’s evolution of innovating with customers by putting human experience first.
Isuzu Motors South Africa appoints Chule Qalase as Senior Manager CSR and Sustainability
He is highly regarded within the profession, holds numerous accolades of achievement and has a wealth of expertise straddling both the Public and Private sectors.
[Column] Mark Wilson: Ways manufacturers can unlock the value of data to drive business intelligence
Data forms the backbone of any manufacturing enterprise. With continuous supply chain disruptions, the allure of data and Business Intelligence (BI) is the ability to look deeper into production, performance, and efficiency.
South Africa's Comair suspends flights pending receipt of funding
South African airline Comair announced it is obliged to suspend all British Airways and kulula.com flights, pending successfully securing additional funding.
[South Africa] Satrix appoints Fikile Mbhokota as new CEO
Satrix, the provider of index-tracking investment products and exchange traded funds (ETFs) in South Africa, announced the appointment of Fikile Mbhokota as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
How is hybrid work really working out in South African workspaces?
From a non-existent concept pre-Covid-19 to becoming fully entrenched in common parlance, hybrid work and hybrid workplaces, are the centre of conversations and debates in boardrooms and home offices across South Africa.
Workforce shortage impacts 85% of organizations’ cybersecurity posture, Trellix study
Trellix, the cybersecurity company delivering the future of extended detection and response (XDR), conducted new research into the talent shortage afflicting the cybersecurity industry.
South African Solution Empowers Salesforce Users with eSignature Functionalities
This technology is ‘homegrown’, developed in South Africa, and is being used worldwide to give Salesforce users immense flexibility to load and use customised documents.
Sendy partners with Google to empower MSMEs in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa
Sendy has entered into a new partnership with Google to empower small and medium businesses in Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria through the Google Hustle Academy Bootcamp program.
IFC and NAACAM partner to support South Africa’s automotive industry manufacturers
To support the growth of South Africa's automotive sector, IFC has partnered with the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) to develop a database to help local parts makers more easily meet the procurement needs of global car manufacturers.
[South Africa] Ukheshe launches first certification-free tap-on-phone payment solution
Embedded finance enabler Ukheshe Technologies has announced the launch of the very first tap-on-phone payment solution that requires no certifications.
Verdant Capital arranges a USD 10 million Debt Capital Raise for UsPlus Limited
This recent facility will take UsPlus’ book of total receivables to USD 17 millions and broadens the range of blue-chip institutional Funders.
Talk360 raises $4m seed round to expand its calling business, build African payment platform
International calling app Talk360 has secured $4 million in funding as it prepares to launch a new pan-African payment platform in mid-2022.
IHS Towers completes acquisition and lease back agreement with MTN in South Africa
IHS Holding (IHS Towers), has completed the acquisition of 5,701 towers in South Africa from Mobile Telephone Networks Proprietary Limited, one of the leading mobile telecommunications operators in South Africa.
Egypt’s CASF invests in South Africa’s Finclusion Group
The Cairo Angels Syndicate Fund (CASF), a micro venture capital fund that invests in early-stage startups in the Middle East and Africa, is delighted to announce its investment in the fintech startup Finclusion Group.
Baker McKenzie appoints Lerisha Naidu as Johannesburg office managing partner
Leading global law firm Baker McKenzie announced that Lerisha Naidu has been appointed Managing Partner of the Johannesburg office.
Untapped Global raises $10.3m pre-seed round to build an investment platform for Africa and emerging markets
Untapped Global announced the launch of its public beta platform, which uses real-time data to provide transparency for investors looking to tap into Africa and emerging markets.
Hubs, incubators and gig work point unemployed South African youth to jobs, report
In 2022, predictions for the South African youth unemployment rate are projected to be as high as 64%. The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that by 2025, 85 million jobs worldwide may be displaced by technological disruption. However, as many as 97 million new jobs may emerge.
[South Africa] On-demand startup ParkUpp secures community basements for car collectors
ParkUpp, a South African marketplace startup that connects owners of parking spaces with companies and individuals who need parking has secured 'collector community basements' in convenient locations across the country.
Lona Group in the expansion of the capital to make the business more climate resilient
Phatisa, together with a consortium of leading development finance institutions, has acquired a significant minority stake in South African-based citrus and fresh-produce exporter, Lona Group, for an undisclosed sum. The investment will be used as expansion capital.
[South Africa] Data aggregation platform SearchWorks announces new brand identity
Established in 2012 the SearchWorks platform allows users to conduct live, accurate searches on individuals and companies and administer in-depth KYC checks online.
SAS’ cloud-first portfolio soars with customer success, industry solutions and strategic partners
SAS’ cloud momentum is building, where despite the pandemic’s pressure and uncertainty, SAS’ global cloud revenue jumped 19% in 2021.
[Column] Nick Durrant: Changing the fintech landscape
Modern tech-savvy consumers are opting for financial service providers that can help them better understand their financial position and manage it accordingly across any platform, any time.
[South Africa] BT and MTN Business form strategic alliance to enhance communications services in Africa
BT and MTN Business announced a strategic alliance which will offer world class security and communications services to business customers across Africa.
[South Africa] NEC XON, Mimecast partner for SADC’s best e-mail security
NEC XON has partnered with Mimecast Limited to complete its turnkey cybersecurity offering to South African organisations with secure email platform, integration, and managed cybersecurity services.
Real-time fraud analytics increasingly important for insurers, SAS
Given the rapid need to modernise and digitalise legacy insurance environments, insurance companies need to find innovative ways of retaining and growing their customer base.
Meta launches its Africa Day campaign spotlighting and celebrating Africans making a global impact
As part of its Africa Day celebrations on 25 May, Meta announced the return of its global campaign ‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’, which was first launched in 2021.
[Column] Anton van der Merwe: Counting the real cost of cash in South Africa
As digital payments become more convenient, cheaper, more prevalent, and ultimately, the preferred way to trade, any perceived benefits of cash will soon be outweighed by the growing number of disadvantages.
Apex Group announces acquisition of the Maitland business
The addition of Maitland will complement Apex’s existing geographic reach, fund administration offering and management company services, delivered under the FundRock and LRI brands.
[Column] Jyoti Lalchandani: Reimaging technology strategies for a digital-first world
In South Africa, the digital-first customer strategy should be focused on owning the omnichannel and enhancing experiences on digital platforms, expanding capabilities and engaging with customers in a digital-first reality.
Transnational Africa Green Hydrogen alliance launched
Six African countries have joined forces to launch the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance to collectively scale-up investment and development across the continent’s burgeoning green hydrogen landscape.
[Column] Grant Phillips: South Africa’s proptech revolution is about to begin
Despite being one of the single largest industries globally, the property and real estate sector, both locally and abroad, have remained well behind the technology curve.
[Column] Andrew Springate: Building the backbone of a subscription empire
Subscription services have grown tremendously in the last two years in South Africa and will continue to do so. The local subscription economy is expected to grow 14 percent each year to exceed USD$820 million in 2025.
Naspers Foundry leads R83 million equity round in agritech company Nile
Naspers, through its early-stage tech investment vehicle Naspers Foundry, announced a R40 million ($2.5 million) investment in Nile, an agritech company that connects farmers to buyers of fresh produce.
Disney+ arrives in South Africa
Disney+, the streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, launches in South Africa.
[South Africa] Rand Merchant Bank launches brand campaign centered around talent
Rand Merchant Bank, RMB, a division of FirstRand Bank Limited, has launched an appealing new brand campaign that speaks to the bank’s ability to deliver on seemingly disparate objectives.
[South Africa] Digital transformation of the education industry holds mixed implications for developing countries, SAS
The acceleration of digitalisation in education has created both threats and opportunities for developing economies such as those in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.
Architecting the South African organisation for innovation and growth, IDC
Infrastructure, integration, skills development. These are the key challenges that are impacting cloud development and growth in South Africa – and globally.
[Column] Carey van Vlaanderen: The algorithms that suggest your kids’ content aren’t neutral
Talking to children about their online behaviour may make them feel like we are invading their privacy, so be sensitive and make sure they feel heard and understood
[South Africa] Obscure Technologies announces strategic alliance with DNSSense
Cybersecurity specialist Obscure Technologies has formed a strategic alliance with DNSSense that will enable the delivery of DNS Layer Security, DNS Analysis and Advanced DNS Visibility products to Africa’s enterprise networks.
SLVA Cybersecurity to provide crucial new API security solutions
Application programming interfaces (APIs), which enable communication between different applications and between applications and end-users, are more common than ever.
Google Translate learns 24 new languages
Google translate have added 24 languages to Translate, now supporting a total of 133 used around the globe.
MTN Group reaches transformation milestone with Level 1 B-BBEE status
MTN Group have reached a major milestone in their work to create shared value by achieving, for the first time, Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Contributor Status in South Africa.
[Column] Kelly-Ann Mealia: South Africa advances Gas-to-Power agenda
As South Africa experienced Stage 4 load-shedding last week, state-owned utility Eskom announced plans to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for the supply of gas to the Ankerlig and Gourikwa open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) power stations in the Western Cape province.
[South Africa] JSE amends listings requirements to cut red tape, create an enabling environment
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), announced that the Financial Sector Conduct Authority has approved amendments to the JSE listings requirements, which will reduce red tape and create an enabling environment for companies listed on the bourse.
[South Africa] Vodacom launches funding for consumers through VodaLend Compare
Vodacom Financial Services has launched VodaLend Compare, a financial services marketplace aimed at offering unsecured personal loans for customers.
US VC firm Activant Capital opens new office in Cape Town, doubles down on research
Growth equity firm Activant Capital has announced that it is expanding its research and due diligence capabilities with a new office in Cape Town, South Africa.
[South Africa] JSE launches equity market data analytics platform in collaboration with big xyt
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), announced the deployment of an innovative new information service leveraging big xyt’s Liquidity Cockpit for security analytics.
Vodacom appoints Sitho Mdlalose as South Africa’s Managing Director
Sitho is currently the Managing Director of Vodacom Tanzania, a position he has held since August 2021.
[South Africa] Entersekt partners with Capitec Bank to boost security of e-commerce transactions
Entersekt’s solution leverages behavioral analytics from NuData Security, a Mastercard company, that provides risk-based authentication technology.
AIIM completes follow-on acquisition in MetroFibre Networx
African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), one of Africa's largest infrastructure-focused private equity fund managers, has confirmed the completion of a follow-on acquisition in MetroFibre Networx (MetroFibre).
Africa50 appoints Jon-Pierre Fourie as Senior Director, Strategy and Investors Relations
Africa50, the pan-African infrastructure investment platform, has appointed Jon-Pierre Fourie as Senior Director, Strategy and Investors Relations, effective 9 May 2022.
[South Africa] Spectrum key to driving digital and economic transformation, IDC
It has been more than a decade since the significant release of spectrum for mobile broadband services in South Africa. A limitation that has impacted the industry and citizens in measurable ways
ACC Aviation transacts B737-300 from South Africa's Star Air Cargo to Middle East
ACC Aviation announced it has successfully transacted a Boeing B737-300 (ZS-TGB) from South Africa’s Star Air Cargo to a Middle East-based investor.
inq. expands footprint into South Africa with the acquisition of Syrex
inq., a Convergence Partner’s company, is set to acquire Syrex, a provider of hyperconverged cloud technology solutions in South Africa.
[South Africa] Customers twice as likely to recommend buy now pay later than banks, survey
South African customers who have used buy now, pay later to purchase goods would overwhelmingly recommend it as a payment method. his emerged in a survey of over 7,300 customers of BNPL fintech Payflex,
SA startup develops a gold bullion investment you can wear
Gold startup, Nebü Gold is the first African jeweller to give bullion investors the option of wearing elegant 24-karat investment-grade jewellery instead.
TymeBank South Africa and Network International empower SMEs with digital payment solutions
TymeBank, a digital bank in South Africa, looks to empower small and micro businesses to accept card payments, powered by Network International, an enabler of digital commerce across Africa and the Middle East.
[South Africa] LyondellBasell, Sasol complete Louisiana Joint Venture transaction
LyondellBasell, one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world, and Sasol, a global integrated chemicals and energy company, announced the closing of their Louisiana-based Integrated Polyethylene JV transaction.
Mukuru, WorldRemit partner to further expand remittance service into Southern Africa
Mukuru and WorldRemit announced a deepening of their existing partnership, with the aim to expand their collaboration for cash remittances into Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi and Botswana.
Finastra launches pre-packaged payments solution for small and mid-sized banks
Finastra revealed Fusion Payments To Go, its payments solution aimed at small and medium-sized banks looking to implement domestic and cross-border payment services in Europe, the US and South Africa.
[South Africa] LyondellBasell, Sasol form integrated polyethylene joint venture
LyondellBasell and Sasol announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture (JV) through which LyondellBasell will acquire 50 percent of Sasol’s 1.5 MM ton ethane cracker.
[South Africa] OMAI invests in Sifiso Learning Group through its education impact fund, EduFund
Old Mutual Alternative Investments (OMAI), one of Africa’s largest private alternative investment managers, has announced the first investment of its Education Investment Impact Fund of South Africa (EduFund), with the Sifiso Learning Group.
Development Bank of Southern Africa launches €200m green bond
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), announced the launch of its first €200 million green bond.
Vuna Partners delivers on deal to acquire 80% of 4PL Group in South Africa
Vuna Partners Fund announced its acquisition of an 80% equity stake in 4PL Group Proprietary (4PL), with the remaining 20% shareholding held by the management of 4PL Group.
Mastercard announces Fintech Express to empower Middle East and Africa fintechs to launch and expand rapidly
Mastercard has launched Fintech Express in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), a program designed to facilitate emerging fintechs’ launch and expansion.
[South Africa] JSE lists first ESG focused ETF to its main board
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has become the first South African stock exchange to list two global ESG focused Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), the Satrix MSCI EM ESG Enhanced ETF.
JSE gets nod to acquire Link Market Services South Africa
JSE Limited, the operator of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Africa's largest, multi-asset class stock exchange, has received approval from the Competition Tribunal to acquire a majority stake in Link Market Services South Africa Limited.
Hollborn Assets introduces new wealth management offering in South Africa
As South Africa grapples with a looming financial crisis and eroding investor confidence, Holborn Assets (Holborn) has expanded its wealth management offering.
COLUMNS.
[Column] Tobias Alando: What Kenya’s Intellectual Property Recordation Programme means for manufacturers
The illicit economy continues to have a reverberating effect on various sectors, posing a threat to the achievement of development goals ...read full column here
[Column] Vukani Mngxati: Building trust in the workplace is mission critical
The balance is about finding the right people to trust and having the courage to trust them and their decisions ...read full column here
[Column] Patrick Ndegwa: Kenyan start-ups to benefit from digital transformation following Google investment
Kenya is set to benefit from a $1 billion investment by Google over the next five years to boost digital transformation in Africa ...read full column here
INTERVIEWS.
[Interview] Kate Woolley, Ecosystem General Manager, IBM
Kate Woolley is the IBM Ecosystem General Manager. In this interview, she talks about her priorities and her big plans for growing the IBM Ecosystem … read full interview here
[Interview] Michelle Matthews, Director, Viridian, South Africa
Following the rising levels of unemployment among young South Africans, the UK-South Africa Tech Hub Launch League initiative undertook a research project … read full interview here
[Interview] Biodun Kolade, founder, Colad Gray Consulting, Nigeria
Biodun Kolade is the Founder of Colad Gray Consulting, an HR Tech service firm bringing a variety of human resources solutions to companies all over Nigeria … read full interview here
B2B Events
The Africa Trade Expo (TATE) | Virtual Conference and Trade Show | 9 March 2022 - 9 March 2023
The Africa Trade Expo (TATE) presents direct access to African buyers whose main aim is to source the latest products, establish partnerships, and conclude import/export deals ... read full details here
Future Foods | African Food & Beverage Industries Virtual Conference & Trade Show | 9 March 2022 - 9 March 2023
Future Foods is a virtual meeting place for importers, F&B managers, retail category buyers, owner-operators, agents, and distributors from across Africa’s diverse and booming ... read full details here