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Ravin expands its AI-based visual vehicle inspection tech to South Africa
Ravin AI, an Israel and U.K.-based startup developing AI to autonomously inspect vehicles for damage has expanded to South Africa.
[South Africa] vivo hosts 5G technology dialogue with global partner
vivo Communications Research Institute recently held its first 5G Talk event in South Africa. The event brought together industry experts to discuss the latest developments in 5G and the potential benefits for consumers.
[South Africa] True cyber resilience is a business enabler, says SLVA
Implementing a cyber resilience programme is imperative because cyber is more than IT, it is something that literally touches every part of your business.
South Africa launches Artificial Intelligence Industry Association
South Africa has launched an Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) focused on promoting the advancement of responsible AI in the country.
[Interview] Renate Swanepoel, COO, INC. Networking
Renate Swanepoel is an entrepreneur, global networker and inspirational speaker that gained significant networking and communication skills through her extensive travels and appearances at international conferences and trade shows.
Liquid C2 collaborates with INOVO to offer omni-channel cloud contact centre to clients in Africa
INOVO's cloud contact centre solution enables businesses to easily optimise channels, supporting processes, data and their workforce to drive efficiencies and boost the customer experience
[South Africa] Trellix expands support for Amazon Security Lake from AWS
Trellix has expanded support for Amazon Security Lake from Amazon Web Services (AWS). The service automatically centralises security data from the cloud, on-premises, and custom sources into a purpose-built data lake.
GoGlobal expands presence in Africa with local offices in 18 countries
GoGlobal, a leading Employer of Record (EOR) is expanding its global footprint with the launch of on-the-ground offices in 18 African countries.
[South Africa] PPC to list on A2X
PPC Limited has been approved for a secondary listing on A2X Markets. Its shares will be available for trade on A2X from 30 May 2023.
[Column] Andrew Springate: Spearheading Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) innovation in South Africa and beyond
While the journey towards a fully modernised Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT) market in Africa has its challenges, the opportunities far outweigh them.
[South Africa] Jonathan Duncan Joins Vertiv Africa Engineering and Technical Team
Vertiv, the global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has appointed Jonathan Duncan as application engineering and technical solutions director for Africa.
[South Africa] Comprop to acquire Sam Ntuli Mall
The Futuregrowth Community Property Fund (Comprop) has acquired Sam Ntuli Mall, which brings the Comprop portfolio to 24 shopping centres, with a total gross lettable area of more than 420 000m2, valued in excess of R7.3 billion.
[South Africa] Fintech specialist Ukheshe launches new innovation hub
Banking as a Service (BaaS) and embedded finance enabler Ukheshe has launched a new innovation hub, Ukheshe Labs, to focus on research and development in the digital payments market.
INC. Networking Event | Johannesburg South Africa | 13 June 2023
INC. Networking offers an exclusive networking event for entrepreneurs and business people who are serious about building profitable, engaged and sustainable business relationships across the globe
ExecuJet MRO Services Africa awarded authorised service centre status for Embraer
ExecuJet MRO Services has been appointed by Embraer as its authorised service centre (ASC) for business jets in Africa. The decision represents an expansion of the aircraft manufacturer’s service network in the region.
[South Africa] Vodacom partners with South Point to bring a new youth-focused store to Braamfontein
Vodacom''s new OnPoint Mobile store has opened in Braamfontein. Developed in partnership with South Point, Braamfontein's largest property owner and developer and home to more than 6 000 students, the new space delivers exciting retail design and curated consumer experiences to Africa's largest academic district.
[South Africa] JSE announces the listing of the first Actively Managed Exchange Traded Fund by 10X Investments
This follows the amendment of JSE Listings Requirements in October 2022 after consulting with market participants.
[South Africa] Vodacom hands over five live sites to the Limpopo Department of Health
The sites will increase coverage and access to high-speed connectivity for hospital staff, patients, visitors and surrounding communities and help to ensure better healthcare delivery.
[South Africa] Africa Data Centres and LINX form a partnership to explore digital growth in Africa
Africa Data Centres has entered into a strategic partnership with The London Internet Exchange (LINX), to explore growth and opportunities in current and new markets across Africa.
[Column] Takalane Khashane: What companies need to know about prioritising information security in the cloud age
The cloud allows businesses to rapidly store, analyse and act on large amounts of data and insights – which in turn accelerates innovation, agility and competitiveness.
[South Africa] BT partners with ServiceNow to simplify contact centre transformation
It will be delivered and managed by BT and ServiceNow to help customers create fully digital, comms-enabled workflows without having to engage multiple partners.
[South Africa] Dariel Software launches new Cape Town office
Software engineering firm, Dariel Software, has announced the launch of its Cape Town office together with the appointment of Craig Mitchelmore as Regional Manager.
South African retailer Woolworths partners with tech firm First Insight to boost operations
Woolworths announced that it will use First Insight to gather zero-party, Voice of Customer data and operationalize product testing for faster and better merchandising decisions in their Womenswear division.
E-commerce platform Bigcommerce broadens international presence with entry into South Africa
Through this expansion and localized partnerships, BigCommerce delivers its modern enterprise ecommerce platform to help merchants of all sizes build and grow their online presence with innovative shopping experiences that power online sales and drive revenue.
Liquid Dataport launches the first terrestrial data superhighway connecting Mombasa to Johannesburg
This new route, including a breakthrough and unique fibre link across DRC between Goma and Kananga, provides multiple landlocked countries with extra redundancy, resilience, connectivity to numerous data centres and cloud resources, and, most significantly, an alternative option in the event of a subsea cable outage between Kenya and South Africa.
Spyware attacks in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria increased steadily in Q1 2023, Kaspersky
Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky recorded an increase of 18,8% in South Africa, 12,9% in Kenya, and 14,6% in Nigeria from Q4 2022 to Q1 2023.
71% of manufacturers in MEA region are pursuing a digital-first approach to business, Infor
The manufacturing sector in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is entering a new era of digital innovation, with enterprises shifting from the digital transformation era to the digital business era,
[South Africa] Fintech firm e4 acquired by consortium led by Infinite Partners
Leading South African fintech firm, e4 has been acquired by a consortium of private equity investors, led by an independent private equity fund manager, Infinite Partners.
South Africa’s informal economy shows signs of movement to switch away from cash, study
South Africa, the continent’s second biggest economy, with a population of over 61 million, has a large informal sector with an estimated at 3.3 million micro and informal businesses.
Oakantswe Construction has secured funding through the Abadali Equity Equivalent Investment Programme
The Abadali Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), which is administered by Edge Growth, has invested in Oakantswe Construction and Projects, a 100% black female owned and managed electrical contracting firm.
[South Africa] Health-tech startup Quro Medical raises $1.3m funding from Mineworkers
Quro Medical, the South African e-health startup has received a $1.3 million investment from leading investment firm the Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC).
Tech firm TELUS International expands global operations to Africa
TELUS International now operates in 32 countries located across five continents around the world.
INX-ZA launches Eastern Cape Internet exchange point
INX-ZA has announced the launch of a new Internet exchange point in Nelson Mandela Bay, which it says will help boost the growth and development of the Eastern Cape Internet ecosystem.
Three African women fund managers receive grant funding from Visa
Three women fund managers SME.NG (Nigeria), Altree Capital (Kenya), and Maia Capital (South Africa) are the selected recipients of Visa’s grant funding from the African Women Impact Fund Initiative (AWIF).
[South Africa] Healthtech startup Guidepost unveils chatbot for diabetic patients
South African healthtech startup Guidepost has unveiled an AI-powered chatbot to help citizens living with diabetes better manage their condition.
J.P. Morgan completed the acquisition of Aumni
.P. Morgan completed its previously announced acquisition of Aumni, a leading provider of investment analytics software to the venture capital industry.
Vodacom South Africa and WWF recommit to Ocean Conservation with Global Partnership
The first-of-its-kind global partnership, which started with collaboration in South Africa in 2010, will see Vodacom SA and other Vodafone markets strengthen their commitments to the protection of biodiversity as well as their vision of using digital innovation to support the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Vantage enhances trader experience with PayPal addition
Multi-asset broker Vantage, an award-winning* international trading platform for Contracts for Difference (CFD) on Forex, Commodities, Indices and Shares, has today announced the addition of PayPal to its payment options.
[South Africa] Private sector complements Government's efforts to bridge digital divide
Digital inequality continues to be a major challenge facing South Africa, business and the Government recognise this challenge and are both committed to bridging the digital divide
Brokerage firm Vantage acquires license to operate in South Africa
Vantage, the global multi-asset broker, has obtained a derivatives license issued by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa.
[South Africa] Five new Actively Managed Certificates listed on JSE by Swiss Investment Bank
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has granted UBS AG, London Branch approval for the listing of five new Actively Managed Certificates (AMCs), providing investors with more opportunities to gain exposure to one of the fastest-growing securities globally.
Vantage Capital signs a €30m deal with Promamec
Vantage Capital, Africa’s largest mezzanine fund manager to announce that it has signed legal agreements relating to a €30 million equity investment for the acquisition of a significant minority stake in Promamec, which will facilitate the exit of the private equity fund AfricInvest, and fund growth capex.
SA government now prime arget for threat actors, report
The South African government has now become the main target for global threat actors, with less focus now being put onto the private sector.
Covenant extension agreed with lending partners
Leading pan-African technology solutions group Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a business of Cassava Technologies, today announces the extension of Liquid’s net debt:EBITDA covenant threshold in respect of its ZAR term loan and RCF.
Vodacom pledges additional R60 billion to boost connectivity in South Africa
This latest investment is expected to contribute significantly to enhancing network resilience to keep customers connected, further accelerating Vodacom's deep rural coverage programme to help bridge the digital divide and deepening financial inclusion.
UK Insurtech YuLife expands to South Africa
. Founded in London in 2016, YuLife achieved rapid traction in the UK insurance market through its flagship product, group life insurance.
[South Africa] Pick n Pay bets on SAP solution to enhance efficiency
For one of South Africa’s leading retailers, a fast-tracked digital transformation of its transaction and reconciliation processes built on SAP S/4HANA has unlocked immense benefits and efficiency across the business.
[South Africa] Copper producer Copper 360 Limited lists on The Johannesburg Stock Exchange
This is the second company to list on the JSE this year, pushing up the number of listed companies on the bourse to 303 with an overall market capitalisation of R22.76 trillion.
Lepelle Northern Water and the Infrastructure Fund to invest R4.6 billions in the first phase of the Olifantspoort
Lepelle Northern Water and Infrastructure Fund Sign Memorandum of Agreement for Funding for Olifantspoort/ Ebenezer Bulk Water Project Phase 1
Absa signs vehicle finance alliance agreement with BAIC South Africa
Absa has entered into a vehicle finance alliance agreement with BAIC SA, the local subsidiary of the Beijing Automotive Group Co., as the vehicle manufacturing firm expands its operations in the region.
Naspers, Takealot and Media24 join the South African Plastics Pact to reduce plastic waste across value chain
Naspers, and its subsidiary businesses, Takealot and Media24, have joined the South African Plastics Pact by creating a circular economy for plastics.
Luno launches crypto investment bundle in South Africa to track digital asset indices
African Crypto exchange platform Luno has today launched the Luno Large Cap Bundle, allowing Luno customers to access crypto investment bundles for the first time.
20-year Power Purchase Agreement signed between Africa Data Centres and Distributed Power Africa.
Africa Data Centres, a business of Cassava Technologies group to announce it has signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with DPA Southern Africa Pty Ltd (DPA SA), a joint company of Distributed Power Africa and the French utility company, EDF.
Cassava Technologies pledges R4.5 billion in investment into the South African economy
Cassava Technologies has pledged a total of R4.5 billion in investment in South Africa through its business units – Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Africa Data Centres and Distributed Power Africa.
Vertiv appoints Wojtek Piorko new managing director for Africa
Vertiv on Thursday announced the appointment of Wojtek Piorko as its new managing director for Africa effective immediately.
STANLIB selects BlackRock’s Aladdin enterprise to drive growth investment
South African Asset Manager STANLIB selects BlackRock’s Aladdin enterprise investment management technology to drive transformational growth.
[South Africa] Trellix appoints Ash Parikh as Chief Marketing Officer
In his role as CMO, Parikh will lead global marketing teams to drive brand awareness, demand generation, and go-to-market strategies of the XDR market leader.
Backbase gathers fintech and banking experts in Johannesburg next month
The inaugural African event will be held on May 16 with international and regional innovation leaders.
[South Africa] Netstar and Vodacom Business introduce the taxi of the future through WiTaxi partnership
Vehicle tracking and telematics company Netstar, a subsidiary of Altron, in partnership with Vodacom Business, are empowering taxi commuters across the country through the use of a free in-taxi connectivity service, WiTaxi.
IFC, HSBC and Standard Bank invest in Westfalia to boost sustainable avocado production
To support the growth of the avocado industry in Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe, IFC, HSBC Bank, and Standard Bank announced an investment in Westfalia Fruit International Limited to help the company expand sustainable avocado production at its existing facilities and explore opportunities in new markets.
Maltento to be financed by DEG to increase the production from organic waste
From DEG’s Up-Scaling program, the company got a co-financing of 788,000 USD, which allowed them to double their production capacity and add more growth chambers for the larvae.
[Column] NJ Ayuk: Natural gas is key to addressing South Africa’s energy needs today and tomorrow
As the country’s fleet of mostly coal-powered plants struggles to keep up with electricity demand, South Africans are enduring daily power outages that last six to 10 hours a day.
[South Africa] Peach Payments secures $31m Series A funding round
South African fintech startup Peach Payments has raised a US$31 million Series A funding round from Apis Partners to accelerate its growth across the continent and grow its product offering.
Hybrid Equity, a division of Old Mutual Alternative Investments funds Enable Capital
Hybrid Equity, a division of Old Mutual Alternative Investments (OMAI), is taking up a significant stake in the capital structure of Enable Capital, a short-term funder that uses innovative technology as a distribution platform.
Financial advisory firm Kroll expands into South Africa
Kroll, the independent provider of global risk and financial advisory solutions, has announced that it has opened a new office in Johannesburg, delivering its international restructuring expertise to South Africa.
South Africa leads the world as the most internet-addicted country, report
A study by Atlas VPN, a Delaware-based virtual private network company has highlighted that South Africa leads in most hours spent on the internet globally.
[South Africa] Luno expands crypto offering to include Avalanche (AVAX) and Polygon (MATIC)
Crypto exchange platform Luno is adding two more crypto investment opportunities to its platform - Avalanche (AVAX) and Polygon (MATIC).
[South Africa] Alpheus Mangale takes over from Oliver Fortuin as new SEACOM Group CEO
SEACOM has announced that Alpheus Mangale is joining the company as the incoming Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2023.
[Column] Chris Boshoff: Connecting the digital backbone
The Internet of Things (IoT) isn’t new, but it has simmered on the edges of innovation and transformation for years and now it has, as the World Economic Forum puts it, ‘quietly arrived’.
MTN and Microsoft accelerate Africa’s digital transformation in the public cloud
Following the signing of a five-year strategic partnership in September 2022, MTN and Microsoft are in the process of delivering a programme of work that will see the latest technologies deployed for the benefit of MTN’s customers, starting with South Africa and Nigeria.
[South Africa] Corridor Africa Technologies Pledges Support for State-Planned Digital Infrastructure Company
Corridor Africa Technologies, a leading smart technology and solutions provider, has announced its commitment to supporting the state-planned digital infrastructure company in South Africa.
[Column] NJ Ayuk: Time to break the deadlock on TotalEnergies’ offshore gas deal
There’s another complication at hand, in that South Africa’s government has pledged to reduce the power sector’s carbon emissions intensity.
Kenya Airways and South Africa airlines to finalise partnership strategy in 2024
Kenya Airways and South African Airways have announced plans to launch a pan-African airline group in 2024, as part of their strategic partnership.
[South Africa] Premier Group returns to the JSE after 18 years as an unlisted company
Shares in Premier Group Limited have began trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), giving investors exposure to a major South African food and consumer packaged goods (CPG) business.
South African Airways (SAA) Cargo partners with Menzies Aviation to provide air cargo services
South African Airways (SAA) Cargo has appointed Menzies Aviation, the world’s largest aviation services company, to provide air cargo services at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport (CPT), and Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ).
[South Africa] Huawei rolls out Non-Stop Banking Initiative
Huawei today announced its ‘Non-Stop Banking’ initiative at the Intelligent Finance Summit for Africa 2023, to ramp up collaboration between the ICT and banking industries
[South Africa] NEC XON breaks ground in Africa’s quest for 5G OpenRAN
5G OpenRAN (ORAN) technology that enables mobile operators to open the RAN network and use multi-vendor solutions holds huge promise for business growth in Africa.
Apis Partners sells all its shares in the South African, Efficient Group
Apis Growth Fund, a private equity fund managed by Apis Partners LLP, a UK-based asset manager that supports growth-stage financial services and financial infrastructure businesses, announces the planned sale of Efficient Group, a global financial services provider.
[South Africa] African IXP NAPAfrica reaches 3Tbps traffic milestone
On the evening of 15 February, NAPAfrica, the African continent’s largest Internet exchange point (IXP), reached the 3Tbps traffic threshold.
[Column] NJ Ayuk: How domestic gas production can help mitigate South Africa’s energy crisis
The country’s fuel and energy sector is truly in trouble, with power shortages and blackouts worse than ever before.
Santam acquires MTN South Africa device insurance book
Santam, South Africa’s leading short-term insurer, has entered into an alliance with MTN South Africa, that will see the company purchase the mobile telecommunication firm’s device insurance book.
[Column] Jon Tullett: Cloud economics for enterprises
According to Jon Tullett, Associate Research Director, IT Services & Cloud, at IDC sub-Saharan Africa, this is something that is often overlooked when determining whether the cloud solutions a company is using are providing optimal value.
PAYM8 launch a new SoftPOS solution in partnership with WIZZIT
The solution offers an innovative alternative to traditional point-of-sale devices and will give PAYM8 customers a safe, easy way to pay that can be used anywhere.
RMB assists IPP Msenge with project finance debt funding
RMB helps curb the energy crisis with South Africa’s first utility-scale wheeled wind energy project
Infra Impact and Prescient support Eagle Towers expansion
Infra Impact Investment Managers has helped its portfolio company, Eagle Towers, secure a ZAR100m senior secured loan facility to support Eagle Towers’ growth and expansion plans.
Fin acquires Thuthukani and integrates it as Fin Home Loans in South Africa.
Fintech firm Fin has announced that it has completed the acquisition of South African housing finance provider Thuthukani Housing Finance (“Thuthukani”).
[Column] Takalane Khashane: Building a digital, sustainable bank for the future
Banks in South Africa are increasingly using new technologies, digital solutions, and data analytics to reimagine and enhance customer service and provide personalized offerings
South African Competition Tribunal approves Heineken acquiring control of Distell and Namibia Breweries
In November 2021, Heineken announced its intention to acquire control of Distell and Namibia Breweries Limited (‘NBL’), which were to be combined with Heineken South Africa (‘HSA’) into a new Heineken majority-owned business (Newco).
SEACOM goes live on Equiano subsea cable
The cable now forms part of SEACOM’s subsea cable ecosystem surrounding Africa, which is supported by a continent-wide IP-MPLS network.
[South Africa] UiPath Introduces EMEA’s First National Qualification in Robotic Process Automation
The initiative aims to provide the workforce of the future with valuable tech skills and will potentially have a positive impact on youth unemployment by creating new jobs in software development.
Finclusion Group consolidates all its brands and products, and is now known as Fin
Finclusion Group Limited (“Fin”) has successfully undergone a brand unification, consolidating all its separate brands and products across Africa into one brand, and is now simply known as Fin.
Public sector must respond to online threats in real-time, says Trellix
Despite its various structural challenges, the South African economy continues to grow. Over time, this resilience and further potential for growth has attracted the attention of global cybercriminals.
[South Africa] SLVA and Black Kite join forces to protect businesses from third-party cyber risks
SLVA Cybersecurity has announced a new partnership with Black Kite is positioned to analyze and secure South African organizations from cyber attacks.
Joe Public celebrates its 25th birthday by committing to the growth of young creative talent
To mark the occasion, the organisation – currently ranked the largest independent and locally owned communication group in our country – is making a commitment to the next generation of creative talent.
[ChatGPT Biography] Patrice Motsepe, Founder of African Rainbow Minerals
Artificial Intelligence is taking the world by storm. As an experiment, Africa Business Communities is publishing a series of 100 biographies of the most successful entrepreneurs in Africa. We only ask the questions and let ChatGPT write.
[Column] Sithembile Ntombela: South Africa economy could benefit from BRICS enlargement
One of the least known information about the BRICS countries is that the chairmanship of the group is rotated annually amongst its members in accordance with the acronym of B-R-I-C-S.
Growing Crypto Market in South Africa - What Cryptocurrency is best to invest in?
Undoubtedly, trading crypto has become one of the primary sources of income for many people. In South Africa, a few people trade crypto full-time, while most treat it as a side hustle.
[Column] Moagi Bodibe: How to build brand relevance in the metaverse
The conventional playbook businesses refer to for customer acquisition and engagement is now obsolete. In the metaverse, where the rules of engagement are still largely undefined, this gap presents itself as a double-edged sword.
Africa is one of the world's fastest growing crypto markets
Analysis by blockchain data platform Chainalysis has revealed that Africa’s crypto market is growing faster than anywhere else in the world.
Africa Business Communities Forum: Which African countries will perform best economically in 2022?
Africa Business Communities talked to several entrepreneurs and founders in the early months of the year, and they cast their votes on which African countries will thrive best in 2022.
COLUMNS.
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[Column] Sinenhlanhla Zulu: Gender-smart infrastructure must be delivered at scale
Africa’s development finance community has set its sights on plugging the annual infrastructure investment gap ...read full column here
[Column] Pankaj Bedi: High production costs hurting Kenya’s apparel exports
The textiles and apparel sector is the third largest exporter in Kenya after horticulture and tea ...read full column here
[Column] NJ Ayuk: The outlook for African oil in 2023 is promising
Russian energy supplies to Europe continue to decline in the wake of the Ukraine war, Africa is poised to increase its oil and natural gas exports to the continent ...read full column here
INTERVIEWS.
[Interview] Anne-Marie Chidzero, Chief Investment Officer at FSD Africa Investments
Anne-Marie Chidzero, chief investment officer at FSD Africa Investments, talks about the risks and opportunities in backing Africa’s early-stage startups … read full interview here
[Interview] Awe Oludayo, Managing Partner, OS Concepts, Nigeria
Awe Oludayo is a business analyst with specialties in business process improvement, business process improvement and business process management … read full interview here
[Interview] Dr. Allan Pamba, Executive Vice President, Africa, Roche Diagnostics
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives … read full interview here
B2B Events
INC. Networking Event | Johannesburg South Africa | 13 June 2023
Are you looking to meet like-minded business people who can add value to your business? Look no further and join this INC. Networking Event! The big difference between INC. Networking and ... read full details here
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