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,…