Africa Business, Author at AfricaBusiness.com

8Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Tech

Braintree adds human touch and tech expertise into e-commerce

Backed by 20 years of tech expertise, leading IT solutions provider Braintree has seen their retail turnover increase by 1,200% since launching their e-commerce offering two years ago. With the objective of supporting business professionals in both home and office environments, Braintree brings to the tech e-commerce market over 3 000 premium products across 30 brands, including Dell, HP, Lenovo and Microsoft. Braintree also recently acquired the rights to resell Apple products in South Africa, a move that has enabled them to expand their product range significantly with over 900 Apple products, and an industry shift that sees the end of one company's exclusive distribution rights over the last two decades. “Our focus is on providing a boutique, personalised shopping experience, a wel...

6Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, South Africa News

Know the person behind the CV and the partner pitch

Businesses can’t afford bad hires or dubious business partners, so why are they still happening? A key new hire or business partner can have a significant impact on a company – for better or worse. Knowing the facts behind the polished CV or perfect partner pitch should be a non-negotiable, says Sameer Kumandan, Managing Director of SearchWorks, an innovative data platform that allows users to conduct live, accurate searches on individuals and companies and in-depth KYC checks online. It's an all too common but avoidable scenario: A company decides to recruit for a crucial management position, or an entrepreneur seeks out a business partner, hoping new skills will foster much-needed growth. The process involves advertising the role, networking, sifting through dozens of CVs, identifyin...

6Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Agriculture, Zambia News

Insurance has a crucial role to play in driving the sustainability of farming and give impetus to Zambia’s socio-economic development

With Zambia having recently commemorated Farmer's Day and the contributions and work made by farmers in the agricultural sector in the country, Hollard has highlighted the importance of ensuring the sustainability of farming in the country, by providing adequate disaster risk financing mechanisms as a means to protect farmers against natural and man-made disasters. Choolwe Sianyinda, Chief Operating Officer of Hollard says, “The long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector in Zambia and prospects for the country’s socio-development hinges on the adoption of adequate cover and protection to mitigate against the increasingly volatile and erratic weather patterns - which are largely attributed to climate change - placing an extra burden on food security.” The socio-economic developme...

5Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business

Hey Google! 5 Strategies to Future-Proof your Online Content for Voice Search

As the digital landscape evolves, voice search is emerging as a critical component of online search behaviour. “With the proliferation of new technologies like smart speakers and virtual assistants, optimising content for voice search is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity,” says Jacqueline van Rooijen, Business Growth Consultant and Director at Ycagel. The Growing Importance of Voice Search Voice search is becoming an integral part of daily life, with nearly 40% of internet users in the United States utilising voice search. This trend is reflected in South Africa as well, where digital adoption rates are high. According to DataReportal, South Africa had 45.34 million internet users as of early 2024, with many turning to voice-activated technologies for convenience and speed. Understand...

5Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

South Africa News

Beyond metrics: Trust is crucial to brand building

What do global brands like Google, Coco-Cola and Apple have in common? Other than being instantaneously recognisable by their corporate identity, they each own over 20% of the worldwide market share in their respective categories.[1] So, why would the likes of Coca-Cola – one of the most recognisable brands in the world with an already-captivated market – spend over $ 4 billion[2] annually on advertising? They understand the critical importance of building consumer trust in a saturated market. Seeking efficient growth in a tough economic climate, marketing leaders are scrutinising how and where to allocate their paid media budgets. While performance marketing is about driving immediate results and measurable success, brand marketing focuses on building and nurturing the brand for long-t...

5Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Startups

The Top Seven selected start-ups for the Irish Tech Challenge

Innovative entrepreneurs advance with €10,000 in funding and a curated networking tour to Ireland The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, in partnership with Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and Dogpatch Labs Ireland are delighted to announce the selection of seven tech start-ups for the prestigious Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024. Now in its third successive year, the collaboration aims to forge mutually beneficial partnerships between South African entrepreneurs and Irish technology expertise, leveraging Ireland’s global tech hub status. This year’s Challenge saw more than 350 entries from South African-owned, growth-stage tech start-ups focused on fulfilling ...

1Aug

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Tech

The Role of eSIM and eUICC in Modern Technology

By Alex Vlasenko The evolution of mobile technology has led to significant advancements in how we connect and interact with our devices. Two of the most transformative developments in this field are the embedded SIM (eSIM) and the embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC). These technologies are revolutionizing the way we manage mobile connectivity, offering greater flexibility, enhanced security, and a more streamlined user experience. Understanding eSIM and eUICC An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows users to activate a cellular plan without having to use a physical SIM card. Unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIMs are embedded directly into devices during manufacturing. This small chip can store multiple network profiles, making it easier to switch between different carriers an...

31Jul

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Real Estate

African Market Disruption – Trends Shaping the Future of Real Estate

Cape Town, Wednesday, 31 July 2024 - Malcolm Horne, Group CEO of Broll Property Group, shared the stage at the annual SACSC (South African Council of Shopping Centres) Congress in a panel discussion alongside Matt Clark, Head of EMEA Retail at AlixPartners, and Mike Coppin, Director & Co-Owner of Food Lover’s Market. The panel explored the latest trends and innovations shaping the retail and real estate sectors, with Horne highlighting Broll's strategic initiatives in disrupting the market. Innovating with Technology "Our focus has always been on staying ahead of market trends by integrating cutting-edge technology into our operations," said Horne. "We utilise advanced data analytics and AI to provide our clients with actionable insights, allowing them to make informed decisions and ...

31Jul

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South Africa News

SME confidence on the rise as GNU promises growth

As the nation approached the polls, iKhokha conducted a survey across its national base to learn more about SME confidence in our government. The survey revealed that 76% of SMEs felt government support to be ineffective in promoting small business growth and development. In May, retail spending fell by 0.7% month-on-month as uncertainty lead to more frugal consumer spending. This downturn was mirrored in the automotive sector, where new car sales saw a 14.2% drop. iKhokha also observed an 8% decrease in SME turnover in May and June as the nation held its collective breathe, watching potential coalition discussions play out in the media, further unsettling South African nerves. Last month, South Africa breathed a collective sigh of relief and entered a new era of our democracy with the f...

31Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Art

CELIA & JOHNNY THE LEGENDARY DEBUT PAIRING OF SALSA ICONS CELIA CRUZ AND JOHNNY PACHECO RETURNS TO VINYL OCTOBER 11 IN CELEBRATION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

The bestselling 1974 record, which launched the celebrated Cuban singer’s status as “Queen of Salsa,” features the hits “Toro mata” and “Quimbara,” among others The newly remastered album will also make its debut in hi-res digital audio Craft Latino proudly announces a special 50th anniversary reissue of one of salsa music’s most important albums, Celia & Johnny. The 1974 Vaya Records release, which pairs legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz with bandleader/producer/Fania co-founder Johnny Pacheco, established Cruz as a salsa icon, thanks to such enduring hits as “Toro mata” and “Quimbara.” In stores October 11 and available for pre-order today, Celia & Johnny features all-analog mastering by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, 180-gram vinyl and is housed in an old-school style tip-o...