Author Archives: Africa Business

Less Than 30% Of Telcos In Africa and the Middle East Have Developed a Strategy for Digital Transformation

– Telcos in the region lag behind the rest of the world significantly in developing roadmaps to digitalize sales channels. – More than 70% of telcos in LATAM and Europe already have established roadmaps, and more than 80% of telcos in APAC have a digitalization strategy.  Fewer than three in 10 telecommunications operators in Africa […]

The Democratic Republic of Congo to Host its First Smart City Conference

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be hosting the country’s first Smart City conference which will be taking place virtually from 16 to 18 April 2021. Driving this is Congo Bulaya, a subsidiary initiative of the Centre d’Innovation de Lubumbashi (CINOLU), which aims to actively participate in the creation of more competitive and vibrant cities […]

Why ecommerce matters for small businesses in SA

Trevor Gosling, Co-founder and CEO of Lulalend

There has been a permanent change in the way that people shop and, in turn, the way that businesses need to operate. In the absence of brick-and-mortar stores being open during the lockdown, as well as a general fear of crowded malls when things were able to re-open, South Africa’s ecommerce sector exploded. According to […]

Vertis Aviation adds Africa-based Challenger 604 to portfolio

Switzerland-based Vertis Aviation, is expanding its footprint in Africa with the addition of a Bombardier Challenger 604 to the Vertis Charter Management Programme, VCMP. This is the second aircraft to sign up to the VCMP in as many months and represents the first Challenger 604 that the Argus Certified Broker will exclusively market for charter. […]

Repo rate to hold but a rate hike could be around the corner: Finder’s economist panel

Panel of 25 economists unanimously predict the SARB will hold the repo rate Just over a quarter (28%) expect a rate hike this year 92% say South Africa is at risk of a sovereign debt crisis Unemployment rate to increase slightly by July The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is set to hold the repo […]

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority: Great strides by the UAE’s telecommunications sector during 2020

The UAE ranks first in the Gulf, Arab Region, and Western Asia, and seventh globally in the Telecommunication Infrastructure Index. The UAE achieves No.1 position in mobile subscription index and mobile broadband Internet subscription index. The UAE maintains its leadership in 5G, the fifth generation of mobile commercial service in the country. According to The Telecommunications […]

Efficient Payment Solutions Essential for SME Survival

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have long been hailed as the lifeblood of the economy. Now, in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, they are critical for its recovery. Not only do they contribute 35-50% of national GDP globally, they also drive over two-thirds of new job creation[i]. Ultimately, the more SMEs succeed, the better our […]

AMAKA Studio: A Publisher Dedicated To Celebrating Pan-African Womanhood Launches

AMAKA Studio (AMAKA) launched on 11 March. Founded by 25-year-old Nigerian-American CEO Adaora Oramah, the online platform will spotlight nuanced stories for women from Africa and across the diaspora. Intentionally launching the week of International Women’s Day, AMAKA kicks off by celebrating its reason for existence –  Pan-African womanhood – for the entire month of […]

The African Energy Chamber to host Virtual Book Launch for its first ever advisory board book

The African Energy Chamber to host Virtual Book Launch for its first ever advisory board book. • The African Energy Chamber (Chamber) will host a virtual book launch for its inaugural advisory book titled, ‘African Energy Road To Recovery: How The African Energy Industry Can Reshape Itself For A Post COVID-19 Comeback’. • Moderated by […]

2021 will demand continued user experience and change management focus according to e4

A dogged commitment to change execution is how businesses will survive in 2021, according to Grant Phillips CEO of fintech specialist, e4. He says the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked industry-wide havoc, the headwinds of which will continue to blow for years to come, leaving businesses in an almost permanent state of evolution and change. “Despite the […]

South African Fintech enabler, Ukheshe Technologies, confirm global expansion

Leading South African digital fintech enablement provider, Ukheshe Technologies has confirmed it is expanding its operations internationally. Having established itself as a formidable payment technology specialist within the B2B sector, the company has set its sights on the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific. The move comes on the back of several successful high-profile projects and partnerships […]

Announcing Winners of the 8th Edition of the Sankalp Africa Summit Awards

Over 1,200 delegates virtually convened for the 3-Day summit on ‘A Resilient Africa – Forging Solutions for the Impact Economy’ Sankalp Forum, an initiative of Intellecap hosted its 8th Edition of the Sankalp Africa Summit, in a virtual format, from the 2nd to 4th March 2021, one of Africa’s largest inclusive networking platform focusing on […]

Cisco Webex Innovation Breaks Through Language Barriers with Real-Time Translation for More Inclusive Meeting Experiences

Reem Asaad, Vice President, Cisco Middle East and Africa

News Summary: Starting this month: Webex customers can preview real-time translations from English into 100+ languages Webex AI-powered, real-time translation drives more inclusive collaboration through virtual meeting experiences that are 10x better than in person interactions Webex innovation paving the way for real-time translation beyond English Cisco has announced the availability (in preview beginning this […]

ThreatQuotient-sponsored 2021 SANS Cyber Threat Intelligence survey reveals impact of COVID

Respondents to the survey indicate their usage of CTI changed significantly during 2020, influenced by sharp rise in COVID-related phishing and ransomware attacks. ThreatQuotient™, a leading security operations platform innovator,  announced the results of the 2021 SANS Cyber Threat Intelligence survey. The spike in cyber breaches in the past year, compounded by COVID-related attacks, has […]

Resilience – the antidote to a recurring crisis

The Covid-19 pandemic has provided the ideal opportunity for leaders to step up and move people forward to a preferred future despite global crises. However, according to the 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer, trust levels are hovering at all-time lows, with only the business community regarded as both ethical and competent. Consequently, whether they like it […]

Brimstone Repays More Than R1 Billion Debt In Tough Reporting Period

Debt repayment to funders in excess of R1 billion Reduction of R129.8m in finance costs 7m raised from disposal of portion of Equites and Phuthuma Nathi stakes 4m raised from disposal of portion of Life Healthcare stake Improved debt and liquidity ratios Brimstone’s shareholding in Oceana Group increased to 25.01% [Cape Town, 3 March 2021] […]

Golden age of tech coming, but scores of jobs at risk, says futurist

Smart connected machines are set to put both blue collar and white collar workers out of jobs in large numbers, and this wave of change will force paradigm shifts in education, work and society as a whole. So says Sean Culey Business transformation expert, futurist and author of ‘Transition Point: From Steam to the Singularity’, who was […]

Sophos Publishes 3-Part Series on the Realities of Conti Ransomware

Research Details the Day-by-Day Unfolding of a Human-Operated Conti Attack Using Fileless Ransomware, Background on the Ransomware’s Behaviors, and Defender Advice   In a new three-part series of articles, Sophos researchers and incident responders unveil what really happens when attackers break into an organization’s network with the intention of stealing data and launching a Conti […]

AVEVA Accelerates Commitment to Invest in People and Sustainability

ESG is Highlighted as Important Focus Area for Industrial Software Leader AVEVA, a global leader in engineering and industrial software, has announced at the end of February three key senior hires to lead employee experience, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing (DI&W) and Sustainability. These roles will help accelerate AVEVA’s heightened focus to […]

Cisco Small Business Partner Summit to Explore Growth Opportunities Across MEA

Hani Raad, General Manager of Small Business at Cisco MEA

Changing Market Conditions and Strategic Priorities for the Sector to be Showcased During Regional Event Cisco’s Small Business Partner Summit is taking place virtually this week, outlining the importance and growth potential of the small business sector across the Middle East and Africa. Small businesses account for 44% of all IT spending and continue to […]

Immense impact of 4IR technologies on African economies to be addressed through South African lawyer’s World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution fellowship

Ashlin Perumall, Senior Associate at Baker McKenzie in Johannesburg, South Africa, has taken up the role of Fellow at the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in San Francisco. As part of his C4IR Fellowship, Perumall has joined the blockchain and digital currency working group, working on the legal and […]

Calling African Innovators: Solutions for Sustainable Living and Economic Development in Africa Sought

Appliance giant Defy to aid in the advancement of projects that ensure the sustainability of trade, natural resources, and life in Africa From 5 – 7 March 2021, leading manufacturer of home appliances, Defy, will be hosting the Hack The Normal online hackathon with the aim of exploring how technology can be leveraged for sustainable living and economic development […]