Smart Contracts, Institutional Tokenization, and Modular Infrastructures: Blockchain Trends Shaping 2026. As blockchain technology continues to evolve, 2026 promises to be a year of transformative growth. Osama Bari, CTO of D24 Fintech, highlights key trends driving the future of blockchain, including the rise of modular blockchains, the increasing adoption of smart contracts, and the growth of institutional tokenization. With platforms like EigenLayer and Celestia leading the way, modular blockchains are set to enhance scalability and interoperability. The convergence of AI and blockchain will further enhance smart contracts, enabling seamless, gasless transactions and automated trading. Meanwhile, tokenized assets like treasuries and bonds are poised to revolutionize traditional markets, offering 24/7 trading and instant settlement. As blockchain technology integrates with Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs and confidential computing, privacy and compliance will be taken to the next level, ensuring users control their data while maintaining transparency.
Category: Tech
Racing Against the Talent Gap: Sustaining Africa’s Data Center Growth
Africa’s data center boom is outpacing its talent supply, and Subzero Engineering wants to discuss this. Our ‘Racing Against the Talent Gap’ article reveals how a shortage of skilled engineers and technicians threatens to slow the continent’s digital growth. The piece highlights how targeted training, industry-academia partnerships, and supportive policies can turn Africa’s youth into the backbone of a sustainable, competitive data economy.
Genetec Introduces Faster, Smarter Investigations in Security Center SaaS
Genetec Inc. has introduced new intelligent automation (IA)-powered investigation capabilities in its Security Center SaaS, transforming how security operators find and analyze video evidence. The update enables faster searches, contextual insights, and streamlined workflows—helping organizations close cases in minutes while maintaining privacy and efficiency.
AfricaCom 2025: French Companies Ready to Transform Africa’s Telecommunications Landscape
At AfricaCom 2025 (Nov 11–13, Cape Town), Business France will lead 10 innovative French tech and telecom companies to showcase their expertise in AI, 5G, OTT, mobile payments, and digital transformation. As Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest telecom and technology event, AfricaCom will gather over 15,000 professionals and 500 exhibitors from 110 countries. With South Africa emerging as the region’s digital hub—boasting 98% 4G coverage, expanding 5G networks, and €1.47 billion in telecom investment—French firms aim to forge partnerships driving Africa’s digital revolution. The French Pavilion will highlight leading innovators such as Enreach, SmarDTV, Famoco, Speedcast, ENENSYS, and CapstonAI, reinforcing France’s role in building Africa’s connected, sustainable digital future.
Africa Emerges as Most Fraud-Exposed Region Globally, New Sumsub Study Reveals
A new Sumsub 2025 Global Fraud Index, developed in collaboration with Statista, reveals that Africa remains the world’s most fraud-exposed region, with an average score of 3.84, far exceeding the global average of 2.79. Covering 112 countries, the Index highlights persistent regional vulnerabilities in digital and financial systems despite global improvements. Mauritius ranked as Africa’s most fraud-protected nation, while Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda were among the least protected globally. The report stresses the urgent need for investment in digital infrastructure, stronger policy frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration to combat evolving fraud threats. Experts emphasize that governance and AI-driven defences will be critical for building trust and resilience in Africa’s fast-growing digital economy.
Don’t Put Digital First, Put It Everywhere
In 2025, brands must move beyond “digital-first” to a mindset where digital is everywhere. Jacques Du Bruyn, Co-CEO at Flume Digital Marketing, argues that digital fluency should anchor every campaign, blending traditional and online touchpoints into a seamless, human-centered experience. The modern sales funnel is no longer linear—consumers navigate a “hurricane of touchpoints,” from social media to reviews to influencers, before buying. True marketing success now depends on understanding human behavior through data, ensuring that digital becomes the connection, not just the channel, driving both engagement and authenticity across every platform.
Shadow AI vs Managed AI: Kaspersky reviews the use of neural networks for work in the META region
Kaspersky’s latest report, “Cybersecurity in the workplace: Employee knowledge and behaviour,” reveals that over 81% of professionals in the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region use AI tools for work, but only 38% have received cybersecurity training on safe neural network use. The study highlights a growing divide between “Shadow AI” —unregulated, employee-driven use of generative AI tools—and “Managed AI”, where organisations enforce policies and training to mitigate risks like data leaks and prompt injections. With AI now widely used for writing, content creation, and data analytics, Kaspersky urges companies to adopt structured AI governance policies, tiered access models, and employee education to balance innovation with security.
SoftwareOne’s climate targets successfully validated by the Science Based Targets initiative
SoftwareOne, a global software and cloud solutions provider, has had its near-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This validation confirms that SoftwareOne’s Scope 1, 2, and 3 targets align with the latest climate science to limit global warming in accordance with the Paris Agreement. The company commits to reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% and select Scope 3 emissions by 25% by FY2030 from a 2024 base year. Additionally, 75% of its suppliers by emissions will be required to have science-based targets by the same year. Following its recent merger with Crayon, SoftwareOne will maintain separate climate targets during the integration phase. The move underscores SoftwareOne’s commitment to corporate climate responsibility and science-based sustainability leadership.
Consumer technology trends: AI is set to fundamentally change how we live
Consumer technology trends at IFA 2025 reveal the profound impact of AI on everyday life. As AI shifts from a buzzword to a backbone of modern appliances, devices are evolving into personalized, intuitive companions that help us manage our homes more efficiently. Meanwhile, the focus has shifted from revolutionary products to incremental innovations that refine user experiences. The emergence of Chinese brands further shapes the tech landscape, highlighting a transition from manufacturing hub to global tech leader. For South African consumers, these trends promise smarter, more personalized solutions, while trust and after-sales service will become crucial to successful tech adoption.
Phishing Evolving with AI and Stealth: Kaspersky Highlights Biometric and Signature Risks
Kaspersky reports a sharp rise in phishing attacks, with over 142 million phishing link clicks blocked in Q2 2025. Cybercriminals are leveraging AI-driven tactics such as deepfakes, voice cloning, and trusted platforms like Telegram and Google Translate to steal sensitive data, including biometric and signature information. This evolution in phishing is making attacks more sophisticated, bypassing traditional security measures and posing unprecedented risks to individuals and businesses. Kaspersky highlights the importance of vigilance and proactive security measures to combat these advanced threats.