Thursday, November 28African Digital Business Magazine

South Africa News

South Africa News

African News, South Africa News

Higher Data Penetration Creates New Opportunities in South Africa

BOSTON, Dec., 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud services, mobile advertising and mobile apps will be some of the highest growth segments in the South African market, contributing half a billion dollars in new revenue from 2012-2017, according to a new report from Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com). South Africa Telecom Market Forecast analyzes the South African telecom market in some detail, highlighting several key areas of growth now that traditional voice services revenue is flattening.  The report focuses on three main areas of growth – mobile apps, enterprise cloud services and mobile advertising – and their influence on the South African market. Download an excerpt or purchase the report here. "South Africa is a key market in the AME region not only because of its size, level ...
Energy, Green Energy, South Africa News

Africa Energy Indaba 2013

Africa Energy Indaba 2013 Dates: 19-21 February 2013 Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg Website: www.energyindaba.co.za The Africa Energy Indaba, adopted by the World Energy Council (WEC) as the African regional event of the WEC, receives global recognition as the foremost event for energy professionals from across the globe and is rapidly gaining momentum as the energy business forum in Africa. Presented by the South African National Energy Association (SANEA) in association with the World Energy Council, and supported by the African Union and the NEPAD Planning & Coordinating Agency, the forum has achieved the highest level of endorsement and support and as such is without doubt the leading energy event in Africa. Africa is a continent of contrasts. It is the fastest...
African News, Energy, Green Energy, South Africa News

How will South African industry deal with tariff hikes and carbon taxes?

African Utility Week to assist Large Power Users to face energy obstacles The proverbial axe is falling on ‘business as usual` as every industry in South Africa, from mining to manufacturing to retail, is cringing at the thought of rising energy tariffs and the impending implementation of a carbon tax. Stemming the tide of rising tariffs On the receiving end of tariff hikes, industry is dealing with three significant elements, namely the cost of electricity, uncertainty around sufficient electricity supply and carbon emission management. According to Shaun Nel, Project Director & Advisor, Energy Intensive Users Group of Southern Africa (EIUG), “the current request by Eskom to raise electricity prices by 16% per annum over 5 years will have a significantly negative ...
African News, South Africa News

African Banking innovation sees AfDB approving multi-currency line of credit of USD 300m

By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa The African Development Bank has extended the equivalent of USD 300 million to FirstRand Bank Limited to support projects across Africa This week an announcement from Tunis, Tunisia, revealed that the African Development Bank has approved a seven-year multi-currency line of credit for an amount equivalent to USD 300 million to FirstRand Bank Limited (FRB) of South Africa to finance a wide range of projects in local currencies and across Africa. And most African countries are characterized by low discretionary rates of domestic savings. As a result, the intermediation capacity of the financial sectors is limited, leading to the gap currently being filled with borrowings denominated in foreign currency. However, this introduces a currency mismatch in the fi...
Energy, Green Energy, South Africa News

JinkoSolar to Supply 81 MW WBHO-Building Energy in South Africa

SHANGHAI, Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. ("JinkoSolar" or the "Company") (NYSE: JKS), a leading global solar power product manufacturer, today announced that it has signed a contract with fix price to supply WBHO-Building Energy (Pty) Ltd. ("WBHO-BE") with 81 MW of photovoltaic (PV) modules for the solar PV park project in Gamagara Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. The project will be developed, designed, constructed and commissioned by WBHO- BE and is, so far, the largest project in African Continent and one of the first approved under the South African government's Renewable Energy Program. JinkoSolar will deliver a total of 344,540 PV high quality solar panels for the project, which is expected to generate...
African News, South Africa News

The call to make Cape Town a ‘Smart City’ is getting serious

By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa Further calls to make Cape Town a 'Smart City' continue to increase. One of the people in the forefront of these calls is Chris Whelan, CEO of business think-tank Accelerate Cape Town. Whelan says, “Developing a ‘smart city’, where information and communication technology (ICT) is leveraged to provide excellent service and which significantly contributes to a business environment conducive to both foreign and domestic investment, is an important part of positioning Cape Town as Africa’s global city, a city of innovation and inspiration.” According to Whelan, enabling technology exploitation in education, healthcare, transport, and safety and security all contribute to the development of a ‘smart city’. “One of the most exciting steps the city is taking...
Energy, Green Energy, South Africa News

Africa’s Energy Stakeholders Embrace “Global Technology for Local Solutions”

The timing of the first POWER-GEN Africa and Renewable Energy World Africa, which took place from 6-8 November 2012 in Johannesburg could not have been more favourable as the first contracts between the South African government and independent power producers (IPPs) to add 1400 megawatts of renewable energy to the national grid was signed during the week of the event.   Explains Nigel Blackaby, Event Director and Director of International Conferences at event organisers, PennWell Corporation, “this underscores the importance and significance of hosting a globally representative power generation exhibition and conference such as POWER-GEN Africa and Renewable Energy World Africa, which is aimed at linking professionals in the energy generation industry of Africa with lead...
African News, South Africa News

Frost & Sullivan Awards Invensys Operations Management for Growth Leadership in the South African ACS Market

Diversified product portfolio, focused innovation and exceptional customer service underpin continuous growth CAPE TOWN, Africa, Nov., 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the Automation and Control Solution (ACS) market in South Africa, Frost & Sullivan recognises Invensys Operations Management Southern Africa with the coveted 2012 South African Growth Leadership Award. "In a market facing increasingly intense competition, Invensys Operations Management Southern Africa has continued to register strong growth," noted Frost & Sullivan's Automation & Electronics Team Leader, James Maposa. "An innovative and diversified product portfolio, strategic partnering and exceptional customer service and support have enabled the company to maintain its pos...
African News, South Africa News

Affordable housing rental market looks increasingly attractive

  The South African residential market offers an attractive opportunity in the affordable housing rental segment largely driven by low and middle income earners who do not qualify for bonds and increased demand for housing located closer to areas of economic opportunity. Gerhard Zeelie, Head Real Estate Finance (Residential) at Standard Bank South Africa, says: "Investors who select good locations, efficiently manage their assets and look after their tenants can reap good returns from affordable housing rentals. Rentals in the affordable housing rental market can typically offer returns of between 8.5% and 9% after tax, assuming conservative gearing and taking moderate capital ...
African News, South Africa News

AfricaCom 2012 Oye

By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa Over 8000 people and those from about 2000 companies from across 112 countries around the world were part of the annual AfricaCom conference and exhibition held in Cape Town, South Africa this week. Africa’s largest and most recognised digital communications event took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from Tuesday till Thursday. The event kicked off with a highly anticipated Industry Outlook for the African continent which is well attended by analysts, telcoms providers and all those connected to the digisphere. Informa Telecoms and Media, organisers of the highly successful event have reported record interest as the conference expanded to include all aspects of the digital eco-sphere and will this year incorporate a number of co-loc...