Enabling African Innovators to Get Seen, Get Connected, and Get Funded
Fintechs are driving financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa by providing safer and more affordable solutions for cross-border remittances, reducing costs by 50% in the past decade. These fintechs are enabling people to join the formal economy and access a range of financial services, contributing to lasting financial inclusion in the region.
Morocco is fast becoming a sought-after destination on the continent. This diverse country, with its blend of ancient traditions and modern allure, offers travellers distinct experiences in its major cities, making it immensely popular. From diverse landscapes and desert adventures to vibrant souks, hammams and historical sights, Morocco has it all.
According to the World Health Organization, the sale of counterfeit medication is the world’s most lucrative illicit trade. Sadly, Africa has become home to an estimated 42% of the world’s cases of trade in counterfeit medications, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable and desperate of populations living in low- or middle-income countries.
This piece discusses the critical shift from omnichannel to ambient technology and the need for retailers to ground their aspirations in reality.
The Ararkis Sandstorm, a rare edition electric Hypercar with South African roots, blew through an online cloud of controversy last week when the internet erupted over the ‘tailpipes’ found on the car’s rear end.
Lee Wearne, Data Strategist at Insight Consulting explains why narrowing the distance to your organisation’s desired data maturity starts with your people.
South Africa News, Tech
Disrupting the Adtech landscape: South African scale-up leads the revolution
Transitioning from a disruptor in the real estate sector to a global pioneer in data-powered Adtech across industries, Flow’s solutions aim to solve the fragmentation of industries including financial services, retail, e-commerce, MLMs, and more and have evolved into three distinct pillars: Flow Connect, Flow Enterprise, and Flow Data. These pillars showcase Flow’s evolution as a leading “data-powered” Adtech provider that boosts reach and revenue for businesses. With over 5000 successful campaigns and reaching over one billion impressions on retargeted adverts to date, Flow is making waves in the industry. Their new website, launched this February, reflects their commitment to seamless navigation, crystal clear communication, and faster loading times to enhance campaign delivery.
Upuli De Abrew, Director at Insight Consulting explains why the synergy of business and IT will be key to harnessing Africa’s full potential.
Pieter Twine, GM at MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet, will be retiring on 29 February. On his parting, he has put together an opinion piece about the impact of the MySchool program since its inception in 1997 (including having raised over R1 billion for more than 8,500 schools and NGO beneficiaries in South Africa).
Africa Travel, South Africa News
France number one destination for SA travellers wanting snow holidays
Club Med Southern Africa have just released their South African Ski Report for the 2023/2024 season. The report was compiled following a comprehensive survey capturing insights to discern key trends in South Africa’s snow holiday preferences, expectations, and booking profiles.
The event which was held at the Balmoral Convention Center, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, drew a full house of investors, mentors, senior operators, and ecosystem leaders in African tech highlighting the bullish and positive outlook that stakeholders have for the innovation, talent and opportunities abound in the African market.
Social media trends such as the recent ‘’get to know me’’ trend on Instagram and TikTok may seem harmless but cybersecurity experts warn that giving away too much personal information makes it easier for hackers to compromise your accounts.
Success in the digital payment space will hinge on the ability of new players and incumbents to converge the physical and digital experience into a seamless continuum for the customer. Extending the digital solution to a cash-based customer requires a “phygital” approach, writes Juan Seco, Chief Growth Officer at Mukuru.
Tech First Gulf (TFG), a prominent value-added distributor in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, proudly announces a ground-breaking distribution partnership with Invicti Security, a global leader in web application and API security testing.
Tosin Eniolorunda uses his knowledge and experience of running a high-growth organization to share actionable insights on how everyone including business leaders can make better decisions and ensure the continuity of their business concerns.
In this piece, Ludi discusses the balance between technology and human interaction in the retail industry. The article explores how technology and people can work together to create a positive retail experience for customers.
South Africa News, Startups
Durban to Dublin — Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2023 Winners to Showcase SDG Innovations in Ireland
The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa is excited to announce that the 2023 winning cohort is set to travel to Ireland for a 10-day curated immersion and networking programme with access to top industry leaders and potential for further funding.
Technology has disrupted many aspects of traditional life. When you are sitting at dinner and seeing a couple going out on a “first date”, consider that this may be their first in-person date and that they have been interacting (dating) online for months. According to global data and business intelligence platform, Statista, the number of online dating users in South Africa is expected to reach 6.7 million users by 2028. The report adds that the current user penetration rate of dating websites is believed to be 8.0% and may increase to 10.4% by 2028.
Business, Medicine, Startups
Ilara Health Secures $4.2M Pre-Series A to Digitise Fragmented Primary Healthcare in Africa
Kenya-based start-up to scale investment in thousands of Primary care clinics through new technology and enhanced business model.
A recent report released by KnowBe4 revealed that the public sector is becoming a target for cybercriminals. ‘’Cyber-attacks against government agencies and public sector services increased by 40% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the first,’’ shares Stu Sjouwerman, CEO at KnowBe4.
According to the latest data sets from the Outlier, South Africans were forced to endure the highest degree of loadshedding on record last year. In 2022, citizens experienced 205/365 days of loadshedding – mostly between stages 1 and 4. While glaring, this pales in comparison to 2023, with daily blackouts across 335 days, comprising mostly stage 3 to 6 levels of loadshedding.