Mining Indaba 2026: French Delegation Returns to Indaba

Mining Indaba 2026 will see the return of the French Delegation to Cape Town, led by Business France, highlighting France’s expertise in mining, energy, infrastructure and industrial services across Africa. Taking place from 9–12 February 2026, the event brings together global mining leaders to address critical minerals, energy transition, sustainable mining, and resilient supply chains. Through the France Pavilion at the EU Pavilion, French public institutions and private-sector companies aim to strengthen international partnerships, promote responsible mining practices, and support Africa’s role as a strategic hub in the global energy and industrial transition.

Building Your Digital Business Platform: A Strategic Guide to Technology and Skills

African organisations are accelerating digital transformation, yet many struggle to move beyond ad hoc technology adoption toward sustainable business value. This article explores Gartner’s digital business platform framework as a practical, phased approach to building digital capabilities across customers, partners, employees, connected assets, and intelligence. By combining the right technologies with critical skills, governance, and culture, organisations can move from fragmented digital projects to an integrated platform that drives innovation, resilience, and growth. With a focus on African realities and opportunities, the article provides a strategic guide for leaders seeking to build future-ready digital businesses systematically rather than treating transformation as a one-off project.

International Business Immersion Program South Africa: French Entrepreneurs Embark On A Multisectoral Immersion Program

The International Business Immersion Program South Africa brings a delegation of innovative French SMEs and mid-sized companies to Johannesburg and Cape Town from 1–5 December 2025. Organized by Bpifrance with Business France and FSACCI, the program strengthens France–South Africa economic ties through high-level networking, B2B meetings, and sector-specific visits. Participating companies represent digital transformation, medical software, sustainable IT, mobility, waste management, industrial maintenance, hygiene technologies, and geosciences. The mission aims to accelerate French business expansion in South Africa and open new opportunities in one of Africa’s most dynamic markets.

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.

Is your CRM growing your business or just helping you survive the chaos?

Many businesses treat CRM systems as digital filing cabinets rather than growth enablers. This article, featuring insights from Eldon Bothma and Hayley Blane of Braintree, explores why CRM should be more than an operational tool—it should drive strategic value, measurable results, and long-term business growth. Learn how South African companies can close the CRM maturity gap by shifting from compliance-focused systems to smart, scalable customer engagement platforms powered by AI, automation, and data insights.

Futures_Past project launches: Using immersive technologies to reimagine heritage in Southern Africa

The Futures_Past project, initiated by the French Institute of South Africa in partnership with Electric South, empowers archival and cultural institutions in Southern Africa to reimagine heritage using immersive technologies. Through VR, AR, and interactive storytelling, six selected institutions will collaborate with digital artists to bring archival collections to life and deepen public engagement with memory and history.

Driving Economic Transformation: The Role of ICT in Empowering Emerging Markets

The article explores the transformative role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in driving economic growth in emerging markets, with a particular focus on the AfTIAS 2.0 program in Algeria. Through targeted initiatives, AfTIAS 2.0 supports startups and SMEs by improving competitiveness, providing training, and enabling global participation. The program emphasizes the role of digital transformation in fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and empowering women and youth in the ICT sector. Despite challenges, AfTIAS 2.0 is helping Algeria and other Arab states leverage ICT to fuel sustainable economic development.

Trapped by tech? Avoid the CRM that costs more than money

Many South African companies find themselves trapped in a digital quicksand due to poorly executed CRM implementations that lead to costly, underperforming systems. Eldon Bothma and Hayley Blane from Braintree discuss the risks of choosing complex, feature-heavy CRM solutions without aligning them with business needs, leading to frustration and lost growth opportunities. Instead of focusing solely on technology, businesses should consider a strategic approach that prioritizes long-term scalability, clear objectives, and a phased implementation. By doing so, companies can unlock the true value of CRM systems, drive growth, and better position themselves for future advancements like AI and automation.