Secure data collaboration platform achieves second round of funding Omnisient, a secure data collaboration platform, has achieved its second raise this year totalling USD1.4 million. ”We have brought in visionary international investors – Technova, Grand Bay Ventures, Tahseen Consulting, and Kepple Africa Ventures – who will be key to supporting our expansion globally. Investec, Nedbank, […]
Tag Archives: South African Business
VerPay enables verbal commerce as businesses adapt to serve their customers in contactless ways As South Africa enters its third wave and lockdown restrictions tighten, certain businesses – such as those in hospitality – once again find themselves having to temporarily close their doors, while seeking alternative avenues to generate income, such as take-aways. “The […]
Andy Brough The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a bright spotlight on our leaders. With companies switching over to remote working in unprecedented numbers, a new form of leadership is needed. Although the uncertainty of the time puts pressure on both employees and management, leaders must rise to the occasion and provide the required stability. The […]
Business Email Compromise (BEC) and cyber attacks are on the increase worldwide. Conveyancing firms, their clients, and other organisations effecting many large non-recurring type transactions are particularly vulnerable to BEC fraud. Ryan Mer, Managing Director, eftsure Africa, a Know Your Payee™ (KYP) platform provider says gaps in organisations’ payment systems not only pose massive financial and reputational […]
Mining has had a larger impact on shaping the South African economy than any other sector. It transformed a predominantly rural economy into an industrial one. It resulted in the development of Kimberley, Johannesburg, and other cities. It attracted massive amounts of foreign cash. It required the creation of stock exchanges, colleges, and other contemporary […]
It is a common belief that financial access should lead to financial prosperity. According to the World Bank, financial inclusion is defined as all people and businesses having access to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs. Sakhile Mabena, CEO, Ofin, a venture-backed fintech startup specialising in Behavioural Data Analytics, Financial Process […]
The supply chain sector, and the adjacent global freight and transport spaces, are complex as well as crucial. A reliable supply chain prefigures a nation’s overall economic competitiveness and is a key enabler at the macro-economic level, as most other industries rely on the inflow of various goods. Since last year, the Covid-19 pandemic has […]
South Africa recently enacted cybersecurity law Darryl Bernstein, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution, and Janet MacKenzie, Partner and Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Baker McKenzie Johannesburg The pandemic has driven home the high value of personal data to the global economy, while also highlighting its vulnerability to abuse and attack. In response, governments […]
The COVID-19 crisis and accompanying national lockdown had a dramatic effect on all businesses, but those operating in the township economy were hardest hit, with 67% being unable to operate at all under stricter lockdown levels and 75% reporting a reduction in their sales[i]. Now, with the rollout of the vaccine putting South Africa on […]
Robotic automation enables remote support possibilities that significantly reduce downtime and address geographical constraints, says Yaskawa Southern Africa Managing Director, Andrew Crackett. Conventional palletisers have been around for over 50 years. While they continue to be operational in many factories around the world, their modern counterparts – robotic palletisers – are solving issues that seemed impossible before. […]
As many parts of the world deal with the Third Wave of Covid-19 infections, there are growing concerns that South Africa may face harsher lockdown measures in the future as the country ramps up its vaccine roll out program. This will have a telling impact on society and will only accelerate the reliance on ecommerce […]
Through the Hack the Normal initiative, Defy, Africa’s stalwart home appliance company, aims to contribute to the advancement of African-led projects that seek to secure the sustainability of trade, natural resources, and life on the continent. Defy, a leading manufacturer of home appliances, recently hosted the Hack the Normal online hackathon in partnership with ATÖLYE to inspire and […]
#StandardBankSMESummit With more than 90% of South African SME’s having experienced revenue drops since April 2020 and with many businesses being left vulnerable, the need to support and boost South Africa’s SME sector which currently provides formal jobs for 28% of the population must be prioritised. This support is not just financial, but psychological as […]
Ryan Mer, Managing Director, eftsure Africa, a Know Your Payee™ (KYP) platform provider says technology can be a powerful tool against the fraud and corruption plunging South Africa’s municipalities and businesses into financial crisis. According to a recent report in News 24, a former OR Tambo District Municipality project accountant who defrauded the municipality out of R9.8 million was […]
Consumers are embracing the e-commerce experience in growing numbers and corporate South Africa is taking serious notice, according to Geoff Hardy, Head of Digital, Immersion Group, a global team of experience design experts. Across the globe online sales have surged, while locally online transactions on Black Friday alone grew by more than 60%, and a recent […]
With the growth of economies across Africa, competition law has remained one of the key drivers for effective market participation, consumer protection and fair business practices. However, the global pandemic introduced new challenges for competition authorities in Africa and abroad, with each enforcer pursuing the most beneficial enforcement method for its national or regional jurisdiction. […]
Regardless of the size of your company or how great your product maybe, at some point, every business will need more finance than they have immediately available. When this happens, accessing additional funding will help to give your company the fuel it needs to grow. It may seem counterintuitive, but Trevor Gosling, Co-founder, and CEO […]
South Africa’s only option for addressing poverty and poor economic growth is to embrace 4IR technologies such as automation and Artificial Intelligence, to make the country more competitive. This is according to Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the University of Johannesburg and author of Closing the Gap: The Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa, […]
Overview The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) is the regulatory body in South Africa that oversees a variety of financial activities, including the provision of online trading solutions and services. It is a reputable and strict entity. Amidst the list of brokers that have applied for regulation through the FSCA, the following five have been […]
By Prenisha Govender, Associate and Keketso Kgomosotho, Candidate Attorney, Tax Practice, Baker McKenzie Johannesburg. The growing popularity of cryptocurrencies worldwide, which is increasingly leading to its stronger footing in international business, has awakened tax authorities everywhere to a possible new revenue stream from unreported gains. Over recent years, we’ve seen a marked increase in crackdowns […]
Reducing the cost of supplies, inventory or business operations is common practice amongst many small business owners. Not preserving enough cash could land a business in deep waters and in need of a lifeline. For business owners, curbing your expenditure is a practical way to improve your cash flow without incurring risk to your business. […]
A great leader once said, ‘What is important is that we make sure to work together, that we understand our strength comes from unity and not division.’ Now more than ever, we all understand the need to foster the spirit of collaboration in the way we do business. With that in mind, AYO Technology Solutions (AYO), in partnership with the SA Innovation Summit is proud to announce the first […]