News & Views

Content posted in August 2021

Research Bites: Blockchain potential for SA agriculture

Guest Perspectives
8/31/2021

This article, in collaboration with the African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development explores how blockchain can be used in the agricultural sector to help improve production and distribution processes.

Hot startup of the month: Tunisia's InstaDeep

Tom Jackson
8/30/2021

Tunisian startup InstaDeep builds advanced decision-making and optimization AI solutions for enterprise clients. It is one of the best-funded AI ventures on the continent.

Cell C recapitalization edges closer

Paula Gilbert
8/27/2021

Embattled South African operator Cell C's recapitalization plans seem to be edging closer to a conclusion, although we have heard that before.

Telkom SA Consumer gets new CEO

Paula Gilbert
8/26/2021

Telkom South Africa's executive reshuffle continues with the announcement that Lunga Siyo has been named the new CEO of Telkom Consumer.

MTN backs super app vision with new Ayoba leader

Paula Gilbert
8/25/2021

MTN is pushing forward the progress of its super app, Ayoba, by appointing former Turkcell exec, Burak Akinci, to oversee its ambitious growth plans.

AWS expands cloud training program to more African countries

Paula Gilbert
8/24/2021

Amazon Web Services has expanded its cloud computing training program, AWS re/Start, into nine African countries as it aims to increase Africa's pipeline of entry-level cloud computing talent.

Malware on the rise in Africa

Connecting Africa News
8/23/2021

Four African countries accounted for 85 million malware attacks in the first six months of 2021, with South Africa the most targeted, according to research from cybersecurity company Kaspersky.

Crowdsourcing platform Toloka accelerates push into Africa

Connecting Africa News
8/20/2021

Crowdsourced platform Toloka – which generates machine-learning data at scale – is expanding in Africa after success in countries like Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.

Vodacom goes green with eco rating for handsets

Paula Gilbert
8/19/2021

South African telecoms operator Vodacom says it has introduced a pan-industry 'Eco Rating' for mobile phones as it moves toward improving its environmental impact.

Etisalat ups ownership in Maroc Telecom to 53%

Paula Gilbert
8/18/2021

Etisalat Group is increasing its stake in Maroc Telecom and will soon own a controlling stake in the pan-African telco in a deal worth US$505 million.

Omdia View: July 2021

Guest Perspectives
8/18/2021

5G was a major focus this month with 5G licenses awarded in Mauritius and public consultation on 5G spectrum launched in Zambia – Omdia's analysts provide context and analysis on these developments.

2Africa subsea cable gets even bigger

Connecting Africa News
8/17/2021

The highly anticipated 2Africa Subsea Cable System is expanding even further, extend connectivity to the Seychelles, the Comoros Islands and Angola and adding a landing to southeast Nigeria.

Safaricom is by far East Africa's most valuable company

Paula Gilbert
8/16/2021

Kenyan telecoms operator Safaricom's US$15.4 billion market capitalization accounts for almost 50% of the combined market caps of the top 30 companies of East Africa and Mauritius.

Sanlam and MTN team up to offer digital insurance and investments

Paula Gilbert
8/13/2021

Sanlam and MTN are joining forces in an exclusive, strategic alliance to distribute insurance and investment products across Africa.

MTN gives up on Ethiopia, abandons Syrian operation

Paula Gilbert
8/12/2021

MTN says it will not pursue an operating license in Ethiopia and it has decided to abandon its telecoms operation in Syria.

Zambia mulls turning off Internet as elections loom – report

Connecting Africa News
8/11/2021

With tight elections ahead, it's been reported Zambia's president Edgar Lungu is considering switching off the country's Internet to hinder the opposition.

Vodacom, Tanzania's biggest telco, to get new head

Connecting Africa News
8/10/2021

Hisham Hendi, who helped shepherd Vodacom Tanzania to the country's biggest IPO yet, then faced ten counts in court, departs amid mobile money drama.

Nigeria rushes to replace failing satellite

Connecting Africa News
8/9/2021

Nigeria's NigeriaSat-2 observation satellite is on its last legs, but the country has found it very useful. Will it get a replacement up in time?

Telkom SA appoints new CEO from within

Paula Gilbert
8/4/2021

Telkom South Africa has tapped Telkom Consumer Business CEO Serame Taukobong to take over as Group CEO when Sipho Maseko steps down next year.

Judge recommends dismissing MTN Afghanistan terrorism complaint

Paula Gilbert
8/3/2021

A US magistrate judge has recommended that a court case, alleging that MTN violated the US Anti-Terrorism Act in Afghanistan, be dismissed.

MTN Nigeria drops 7.6M subs in H1, service revenue jumps 24%

Paula Gilbert
8/2/2021

MTN Nigeria's service revenue grew 24.1% for the first six months of 2021, to $1.92 billion, despite losing 7.6 million mobile subscribers due to NIN-SIM linkage rules.

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VC investment into South African ICT startups rises

Venture capital (VC) investment for startups in South Africa reached $178.8 million in 2023, with investments in the ICT sector almost doubling compared to 2022, according to a new report from SAVCA and VS Nova.

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Connecting Africa Podcast: S3 Ep. 4 – Africa's future as a tech talent powerhouse

In this episode, Utiva CEO Eyitayo Ogunmola returns to the podcast to talk about Africa's opportunity to become a tech talent powerhouse. The discussion covers upskilling African talent for the global job market and how outsourcing local tech professionals can provide opportunities for the youth, with a focus on growing female talent.

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Leadership Lessons: Networking towards career advancement

By Nollie Maoto

Nollie Maoto, First Rand Group's compliance chief data and analytics officer and Africa Tech Festival Leadership Council member, reflects on the importance of networking for career growth especially for African women in data analytics.

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Leadership Lessons: The importance of mentorship for career growth

By Nollie Maoto

Nollie Maoto, First Rand Group's compliance chief data and analytics officer and Africa Tech Festival Leadership Council member, reflects on the importance of mentorship for career growth for African women in data analytics.

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