Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

South Africa’s first on-demand bookings marketplace platform for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), iTorho, and a subsidiary of Torho Technologies has officially launched. Aiming to facilitate broader inclusion for local SMMEs, the new platform enables users to locate a skilled service provider in their immediate location. In addition, as an…

The raging war between TikTok and the US is still ongoing. TikTok has just been granted another extension to President Trump’s executive order requiring it to sell its assets in the US, after it claimed in an appeal petition that it had received no communication from the US government for…

The African Development Bank has collaborated with the Government of Uganda to sign a $500 000 (roughly UGX1.8 billion) grant agreement to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The aim of the grant is to drive business connections on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Technical Assistance project. The Crude Oil Pipeline…

Honda is launching a new version of its Legend sedan that will take over for drivers on busy highways after the company got approval for its level 3 self-driving system in Japan. The Japanese government has touted the move as a “world first,” saying that it would make Honda the first…

Black Friday is a major shopping event each year, where consumers have traditionally flocked to retail stores to capitalise on massive specials and pre-Christmas deals. However, with Covid-19 fears still high and social distancing protocols in place, South African consumer behaviour has shifted away from physical stores and into the…

Vodacom Group has recently announced an interim dividend of 415cps, reaching up to 9.2% and the result covers the last 6 months that ended Wednesday, September 30, 2020. This got backed up by earnings from its integrated companies and the Safaricom dividend receipt. Vodacom’s revenue was up 7.8% to R47.8…

Vodacom has released its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2020, revealing strong growth across its local operations. This included its fibre division, with Vodacom accelerating its fibre roll-out over the past six months to more than double its total number of homes and businesses it had…

According to the International Energy Agency’s Renewables 2020 report, renewable energy capacity is expected to increase by 4% this year globally. Energy capacity is the maximum power output for a given electricity source when it’s running at full capacity. The report, released on Tuesday, is an update to the IEA’s May forecast,…

South African pay TV company Multichoice has paid R1.3 billion – and may still pay another R500 million more – for a 20% stake in Nigerian sports-bet company BetKing. The BetKing 20% acquisition was disclosed this week by Multichoice CEO, Calvo Mawela, during a news briefing to discuss MultiChoice’s new deals. It…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) fintech startup, FinChatBot, is South African leader and expert in developing Conversational AI Solutions for the Financial Services Industry has just secured $1.6-million from Saviu Ventures, a French investment holding company that focuses on African startups; Mauritius-based Compass Venture Capital and leading South African venture capital firm Kalon Venture Partners. The funding…

According to Olivia Rusch’s 2019 study on Female Entrepreneurship, “only 9% of South African women are involved in early-stage entrepreneurial activity,” this is a statistic that new kid on the private equity funding block, Khula Lula has set their sights on changing. South Africa’s first solely black-woman-owned private equity fund…

Riding on the warm reception its flagship products continue to receive among Kenyan customers, smartphone manufacturer realme has launched realme C12 and realme 7i in a virtual event characterized by pomp and colour. RELATED READING: KENYA’S SMARTPHONE INDUSTRY LEAPS FORWARD WITH THE LAUNCH OF REALME C11 AND REALME 6 Heralding…

Mastercard has partnered with Payment24, an international fuel payment fintech based in South Africa, to offer a payment solution that will help fleet management companies streamline payments, create efficiencies and prevent fraud. Payment24’s innovative platform uses Mastercard’s payment technology, enabling drivers to quickly and seamlessly make fuel payments anywhere Mastercard…

Orange Egypt, the provider of integrated telecommunications services, announced an exclusive partnership with Deezer, the global audio streaming service. For the first time, Orange customers in Egypt will have the opportunity to sign up for Deezer Premium with unlimited access to music and podcasts. The companies have also teamed up…

DStv has launched its Explora Ultra decoder with new features, including built-in access to Netflix and other popular streaming apps. According to DStv, the decoder will be available at participating retail stores from next week for a recommended retail price of R2,499 for the standalone device. It will cost a…

Quoting Michele Obama, “…there is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” A new digital female-driven mentorship platform that aims to support and empower women in business in Africa has launched. Bureau Veritas, a company that specialises in testing, inspection, and certification, has partnered with TWAA, a global women…

Despite Covid-19 impact on businesses and the just released financial results for the half year ended 30th September, 2020 which saw net profit decrease by 6.0%, Safaricom has announced plans to provide 100% 4G network coverage across the country by end of this year 2020 as part of its growth strategy focused…

Applications for the 2020 Orange Prize for Social Entrepreneurship in Africa and the Middle East closed on 5 June 2020. Now Orange, one of the world’s leading telecommunications carriers has recently announced the winners of the Orange Africa and the Middle East Social Entrepreneur Prize. The prize was split into three categories…

Johannesburg-based fintech company, Paycode, that provides biometric digital identity and low-cost access to basic financial services in rural areas was recently awarded recognition in the 2020 Inclusive Fintech Awards, now it has recently been selected as one of ten startups to take part in the renowned Mastercard Start Path programme. RELATED READING: SA’S…

Turaco, a Kenya-based micro-insurtech startup has secured $2-million in series seed equity investment from Novastar Ventures, Mercy Corps Ventures, Musha Ventures, GAN Ventures, Zephyr Acron, and several angel investors. The investment will be utilised to further grow Turaco and to upscale its operations in Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, the startup aims…