Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

Kenyan electric mobility pioneer Roam has unveiled the country’s first universal fast-charging station for light electric vehicles (LEVs), capable of delivering 10–20 kilometers of range in just five minutes. This milestone marks a significant step toward accelerating the adoption of electric mobility across Africa. Founded in 2017 and rebranded earlier…

Adobe announced on Wednesday that it will acquire Semrush, a leading digital marketing and SEO platform, in a transaction valued at approximately $1.9 billion. According to the company’s press release, the acquisition is designed to give marketers deeper insights into how their brands are represented across the web, enhancing Adobe’s…

Verizon is set to eliminate more than 13,000 jobs—roughly 13% of its workforce—in a major restructuring effort aimed at reducing costs and streamlining operations. The layoffs were announced in an internal memo from CEO Dan Schulman, who described the move as part of a broader plan to “reorient” the company…

South Africa’s Ata Capital has announced the successful sale of its 26% stake in Novare Holdings to the company’s management team—a significant step in Novare’s ongoing transformation and growth strategy. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. Lelo Rantloane, CEO of Ata Capital, commented: We believe services businesses thrive under…

Development Partners International (DPI), a leading Africa-focused investment firm, has announced the successful initial public offering (IPO) of its portfolio company Optasia on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The IPO generated strong interest from a diverse base of investors, raising approximately R6.3 billion (around $375 million). Optasia debuted at R19.00…

Fresh from restructuring its partnership with OpenAI, Microsoft is broadening its AI investment strategy with a massive bet on Anthropic. The tech giant announced plans to invest up to $10 billion in the Claude developer, while NVIDIA has committed up to $5 billion. This three-way alliance—complete with additional strategic commitments—underscores…

South Africa’s banking landscape is heating up as OM Bank and Pep Bank prepare to take on Capitec by offering affordable, accessible, and tech-driven financial services aimed at the country’s lower- and middle-income segments. This week, reports emerged that Pepkor Holdings Ltd., a retail giant known for its dominance in…

Africa’s largest retailer of clothing and mobile phones is preparing to enter the banking sector in South Africa by launching zero-fee banking services. The initiative will leverage Pepkor Holdings Ltd.’s extensive network of 6,000 stores across the country to provide financial access to millions of lower-income customers, according to people…

Nigerian broadband infrastructure provider Legend Internet is embarking on a major diversification strategy that will see it enter both the telecommunications and financial services sectors. At its recent second Annual General Meeting (AGM), shareholders approved a series of transformative resolutions aimed at positioning the company as a full-service digital infrastructure…

Apple’s iPhone accounted for one in every four smartphones sold in China during October, marking a significant 37% year-over-year sales increase, according to data from Counterpoint Research. The surge was driven by strong demand for the newly launched iPhone 17 series. This milestone represents Apple’s highest market share in China…

Standard Bank proudly partnered with Transnet as joint lead arranger in a landmark R5 billion (approximately $292 million) debt capital market transaction. This issuance achieved exceptional results, attracting a record-breaking R42 billion (around $2.5 billion) in investor interest from more than 44 investors. Standard Bank played a pivotal role by…

Zimbabwe’s state-owned telecommunications provider TelOne has unveiled TelOne Connect, a new product designed to maximize the company’s existing infrastructure and unlock new revenue streams. The launch marks a strategic move to modernize voice communication and expand accessibility in an increasingly digital era. TelOne currently serves over 500,000 landline customers, though…

Super Money, a new venture by Super Group, has announced the launch of ZAR Supercoin, an innovative stablecoin designed specifically for South Africa and the broader African market. Alongside the coin, Super Money is introducing a digital wallet, creating a comprehensive blockchain-based payment ecosystem aimed at transforming everyday transactions. The…

US retail giant Walmart is set to open its first branded store in South Africa this Saturday, 22 November, marking a significant milestone in its expansion strategy for the region. The inaugural store will be located at Clearwater Mall in Roodepoort, with additional locations, including Fourways Mall, confirmed for future…

South African electrotech innovator Plentify has successfully closed an oversubscribed Series-A funding round, bringing its total capital raised to date to nearly US$15 million (approximately R256 million). Plentify specializes in AI-powered hardware and software solutions that connect household appliances to cheaper, cleaner energy sources, helping consumers reduce costs while supporting…

The Competition Commission has granted approval for Lesaka Technologies to acquire Bank Zero, the app-only digital bank co-founded by former FNB CEO Michael Jordaan. The Commission recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve the transaction without conditions, signaling confidence that the deal will not negatively impact market competition. Under the proposed…

Shoprite has been steadily expanding its financial services capabilities in recent years—yes, Shoprite! The retail giant is now positioning itself to dominate peer-to-peer money transfers as a stepping stone toward a full-scale challenge to South Africa’s established banking sector. The retailer’s journey into financial services began in 1998 with the…

Telkom has delivered a robust performance in its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2025, cementing its position as one of South Africa’s best-performing state-owned enterprises. The group’s revenue rose by 3.4% to R22.1 billion, driven primarily by strong growth in data services. Mobile data revenue surged…

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has committed $50 million to Helios Investors V, a private equity fund managed by Helios Investment Partners. This investment underscores JICA’s ongoing efforts to support sustainable economic growth and private sector development across Africa. JICA’s participation comes alongside a consortium of prominent development finance…

Wahu Mobility’s story began with a simple yet powerful idea: converting traditional bicycles into electric-powered models to meet the growing demand for affordable, sustainable transportation across Africa. What started as a retrofit solution has evolved into a full-fledged mobility company that designs and assembles electric bicycles engineered specifically for Africa’s…