5G poised to be fastest-growing subscription type in sub-Saharan Africa

Fifth-generation (5G) is set to be the fastest-growing subscription type in sub-Saharan Africa between 2023 and 2029, when 85% of the global population will have 5G coverage access. The latest... 

Global smartphone market poised for recovery following 3.2% slump in 2023 – IDC

Global smartphone shipments declined 3.2% to 1.17-billion units in 2023, the lowest full-year volume in a decade, driven largely by macroeconomic challenges and elevated inventory early in the... 

Following several advances in 2023, LHWP Phase II moves into final construction phase

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has made much progress on the Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) after a milestone year. During 2023, the project marked many... 

MTN launches academy to equip young people with skills ‘to succeed in the digital age’

Telecommunications group MTN South Africa has launched its MTN Skills Academy to bridge the digital skills gap and equip youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the digital age.... 

EAIF commits billions to Sonatel’s receivables-backed bond

Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) company, the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), has committed XOF23.5-billion to a XOF75-billion receivables-backed bond issued by... 

Itac rebates for optic fibre cables, electrical apparatus imports

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) has created a rebate facility for the import of optic fibre cables and electrical apparatus used in international submarine... 

Water summit concludes with multistakeholder resolutions to tackle issues

While the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is offering comprehensive and collaborative support for underperforming water services authorities (WSAs), mayors and municipalities, Water and... 

Sylvania marks important milestones on ESG journey

Platinum group metals producer and developer Sylvania Platinum (Sylvania) has been advancing its various environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives since the publication of its... 

Small businesses using cloud technology could add R185.9bn to South Africa’s economy

The adoption of cloud computing by South Africa’s small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) can potentially unlock R185.9-billion for the country’s economy by 2030. Further, the use of the... 

Dept to launch turnaround initiatives as SA’s water quality, wastewater plants deteriorate

As South Africa’s water quality, nonrevenue water and wastewater facilities deteriorate, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is embarking on various initiatives to arrest the downward... 

South African households remain under pressure

The restrictive monetary policy stance by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) continues to weigh on South African households, with most remaining under severe financial pressure amid the higher... 

Eskom to implement planned maintenance at Zuikerbosch

State-owned power utility Eskom is preparing to embark on an eight-hour planned maintenance on the transformers that supply power at water utility Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant.... 

Ericsson, MTN extend partnership to boost financial inclusion across Africa

Information and communications technology giant’s Ericsson and MTN Group have strengthened their partnership to broaden the scope of financial inclusion across Africa by using MTN’s Mobile Money... 

TCTA reports progress on projects in preparation or under implementation, despite challenges

The various projects under the umbrella of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) are gaining traction, says TCTA CEO Percy Sechemane, outlining the projects in an update on the state of the... 

New partnership forged to support Project East2West

The Smart Africa Alliance, Bayobab and Africa50 have partnered to support the Project East2West initiative with regulatory and policy engagements as the project links landlocked African countries... 

Global 5G subscriptions forecast to surpass 5.3bn by the end of 2029

By the end of 2023, nearly one-in-five of all global mobile subscriptions will be fifth-generation (5G) subscriptions, as the growth proves resilient, despite continued economic challenges and... 

New R250m Contermanskloof reservoir starts water supply

The City of Cape Town’s new R250-million, 100-megalitre Contermanskloof reservoir, in Durbanville, has completed a one-year operational trial period and will now supply water to the city’s northern... 

Water consumption exceeds metros’ targets

Water consumption across Gauteng’s metropolitans has exceeded set targets, with Rand Water once again warning that the water systems are constrained. Rand Water continues to produce over 5 000... 

Rand Water redeems its 2013 bond

Water utility Rand Water has settled its RW23 bond under its R10-billion domestic medium term note (DMTN) programme, which was listed with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in 2013 and matured... 

MTN, Huawei launch solar, battery solution for SMEs

As demand for reliable backup power solutions rises amid persistent loadshedding, MTN Business, in collaboration with Huawei and Verteco, has launched the Power-M inverter and battery solar... 

Rand Water concerned by escalating municipal water debt, reaches stalemate

Rand Water on Friday called on municipalities to urgently pay their water debt as the amount owing to the water utility escalates and threatens its financial position. The water utility said it is... 

Deteriorating water quality, wastewater management a crisis, says Human Rights Commission

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says that the rate and extent of the combined decline of South Africa’s water resource management and distribution indicates a state of “creeping... 

CSIR, association ink MoU to accelerate cybersecurity, telecoms and 4IR-related innovations

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Association of Communications and Technology (ACT) have entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to accelerate technological... 

Second Condra crane to be installed at Saiccor Mill’s Feed Three dryer line

Crane manufacturer Condra Cranes has completed the manufacture of a service and maintenance crane for Saiccor Mill’s Feed Three pulp dryer line at Umkomaas, in KwaZulu-Natal. The double-girder... 

Vodacom and WWF to pilot AI early warning system to help protect marine mammals

Connectivity, digital and financial services company Vodacom South Africa and independent conservation organisation World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) South Africa have joined forces to pilot... 

New study finds South Africans losing confidence in water services

A new survey undertaken by the Water Research Commission (WRC), in collaboration with the South African Local Government Association (Salga), has found that South Africans’ confidence in water... 

Organisations raise concern over latest DWS water reports

Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse initiative WaterCAN and AfriForum are raising their concerns over the latest results from the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS’s) full Blue and No Drop... 

MTN announces executive changes

MTN Group COO Jens Schulte-Bockum is preparing to step down from his roles following the conclusion of his fixed-term contract on March 31, 2024. Schulte-Bockum, who will continue to serve as a... 

Tomorrow.io, MTN Group partner for early weather warnings in Africa

A new collaboration is set to leverage satellite monitoring, artificial intelligence (AI), mobile connectivity and cloud computing to provide critical early warnings and weather information to... 

Liquid Intelligent Technologies appoints new CFO

Pan-African technology group Liquid Intelligent Technologies has appointed Lerato Dipuo Phueginia Pule as CFO for its South Africa operations, effective February 1, 2024. Pule, a qualified... 

Country’s water quality deteriorates since 2014, nonrevenue water rockets - Blue, No, Green Drop reports

The latest full Blue and No Drop reports, along with the Green Drop progress assessment report, released by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on Tuesday, show the deterioration of South... 

MTN South Africa takes new AI step as it launches chatbot

Telecommunications group MTN South Africa has unveiled its internally-launched employee Artificial Intelligence- (AI-) driven chatbot, which will ultimately redefine customer engagement and set new... 

IDC forecasts uptick in semiconductor market in 2024

The International Data Corporation (IDC) has increased its semiconductor market revenue outlook amid an expected return to growth, as the US market is set to remain resilient from a demand... 

Liquid C2, Google Cloud in Africa ink cloud, security technologies partnership MoU

Pan-African technology group Liquid C2 and Google Cloud in Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a strategic partnership that will further enhance Liquid C2’s tailor-made cloud... 

Africa poised for fast connectivity growth rates

Digitalisation and globalisation have made the fibre infrastructure industry more important and relevant than ever, and having the right policies and ecosystems in place is key to accelerating... 

TCTA progresses its various projects

The various projects under the umbrella of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) are gaining traction, says TCTA CEO Percy Sechemane, outlining the projects in an update on the state of the... 

Work underway to clear hyacinth at Hartbeespoort dam

Work is continuing on the efficient rehabilitation of the Hartbeespoort dam, where hyacinth and algae have negatively impacted the water quality, assured Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu.... 

MTN enhances network resilience to alleviate loadshedding impact

Telecommunications group MTN has achieved several milestones as it continues to spearhead its comprehensive modernisation project across a number of provinces to bolster network resilience against... 

Gauteng e-tolls debt proposal to be submitted by mid-December

The Gauteng provincial government (GPG) will table a “concrete proposal” to national government by December 15 outlining plans to pay off the province’s portion of the long-contested e-tolls debt... 

Cell C's Mendes optimistic over latest results

Telecommunications group Cell C on Monday reported a loss before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of R907-million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This is a 509% decline compared...