ICT industry ready to make the leap to 5.5G

The next milestone for the information and communication technology (ICT) industry on the path to an intelligent world is 5.5 generation (5.5G) technology, the evolution of fifth-generation (5G).... 

Smartphone shipments slide for fifth consecutive quarter

Global smartphone shipments registered the largest third-quarter decline to date – and the fifth consecutive quarterly contraction – amid weakened global demand and economic uncertainties.... 

MTN to roll out digital skills development initiative in four countries on the continent this year

MTN has launched the MTN Skills Academy to develop people across the continent as producers, consumers and innovators of digital technologies. The ‘Digital Skills for Digital Jobs’ programme aims... 

Cisco Networking Academy aims to train 25m learners in next ten years

As technology group Cisco’s long-standing global information technology (IT) skills-to-jobs programme, Networking Academy, celebrates 25 years, it has announced new ambitions of providing digital... 

Hydropower component procurement under way as LHWP Phase II advances

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has crossed another milestone in the implementation of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). Following the completion of further... 

Telkom launches commercial 5G, live tests reveal 1.3 Gb/s speed

Telecommunications group Telkom, in partnership with information and communication technology giant Huawei, has officially launched its national commercial fifth-generation (5G) network. Telkom has... 

New research shows mobile finance can increase national GDP

Mobile financial services are critical drivers of financial inclusion and its successful deployment and adoption can have a positive impact on gross domestic product (GDP) in developing countries.... 

ARM, Wits partner to develop mining talent and research

Diversified mining and minerals group African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) have entered a multidisciplinary partnership to enhance skills and research in... 

New study shows 5G is already paving the path to metaverse

A new study by information and communication technology group Ericsson’s ConsumerLab has revealed that fifth-generation (5G) users spend an average of one hour per week more on metaverse-related... 

Gauteng has enough water for now, but concern raised about surging demand

Gauteng is unlikely to run out water; however, Rand Water, which provides bulk water to municipalities across four provinces, continues to abstract water beyond its licence. The water trading... 

Vodacom South Africa prepares for PV panel installation at Midrand campus

Telecommunications group Vodacom South Africa is preparing for the first phase of a project that will ultimately result in solar photovoltaic (PV) panels installed across the company’s Midrand... 

Retirees can fill the skills gap in South Africa

The gap in skills across South Africa’s labour market can be closed by recruiting from the country’s retired pool and establishing mentorships and skills transfer programmes, says Quyn director... 

Two companies sign up to provide MTN with additional generation capacity

Telecommunications group MTN South Africa (SA) has partnered with two businesses – 24Solutions and SAMO Engineering – following its crowd-sourcing call for small businesses with additional... 

Hitachi to secure power supply along 1 700 km HVDC link in DRC

Global sustainable energy technology leader Hitachi Energy and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) national electricity company Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL) have signed a long-term... 

Cellular connectivity key to meeting surging electricity demand – report

Cellular technology will be critical to accelerate the digital transformation of utilities, a new report by information and communication technology provider Ericsson has revealed. The Connected... 

New initiative to promote digital transformation across Africa

The Smart Africa Secretariat and information and communication technology (ICT) group Ericsson have entered a collaboration to support Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA)’s ambitions of promoting... 

Sun International breaks ground on R295m expansion project at Sun City

Sun International has broken ground on a R295-million expansion at its iconic Sun City resort, in the North West. Forming part of its Sun Vacation Club (SVC) – one of South Africa’s leading... 

Entertainment, media sectors in SA, Nigeria, Kenya make strong post-Covid comeback

Entertainment and media revenue across South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya rebounded strongly in 2021 as all three markets, like the rest of the world, recovered from the effects of the Covid-19... 

SA to host Google’s first Cloud region in Africa

Google plans to establish a new Google Cloud region in South Africa – its first on the continent – which will help users, developers, businesses and educational institutions across Africa to... 

France-based Suez acquires EnviroServ and its subsidiaries

The acquisition of environmental services firm EnviroServ and its subsidiaries by water and waste management utility Suez is set to reinforce the France-headquartered firm’s position as an... 

Global fintech investment down $3.4bn to $107.8bn in H1

Global financial technology (fintech) investment remained resilient during the first half of 2022, despite a decline, a new report from audit, tax and advisory services firm KPMG shows. KPMG’s... 

Crane manufacturer eyes leading position in Africa

Crane manufacturer Condra Cranes’ ambitions of becoming Southern Africa’s leading overhead cranes and hoists manufacturer is continuing as the group secures significantly large orders. This follows... 

No need for alarm around water scarcity – Minister

There is no need for citizens to be alarmed over South Africa’s water scarcity, as a total water outage will not happen in the near future, assures Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu. While... 

Expansion paves way for facility to play globally

The extensive expansion – and leveraging of the latest technologies – of minerals processing equipment and solutions provider FLSmidth Delmas’ “supercentre” has positioned the company well to serve... 

Cell C’s long-awaited recapitalisation concluded

The recapitalisation of embattled mobile operator Cell C has been concluded, a critical pillar of Cell C’s three-year turnaround strategy. JSE-listed 45%-shareholder Blue Label Telecoms says that... 

Global Internet growth slowing, says telecoms body

After the surge during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, global Internet growth has slowed, with the 2030 ambitions of “getting the world connected” remaining elusive. While an estimated... 

Three open-access data centres launched in SA

Data centre services provider and Africa’s edge data centre leader, and part of the West Indian Ocean Cable Company Group, Open Access Data Centres (OADC) has launched three new OADC Edge data... 

Starsight Energy, SA’ SolarAfrica intent on merging as they target African renewables market

East and West African renewable-energy services provider Starsight Energy and South African solar energy provider SolarAfrica Energy are planning to merge to expand operations with the ambition of... 

Coca-Cola combines forces with govt in Gqeberha solar-powered groundwater initiative

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA), in partnership with the Department Water and Sanitation (DWS), has launched a series of off-grid, solar-powered groundwater harvesting and treatment... 

Global mobile subscriptions surge in second quarter

The total number of mobile subscriptions worldwide increased by 52-million during the second quarter of 2022 to reach 8.3-billion, with Africa accounting for 1.2-billion, the latest Ericsson... 

90% of small businesses have established online presence since Covid outbreak – survey

The Covid-19 pandemic has spurred business model innovation in various sectors across businesses as consumer behaviour shifted and drove the increased uptake of online sales. A new study, conducted... 

South Africa will not run out of water, Minister assures

There is no need for citizens to be alarmed over South Africa’s water scarcity, as a total water outage will not happen in the near future, assures Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu. While... 

Greater urgency urged as climate change amplifies SA’s water insecurity

Water security remains one of the biggest challenges facing South Africa, with the country’s supply facing many threats amid increasing demand and relatively low water availability. While the... 

Women-owned company aims to revive SA’s phosphate industry after securing mining right

Adelaide Ruiters Mining & Exploration (ARME) has secured a mining right for its Zandheuvel phosphate mine, in Saldanha Bay, and CEO and founder Adelaide Ruiters hopes to revive competences in South... 

New draft spectrum policy published

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has gazetted its draft Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for public comment, which, in a first, has been developed in... 

Call for comments on water pricing strategy

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is calling on stakeholders to comment on the framework for the pricing of water use for South Africa’s water resource by November 3. The National... 

New underground concrete-mixing vehicle launched in South Africa

A joint venture between special and custom-made mobile equipment engineering, manufacturing and servicing firm Hencon and tunnel support liner materials manufacturer and specialist Altecrete has... 

Explorer aims to develop copper assets in Namibia as supply squeeze looms

Mineral exploration company Iron Bull Mining is positioning itself to leverage an expected looming copper supply squeeze through its copper development in northern Namibia and also aims to lead the... 

Holistic approach contributes to Weir’s success

A history spanning 150 years of strategic development has positioned minerals processing equipment firm Weir Minerals as one of the few companies to provide holistic services and integrated pumping... 

Company rebrands as it evolves

As pump dewatering and dredging specialist IPR evolves, it has embarked on a rebranding that is more representative of how the market sees the organisation and to reflect the company’s vision going...