Johannesburg — Mastercard and Yellow Card have announced a partnership to expand stablecoin-based payment solutions across Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including Kenya. The two firms said they will explore the use of stablecoins in cross-border money transfers, business-to-business payments, digital loyalty programmes and treasury management. The partnership will initially focus on markets…
As the global gemstone market becomes increasingly complex with fraud on the rise, The Gem Lab is setting a new benchmark for trust, transparency, and authenticity with the introduction of its “Gem Lab Approved” standard. Founded and led by Jeremy Rothon FGA, one of South Africa’s most experienced and respected gemmologists, The Gem Lab has…
Botswana has not cut off electricity supply or closed borders amid anti-migrant action in South Africa IN SHORT: As anti-migrant demonstrations continue to shake South Africa in May 2026, claims about neighbouring Botswana taking action are circulating online. But there is no evidence the country has closed borders or cut off electricity supply to South…
Southern Russia is facing one of the largest environmental disasters in its modern history. In April, repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure in Tuapse triggered massive refinery fires and oil spills along the Black Sea coast, including near Sochi. Residents described “black rain” falling from the sky as smoke and petroleum residue spread across…
Thomas Mukoya/Reuters Airtel Africa on Friday delayed the planned public listing of its mobile money business to the second half of 2026 and forecast a near-term margin squeeze due to higher costs arising from the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran. The war has triggered an unprecedented crunch in crude supplies from the Middle East and…
Emma Wenani, Chief Director of Global Media Alliance, has been named among the Ascent Top 100 Career Women in Africa 2026, a recognition by Ascent Club that celebrates bold, audacious and high-impact women shaping the continent’s corporate landscape. The recognition places her among an influential group of women whose work continues to redefine leadership, excellence…
Across much of the Western financial press, Africa’s growing use of China’s renminbi (RMB) is often framed through the lens of geopolitics, expanding Chinese influence and shifting global alliances. Yet beneath the political framing lies a far more practical story, one rooted in cost management, efficiency and financial pragmatism. Kenya offers one of the clearest…
In an aerial view, a Valero refinery is seen on May 5, 2026 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images Oil prices were lower on Friday, erasing gains after the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, fanning fears that the fragile ceasefire between the two countries was…
In this episode of ITWeb TV, Blu Label joint CEOs, Mark and Brett Levy reflect on building the company from car radios and prepaid vouchers to a diversified technology giant, while discussing Cell C’s turnaround, entrepreneurship, energy ambitions, leadership lessons and South Africa’s digital future. #CellC #Entrepreneurship #JSE Blu Label Unlimited, the majority shareholder in…
Gen. Jeje Odongo Abubakhar, Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Sergey Lobanov, Chargé d’Affaires of the Russian Federation to Uganda, during which both sides reaffirmed the warm and longstanding relations between Uganda and the Russian Federation. During the meeting, the Russian Federation formally conveyed an invitation to the Republic…
