Technology Innovation Agency CEO Titus Mathe Just months after securing US$72.9-million (R1.2-billion) in a landmark settlement with shareholders of former local biotech Kapa Biosystems, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) this week revealed plans to use the funds to support local innovation projects. TIA CEO Titus Mathe, appointed to head the state-owned agency in April, told…
Cascador deployed more than $5 million into 7 African startups at its second annual pitch day, as the growth-stage founder platform expands funding for companies with social impact. The Africa-focused platform launched its Catalytic Fund last year as a $2 million annual initiative to support alumni companies. Since its founding in 2019, Cascador has supported…
South Africa’s convergence war has been fought on two fronts simultaneously: Mobile operators have pushed into financial services – payments platforms, digital wallets, money transfers and insurance. Banks have pushed into connectivity – mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), airtime, data the phone number as an anchor for the customer relationship. The previous two pieces in…
“Today, everyone recognises that trade is as much a security issue as an economic one.” European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde made this comment in February 2026, while addressing the Munich Security Conference. Although she was speaking about Europe, her words matter profoundly for Africa. The continent’s 54 economies face a three-way tension that has…
Chipo Mushwana, Nedbank’s executive for payments and technology AI agents are already initiating financial transactions on behalf of people, and South African banks were not built for that. That was the central warning at Nedbank’s Innovation Day in Johannesburg last week, where banking and technology leaders said the industry’s biggest blind spot is not AI…
The Léopards, DR Congo’s national football team, endured a painful campaign at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany. Their Yugoslav coach, Blagoje Vidinić, had earned praise for leading the squad to victory at the 1974 Africa Cup of Nations. ALSO READ: What to know about FIFA’s 2026 World Cup music project However, he…
Johannesburg, South Africa – In the quiet mining town of Swartruggens, a small courthouse is preparing to decide whether five Mexicans accused of a major illegal drug operation will be granted bail or remain in custody. Their arrests followed a raid on a remote farm in North West province, where police said they uncovered a…
The recently concluded Africa Forward Summit held between 11th and 12th of May, 2026 in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital co-chaired by France and Kenya, has opened a vista of opportunities to ramp up investments in critical sectors for Africa and France, especially in food security. Held under the auspices of the “Africa- France Partnership for…
For generations, Africa has exported its wealth and imported its future. From copper and cobalt to crude oil and natural gas, the continent has supplied the raw materials that power global industries while receiving only a fraction of the value generated from them. The result has been a paradox that has defined Africa’s economic story…
Midrand, South Africa — President William Ruto has challenged African businesses and entrepreneurs to stop looking overseas for markets and begin trading more aggressively in Africa. The President noted that Africa’s market is increasingly becoming the next biggest frontier for trade and investment, and innovation in the world. Addressing a joint Kenya-South Africa Business Forum…
