SA’s digital infrastructure spend tipped to hit R1.2tn

SA’s digital infrastructure spend tipped to hit R1.2tn

South Africa’s digital infrastructure spend is forecast to reach $71 billion between 2025 and 2050. (Image created via Gemini) South Africa’s digital infrastructure spend is forecast to reach $71 billion (R1.2 trillion) between 2025 and 2050, as investment in artificial intelligence (AI), data centres and connected infrastructure systems accelerates globally. This is one of the…

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E-hailing overtakes vehicle ownership, outpaces fuel spend

E-hailing overtakes vehicle ownership, outpaces fuel spend

Discovery Bank and Visa data shows ride-hailing growth is now outpacing fuel spend, especially among younger urban consumers. South Africans are increasingly turning to ride-hailing services, as convenience, shifting economics and changing mobility habits reshape urban transport behaviour. This is according to the latest edition of the SpendTrend26 report, compiled by Discovery Bank and Visa, which…

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Concern as SA regresses on R&D spend

Concern as SA regresses on R&D spend

South Africa’s R&D investment remains stagnant at 0.61% of GDP. (Image source: 123RF) Even with the National Development Plan targets firmly in sight, South Africa looks unlikely to reach its target of 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) expenditure on research and development (R&D) by 2030. This, as the latest datasets on the state of…

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ZADNA probe exposes costly executive spend amid cash decline

ZADNA probe exposes costly executive spend amid cash decline

An investigation uncovered weaknesses in ZADNA’s credit card section of the procurement policy. (Image source: 123RF) Communications minister Solly Malatsi’s department is initiating several actions to give full effect to the recommendations of an investigation report on alleged misconduct by the CEO of the .ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA). This, after the entity was again…

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South Africans spend grocery money on online gambling

South Africans spend grocery money on online gambling

National Gambling Board data shows about R1.5 trillion was wagered in SA’s gambling industry in 2024–2025. South Africans are diverting money they are supposed to spend on groceries to try their luck on online gambling. This is one of the biggest findings from a study conducted by Durban-based market research firm Trade Intelligence. The online…

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