Ozow & Lula Partner to Expand Access to Business Funding for SMEs
Ozow has teamed up with South African fintech Lula to embed a digital funding channel directly into its merchant platform. The co‑branded interface lets eligible SMEs apply for loans that Lula assesses and disburses, while Ozow leverages its payments data to pre‑qualify businesses. The move reflects a growing trend of payments providers adding financial services to support merchants facing rising costs and credit constraints. Ozow plans to roll out the new offering to its merchant base in the coming weeks, expanding its value proposition beyond payments.
Fraudsters May Target AI Mandates as Agentic Commerce Takes Off
AI‑driven agents are set to handle consumer transactions, a trend dubbed agentic commerce. McKinsey projects up to $1 trillion in U.S. B2C revenue by 2030, with a global market potential of $3‑5 trillion. Visa’s security unit observed a 450% surge in dark‑web...
The Rise of Mobile-First FinTech Solutions: Betting Apps Driving Digital Payments in Africa
Africa’s fintech boom is being propelled by mobile‑first betting apps that double as digital‑payment gateways, onboarding millions of previously unbanked users. The continent, responsible for about 74% of global mobile‑money volume, is on track for a $1.5 trillion digital payments economy...
Commercial Bank in East Africa to Integrate USDA Payments
Kenya’s cross‑border remittance flow hit a record $5 bn in 2024, outpacing tea and horticulture exports, yet settlement still takes four to five days via costly SWIFT corridors. Stablecoin usage surged, with $3.3 bn processed in the past year, highlighting demand for...
SAPVIA and City Power Forge Collaborative Path for Sustainable Solar Energy in Johannesburg
The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) and Johannesburg’s City Power met on 16 February 2026 to tackle a growing backlog of Small‑Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) registrations dating from 2022‑2025. SAPVIA pushed for a fast‑track, digital‑first framework to clear legacy applications and...
How Is AI Rapidly Transforming the Insurance & Financial Services Sectors
Artificial intelligence is reshaping South Africa's insurance and financial services, accelerating claims handling, underwriting and customer interaction through chatbots, AI‑driven fraud screening and deep‑fake detection. Adoption remains uneven: banks have embraced AI at a 52% rate, while insurers lag at...
Philips Appoints New CEO for Middle East, Türkiye & Africa
Royal Philips announced Marc Zora as the new Chief Executive Officer for its Middle East, Türkiye and Africa (META) region, effective April 1, 2026. Zora, a 15‑year Philips veteran, has held senior roles including General Manager for Qatar, District Leader...
Tether Launches tether.wallet
Tether announced tether.wallet, a self‑custodial digital wallet that puts its USD₮, USA₮, XAU₮ and Bitcoin infrastructure directly in users’ hands. The wallet eliminates complex blockchain addresses by using human‑readable identifiers like name@tether.me and allows fees to be paid in the...
AVEVA to Spotlight Industrial Intelligence at AVEVA Day South Africa 2026
AVEVA will host AVEVA Day South Africa 2026 on April 22 at the Johannesburg Marriott, focusing on AI, Digital Twins and data‑driven operations to accelerate the continent’s industrial future. The one‑day event gathers senior executives, technology innovators and ecosystem partners...
Cross Switch Appoints Nondumiso Siboto as Head of Operations, South Africa
Cross Switch has appointed Nondumiso Siboto as Head of Operations for South Africa, reinforcing its push to scale a technology‑driven payments platform. Siboto brings extensive fintech and SaaS operational experience, having led customer‑success and large‑scale service delivery teams in high‑growth...
TCL Unveils 2026 Product Lineup for South Africa, Bringing Revolutionary SQD-Mini LED TV Technology to Local Consumers
TCL announced its 2026 South African lineup, introducing the first SQD‑Mini LED TVs—C7L and C8L—paired with Bang & Olufsen audio. The C7L launches at roughly $1,050 for the 65‑inch model, while the C8L 75‑inch starts around $1,580. The rollout also includes...
Nedbank & Mastercard in Landmark 10-Year Partnership
Nedbank and Mastercard have sealed a landmark 10‑year commercial agreement that expands their collaboration across six Southern African markets. The deal will migrate Nedbank’s entire card portfolio onto Mastercard’s network, unlocking faster, more secure digital payment experiences for retail, SME...
Sony Expands Gaming Gear Range
Sony announced an expansion of its INZONE gaming line, introducing the ultra‑light INZONE H6 Air headset, new Fnatic‑branded mouse and mousepads, and the Glass Purple edition of INZONE Buds. The H6 Air features an open‑back acoustic design, custom drivers, a...
Bayobab CEO Appointed to Global Leaders’ Forum (GLF) Board
MTN Digital Infrastructure announced that its Bayobab chief executive Mazen Mroué has been appointed to the board of the Global Leaders’ Forum, a network of senior connectivity leaders. The GLF focuses on inclusivity, innovation and responsible digital infrastructure worldwide. Mroué...
FNB Launches Digital Enablement Program to Accelerate SME Digital Transformation in SA
FNB has unveiled an 18‑month Digital Enablement Programme (DEP) to help South African SMEs accelerate digital transformation. The initiative, built on insights from over 1.2 million SME clients, offers tailored support in digital skills, market access, and funding. Partnering with implementation...