Sci-Tech Ministry Sets Digital Roadmap in Motion
South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has outlined a digital transformation roadmap slated for the 2026/27 fiscal year, prioritising cloud computing, artificial intelligence and big data analytics. The plan integrates these technologies with existing systems while decommissioning duplicate ICT platforms under an approved rationalisation agenda. DSTI will partner with the National School of Government to upskill staff and implement change‑management processes to ensure adoption. Progress will be tracked through KPIs from 2027/28 onward, with continuous adjustments based on performance data.
BCX Backs Chartered CIO Conference 2026
BCX has signed on as a sponsor for the Chartered CIO Conference 2026, scheduled for 11 June at Montecasino’s Ballroom in Fourways. The one‑day event, themed “Resilient. Intelligent. Inclusive: Shaping South Africa’s digital future,” will convene senior CIOs and technology leaders...
SA’s Parent Sense Chosen for Global Health Tech Fellowship
South African digital health platform Parent Sense has been selected for the Georgetown Thrive Centre Innovation Hub’s 2026 fellowship, a three‑month product development and market‑access program in Washington, DC. Founded by occupational therapist Meg Faure, the app delivers AI‑enabled, evidence‑based...
Listed Firms Risk 30% Share Plunge Amid Rising Cyber Attacks
JSE‑listed companies face the risk of a 30% share‑price plunge after a cyber‑attack, as weekly cyber incidents in South Africa jumped 36% year‑on‑year to 2,145. Response speed dramatically influences losses: incidents contained within hours limit share erosion to 4%, while...
Home Affairs Pressed to Expedite Digital Upgrades
Parliament’s home affairs oversight committee has urged the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to urgently accelerate its digital transformation after a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report exposed large‑scale visa fraud and collusion among officials. The investigation highlighted that manual, paper‑based...
Finfluencers Drive Inclusion but Expose Consumers to Risks
At the FSCA Conference 2026 regulators warned that South Africa’s booming finfluencer market is a double‑edged sword. While creators are making finance more accessible and boosting financial literacy, many operate without licences and provide weak or hidden disclosures. The FSCA...
Clean up Your Digital Clutter or Face the Risks, Firms Warn
South African firms are warned that unchecked digital clutter—dubbed “data toxicity”—is costing millions and exposing them to security breaches. Experts from Integrity360 and KnowBe4 Africa argue that redundant, obsolete (ROT) data inflates cloud storage fees, increases cognitive load, and creates...
Everything You Need to Know About Online Fraud
Online fraud, encompassing financial scams and identity theft, surged as pandemic‑driven digital adoption expanded across banking, retail, and services. In South Africa, criminal syndicates generated between R200 billion and R300 billion in annual losses, with banking fraud alone exceeding R3.3 billion in 2023....
Gartner Predicts Surge in AI-Powered Public Services
Gartner forecasts that by 2028 at least 80 % of governments worldwide will deploy AI agents to automate routine decision‑making, boosting efficiency and service delivery. The firm highlights a shift toward decision intelligence, where governance focuses on the decisions themselves rather...
Postbank Becomes Licensed Financial Services Provider
South Africa’s Postbank has been granted a licence by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority to provide financial advice and intermediary services under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act. The regulatory approval, welcomed by Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele and parliamentary...
SA Banks Escalate Digital Push to Gain Market Share
South Africa’s major banks are intensifying a digital arms race, using mobile‑first platforms and AI to capture market share. PwC’s Major Banks Analysis shows combined earnings rose 9.4 % to R152.5 billion in 2025, supported by disciplined cost control and strong non‑interest...
New Rules Proposed to Hold Temu, Shein Accountable in SA
South Africa’s consumer regulators have released a joint position paper proposing new rules to hold offshore e‑commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein accountable. The draft guidelines would require foreign sellers moving significant volumes into the country to register locally,...
Top ICT Tenders: IEC Moves to Increase Stakeholder Interaction
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has issued two high‑profile ICT tenders ahead of the 2026 local elections. The first calls for a complete redevelopment of its public mobile app, citing an obsolete framework, security flaws and the need for better...
SA Varsities Tighten Policies as AI-Related Cheating Grows
South African universities—including UJ, UNISA, UP and UCT—are confronting a surge in generative AI‑assisted cheating, especially in take‑home assignments, online quizzes and coding tasks. Detection tools alone prove unreliable, prompting institutions to overhaul assessment designs and tighten AI usage policies....
Cape Town Intensifies CCTV Rollout
The City of Cape Town’s Strategic Surveillance Unit has expanded its CCTV network to over 1,200 cameras, with 85% of installations completed by mid‑February and a R14.4 million investment this fiscal year. New cameras were deployed in high‑crime suburbs such as...
Optasia Posts R4.4bn Revenue on Maiden JSE Results
Optasia, the AI‑driven fintech, posted R4.4 billion revenue for 2025, a 76% year‑on‑year increase, surpassing its IPO guidance. Adjusted EBITDA rose 52% to R1.9 billion, delivering a 43.2% margin, while normalized net income grew 57% to R973 million. The company expanded its user...
Correctional Services’ Critical ICT Systems Still Lag Behind
The South African Department of Correctional Services (DCS) told Parliament that three critical ICT systems—integrated inmate management system (IMMS), audio‑visual (AV) links, and public telephone networks—remain incomplete. An unlawful procurement dispute over the IMMS, projected to cost R300 million, has stalled...
New Hiring Models Emerge to Tackle SA Tech Talent Gap
South African firms are confronting a severe IT skills shortage by shifting toward internal talent development and innovative hiring models. Eighty‑one percent of HR leaders now prioritize reskilling, and many companies are adopting “bootcamp‑as‑a‑benefit” programs that fund AI and cyber‑security...
Canal+ Taps AI to Create Scenes Once Impossible to Film
Canal+, the French media group owned by MultiChoice, announced that it will integrate generative AI tools from Google Cloud and OpenAI into its StudioCanal production pipeline. CEO Maxim Saada said the technology will enable the creation of scenes that were previously...
DSTI Intros Smart Tech for ECape Farmers
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has launched the South African System of Systems for Agricultural Modernisation (SASSAM), a digital platform delivering soil analysis, pest identification, weather and AI‑driven forecasts to farmers. Funded through the Technology Innovation Agency,...
HyperLight Introduces 145 GHz Reference Modulators to Enable 448Gbps per Lane Datacom and 260GBaud Telecom Development
HyperLight Corp unveiled a 145 GHz packaged intensity modulator that delivers over 145 GHz electro‑optical bandwidth, enabling 448 Gbps per‑lane IMDD and 260 GBaud coherent links. The device is offered in O‑, C‑, L‑band configurations with a 1 µm pre‑order option, featuring a compact 0.8 mm...
‘Major’ SmartCape Upgrades in the Works
Cape Town’s SmartCape programme is set for a major technology refresh, with a R15 million budget earmarked for modernising computer hardware and public Wi‑Fi across the city’s libraries. The upgrades will roll out over the next two financial years, adding token‑less,...
SA Recorded Less than 17K E-Vehicle Sales in 2025
South Africa recorded about 16,700 new‑energy‑vehicle sales in 2025, representing roughly 4 % of the 422,103 passenger cars sold that year. Hybrids dominated the segment, accounting for nearly three‑quarters of NEV registrations, while fully electric models remained a niche for higher‑income...
AI Voice Agents Poised to Revolutionise SA’s Digital Customer Service
AI voice agents are set to transform South Africa’s digital customer service, moving beyond traditional IVR by combining locally hosted high‑speed speech‑to‑text engines with large language models and retrieval‑augmented generation. 1Stream’s CEO Bruce von Maltitz says the technology can handle...
FNB Rejigs eWallet with WhatsApp Integration
First National Bank (FNB) has added WhatsApp integration to its eWallet service, allowing users to register and manage a digital wallet directly through a chat interface. The upgrade lets new customers create an eWallet without an existing FNB account, expanding...
Digital Literacy Meets HIV Awareness Through Empower+
Microsoft and UNAIDS have launched Empower+, a free AI and digital‑skills platform for adolescent girls across 21 African countries. The service blends foundational digital literacy, introductory artificial‑intelligence training, and HIV‑prevention content, and is accessible via mobile devices in multiple local...
Absa Ramps up IT Spend to R16.7bn
South African bank Absa increased its IT spend by 6% to R16.7 billion, targeting new digital infrastructure, cyber security, data and cloud capabilities. The bank posted a 12% rise in headline earnings and a 5% increase in revenue, while digitally active...
Quectel Unveils Versatile Pi Series SBCs to Power Developer Innovation
Quectel Wireless Solutions has launched the Pi series of single‑board computers, comprising the Pi M1, L1 and H1 models. The boards target industrial IoT, robotics, and edge‑computing applications, offering LTE, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet connectivity. The flagship H1 features a Qualcomm...
The Computing Factory that Defeated the Cipher
The article recounts how Bletchley Park turned Alan Turing’s theoretical computer ideas into massive electromechanical Bombe machines capable of testing the staggering 159 quintillion possible Enigma settings. By leveraging statistical techniques such as Banburismus and a workforce of roughly 2,000 personnel—including...
Australia, Saudi Arabia, Europe Compete for SA’s Tech Skills
South African ICT and engineering talent is attracting heightened interest from abroad, with international job ads rising from 1.6% in 2021 to 2.2% in 2025. Australia remains the top recruiter, focusing on engineers and technicians, while Saudi Arabia’s demand surged...
SA Start-Up Aims to Help Business Side-Step ‘Innovation Theatre’ Using AI
South African start‑up Otinga, founded in June 2023, reports over 275% year‑on‑year growth by delivering AI‑driven transformation through rapid, execution‑focused programmes. The firm positions itself against “innovation theatre”, emphasizing disciplined governance, clear business ownership, and measurable outcomes rather than speculative pilots....
Land Bank Tightens Security After Ransomware Attack
The Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa confirmed a ransomware attack on 12 January 2026 that encrypted parts of its server environment and several laptops. The breach entered through a vulnerable internet‑facing server, but the bank’s core banking, ERP and...
The Sustainable Choice for the AI Era
Dr Ayotunde Coker, CEO of Open Access Data Centres, warns that AI adoption will surge across sub‑Saharan Africa, generating unprecedented data‑processing demand. He argues that building on‑premises AI‑focused data centres is prohibitively costly and slow, making vendor‑neutral colocation the sustainable alternative. OADC’s...
Indigenous Knowledge Innovation Platform Launched to Support Inclusive Bioeconomy Growth
UVU Bio, together with the CSIR‑hosted Regional Innovation Support Programme, has launched an Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Product Development Regional Innovation Platform in the Western and Eastern Cape. The platform helps indigenous knowledge holders and early‑stage bio‑entrepreneurs convert traditional practices...
Fraud Intelligence Platform Orca Raises R40m
Orca Fraud, a real‑time fraud intelligence platform, closed a $2.35 million seed round (R40 million) led by Norrsken22 with participation from OneDayYes, Enza Capital and CV VC Africa. The funding supports expansion of its transaction‑monitoring capabilities across Africa and other emerging markets....
Graduate Programme Launched to Train ICT Specialists
Axiz and SUSE have announced a 12‑month graduate programme aimed at creating ICT specialists across sub‑Saharan Africa, with the first cohort starting in February 2026. The curriculum blends technical instruction in enterprise Linux, cloud‑native infrastructure and cybersecurity with on‑the‑job placements...
Xsolla Celebrates International Women’s Day by Spotlighting Women in Games and Advancing Its Vision for Female Leadership
Xsolla reaffirmed its commitment to women in gaming by launching a series of community initiatives and industry events across emerging markets such as Dubai, Cyprus, and Türkiye. The company hosted a women‑founders gathering in Dubai and co‑organized a Women in...
Top ICT Tenders: Sentech Looks to IOT Opportunities
Senteic has issued a three‑year tender to build a comprehensive IoT ecosystem, inviting providers to deliver hardware, connectivity and platform solutions across nine categories, including smart metering, asset tracking, smart cities, e‑health, fleet management, smart grid, agriculture, and a generic...
Duxbury Lands Exclusive Milesight Surveillance Distribution Deal in SA
Duxbury Networking has secured an exclusive distribution agreement for Milesight’s AI‑enabled surveillance solutions in South Africa. The partnership expands Duxbury’s video‑security portfolio with a platform that promises rapid deployment and open integration with existing IT and security systems. According to...
Parly Committee Backs Payroll Reform Measures
South Africa’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service endorsed Treasury’s allocation to modernise the government payroll system and launch a national e‑government procurement platform. The move follows a ghost‑worker audit that has flagged 4,323 high‑risk cases of fraudulent payroll entries...
Trade Doesn't Flow on Roads − It Flows on Data
Africa’s trade potential hinges on overhauling its digital infrastructure, not just fixing ports or roads. Current IoT systems rely on permanent roaming SIMs and single‑core networks that crumble at borders, inflating costs and risk. Surveys show operators are shifting to...
Budget 2026: Govt Ups Digital Efforts to Root Out Payroll Fraud
South Africa’s 2026 budget earmarks R285.3 million to modernise the government payroll system and curb ghost‑worker fraud. An additional R98.9 million will fund a national e‑procurement platform under the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer. The Treasury has identified 4,323 high‑risk employees...
Budget 2026: SA Connect Phase Two ‘Comes to an End’
South Africa’s flagship broadband initiative, SA Connect, will complete its second phase in the 2025/26 fiscal year, according to the National Treasury’s Budget Review. Phase two delivered connectivity to 6,343 government facilities and installed 32,055 community Wi‑Fi hotspots, reaching an...
Budget 2026: Godongwana Talks up AI, Data Infrastructure
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana used the 2026 budget launch to declare data and artificial intelligence infrastructure as critical as electricity, ports and transport. He announced plans to expand data‑centre capacity, citing 55 existing facilities and R50 billion of investment expected over...
Vodacom Opens R1.5m Digital School in Eastern Cape
Vodacom Foundation, together with the Eastern Cape Department of Education, has launched a R1.5 million School of Excellence at Lavelilanga Secondary School. The investment, delivered over the first year, funds infrastructure upgrades, digital connectivity, ICT support staff and psychosocial services. The...
Fire at Cape Town International Airport Hits IT Services
A fire broke out on the landside of Cape Town International Airport on 24 Feb 2026, prompting ACSA to extinguish the blaze and confirm that all passengers and staff are safe. The incident disrupted the airport’s network and Wi‑Fi services, leading to...
Malatsi Throws Weight Behind Dell’s EEIP Application
Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has recommended approval of Dell Technologies' Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) renewal, extending the commitment for another ten years and pledging over R230 million into South Africa. The EEIP framework allows multinationals to meet B‑BEE targets through...
SOPA 2026: Lesufi Touts AI Office, Widespread WiFi
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced plans for a provincial artificial intelligence office to coordinate AI projects with the CSIR, state entities and private partners. The province highlighted recent AI factory launches by Altron and Cassava Technologies, positioning South Africa as a...
IT Grads Find Opportunity at Home Affairs Departments
Amazon Web Services has placed 20 unemployed IT graduates in Gauteng home affairs offices through the Youth Employment Services (YES) programme. The graduates will receive foundational AWS cloud training, certification, mentorship and compensation through December, directly supporting the department's digital...
Banks, Operators to Drive Africa’s Stablecoin Tipping Point
African banks and mobile network operators are poised to accelerate stablecoin adoption, turning the continent’s burgeoning mobile‑money ecosystem into a mainstream digital payments layer. Ripple’s Reece Merrick highlighted that once banks and telcos embed stablecoins in custody, payments and treasury...
