Author: Roy Mulenga

Amazon has renamed its satellite internet initiative from Project Kuiper to Amazon Leo, focusing on low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.. “Project Kuiper was a code name inspired by the Kuiper Belt, a ring of distant asteroids,” said CEO Rajeev Badyal. “‘Amazon Leo’ refers to the LEO satellite constellation that powers our network and delivers high-speed connectivity.” The new name clarifies the project’s purpose and positions Amazon as a serious player in the satellite internet market. Bringing Connectivity to Remote Areas Amazon Leo recently partnered with US-based radio equipment firm Vanu to build cell towers in isolated parts of Southern Africa. The…

For many South Africans, entrepreneurship begins with a single idea. For Bulelani Balabala township entrepreneurship developer, Group CEO of Intercessor Army Franchising, and founder of the Township Entrepreneurs Agency (TEA) the journey began with survival, community support, and a determination to change the story of township enterprise from the inside out. Raised by a single mother in Tembisa, Bulelani’s earliest lessons came from watching her strength and endurance. “People say ‘single mother.’ I say hero,” he often reflects. That resilience became the foundation of his own drive as he stepped into business at a young age. From a Printed T-Shirt…

Gold Fields has reported reduced output at its Tarkwa mining operations after encountering lower feed grades and several operational disruptions. The company is reviewing pit sequencing, fleet performance, and processing stability to restore consistent throughput at one of Ghana’s most productive gold operations. Vedanta Restructures Zambia Portfolio and Commits $1.5bn Vedanta has formed CopperTech Metals Inc. to take over the operation of the Konkola underground mine. The new structure is aimed at tightening technical decision-making and clearing maintenance backlogs. In parallel, Vedanta plans to invest $1.5 billion in dewatering, equipment renewal, and plant upgrades to return its Zambian assets to…

Connectivity is more than just a convenience it’s the lifeblood of productivity unreliable internet access continues to undermine business performance, slow innovation, and widen the gap between digitally connected and disconnected communities. The cost of poor connectivity is not only measured in downtime and lost revenue but also in missed opportunities for competitiveness and growth. The Hidden Cost of Disconnection For many African enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, slow or unstable internet service translates directly into lost productivity. A report by the World Bank estimates that a 10% increase in broadband penetration can raise GDP by up to 2%…

U.S.-based digital infrastructure giant Equinix has unveiled plans to establish a new $22 million data center in Lagos, Nigeria, marking a major milestone in its African expansion strategy. The facility, named LG3, is expected to go live in the first quarter of 2026, catering to the surging digital infrastructure needs of businesses driving Nigeria’s and Africa’s digital transformation. “As Lagos places itself at the intersection of talent, innovation, and connectivity, LG3 will strengthen access to technologies like cloud computing, AI, and next-generation startups,” said Wole Abu, Managing Director for Equinix West Africa. “We’re not just constructing data centers; we’re enabling…

Among the incongruence one discovers in the tapestry of Africa’s entrepreneurship, lean entrepreneurs emerge as quiet architects of resilience thriving not in abundance, but in constraint. In a continent where economic volatility, currency fluctuations, and policy shifts are part of daily reality, these innovators have mastered the art of building adaptable, efficient, and purpose-driven businesses. Their approach offers valuable lessons on how to navigate uncertainty with discipline and creativity. The Discipline of Doing More with Less Lean entrepreneurs across Africa have long embraced resourcefulness as a competitive advantage. In Lagos, Shuttlers, a shared mobility startup, avoided the heavy costs of…

Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) has rolled out a series of strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening its network and improving service quality, coinciding with its 30th year of operations. The company has already invested over 1 trillion Malawian kwachas (about $577.5 million) in expanding network infrastructure, upgrading technology, and modernizing operations. Expanding Connectivity Nationwide CEO Michel Hebert said TNM’s network currently covers roughly 85% of the population, with the remaining 15%, mostly in rural areas, set as the next target for expansion. “We are committed to bringing reliable connectivity to every Malawian,” Hebert stated. TNM is rolling out solar-powered and other…

Among the intricate threads of Africa’s economy, mining-linked Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises MSMEs quietly stand out, weaving resilience, innovation, and opportunity into the continent’s mineral value chain. These businesses supply critical services equipment maintenance, logistics, safety gear, and mineral processing yet, despite their centrality, they face persistent barriers that constrain their growth. Access to finance and modern equipment, remains a daunting challenge, leaving many unable to scale or meet the technological and compliance demands of a sector that is increasingly capital-intensive. The Financing Conundrum Finance is the lifeblood of enterprise, and for mining-linked MSMEs, it is often elusive. Traditional…

Teraco, a subsidiary of Digital Realty, has strengthened South Africa’s role in Africa’s fast-evolving digital economy through the expansion of its CT2 hyperscale data centre in Cape Town. The upgraded facility now delivers an IT load of 50 megawatts, providing the power to run tens of thousands of servers simultaneously a critical boost for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data-driven industries across the continent. Expanding Africa’s Computing Power The development comes at a time when demand for digital infrastructure is accelerating across Africa. From financial institutions to logistics companies and public agencies, organisations are increasingly relying on cloud platforms and…

African mining is navigating a wave of technological disruptions that have transformed how minerals are extracted, managed, and processed. In South Africa, advanced automation streamlines platinum and gold operations, while Ghanaian gold mines increasingly adopt drones and real-time monitoring systems. Guinea’s bauxite and Botswana’s diamond industries leverage predictive maintenance and digital tools to enhance efficiency and safety. These innovations unlock greater productivity but require miners to master new technical competencies, as advanced drones and heavy-duty mining haulage equipment now resemble the cockpit of an Airbus A380. As a result, Competency-Based Training (CBT) has become an essential strategy to equip Africa’s…