Yesterday, Vodacom Group hosted its second Disability and Accessibility Conference, reaffirming its strong commitment to building a more inclusive digital society for persons with disabilities across Africa. The full-day event brought together disability advocates, corporate leaders, policymakers, and accessibility experts to foster dialogue, spark innovation, and promote inclusive practices that move beyond basic compliance. This year’s theme, “Implementing accessibility upfront, promoting positive customer experiences,”clearly emphasized the importance of designing inclusive environments from the very beginning. Introducing the Blindshell Classic 2 for the Visually Impaired Notably, a key highlight of the conference was the launch of the Blindshell Classic 2 a specially…
Author: Roy Mulenga
Chinese carmakers are accelerating their expansion across Africa, drawn by the continent’s vast untapped potential in electric and hybrid vehicles (EVs and HEVs). This strategic shift comes as a response to growing trade restrictions and tensions with the U.S. and Europe, prompting Chinese automakers to diversify export destinations and invest in emerging markets. Africa presents a compelling case, with its rapidly growing urban population, a rising middle class, and a significant demand for affordable, clean mobility options. To unlock Africa’s automotive market potential, Chinese companies are deploying a multi-faceted approach. Automakers such as BYD, Chery, and Great Wall Motors (GWM)…
With the commissioning of the Chisamba Solar Plant, Zambia is powering a new era for small businesses and energy security. President Hakainde Hichilema officially inaugurated the 100-megawatt Chisamba Solar Project, which was constructed by PowerChina. While the plant’s primary output will serve energy-intensive industries like mining, its broader implications for the economy particularly for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are equally significant and worth noting. Tackling Energy Challenges Facing SMMEs For years, electricity has posed a serious constraint on business growth across Zambia. Specifically, entrepreneurs and small businesses, especially those in peri-urban and rural areas, have contended with inconsistent…
Main Image: Singapore Bullion Market Association South Africa’s platinum group metal (PGM) basket price has surged over 30% since the beginning of the year, sparking renewed investor interest and industrial speculation. This increase reflects broader momentum, as prices and activity rise in related products such as chrome. Several intersecting market forces from production bottlenecks and shifts in lease rate dynamics to speculative demand in Asia are driving this rally. Short-Term Market Tightness and Leasing Dynamics At the start of 2025, short-term lease rates for platinum exceeded long-term rates, signaling immediate supply constraints. This inversion, typically a red flag, suggests physical platinum…
An artisanal gold mine at the Kersh al-Feel site in Sudan collapsed, killing at least 11 workers and injuring 7 others, according to a statement by the Sudanese Mineral Resources Limited Company. The disaster has drawn international attention, stressing the urgent need for robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks especially focused on safety standards in vulnerable mining communities. Sudan’s mining sector remains largely informal and under-regulated. Despite the country’s richness in gold, copper, lead, and zinc, many sites operate without basic protections. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) frequently lack structural safety: unsupported tunnels, unsafe shafts, and little to no…
Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in cybersecurity, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Dell Technologies and NVIDIA. Together, they are launching a suite of co-developed, pre-approved OEM appliance solutions. These offerings are designed to support secure, AI-powered infrastructure that scale up efficiency with the evolving needs of global enterprises. Meeting the Needs of Overburdened IT Teams Recognizing the operational pressure many IT teams face, Kevin Simzer, Chief Operating Officer at Trend Micro, highlighted the company’s commitment to simplifying cybersecurity. He explained, “We understand that IT teams are stretched thin. That’s why our platform automates, streamlines, and unifies security…
The Power and Pitfalls of “Green” Trademarks Terms like “green,” “sustainable,” and “eco-friendly” serve as powerful marketing tools to attract environmentally conscious consumers. Businesses often refer to these as “green” trademarks. While such trademarks offer exciting opportunities for savvy companies, they also carry hidden risks. Laudatory Terms: Why “Eco-Friendly” May Not Be Enough According to Alissa Naran and Robyn Broodryk , Laudatory terms express praise. Phrases like “eco-friendly” or “sustainable future”usually use common language that should remain available to all traders. Attempting to register these phrases often results in rejection because they lack the distinctiveness required for trademark protection. Global Trademark Offices Are Cautious The United States Patent and…
Vodacom’s Commitment to Youth Empowerment As unemployment rates continue to be a great concern for both government and private sectors in South Africa, Vodacom has nevertheless remained committed to taking a proactive stance against this challenge. In response, the company is now inviting applications for the 2026 intake to its Early Careers programmes. These initiatives aim to develop talent in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and they also offer meaningful employment and education opportunities. Ultimately, the programmes support Vodacom’s broader commitment to empowering youth and building an inclusive digital society. Equipping Youth for a Digital Future Given that digital…
Picture by Google Africa is increasingly vulnerable to climate Weather shocks, including tropical cyclones that strike along its southeastern coast affecting countries like Mozambique, Madagascar, and South Africa. These storms bring not only physical destruction but also long-term economic setbacks. Accurate, AI-powered forecasts from tools like Weather Lab can play a crucial role in enhancing infrastructure planning, strengthening early warning systems, and supporting government decision-making for disaster response and budgeting. By adopting such innovations, African nations stand to reduce future economic losses and improve climate resilience a vital step toward sustainable development.Read more here In this context, Google DeepMind and Google Research have launched Weather Lab, a powerful interactive platform showcasing experimental…
In-house payroll is not necessarily the best vehicle for all companies Accurate and timely payroll impacts costs, tax compliance, and employee morale. Many organisations assume that insourced payroll is inherently superior. Yet in today’s dynamic business environment, this assumption can be more costly. It can burden valuable personnel, increase compliance risks, and saddle organisations with expensive, yet obsolete, software.Read more here Payroll Accuracy in workplaces Workplaces are becoming more complex through a wide variety of employment conditions, frequent regulation changes, and growth risks (especially when operating in multiple regions). Payroll systems don’t always keep up, which is why “The importance…