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WhatsApp to Introduce Usernames for Users and Businesses in 2026
After two years of testing, WhatsApp is preparing to let users and businesses hide their phone numbers and communicate through usernames a Switch that could meaningfully change how companies and customers interact on the platform. Rollout Plans and Early Guidance WhatsApp has begun notifying business accounts about the upcoming rollout, which is scheduled for 2026,
Amazon Leo Takes on Starlink, Expands Satellite Internet to Africa
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.”
Founder Friday: Township Entrepreneurship Agency (TEA)
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
THE MINING WRAP
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
Measuring the Productivity Cost of Poor Connectivity
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.
Equinix to Launch $22 Million Data Center in Lagos by 2026
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
Lessons from Lean African Entrepreneurs on Managing Uncertainty
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.
TNM Launches Major Initiatives on 30th Anniversary
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
Finance and Equipment Challenges for African Mining MSMEs
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
South Africa Deepens Digital Infrastructure with Teraco CT2 Expansion
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
Competency Based Training for Technological Transitions in African Mining
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
Designing Digital Services for SMEs in Low-Connectivity Environments
Across emerging markets, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly turning to digital tools to improve efficiency, expand market access, and streamline operations. However, many of these enterprises operate in areas where internet access is unreliable, expensive, or entirely unavailable. For such businesses, digital transformation remains a distant goal, as most online platforms are designed
THE MINING WRAP
South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe, will launch the Mineworkers Development Agency (MDA) Digital Hub. The initiative will equip 100 young people and community members with digital and AI skills, fostering entrepreneurship and strengthening local economies. Robotics Academy Programmes Epiroc South Africa, in partnership with the Siyafunda Education Foundation, has introduced robotics and
Standard Bank Reinforces SME Growth at SAFT Summit
South Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs converged in Johannesburg this month to pitch for millions in business funding at the 2025 South Africa Future Trust (SAFT) Summit a national platform celebrating the innovation and resilience of the country’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs). As the headline sponsor, Standard Bank stood alongside the SAFT in its mission
Chevron Expands Footprint into Guinea-Bissau’s Offshore Basin
Chevron’s move into Guinea-Bissau’s offshore territory marks a defining step for the small West African nation. The entry places the country firmly within the rapidly developing MSGBC Basin a stretch of coastline linking Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea that is fast becoming one of Africa’s most dynamic energy frontiers. Entry into Blocks 5B
MEST Africa And Absa Reveal Top 10 Finalists for 2025 Startup Challenge
The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa), in partnership with Absa, has unveiled the top 10 finalists for the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) 2025 a prestigious pan-African pitch competition showcasing early-stage ventures building the continent’s future of digital finance and technology. The announcement follows two days of intense semi-final pitches on October 28 and
Corporate Mentorship as a Tool for Economic Inclusion for MSMEs
Amid the vibrancy and complexity of Africa’s economy, MSMEs quietly power communities and national growth alike. Often born from requirement and fueled by ambition, these enterprises are more than businesses they are engines of innovation, resilience, and local opportunity. Nonetheless, despite their critical role, many MSMEs face systemic barriers. Limited access to finance, gaps in
The Growth of Micro-Grids Supporting Local Enterprises
Across many corners of the developing world, a quiet revolution is unfolding between dusty village roads, bustling township marketplaces, and emerging peri-urban trade hubs. It is not driven by megaprojects or skyscraper capital, but by sunlight captured on steel, local ambition, and resilient ingenuity. Micro-grids, once considered a fringe energy experiment, are steadily becoming the
Strengthening SMEs in African Mining Through Infrastructure and Relationships
Mining markets have continued to shift toward localization and inclusive growth. As a result, Beneficiation, the process of adding value to minerals within the continent before export, has become a priority for governments and industry stakeholders. However, while policy frameworks and local content regulations continue to change, two factors remain central to SME success in
Nestlé and Farming in Heels Partner to Empower Young Women in Agriculture
Nestlé recently hosted its Farming in Heels event, a platform designed to inspire and equip young people and women to explore opportunities in agriculture. The event, in partnership with Farming in Heels since 2023, provides practical knowledge, mentorship, and guidance to help participants transform ideas into thriving agricultural ventures. Comfort Ndivhuho Tshisikule, Youth and Learning