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Woolworths Introduces AI-Powered 'My Woolies Chef' to Simplify Meal Planning
Woolworths has introduced My Woolies Chef, an artificial intelligence-powered food assistant integrated into the Woolworths app to help customers find recipes, plan meals and shop for ingredients. The feature will be introduced to a selected group of MyDifference loyalty programme members in September 2026 as part of a beta release. A broader rollout is planned
Shoprite shares first Pixie usage figures after Pick n Pay launches Penny
Shoprite has released the first figures showing how customers are using Pixie, its AI shopping assistant for Checkers Sixty60, a few days after Pick n Pay introduced its own assistant, Penny. According to the retailer, 98% of Xtra Savings Plus subscribers have used Pixie since it launched in April. Shoprite also said customers have added
South Africa's Fuel Price Increases Are Hitting These Industries the Hardest
Every fuel price increase affects businesses differently. For some companies, it leads to slightly higher operating costs. For others, it pushes up expenses across production, transport, pricing and profitability. The difference comes down to one question: how much does the business rely on fuel? Businesses that operate trucks, heavy machinery and long distance transport usually
Build Now, Build Fast: Africa's Solution to Deficits and Poverty
Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, is blessed with abundant natural resources yet remains trapped in a cycle of trade deficits, low per capita income, and insufficient job creation. Comparisons with other developing regions make the challenge stark: while Southeast Asia has leveraged manufacturing and exports to achieve higher per capita incomes and trade surpluses, and Latin
The Next Test for Africa's AI Investment
Their is no Doubt Artificial intelligence has become one of Africa's biggest technology priorities. Governments are introducing national AI strategies, investors are backing startups, and global technology companies are expanding infrastructure across the continent. New AI labs, funding announcements and innovation programmes appear almost every month. The momentum is difficult to ignore. But for businesses,
Building a Workplace People Want to Join
Small businesses often assume they cannot compete with larger employers when it comes to hiring. Bigger companies have larger recruitment budgets, well known brands and benefits that smaller firms may not be able to match. That does not mean they automatically attract the best people. Many candidates pay attention to something that costs very little
Breaking News Today – Monday 13 July 2026
African Start-up News Headlines: Business News Today Iran Conflict Escalation Sees Dollar and Oil Prices Firm U.S. and Iranian forces have escalated drone an missile attacks over the weekend, with Tehran targeting U.S. facilities in states across the Gulf region on Sunday and saying it had again closed the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route.
Nigerian Fintech Startup Gigbanc Winds Down Operations
Nigerian fintech startup Gigbanc has announced that it is winding down operations, citing the increasingly difficult funding environment facing many early-stage startups across Africa. Founded to simplify cross-border payments for freelancers, creators, entrepreneurs and businesses, Gigbanc built a platform that enabled users to receive international payments more easily. In a statement issued by its co-founders,
Startup Mondays: Understanding Your Startup's Funding Options
Every founder reaches a point where the business needs more money to grow. It might be to build a product, hire staff, buy equipment or expand into a new market. The first reaction is to start looking for investors, but venture capital is only one of several ways to finance a business. Before looking for
Urban reveals two-door Land Rover Defender pickup
British vehicle customisation company Urban Automotive has introduced a pickup version of the current generation Land Rover Defender. The body style has been absent from the Defender range since Land Rover redesigned the model. Called the Widetrack Avontur, the vehicle is based on the Defender 110 Hard Top commercial model. It made its public debut
Alliance backs travel fintech Timon
Nigeria founded travel payments startup Timon has secured an undisclosed investment from Alliance, a crypto focused startup accelerator. The funding follows the company's selection into Alliance's latest cohort. Addressing cross border payment challenges Founded in 2024 by Tomi Ayorinde and Chizaram Ucheaga, Timon is building a payments platform for African travellers. The service lets users
Flying Overseas? South Africa Has Introduced a New Travel Rule You Cannot Ignore
From 1 July 2026, most travellers entering or leaving South Africa are required to complete an online traveller declaration before they travel. Here is what the new requirement means and how it could affect your next trip. Imagine arriving at the airport only to discover that you have missed a mandatory step before boarding your
Startup Stack – Project Management Tools Every African Startup Needs
From Chaos to Control Time and cash runway are everything in the life of an African Startup. A missed deadline doesn’t only delay a launch it can cost your business a key client, damage hard-earned credibility, or leave a promising product stuck in beta while competitors capture market traction. Miscommunication between founders, developers, marketers, and
Rain and Huawei partner to expand low-band 5G network
Rain is expanding its 5G network with Huawei using low band spectrum technology. The operator aims to improve coverage and increase network capacity across South Africa. The company has already deployed the technology in major cities. It now plans to extend the rollout to thousands of commercial sites. Bringing massive MIMO to low band spectrum
Nigerian fintech Gigbanc shuts down, enters acquisition talks
Gigbanc, a Nigerian fintech that built cross-border payment services for freelancers, creators, remote workers and businesses, is shutting down after three years as it struggled to secure fresh funding. The startup says it is in acquisition talks with a Nigerian fintech infrastructure provider, although it has not disclosed the company's name. Customers have until July
Founder Fridays: LevUP
Funding remains one of the biggest challenges facing South African entrepreneurs. Through years of working with startups and later navigating the funding process himself, Khobone Ntsoaole noticed that many founders were spending more time searching for funding than understanding what funders were actually looking for. That realisation led to the creation of LevUp, a platform
Mantengu Limited’s 2026 Results: Resilience Claimed, But Shareholder Value Eroded
By Greg Stewart Business Tech Africa | 10 July 2026 Mantengu Limited (formerly Mantengu Mining) released its annual results for the year ended 28 February 2026, reporting a substantial R315 million loss. While management described aspects of the performance as resilient, the numbers paint a picture of ongoing value destruction, operational challenges, and a widening
Absa and BYD Strengthen Strategic Partnership with Launch of BYD Finance in South Africa
Johannesburg, 10 July 2026 — Absa and BYD Auto South Africa have elevated their collaboration through the official launch of BYD Finance last night in Johannesburg. This introduces a tailored financial solution designed to make new energy vehicles more accessible and affordable for South African customers and dealers. The partnership, which builds on cooperation established
Selling Smarter: How to Build Trust Before You Ask for the Sale
The meeting goes well. The customer asks questions, requests a quotation and says they'll discuss it with the team. A few days pass. Then a week. The follow up email receives no reply. Most founders assume the problem was price. Sometimes it is. Often, it isn't. Buying from a startup carries a level of risk
Flutterwave Secures Circle Ventures Investment to Expand USDC Payments
Nigerian fintech company Flutterwave has secured a strategic investment from Circle Ventures, the venture capital arm of Circle Internet Group. The funding will accelerate the integration of USDC stablecoin settlement into Flutterwave's payments platform. The companies did not disclose the value of the investment. Flutterwave said the funding will help businesses settle transactions in USDC