Author: Anita Bosman

Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk Last year, fraud in South Africa led to financial losses nearing three billion rand, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protections against financial crime. In response, cross-industry collaboration between the mobile, banking, and technology sectors is playing a pivotal role in providing critical defences for consumers and financial institutions alike. South Africa became the second country to launch the Scam Signal platform, following its successful deployment in the UK. The system is designed to combat Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, a type of scam where criminals trick individuals or businesses into authorising payments to accounts…

Harare: TECHz – News Desk The People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB) has announced a strategic collaboration with Mastercard to launch POSB Remit Outbound. The service aims to provide a fast, secure and cost-effective way for customers in Zimbabwe to send money directly to bank accounts, mobile wallets and cash abroad. Powered by Mastercard Move, a portfolio of global money movement capabilities, the service delivers a simple, transparent and fast way to send funds to 21 international destinations, including South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, India, Australia and countries within Europe’s SEPA region. The launch of this service…

Riyadh: TECHz – News Desk AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS has achieved a major milestone by obtaining the Card Chip Profile certification (Certificate No. CV071) with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) for the mada debit card scheme. This accomplishment marks a significant step in the company’s expansion strategy and demonstrates its commitment to meeting the highest international standards for payment card technology. The certification confirms AUSTRIACARD’s technical excellence and adherence to strict quality standards in chip card manufacturing. Mohamed Chemloul, Group CTO, AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS: “We are immensely proud of this achievement. This certification stands as a testament to our team’s dedication to excellence and…

Mountain View: TECHz – News Desk Alphabet has reported a strong finish to 2025, with fourth-quarter revenue rising 18% year over year to $113.8 billion, driven by accelerating momentum in both Google Services and Google Cloud. For the full year, Alphabet crossed a major milestone, with annual revenue exceeding $400 billion for the first time, reaching $402.8 billion. Net income for the quarter jumped 30% to $34.5 billion, while diluted earnings per share climbed 31% to $2.82, reflecting broad-based growth and operating leverage across the business. Google Services, the company’s largest segment, generated $95.9 billion in quarterly revenue, up 14%.…

Harare: TECHz – News Desk Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is preparing for a landmark corporate restructuring that will see the company voluntarily delist from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and list its infrastructure subsidiary, Econet InfraCo, on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) in a transaction valued at $1.078 billion. The move comes as a response to a longstanding “market valuation disconnect,” where Econet’s intrinsic value has not been fully reflected in its ZSE-traded price, and aims to provide clearer valuation and growth prospects for its various business segments. As part of the restructuring, Econet plans to delist its 2.99 billion…

Dakar: TECHz – News Desk Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, has officially launched its high-speed, low-latency internet services in Senegal. The expansion marks another milestone in Starlink’s global rollout, aiming to provide reliable internet access in regions with limited connectivity. The service promises to deliver faster internet speeds and more consistent connectivity, making it suitable for both residential and commercial users across Senegal. Interested customers can now sign up and order Starlink service through the official portal. This development aligns with broader efforts to bridge the digital divide in Africa, offering a modern solution for remote areas…

Lagos: TECHz – News Desk Nigerian EdTech academy EvolveHQ Talent Hub has reached a significant milestone by earning accreditation from the American Council of Training and Development (ACTD). The recognition affirms the academy’s commitment to delivering high-quality technology education that meets global standards, strengthening its role in bridging Africa’s digital skills gap and preparing local talent for the international workforce. The ACTD accreditation confirms that EvolveHQ’s training programs align with internationally recognized benchmarks in curriculum quality, instructional delivery, and learning outcomes. This distinction places the academy among a global network of institutions evaluated against structured standards for professional development. It…

Cape Town: TECHz – News Desk The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate, in partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT), will begin a major research project in the coming months to assess how electric buses can be integrated into the City’s MyCiTi bus service. The initiative aims to test the operational performance of electric buses (e-buses) before a broader fleet rollout. The research is funded by the City of Cape Town and supported through a grant from the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative (UEMI). The project can now proceed following approval by the Mayoral Committee, allowing the City…

Bamako: TECHz – News Desk As part of the 3rd edition of Digital Week in Mali, the Minister of Communication, Digital Economy and Administration Modernization, Mr. Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, officially inaugurated a Tier III Data Center on January 31, 2026. The ceremony was attended by digital ministers from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), including Mrs. Aminata Zerbo/Sabane of Burkina Faso and Mr. Adji Ali Salatou of Niger, highlighting the regional significance of this strategic infrastructure. The new Tier III Data Center, presented by Mr. Cheick Oumar Traoré, Infrastructure Manager, meets the highest international standards, offering 99.982% service availability, full…

Praia: TECHz – News Desk Cabo Verde has formalised the launch of Skodji Digital, a major national initiative aimed at expanding access to the digital economy for young people. Announced by Cabo Verde Digital, the programme is being positioned as one of the largest digital economy access efforts ever introduced in the country, led by the Government of Cabo Verde. Skodji Digital will create 3,000 opportunities for Cabo Verdean youth to participate in global digital markets. The first phase of the programme has officially begun, offering 1,050 places. The initiative is open to young Cabo Verdeans both within the country…