Author: Anita Bosman

Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk Etihad Salam Telecom Company (Salam), a leading innovator in the Saudi telecommunication market, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Quality Business Solutions (QBS) to co-develop Salam CX, the region’s first Arabic-first customer experience (CX) platform. This strategic partnership aims to deliver a comprehensive ecosystem of AI-powered solutions tailored for businesses, government entities, and SMEs across the Kingdom. Salam CX will feature a full suite of intelligent service automation tools, including Voice of Customer (VOC), callbots, chatbots, voicebots, speech analytics, “talk to your data” interfaces, and a dynamic knowledge bank. These solutions are built…

Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk Landmark Group, the US$7 billion+ omnichannel retail and hospitality conglomerate, has recorded exceptional performance across its Kuwait operations, underscoring the market’s growing importance within the Group’s regional portfolio. During the past financial year (July 2024 – June 2025), Landmark achieved double-digit sales growth in Kuwait, accompanied by a 10% expansion in retail space. This strong momentum carried into the first quarter of the current financial year 2025 – 2026, driven by an exceptional Back-to-School season across its flagship brands such as Centrepoint, Max Fashion, and Home Centre. Today, Kuwait stands among Landmark’s strongest GCC markets…

Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk Zimbabwe is advancing its digital transformation with a focus on localized solutions and inclusive connectivity. The Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services is promoting collaboration among stakeholders, emphasizing innovation and the adoption of appropriate technologies. Efforts include the localization of ground stations to enhance digital independence and strengthen connectivity across the country. Strategic partnerships are being encouraged to ensure sustainable growth and development in the ICT sector. The Ministry is fostering ongoing dialogue among innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and consumers to support a collective approach toward building a digitally empowered Zimbabwe.

Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk Global communications company Viasat is ramping up its expansion across Africa, leveraging next-generation satellite technology and strategic partnerships to address the continent’s persistent digital divide. The company aims to provide high-speed, affordable satellite connectivity to underserved communities and emerging markets, supporting critical digital services such as telehealth, distance learning, precision agriculture, and business development. Central to Viasat’s digital inclusion strategy is its partnership with Microsoft’s Airband Initiative, which seeks to extend internet access to 5 million people across Africa by 2025. The program, highlighted at the U.S.-Africa Business Forum, is initially focusing on Angola, Egypt,…

Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk As artificial intelligence reshapes the boundaries of creativity, governance, and identity, lawmakers across the globe have responded with a mix of caution, curiosity, and control. In Japan, humanoid robots are banned from certain public spaces – not for safety, but to preserve the dignity of human interaction. Saudi Arabia famously granted citizenship to a robot named Sophia, sparking global debate over rights without responsibilities. In China, AI-generated content must be clearly labeled, and deepfakes are criminalized unless approved by the government. These laws blur the line between protection and propaganda. Italy once banned ChatGPT over…

Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, has announced that it has received an investment from NVIDIA. Hardy Pemhiwa, President&Group CEO, Cassava Technologies: “Cassava is Africa’s leading technology company, driving the continent’s digital transformation with digital infrastructure and digital services. Securing this investment is an important milestone that we expect to unlock additional value from and catalyze the further expansion of our digital infrastructure and services to bridge the digital divide on the continent.” Cassava’s impressive roster of investors now includes Econet Group, British International Investment, Finnfund, Fund for Export Development in Africa…

Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk Ventures Platform, Africa’s leading seed-stage fund, has announced the $64 million first close of its second fund, VP Pan-African fund II, aimed at deepening seed investments, catalysing Series A rounds, and driving its pan-African expansion to power the continent’s next tech wave. The fund is targeting a final close of $75 million. The close saw 70% of Limited Partner (LP) interest from the VC’s first institutional fund – a strong testament to the firm’s track record and strategy. New and returning investors include the first-of-its-kind participation from the Nigeria Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises…

Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk The National Telecommunication Institute (NTI), in collaboration with Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST), organized a conference themed “Artificial Intelligence for Environmental Sustainability.” The event aimed to promote research, innovation, and the application of modern technologies in addressing environmental challenges. The conference underscored the commitment of both institutions to advancing applied research and fostering partnerships that explore how artificial intelligence can contribute to solving environmental issues. Discussions were held across three main sessions, covering the use of AI in promoting environmental sustainability, analyzing environmental data through AI techniques, and showcasing AI-driven applications for monitoring…

Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk HUMAIN, a PIF company delivering full-stack artificial intelligence solutions, and DataVolt, a global leader in the development of large-scale datacenters and integrated infrastructure solutions, announced a strategic partnership aimed at developing large-scale data centers and integrated infrastructure solutions. Through this collaboration, HUMAIN and DataVolt plan to develop a multi-gigawatt data center pipeline, designed to power the world’s most demanding AI workloads. By combining HUMAIN’s leadership in advancing Saudi Arabia’s AI ecosystem and attracting global compute leaders to the Kingdom, together with DataVolt’s proven expertise in designing, constructing, and operating complex infrastructure that integrates advanced energy…

Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk First Circle Capital, a specialist early-stage venture fund focused on African fintech innovation, has secured US$6 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to expand its investments in high-potential financial technology startups across the continent. With offices in Casablanca and Kampala, First Circle Capital focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage companies solving foundational challenges in financial services. Its fund, targeting US$30 million, is building a concentrated portfolio of 24 startups, providing not only capital but also hands-on operational and business development support to help founders reach Series A readiness.…