Author: Chris Anu
A partnership between four South African financial institutions has led to the launch of an “institutional-grade” stablecoin pegged to the rand. Dubbed ZAR Universal, or ZARU, the stablecoin will made available to both retail consumers and institutional investors through the alliance between cryptocurrency platform Luno, low-cost trading platform EasyEquities, fintech Lesaka Technologies and Sanlam Specialist Asset Management. Stablecoins offer a practical bridge between traditional finance and blockchain-based systems by combining the stability of fiat currency with the speed and programmability of digital assets. Because they are pegged to currencies such as the rand or the US dollar, stablecoins avoid the…
A new report highlights the low prevalence of formal AI strategies in SA hotels. (Image source: 123RF, created via GenAI) While artificial intelligence (AI) adoption has become widespread, with local enterprises leveraging AI tools, it remains in early stages across South African hotels. This is according to the inaugural Hospitality Asset Management Company (HAMAC) South African hoteliers report, which delves intothe current landscape and outlook of SA’s hospitality industry.The survey was conducted by HAMAC, in association with Tourism Update. It is based on responses from hospitality executives and managers across the country, with a focus on quantitative information on a…
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Shelby Tauber/Reuters OpenAI is unsatisfied with some of Nvidia’s latest AI chips, and it has sought alternatives since last year, eight sources familiar with the matter said. The news potentially complicates the relationship between the two highest-profile players in the AI boom. The ChatGPT maker’s shift in strategy, the details of which are first reported here, is over an increasing emphasis on chips used to perform specific elements of AI inference, the process when an AI model such as the one that powers the ChatGPT app responds to customer queries and requests. Nvidia remains dominant in…
SA’s unified digital government citizen services platform will initially be enabled for targeted test groups. Public access to government services platform MyMzansi is set to kick-start in March, focusing on high-impact service use cases.This is based on the quarterly progress report on Operation Vulindlela phase two, released by National Treasury on Friday, zeroing on the third quarter of the 2025/2026 fiscal year.Operation Vulindlela is a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury aimed at driving the implementation of structural reforms to support more rapid and inclusive economic growth. The progress report sets out key milestones achieved between October and…
China’s Haier Group, which claims it is the world’s leading appliance and electronics brand by sales volumes, has officially launched in South Africa. Speaking at a launch event in Johannesburg on Monday, Song Yujun, president of Haier’s smart home division for international markets (outside China), said the company will focus on matching the quality and efficiency of its global offerings in the local market. “We want to be the number one brand for South African consumers, not only for home appliances but for smart home solutions, too. Strong local leadership will play a critical role in translating global strategy into…
David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK). The rapid growth of digital banking is creating opportunities for cyber criminals to use deepfake technology, particularly AI-generated voice and video scams, to commit fraud. Experts warn of deepfake investment content and impersonation tactics spread on social media and messaging apps.This is according to global financial brokerage and asset management firm EBC Financial Group, which states that scammers in SA are using AI to imitate trusted voices and faces, pairing it with classic social engineering.The company says the mainstream establishment of digital payments means the scale of the problem is serious. While…
If you enjoy the TechCentral Show (TCS) – and more broadly, TechCentral’s thoughtful, incisive conversations with technology leaders – you might want to subscribe so you never miss an episode. TechCentral produces a suite of high-quality podcasts covering the most important trends and players in South African tech, including Meet the CIO, TCS, TCS+ and Watts & Wheels. Getting them delivered to your favourite podcast app is simple – and free. Below is a quick guide to subscribing across the major platforms so you always have fresh episodes waiting for you. Alternatively, look for the table below, with quick links…
Shoprite Group’s Checkers Sixty60 sales have shown a steady increase. Digital commerce sales via last-mile delivery platform Sixty60 increased by 34.6%, for the six months ended 28 December. This, as the retail giant group increased merchandise sales by 7.2%, measuring approximately R136.8 billion. The Shoprite Group states the growth equates to an additional R9.2 billion in sales generated for the six months under review.The latest results mirror growth figures reported for the year ended 30 June 2025, when the on-demand service increased sales by 47.7% to R18.9 billion.Introducedin 2019, the Checkers Sixty60 app is listed among SA’s successful last-mile delivery…
JSE-listed IT services group iOCO has repurchased a further 2.18 million of its own shares, continuing a buyback programme launched last year. In a voluntary statement published on Friday, iOCO — previously EOH Holdings — said the shares were bought between 2 and 29 January 2026 at prices ranging from R4.31 to R4.65, for a total consideration of R9.6-million, excluding transaction costs. The repurchased shares are being held as treasury shares. Since 1 August 2025, the group has cumulatively bought back 6.48 million shares at a total cost of R26.4-million, representing about 1% of its issued share capital. Following the…
AI-designed billboards. Artificial intelligence is everywhere in conversation right now. Everyone is talking about what AI could do, but far fewer are showing what it can actually do in the real world.Xpand IT decided to take a different approach.Instead of running another campaign explaining AI in theory, Xpand IT launched AI Built This, a marketing experiment designed to demonstrate AI in action. In partnership with Dell Technologies, Xpand IT set out to generate AI-designed billboards for major cities across South Africa, using a Dell laptop as the creative engine behind the campaign.The objective was simple:Show what AI can do in…