10 March 2026

Daniel Orelowitz, MD at Training Force

South Africa’s long-term economic competitiveness depends on how effectively it embraces digital transformation.

Across the globe, industries are rapidly integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation into their operations, with technology changing how people work, how decisions are made, and how businesses compete. For South Africa, the challenge is not only technological adoption, but workforce readiness. Without a deliberate national effort to build digital capability, the gap between technology and people will continue to grow. This gap threatens productivity, innovation, and ultimately, economic growth, and it is reaching a critical point. In a global economy moving at digital speed, failing to adapt is not an option.

26 February 2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has teamed up with telecommunications operator Africell to improve internet connectivity at University Innovation Pods (UniPods), dedicated innovation hubs supporting young entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone and The Gambia.

This collaboration is part of Timbuktoo, a UNDP-led initiative aimed at boosting innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in African startups.

22 January 2026

The Nigerian state of Benue has announced the rollout of a large-scale digital skills training initiative aimed at empowering youth and enhancing local digital capabilities.

Through a social media post, the government revealed its goal to train approximately 23,000 young people every two years, as part of its broader strategy to develop a skilled digital workforce.

20 January 2026

Teraco has announced the appointment of Raj Nana as the company’s new chief financial officer (CFO), effective February 1, 2026. Nana will succeed Sam Erwin, who has been named managing director and will now report directly to CEO Jan Hnizdo.

The company stated that the expansion of the executive management team aligns with its plans for continued growth and increased funding. “This is the ideal time to be expanding the executive team as we continue to grow our data centre platform in line with the evolving requirements for cloud, AI, and enterprise workloads,” said Hnizdo.

16 January 2026

De Wet Joubert, Operations and Strategic Projects Director, RS South Africa

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a passing trend; it is reshaping industrial operations at every level. Nowhere is this transformation more visible than in the maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supply chain, where AI is driving efficiency, predictive insight, and smarter decision-making.

Industrial organisations have long relied on data to guide decisions, but today’s AI goes far beyond traditional analytics. Advanced machine learning and generative AI can synthesise vast volumes of information, uncover patterns across previously siloed datasets, and generate insights that fundamentally change how businesses operate. The real value of AI lies in its ability to turn fragmented data into actionable intelligence that enhances operational performance and supports strategic decision-making.