Elon Musk’s Starlink is facing significant backlash in Lesotho over local equity. A rights group called Section 2 wants Starlink to give 30% of its ownership to Basotho citizens before obtaining a license to operate, according to TechPoint. The group voiced its concerns to the Lesotho Communications Authority, stating that the licensing deal is unfair since there is no local ownership. They also highlighted that other telecom providers in Lesotho, like Econet and Vodacom, have local shareholders, so why should Starlink receive special treatment? Starlink faces similar issues in South
On Friday, 7 March, South Africa rejected Elon Musk’s statement that his Starlink satellite company could not operate in the country because he is not Black. The country’s telecoms regulator shared that Starlink had not applied for a license, according to Reuters. The founder of Starlink, who was born and went to school in South Africa, wrote on X, “Starlink is not allowed to operate in South Africa, because I’m not black.” Senior official at the foreign affairs department Clayson Monyela responded, “Sir, that’s NOT true, and you know it!
Microsoft has announced its plans to train one million people in digital skills through an Artificial Intelligence skilling initiative in South Africa. The initiative will give South Africans insight into the strategic aspects of AI whilst empowering leaders with the necessary tools and knowledge required to navigate the advancing AI landscape. “Harnessing the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic vision, but a tangible reality for organisations seeking to achieve exponential growth and optimisation,” Lillian Barnard, President for Microsoft Africa, said in a press release. What
The plans for Elon Musk’s Starlink to expand into South Africa have stopped as the company pulled back from regulatory hearings conducted by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), according to Techpoint. On Wednesday evening, SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company owned by Elon Musk, told the telecom regulator that it would not engage in the oral hearings. This news came a few hours after SpaceX representatives failed to attend their upcoming presentation that morning. Why did ICASA launch these hearings? ICASA created these hearings to accumulate industry input on
Registered non-profit organization Darkies in Tech has launched a new website designed to drive inclusion by providing a centralized platform for professionals of color within the South African tech industry. Founded by Ntsako Mgiba in February 2021, Darkies in Tech has become the largest vetted community of its kind in South Africa, with over 450 members, including founders, investors, and ecosystem builders. The community has consistently hosted educational and social events aimed at creating a more inclusive environment for Black professionals in tech. Addressing Exclusion in South Africa’s Tech Scene
A new R300-million ($15.6 million) Seed Fund of Funds has been launched to provide crucial early-stage capital for South African tech startups. This initiative, backed by the SA SME Fund, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and impact investor E Squared Investments, aims to fund at least 50 technology-driven startups. The fund seeks to address a gap in South Africa’s venture capital landscape, which has historically favored later-stage investments. By focusing on seed capital, it will help budding entrepreneurs transition their ideas into viable
South Africa’s leading digital bank, TymeBank, has successfully raised $77.8 million in a pre-Series C funding round. The round was co-led by African growth-stage investor Norrsken22 and global impact investment firm Blue Earth Capital. This increase of capital brings TymeBank’s total raised funds to over $260 million, marking a milestone in the bank’s growth and expansion plans. Existing investor Tencent, which spearheaded TymeBank’s $180 million Series B round in December 2021, also participated in this round, further increasing its stake to become the third-largest shareholder. Strategic Investments and Growth Launched
AI and satellite imagery are being used to fight spatial apartheid in South Africa, exposing stark inequalities and driving systemic change. According to MIT Technology Review, Raesetje Sefala, a 28-year-old researcher from Limpopo, South Africa, is at the forefront of using AI and satellite imagery to combat spatial apartheid. Growing up in a township, Sefala witnessed firsthand the disparities between Black townships and affluent white neighborhoods. Now, she’s using cutting-edge technology to address these injustices. Unearthing Spatial Inequities In collaboration with computer scientists Nyalleng Moorosi and Timnit Gebru at the
HyperionDev, a leading South African startup, has raised R95 million (approximately $5 million) to expand tech education. This latest financial infusion is part of a broader R595 million ($31.1 million) investment to accelerate the company’s expansion within South Africa and internationally, particularly in the United Kingdom. Strategic Expansion and Educational Innovation With the new capital, HyperionDev plans to broaden its reach by entering new markets and increasing tech education accessibility across its platforms. A portion of the funds will also support the expansion of the HyperionDev Academy and its scholarship programs. “This
Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leading cloud computing platform, is expandng its reach in South Africa’s tech landscape through its Equity Equivalent Investment Program (EEIP). The 18-24 month enablement and acceleration program supports South African Black-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who want to build their AWS business. The EEIP, launched in 2020, has already developed 27 SMEs and is looking to expand its reach to 20 more in its 2024 cohort. AWS targets female and youth entrepreneurs, addressing the gender gap in tech startups. “These SMEs are critical drivers of our economic future,” said Chris
