Africa Data Centres, a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, has announced that it has achieved a Level One B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) certification. This is the highest rating under South Africa’s B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice. Africa Data Centres is the first carrier- and cloud-neutral data centre in the country to attain this prestigious status.
“Achieving Level One B-BBEE status is a key milestone for our business in South Africa, reflecting our core values and our commitment to a more inclusive digital future,” said Ziaad Suleman, CEO of Cassava Technologies South Africa and Botswana. “We are extremely proud of this recognition, and we remain deeply committed to empowering local talent, supporting black-owned suppliers, and uplifting underserved communities.”
Africa Data Centre’s Level 1 B-BBEE status also offers significant benefits to clients and partners, including maximum points towards B-BBEE compliance, 135% procurement recognition, and a stronger competitive position when doing business within South Africa. In addition, working with a Level 1 supplier may provide access to certain tax advantages and other benefits, supporting economic transformation initiatives.
Awarded by ratings agency Empowerdex, this certification is a powerful affirmation of Africa Data Centres’ commitment to transformation, inclusive growth, and long-term sustainable impact across South Africa’s digital and economic landscape. As a leading provider of the infrastructure that is central to the country’s digital transformation efforts, the company is recognised for leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion within the ICT and infrastructure sectors.
This top rating also underscores Africa Data Centres’ ongoing investment in South Africa’s people and economy. Through its enterprise and supplier development programmes, skills development initiatives, and hiring practices, the company is actively contributing to job creation and economic participation.
Operating the continent’s largest interconnected, vendor- and cloud-neutral data centre platform, the newly acquired Level One B-BBEE status strengthens its position as a preferred partner for both public and private sector clients seeking to collaborate with empowered businesses. This represents a strategic advantage for the company while simultaneously underscoring its commitment to inclusive digital and economic transformation in South Africa.
Africa Fact: Malian sailors got to America in 1311 AD, 181 years before Columbus. An Egyptian scholar, Ibn Fadl Al-Umari, published on this sometime around 1342. In the tenth chapter of his book, there is an account of two large maritime voyages ordered by the predecessor of Mansa Musa, a king who inherited the Malian throne in 1312. This mariner king is not named by Al-Umari, but modern writers identify him as Mansa Abubakari II.
Africa Fact: On a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 AD, a Malian ruler, Mansa Musa, brought so much money with him that his visit resulted in the collapse of gold prices in Egypt and Arabia. It took twelve years for the economies of the region to normalise.
divine bramble
Fun South African Fact: South Africa is now the only country in the world to have hosted the Soccer, Cricket and Rugby World Cup!
Congo Wire
Aikona – not on your life [eye-koh-na] or [hi-koh-na] A Zulu term used to express shock or disbelief when talking to friends or family.Example: “Aikona, why did she do that?!” / “Haikona, when?! How?!”