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Africa Tech Festival 2026 Returns as Africa’s Defining Platform for Digital Transformation, Investment and Innovation

Location: News
Africa Tech Festival

Africa Tech Festival (https://AfricaTechFestival.com), the continent's longest running and most influential technology gathering, will return to the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 16 to 19 November 2026, bringing together key stakeholders driving the next phase of Africa's digital growth.

Now in its 29th edition, Africa Tech Festival, originally launched as AfricaCom, has evolved alongside the continent's digital transformation, expanding its focus to encompass the full spectrum of technology, investment opportunities and policies that drive economic growth.

At a time when investment in connectivity, subsea cables, fibre networks, data centres and cloud infrastructure is reshaping Africa's digital landscape, Africa Tech Festival serves as a catalyst for the conversations and partnerships driving that progress. South Africa's Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is a Strategic Partner of the event, with Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Hon. Solly Malatsi, confirmed to deliver the opening address.

“Africa Tech Festival is a strategic platform shaping Africa's digital future, bringing together leaders from across the continent in government and industry to drive collaboration, investment, and innovation. As host country, South Africa is proud to champion an event that not only strengthens partnerships, but advances a shared vision of an inclusive, connected and globally competitive African digital economy,” said Minister Malatsi.

Africa Tech Festival 2026 is structured around six interconnected pillars that reflect the technologies and priorities driving Africa's digital economy: Telecoms & Connectivity; Data Centres; AI; Cybersecurity; Startups; and Digital Transformation.

Together, these pillars provide a framework for addressing some of the continent's most pressing priorities, including digital infrastructure expansion, greater connectivity and digital inclusion, responsible AI adoption, stronger data sovereignty and digital trust, and the partnerships and investments needed to unlock Africa's next wave of innovation and economic growth.

The event will feature dedicated content programmes, executive forums, exhibitions, networking opportunities and investment-focused discussions designed to connect decision-makers from across Africa and around the world.

“It is now clear that this is a defining moment for the ICT sector in Africa. AI adoption is transforming business processes, but it also raises questions around inclusion, data sovereignty and the capacity of digital infrastructure. Africa Tech Festival is the only forum where leaders from across the tech ecosystem – telecoms operators, hyperscalers and corporate end-users – can come together to find the answers,” said David Monaghan, VP, Africa Tech Festival.

As Africa's digital economy continues to attract global investment and attention, Africa Tech Festival showcases the continent's capabilities and leadership while connecting African stakeholders with international investors, technology companies and policymakers. Beyond the annual event, it continues to serve as a year-round forum for thought leadership, industry engagement and ecosystem development, helping shape the policies, investments and innovations that are accelerating Africa's digital transformation.

Register to attend Africa Tech Festival 2026

General registration: https://apo-opa.co/3Sq6goC

For more information, as well as exhibitor and sponsor applications, visit https://AfricaTechFestival.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

About Africa Tech Festival:
Africa Tech Festival is the continent's leading platform for shaping the future of the digital economy. Taking place annually in Cape Town, the festival brings together the full technology ecosystem, from telecoms and infrastructure providers to enterprise leaders, startups, investors and policymakers.

Through six core pillars spanning connectivity, AI, cybersecurity, data centres, digital transformation and the startup ecosystem, Africa Tech Festival delivers a comprehensive view of the trends, challenges and opportunities defining Africa's digital landscape.

The festival combines high level content with large scale exhibition and networking, creating a space where strategy meets execution. Across three days, it convenes global technology leaders, decision makers and innovators to share insight, build partnerships and drive real business outcomes.

Africa Tech Festival is part of Informa Festivals, a division of Informa.

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Read moreAfrica Tech Festival 2026 Returns as Africa’s Defining Platform for Digital Transformation, Investment and Innovation

Cape Town’s Budget: Neither Reasonable nor Affordable

Location: News

The City of Cape Town’s revised budget for the 2026/27 financial year, which will be tabled during a council meeting next Monday, 29 June, will put severe financial strain on residents, further impoverishing ordinary salary drawers and loyal ratepayers. Although the City highlights higher thresholds for poverty relief and a modest 2% reduction in the […]

The post Cape Town budget: neither reasonable nor affordable appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.

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The Kreatives Agency Managing Director Tebogo Mbau Honoured at the Under 40 CEOs Summit & Honours 2026

Location: MyPR

Johannesburg, South Africa – June 2026 – The Kreatives Agency is proud to announce that its Managing Director and Founder, Tebogo Mbau, has been honoured at the prestigious Under 40 CEOs Summit & Honors 2026, receiving recognition for Outstanding Achievement and Exemplary Performance as an “Icon of Africa’s Economic Advancement & Development 2026”. The distinguished …

Read moreThe Kreatives Agency Managing Director Tebogo Mbau Honoured at the Under 40 CEOs Summit & Honours 2026

Urgent Intervention Needed Over Non-payment of Joburg Water Employees

Location: News

ActionSA has received a distressing complaint from workers employed by contractors appointed by Johannesburg Water, who allege that they have not been paid for weeks due to ongoing payment failures involving the City of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Water, and contracted service providers.

The post ActionSA Calls for Urgent Intervention Over Non-Payment of Joburg Water Employees appeared first on ActionSA.

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Windhoek Beer Takes Stand for Authenticity in New ‘The Real Guy’ Campaign and Spotlights a Hand Model That AI Can’t Replicate

Location: MyPR

In a world increasingly shaped by AI-generated content and synthetic perfection, Windhoek Beer is making a clear and deliberate statement: real still matters. Today, the brand launches its integrated campaign ‘The Real Guy’, a culturally driven platform that challenges artificial perfection by celebrating real people, real stories, and human imperfection. Windhoek also formalises a commitment …

Read moreWindhoek Beer Takes Stand for Authenticity in New ‘The Real Guy’ Campaign and Spotlights a Hand Model That AI Can’t Replicate

Vafa Naraghi Brings Becoming South African to Boardwalk Hotel and Casino

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

Boardwallk Hotel and Casino invites audiences to an evening of laughter, reflection, and powerful storytelling with acclaimed comedian Vafa Naraghi, as he presents his one-man show Becoming South African on 31 July 2026 at 19h00. The show will take place at the iconic Boardwalk ICC, offering guests a compelling blend of comedy and cultural insight …

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SA U19 Women Squad Named for First-Ever Youth t20i Tour to Pakistan

Location: Sport

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to announce the South Africa under-19 Women’s squad for its maiden Youth T20 International (T20I) tour to Pakistan, scheduled to take place from 14–24 July.The 15-player squad will once again be captained by Easterns all-rounder Mieke van Voorst. The group also features six players who represented SA U19 Women at the Patricia Kambarami Cup in Nigeria earlier this year, where the team secured a bronze medal. They are Daneli Boschoff (Boland), Jae-Leigh Filander and Miya Lalor (both Western Province), Ziya Mohanlall (KZN Coastal), Ashleigh van Wyk (Easterns) and Chanel Venter (Titans).The tour will comprise five Youth T20 International matches, to be played on 14, 17, 19, 22 and 24 July. All fixtures will be staged as day-night encounters at the National Stadium in Karachi.The historic trip presents the SA U19 Women with a valuable opportunity to further their preparations for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027, which will be held in Bangladesh and Nepal in January next year.SA U19 Women head coach Dinesha Devnarain said: “This tour is a significant step in our preparation for the T20 World Cup next year. While our national training camps remain important in developing our skills, game plans and team culture, there is no substitute for the experience gained through competitive international cricket. “The opportunity to play a quality opposition in Pakistan and experience subcontinent conditions similar to those we expect in Bangladesh and Nepal will be invaluable for our players. It will help them adapt to different environments, grow in confidence and further their understanding of their roles as we continue building towards the World Cup.” SA U19 Women Convenor of Selectors, AJ Rudman commented:“We are pleased with the balance and depth of this squad, which combines a strong core of players from our recent camps and tours with individuals who have impressed at provincial level.“As we continue building towards the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, this tour provides an excellent opportunity to expose the players to international cricket, different conditions and high-pressure situations. It will allow us to further assess combinations, role clarity and adaptability within the group.”SA U19 Women’s Squad Mieke van Voorst (captain, Easterns), Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (Mpumalanga), Daneli Boshoff (Boland), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Reabetswe Dithupe (North West), Miya Lalor (Western Province), Respect Mabasa (Limpopo), Ziya Mohanlall (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Makwana Moriri (Central Gauteng Lions), Lungile Ngcobo (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Melissa van der Merwe (Boland), Diedre van Rensburg (North West), Ashleigh Van Wyk (Easterns), Chanel Venter (Titans) and Nobubelebesisa Zwane (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal). Fixtures – Youth T20I Series Tuesday, 14 July at TBC1st Youth T20I – Pakistan U19 vs SA U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi) Friday, 17 July at TBC2nd Youth T20I – Pakistan U19 vs SA U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi) Sunday, 19 July at TBC3rd Youth T20I – Pakistan U19 vs SA U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi) Wednesday, 22 July at TBC4th Youth T20I – Pakistan U19 vs SA U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi) Friday, 24 July at TBC5th Youth T20I – Pakistan U19 vs SA U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi) For media enquiries, contact:Lita Gqirana+27 (0) 76 503 9655litag@cricket.co.za ENDS

Read moreSA U19 Women Squad Named for First-Ever Youth t20i Tour to Pakistan

The Voice of Courage Fashion Show Returns to Boardwalk Hotel and Casino for a Night of Fashion With Purpose

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

Boardwalk Hotel and Casino proudly presents The Voice of Courage Fashion Show, taking place on 14 August 2026 at 18h00, an inspiring evening where fashion, elegance, and social impact come together in support of meaningful community change. The event will be hosted at the iconic Boardwalk ICC, bringing together designers, performers, media partners, and community …

Read moreThe Voice of Courage Fashion Show Returns to Boardwalk Hotel and Casino for a Night of Fashion With Purpose

African Teams Are Winning the World Cup’s Battle for Attention

Location: Sport
APO Group Insights

By Libby Allen, Vice President: Brand & Creative, APO Group (https://APO-opa.com).

I spend my working life thinking about how brands build a name for themselves across borders. One of the standout lessons I've seen this year hasn't come from a company, but from African teams at the World Cup.

Branding is usually seen as aesthetics: a logo, a colour palette. But the brands that perform do harder work. They find exactly what is theirs, and they have the confidence to put it forward without borrowing or hedging. This World Cup is full of teams doing just that.

The walk from the plane

Look at DR Congo. When the squad landed in Houston, the players walked through the airport in black suits with leopard-print details, leopard brooches, and matching bags, designed by Congolese designer Alvin Junior Mak, of JMAKxPARIS. The collection is a tribute to the 1974 Léopards, the first team from sub-Saharan Africa to reach a World Cup, and to La Sape, Congo's tradition of dress as resistance, expression, dignity. This is the country's first World Cup in 52 years, and the squad arrived under strain, with some quarantined during the ongoing Ebola outbreak at home, and many supporters unable to travel. That could have been the dominant narrative, but Congo used one of the world's biggest stages to lead with creativity and heritage, not hardship.

Côte d'Ivoire arrived in Philadelphia in saffron tie-dye blazers by the Ivorian designer Ibrahim Fernandez, their elephant motifs framing the squad as an expression of Ivorian craft. Sénégal came in forest-green tailoring by Xakeb, with shoes by the Dakar maker Cheikh Mbacké Thiam. In each case, the designer came from the country represented.

Countries have used arrivals and ceremonies to project who they are for as long as global events have existed. The tradition is old. What's newer is the confidence behind it, the scale it now reaches, and the global appetite that rewards it.

Stories that move markets

An enormous national branding moment came from Nigeria in 2018, when its World Cup shirt with Nike became a global phenomenon. Drawn from the Super Eagles' famous 1994 kit, it took three million pre-orders before it arrived in stores – a record for an African team – and sold out within minutes of launch. It was later shortlisted for the Design Museum's Beazley Design of the Year, alongside Gucci and Burberry. The identity was unmistakably Nigerian. The reach was Nike's. Neither side could have produced that result alone. The story must be genuinely yours, and the right partner can help it travel. The challenge is making sure the value comes home too.

The story is the brand

On the pitch, the most powerful story, for me, comes from Cabo Verde. On their World Cup debut, the Blue Sharks held Spain, the reigning European champions, to a goalless draw. Their 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha, produced the performance of his life and left the field in tears. By the next morning, millions of people who had never heard his name knew it. His social media following had grown from tens of thousands into millions, with no campaign behind it and no ad budget. Reputation grew because the story was true and people wanted to share it. The best piece of brand-building in football this month was a real story, told at the right moment. You can buy attention. You can't buy authenticity.

Making the moment last

These are all major moments, but growing and sustaining a reputation takes infrastructure. I've seen this through APO Group's work with the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) and its Unstoppable Africa platform, held each year alongside the UN General Assembly in New York. Convened by the United Nations Global Compact, GABI brings African founders and investors, from sectors including sport and the creative economy, into the same room as global partners, so that ideas and investment can move in both directions, on African terms.

It rests on the same truth the World Cup is showing. Africa's business, culture, and sport shape how the continent is seen, and they do it together, which carries real commercial weight: people invest in and travel to the places they feel they understand.

The teams making the strongest impression have not been the biggest or the richest. They have been the clearest about who they are. Some do that through design. Some move us. Some work because they partner to scale.

The question isn't whether African brands can command global attention. They already do. The opportunity is to keep building the platforms and partnerships that let those stories travel, without losing what makes them worth telling. Know who you are, and the world becomes your audience, not your author.

Libby Allen is Vice President: Brand & Creative at APO Group. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, she leads marketing and creative services for the consultancy and its clients across African markets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group Insights.

Media Contact:
marie@apo-opa.com  

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007 by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group is the communications consultancy built for performance – combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, and guaranteed visibility across all 54 African markets. Its owned newswire, Africa Newsroom, secures placement on 250+ Africa-focused news sites, connecting organisations directly with journalists, analysts, investors, and policymakers worldwide.

Recognised internationally for communications excellence including SABRE, Davos Communications, and World Business Outlook distinctions, APO Group partners with global and African organisations to deliver communications that perform. Clients include the African Development Bank Group, Africa CDC, Afreximbank, NFL, Nestlé, Emirates, Canon, Western Union, GITEX Global, and Cassava Technologies.

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Protect Your Brain as You Age

Location: MyPR

Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health cover, is encouraging people to take a proactive approach to brain health as they grow older. While some changes in memory and thinking are a natural part of ageing, serious cognitive decline is not inevitable. Many of the key risk factors for conditions such as dementia are …

Read moreProtect Your Brain as You Age

Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K boasts a faster route and earlier start time in 2026

Location: MyPR

Event and Experience Specialists, Stillwater Sports, have confirmed that the 9th annual Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K will feature an even faster route on Sunday, 12 July 2026, while runners can also look forward to an earlier start time of 07:00. “The Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K is set to raise the bar …

Read moreAbsa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K boasts a faster route and earlier start time in 2026

Standard Bank’s Deerosh Maharaj Joins AMW as Advisory Board Member

Location: News

Energy Capital & Power
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Deerosh Maharaj, Executive Head for Energy, Infrastructure and Mining, Standard Bank, has been appointed to the Advisory Board of African Mining Week (AMW) – The Most Influential Mining Conference in Africa.

Maharaj's appointment underscores AMW's commitment to leveraging the expertise of industry leaders to amplify its impact on Africa's mining sector. Held under the theme Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa's Full Mineral Value Chain from October 14–16 in Cape Town, AMW will unite African project developers and global investors under one roof, enhancing capital flows, required for the sustainable growth of the continent's mining and energy sectors.

In his advisory role, Maharaj will provide strategic guidance on key themes and topics, engage with industry stakeholders, and promote participation among executives, investors and policymakers, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the critical issues shaping the continent's mining landscape.

“Maharaj brings a wealth of experience in deal structuring, sustainable growth, and investment facilitation,” stated Rachelle Kasongo, Event Director, AMW. “His guidance will be crucial in aligning AMW 2026's agenda with the real needs of the industry and in fostering partnerships that drive mining and energy sector development across Africa.”

With over 12 years' experience at Standard Bank, Maharaj has extensive expertise in structuring deals and providing financial solutions across mining, energy and infrastructure sectors, supporting Africa's local beneficiation agenda.

Under Maharaj's leadership, Standard Bank provides comprehensive financial solutions to mining companies, including lending, working capital support, foreign exchange risk management, sustainability advisory and cross-border trade facilitation – services increasingly critical for operations spanning multiple jurisdictions.

In early 2026, the bank acted as co-mandated lead arranger and lender on a $130 million dual-currency financing package for Tharisa Minerals in South Africa. In Namibia, it is supporting Rosh Pinah Zinc's RP2.0 mine expansion with a $150 million finance package. The bank also backs several renewable energy projects powering mining operations across South Africa, including the 475 MW Notsi Solar PV facility.

Amid rising demand for financing to unlock Africa's full mining and energy potential, Maharaj's expertise will be pivotal to the AMW agenda, strengthening partnerships between African project developers and financiers and driving increased investment flows.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Read moreStandard Bank’s Deerosh Maharaj Joins AMW as Advisory Board Member

ATG Digital Advances Security Leadership with ISO 27001:2022

Location: MyPR

[Johannesburg, 22 June, 2026] ATG Digital has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, cementing its long-standing position as a leader in secure, compliant digital solutions. The certification represents the global benchmark for information security—a standard to which ATG Digital proudly adheres. “ISO 27001:2022 is the world’s best-known standard for information security management systems (ISMS)”, states ISO. By …

Read moreATG Digital Advances Security Leadership with ISO 27001:2022

Pumping Surf at Victoria Bay for Opening Day of the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro

Location: MyPR

The 2026 Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro QS 2,000 and Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior opened in superb conditions at Victoria Bay, with long, clean walls reeling down the point from first light. With the new season officially underway, competitors wasted no time taking advantage of the quality surf as they chased …

Read morePumping Surf at Victoria Bay for Opening Day of the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro

South Africa Fall Just Short as France Claim FIH Nations Cup Title at Sold-Out Hartleyvale | SA News

Location: News

South Africa produced one of their great Hartleyvale nights as they defeated New Zealand in a dramatic shootout to secure a second FIH Nations Cup Final appearance. The semi-final carried enormous weight. New Zealand, ranked 11th in the world, arrived with an unbeaten record in FIH Nations Cup history, while South Africa were without two …

Read moreSouth Africa Fall Just Short as France Claim FIH Nations Cup Title at Sold-Out Hartleyvale | SA News

Stop Treating South Africans Like Criminals for Demanding That the Law Be Enforced

Location: News

On Friday, during my interview with Bongani Bingwa on 702, I was once again confronted with a reality that deeply troubles me: 32 years into democracy, many South Africans are being labelled xenophobic, intolerant, and even criminal simply because they are demanding that the laws of this country be enforced.

The post Stop Treating South Africans Like Criminals for Demanding That the Law Be Enforced appeared first on ActionSA.

Read moreStop Treating South Africans Like Criminals for Demanding That the Law Be Enforced

Immigrants make an enormous contribution to the food security in South Africa | SA News

Location: News

For more than 12 years the Department of Science and Innovation-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS), a national research centre, has supported a wide range of research into food and nutrition security in South Africa. Some of this research has been focused on micro-enterprises, such as street vendors and spaza shops, …

Read moreImmigrants make an enormous contribution to the food security in South Africa | SA News