Category: Africa

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Keynote address by Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile at the launch of the Wits Strategic Hydrogen Localisation Investment Facility (WITS-SAHLI), Wits University – West Campus, Johannesburg, Gauteng Province

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director;
Our Hosts, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University, Prof Zeblon Vilakazi, and his Senior Executive Team;
Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa;
Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela;
Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero
Mr Nkululeko Magadla, CEO, Air Liquide South Africa
Mr. Nicolas Poirot, Air Liquide CEO for Africa, Middle East, India
Sasol Representatives present here today;
Mr. Irshaad Kathrada, CEO, Localisation Support Fund
Industry Leaders;
Former Wits Council Chairperson, Mr Isaac Shongwe;
Academics;
Good Morning,

It is an honour to join you this morning for the launch of the Wits–South Africa Hydrogen Localisation Investment Facility (Wits-SAHLI), an important milestone so clearly demonstrated during the sod-turning we have just witnessed.

This moment marks not only the beginning of a ground-breaking project, but also the start of a shared national endeavour: to build a new industrial capability that drives innovation, creates quality jobs, and contributes to a just, inclusive, and sustainable economy.

South Africa’s hydrogen journey began in 2007, when Cabinet approved the 15-year Hydrogen South Africa Research, Development, and Innovation Strategy, today implemented by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The purpose of this groundbreaking Strategy was to create knowledge, build skills, and support valuable business activities in hydrogen fuel cell technologies, using our plentiful platinum group metal resources.

Over the years, we have established world-class infrastructure and technical expertise within the three Hydrogen South Africa Centres of Competence.

These centres focus on catalysis, hydrogen production, storage, distribution, systems integration, and technology validation, forming the backbone of our national hydrogen innovation system and paving the way for a more integrated approach to securing our country’s energy future.

We are jubilant that the new Wits Localisation Investment Hydrogen Facility will stand proudly as a continuation of that vision. Equipped with a 110 kilowatt electrolyser, a 200 kilogram hydrogen storage capacity, and a 200-kilowatt clean power output system, it is not only a technical asset, but also a training ground for the current and next generation of engineers, scientists, technicians and entrepreneurs that will lead the charge in driving the change we want to see.

In this regard, I wish to acknowledge the important leadership of the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. Through his stewardship, South Africa has strengthened policy certainty in the energy sector, accelerated the implementation of the Energy Action Plan, and advanced the integration of renewable energy into the national grid.

Minister Ramokgopa is playing an important role in positioning green hydrogen within South Africa’s broader energy transition. His Ministry’s strategies focus on stabilising electricity supply, modernising the grid, and promoting energy reforms, which are crucial for the hydrogen economy’s success.

He emphasises that hydrogen development should not be isolated but part of the national energy strategy, involving grid expansion, renewable energy, industrial development, and regional energy collaboration. Ongoing partnerships with the Departments of Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as Higher Education, and industry stakeholders are essential for advancing hydrogen from pilot projects to commercial viability.

I must confess that the launch of this remarkable facility takes me back to my own school days. I am not entirely sure if Minister Manamela is old enough to relate, but I remember a time when resources were scarce and opportunities unevenly distributed. Our “science laboratory” was nothing more than an ordinary classroom with a cracked chalkboard and wobbly desks. There were no microscopes, no proper burners, and certainly no sophisticated equipment. What we had was imagination.

Our teachers were masters of improvisation. They crafted a spirit lamp from a small jar and a cotton wick to replace a Bunsen burner. Empty cooldrink bottles became our beakers. When it was time to test chemical reactions, the vinegar and bicarbonate of soda came straight from the teacher’s own kitchen. We would crowd around a single bowl as if awaiting a breakthrough worthy of the Nobel Prize. Those moments were humble, but they ignited curiosity in ways that only ingenuity can.

Today, when I walk into a modern school and see fully equipped laboratories, computers, smart boards, safety gear, and shelves lined with real scientific instruments, I cannot help but smile. Because our children are no longer learning science through improvisation alone; they are experiencing it first-hand, in a practical and applied manner.

That is why facilities like this one matter. They close the gap between potential and possibility, ensuring that the next generation does not inherit the limitations we once faced, but instead it inherits the tools to shape a far more innovative future.

In this context, Air Liquide’s R100 million investments, together with the partnership between Wits University and the Localisation Support Fund, represent far more than bricks and equipment. It establishes a crucial hub where students can bridge theoretical knowledge with practical industrial application, especially in the rapidly emerging green energy sector.

By 2028, when the facility becomes fully operational, we aim to have developed a vibrant ecosystem of locally manufactured hydrogen components, homegrown innovations, and strong enterprise development pathways for emerging companies.

What is particularly impressive about this initiative is that it represents a concrete step towards decarbonisation and sustainability, directly aligning with national and global commitments to build a low-carbon and sustainable society.

Around the world, clean hydrogen is emerging as a strategic solution to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, strengthen energy security, and open new export opportunities. For South Africa, this transition offers a compelling opportunity to leverage our research excellence, catalytic minerals, engineering capabilities, and industrial base to develop competitive, localised hydrogen value chains.

Green hydrogen will be central in decarbonising heavy-duty transport, steel, cement, mining, chemicals, refineries, agriculture, and plastics. Our country has recognised the transformative potential of this industry, not only to drive progress toward net-zero emissions, but also to tackle poverty, unemployment and inequality by unlocking new economic frontiers.

The envisaged Wits-SAHLI facility speaks directly to this ambition. It represents localisation in its fullest and most transformative sense, ensuring that the design, manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance of components within the green hydrogen value chain take place here at home.

It is about creating supplier ecosystems that draw in SMMEs, broaden industrial participation, and deepen domestic capabilities. It is about establishing the standards, testing facilities, and certification systems that give industry and investors’ confidence to procure locally.

This positions South Africa not only as a producer of green hydrogen but also as a developer and exporter of the technologies, skills, and industrial capacity that will shape the global green economy.

It is also about knowledge localisation — ensuring that the intellectual property, the skills, and the technical leadership reside within South Africa’s research system and industry so that value does not simply pass through our borders but is created and retained here.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Localisation is crucial for building a resilient South African economy by fostering local capabilities rather than relying on imported technologies. Localisation generates jobs, enhances skill sets, and supports small businesses. By reducing dependency on external supply chains, localisation empowers local researchers and industries to innovate. Ultimately, it ensures that emerging sectors, such as the green hydrogen economy, benefit the local community, contributing to an inclusive and competitive South Africa that will be able to stay ahead of the curve.

Through the Localisation Support Fund, also a partner in the Wits-SAHLI project, Government is removing barriers to competitiveness, supporting feasibility studies, strengthening manufacturing capabilities, and translating industrial policy into real business activity.

However, we must also confront the reality of industrial decline and its heavy impact on our youth and communities. Manufacturing once contributed more than 22 percent of GDP in the early 1990s. Today it is around 12 to 13 percent. Employment in manufacturing has fallen from more than 2.1 million jobs in 2008 to roughly 1.6 to 1.7 million today. Behind every percentage point lost are thousands of vanished opportunities.

This is why we must commit to a new era of reindustrialisation, one that embraces advanced manufacturing, builds domestic capabilities, deepens local value chains, and positions South Africa as a competitive player in the industries of the future.

Initiatives such as the Wits-SAHLI projects are central to our reindustrialisation agenda. Our country cannot prosper through import dependency. We must build what we use, and we must innovate what we export. The modular design of this plant is a deliberate strategy, allowing locally produced components to be developed, tested, improved, and eventually standardised. This creates opportunities for South African firms not only to participate but to lead.

To the Department of Higher Education and Training, this facility represents precisely the kind of collaborative, future-focused academic infrastructure envisioned for our National System of Innovation. Wits University, already a continental leader in research output, will now become a central node in hydrogen research, skills development and technology scaling.

This is how nations build future industries: through coherent, collaborative ecosystems that brings academia, government, and the private sector together.

As we grow our hydrogen economy, we must also acknowledge the challenges, including shortages of skilled workers and limited local manufacturing capacity. To move from pilot projects to commercial scale, we need a stronger skills pipeline and greater uptake of locally developed technologies.

The launch of the Wits-SAHLI project demonstrates that our institutions of higher learning are positioned to play a critical role in advancing green hydrogen skills and technologies.

Through the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, we are aligning multiple stakeholders around a common vision for deploying hydrogen technologies to support economic development and our green transition.

To our universities and research facilities, you must know that you are the backbone of this initiative. The hydrogen economy will require new thinkers, new problem solvers, new technicians, new researchers and new entrepreneurs.

We therefore urge you and all of us here to seize the opportunity presented by the Wits SAHLI facility and similar initiatives to be rolled out in future through our partnership model. We are therefore duty-bound, to support our global energy revolution.

In closing, let me express our appreciation to Air Liquide for their substantial investment, to Wits University for its leadership in research and innovation, to the Localisation Support Fund for championing South African industrial capacity, and to Minister Ramokgopa for his unwavering commitment to building a stable, modern and future-ready energy system that enables initiatives such as this to succeed.

Together, we are laying the foundation for a new chapter in South Africa’s industrial and energy landscape, one powered by innovation, driven by localisation, and sustained by the brilliance of our people.

I thank you.
 

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Les Africains sont de plus en plus connectés, mais la sécurité numérique reste faible, selon une enquête téléphonique d’Afrobarometer menée dans sept pays africains

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Une enquête téléphonique d’Afrobarometer (https://apo-opa.co/4sdrWRo) révèle que la plupart des adultes à travers sept pays africains utilisent fréquemment Internet, mais que beaucoup méconnaissent des mesures de sécurité numérique et les appliquent de manière incohérente, voire pas du tout.

En moyenne à travers l’Angola, le Bénin, la Côte d’Ivoire, le Kenya, le Nigéria, le Sénégal et la Tanzanie, la majorité des répondants se disent préoccupées par la sécurité de leurs données personnelles en ligne et estiment que leur téléphone portable est l’appareil le plus vulnérable aux menaces numériques. Nombre d’entre elles ignorent l’existence des outils de protection en ligne, et rares sont celles qui appliquent des mesures de sécurité, notamment celles qui offrent une protection renforcée comme l’authentification à deux facteurs, les VPN et les logiciels antivirus.

Les répondants ont tendance à s’appuyer fortement sur des sources informelles, telles que les médias sociaux et leurs amis ou leur famille, pour obtenir des conseils en matière de sécurité numérique, tandis que les ressources plus structurées – telles que l’environnement de travail ou les tutoriels en ligne – sont moins fréquemment utilisées.

Bien que limitées à sept pays et aux répondants âgées de plus de 17 ans, ces résultats mettent en évidence d’importantes lacunes en matière de culture numérique et suggèrent la nécessité d’une éducation ciblée et de ressources accessibles pour garantir que l’empreinte numérique croissante de l’Afrique soit à la fois émancipatrice et sécurisée.

Résultats clés

  • En moyenne à travers les sept pays sondés, parmi les adultes qui accèdent au contenu Internet, une grande majorité (84%) déclarent le faire « tous les jours » ou « quelques fois par semaine » (Figure 1).
  • Les téléphones portables sont le principal moyen d’accès à Internet (85%).
  • Les jeunes adultes (18-35 ans) sont plus susceptibles d’être des utilisateurs réguliers d’Internet (87%) que les cohortes plus âgées (74%-83%).
  • Plus de huit répondants sur 10 (82%) déclarent s’informer « quelques fois par semaine » ou « tous les jours » via les réseaux sociaux (Figure 2). Par ailleurs, la moitié (51%) affirment consulter régulièrement d’autres sites Internet.
  • Plus de la moitié (52%) se disent préoccupés par la sécurité de leurs informations personnelles en ligne, et 81% pensent que les téléphones portables sont plus vulnérables aux activités nuisibles en ligne que les ordinateurs et autres appareils (Figure 3).
  • Seul environ un tiers (32%) des répondants disent qu’ils connaissent « quelque peu » (22%) ou « beaucoup » (10%) les outils et les compétences pour protéger leur vie privée et leurs informations numériques (Figure 4).
  • L’utilisation des outils et pratiques de protection par les internautes est très variable (Figure 5) :
  • Plus de sept personnes sur 10 (72%) disent utiliser des mots de passe forts pour protéger leurs informations en ligne, bien que seulement environ la moitié (52%) des Béninois fassent cette affirmation.
  • D’autres mesures de sécurité sont beaucoup moins fréquemment utilisées, notamment l’authentification à deux facteurs (33%), les logiciels antivirus (30%) et les réseaux privés virtuels (VPN) (21%)
  • La plupart des répondants s’appuient sur les médias sociaux (60%) et sur leurs amis et leur famille (62%) pour s’informer sur les outils de sécurité en ligne (Figure 6).
  • Moins de la moitié se tournent vers les vidéos/tutoriels en ligne (48%), les articles/sites Web d’actualité (32%) et les ressources sur le lieu de travail (29%) comme sources d’information sur la sécurité en ligne.

Afrobarometer Calling

Afrobarometer est un réseau panafricain et non-partisan de recherche par sondage qui produit des données fiables sur les expériences et appréciations des Africains relatives à la démocratie, à la gouvernance et à la qualité de vie. Afrobarometer est un réseau panafricain de recherche par sondage, indépendant de toute affiliation politique, qui fournit des données fiables sur les expériences et les évaluations de la démocratie, de la gouvernance et de la qualité de vie en Afrique. Pour ses enquêtes standard, des partenaires nationaux dans une quarantaine de pays africains mènent des entretiens en face à face, dans la langue du répondant, auprès d’échantillons représentatifs de 1.200 à 2.400 répondants.

Entre ses enquêtes classiques, Afrobarometer réalise également des sondages téléphoniques plus ciblés sur des sujets émergents ou d’actualité, sous l’égide d’Afrobarometer Calling (https://apo-opa.co/4shOwZq). Entre le 6 septembre et le 8 novembre 2024, ses partenaires ont interrogé des échantillons nationaux de 1.200 adultes (âgés de 18 ans et plus) possédant un téléphone mobile et déclarant consulter du contenu Internet. Ces enquêtes ont été menées en Angola, au Bénin, en Côte d’Ivoire, au Kenya, au Nigéria, au Sénégal et en Tanzanie, et portaient sur les usages numériques et la sensibilisation à la cybersécurité.

Distribué par APO Group pour Afrobarometer.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter :
Hassana Diallo
Chargé des communications d’Afrobarometer pour l’Afrique francophone
Téléphone : +221 77 713 72 53
Email : hdiallo@afrobarometer.org

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Africans are increasingly online, but awareness and practice of digital safety remain low, Afrobarometer telephone survey across seven African countries shows

Source: APO

Most adults across seven African countries access the Internet frequently, but many remain unfamiliar with digital security measures and practice them inconsistently if at all, an Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org) telephone survey (https://apo-opa.co/4sdrWRo) shows.

On average across Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania, a majority of respondents say they worry about the security of their personal data online and believe their mobile phones are the most vulnerable devices to digital threats. Many respondents are unaware of online protection tools, and few apply online safety tools and practices, especially those that provide stronger protection, such as two-factor authentication, VPNs, and antivirus software.

Respondents tend to rely heavily on informal sources, such as social media and friends or family, for guidance on digital safety, while more structured resources – such as workplace training or online tutorials – are less frequently used.

Though limited to seven countries and respondents over age 17, these findings highlight significant gaps in digital literacy and suggest a need for targeted education and accessible resources to ensure that Africa’s growing digital footprint is both empowering and secure.

Key findings​

  • On average across the seven surveyed countries, among adults who access Internet content, a vast majority (84%) say they do so “every day” or “a few times a week” (Figure 1).
  • Mobile phones are the primary mechanism for accessing the Internet (85%).
  • Young adults (aged 18-35) are more likely to be regular Internet users (87%) than older cohorts (74%-83%).
  • More than eight in 10 respondents (82%) say they get news “every day” or “a few times a week” from social media platforms (Figure 2). In addition, half (51%) say they get news regularly from other Internet sites.
  • More than half (52%) express concern about the security of their personal information online, and 81% think mobile phones are more vulnerable to harmful online activities than computers and other devices (Figure 3).
  • Only about one-third (32%) of respondents consider themselves “somewhat” (22%) or “very” (10%) familiar with tools and skills they can use to protect their digital privacy and information (Figure 4).
  • Use of protective tools and practices by Internet users is highly variable (Figure 5):
  • More than seven in 10 (72%) say they use strong passwords to protect their online information, though only about half (52%) of Beninese make that claim.
  • Other security measures are much less commonly used, including two-factor authentication (33%), antivirus software (30%), and virtual private networks (VPNs)(21%).
  • Most respondents rely on friends and family (62%) and/or social media (60%) to learn about online safety tools (Figure 6).
  • Fewer than half turn to online videos/tutorials (48%), news articles/websites (32%), and the workplace (29%) as sources of information about online safety.

Afrobarometer Calling

Afrobarometer is a pan-African, nonpartisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. For its standard surveys, national partners in about 40 African countries conduct face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice with nationally representative samples of 1,200-2,400 respondents.

Between standard survey rounds, Afrobarometer also conducts more limited telephone surveys on emerging or time-sensitive topics under its Afrobarometer Calling (https://apo-opa.co/4shOwZq) label. Between 6 September and 8 November 2024, partners surveyed national samples of 1,200 adults (aged 18 and above) who had mobile phones and said they access Internet content. The surveys were conducted in Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania and focused on digital use and cybersecurity awareness.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.

For more information, please contact:
Daniel Iberi
Communications coordinator for East Africa
Telephone: +254 725 674 457
Email: diberi@afrobarometer.org

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Lamola meets with families of repatriated men from Russia, Ukraine conflict

Source: Government of South Africa

Lamola meets with families of repatriated men from Russia, Ukraine conflict

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has formally met with the families of the South African men recently repatriated after being caught in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The meeting on Thursday served as a “humanitarian touchpoint” after the safe return of their family members from the conflict zone, according to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

The department said the Minister expressed the government’s relief regarding the safe return of the citizens, acknowledging the immense distress their families have endured. 

“The Minister emphasised that this government intervention was an exceptional measure taken to preserve South African lives,” said the department in a statement on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the South African government, working closely with Russian authorities, had secured the safe return of the men, aged between 20 and 39, after distress calls were received from them seeking assistance to come home.

Ntshavheni confirmed that all 17 men have been released from the contracts they had signed with military contractors

“Fifteen of the men are back in South Africa, while two remain in Russia, with one in a hospital and the other one is being processed before finalising his travel arrangements,” Ntshavheni said.

The South African Embassy in Moscow will continue monitoring the individual who remains in hospital until he has fully recovered and is fit to travel.

Minister Lamola said: “The safety of our citizens abroad is a priority, but we must be clear: the circumstances that led to this situation were highly irregular. Our empathy for the families is matched by our duty to uphold the laws of our Republic.”

The Ministry is deeply concerned by the suspicious circumstances and predatory recruitment tactics used to lure citizens into danger.

“If a job offer abroad sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” the Minister cautioned. 

South Africans have been urged to exercise extreme due diligence when pursuing international employment, particularly those involving “security,” “logistics,” or “technical support” in high-risk regions.

The government continues to investigate the networks involved in these recruitment efforts to ensure that those who exploit vulnerable citizens face the full might of the law.

The department said separate to these 17 men, the South African government had been informed that two South Africans have lost their lives on the frontlines and that the families have been informed. – SAnews.gov.za

Janine

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North West unveils major infrastructure drive

Source: Government of South Africa

North West unveils major infrastructure drive

North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has announced wide-ranging infrastructure commitments aimed at restoring dignity, accelerating service delivery and stimulating local economic growth across the province.

Delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Mahikeng on Thursday, Mokgosi outlined major investments in water, housing and road infrastructure as part of government’s broader development agenda.

R2.2 billion boost for water infrastructure

To fast-track equitable access to water, the Premier said nearly R300 million has already been spent on water and sanitation projects in Maquassi Hills, and the villages of Segakwaneng, Manamakgotheng, Pahalane, Makoshong in Moretele Local Municipality as well as Kokomeng, Khudutlou, Molelema and Longaneng in the Taung Local Municipality.

“An additional R1.9 billion has been set aside for ongoing bulk water supply projects in Madibeng, Ratlou, Mahikeng and Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipalities,” Mokgosi said.

The funding is expected to improve the reliability of supply and expand access to underserved communities.

Over R500 million committed to housing delivery

In the human settlements sector, more than R500 million has been committed for the construction of 1 148 housing units in Madibeng, Moses Kotane and Matlosana, where bulk infrastructure has also been installed in more than 1 800 sites.

“Progress is being registered and to date we have spent R30 million for the completion of 215 housing units which were abandoned by contractors, in areas such as Lethabong, Glodina, Sekhing and Kgomotso,” Mokgosi said.

The project will also extend to Tshweunyane village in Mahikeng, where a contractor was appointed in January.

The provincial government has further committed to spend 80% of the Human Settlements budget to complete all blocked housing projects in the province.

Mokgosi reaffirmed that the Smart and Mega Cities Programme remains a strategic priority, with the North West Housing Corporation leading implementation and driving delivery across the province.

Private-sector funding for the Mahikeng Student City has been secured, positioning the project to commence once outstanding land matters are resolved. Engineering designs have been finalised, rendering the project construction ready.

“The Mahikeng Student City alone is projected to unlock over 3 500 jobs, creating meaningful economic opportunities for SMMEs [small, medium, and micro enterprises], youth, women and persons with disabilities,” Mokgosi said.

In addition, R45 million has been allocated for asbestos roof removal in Madibeng, JB Marks, Mahikeng and Ditsobotla.

The province will also dispose of 288 government-built houses located on tribal land, prioritising current lawful occupants to ensure security of tenure. The properties are situated across the Bojanala, Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati districts.

R1.6 billion for roads and transport corridors

The Premier noted that road infrastructure projects valued at more than R1.6 billion are underway in Phelindaba, Makwassie, Verdwaal and Ramokokastad to restore access, reconnect communities and stimulate local economies.

The long-awaited Nelson Mandela Drive upgrade in Mahikeng will resume, with a contractor expected on site in April.

“A contractor will be on site from April as we transition from compliance processes to visible construction,” Mokgosi said.

Over R700 million has also been allocated for rehabilitation of the Swartruggens–Magaliesberg corridor to strengthen freight and commuter transport links.

The project follows the successful completion of phase one, which included refurbishment of roads in and around Golf View suburb.

A similar road rehabilitation initiative has already been implemented in Koster in the Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality.

Mokgosi said the infrastructure rollout will serve as a catalyst for job creation, improved mobility and sustained economic development across the province. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

GabiK

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Verdant IMAP Advises Open Access Data Centres (OADC) (A WIOCC Group Company) on the Acquisition of a South African Data Centre Portfolio

Source: APO

Verdant IMAP (www.Verdant-Cap.com) is pleased to announce that it has advised on the acquisition of a portfolio of South African data centre assets from NTT DATA, by Open Access Data Centres (OADC), a subsidiary of WIOCC Group.

NTT operate global technology and digital infrastructure platforms, and the assets form part of their South African data centre operations.

The transaction comprises seven data centre facilities, strategically located in key centres across South Africa, forming an important platform within South Africa’s digital infrastructure ecosystem. The assets support enterprise, wholesale, and cloud connectivity requirements and represent critical infrastructure underpinning the country’s growing digital economy.

The acquisition strengthens WIOCC Group’s position as a multi-regional digital infrastructure provider, expanding its footprint in South Africa while complementing its broader pan-African and international network and connectivity assets. The transaction enhances the group’s ability to serve its diverse client group, which includes hyperscalers, CDNs, network operators, ISPs, and enterprise clients with scalable, resilient, and carrier-neutral data centre capacity across multiple markets.

The transaction reflects continued investment momentum in African digital infrastructure, underpinned by sustained growth in data consumption, cloud adoption, and increasing demand for neutral, carrier-dense data centre facilities in strategically located markets.

The transaction has received approval from the Competition Commission of South Africa.

Verdant IMAP acted as financial adviser to OADC (A WIOCC Group Company). The transaction involved navigating a highly complex and negotiated process, including the resolution of complex commercial, legal, and structural considerations. The transaction required extensive coordination across financial, commercial, legal, and operational workstreams over a prolonged negotiation period, reflecting the complexity typically associated with large-scale digital infrastructure transactions.

Verdant IMAP operates as part of the global IMAP platform, a long-established international investment banking network with a strong presence across major markets worldwide. IMAP forms an integral part of Verdant IMAP’s business, providing access to global sector expertise, international best practice, and cross-border perspective that underpins the firm’s advisory capabilities across complex transactions in digital infrastructure, telecoms, fintech, and technology-enabled sectors.

The transaction builds on Verdant IMAP’s growing digital infrastructure advisory franchise, reflecting the firm’s continued focus on data centres, fibre networks, telecoms, and technology-enabled infrastructure assets across Africa. Verdant IMAP continues to advise on some of the region’s most complex digital infrastructure transactions, supporting both strategic and financial clients across the investment lifecycle. The transaction is Verdant IMAP’s fourth completed transaction for WIOCC Group. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Verdant Capital.

Media contacts:
Verdant IMAP
Orient Mahonisi
T: +27 10 140 3700
E: orient.mahonisi@verdant-cap.com

About OADC:
Open Access Data Centres (OADC) is a carrier-neutral data centre platform and a subsidiary of the WIOCC Group. OADC develops and operates strategically located data centre infrastructure designed to support hyperscalers, network operators, and enterprise clients across Africa and beyond. The platform focuses on scalable, resilient facilities that integrate seamlessly with WIOCC’s extensive terrestrial and subsea connectivity infrastructure. https://OpenAccessDC.net

About Verdant IMAP: 
Verdant IMAP is a leading pan-African investment bank specialising in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private capital markets. Combining international investment banking experience with a deep understanding of local markets, Verdant IMAP helps clients access global capital and strategic partnerships to drive growth and transformation across the continent. Verdant IMAP is the IMAP partner firm for its region. IMAP is a global M&A partnership with over 600 professionals across 51 countries and is consistently ranked among the top 5 advisors worldwide for mid-market transactions. www.Verdant-Cap.com

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Verdant IMAP conseille Open Access Data Centres (OADC) (une société du groupe WIOCC) dans le cadre de l’acquisition d’un portefeuille de centres de données en Afrique du Sud

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Verdant IMAP (www.Verdant-Cap.com) a le plaisir d’annoncer qu’elle a agi en tant que conseiller pour l’acquisition d’un portefeuille d’actifs de centres de données sud-africains auprès de NTT DATA, par Open Access Data Centres (OADC), une filiale du groupe WIOCC.NTT exploite des plateformes mondiales de technologie et d’infrastructure numérique, et les actifs font partie de ses opérations de centres de données en Afrique du Sud.

La transaction porte sur sept centres de données, stratégiquement situés dans des centres clés à travers l’Afrique du Sud, constituant une plateforme majeure au sein de l’écosystème d’infrastructure numérique du pays. Ces actifs répondent aux besoins de connectivité des entreprises, du secteur de la vente en gros et du cloud, et représentent une infrastructure critique soutenant l’économie numérique croissante du pays. Cette acquisition renforce la position du groupe WIOCC en tant que fournisseur d’infrastructures numériques multirégional. Elle étend son empreinte en Afrique du Sud tout en complétant son réseau plus large d’actifs de connectivité panafricains et internationaux. La transaction améliore la capacité du groupe à servir sa clientèle diversifiée — qui comprend des acteurs du hyperscale, des centres de données neutres, des opérateurs de réseaux, des fournisseurs d’accès à internet et des entreprises — grâce à une capacité de centres de données évolutive, résiliente et neutre vis-à-vis des opérateurs sur plusieurs marchés. Cette opération témoigne de la dynamique continue de l’investissement dans l’infrastructure numérique en Afrique, soutenue par une croissance soutenue de la consommation de données, de l’adoption du cloud et d’une demande croissante pour des installations de centres de données neutres et à forte densité de transporteurs. La transaction a reçu l’approbation de la Commission sud-africaine de la concurrence.

Verdant IMAP a agi en tant que conseiller financier exclusif d’OADC. La transaction a nécessité de naviguer dans un processus complexe de négociation, incluant la résolution de considérations commerciales, juridiques et structurelles ardues. L’opération a exigé une coordination approfondie entre les différents pôles (financier, commercial, juridique et opérationnel) sur une période de négociation prolongée, reflétant la complexité typique des transactions d’infrastructure numérique à grande échelle. Verdant IMAP fait partie de la plateforme mondiale IMAP, un réseau international de banque d’investissement établi de longue date. IMAP constitue une partie intégrante de l’activité de Verdant IMAP, offrant un accès à une expertise sectorielle mondiale et à des perspectives transfrontalières qui soutiennent les capacités de conseil de la firme dans les secteurs de l’infrastructure numérique, des télécoms, de la fintech et des technologies. Cette transaction consolide la franchise de conseil en infrastructure numérique de Verdant IMAP, reflétant l’accent continu de la firme sur les centres de données, les réseaux de fibre optique et les actifs d’infrastructure technologique à travers l’Afrique.

Distribué par APO Group pour Verdant Capital.

Contacts avec les médias :
Verdant IMAP
Orient Mahonisi
T : +27 10 140 3700
E : orient.mahonisi@verdant-cap.com

À propos d’OADC :
Open Access Data Centres (OADC), filiale du groupe WIOCC, est une plateforme de centres de données neutre vis-à-vis des opérateurs. La société déploie et exploite des infrastructures stratégiques conçues pour répondre aux exigences des acteurs du hyperscale, des opérateurs de réseaux et des grandes entreprises en Afrique et à l’international. OADC privilégie des installations évolutives et résilientes, parfaitement intégrées à l’écosystème étendu de connectivité terrestre et sous-marine de WIOCC.

Site web : https://OpenAccessDC.net

À propos de Verdant IMAP :
Verdant IMAP est une banque d’investissement panafricaine de premier plan, spécialisée dans les fusions-acquisitions (M&A) et les marchés de capitaux privés. En alliant l’expertise d’une banque d’affaires internationale à une connaissance approfondie des marchés locaux, Verdant IMAP accompagne ses clients dans l’accès aux capitaux mondiaux et la mise en œuvre de partenariats stratégiques pour soutenir leur croissance et leur transformation sur le continent. Verdant IMAP est le cabinet partenaire exclusif d’IMAP pour la région. IMAP est un partenariat mondial de fusions-acquisitions regroupant plus de 600 professionnels répartis dans 51 pays, et figure régulièrement parmi les cinq meilleurs conseillers mondiaux pour les transactions du mid-market.

Site web : www.Verdant-Cap.com

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South Africa: President Ramaphosa institutes naval exercise probe and appoints panel to investigate

Source: APO – Report:

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has instituted the probe related to the Exercise MOSI III Will of Peace (“the exercise”) and has appointed an investigative panel to be led by Justice B.M. Ngoepe as the Chairperson of the panel. Justice Ngoepe will be assisted by Justice K. Satchwell, Justice M.M. Leeuw and R. Adm (JG) P.T. Duze. The Panel will report directly to the President.

The instituting of the panel relates to the failure to heed the instruction by the President that the navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran must no longer participate in the Chinese-led Exercise Will of Peace 2026 that took place in South African waters. 

The relocation of the inquiry from the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans to the Presidency is to ensure an independent and timeous probe. The President  is, in terms of section 202(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force. 

The Panel will investigate and make recommendations in relation to the circumstances surrounding the exercise, the factors that may have contributed to the failure to observe the President’s order, person or person’s responsible and the consequences to follow. 

The Panel will have the power to summon any member of the defence force and/or public service it needs, and to request for all documents, including classified documents, to fulfil its mandate. 

President Ramaphosa has directed that the Panel must finish its work and report to the President within one (1) calendar month of its establishment. 

The President may, on compelling cause shown, extend the period of the Panel’s proceedings. Due to national security considerations the work of the Panel will be confidential.

President Ramaphosa may on the recommendation of the Panel and the Minister decide to publicise or not to publicise all or any portion of the outcomes of the Panel’s investigation.

– on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

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Southern Africa faces acute surge in cholera due to floods, displacement

Source: APO – Report:

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Cholera cases in Southern Africa region have risen by over seven times in the first six weeks of 2026 compared with the same period the year before due to severe flooding triggered by cyclones, infrastructure damage and inadequate water and sanitation among displaced populations, an analysis by World Health Organization (WHO) shows.

A total of 4320 cases and 56 deaths were reported between 1 January and 15 February 2026 in five Southern African countries, up from 586 cases and 11 deaths in the same period in 2025. The increase contrasts with a general decline in cases across the continent, which reported a drop of 47% and 59% respectively compared with 2025 and 2024.

A total of 13 countries in the African region are currently reporting cholera outbreaks. In Southern Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe are reporting cases. Since 2023, Southern Africa has been the dominant cholera hotspot in the continent, with major outbreaks during the 2023—2024 cyclone season. So far this year, Mozambique accounts for 90% of cholera cases in Southern Africa. The country has experienced intense flooding which has affected more than 700 000 people.

Southern Africa is experiencing an active cyclone season which usually runs from January to April. Above-average rains continue in cyclone-prone areas. Twenty-seven high-risk zones have been identified in five countries, with vulnerabilities including poor water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, as well as recurrent cholera outbreaks.

“The sharp rise in cholera cases in Southern Africa is a clear reminder of how climate-related shocks are intensifying public health risks,” said Dr Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, Emergencies Director at the WHO Regional Office for Africa. “We’re working closely with national authorities to provide emergency health assistance while strengthening preparedness and resilience of our health systems to better protect communities from the growing impact of climate-linked shocks.”

According to the WHO analysis, Southern Africa faces a critical period between March and August, with a projected 12 000 to 22 000 additional cholera cases under the most probable scenarios. Multiple factors are contributing to the cholera outbreaks in Southern Africa: tropical cyclones; flooding that has affected Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia; conflict and population displacement; and inadequate urban water supply systems.

WHO and partners are supporting the ongoing emergency response, including delivering cholera and other essential health supplies, strengthening health response coordination and improving disease surveillance and prevention measures.  

A rapid scale-up of public health measures, including cholera vaccination, disease surveillance and improvement of water and sanitation services is crucial to protect the health of populations and avert a deterioration of the situation. Most people with cholera have mild or moderate diarrhoea and can be treated with oral rehydration solution (ORS). However, the disease can progress rapidly, so starting treatment quickly is vital to save lives. Patients with severe disease need intravenous fluids, ORS and antibiotics.

Cholera is a global public health threat and indicates inequity and lack of social and economic development. Access to safe water, basic sanitation and hygiene is essential to prevent cholera and other waterborne diseases.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

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Tanzania Strengthens Water Safety Capacity in Morogoro

Source: APO – Report:

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The Ministry of Health, through the Directorate of Preventive Services and the Environmental Health and Sanitation Section, has successfully strengthened Tanzania’s ability to detect and prevent waterborne health threats at community level and designated Points of Entry (PoEs). 

Contaminated water can silently fuel outbreaks, disrupt trade, and put thousands of lives at risk. In Morogoro, 37 frontline Environmental Health Officers are now better equipped to prevent and control those threats. 

The training, held at the Edema Conference Centre in Morogoro Municipal Council, the three day training brought together 37 Environmental Health Officers from 6regions and 28 POEs from Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. 

The initiative addressed critical gaps identified in Tanzania’s Joint External Evaluation (2024), in practical skills among Environmental Health Officers in water testing and risk assessment. Through hands-on sessions, participants were trained in water sampling, testing, and interpretation using DelAgua water testing kits. The program supports the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and reinforces Tanzania’s compliance with International Health Regulations (2005) as amended in 2014, 2022 and 2024. 

A Ministry of Health representative noted: “Thetraining of Environment Health Officers from both Mainland and Zanzibar in water quality monitoring will enable the country to effectively conduct water quality surveillance at points of entry. This capacity is essential for designated points of entry and newly authorized ports to carry out ship inspections and issue sanitation certificates, thereby strengthening our national public health security.” 

A representative from the World Health Organization added: 

“Safe water is a cornerstone of health security. By equipping frontline officers with the right tools and skills, Tanzania is investing in prevention and protecting communities, safeguarding travelers, and strengthening national resilience.” 

The training combined practical demonstrations, group discussions, and drills simulations, culminating in an evaluation to document lessons learned and next steps. Trained officers will now conduct routine water inspections more effectively in high-risk councils and Points of Entry, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and enhancing public health protection. 

Communities, travellers, PoE staff, and surrounding areas will benefit from this improved capacity, with reduced risks of waterborne diseases which include cholera and stronger public health protection. Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO remains committed to strengthening frontline capacity and ensuring safe drinking water for all Tanzanians.

– on behalf of World Health Organization – United Republic of Tanzania.