Category: Africa

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Government allocates nearly R31 billion to SANRAL

Source: Government of South Africa

Government allocates nearly R31 billion to SANRAL

The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) is expected to receive almost R31 billion this year to maintain, rehabilitate, upgrade and expand the road network.

“These funds will be used for capital expenditure on the non-toll network, the Gauteng Freeway Improvement project operations; the N2 Wild Coast route for ongoing construction on major bridges, and new road sections on our national highways as well as the development of the Moloto Road corridor,” Minister of Transport  Barbara Creecy said on Tuesday in Parliament.

The Minister was tabling the Department of Transport’s R102 billion Budget Vote, aimed at building a transformed, inclusive and competitive transport system that serves commuters, freight operators and export industries.

Creecy said the infrastructure projects are expected to improve road safety, shorten travel distances, and create more than 35 000 job opportunities while supporting over 2 000 small enterprises

“Investment in public infrastructure projects is a significant catalyst for job creation and economic development,” the Minister said.

However, the Minister raised concerns about ongoing challenges at provincial and municipal levels, where funding and in-house technical capacity for road maintenance often remain inadequate.

“Since 2013, provincial governments have transferred 13 000 kilometres of provincial roads to SANRAL for management and maintenance. 

“This is not a sustainable long-term strategy and will ultimately impact SANRAL’s ability to maintain the National Road Network without introducing widespread tolling,” Creecy said.

To address the issue, the government plans to convene a joint meeting between the National Treasury and the Department of Transport through the Minister and MECs (MINMEC) forum to explore mechanisms to frontload the Provincial Road Maintenance Grant, enabling provinces to upgrade priority roads sooner.

Commuter rail revival gains momentum

The revitalisation of the passenger rail system continues to go from strength to strength, with yearly passenger journeys surpassing 100 million at the end of March 2026. 

“This sixfold increase over four years reflects deliberate and sustained investment in infrastructure, rolling stock, security, and institutional reform. In Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, we are increasing train frequencies, improving security, reducing vandalism and ensuring connectivity for communities previously excluded from reliable transport services,” the Minister said.

At the end of 2025, a Request for Information (RFI) process for passenger rail was launched to gauge the appetite for investment in rapid regional rail, depot modernisation, rolling stock leasing, automated fare collection, and optic fibre installation.

“With current fiscal shortages, we are also in discussion with the National Treasury on frontloading mechanisms so we can conclude restoration of outstanding priority lines.

“Effective passenger rail systems must be integrated with other modes of transport to ensure safety and efficiency,” the Minister said.

Government reviewing the RAF system

Creecy said the department is reviewing the proposed Road Accident Fund Bill to reduce contingent state liability through the introduction of a no-fault system and a standardised injury compensation framework.

The Road Accident Fund is responsible for compensating and rehabilitating people injured in motor vehicle accidents within South Africa.

However, the entity continues to face mounting pressure due to a growing backlog of claims, legal challenges and severe financial constraints linked to the country’s high rate of road accidents.

Government is also exploring a hybrid funding model that would combine private and public contributions to reduce pressure on the fiscus.

“We wish to emphasise today that road safety is a national crisis. Last year, South Africa lost over 11 418 lives on our roads, one of the worst rates globally,” Creecy said.  –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Verdant IMAP agit en qualité de conseiller financier et d’arrangeur pour Heath Goldfields dans le cadre d’un financement par emprunt de 65 millions USD et d’un accord d’enlèvement

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Verdant IMAP (www.Verdant-Cap.com) a conseillé Heath Goldfields Ltd., la société minière ghanéenne qui revitalise la mine d’or historique de Bogoso-Prestea, dans le cadre d’un financement par emprunt de 65 millions USD assorti d’accords d’enlèvement (offtake) connexes. Ce financement est destiné à couvrir les dépenses en capital liées au plan minier à moyen terme de l’entreprise, suite au redémarrage initial de l’exploitation en décembre 2024, ainsi qu’aux besoins généraux de la société.

En vertu de cet accord, parallèlement à l’apport de ce financement stratégique, Trafigura s’est engagé à acquérir 700 000 onces d’or issues de l’exploitation de Bogoso-Prestea. Cet engagement commercial représente une valeur d’environ 2,8 milliards USD. L’accord d’enlèvement garantit un canal de vente à long terme pour la production de Heath Goldfields à des conditions de marché compétitives, assurant ainsi une stabilité des revenus à mesure que la société monte en puissance.

Cette transaction constitue l’un des accords d’enlèvement les plus significatifs dans le secteur aurifère en Afrique de l’Ouest ces dernières années. Elle marque une étape cruciale du programme de relance de Bogoso-Prestea et témoigne de la confiance de Trafigura dans les capacités opérationnelles de Heath Goldfields, ainsi que dans le potentiel à long terme d’un actif doté de ressources substantielles et conformes aux normes SK-1300.

L’accord prévoit l’achat d’or doré produit à l’usine de traitement de Bogoso-Prestea, les livraisons devant débuter selon le calendrier de production de l’entreprise. La structure de l’accord repose sur des conditions de marché compétitives, alignées sur les cours internationaux de l’or en vigueur.

Pour Trafigura, ce partenariat renforce sa présence dans le secteur des métaux précieux en Afrique de l’Ouest et s’inscrit dans sa stratégie de sécurisation d’approvisionnements à long terme auprès de juridictions minières établies. Le Ghana demeure le premier producteur d’or du continent, offrant un cadre réglementaire structuré, un environnement fiscal stable et un partenariat gouvernemental solide.

Cette opération a été structurée et organisée par Verdant IMAP, agissant en tant que conseiller financier exclusif de Heath Goldfields. Ce succès confirme la position de Verdant IMAP comme l’un des principaux conseillers financiers sur les marchés de capitaux africains, capable de structurer et de piloter des transactions complexes avec des contreparties mondiales de premier plan.

Distribué par APO Group pour Verdant Capital.

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

À propos de la mine d’or Bogoso–Prestea :
La mine d’or de Bogoso-Prestea est l’une des exploitations minières les plus emblématiques d’Afrique de l’Ouest, ayant produit plus de neuf millions d’onces d’or depuis 1912. Située dans le district de Prestea Huni-Valley, dans la région occidentale du Ghana, l’exploitation dispose d’une usine de traitement CIL d’une capacité de 1,5 million de tonnes par an, d’une infrastructure de traitement des sulfures, ainsi que d’un accès direct au réseau électrique et aux infrastructures routières nationales.

À propos de Heath Goldfields Ltd. :
Heath Goldfields Ltd. est une société minière aurifère ghanéenne axée sur le réaménagement responsable de la mine d’or Bogoso-Prestea. Avec une expertise technique approfondie et un engagement envers des opérations durables et centrées sur la collectivité, la société repositionne l’actif en tant qu’exploitation minière moderne et compétitive à l’échelle mondiale. Heath Goldfields combine la propriété autochtone, le développement de la main-d’œuvre locale et l’entrepreneuriat ghanéen avec les meilleures pratiques internationales en matière de sécurité, de conformité environnementale et d’engagement des parties prenantes.

À propos de Trafigura Pte Ltd :
Trafigura est l’une des plus grandes sociétés indépendantes de négoce de matières premières au monde. La société commercialise des métaux et des minéraux, du pétrole et des produits pétroliers, du gaz, de l’énergie et des énergies renouvelables, mettant en relation les producteurs et les consommateurs du monde entier. Trafigura a établi des partenariats d’enlèvement à long terme avec des producteurs miniers à travers l’Afrique et à l’international.

À propos de Verdant IMAP :
Verdant IMAP est une banque d’investissement panafricaine de premier plan spécialisée dans les fusacs et les marchés de capitaux privés. Combinant l’expérience de la banque d’investissement internationale avec une compréhension approfondie des marchés locaux, Verdant IMAP aide les clients à accéder à des capitaux mondiaux et à des partenariats stratégiques pour stimuler la croissance et la transformation à travers le continent. Verdant IMAP possède une vaste expérience dans le secteur des métaux et de l’exploitation minière en Afrique. Verdant IMAP est le cabinet partenaire IMAP pour sa région. Créé en 1973, l’IMAP est un partenariat mondial spécialisé dans les fusacs avec plus de 600 professionnels dans 51 pays et réalisant environ 300 opérations par an. L’IMAP est régulièrement classé parmi les cinq meilleurs conseillers au monde pour les opérations du marché intermédiaire. www.Verdant-Cap.com

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Amini, Foxconn et Bull unissent leurs forces pour faire avancer l’Intelligence Artificielle (IA) souveraine dans les pays du Sud

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Amini (https://www.Amini.ai/), une entreprise d’infrastructure d’IA souveraine, a annoncé aujourd’hui un partenariat stratégique avec Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), le plus grand fabricant d’électronique au monde, et Bull, leader mondial dans le domaine du calcul haute performance, de l’intelligence artificielle et de l’informatique quantique, afin de combler le déficit de calcul souverain à travers l’Afrique et les pays du Sud, donnant aux gouvernements, opérateurs de télécommunications, institutions financières et entreprises énergétiques un accès direct à une infrastructure de centres de données IA de niveau industriel qu’ils pourront acquérir, installer et exploiter localement. Ce partenariat marque la première initiative d’infrastructure dédiée aux marchés africains par Foxconn et établit Amini comme son partenaire stratégique en Afrique et dans d’autres économies émergentes.

Amini a construit l’une des principales plateformes africaines de capacité de calcul et de données ancrée localement, travaillant sur plusieurs marchés avec des gouvernements et des entreprises pour renforcer l’infrastructure IA domestique.

Foxconn est le plus grand fournisseur mondial de serveurs IA, dont le matériel technologique de pointe soutient l’économie IA mondiale, notamment les systèmes de calcul avancés, l’architecture de serveurs et les technologies de centres de données modulaires utilisés par les principales entreprises mondiales. Dans le cadre de ce partenariat, ces systèmes sont rendus accessibles aux institutions africaines et des pays du Sud dans des configurations adaptées aux conditions d’exploitation et aux environnements réglementaires locaux.

Le partenariat est soutenu par Bull, entreprise appartenant au gouvernement français, qui s’appuie sur sa collaboration existante avec Amini pour soutenir des projets d’infrastructure d’IA souveraine. Engagé à favoriser les écosystèmes locaux et une IA régionalisée, Bull apporte des capacités supplémentaires d’intégration de systèmes, fort d’une expérience de longue date couvrant tout le spectre du calcul haute performance et de l’intelligence artificielle, des systèmes et composants aux plateformes et cas d’usage.

L’annonce a été faite lors de l’Africa Forward Summit, organisé à Nairobi les 11 et 12 mai 2026, une réunion de haut niveau réunissant des chefs d’État, des dirigeants d’entreprises et des institutions mondiales pour faire avancer la position stratégique de l’Afrique dans l’économie numérique.

S’exprimant à l’ouverture de l’Africa Forward Summit le lundi 11 mai, Emmanuel Macron, Président de la République française, a déclaré : « […] ce partenariat entre Amini, Bull et Foxconn est pour moi un exemple parfait de cette histoire de souveraineté commune : des entreprises africaines, européennes et taiwanaises. Nous devons tous faire face à ce défi de la souveraineté et de la réduction de nos dépendances. »

L’opportunité de marché

Ce partenariat intervient à un moment charnière pour l’économie numérique mondiale. L’économie numérique africaine devrait atteindre 1 500 milliards USD d’ici 2030. Dans l’ensemble des pays du Sud, la demande de milliers de milliards de dollars pour des services basés sur l’IA dans les secteurs de la finance, de l’énergie, de l’administration publique et de la connectivité se concrétise plus vite que l’infrastructure souveraine nécessaire pour y répondre. Sans capacité de calcul ancrée localement, cette demande sera satisfaite par des fournisseurs externes, et la valeur économique qu’elle génère s’en ira ailleurs.

Le marché africain des centres de données devrait pratiquement doubler, passant de 3,49 milliards USD en 2024 à 6,81 milliards USD d’ici 2030, et la capacité installée devrait tripler pour dépasser 3 460 mégawatts sur la même période. L’infrastructure IA et cloud du continent reste concentrée entre les mains d’un petit nombre d’opérateurs. Le partenariat Amini-Foxconn-Bull marque un tournant vers une infrastructure de calcul IA souveraine et ancrée localement, conçue pour les marchés africains et des pays du Sud.

Les implications en aval sont considérables. Le calcul ancré localement crée des emplois qualifiés, renforce les écosystèmes technologiques régionaux et retient la valeur économique au sein des marchés domestiques. Les estimations du secteur placent la chaîne de valeur de l’infrastructure IA et des données en Afrique entre 20 et 30 milliards USD de revenus d’ici 2030, un chiffre qui augmente significativement lorsqu’on y ajoute les gains de productivité dans les secteurs de la finance, de l’énergie, des services publics et du commerce.

Conçu pour les réalités africaines : pourquoi le modulaire

Les centres de données hyperscale traditionnels dépendent de réseaux électriques stables, de délais de construction pluriannuels et de profils de dépenses en capital qui excluent la plupart des parties prenantes africaines et des pays du Sud.

L’infrastructure modulaire de centres de données IA fournie dans le cadre du partenariat Amini-Foxconn-Bull est conçue pour ces réalités. Les systèmes fonctionnent dans des environnements d’alimentation variables, peuvent être déployés en moins de 12 mois et s’adaptent progressivement à la demande. Les institutions acquièrent la capacité dont elles ont besoin aujourd’hui et l’étendent au fil du temps, en fonction de l’usage, sans la structure de coûts et la complexité des délais des constructions conventionnelles. Chaque configuration est conçue pour une pleine souveraineté des données, celles-ci restant dans le pays sous réglementation nationale.

Capacité souveraine dans les secteurs qui portent les économies africaines

Le partenariat ouvre l’infrastructure d’IA souveraine aux institutions qui ancrent l’activité économique nationale. L’énergie et les services publics peuvent appliquer l’IA à l’optimisation du réseau et à la maintenance prédictive. Les banques et institutions financières peuvent construire des systèmes de gestion du risque, du crédit et de l’inclusion financière, indépendamment des dépendances aux plateformes externes. Les opérateurs de télécommunications peuvent exploiter l’IA de périphérie et l’intelligence réseau à grande échelle. Dans chaque cas, la capacité sous-jacente — calcul, données et gouvernance — reste détenue localement.

Pour Amini, ce partenariat constitue une étape structurelle vers une redistribution de la manière dont la capacité IA est construite et détenue à l’échelle mondiale. « L’IA devient une infrastructure fondamentale pour chaque économie, pourtant la majeure partie du monde manque encore de la capacité de calcul nécessaire pour y participer selon ses propres termes », a déclaré Kate Kallot, Fondatrice et PDG d’Amini. « Ce partenariat garantit que l’Afrique et les pays du Sud pourront acquérir, posséder et exploiter une infrastructure IA localement, avec la souveraineté et la valeur économique à long terme en son cœur. La demande de milliers de milliards de dollars pour des services IA dans nos marchés sera satisfaite. La question est de savoir si l’infrastructure qui la sous-tend est détenue avec nous, ou pour nous. »

Pour Foxconn, cette initiative reflète une expansion délibérée vers des marchés où une infrastructure IA à l’échelle industrielle a historiquement été absente. « La participation de l’Afrique à l’économie IA dépend d’une infrastructure conçue pour ses conditions, et non adaptée d’ailleurs », a déclaré Jesse Chao, Responsable de l’IA & du Quantique chez Foxconn, lors de l’Africa Forward Summit. « Ce partenariat apporte les capacités mondiales de Foxconn dans un modèle de marché conçu pour la propriété souveraine et la viabilité opérationnelle à long terme. »

Pour Bull, cette collaboration prolonge un engagement de longue date en faveur de la capacité numérique souveraine dans les marchés émergents. « L’Afrique et plus généralement les pays du Sud ont le potentiel d’émerger comme un hub IA à l’échelle mondiale, en continuant à renforcer la capacité de calcul régionale et l’indépendance de la chaîne d’approvisionnement. Bull est fier, à travers son partenariat avec Amini et Foxconn, de faire partie de ce voyage, afin de développer une infrastructure d’IA souveraine », a déclaré Alexandre Jouys, Directeur Commercial et Responsable de l’Europe du Sud, du Moyen-Orient et de l’Afrique chez Bull. « Notre solution conjointe avec Amini reflète la conviction partagée que la capacité numérique durable doit être construite avec les institutions qu’elle sert, et non leur être livrée. »

Distribué par APO Group pour Amini.

Contacts Médias :
Relations Médias chez Amini
press@amini.ai

Relations Médias chez Bull
communication@bull.com 

Relations Médias chez Foxconn
media@foxconn.com

À propos d’Amini :
Amini est une entreprise d’infrastructure d’IA souveraine permettant le développement de capacités de calcul, de données et d’IA ancrées localement à travers l’Afrique et les pays du Sud. L’entreprise collabore avec des gouvernements, des institutions multilatérales et des entreprises pour rendre l’infrastructure accessible dans les conditions réglementaires, opérationnelles et économiques des marchés émergents. En savoir plus : https://www.Amini.ai/.

À propos de Bull :
Fort de près d’un siècle d’innovations, Bull est un leader mondial dans le domaine du Calcul Haute Performance, de l’Intelligence Artificielle et des technologies quantiques, avec environ 720 M€ de chiffre d’affaires et 3 000 professionnels opérant dans 32 pays. S’appuyant sur une approche ouverte, de bout en bout et de confiance, Bull conçoit, déploie et opère des matériels, logiciels et services stratégiques qui libèrent la valeur des entreprises, accélèrent la recherche scientifique et font progresser la société. Animé par une R&D de classe mondiale, soutenu par 1 600 brevets, une excellence manufacturière et une expertise en sciences des données, Bull permet aux nations et aux industries de contrôler pleinement leur IA et leurs données, et de piloter le progrès au bénéfice de la planète. Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter notre site web (https://apo-opa.co/3R6ABIa) et nous suivre sur Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/48RlyIv), LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/3PjAwjU), X (https://apo-opa.co/4wvZD3R) et YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/42q38uP).

À propos de Foxconn :
Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) (TWSE : 2317) est le plus grand fabricant d’électronique au monde et un fournisseur de solutions technologiques de premier plan, classé 28e au Fortune Global 500. En 2025, le chiffre d’affaires s’est élevé à 8 100 milliards TWD (environ 260 milliards USD). La part de marché du Groupe dans les services de fabrication électronique (EMS) dépasse 40 % et couvre quatre grands segments de produits : l’électronique grand public intelligente ; le cloud et les réseaux ; l’informatique ; et les composants et autres. Exploitant plus de 240 sites dans 24 pays, Foxconn est l’un des plus grands employeurs au monde, avec environ 900 000 employés en période de production maximale. Nous sommes engagés en faveur de la durabilité dans le processus de fabrication et nous nous efforçons d’être un modèle de bonnes pratiques pour les entreprises mondiales. Le Groupe est guidé par sa stratégie 3+3+3, investissant activement dans les secteurs des véhicules électriques, de la santé numérique et de la robotique ; dans les technologies de l’intelligence artificielle, des semi-conducteurs et des communications de nouvelle génération ; dans les plateformes intelligentes de fabrication intelligente, de véhicule électrique intelligent et de ville intelligente. Foxconn s’engage à devenir une entreprise complète de classe mondiale, avec l’IA comme force motrice principale. En savoir plus sur www.Foxconn.com/en-us.

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Verdant IMAP acts as financial advisor and arranger to Heath Goldfields on its USD 65 million debt financing and offtake

Source: APO

Verdant IMAP (www.Verdant-Cap.com) has advised Heath Goldfields Ltd., the Ghanaian- mining company revitalising the historic Bogoso–Prestea Gold Mine, on a USD 65 million debt financing and associated offtake arrangements. The debt financing shall be used for capex related to the company’s medium term mine plan following an initial restart in December 2024 and for general corporate purposes.

Under the terms of the agreement, in addition to providing the substantial debt financing, Trafigura has committed to purchase 700,000 ounces of gold from the Bogoso–Prestea operation, representing a commercial commitment valued at approximately US$2.8 billion. The offtake arrangement secures a long-term sales channel for Heath Goldfields’ production at competitive market-linked terms and provides revenue certainty as the company scales output from the mine. 

The agreement represents one of the most significant gold offtake commitments in West Africa in recent years and marks a major milestone in the Bogoso–Prestea revival programme. It signals Trafigura’s confidence in Heath Goldfields’ operational capacity and the long-term prospectivity of a well resourced asset compliant with SK-1300 standards.

The offtake agreement provides for the purchase of gold doré produced at the Bogoso–Prestea processing facility Deliveries will commence in line with the company’s production schedule. The agreement has been structured at competitive industry terms benchmarked to prevailing international gold prices.

For Trafigura, the agreement deepens its presence in West African precious metals and aligns with the firm’s broader strategy of securing long-term supply from established mining jurisdictions. Ghana remains Africa’s leading gold producer and offers a mature regulatory framework, stable fiscal environment, and strong government partnership.

This transaction was structured and arranged by Verdant IMAP, acting as exclusive financial advisor to Heath Goldfields. The transaction reinforces Verdant IMAP as one of the leading financial advisors in the African capital market, with the capacity to structure and arrange transactions with Tier 1 global counterparties.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Verdant Capital.

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

About the Bogoso–Prestea Gold Mine:
The Bogoso–Prestea Gold Mine is one of West Africa’s most historically significant mining operations, having produced more than 9 million ounces of gold since 1912. Located in the Prestea Huni-Valley district of Ghana’s Western Region, the operation features a 1.5 million tonne per annum CIL processing plant, sulphide processing infrastructure, grid power access, and established road networks.

Heath Goldfields completed the first gold pour at Bogoso–Prestea in February 2026, marking the restart of production following a 24-month shutdown. Within just three months of commencing production, the company exceeded its capital raise milestones, reinforcing the strength of its operational and financial strategy. The revival has created over 1,400 direct and indirect jobs and engaged more than 15 local contracting firms.

About Heath Goldfields Ltd.:
Heath Goldfields Ltd. is a proudly Ghanaian-owned gold mining company focused on the responsible redevelopment of the Bogoso–Prestea Gold Mine. With deep technical expertise and a commitment to sustainable, community-centred operations, the company is repositioning the asset as a modern, globally competitive mining operation. Heath Goldfields combines indigenous ownership, local workforce development, and Ghanaian entrepreneurship with international best practices in safety, environmental compliance, and stakeholder engagement.

About Trafigura Pte Ltd:
Trafigura is one of the world’s largest independent commodity trading companies. The company trades in metals and minerals, oil and petroleum products, gas, power, and renewable energy, connecting producers and consumers across the globe. Trafigura has an established track record of long-term offtake partnerships with mining producers across Africa and internationally.

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 has extensive experience in the Metals & Mining sector in Africa.  Verdant IMAP is the IMAP partner firm for its region. IMAP, established in 1973, is a global M&A partnership with over 600 professionals across 51 countries and completing around 300 transactions per year is consistently ranked among the top 5 advisors worldwide for mid-market transactions. www.Verdant-Cap.com

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Amini, Foxconn and Bull Join Forces to Advance Sovereign Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Global South

Source: APO

Amini (https://www.Amini.ai/), a sovereign AI infrastructure company, today announced a strategic partnership alongside Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, and Bull, a global leader in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, to close the sovereign compute gap across Africa and the Global South, giving governments, telecom operators, financial institutions, and energy companies direct access to industrial-grade AI data centre infrastructure they can acquire, install, and operate locally. The partnership marks Foxconn’s first dedicated infrastructure initiative focused on African markets and establishes Amini as its strategic partner across Africa and other emerging economies.

Amini operates one of Africa’s leading platforms for locally anchored compute and data capacity, working across multiple markets with governments and enterprises to strengthen domestic AI infrastructure.

Foxconn is the world’s largest AI server provider with its technology-intensive hardware underpinning the global AI economy, including advanced computing systems, server architecture, and modular data centre technologies used by the world’s leading firms. Through the partnership, these systems are made accessible to African and Global South institutions in configurations designed for local operating conditions and regulatory environments.

The partnership is supported by French-government owned Bull as it  builds on its existing collaboration with Amini to support sovereign AI infrastructure projects. Committed to fostering local ecosystems and regionalized AI, Bull brings additional systems integration capabilities with a longstanding experience covering the full spectrum of high-performance and artificial intelligence, from systems and components to platforms and use cases.  

The announcement was made at the Africa Forward Summit, hosted in Nairobi on 11–12 May 2026, a high-level convening of heads of state, business leaders, and global institutions advancing Africa’s strategic position in the digital economy.

Speaking at the opening of the Africa Forward Summit on Monday 11 May, Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France, said: “[…] this partnership between Amini, Bull and Foxconn for me is a perfect example of this common sovereignty story: African, European and Taiwanese companies. All of us have to face this challenge of sovereignty and reducing our dependencies.”

The market opportunity

The partnership arrives at a defining moment for the global digital economy. Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach USD 1.5 trillion by 2030. Across the Global South, the trillion-dollar demand for AI-enabled services in finance, energy, public administration, and connectivity is materialising faster than the sovereign infrastructure required to serve it. Without locally anchored compute, that demand will be met by external providers, and the economic value it generates will flow outward.

Africa’s data centre market is projected to nearly double from USD 3.49 billion in 2024 to USD 6.81 billion by 2030, with installed capacity expected to triple to more than 3,460 megawatts over the same period. The continent’s AI and cloud infrastructure remains concentrated in the hands of a small number of operators. The Amini-Foxconn-Bull partnership signals a shift toward locally anchored, sovereign-aligned AI infrastructure and compute capacity built for African and Global South markets.

The downstream implications are substantial. Locally anchored compute creates skilled employment, strengthens regional technology ecosystems, and retains economic value within domestic markets. Industry estimates place Africa’s AI and data infrastructure value chain at between USD 20 billion and USD 30 billion in revenue by 2030, a figure that compounds significantly when paired with productivity gains across finance, energy, public services, and trade.

Built for African realities: why modular

Traditional hyperscale data centres depend on stable grids, multi-year construction timelines, and capital expenditure profiles that exclude most African and Global South stakeholders.

The modular AI data centre infrastructure provided through the Amini-Foxconn-Bull partnership is engineered for these realities. Systems operate in variable power environments, can be deployed in under 12 months, and scale incrementally with offtake demand. Institutions acquire the capacity they require today and expand over time, in line with usage, and without the cost structure and timeline complexity of conventional builds. Each configuration is designed for full data sovereignty, with data remaining in-country under domestic regulation.

Sovereign capability across the sectors driving African economies

The partnership opens sovereign AI infrastructure to the institutions that anchor national economic activity. Energy and utilities can apply AI to grid optimisation and predictive maintenance. Banks and financial institutions can build risk, credit, and financial inclusion systems independent of external platform dependencies. Telecom operators can run edge AI and network intelligence at scale. In each case, the underlying capability, compute, data, and governance, remains domestically held.

For Amini, the partnership is a structural step toward redistributing how AI capability is built and held globally. “AI is becoming foundational infrastructure for every economy, yet most of the world still lacks the compute capacity required to participate on its own terms,” said Kate Kallot, Founder and CEO of Amini. “This partnership ensures that Africa and the Global South can acquire, own, and operate AI infrastructure locally, with sovereignty and long-term economic value at its core. The trillion-dollar demand for AI services across our markets will be met. The question is whether the infrastructure beneath it is held with us, or for us.”

For Foxconn, the initiative reflects a deliberate expansion into markets where industrial-scale AI infrastructure has historically been absent. “Africa’s participation in the AI economy depends on infrastructure designed for its conditions, not adapted from elsewhere,” said Jesse Chao, Head of AI & Quantum at Foxconn, during the Africa Forward Summit. “This partnership brings Foxconn’s global capabilities into a market model built for sovereign ownership and long-term operational viability.”

For Bull, the collaboration extends a longstanding commitment to sovereign digital capacity in emerging markets. “Africa and more generally the Global South have the potential to emerge as a global-scale AI hub, by continuing to build regional computing capacity and supply chain independence. Bull is proud, through its partnership with Amini and Foxconn, to be a part of this journey, to develop a sovereign AI infrastructure.” said Alexandre Jouys, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa, at Bull. “Our joint solution with Amini reflects a shared conviction that durable digital capacity must be built with the institutions it serves, not delivered to them.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amini.

Media Contacts:
Media Relations at Amini  
press@amini.ai

Media Relations at Bull  
communication@bull.com

Media Relations at Foxconn
media@foxconn.com

About Amini:
Amini is a sovereign AI infrastructure company enabling locally anchored compute, data, and AI capacity across Africa and the Global South. The company partners with governments, multilateral institutions, and enterprises to bring infrastructure within reach of the regulatory, operational, and economic conditions of emerging markets. Learn more: https://www.Amini.ai/.

About Bull:
Leveraging nearly a century of innovations, Bull is a global leader for High-Performance Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Quantum technologies with c.720m€ in revenue and 3,000 professionals operating in 32 countries. Built on an open, end-to-end and trusted approach, Bull designs, deploys and operates hardware, software and strategic services that unlock enterprise value, accelerate scientific research and advance society. Driven by world-class R&D, backed by 1,600 patents, manufacturing excellence and data sciences expertise, Bull enables nations and industries to fully control their AI and data and to drive progress for the benefit of the planet.

For more information, please visit our website (https://apo-opa.co/3R6ABIa) and follow us on Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/48RlyIv), LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/3PjAwjU), X (https://apo-opa.co/4wvZD3R), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/42q38uP).

About Foxconn:
Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) (TWSE:2317) is the world’s largest electronics manufacturer and leading technology solutions provider, ranking 28th in Fortune Global 500. In 2025, revenue totaled TWD8.1 trillion (approx. USD260 billion). The Group’s market share in electronics manufacturing services (EMS) exceeds 40% and covers four major product segments: smart consumer electronics; cloud and networking; computing; and components and other. Operating over 240 campuses across 24 countries, Foxconn is one of the world’s largest employers with approx. 900,000 employees during peak manufacturing season. We are committed to sustainability in the manufacturing process and serving as a best-practice model for global enterprises. The Group is guided by its 3+3+3 strategy, actively investing in industries of electric vehicles, digital health, and robotics; in technologies of artificial intelligence, semiconductors and next-generation communications; in intelligent platforms of Smart Manufacturing, Smart EV and Smart City. Foxconn is dedicated to becoming a comprehensive, world-class enterprise, with AI as its core driving force. Learn more at www.Foxconn.com/en-us.

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Africa Faces Growing Blind Spot in Financial Control as Information Technology (IT) Asset Visibility Gap Widens

Source: APO


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As organisations across Africa intensify their focus on financial discipline, cost optimisation, and governance, a critical vulnerability is becoming increasingly apparent: the lack of accurate, real-time visibility into IT assets such as laptops, desktops, and distributed computing equipment.

In many African organisations, assets are deployed across cities, regions, and in some cases countries often without a consistent mechanism to verify their status in real time. In environments shaped by distributed operations, varying infrastructure conditions, and increasingly mobile workforces, maintaining an accurate view of assets has become significantly more complex.

At the same time, businesses are under pressure to maximise existing capital, delay unnecessary procurement, and extract greater value from deployed assets. Despite this, many organisations continue to rely on static asset registers and manual tracking processes that fail to reflect operational reality.

The result is a growing disconnect between what is recorded on balance sheets and what actually exists within the business assets that cannot be verified, devices that are unaccounted for, and capital tied up in resources that are not delivering value.

“This is a silent but significant challenge,” said Valene Nagiah, Head of Asset Tracking and Management at V-Track. “Many organisations believe they have asset visibility, but in practice, they are operating on assumptions. In environments where teams are distributed and assets are constantly moving, those assumptions quickly break down.”

Across key African markets in Southern, East, and West Africa, organisations are managing increasingly complex asset environments without the systems required to maintain continuous visibility. As digital transformation accelerates, this gap is becoming more pronounced turning what was once an operational issue into a financial and governance priority.

This lack of visibility is increasingly being linked to measurable business impact, including avoidable procurement spend, underutilised assets, audit exposure, and heightened security risk. In environments where assets move between offices, remote locations, and employees, gaps in visibility can quickly translate into both financial loss and operational vulnerability.

In response, organisations are beginning to shift away from periodic audits and spreadsheet-based tracking toward continuous, intelligence-driven asset management.

V-Track, an established asset intelligence platform supporting organisations across African markets, is enabling this shift by moving asset management from static record-keeping to real-time, verifiable control.

The platform allows organisations to:

  • Verify the existence, location, and status of assets in real time
  • Align IT asset data with financial reporting and audit requirements
  • Identify and recover underutilised or unaccounted assets
  • Strengthen governance, compliance, and cybersecurity frameworks
  • Optimise capital allocation through accurate utilisation insights

“What is changing is the expectation of control,” added Valene Nagiah. “IT assets are no longer just operational tools they are financial assets that need to be actively managed. Organisations that can continuously verify and track these assets are able to reduce waste, improve accountability, and make better financial decisions.”

The challenge is particularly pronounced in African operating environments, where organisations often manage assets across multiple regions, remote locations, and decentralised teams. Without continuous visibility, maintaining accurate records and ensuring accountability becomes increasingly difficult.

Combined with rising cybersecurity risks and tighter regulatory scrutiny, this creates a growing imperative for organisations to ensure that every asset is accounted for, secured, and delivering value throughout its lifecycle.

In this context, IT asset visibility is fast becoming a foundational layer of financial and operational control. Organisations that close this gap are better positioned to improve governance, reduce unnecessary expenditure, and strengthen overall business resilience.

“Organisations that cannot see their assets cannot control their costs,” said Nagiah. “Closing that visibility gap is no longer optional it is essential to operating effectively in today’s environment.”

V-Track supports organisations in bridging this gap by providing continuous, accurate insight into asset environments and enabling finance and IT teams to operate with greater alignment, accountability, and control.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of V-Track.

Media Contact:
Valene Nagiah
VNagiah@vtrack.io

About V-Track:
V-Track is an asset intelligence platform that enables organisations to gain real-time visibility and control over their IT assets. Designed for complex and distributed environments, V-Track connects asset data to financial and operational outcomes helping businesses reduce loss, strengthen governance, improve audit readiness, and optimise capital allocation. By transforming asset management into continuous, verifiable control, V-Track supports organisations in managing assets not just as operational tools, but as accountable financial investments.
V-Track Asset Management and Tracking: www.VTrack.io

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Kubayi vows intensified crackdown on corruption, organised crime

Source: Government of South Africa

Kubayi vows intensified crackdown on corruption, organised crime

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has outlined a strategy to dismantle criminal networks through targeted, integrated, modern interventions and the strengthening of legislation.

Kubayi tabled the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday.

“Organised crime is a criminal ecosystem that links many of the countless criminal acts including extortion, illegal mining, money laundering, gang violence etc. while corruption is a lifeblood of organised crime.

“This means that the justice value chain from investigative agencies through prosecution to our courts have to work together in a coordinated fashion to bring criminals to book,” Kubayi said.

Cooperation between law enforcement is already underway.

“The National Prosecuting Authority [NPA] is already working closely with the SAPS through a special task team that has been established following the interim report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

“The team aims to accelerate prosecutions regarding corruption and state infiltration by organised criminal elements,” Kubayi said.

Hit them where it hurts

Depriving criminals of ill-gotten gains is also high on the agenda through asset forfeiture driven by the NPA and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and results are already exceeding targets.

“In the previous financial year, the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit [AFU] obtained 481 freezing orders against a target of 310, exceeding the target by 55%. In addition, freezing orders to the value of R859.4 million were secured against a target of R700 million, reflecting an overachievement of 23%.

“The [AFU] obtained recoveries to the value of R533 million against a target of R160 million, exceeding the target by 233%. This overachievement is mainly attributable to ongoing recoveries in civil asset forfeiture [C-ADR] matters, carried over from the previous financial year, thus ensuring that persons and entities do not benefit from unlawful activities and corruption,” the minister revealed.

In the same vein, the corruption busting SIU has also scored major victories.

“Two significant settlement agreements, one with Wabtec to the value of R7.9 billion and another with Bombardier valued at R14.3 billion, were made orders of court, declaring both contracts unconstitutional and invalid. The SIU also recovered R600 million for Transnet following the Nedbank interest swap settlement. 

“Key Special Tribunal victories included orders against Easyway valued at R68 million, Buthelezi EMS valued at a R1 billion contract set aside and R532 million declared recoverable, and Halo’s R115 million contract was also declared invalid.

“These outcomes enabled the SIU to intensify recovery efforts, resulting in R609 million in actual cash recovered and R854 million in losses prevented to date,” she added.

The two agencies will be ramping up their efforts to cut off financial flows to criminals this financial year with targets set to collect on what belongs to the state.

“In this financial year, the [AFU] will focus on strengthening asset forfeiture outcomes by targeting freezing orders to the value of R1 billion and recoveries to the value of R350 million. These targets are aimed at enhancing the disruption of criminal enterprises and improving the recovery of proceeds of crime. 

“In this financial year, the SIU plans to intensify its efforts to recover state assets and protect them from maladministration, fraud, and corruption. In this connection, the SIU has set a target of R2 Billion for cash and/or assets recovered through civil and other legal proceedings, R6 Billion for Contracts and/or administrative decisions/ actions set aside or deemed invalid and R1.5 Billion Potential loss prevented.

“This also includes a target of R3 Billion value of matters where evidence was referred for the institution or defence/opposition of civil proceedings,” the minister noted.

Targeted legislation

To bolster the fight against crime and corruption, the department will also be presenting enabling legislations to Parliament.

“As part of the broader protection for Whistleblowers, we released a Bill for public comments with the closing date of the 14th May this year with a view to finalise it within this financial year.

“This Bill aims to provide a clear-cut procedure for a discloser to follow; is pro-active in providing physical protection; preventing retaliation, and exploring mechanisms for incentivised disclosures,” Kubayi said.

Turning to electronic communications services, the minister said these have been abused by criminals to “facilitate serious crimes undetected because of noncompliance”.

“We are at an advanced stage of the amendment of RICA which will lead to enhancement of the value chain on SIM Card registration process, which will be based on biometric verification, as well as passport and immigration status verification for foreign nationals. 

“In the meantime, to put a stop to this non-compliance, I chaired a meeting with the JCPS [Justice, Crime Prevention and Security] colleagues engaging with mobile network operators, and we have agreed that by the end of June they should provide a plan on how they are going to comply with current RICA provisions to address unregistered and illegal sim cards.

“We also took a decision to start implementing enforcement by July this year and none compliance will face a penalty as per RICA,” Kubayi said.

The department also anticipates that it will introduce amendments to the “outdated” Criminal Procedure Act.

“Other amendments include the public protector act to enhance the operations of the office of the public protector, the SIU act to amongst others to empower the SIU to conduct preliminary investigations for the purpose of determining the veracity of the allegation and to receive any allegation and the NPA act to entrench financial and administrative independence.

“Lastly, the amendments to remove the confidentiality clause will be effected, to allow for the publication of the National Register for Sex Offenders,” Kubayi said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Official unemployment rises marginally

Source: Government of South Africa

Official unemployment rises marginally

The official unemployment rate has risen marginally by some 1.3 percentage points from 31.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025 to reach 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026. 

This, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Tuesday.

“[There] was a decrease of 345 000 in the number of employed persons to 16.8 million, while there was an increase of 301 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 8.1 million compared with Q4: 2025 results.

“This resulted in a decrease of 44 000 [or -0,2%] in the labour force during the same period,” Stats SA said.

At the same time, the number of people employed in the formal sector decreased by some 189 000 while those in the informal sector also faced a decrease of 127 000 over the same period.

The youth unemployment rate – defined as those between the ages of 15 and 34 – also showed an increase.

“Results for the first quarter of 2026 show that the total number of unemployed youth increased by 181 000 to 4.7 million compared with quarter four of 2025, while employed youth recorded a decrease of 258 000 to 5.6 million.

“As a result, the youth unemployment rate increased by 2.0 percentage points to 45.8% in the first quarter of 2026,” Stats SA said.

There were some upshots with some industries recording increases in employment.

“Increases in industry employment were recorded in Manufacturing [38 000], Mining [32 000] and Agriculture [10 000]. The largest decreases in employment were recorded in Community and social service [206 000], Construction [110 000] and Transport [30 000].

“KwaZulu-Natal [6 000] is the only province that observed an increase in employment. The largest employment decreases were recorded in North West [80 000], Gauteng [67 000], Mpumalanga [54 000], Eastern Cape [43 000] and Limpopo [43 000] during the same period,” Stats SA added.

During the same period, discouraged job-seekers increased by 178 000 to 3.9 million while available job-seekers increased by 55 000 to 910 000.

“Unavailable job-seekers increased by 6 000 to 49 000, resulting in a total net increase of 240 000 to 4.9 million in the potential labour force population [persons who were available but not seeking or unavailable but seeking].

“Those outside the labour force for other reasons decreased by 75 000 to 12.4 million. Persons outside the labour force, which is the total of those in the potential labour force and others outside the labour force, increased by 164 000 to 17.3 million in the first quarter of 2026,” the statistical agency said. – SAnews.gov.za

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eThekwini champions inclusive disaster resilience

Source: Government of South Africa

eThekwini champions inclusive disaster resilience

The eThekwini Municipality has reaffirmed its commitment to building a disaster-resilient and inclusive city as stakeholders gather in Durban for the three-day Inclusivity for All on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Summit.

The summit, currently underway at Moses Mabhida Stadium, has brought together key stakeholders from municipal structures, provincial and national government, academia, and local communities.

The gathering, which started on Monday, serves as a powerful platform to confront a critical reality: Disasters disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, who continue to carry the heaviest burden.

eThekwini Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni said the engagement marks a decisive shift from planning in isolation to building more inclusive systems that recognise the unique vulnerabilities within communities.

“The reality is that disasters expose the deepest inequalities in our society. As eThekwini, we are determined to change this narrative by placing people at the centre of our resilience efforts,” Myeni said.

Myeni added that through these engagements, the municipality is strengthening its capacity to protect lives, safeguard infrastructure, and ensure that every resident, especially the most vulnerable, are reached, heard, and supported.

“This is how we build a truly resilient and caring city,” she said.

Participants, including experts and practitioners, stressed that resilience efforts must be inclusive to be effective. Discussions extended beyond policy and focused on the lived experiences of at-risk groups such as women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and residents of informal settlements, who often face barriers to early warning systems, access to essential services, and emergency support.

Technical Advisor with the GIZ Resilience Initiative Africa, Sophia Kamau, underscored the urgency of inclusive action, noting that true resilience strategies is measured by how effectively cities protect their most vulnerable residents.

“eThekwini is demonstrating real leadership by turning inclusion into action, ensuring that disaster risk reduction is not only effective, but equitable and people-driven,” she said.

Stakeholders also explored practical interventions to ensure that early warning systems reach everyone, enhance service delivery, and ensure disaster planning reflects the real needs of communities.

From gender mainstreaming to disability inclusion, the summit challenged the status quo and called for systems that are not only effective, but fair and just. – SAnews.gov.za

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Public information sessions on PIE Amendment Bill move to KZN

Source: Government of South Africa

Public information sessions on PIE Amendment Bill move to KZN

The Department of Human Settlements will from Wednesday, 13 May 2026, begin public information sessions in KwaZulu-Natal on the proposed Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land (PIE) Amendment Bill.

The sessions follow the recent release of the draft legislation for public comment by Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane.

Wednesday’s session will be held at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall in the Umsunduzi Local Municipality and Friday’s session will take place at the Chesterville Community Hall in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. 

The Bill seeks to repeal the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act of 1998 (PIE Act), which was enacted to prevent arbitrary evictions and address historical injustices where people were removed from land without due process.

According to the department, the proposed amendment to the Act aims to deal with matters related to land invasions and informal settlements, provision of adequate housing to mitigate against illegal occupation of private properties, court processes and enforcement of court orders, and protection of vulnerable groups.

Public consultations are already underway, with the first session having been held in the City of Tshwane on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.

“On Saturday, it will be exactly 30 days since the Minister of Human Settlements released the PIE Amendment Bill for public comments. Over and above public the information sessions, South Africans are encouraged to send their submissions through emails to PIE.AmendmentBill@dhs.gov.za, the department said in a statement.

Further consultation sessions in Gauteng are scheduled to take place in the Cities of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni on 21 and 22 May 2026. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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