As South Africa’s warehousing and logistics sector accelerates digitisation to improve efficiency, a growing blind spot is emerging: many digital rack and inspection systems are not built to operate reliably in real warehousing conditions, and the costs are showing up in the margins, not just operations.

While working with various warehousing clients, Specno specialists have noted a disturbing pattern across warehouse management and inspection platforms: systems that look robust on dashboards actually break down at the point where data is actually captured.

“We’ve become so focused on the potential savings of digitisation that we’ve ignored the colossal cost of when these systems inevitably fail. The silent, creeping expenses of bad data, signal loss, and system downtime are creating a financial black hole in South Africa that, for many, is proving more costly than the analogue inefficiencies they sought to escape,” says Joshua Harvey, Head of Growth at Specno.

With South African online retail projected to surpass R130 billion in 2025, online retail is expected to account for nearly 10% of all retail sales in South Africa. In this high-stakes environment, even a minor system glitch doesn’t just cause a hiccup; it triggers a catastrophic financial chain reaction.

“Warehousing software often assumes perfect connectivity, clean workflows, and low-pressure environments,” says Harvey. “But warehouses are fast-moving, offline-prone environments. If inspection data can’t be captured and synced reliably under those conditions, the result isn’t just operational friction, it’s repeat work, delayed reporting, higher support costs, and margin erosion.”

Many warehouse operators have digitised inspections, racking audits, and corrective actions, but without validating whether those systems can handle offline work, high data volumes, and real-world inspector behaviour at scale. Common failure patterns have included inspection data that appears “saved” but is later lost or only partially synced; inconsistent inspection status across mobile, web, and reporting tools; and platforms that slow down, stall, or require manual workarounds as warehouses or sites scale.

The most visible failure noted by Specno has been downtime: “While many South African executives might budget for occasional maintenance, they are unprepared for the reality that a single hour of downtime is now costing the average industrial business over R724,000. For a typical warehouse or distribution center, the figure is estimated to be between R180,000 and R250,000 per hour” adds Harvey.

What inspection data really represents

“In warehousing and logistics environments, inspection data refers to the information captured by inspectors during physical checks of racking, storage structures, and warehouse infrastructure. Inspectors are typically trained field staff who move aisle by aisle, rack by rack, recording observations, damage, load risks, photos, timestamps, and required corrective actions, often under time pressure and in low-connectivity conditions” says Harvey.

This data forms the backbone of reporting, invoicing support, client assurance, and internal decision-making. When inspection data is incomplete, inconsistent, or unreliable, warehouses may face repeat inspections, delayed sign-off, disputed outcomes, and slower revenue recognition.

Why this becomes a margin and scale problem

Harvey concludes that: “Silent data loss and system performance degradation are particularly damaging because they often go unnoticed until operations grow or commercial pressure increases. What starts as a technical inconvenience can quickly become a problem, especially in multi-site or fast-scaling warehouse environments.”

A system that ‘usually works’ forces people to compensate. That compensation shows up as rework, manual checks, longer inspection cycles, delayed reporting, and higher operational overheads. Over time, that directly impacts margins. 

Specno says warehouse operators serious about scaling profitably should be evaluating whether their current digital inspection systems can stand up to this level of operational reality.

The post Specno specialists warn of digital warehousing risks that are costing local businesses over R250 000 an hour   appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

HONOR has recorded the strongest overseas shipment growth among leading global smartphone brands in 2025, reinforcing the increasing role of international markets, including South Africa, in the brand’s global performance. South Africa recorded a 66% increase in overall business performance for HONOR in this period, reflecting rising local demand for reliable, value-driven smartphones and strengthening the market’s role in the brand’s global momentum.

According to third-party analyst institute Omdia, HONOR’s overseas shipments recorded approximately 55% year-on-year growth in 1Q–3Q 2025. Among the top 10 global vendors, HONOR achieved the highest overseas shipment growth rate during this period, highlighting the success of its international expansion strategy.

A disciplined approach to value and affordability

While many Chinese smartphone vendors remain heavily concentrated in the entry-level tier, HONOR has prioritised smartphones priced above $300 (premium and upper-mid-tier segments) and tablets in the $300-600 price band (upper-mid consumer segment), which accounted for around 23% of its overseas shipments in the first three quarters of 2025, the highest proportion among major Chinese vendors.

Segment reflects HONOR’s focus on disciplined branding, product differentiation and channel execution, delivering premium features at accessible price points. For markets such as South Africa, this positioning aligns closely with consumer expectations around durability, battery life, storage capacity and long-term value for everyday use.

In South Africa, HONOR’s local growth has been driven by strong operator partnerships and product specifications tailored to local usage patterns, reinforcing trust and long-term customer relationships.

“As HONOR our aim is to keep supplying the market with good quality products that operate with class leading technology at a price that is considerate to our consumer in a specific region. It’s the same customer promise we put in from of our South African consumers.” is likely to maintain the lead of overseas shipment growth through the full year,” HONOR CEO, Fred Zhou mentioned.  

A globally stratified growth footprint

At a regional level, HONOR’s overseas business shows a clearly defined and diversified footprint:

Europe anchors HONOR’s overseas premiumisation strategy. During 1Q–3Q 2025, HONOR maintained a top five position in core Western European markets such as the United Kingdom and France. The Magic V5 played a key role in this performance, securing second place in Western Europe’s book-style foldable segment, supported by its slim design, battery endurance and advanced AI features. Shipments in Central and Eastern Europe grew by 15%, reflecting increasing brand traction.

Latin America remains HONOR’s shipment backbone, with the brand consolidating its core presence in Mexico and Central America while continuing to expand across the wider region. South-Eastern Asia is shaping up as the next growth frontier, underpinned by the gradual expansion of local manufacturing and channel capabilities.

HONOR’s flagship models gained notable traction across the region in 2025. Middle East and Africa have emerged as the primary incremental growth engine, with total shipment volumes approaching those of Latin America. HONOR continues to strengthen its premium channel presence in the Middle East, while South Africa has recorded rapid growth supported by local partnerships and a strong focus on delivering reliable, affordable technology.

Listening to consumers, locally and globally

Fred Zhou, CEO of HONOR South Africa, also said the global results reflect the local increase in both popularity and business growth, a result inspired by a consistent focus on Mzansi needs.

“We know customer relationships are fundamental to our growth and the needs of South Africans in a challenging economic environment. This is why we continue to listen carefully to what consumers need and act on it. Delivering premium smartphones at accessible prices is essential. The value is then enhanced with strong durability, long battery life and generous storage – real-life features, which are valued locally. This mindset has supported our global success and continues to drive our growth in South Africa, where everyday reliability really matters.”

As HONOR continues to scale its international presence, its 2025 performance underscores a clear strategy, offering practical innovation, trusted quality and value-driven technology designed for real-world use, across global and local markets alike.

The post HONOR achieves No.1 global smartphone shipment growth in 2025 appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

JohaJohannesburg – 02 December 2025 TECNO, the Official Global Partner of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (“AFCON”) Morocco 2025 competition, has unveiled its continent-wide 2025 campaign, “Power Your Moment”, celebrating the joy, passion, and defining triumphs that shape this iconic tournament.

Built to highlight how TECNO’s cutting-edge AI ecosystem elevates every meaningful moment in the lives of young Africans, the brand is rolling out a dynamic lineup of creative, interactive, and culturally engaging experiences throughout AFCON 2025.

Leading the campaign is the debut of TECNO’s new musical brand film, also titled“Power Your Moment”, a vivid and vibrant narrative showcasing how the TECNO AI ecosystem fuels the pivotal moments of the young African’s everyday life. Amplifying this spirit is a standout collaboration with Afrobeats sensation Joeboy, the TECNO Power Moment Featured Artist. His original soundtrack and cultural influence infuse the campaign with the unmistakable rhythm and energy of today’s African youth.

TECNO’s new brand campaign is rooted in a powerful insight: Africa’s young generation stands at a pivotal moment. They are ambitious, restless, and determined, a rising force refusing to be defined by limitations. They dream bigger, work harder, and demand tools that match their aspirations. Recognising this unsettled energy and transforming it into momentum, TECNO now provides powerful cutting-edge AI product ecosystem and technology that doesn’t just keep up with their ambitions but propels them forward.

The new brand film explains how TECNO AI integrates naturally into the daily lives of these young changemakers through the brand’s ecosystem of products. The narrative unfolds through four key emotional territories such as Power Your Joy, Power Your Rise, Power Your Future, and Power Your Creativity. Each represents pivotal moments where intention transforms into action through TECNO AI features. From a family enjoying a superior soccer match experience with TECNO AI glasses and TECNO Slim, to a group of high-net-worth leaders powering the younger generation of entrepreneurs; from a teenager studying more efficiently with TECNO AI support, and a group of young content creators leveling up their craft through TECNO AI-powered devices – every scene brings the theme to life through authentic yet epic moments. Together, they illustrate how Africans are harnessing technology with determination and passion to explore and build a brighter future.

“TECNO’s Power Your Moment manifesto speaks directly to the emotional core of this generation: their refusal to wait, their drive to prove themselves, and their belief that their time is now. TECNO AI and TECNO AI ecosystem doesn’t just enable, it powers the unstoppable momentum of Africa’s youth rising,” said, Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO.

From screen to street, TECNO is translating this message into tangible experiences across the continent. TECNO understands that inspiration is most powerful when paired with real interaction, which is why the brand is bringing its technology directly to young Africans. In AFCON host cities, TECNO will open Pop-Up Stores and Fan Zones where fans can explore the full ecosystem, smartphones, wearables, laptops, and AI-powered imaging, while celebrating the tournament. Retail experiences will showcase how TECNO AI supports real moments, from capturing match-day highlights to seamlessly shifting tasks between devices. Technology-themed AFCON viewing parties will turn football nights into shared, innovation-led experiences with enhanced joy. Online, AFCON-exclusive AI features will offer fans new tools to create, connect, and express their passion in ways that feel personal, creative, and authentic.

With “Power Your Moment”, TECNO presents a campaign that bridges technology, culture, and individual aspiration at a pivotal moment for African football. As AFCON Morocco 2025 approaches, the brand aims to inspire people across the continent to seize every opportunity, share their stories, and embrace the potential of AI-enabled creativity. Through this campaign, TECNO affirms its commitment to uplifting a new generation to define their own journey and truly power their moment.

Win an All Expenses Paid Trip to AFCON

TECNO is also currently running an all expenses paid trip giveaway competition. The tech brand is giving South African soccer fans the chance to experience the continent’s biggest football event, AFCON 2025, live in Morocco in December, through its #TECNO12thMan competition.

There are two ways to enter this exciting competition. The first is by buying any SPARK 40 Series or POVA 7 Series device at select retail partners; then visiting the competition page found here; and entering the requested details (T&Cs apply). They can then sit back and wait for the lucky draw to determine the winner of the double tickets. Entries close on 04 December 2025 for this part of the competition.

The second way is by a person creating and sharing a video on their social media accounts showcasing their unique match-day passion – from superstitions and viewing setups to fan attire – tagging TECNO South Africa and using the hashtag #TECNO12thMan. Eligible social media platforms include Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. The person’s account must be public, and they must also follow TECNO South Africa’s official account on the social media platform where they post. Entries for the online portion of the competition close 03 December 2025. The best videos will be chosen and posted on TECNO’s official accounts and the video with the most likes on TECNO’s page by the end of the competition period will win (T&Cs apply).

Winners will be announced ahead of the tournament, with TECNO covering travel, accommodation, and VISA costs for their Moroccan adventure (T&Cs apply).

AFCON 2025 promises to be one of the most exciting tournaments yet – and with TECNO, South African fans could find themselves in the atmospheric stadium to enjoy the action.

Availability

TECNO’s new SPARK 40 Series devices (SPARK 40 Pro, SPARK 40S, SPARK 40, and SPARK 40C) and POVA 7 Series devices (POVA 7 Pro 5G, and POVA 7 5G) are available from select retail partners including Dunns, Edgars, Game, HiFi Corp, Mr Price, TFG (including American Swiss, Exact, Foschini, HiStore, Jet, Markhams, Sportscene, Sterns, TFG, The Fix, and Total Sports) and Vodacom, and online stores (including those of the aforementioned retailers, Incredible, and Takealot (availability varies per retailer, per store, and while stocks last. E&OE).

To stay up to date with the #TECNO12thMan competition as well as all the latest news, updates, happenings, and goings-on from TECNO, follow TECNO’s Facebook page. 

The post TECNO Powers AFCON 2025 with New Pan-African “Power Your Moment” Campaign appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

South Africa – As global organisations race toward 2026, Specno is issuing a clear warning: businesses that do not rethink how they build digital products will be left behind in what leaders are calling the fast-fashion era of tech.

With AI now enabling rapid development at unprecedented speed, the competitive landscape has fundamentally changed. Speed alone no longer wins; in fact, it increases the risk of launching products that are misaligned, commercially weak, or easily duplicated.

“Sam Altman said it best: we’re entering the fast-fashion era of tech building,” says Joshua Harvey, Head of Growth at Specno. “Anyone can create something quickly today, but very few are creating the right thing. In 2026, product discipline will become the new measure of competitiveness.”

The rise and risk of fast-fashion tech for Africa

Businesses across Africa and the world are falling into the same pattern: building fast, copying trends, skipping validation, and flooding the market with disposable digital tools. The consequences are predictable: high burn rates, missed product–market fit, and a growing graveyard of failed apps.

Harvey adds, “Businesses are shipping features instead of understanding behaviour. They’re building quickly instead of building intentionally. The result is a wave of products that launch with excitement but fade just as fast.”

What does this mean for builders?

As low-effort tools saturate the market, companies are realising that differentiation no longer comes from speed, it comes from strategic clarity. The winners will be the ones who treat product as a craft: selective, evidence-based, and commercially grounded. This shift is driving organisations to seek premium product consulting rather than simple development. 

Specno, a local digital innovation agency, has positioned its Product Strategy practice to meet this need, serving as a partner that ensures businesses build the right product before writing a single line of code.

Specno does this by ensuring a clear, end-to-end product strategy that focuses on real customer validation, strong value propositions, data-driven UX design, precise guidance for engineering teams, and commercialisation support that drives adoption, growth, and long-term scalability.

“We work with leaders who understand that premium products aren’t rushed, they’re meticulously engineered,” Harvey says. “Our goal is simple: eliminate the guesswork, reduce the risk, and help companies build products that matter, last, and perform.”

Are South African businesses ready for 2026?

Specno advises executives to review their product readiness across five critical questions:

1. Do you know exactly who your customer is – and why they’ll choose you?
2. Have you validated behaviour, demand, and willingness to pay?
3. Are decisions guided by evidence or internal assumptions?
4. Would your product survive in a fast-fashion tech market?
5. Do you have an iteration, data, and relevance strategy?

If the answer to any of these is “not fully,” it means there’s room to refine, validate, and set the product up for greater success.

Specno emphasises that the next decade will not be shaped by how fast companies build, but by the clarity, intention, and evidence behind what they choose to build. In an era where anyone can build quickly, the businesses investing in disciplined product thinking will be the ones that stand out, scale, and set the pace for Africa’s digital future.

The post Specno warns: “2026 will separate the builders from the breakthroughs” as fast-fashion tech floods the market appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

Johannesburg, South Africa – 5 November 2025: Acer Africa has announced a new partnership initiative with leading technology distributor Tarsus to accelerate reseller growth and reward high-performing partners heading into the 2025 festive trading period.

Running from 31st October to 28th November 2025, the campaign offers qualifying resellers the opportunity to earn free Acer portable monitors or projectors with every bulk purchase of Acer notebooks through Tarsus. The initiative is part of Acer’s ongoing strategy to invest in the local channel ecosystem, supporting partners as they respond to surging demand for mobile productivity and hybrid work solutions.

“This incentive is about recognising the critical role our reseller partners play in connecting Acer technology with South African businesses and consumers,” says Lesego Bobbi Nyamane, Marketing Manager at Acer Africa. “By partnering closely with Tarsus, we’re not only driving year-end sales momentum — we’re helping resellers add value, improve margins, and strengthen their customer relationships in a competitive market.”

The campaign underscores Acer’s continued commitment to empowering local partners through collaboration, margin support, and access to high-performance devices that meet the needs of South Africa’s fast-evolving business, education, and home markets.

 Incentive Overview

• Campaign period: 31 October – 28 November 2025
• Territory: South Africa only
• Eligibility: Tarsus partners (excluding Sub-D, Retail, and Etail)
• Rewards:
  • Purchase 10+ Acer notebooks featuring Intel® Core™ i3 or i5 processors → receive a free Acer PM161Q or PM161QT portable monitor
  • Purchase 10+ Acer notebooks featuring Intel® Core™ i7 processors → receive a free Acer PV12a portable projector
• Terms:
  • Purchases must appear on one invoice (split or cumulative orders do not qualify)
  • One free unit per qualifying invoice
  • Offer valid while stocks last
  • Prices exclude 15% VAT and are subject to ROE fluctuations

Resellers interested in participating can contact Tarsus directly for qualifying details and stock availability:

📧 Wilhelm Bernatz (Tarsus Product Manager) – WBernatz@tarsus.co.za 

Acer’s Channel Commitment

Acer continues to expand its South African footprint through close alignment with key distributors and partners, ensuring its technology and promotions reach the market efficiently and sustainably. This latest collaboration with Tarsus highlights the brand’s focus on building long-term channel resilience while offering tangible, margin-boosting opportunities for resellers.

The post Acer Africa Strengthens the Channel with Tarsus-Led Reseller Incentive Campaign appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

Johannesburg, South Africa – Two South African entrepreneurs are redefining how innovation and inclusion can share the same road. MotionAds co-founders Jon Berkowitz and Elan Band have been named joint recipients of the Eric Ellerine Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by Investec, for their remarkable contribution to community upliftment and innovation within South Africa’s fast-growing gig-economy.

MotionAds is South Africa’s home-grown delivery-bike advertising platform that connects brands directly with consumers while creating supplementary income opportunities for local delivery drivers. Since launching in 2019, the company has paid out over R21 million to independent drivers by transforming everyday motorcycles into mobile billboards, helping brands reach new audiences while boosting driver earnings.

“Winning this award is a deeply meaningful milestone for us,” says Jon Berkowitz, co-founder of MotionAds. “It affirms that purpose and performance can coexist, that building a business with a social heartbeat can still deliver exceptional results. For MotionAds, this recognition brings greater visibility to the movement we’ve been building since 2019: turning delivery bikes into a force for good by creating brand visibility for advertisers and income support for delivery drivers.”

He adds that: “The award recognises a business model in which innovation has been leveraged to uplift people, not just profits. It validates years of hard work from our team and the thousands of delivery drivers who power our campaigns daily. It shines a light on a future in which business and society move forward at the same time.”

In South Africa, gig-economy workers, including delivery drivers, face significant hardship. Research by the Labour Research Service (2023) found that platform-based workers often contend with low and irregular income, limited employment safeguards, and rising financial stress. One study revealed that many delivery and e-hailing drivers work over 80 hours a week just to stay afloat. Another 2025 survey estimated that South Africa now has about 1.3 million gig-economy workers across more than 90 platforms.

By contrast, the MotionAds model provides structured supplementary income and measures driver earnings as a key success metric, creating a rare intersection where brand ROI supports social upliftment. The income from these brand placements aims to help increase driver net earnings by approximately 10% at minimum.

Co-founder Elan Band says the next phase of MotionAds’ growth will focus on new regions and digital expansion: “Over the next year, we’re expanding into smaller territories where we don’t yet operate and are introducing a driver app that will better connect brands, riders, and the communities they service. The platform will feature smarter behavioural rewards, as well as improved campaign tracking and measurement data for clients. It will also include a number of value-added services and benefits for drivers, including insurance options and other financial support tools which have all been designed to help drivers earn and grow, turning their micro-enterprises on two wheels into more sustainable livelihoods.”

From its early days of wrapping just three bikes, MotionAds has grown to a nationwide fleet of more than 2 000 branded motorcycles. The company has scaled purely through reinvestment, a bootstrapped approach that has driven steady innovation and expansion.

Today, MotionAds runs campaigns with some of South Africa’s biggest brands, including Vodacom, Heineken, Nedbank, Pick n Pay  and PepsiCo, proving that this is not just a social enterprise but a commercially competitive media business driving real economic inclusion. For brand marketers and media planners looking to engage hard-to-reach urban consumers with measurable impact, MotionAds offers a high-visibility, human-centred advertising channel that empowers the very people delivering the message.

For brands, media agencies or organisations seeking to partner with MotionAds, drive impact and connect with urban consumers through a socially empowered channel, please visit www.motionads.co.za.

The post Award-winning tech entrepreneurs build business that powers SA’s gig economy  appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

Johannesburg, South Africa – MotionAds co-founders Jon Berkowitz and Elan Band have been named joint recipients of the Eric Ellerine Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by Investec, in recognition of their remarkable contribution to community upliftment and innovation within South Africa’s evolving gig-economy. 

MotionAds is South Africa’s homegrown delivery-bike advertising platform. They successfully connect brands directly with consumers, while delivering supplementary income to local drivers. Since launching in 2019, MotionAds has paid out over R21 million to independent drivers by transforming everyday motorcycles into mobile billboards.

“Winning this award is a deeply meaningful milestone for us. It affirms that purpose and performance can coexist, that building a business with a social heartbeat can still deliver exceptional results. For MotionAds, this recognition brings greater visibility to the movement we’ve been building since 2019: turning delivery bikes into a force for good by creating brand visibility for advertisers, and income support for delivery drivers,” says Jon Berkowitz, co-founder of MotionAds.

“The award recognises a business model in which innovation has been leveraged to uplift people, not just profits. It validates years of hard work from our team and the thousands of delivery drivers who power our campaigns daily. It shines a light on a future in which business and society move forward at the same time.”

In South Africa, gig-economy workers, including delivery drivers, face significant challenges. Research by the Labour Research Service (LRS) in 2023 found that platform‐based workers often contend with low and irregular income, a lack of traditional employment safeguards, and heightened risk of financial stress. One study highlighted that many delivery and e-hailing drivers reported working over 80 hours a week just to make ends meet. Meanwhile, in 2025 a study estimated that South Africa already had around 1.3 million registered gig-economy workers across more than 90 platforms. By contrast, the MotionAds model provides a structured supplement to income and positions driver-earnings as a measurable outcome, creating a rare intersection in which brand ROI supports social upliftment.

The income from these brand placements aims to help increase driver net earnings by approximately 10% at minimum.

Elan Band, co-founder of MotionAds, confirms that over the next year the business will expand into smaller territories where they don’t yet operate, and will be introducing a driver app that will better connect brands, riders, and the communities they service: “The platform will feature smarter behavioural rewards, as well as improved campaign tracking and measurement data for clients. The app, which is already in development, will also include a number of value-added services and benefits for drivers, including insurance options and other financial support tools.” 

“These advancements have all been designed to help drivers earn and grow, turning their micro-enterprises on two wheels into more sustainable livelihoods. As we continue to expand, our vision remains clear: to redefine what mobility means in Africa.”

From the early days of three branded bikes to a nationwide fleet, MotionAds has grown through a bootstrapped approach by consistently reinvesting every rand of early revenue into technology, innovation and scaling. Major campaigns with blue-chip brands including Vodacom, Heineken, Nedbank, Pick n Pay and PepsiCo underscore that this is not simply a social enterprise; it is a business built to win in the advertising industry while simultaneously driving economic inclusion.

For brand marketers and media planners seeking to engage hard-to-reach urban consumers with measurable impact, MotionAds offers a compelling proposition: high-visibility transit-media campaigns that also empower the people delivering your message. To explore partnership opportunities, drive-through metrics and brand-impact case studies, visit www.motionads.co.za.

The post MotionAds co-founders win prestigious Eric Ellerine Entrepreneur Award for innovation that powers SA’s gig economy appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

A 2024 study, The Role of WhatsApp Business in Increasing Consumer Engagement, has confirmed what many South African executives have suspected: businesses that integrate WhatsApp Business see measurable gains in customer numbers, satisfaction, and loyalty.

The peer-reviewed research found that customers who engaged through WhatsApp Business reported significantly higher satisfaction and loyalty, leading to customer growth and acquisitions in the case studies under assessment. The study concluded that WhatsApp Business is not just a communication tool but a strategic driver of long-term business growth, enabling more personalised, responsive, and effective customer engagement.

“These findings should serve as a wake-up call,” says Jonathan Elcock, Co-founder and CEO of rather.chat. “Our own audits for South African businesses have echoed the findings of this study; but we’re taking it a step further. It’s not just about being on WhatsApp; it’s about being intelligent on WhatsApp. A basic Business profile offers convenience, but an AI-powered smartbot transforms it into a real growth engine. Once automation and intelligence are layered in, we see measurable impact: higher conversion rates, faster response times, and consistently stronger customer satisfaction over time.”

The study supports the Forrester/Gupshup Total Economic Impact report, which recently revealed that WhatsApp campaigns powered by conversational AI can deliver a 270% return on investment over a three-year period.

To help South African businesses close this gap, rather.chat has has launched an end-to-end, AI-powered WhatsApp automation solution designed to remove friction from every stage of the sales funnel and drive measurable uplift. The comprehensive system, made up of five modular automation tools, can be implemented incrementally, allowing businesses to test, learn, and optimize performance while closely tracking uplift, managing costs, and maximizing return on investment. This solution is tailored to the business after engaging with the findings provided by rather.chat’s detailed Omnichannel audit. The audit unpacks an organization’s end-to-end customer journey within the sales funnel, with the aim of exposing any inefficiencies or points of friction that may be contributing to lower customer conversions. 

“We’ve conducted hundreds of omnichannel audits for South African companies and locally owned businesses. Our data and findings consistently indicate that outdated traditional communication platforms or channels, like call-back queues and web contact forms that collect customer data, cause a significant number of drop-offs,” adds Elcock.

“WhatsApp is the most widely used communication platform in South Africa. We cannot ignore this fact – and any company that does will sadly meet an uncomfortable drop in sales against the competitors in their sector who do. Customers want – and expect – to engage with your business on WhatsApp. The only question for business executives is how fast they’ll move to formalise this for their customers.”

From finance to insurance and retail to travel, companies that integrate and use WhatsApp as a strategic sales channel to support their omnichannel strategy will consistently outperform competitors that don’t, quite simply because they are more relevant, more agile, and better equipped to meet customers where they are, rather than expecting customers to come to them.

“The future of customer engagement in South Africa is conversational, and automated: WhatsApp is the tool that sits right at the centre of this evolution,” Elcock concludes.

The post New research supported by local business findings: WhatsApp Business will boost customer growth, loyalty, and ROI appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, September 18, 2025/ — By Ludovic Thanay, Senior Vice President Sales, Webb Fontaine (https://WebbFontaine.com). Africa stands at a turning point. Home to nearly a fifth of the world’s population but responsible for less than 3% of global trade, the continent continues to punch below its weight. The reasons are well documented: weak infrastructure, fragmented policies, and slow adoption of digital systems. The real challenge is not only to bridge the divide but to design a model of trade that reflect’s Africa’s own realities and ambitions. Public-private partnerships (PPPs), when built on trust and shared responsibility, can play a decisive role in that transformation.

More than Procurement

All too often, PPPs in Customs and trade are seen as procurement arrangements, with governments buying systems and private firms delivering them. That narrow view misses the point. Strong partnerships are those that bring stakeholders together to design solutions everyone can benefit from. Governments bring legitimacy and reform agendas rooted in World Customs Organization (WCO) and World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments. Private partners bring technology, agility, and the capacity to deliver at scale. When these elements are combined, partnerships move from being procurement exercises to becoming drivers of reform.

The frameworks already exist. The WCO Data Model, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, and the Time Release Study all provide the international backbone for reform. But frameworks do not implement themselves. They need digital tools, from risk management systems to Single Windows, Port Community Systems, and e-payment platforms. This is where PPPs prove their value: by turning policy ambitions into working systems that deliver results.

Trust, Governance, and Transparency

Strong governance underpins every sustainable reform. Without clear roles, independent oversight, and visible results, even the most advanced technology can fail to take root.

Digital systems can reinforce this credibility. Linking e-payment solutions directly to Customs, for example, not only accelerates transactions but also gives finance ministries a real-time picture of revenue. Risk engines that leave an auditable trail make clearance decisions faster while also making them open to review. When operators see a process that is efficient and predictable, trust in the wider system follows.

Data: Shared but Protected

Trade digitalisation depends on data. Declarations, shipping manifests, payments, and risk profiles all need to move quickly between agencies, operators, and even across borders. But speed raises questions of ownership and protection. Who controls this data? How is it used? How is it secured?

PPPs must give answers. Shared platforms cannot succeed if businesses and citizens doubt the safety of their information. Data must flow, but it must also be protected. For Africa, where regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) depends on interoperability, this means developing consistent data governance rules that balance openness with privacy. Private partners have a critical role here, providing not only the systems but also the security frameworks that keep information safe while still enabling smarter, faster trade.

Capacity and Ownership

Even the best technology fails if the people who use it are not part of the journey. Too many projects collapse because systems were handed over without building local skills or ownership. Sustainable partnerships integrate training and institution-building from the start. Success should be judged by more than faster clearance; it should be about whether administrations can manage and expand these systems themselves over time.

AfCFTA: From Vision to Practice

The AfCFTA offers the prospect of the world’s largest single market. But no agreement, however ambitious, will succeed if each country implements its own isolated digital solutions. A corridor cannot be “smart” if every border is a digital island.

This is where PPPs can help governments look beyond national boundaries and build systems that work together. Integration depends on the basics: harmonised standards, interoperable systems, and shared infrastructure.

Towards a Distinct African Model

By 2050, one in four people on earth will be African. The real question is whether Africa will still be adapting to external models of trade, or whether it will be shaping its own. PPPs provide a chance to do the latter: to design solutions that grow out of African realities while staying connected to global norms.

The lesson from years of reform is clear. Technology matters, but what makes the difference is governance, trust, capacity, and shared responsibility. The real measure of success will be whether the continent can help shape the rules of tomorrow rather than adapt to those of yesterday.

The post Rethinking Public-Private Partnerships for Africa’s Trade Future appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

Cape Town, South Africa – “Artificial intelligence has crossed a critical threshold. For the first time in history, our tools are learning to improve themselves. This moment marks the dawn of what experts call superintelligence, the machine learning capabilities that could one day surpass human performance in nearly every domain” comments Daniel Novitzkas, Chairman of Specno, Africa’s leading digital innovation agency.

According to Novitzkas, the question is no longer if this future will arrive, but what form it will take, and who it will serve.

“If superintelligence is centralised in the hands of governments and global corporations, human agency will shrink. We risk becoming passive consumers in a system designed for profit and control. But if we build AI as personal superintelligence – or PSI – we can unlock a future that multiplies human potential rather than diminish it,” argues Novitzkas.

Centralised AI, he explains, risks entrenching monopolies of information, wealth, and power. The alternative – personal superintelligence – offers a decentralised system that belongs to individuals and is tailored to their unique goals, values, and strengths. Rather than dissolving individuality in the pursuit of efficiency, PSI would magnify diversity, giving people the tools to learn, create, and innovate on their own terms.

“The potential applications of PSI are vast. A student struggling with dyslexia could learn through an AI tutor designed precisely for their cognitive style. A farmer in Limpopo could receive real-time, personalised guidance on soil health and weather conditions. A young musician could collaborate with an AI attuned to their creative rhythm, while a personalised health coach could continuously monitor biometrics, predicting and preventing illness years before symptoms appear” states Novitzkas. 

“Personal superintelligence isn’t about replacing people – it’s about augmenting them,” he explains. “The student still learns, the entrepreneur still builds, the farmer still farms, but each with supercharged capacity.”

For Africa, the implications are profound. Just as mobile phones allowed the continent to leapfrog landline infrastructure, PSI could democratise access to world-class expertise, placing tutors, doctors, and business advisors directly into the hands of millions. 

Communities once excluded from global opportunities could find themselves at the cutting edge of human capability. Yet the danger is equally clear: if personal superintelligence is ignored, the future will default to centralisation, calcifying inequality and entrenching dominance in the hands of a few.

“This debate can’t stay confined to Silicon Valley,” Novitzkas warns. “The decisions we make now, about whether intelligence is centralised or personal, will shape the next century of human life. Africa has the chance not just to catch up, but to leap ahead.”

Specno is urging policymakers, innovators, and industry leaders to recognise PSI as humanity’s next great leap forward. Without intentional design and distributed frameworks, superintelligence risks becoming humanity’s greatest divide instead of its greatest breakthrough.

The post Africa’s leading digital innovation agency warns: Future of AI in SA will define who holds power  appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.