From mobile banking to digital democracy: Technology helps economic freedom
April is Freedom Month in South Africa. It is a good time to think about what freedom really means in our daily lives. One important kind of freedom is economic freedom – the ability to earn money, build a future, and make your own choices. Today, technology is helping more people in South Africa to join the economy and improve their lives.
Mobile banking has helped a lot. Services like MTN Mobile Money, Vodacom's M-Pesa, and other digital wallets make it easier for people to send and receive money, save, or even borrow small amounts. This helps especially those who live in rural areas or have low incomes. Now, many people who could not use normal banks have better control over their money. They can grow small businesses, support their families, and make financial choices more freely.
But technology is not only about banking. It also helps with daily life. A good example is EskomSePush, a popular app that tells people when loadshedding will happen. In South Africa, power cuts can stop people from working or studying. This app helps everyone plan their day better. It has also helped neighbours to connect. People often use the app to check if others nearby have power problems before they contact the municipality. This shows how simple technology can help people feel more in control and more connected to their community.
There are still challenges, though. Not everyone has access to good internet or a smartphone. Some people also need help learning how to use technology safely. To make sure technology helps everyone, we need better internet access everywhere, good training, and clear rules to protect people online.
As we celebrate Freedom Month, let's remember that technology is more than just a tool. It helps build a fair and free future. When used properly, technology can help more South Africans find their voice, earn money, and choose their own path.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
6 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Astroscale completes CDR for ELSA-M In-Orbit debris removal mission
This demonstration includes docking, de-orbiting, and releasing a Eutelsat OneWeb client spacecraft managed through Astroscales in-house satellite operations facility. Astroscale has completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for its upcoming ELSA-M (End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-Multiple) In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) spacecraft, marking a major milestone in the development of what is set to become the worlds first commercial end-of-life servicing mission for satellites prepared for docking and removal. The mission, scheduled to launch in 2026, will demonstrate cutting-edge technologies aimed at addressing the growing challenge of orbital debris. Designed, built, and operated by Astroscale UK at its Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, ELSA-M will showcase advanced Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) capabilities. The CDR milestone was achieved following a comprehensive technical evaluation by teams from the European Space Agency (ESA) and satellite operator Eutelsat, encompassing all aspects of engineering, programme management, and product assurance. This achievement confirms the UKs leadership in Active Debris Removal (ADR) and advances its role in the fast-growing field of In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM). The ELSA-M mission is a collaborative effort funded primarily through Astroscales private investment, with co-funding support from the UK Space Agency via ESA and Eutelsat under the Sunrise Partnership Project. The initiative falls within ESAs Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme, designed to develop next-generation satellite communications technologies. Nick Shave, Managing Director, Astroscale UK, said: 'Completing the Critical Design Review for ELSA-M is both a major step for the mission itself and also a major achievement for the UK ISAM industry. The mission is a true partnership between Astroscale UK, the UK Space Agency, ESA and Eutelsat with many industrial partners in the Astroscale ISAM supply chain across all regions of the UK. With the ever-growing number of satellites in Earths orbit, the robust RPO and spacecraft capture capability provided by ELSA-M will revolutionise the delivery of repeatable ADR and other ISAM services as part of a future circular space economy.' Joshua King, Telecommunications Investment Lead at the UK Space Agency, added: 'We are excited to support Astroscale UKs pioneering ELSA-M mission, which represents a significant leap forward in satellite servicing and orbital sustainability. This milestone not only underscores the UKs leadership in ADR but also highlights our commitment to providing new technologies and capabilities to support satellite communications. The successful completion of the Critical Design Review is a testament to the exceptional collaboration between Astroscale, ESA, and Eutelsat within the Sunrise Partnership, and we look forward to the successful launch next year.' Laurent Jaffart, Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications at ESA, stated: 'Space is a common good, like the oceans, and we need to treat it responsibly. ESA welcomed Astroscales active engagement and signature of ESAs Zero Debris Charter in June 2024, which contains high-level guiding principles and specific jointly defined targets to achieve zero debris by 2030. We are pleased to be supporting Astroscale to demonstrate the commercial viability of space debris removal, building on state-of-the-art technologies to create new missions that attract talent and investment. ESA fosters European and Canadian innovation in the highly competitive global satellite market.' Guillaume Scottez, Senior Director for Innovation at Eutelsat Group, commented: 'Astroscales successful CDR marks a positive progression for our joint efforts to support, test, and validate innovative in-orbit servicing technologies, crucial for the long-term preservation of space as a valuable natural resource. With this milestone, we look forward to our continued collaboration with ESA, the UK Space Agency, and Astroscale to advance our mission.' ELSA-M builds on the success of Astroscales 2021 ELSA-d mission, which demonstrated critical technologies such as magnetic capture and controlled close-approach operations. With the CDR now complete, ELSA-M moves into the next phase involving spacecraft assembly, integration, testing, launch preparations, and a series of in-orbit demonstrations. These will include docking with, de-orbiting, and releasing a Eutelsat OneWeb client satellite, all managed through Astroscales own satellite operations center.
Zawya
10 hours ago
- Zawya
Norton Rose Fulbright launches Global M&A trends and risks report
Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, in collaboration with Mergermarket, has released the third edition of its annual Global M&A trends and risks report, examining the trends shaping dealmaking around the world and including a survey of 200 top-level executives that took place across Q1 and Q2 of this year. Key findings include: New era of volatility unsettles dealmakers: When surveyed in Q1 2025, 53 percent of respondents expected their own organization's appetite for M&A to increase in 2025 compared to last year. However, the market turmoil caused by 'reciprocal tariff' announcements impacted sentiment. Popularity of deal insurance set to soar: Overall, nearly 65 percent of respondents expect the use of representations and warranties insurance (RWI) to increase in 2025 compared to 2024, including 37 percent who expect that increase to be significant (up from 26 percent in our previous study). This trend is observable in every market around the world, particularly in the Middle East and South and Southeast Asia, with more than 45 percent of respondents in both regions forecasting a significant increase in the use of RWI. Dealmakers move quickly to integrate AI: Fifty-one percent have acquired an AI business, with respondents applying the technology to various parts of their M&A processes, from deal sourcing to due diligence. Moreover, 46 percent report that they are looking to acquire an AI business in the near term. In our previous 2024 study, just 33 percent of respondents said they were looking to acquire an AI business. Strategic buyers focus on domestic targets: Respondents expect that domestic strategic buyers will come to the fore as the most active acquirers in 2025. This is particularly pronounced in emerging markets, including Latin America (74 percent), Africa (61 percent), and South and Southeast Asia (57 percent). Private credit helps to fill financing gap: At the global level, 35 percent of respondents expect it to become more difficult to secure M&A-related financing in 2025 compared with 2024. Overall, a quarter of respondents believe private credit will be the single most important form of financing to be employed in the market over the next two years for M&A deals. Respondents agree that this financing type is gaining momentum across Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Private equity ready to put dry powder to work: Forty-four percent of survey participants expect domestic private equity buyers to be among the most active types of acquirers in deal markets in 2025. Their presence will be felt across all markets, according to our respondents, with a particular emphasis on South and Southeast Asia (49 percent). Their international PE peers, meanwhile, are expected to be especially active in neighboring East Asia (41 percent) as well as Europe (also 41 percent) and Australia and New Zealand (43 percent). Raj Karia, Norton Rose Fulbright's Global Head of Corporate, M&A and Securities, said: 'We're seeing a clear shift in how clients approach M&A, with a move towards more deliberate and strategic planning. This year's report captures that evolution, with trade tensions, financing pressures and regulatory scrutiny all influencing how deals are structured and executed.' The survey respondents included 100 executives from multinational corporations as well as 50 from large private equity firms and 50 from major investment banks, all of whom have participated in M&A across multiple regions and sectors over the past two years. Results were analyzed by Mergermarket and responses were anonymized and presented in the aggregate. Norton Rose Fulbright's global corporate, M&A and securities team provides practical business-focused legal advice across the full spectrum of matters, including public transactions, take-privates, strategic review processes, joint ventures, carveout dispositions and acquisitions, debt and equity capital markets transactions, governance, compliance, general commercial and corporate advisory matters. More than 450 M&A partners and 700 other deal lawyers worldwide advise on some of the most high-profile, complex and significant transactions in the market. Norton Rose Fulbright Norton Rose Fulbright provides a full scope of legal services to the world's preeminent corporations and financial institutions. The global law firm has more than 3,000 lawyers advising clients across more than 50 locations worldwide, including London, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg, covering Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. With its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity, Norton Rose Fulbright is recognized for its client service in key industries, including financial institutions; energy, infrastructure and resources; technology; transport; life sciences and healthcare; and consumer markets. For more information, visit Katie Mark | Senior PR Manager Norton Rose Fulbright LLP 3 More London Riverside, London, SE1 2AQ, United Kingdom Mob +44 7864 063325
Al Etihad
11 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UK's Marks & Spencer resumes online orders following cyberattack
10 June 2025 11:55 LONDON (Reuters) British retailer Marks & Spencer resumed taking online orders for some clothing lines on Tuesday after a 46-day hiatus following a damaging 141-year old M&S, one of the best known names in British business, said on its website "select fashion ranges now available to buy online".M&S stopped taking clothing and home orders through its website and app on April 25 following problems with contactless pay and click and collect services over the Easter holiday first disclosed it had been managing a "cyber incident" on April 22.M&S said last month it expected online disruption to continue into July and forecast the attack would cost it about 300 million pounds ($404 million) in lost operating profit in its 2025/26 financial year, though it hopes to halve the impact through insurance and cost control. The group said hackers broke into its systems by tricking employees at a third-party contractor, skirting its digital defences to launch a cyberattack.
