Innovate Africa: Zazu makes banking simple for Africa's SMMEs
Zazu is a new digital bank launching in South Africa with one clear goal: to make life easier for small businesses in Africa.
Built by former Solaris executives Germain Bahri and Rinse Jacobs, Zazu offers more than just a bank account. It gives SMMEs access to tools such as digital company registration, invoicing, expense tracking and real-time cash flow insights — all in one place.
I sat down with co-founder Germain Bahri to find out what this means for you.
'We're building a bank around the real needs of African businesses — simple, transparent and easy to use,' he told me.
With more than 300 businesses already signed up during its soft launch, Zazu is positioning itself as a practical, no-nonsense alternative to traditional banking. It's a big step forward for entrepreneurs tired of red tape and outdated systems.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Unlocking Africa's data potential: the launch of the African Bioinformatics Institute
Univeristy of Cape Town. Image: File In an epoch-defining milestone for scientific collaboration and capacity building across Africa, the African Bioinformatics Institute (ABI) has officially launched, inheriting interim hosting support from the University of Cape Town's (UCT) esteemed Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM). This transformative initiative is poised to propel the continent into a data-powered future, driving forward bioinformatics research and infrastructure with the goal of unleashing Africa's vast potential in health, development, and innovation. The launch of the ABI followed a landmark gathering featuring over 200 scientists, policymakers, and institutional leaders hailing from across Africa and beyond. All present shared an unwavering commitment to cultivating an integrated, Africa-led ecosystem devoted to data-driven discoveries, a vital venture for the continent's future. Currently hosted by UCT's IDM, the ABI capitalises on a robust institutional foundation and a rich legacy of leadership in genomics, health, and bioinformatics research. Within the next months, ABI will establish itself as a non-profit organisation (NPO), which will solidify its long-term independence and reinforce its commitment to an Africa-led agenda. The ABI's formation signifies a substantial leap forward for empowering African researchers to lead the charge in bioinformatics and data science. Interim lead of the ABI and head of the Computational Biology Division at UCT, Professor Nicky Mulder expressed optimism about the institute's potential: 'The launch of the ABI marks a major milestone towards building a genuinely Africa-led research ecosystem.' 'Bioinformatics and data science are the cornerstones of research that will help us achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The ABI is well-positioned to play a foundational role in investing in world-class training, infrastructure, and collaboration, which will drive Africa's scientific growth in the coming years,' she said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ With seed funding from the Wellcome Trust and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the ABI aims to serve as a catalyst for cutting-edge genomics research and health advancements. The anticipated development of African infrastructure will empower local researchers to analyse pathogens, monitor diseases, and implement evidence-based policy, paving the way for sustained health improvements across the continent. Ekin Bolukbasi, Technology Manager for Data for Science and Health at Wellcome, said there is a growing demand for bioinformatics. 'Given the rapid pace of technological advancement, bioinformatics and data science have become essential for research-driven decision-making. The ABI has an ambitious vision to establish itself as a continent-wide skills and infrastructure hub, enabling the use of biological data to enhance the lives of African citizens.' In recent years, Africa has witnessed a surge in biological and environmental data generation, primarily propelled by advancements in genomics and public health surveillance. However, the infrastructure and expertise required to effectively manage and interpret this influx of data has remained erratic. The ABI aims to bridge this gap through enhanced training, establishing interoperable systems, and championing local leadership in data science. Dario Taraborelli, science program officer at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, said Africa's leaders in genomics, biodiversity research, and disease surveillance have been operating without the unified data infrastructure they rightly deserve. We are proud to support the African Bioinformatics Institute as it lays the groundwork for the data and bioinformatics backbone needed across the continent, addressing the priorities of its scientific community and unlocking breakthrough discoveries that will benefit its distinct and diverse populations.' The African Bioinformatics Institute is focused on aligning its goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union's Agenda 2063 by: Enhancing the continent's capacity in bioinformatics through training, infrastructure, and collaborative networks. Establishing infrastructure that enables African researchers to analyse, interpret, and integrate complex datasets essential for tackling local and continental challenges. Supporting pandemic preparedness by providing access to high-quality, interoperable bioinformatics tools and platforms. Facilitating the implementation of One Health by linking human, animal, and ecosystem health to strengthen the response to emerging health threats. Since its inception in January 2025, the ABI has established an interim governance council and is actively identifying regional nodes to ensure comprehensive geographical representation and research diversity. Its interim hosting at UCT's IDM - a globally recognised leader in health research - highlights UCT's pivotal role as a continental epicentre for scientific excellence. Recently, in April 2025, the ABI endorsed the ISCB-Africa ASBCB Bioinformatics Conference in Cape Town, which convened students and early-career researchers alongside established scientists to foster collaboration and information exchange. The institute's momentum is set to continue as it prepares to launch its inaugural training programme and cultivate communities of practice across various thematic research areas.
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
Goodyear South Africa's restructuring puts over 900 jobs at risk
Concern has been raised as Goodyear South Africa serves Section 189 notice to workers' unions National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa on restructuring at their manufacturing plant in Uitenhage Eastern Cape, putting over 900 jobs at risk. Image: David Paul Morris Goodyear South Africa's announcement on Friday to discontinue its manufacturing operations in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, has sent shockwaves through the region, with over 900 jobs at risk due to a Section 189 notice served to the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa). The decision, communicated by Goodyear's Managing Director Paul Gerrard, has raised alarm among unions, and economic analysts, who fear the closure could devastate the local economy amid high unemployment. Mziyanda Twani, Numsa Eastern Cape Regional Secretary, said on Friday that the union is dismayed by Goodyear South Africa's announcement to discontinue its manufacturing operations in South Africa. 'The union has been served with a Section 189 notice from Paul Gerrard, the Managing Director of Goodyear Tyres in South Africa. The manufacturing plant is located in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape, and the company envisages that at least 907 employees will be affected by the plant closure,' Twani said. Twani added that as a region, Numsa was deeply worried about the impact on workers and their families in Uitenhage. 'It is becoming a ghost town given that ContiTech, which is part of Continental, closed down and it is also in the same tyre and rubber industry. At the same time, it may not be easy to replace these jobs. The Eastern Cape has a very high unemployment rate at 41.9% according to StatsSA.' Twani said that while the outlook is bleak, as Numsa, "we stand ready to do everything we can to defend the jobs of our members and to negotiate fair severance packages. The dates of the first consultation will be communicated in due course". Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Chris Harmse, consulting economist of Sequoia Capital Management, said he is concerned about the move. 'One of the issues could well be that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) could be ending due to the strain on South African and American relations. This could well have led to Goodyear South Africa wanting to scale down operations at its Uitenhage plant. The Agoa most major part is made up of 60% of the motor industry, with the next largest part being the agriculture industry. We hope that if Agoa does end, other major companies don't look to scale down business,' he said. Goodyear South Africa is the heart of business in Uitenhage. 'Another issue is that the cost of doing business in South Africa is becoming too high, including issues with electricity, water, and failing infrastructure. We could see businesses looking to move their operations to other parts of Africa and to countries like Botswana and showing a preference to use Walvis Bay in Namibia for doing business South Africa already faces steep economic challenges. We are seeing that South Africa's GDP is being revised downwards, and this does raise concern about doing business in South Africa,' he said. Nduduzo Chala, the managing executive at South African Tyre Manufacturers (SATMC), said that he is concerned about Section 189 at Goodyear South Africa. 'However, we must remember that Goodyear South Africa has entered a consultative process, and there will be an opportunity for the government, trade unions, and other stakeholders to voice their concerns. It is not set that they would retrench over 900 workers and end operations at the manufacturing plant in Eastern Cape. We just have to wait and see how the process unfolds.' SATMC is concerned about the possibility of the plant closing. 'It's not a great situation for us as SATMC, workers, and the Eastern Cape community, but we have to see what happens during the consultative process,' Chala said. Dr Eliphas Ndou, an economist and author at Unisa's Department of Economics, said the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP has become smaller over time. 'The sector faces many challenges, including low-cost imports and a decline in local manufacturing competitiveness. The decline in the latest BER business confidence index shows that most businesses are not satisfied with prevailing business conditions. Hence, the development in the tyre manufacturing sector is a clear message to the government that wants to grow the economy, create, and keep employment to fast-track the implementation of structural reforms that will improve the local manufacturing sector's competitiveness, including tyre producers.'
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Africa Food Show: Tapping into the potential of the continent's food and beverage market
Out of the 350 exhibitors at the Africa Food Show 2025, approximately 50% are South African. The inaugural African Food Show will be hosted in Cape Town this week. Picture: Supplied With the African Development Bank estimating that the African food and beverage market is set to reach $1 trillion by 2030, the inaugural Africa Food Show, taking place in Cape Town this week, is tapping into this emerging market. Set to be hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the Africa Food Show is expected to bring together over 350 exhibitors and 6,000 visitors from more than 25 countries. 'Out of the 350 exhibitors at the Africa Food Show 2025, approximately 50% are South African. The remaining exhibitors are international participants from over 30 countries,' Events manager at dmg events, Margaret Peters tells The Citizen. Peters says the balanced representation of exhibitors highlights the show's dual focus. 'Showcasing South Africa's vibrant food and beverage sector while also fostering global trade and collaboration.' The two-day food and beverage gathering is part of the globally recognised Gulfood series, which includes the world's largest food and beverage exhibition in Dubai. 'This association lends the event significant credibility and draws international attention. The show is also backed by dmg events and the Dubai World Trade Centre, both experienced in organizing large-scale global expos,' shares Peters. The show will take place from June 10 to 12. ALSO READ: Cape Town is on the up, here's why Cape Town's appeal Cape Town's global appeal as a film destination is driving a significant economic upswing in the city's hospitality industry. According to the City's Film Permits Office, from November 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, film crews booked more than 59,000 beds in Cape Town, spending nearly R148 million. The Cape Town CBD is a well-managed CBD, with several partners working together to ensure it is safe, clean, and a welcoming environment in which to visit and conduct business. This is one of the main reasons organisers of the Africa Food Show decided to host their inaugural event on the continent in the Western Cape city. 'Its global appeal, bolstered by a strong tourism sector and vibrant hospitality industry, makes it an attractive destination for both business and leisure travellers,' says Peters. 'Additionally, the city's alignment with themes of innovation and sustainability complements our Africa Food Summit, which focuses on climate-smart and healthy food solutions.' ALSO READ: For all the tea in… Mzansi Industry focused The Africa Food Show is primarily targeted at companies, brands, and industry professionals rather than the general public. Its focus is on creating a platform for business-to-business (B2B) engagement, where food and beverage manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers can connect, showcase innovations, and explore trade opportunities. 'That said, while the core audience is industry-focused, events like this often include public-access days or consumer-focused segments, especially to promote local products or culinary experiences,' says Peters. NOW READ: Beer lovers and cannabis connoisseurs to gather in Gauteng's biggest cities this weekend
