What if Africa’s telecom future isn’t about bigger networks—but smarter, sharper services that actually understand their users?  

In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder Akim Benamara sits down with Roman Khalenkov, Chief Commercial Officer at PortaOne, for a wide-ranging look at Africa’s evolving telecom space. With over two decades of experience across product strategy, sales, and consulting, Khalenkov brings grounded insight into where the industry is headed—and what’s still holding it back. 

About Our Guest 

Roman Khalenkov is a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in the telecommunications industry. His career spans leadership roles across sales, organizational management, product development, management consulting, and marketing strategy. As Chief Commercial Officer at PortaOne, he continues to shape the future of digital infrastructure, bringing a rare blend of technical insight and commercial acumen to every conversation.   

Telecom’s Evolution: From Fax Machines to Smart Devices 

Khalenkov opens with a reflection on Africa’s mobile-first development. Unlike markets burdened by outdated systems, many African countries skipped straight to digital, creating space for faster transformation. “We don’t see fax machines here,” he quipped—marking how Africa often bypasses what others must phase out. 

Fragmented Markets, Uneven Regulation 

He quickly adds nuance: Africa isn’t one telecom market—it’s over 50, each with its own rules. South Africa, with minimal licensing barriers, fosters innovation. Nigeria, in contrast, has issued MVNO licenses but lacks a clear business framework, leaving many operators stalled. 

The Three MVNO Models That Work  

Khalenkov outlines three MVNO models gaining traction: 

• Franchise Replication across borders (e.g. Lebara). 
• High-volume IoT deployments to offset low ARPU. 
• Niche, high-margin segments like sea-to-shore connectivity. 

Success, he notes, comes from knowing your market, not just having the tech. 

Smart Software, Smarter Scaling 

For PortaOne, software is what turns ideas into operational scale. Billing, CRM, KYC systems—they all need to work together. With automation and integration tools now more accessible, even smaller providers can deliver a seamless customer experience. 

On AI: A Tool, Not a Revolution—Yet  

While AI dominates headlines, Khalenkov remains cautious. “It’s not a game changer—yet,” he says. For now, AI is best suited to support functions like call centres and technical support, where structure and automation matter more than novelty. 

“I think it's premature today to talk about AI as a game changer, specifically in telecoms. It will come there eventually, and we can speak about how I see where it will come first. But today, I simply don't see that as more than just an additional piece of functionality. 

- Roman Khalenkov, Chief Commercial Officer, PortaOne 

This episode was filmed on: 13 November 2024 in Cape Town

Thank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:
www.techafricanews.com/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network.

© 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.

In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara, sits down with Nitesh Marcel Singh, Managing Director for Communications, Media, and Technology at Accenture, for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of digital transformation across the continent. With over 20 years in telecom and technology, Singh brings sharp insights into AI adoption, data readiness, and enterprise reinvention in Africa.

From falling telco margins to the cost of devices, Singh explores the barriers holding Africa back—and what it will take to move forward. Can Africa build the infrastructure, skills, and policy environment to lead in the digital era? 

About Our Guest
Nitesh Singh is Managing Director for Communications, Media, and Technology at Accenture Africa. With over two decades in the sector, he has led key digital transformation efforts across the continent and champions data, AI, and cloud as strategic pillars for growth. 

AI as a Strategic Tool, not a Trend
Singh shares Accenture’s “total enterprise reinvention” model, anchored on a digital core of AI, cloud, and structured data. Many African firms, he notes, still lack a clear AI strategy or business case to realise meaningful value.

Data as the Bedrock of Progress
AI cannot succeed without clean, structured data. Singh warns that many organisations overlook this prerequisite—and highlights the urgent need for data science and engineering talent to bridge the gap.

Recasting the Telco Sector’s Role
Telcos are central to Africa’s digital growth but remain heavily constrained by taxes and regulation. He stresses the need for policy reform. 

"The problem in Africa is regulation. The regulatory frameworks are not conducive to telcos. A sector that's connecting population groups and leading to GDP is paying too much tax. Governments across Africa are seeing this the wrong way. Instead of levying more taxes, they should actually lower taxes, get them to connect their populations more, and there'll be more growth rather than see it as a cash cow to extract out of the telco. So, the government regulatory framework is a problem." - Nitesh Singh, Managing Director for Communications, Media, and Technology, Accenture

The Device Divide and Local Manufacturing
Affordability remains a barrier to access. With little local production of smartphones or infrastructure, he calls for investment in manufacturing to cut costs, build skills, and unlock new economic opportunities.

On Education, Learning, and the Next Generation
To keep pace, Singh urges a shift in how young people are taught to learn—with AI as a tool, not a crutch. He advocates early exposure to technology alongside a focus on informatics, engineering, and maths.

Governance, Policy, and the Need for Continental Alignment
From visa restrictions to outdated regulations, Singh highlights how policy misalignment is stalling progress. He calls for unified goals, measurable national KPIs, and more accountability across governments.

This episode was filmed on: 12 November 2024 in Cape Town

Thank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:
www.techafricanews.com/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network.

© 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.

In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara sits down with Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Chief Digital Advisor at Africa CDC, for an eye-opening conversation on health tech’s role in shaping Africa’s digital future. With deep roots in both medicine and technology, Nsengimana offers a timely perspective on how innovation can—and must—scale to meet the needs of the continent’s 1.4 billion people.

Africa’s youth are building, startups are emerging, and digital health is no longer a nice-to-have. But how do we turn local innovation into large-scale impact? And what will it take to create Africa’s first health tech unicorn?

Our Guest

Jean Philbert Nsengimana is the Chief Digital Health Advisor at Africa CDC and a leading voice in Africa’s digital transformation. A former Rwandan Minister of Youth and ICT, he has driven major initiatives like Smart Africa and YouthConnekt Africa. With global advisory roles and degrees from Harvard and SP Jain, he is focused on leveraging tech to shape Africa's future of health. 

The Opportunity and the Bottlenecks

Africa has no shortage of health tech innovation, but it struggles with scale. He outlined four persistent barriers:

· Infrastructure: Over 50% of health facilities lack power or internet.

· Skills: There are gaps across all levels—from frontline workers to policymakers.

· Regulation: Fragmented policies across borders limit scale.

· Capital: Health tech needs patient investment, unlike faster-moving sectors like FinTech.

Why Telemedicine Matters

Nsengimana believes telemedicine is one of the most scalable tools to bridge Africa’s healthcare gaps. The Africa Health Tech Hub in Kigali is already incubating over 40 promising startups, showing the demand—and the readiness. 

“Africa is moving towards the universal health coverage objective by 2030. But if we look at the speed at which we've been moving, I don't think we're going to reach that if we continue to move at the same speed. To ensure that everyone across the continent—regardless of where they live or their income level—has access to basic health services, we must accelerate our efforts.” - Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Chief Digital Advisor, Africa CDC. 

A Digital Health Record for Every African and the Power of AI 

Under the leadership of Dr. Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC envisions a digital health lifecycle—from birth registration to social insurance. This “horizontal health record” aims to transform not just health but other citizen-facing services. AI will play a critical role in Africa’s disease preparedness and frontline care. 

Platforms for Progress

To help governments and investors navigate the space, Africa CDC launched a Health Tech Marketplace for vetted innovations and is developing a sandbox for testing solutions, especially AI-based ones. 

A Continental Wishlist

Nsengimana’s top three priorities:

1. Remove digital borders to unlock a unified African market.

2. Multiply investment in health tech tenfold.

3. Build Africa-owned data infrastructure for digital sovereignty.

This episode was filmed on 05.03.2025, in Barcelona

Thank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:
www.techafricanews.com/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network.

© 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.

In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara sits down with Lyle Horsley, Head of Fintech at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), to unpack South Africa’s leadership in the G20 TechSprint 2025—and what it means for digital finance across the continent.

As co-host with the Bank for International Settlements, SARB is spotlighting trust and integrity in scalable, open finance. Horsley discusses the evolving role of central banks, the urgency of regulation-innovation collaboration, and Africa’s opportunity to leap forward. 

About Our Guest
Lyle Horsley is Head of Fintech at SARB and Chair of South Africa’s Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group. A legal expert turned Fintech strategist, focused on shaping policy for crypto, AI, digital currencies and driving innovation through tools like sandboxes and accelerators.

Inside the South African Reserve Bank’s Fintech Evolution
Horsley’s journey from legal adviser to innovation leader mirrors South African Reserve Bank’s transformation. Her unit is focused on understanding tech’s impact and crafting responses that are bold, responsible, and future-fit.

G20 TechSprint Comes to Africa
This year’s TechSprint marks its African debut under South Africa’s G20 presidency, centered on trust and integrity in open finance. Horsley calls it a chance for regulators to explore how tech can solve real policy challenges. Previous editions tackled global priorities like digital currencies and cross-border payments—this time, Africa leads.

“This year’s TechSprint is exciting because it’s the first time it’s held in Africa, and we’re honored that South Africa is hosting. Our TechSprint focuses on trust and integrity in scalable, open finance, which we see as foundational pillars for the financial system."
 - Lyle Horsley, Head of Fintech, SARB

Africa’s Mobile Money: Progress with Gaps
Mobile money expanded access, but identity, data, and fraud issues remain. Horsley notes that the G20 TechSprint problem statements were crafted with Africa’s financial realities in mind.

Digital ID: The Missing Link: Without secure, interoperable IDs, inclusion stalls. Horsley calls for a mobile-first, privacy-safe ID system backed by telcos to streamline verification.

SME Finance: Credit Through Data: SMEs struggle to access credit due to informality and data gaps. Horsley sees secure data-sharing as key to unlocking financing and trust.

Fast Payments, Faster Fraud: As instant payment systems grow, so does instant fraud. Horsley urges real-time fraud tools to protect users and restore confidence.

Why Tech Innovators Should Join
The TechSprint is a platform for co-creation—where innovation meets regulation. With cash prizes of $10,000 and $30,000, the real reward, says Horsley, is contributing to public good and shaping policy through collaboration.

What’s Next: A Shared Digital Future
Horsley points to Brazil and India as models of what’s possible. She sees Africa building its own future through inclusive, public-private partnerships focused on infrastructure like identity, payments, and open finance. “No single player can do it alone,” she says.

This episode was recorded on 26.05.25 in Johannesburg

Thank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:
www.techafricanews.com/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network.

© 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.

In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara, sits down with Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at the GSMA, for an insightful conversation on where Africa is, where it's headed, and what it will take to unlock its full digital potential.

Africa stands at a pivotal point in its digital journey. With a young population, a growing tech scene, and widespread mobile access, the potential is huge. Yet, 710 million Africans remain offline despite signal coverage. Why did mobile money soar while internet adoption lags? And who’s responsible for the policies, taxes, and outdated mindsets holding progress back? 

About Our Guest
Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at GSMA, leads efforts to advance the mobile industry in the region. Formerly a senior leader at Safaricom, she helped deliver Kenya’s undersea cable and modernize networks. She also founded Women in Technology, supporting women’s growth in tech. Her work focuses on inclusive progress and using technology to drive social change. 

Telecoms with Purpose: Laying the Digital Tracks for Africa’s Future
Wamola’s passion for Africa’s digital transformation is personal and strategic. At GSMA, she drives collaboration among operators, device makers, and policymakers to unlock the continent’s potential through connectivity.

Mobile Sector: The Underrated Economic Engine
Despite over 150 mobile operators and heavy investment, 710 million Africans with mobile internet access don’t use it—mainly due to high device costs, expensive data, and restrictive regulations.

A Call for a Mindset Reset
Wamola calls for shifting from a scarcity mindset to a growth mindset: treating digital infrastructure not as a commodity to tax, but as a tool to expand access and productivity across key sectors like agriculture and health.

Rethinking 5G: It’s Not (Yet) About the Speeds
She challenges the 5G hype, asking how much speed consumers really need. Instead, 5G’s value lies in enabling industry automation and digital governance, calling for focused investment on sectors that drive real impact.

Policy Paralysis: Too Much Paper, Not Enough Action
The problem isn’t policy scarcity but weak implementation. Wamola urges governments to shift focus from endless drafting to action, backed by data tools like GSMA’s Digital Africa Index. She also stresses transparency for Universal Service Funds to avoid them becoming just another tax.

"I think in Africa, we have a lot of policies and paperwork sitting in corridors or closets. The real challenge is implementation. We don’t need to spend 80% of our time creating more policies and strategies. Instead, we should spend 80% of our time implementing those policies, enforcing them, and providing resources to agencies and institutions so they can do their work and create the right environment."
 -Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA.

Wamola’s Wishlist for Africa’s Digital Leap
Her top priorities as she highlighted are affordable smartphones for all within reach, repositioning devices as productivity tools, and digitizing agriculture, education, and health to uplift Africa’s most vital sectors.  

This episode was recorded on 14 Nov

Thank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:
www.techafricanews.com/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network.

© 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.

In this episode, Ralph Mupita, President and CEO of MTN Group, joins TechAfrica News’ Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara for a candid conversation on the evolving role of telecoms in shaping Africa’s digital economy.

Africa’s digital growth goes beyond connectivity—it's a complex journey marked by economic challenges, fragmented regulations, and limitless innovation. Telecoms are no longer just infrastructure providers, but key drivers of digital economies, financial inclusion, and how the next billion Africans live and work online.

From weathering macroeconomic storms in Nigeria to building fintech platforms, driving regulatory reform, and exploring AI and satellite tech, Mupita shares insights into what it takes to lead—and innovate—on the continent today.

About Our Guest
Ralph Mupita has been MTN Group President and CEO since September 2020. Previously CFO, he led financial strategies and listings across Africa. With a strong background in engineering, finance, and telecoms, he drives MTN’s Ambition 2025 plan focused on digital transformation and inclusion. He also sits on several global advisory boards supporting Africa’s digital growth.

Financial Performance and Macroeconomic Challenges
Mupita highlighted mixed impacts from macro conditions. Despite strong underlying growth, MTN faced severe Naira depreciation in Nigeria in H1, with improved revenue, earnings, and cash flow in H2.

Nigeria’s Pivotal Role and Recovery
Nigeria remains key, contributing ~40% of earnings and ~50% of cash flow pre-2023. Mupita sees a V-shaped recovery driven by sound monetary policy, rising reserves, and subsidy reforms.

Digital Transformation and MNOs’ Role
MTN aims to lead Africa’s digital transformation by building ecosystems that fuel socioeconomic growth. Mupita emphasized digital economies can multiply benefits with minimal infrastructure. 

Regulatory Harmonization and Competition
He called for alignment of regulations across African countries, noting varied frameworks hinder a unified digital economy. Harmonized licensing and spectrum policy are vital to unlocking potential.

“The first challenge is regulation. We need more harmonization across the continent. If we align regulations with a shared goal—to let digital assets drive growth—we’ll get closer to unlocking Africa’s potential.” – Ralph Mupita, CEO, MTN Group

AI, LEO and Non-Terrestrial Networks
Mupita echoed Ghana’s Minister Samuel, emphasizing Africa-specific AI. He acknowledged high AI infrastructure costs but supports local solutions like voice prompts in native languages. Building AI hubs is essential. He also highlighted LEO networks as key to rural connectivity, envisioning seamless access through hybrid infrastructure.

This episode was filmed on April 8, 2025, at the MTN Headquarters in Johannesburg.

Thank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:
www.techafricanews.com/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network.

© 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.

In this episode, Jorge Mendes, CEO of Cell C, speaks with Akim Benamara, Chief Editor and Founder of TechAfrica News, about the company’s ambitious turnaround plan.

In an industry marked by rapid technological change and fierce competition, South Africa’s telecom sector faces complex challenges—from constrained cash flows to the persistent digital divide across the continent. For Cell C, a key player in this market, overcoming these challenges requires more than quick fixes. So, how does Cell C navigate these hurdles while staying true to its customers and long-term vision?

About our Guest - Jorge Mendes 
Jorge Mendes brings nearly 30 years of telecom experience, known for people-centric leadership and building high-performing teams. Before Cell C, he led consumer business at Vodacom South Africa, driving market share growth and partnerships. He holds executive credentials from Harvard Business School and Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership. 

Cell C’s Turnaround: Culture, Sustainability, and Strategic Agility 
Mendes reflects on a transformative year focused on sustainability amid significant cash flow and technology challenges. Central to this is shaping a strong culture based on transparency, honesty, integrity, and simplicity 

“We've always wanted to have the best culture in the country. We've been deliberate in building a good team that fits our value system. We also had to structure our technology setup, especially network quality.”
 — Jorge Mendes, CEO, Cell C 

Lean Technology Strategy and Customer-Centric Innovation 
Cell C’s technology approach prioritizes agility and partnerships over heavy infrastructure investment. By leveraging networks from providers like MTN and Vodacom, Cell C maintains competitive quality with a “fundamentally different” CapEx model. 

Customer-centricity drives both core services and innovation. Mendes insists on excelling at “bread and butter” voice and data offerings while exploring new revenue streams through partnerships, especially in financial services.  

MVNOs and Market Positioning: Integration Over Wholesale 
Cell C’s Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) strategy moves beyond traditional wholesale models to deep, integrated partnerships tailored to partners’ industry needs. Mendes critiques past MVNO failures due to lack of integration, asserting that “when you align that with personalization, you’re onto something very special.” 

Driving Digital Inclusion and Affordability 
Committed to bridging Africa’s digital divide, Cell C invests in connectivity for underserved communities, digital literacy programs, and supports emerging technologies like Starlink. Affordability efforts focus on lowering communication costs and increasing access to modern devices. Collaborations with government and industry aim to phase out older technologies in favor of 4G/5G, with potential subsidies and tax reforms.  

Pragmatic Views on 5G, Fair Share, and New Revenue Models 
Mendes offers a realistic assessment of 5G’s role, noting limited consumer monetization but potential niche enterprise applications like automation in mining. A final priority is product clarity. Mendes also wants to eliminate ambiguous bundles and hidden costs that confuse customers.  

This episode was filmed on: 12th November 2024

Thank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:
www.techafricanews.com/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network.

© 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.

In this episode, Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, joins Akim Benamara, Chief Editor and Founder of TechAfrica News, for a candid conversation exploring bold strategies, mindset shifts, and the collaborative efforts driving Africa’s digital transformation.

Africa’s digital future holds immense promise but faces challenges. Fragmented policies, outdated mindsets, and uneven access threaten to stall progress just as emerging technologies like AI offer unprecedented opportunities. The critical question is no longer if Africa will transform digitally, but how it can harness AI, build a unified digital identity, and leapfrog legacy constraints to secure its place in the global tech landscape. 

About our Guest – Lacina Koné 
Since 2019, Lacina Koné has led Smart Africa’s digital agenda, spearheading initiatives in Digital Identity, ICT startups, Smart Villages, and broadband strategy. Recognized as a top influencer in Africa’s digital transformation, he ranked 12th among the continent’s most impactful digital leaders in 2021 and 3rd in Jeune Afrique’s 2022 technology ranking. With over 25 years in telecommunications and ICT, Koné previously advised Côte d'Ivoire’s Prime Minister and President on digital reforms. He holds degrees in electronic engineering and an MBA and serves on advisory boards including the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development.  

Reclaiming Africa’s Digital Narrative and Vision for Unity 
Koné stresses the importance of Africans controlling their own digital transformation story, partnering with platforms like Tech Africa News to shape an authentic narrative. Smart Africa aims to create a single digital market by uniting governments, private sector, academia, and development partners in a multi-stakeholder platform focused on practical impact. 

"Your story is only better told when it's told by yourself, and this gives us a ground for particularly our partnership with TechAfrica News that we tell our story ourselves and we have the control of the narrative." 
— Lacino Koné, CEO, Smart Africa 

Mindset, Regulation, and AI as Drivers of Inclusive Transformation
Koné identifies mindset change as the biggest hurdle and opportunity, emphasizing that “you are what you decided to be.” Also, AI plays a central role as a catalyst for social inclusion, allowing Africans to interact with services in their own languages and contexts. To harness AI effectively, Koné announced the creation of an Africa AI Council—a collaborative task force under the ICT ministers’ umbrella—to address computing power, data governance, and algorithm development. 

Digital Identity, Private Sector Empowerment, and Connectivity Challenges 
Digital identity is foundational to Africa’s integration and transformation. With over 450 million Africans lacking formal ID, Smart Africa’s Trust Alliance pilots interoperable digital ID systems between countries like Rwanda and Benin to enable seamless cross-border services.  

Looking Ahead: Transform Africa Summit 2025
Scheduled for July 22–24 in Kigali, TAS 2025 will spotlight AI as a key accelerator for digital transformation under the theme “Innovate locally, impact globally.”  

Thank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:
www.techafricanews.com/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network.

© 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.

In this episode Solly Malatsi, South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, joins Akim Benamara, our Chief Editor and Founder, to unpack the country’s digital strategy, recent policy shifts, and his vision for a truly connected South Africa. Recorded early in Malatsi’s tenure, the conversation reveals the clarity of his vision and the commitment to action that has since followed. 
 
South Africa has no shortage of tech innovation, talent, or potential. But what if the real roadblocks to digital transformation aren’t technical—but systemic? Outdated policies and misplaced priorities may be slowing down the nation’s digital future. How can the country overcome these to lead in connectivity, economic growth, and tech inclusion? 

About Our Guest: Min. Solly Malatsi 
Solly Malatsi brings a unique perspective to South Africa’s digital transformation. Though he considers himself an “outsider” to the sector, his brief time on the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technology gave him a firsthand look at the industry’s scope. Now, with a focus on affordability, accessibility, and innovation, he is determined to drive meaningful change. 

Digital Inclusion: Infrastructure, Affordability, and Policy Reform 
Malatsi identifies three key barriers to inclusion: broadband infrastructure, device affordability, and data costs. “Having a smart device is not a luxury,” he says, calling it a necessity. The government is pursuing tax reforms to lower device costs and pushing forward initiatives like SA Connect, which offers free Wi-Fi in schools and clinics. For him, ICT policy is a tool for economic opportunity and job creation. 

Leadership, Political Will, and Bureaucratic Alignment 
Political will means “the ability to take decisions when they need to be taken.” Malatsi credits the national unity government with fostering responsiveness but emphasizes that leadership must also engage the bureaucracy—the drivers and executors of policy—to maintain momentum. 

Emerging Technologies: Ethical AI and Cross-Sector Impact 
Malatsi rejects narrow definitions of digital transformation, stressing its cross-sector impact, particularly in cybersecurity. On AI, he sees potential in productivity and creativity but also cautions against ethical risks like misinformation and IP misuse. 

Digital Literacy, Education Reform, and Meaningful Digitization 
Digital literacy is a government priority, with plans to integrate digital tools into education and reform curricula for future-ready skills. Malatsi stresses that technology must be “an instrument for progress, not a box-ticking exercise.” He critiques shallow digitization and calls for better digital public services. 

“The ultimate goal is to have a digitally inclusive South Africa. As long as I'm in this role, everything we do will be geared towards digital inclusion—expanding digital skills, creating opportunities, and ensuring that as many South Africans as possible can participate in the digital economy.”
 — Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies 

This episode was filmed on: 7th August 2024 at the Multichoice Headquarter in Johannesburg

Thank you for listening The TechAfrica News Podcast in Partnership with Smart Africa! For more insights, subscribe to our podcast and visit:
www.techafricanews.com/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network.

© 2025 TechAfrica News & The TechAfrica News Podcast. All rights reserved.