In yet another milestone, Liquid Intelligent Technologies (www.Liquid.Tech), a business of Cassava Technologies, a leading technology company of African heritage, has announced the upgrade of its 1,300km fibre route connecting Kenya’s east coast city of Mombasa to Busia on the Ugandan border, bringing additional multi-terabit capacity and additional resilience to the region.  

This high-speed route and the upgrades to the existing routes between Kenya and Uganda enhance digital connectivity while supporting several other East African countries with greater efficiency and reliable regional connectivity. This expansion allows Liquid to offer 99.99% uptime availability of services between Mombasa and the Uganda border to its customers, further solidifying its role as a leader in the region’s digital transformation. 

“This expansion is aligned with Liquid’s vision of a digitally connected Africa that leaves no one behind. The improved connectivity provided by this route, complementing our existing routes to the Uganda border, will support critical business sectors across the region, providing reliable, high-capacity networks essential for digital transformation and economic development. Liquid’s investment also complements the Kenyan government’s digital transformation initiatives, contributing the infrastructure and connectivity needed to develop digital superhighways (https://apo-opa.co/47u4Kp6) and digitise services,” said Adil El Youssefi, Chief Executive Officer of Liquid Intelligent Technologies: Rest of Africa. 

Kenya is emerging as a leading digital and connectivity hub in East Africa, with multiple undersea cable providers docking at the port of Mombasa. Liquid’s new fibre route complements its existing terrestrial fibre routes, rapidly expanding data traffic and further boosting the region’s connectivity capabilities.  

Using advanced technology, the new fibre route carries several terabits of data, making it a scalable option to meet the needs of Liquid’s retail, home, enterprise and wholesaler customers. It also positions Liquid’s East African operations well to support international hyperscalers entering the African market seeking to access the opportunities and growth that the continent has to offer.  

The route’s increased capacity strengthens both land and undersea networks, adding extra protection to keep services running smoothly, even in the event of disruptions. Liquid monitors the route closely to ensure uninterrupted service.  

With over 110,000km of fibre networks, Liquid remains committed to enabling a connected Africa that fuels innovation, drives economic growth, and fosters socio-economic development.  

Liquid’s ongoing investment in fibre network infrastructure is another clear demonstration of its dedication to advancing technology and innovation across Africa and empowering communities to embrace the digital future. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

About Liquid Intelligent Technologies  
Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a business of Cassava Technologies, a pan-African technology group with operations in over 25 countries in Africa. Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading provider of pan-African digital infrastructure with a 110,000 km-long fibre broadband network and satellite connectivity that provides high-speed access to the Internet anywhere in Africa. Liquid is also leveraging its digital network to provide Cloud and Cyber Security solutions through strategic partnerships with leading global players. Liquid is a comprehensive technology solutions group that provides customised digital solutions to public and private sector enterprises and SMEs across the continent. For more information, visit https://www.Liquid.Tech/ 

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has unanimously resolved that a proposed draft motion in respect to regulations governing the maximum amount of a donation that can be accepted and the threshold amount of donations that must be disclosed must undergo a public participation process to ensure that it is reflective of the will and views of the people.

The draft motion tried to remedy a lacuna in the Electoral Matters Amendment Act of 2014 as confirmed by the Western Cape High Court judgement in the matter of My Vote Counts NPC v The President and others. In making the decision, the committee highlighted the importance of public participation in line with Section 59 (1) of the constitution that compels the National Assembly to facilitate public involvement in its processes.

The draft motion proposes that, in terms of section 24 of the Act, the President as soon as reasonably possible, makes regulations regarding the amounts contemplated in section 8(2) and 9(1)(a) of the Act in accordance with the process set out in that Act, and that the President in that regard considers amounts set by items 7 and 9 of Schedule 2 to the Act prior to its amendment by the Electoral Matters Amendment Act 2024 (Act No. 14 of 2024), namely:

(i) the amount referred to in section 8(2) (upper limit of donations) being fifteen million rand in a financial year; and

(ii) the amount referred to in section 9(1)(a) (disclosure limit) of the Act being one hundred thousand rand in a financial year.

The committee will in due course communicate avenues that the public can contribute comments to the draft motion.

Meanwhile, the committee adopted a report on the draft notice determining the remuneration of Commissioners of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years in line with the Determination of Remuneration of Office-Bearers of Independent Constitutional Institutions Laws Amendment Act of 2014.

The committee concurred with the President’s determination on the remuneration adjustment of IEC Commissioners, that a retrospective salary increases of 3% be implemented for the 2023/24 financial year and 2.5% for the 2024/25 financial year for the Chairperson and other full-time Commissioners.

The committee will recommend to the National Assembly to approve the notice determining the remuneration of the Commissioners of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

Furthermore, the committee received a presentation from Parliament’s Public Education Office on their plans to ensure a rigorous public participation process on the Marriage Bill [B43 – 2023]. The committee intends on undertaking a comprehensive public participation process and the presentation laid a framework that will be followed to ensure that the public participation process that will be undertaken will be inclusive and meaningful.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

The Portfolio Committee on Tourism today met with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) to discuss the different tourism development programmes the two entities are implementing on behalf of the Department of Tourism.

The NEF gave an update on the Transformation Fund, a funding initiative targeting tourism businesses in previously disadvantaged communities. The entity’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mzwamadoda Dayimani, explained that the partnership and co-funding arrangement between NEF and the department applies to all transactions supported under the programme.

“The department funds through a grant, limited to R5 million per transaction and if a transaction value is more than R10 million, the NEF funds the excess. The NEF portion is funded through a repayable loan,” Mr Dayimani said.

A number of the projects supported through this Fund are still in the development stage and servicing their loans. After paying off the loans, the projects are expected to be self-sustainable and create more jobs. The funding also comes with post-investment support to ensure they meet their financial targets and repay the loans.

SEFA Acting CEO, Mr Nkosikhona Mbatha, presented a progress report on the Tourism Equity Fund (TEF) to the committee. This Fund seeks to increase growth and transformation and stimulate more inclusive participation in the tourism sector in line with the Tourism BBBEE Sector Codes. It also addresses funding challenges faced by enterprises in the tourism sector.

TEF’s core funding activities focus on accommodation, hospitality and related services, travel and related services, and tourism-related products that support the development of the tourism sector in South Africa.

The committee Chairperson, Ms Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe, said the department should provide additional funding for the programme to accommodate increasing demand, implement awareness programmes, and strengthen post-funding support to ensure the funded projects are sustainable.

“NEF must also increase its own funding because it is clear that there is a demand for this support and should consider stretching the repayment period because tourism projects take long to break even,” said the Chairperson.

Commenting on the SEFA presentation, Ms Mnganga-Gcabashe, said the entity should expedite processing applications for funding as there seems to be slow progress.
She also advised the two agencies and the department to consider the quality of jobs created through these programmes versus the quantity of menial jobs.

“We also need to ensure equitable geographical share of the programmes. Instead of approving projects in more developed areas, we must spread to previously disadvantaged communities,” she said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

VistaJet (VistaJet.com) brought business leaders, heads of state and governments together at one of the world’s largest forums in the 9th Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing from September 4 to 6. The FOCAC summit, which meets once every 3 years alternating between China and Africa, aims to expand and deepen the China-Africa cooperation and relationship.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) (http://apo-opa.co/3z2FR7f) China has become Africa’s largest trading partner under programs such as the Belt and Road Initiative. Around 20% of the region’s exports now go to China and about 16% of Africa’s imports come from China. This amounted to a record high of $282 billion in total trade volume in 2023. Growing the private aviation network in both China and Africa, VistaJet plays a crucial role to foster business ties and help drive mutually beneficial economic growth and development in the regions.

During this year’s FOCAC, China further amplified its commitment to the development of Africa by pledging China’s support across Africa with a funding of nearly $51 billion over the next three years, backing for more infrastructure projects, and the creation of at least 1 million jobs. Similarly, the second Indonesia-Africa Forum was held in Bali in early September, where Indonesia successfully recorded 32 business partnerships with a total value of over $3.5 billion, demonstrating the growing relationship between Asia and Africa.

Philippe Scalabrini, President of Europe and Africa at VistaJet said: “The role of private aviation does not stop at air mobility. Not only it is the safest and most efficient way for point-to-point travel, it also brings the world together and opens the door to deep collaborations and exploring new opportunities. Every day VistaJet is trusted by world leaders because it focuses on what it does best – providing the most rigorous safety and security, upholding to its commitment of guaranteed aircraft availability for its Members to fly anywhere at any time – to offer maximum efficiency in private travel.”

Through 2023, VistaJet witnessed a steady increase in its Members’ base across regions, with a marked 35% year-on-year growth recorded in Africa. The demand for services from Africa and China in particular continues to rise in 2024 – the most requested aircraft being Challenger 605 for regional flights and Global 7500 for long-haul travel up to 17 hours non-stop. In the past 12 months, VistaJet has deployed a dedicated fleet in Africa to accommodate the increasing flight demand among the continent’s countries, China and the rest of the world.

With a Members’ fleet of aircraft covering 96% of the world, VistaJet continues to bridge the economic advancement of different regions in the world and showcases the indispensable role of private aviation in fostering business opportunities and economic growth. VistaJet is committed to exceptional service ensures that businesses can maximize their global potential efficiently and with ease.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VistaJet.

Media Contact: 
VistaJet
press@vistajet.com

About VistaJet:
VistaJet is the first and only global business aviation company, leading the industry by setting higher standards of service and safety for 20 years. On its fleet of silver and red business jets, VistaJet has flown corporations, governments and private clients to 207 countries and territories, covering 96% of the world.

Founded in 2004, the company pioneered an innovative business model where customers have access to an entire fleet whilst paying only for the hours they fly, free of the responsibilities and asset risks linked to aircraft ownership. VistaJet’s signature Program membership offers clients a bespoke subscription of flight hours with guaranteed access to the Vista Members’ fleet to fly them anytime, anywhere.

VistaJet is part of Vista — the world’s first private aviation ecosystem, integrating a unique portfolio of companies offering asset free solutions to cover all key aspects of business aviation.
More VistaJet information and news at VistaJet.com

VistaJet Limited is a European air carrier that operates 9H registered aircraft under its Maltese Air Operator Certificate No. MT-17 and is incorporated in Malta under Company Number C 55231. VistaJet US Inc. is an Air Charter Broker that does not operate aircraft. VistaJet and its subsidiaries are not U.S. direct carriers. VistaJet-owned and U.S. registered aircraft are operated by properly licensed U.S. air carriers, including XOJET Aviation LLC.