The ambitious undertaking involves the installation of over 13,000 solar panels across an area of approximately 28,100 square meters.

This massive solar array will generate a total of 6 megawatts of electricity, significantly reducing the shopping centre’s reliance on the grid.

The decision to invest in solar power comes in response to the ongoing load-shedding challenges faced by South Africa.

Eastgate’s parent company, Liberty Two Degrees, has committed to a sustainable future and aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

“This is a monumental achievement for Eastgate and a testament to our dedication to environmental responsibility,” said Melinda Isaacs, L2D’s Developments executive.

“By reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring uninterrupted operations during load shedding, we are creating a more sustainable and resilient future for our customers, tenants, and the community.”

The completed solar installation is expected to generate substantial energy savings and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Eastgate Shopping Centre remains committed to providing a seamless shopping experience for its customers, even during challenging times.

This innovative platform aims to tackle the challenges of financial exclusion, exorbitant transaction fees, and limited banking access prevalent in many African countries.

At the core of the NeoNomad platform is ZARcoin (ZARC), a stablecoin pegged to the South African Rand.

By seamlessly integrating cryptocurrency and traditional currency, ZARC facilitates swift and secure digital transactions both domestically and internationally.

The platform also ensures transparency and accountability through rigorous adherence to anti-money laundering, counter-financing of terrorism, know-your-customer, and privacy regulations.

“Our goal is to empower individuals to make informed financial decisions,” said Hanres Beukes, CEO of NeoNomad. “By creating a robust financial ecosystem, we aim to overcome barriers like infrastructure limitations and enable greater financial participation.”

Leveraging Solana Pay technology, the NeoNomad app offers instant, low-cost transactions through a decentralized e-banking system.

Users can effortlessly make cryptocurrency payments at physical stores by scanning QR codes, thanks to seamless integration with existing point-of-sale systems.

NeoNomad’s hybrid exchange platform represents a significant step forward in financial inclusion for Africa, promising to transform people’s interactions with money.

The collaboration aims to boost the growth of Somali businesses by providing them with a secure and efficient way to conduct online transactions.

The payment gateway will enable businesses to expand their customer reach, boost revenue, and compete effectively on a global scale.

Shehryar Ali, MasterCard’s Country Manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, emphasized the partnership’s significance, stating that it will enable Somali businesses to tap into the growing e-commerce market.

The platform aligns with MasterCard’s broader goal of integrating 50 million micro and small businesses into the digital economy by 2025.

Premier Bank’s involvement in this initiative is part of its 2030 strategy to create a comprehensive payment ecosystem benefiting both cardholders and merchants.

The rapid growth of online shopping in Africa, fueled by increased internet penetration and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, presents a significant opportunity for Somali businesses.

With a growing mobile phone and internet user base, the Premier Payment Gateway is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of Somali consumers who are increasingly seeking convenient and secure online shopping experiences.

The deal marks a strategic move for LULA, which aims to scale its services and solidify its position in the market.

Founded in 2014 by Xabiso Nodada and Velani Mboweni, LULA offers a tech-enabled solution for employee transportation, providing safe and reliable rides between homes and workplaces.

The company has experienced substantial growth over the past five years, with a consistent year-on-year increase of between 2.5 and 4 times its size, despite economic challenges.

Zeelo, a similar platform specializing in smart bus solutions for organizations, will now see its South African operations integrated into LULA’s platform.

This acquisition is expected to boost LULA’s customer base, vehicle fleet, and workforce, enabling the company to expand its reach both domestically and into other African markets.

“This acquisition is a game-changer for LULA,” said Xabiso Nodada, co-founder of LULA. “It propels us into profitability and provides the necessary foundation for strategic growth.”

Zeelo, which entered the South African market in 2018, is refocusing its efforts on the UK, Ireland, and North America.

The company expressed gratitude for its time in South Africa and confidence in LULA’s ability to continue serving its customers and partners effectively.

“We believe LULA is well-positioned to address South Africa’s transportation challenges,” said Sam Ryan, founder and CEO of Zeelo. “We are excited to support this transition and anticipate LULA’s future success.”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the significance of this program in a social media post, urging the youth to register, acquire skills, and obtain international certification.

“The 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative we launch today is a great opportunity… I call upon everyone to encourage the youth to register for the program, gain skills, and acquire international certification,” he stated.

This initiative stems from a proposal by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, originally presented at the 2017 World Economic Forum under the “One Million Arab Coders” program.

The aim is to provide basic digital literacy training to 5 million Ethiopian youth by 2026, with a particular focus on ensuring that at least 50% of the participants are young women.

The program will offer training in Programming, Data Science, and Android Kotlin Developer Fundamentals.

It will be integrated into the curricula of schools, TVET institutes, and other centers, particularly targeting rural areas.

Learners will receive support from mentors on a dedicated Community Platform, helping them overcome technical challenges throughout the 6-7 week course.

Successful participants will earn skill-based certifications.

Prime Minister Abiy highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, stating that the trained coders would “create innovative local solutions” and “become a beacon of hope for our continent.”

This joint effort between Ethiopia and the UAE aims to equip the Ethiopian youth with essential digital skills, fostering innovation and development across the nation.