By Bradley Elliott, CEO of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) platform RelyComply Technology has advanced. Human needs haven’t. The industry has confused removing friction with delivering care. Your chatbot just told a grieving widow to check the FAQ. Somewhere, a product team celebrated the deflection rate. . That sentence should be uncomfortable. It is also, for too many…
Enhancing AI powered, advisor‑led customer service through responsible, human‑led design FNB has announced the enhancement of its virtual assistant platform, NAVi, as part of a broader move to strengthen advisor-led banking and improve how customers experience servicing in real time. NAVi was launched as a virtual assistant on the FNB Banking App late last year, to…
By Bradley Elliott, CEO of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) platform RelyComply The Financial Sector Conduct Authority’s (FSCA) call for a centralised anti-fraud hub at its 2026 conference reflects a timely recognition that South Africa’s Financial Institutions (FIs) can’t successfully fight financial crime in isolation. However, centralisation alone is not sufficient. The real opportunity lies in turning shared intelligence into…
By Amenda Makhetha-Sebake – Head of Data Privacy and Protection, FirstRand Group Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept; it’s woven into the fabric of life today. And beyond just a technological revolution, AI is shaping up to be a test in trust. As it becomes embedded in daily life, what’s key is whether…
Mandla Ngidi, Associate The convenience of modern AI tools is irresistible. These AI tools draft, summarise, brainstorm, and structure strategies in seconds. But in the recent case of United State v Heppner (“Heppner”), we are sharply reminded that convenience can come at a steep discovery cost. If you build or refine legal strategies with a public…
By Danielle van Deventer Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in Africa. It is here, it is being used, and it is now reshaping regulatory agendas and courtroom practice across the continent. Over the last two years, we have seen a decisive shift in how African governments approach AI. What was once discussed…
As digital technologies continue to reshape industries at an accelerated pace, the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adapt has become a defining factor in their survival and growth. Across key sectors, particularly those undergoing rapid transformation, businesses that fail to integrate digital capabilities face an increasing risk of stagnation or failure. In…
Standard Bank, Africa’s largest bank by assets, continues to support Optasia, a leading AI‑led fintech company with the largest fintech IPO on the JSE in 2025, through a joint underwrite and participation in the syndicated refinancing and upsizing of its term facilities of USD 180 million and bank guarantees of USD 150 million. The bank acted…
Tana Malinga South Africa stands at a defining AI crossroads, one where rapid adoption is no longer the challenge, but sustainable execution is. Across industries, organisations are embracing artificial intelligence at speed, unlocking visible productivity gains and early wins. But beneath this momentum lies a growing tension: many are trying to scale AI on digital…
By Ernst Wittmann, TCL Regional Manager for Southern & East Africa and Global Operator Account Manager for Africa Online commerce is no longer new to the South African market, with research from World Wide Worx indicating that ecommerce surpassed R130 billion in 2025 and captured close to 10% of total retail sales. Smartphone users are driving a significant…
