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How the hottest technologies in enterprise IT can also be the coolest

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An endless appetite for data doesn’t have to mean gorging on power

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 20, 2022/APO Group/ — 

The amount of data we produce, distribute, and consume in our professional and social lives is ever increasing. But it’s all too easy, particularly for non-technologists, to forget that the remorseless increase in data processing and distribution can also lead to a remorseless increase in power consumption.

This dilemma is illustrated by data centres. They are the engine of the compute growth that informs, educates and entertains the world, and enables collaboration that will help us tackle the challenges of climate change.

But substantial research (bit.ly/3ClQW0x) by the International Energy Agency shows that data centres accounted for 200 to 250 TWh, or one per cent of total world electricity demand in 2020, while data transmission networks – mobile and fixed lined – accounted for 1.1 to 1.4 per cent of worldwide electricity use.

It’s a tribute to the ingenuity of the tech world that, so far, data centre operators and tech providers have managed to hold the line on energy consumption. Data centre energy use has remained fairly constant over the last ten years, even as internet traffic has expanded 15-fold. In 2020 alone, global internet traffic surged by 40 per cent.

But can technology providers maintain this level of efficiency? More and more people are connecting to the internet for work or pleasure, and emerging compute-intensive workloads such as AI or IoT are ever more demanding.

Indeed, can technology vendors take the initiative, and support these ever more demanding workloads, while simultaneously making data centres and networks more efficient, and reducing energy consumption down in the process?

At MWC in Barcelona this month, Huawei explained how the company is enabling providers and operators to meet these more demanding use cases, and process and deliver ever more data, while driving down energy consumption at the heart of the data centre, and beyond.

One way to reduce power consumption within the data centre is through the use of all-flash storage, and the all-flash storage market is forecast to grow 7.6 per cent this year according to IDC. With fewer moving parts, and higher density, SSDs require far less power – and cooling – than their traditional mechanically based hard disk forebears and are considered more reliable. Moreover, they are also more efficient from a data point of view, reducing access latency by half to 0.05ms, for example, and potentially increasing backup speed by a factor of three.

Less power, in a flash

And when it comes to the AI driven workloads that are imposing an increasing strain on data centres, Huawei’s all-flash OceanStor Dorado (bit.ly/3CNL9Bg) can improve algorithm efficiency by 60 per cent.

The platform offers both SAN and NAS, with built-in ransomware detection and protection, and delivers 30 per cent higher performance on small files and blocks. The result is higher utilisation of CPUs, helping boost overall compute efficiency within the data centre.

One way to reduce power consumption within the data centre is through the use of all-flash storage

But innovation within the data centre’s storage racks alone won’t solve the problem of increasing power consumption within the data centre. Networking too is an essential, and power hungry, element within the data centre, and beyond. And the data centre is just one component of the cloud, and the overall digitalization equation.

Huawei also used MWC to highlight its CloudFabric 3.0 strategy, which aims to reduce packet loss across networks. At the same time, the platform’s intelligent algorithms reduce opex by up to 30 per cent. Reduced opex results in less resources wasted. The result is an SDN architecture which industry consultants Tolly declared delivers the highest level of autonomous driving (prn.to/3SmAOlj) in the industry.

Meanwhile, Huawei’s CloudWAN 3.0 technology, based on its NetEngine 8000 F8 routers, unveiled at MWC, enables the construction of experience centric IP production networks and office services. The platform launches with forwarding capability of 2Tbps, which will increase to 6.4Tbps in the future. But it also features two patented technologies – SRU warm backup and a rectifier circuit – which help to deliver a 30 per cent reduction in power consumption.

The Cloud Campus 3.0 solution (bit.ly/3eJo3Ui) enables further efficiency, with its “concise structure” reducing the classic three layer model of access, aggregation and core, to just two, access and core. By transforming the access switch into a highly flexible, remote extension Huawei delivers an 80 per cent reduction in equipment management nodes.

Rectifying the power dilemma

The architecture also features Power over Ethernet technology, allowing power to be delivered to terminals over data lines. With each port requiring less than a 1W of power, overall energy consumption is reduced by 30 per cent compared to the industry average. In a campus with 2,000 unit users, that equates to a 23,800 kWh saving Huawei’s figures show. Resources are further preserved, with the PoE optical fibre network being maintenance free for 15 years.

You could think of Huawei’s vision of the Intelligent Cloud Network as the “Power Grid” of the digital world, supplying “digital” efficiently, 24 x 7. While simultaneously reducing the load on the actual power grid.

Looking even further afield, Huawei’s Fiber To The Office (FTTO) (bit.ly/3TlhHJS) and Fiber To The Machine (FTTM) solutions enable the new generation of industry 4.0 applications, such as smart factories, while again, working hard to increase efficiency.

For example, at MWC, Huawei showed how a smart healthcare network project at the Union Shenzhen Hospital delivered 10Gbps coverage, and reduced the number of O&M nodes by 60 percent, while 1000 CT images can be uploaded and downloaded within one second.

Huawei illustrated how the use of FTTM again rationalises the architecture in oil field operations from over 10 layers to just three and combines blistering speeds with secure data collection and intelligent management. Again, this reduces network maintenance costs by up to 70 per cent, while allowing unattended operations across a field of over 60,000 oil wells, all over a single network.

The architecture is similarly applicable to other heavyweight applications such as port management, power infrastructure, and metro transit. Huawei highlighted the application of its FTTM technology in a metro network, which resulted in an 80 per cent reduction in ELV room space, and a 90 per cent reduction in cabling space, while delivering network reliability of 99.999 per cent.

These are just some of the examples Huawei demonstrated at MWC this year. At the event, Huawei showcased how it supports customers in implementing innovative solutions and practices, from government and public sector through finance, transportation, energy, manufacturing, and of course, ISPs. In every scenario, Huawei focuses on reducing carbon emissions, which means that whatever customer problem the company is helping to solve, it also helps solve the biggest problem facing us all.

To go further in depth on how Huawei is changing the data centre, and the industries that rely on it, check out Huawei Enterprise at Huawei Connect 2022 (bit.ly/3VD4I85).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Huawei Enterprise.

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Afreximbank Sweeps 2025 Bloomberg Africa Borrower Loans League Tables; Affirming Top Spot as Africa’s Leading Arranger and Bookrunner

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5 hours ago

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March 5, 2026

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Afreximbank

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has solidified its dominance in African capital markets, clinching the Number 1 ranking as both Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner in the 2025 Bloomberg Africa Borrower Loans League Tables, as well as the Number 3 ranking for Administrative Agent.

 

These rankings recognise the Bank’s leadership in arranging debt solutions and mobilising large-scale capital from both within and outside Africa from a diverse range of investors to anchor the continent’s economic growth.

The rankings underscore Afreximbank’s commitment to facilitating capital flows in order to drive economic growth and prosperity in the continent

The results mark a continued ranking of Afreximbank as one of Africa’s market leaders at the top of the Bloomberg league tables over the past years. As Bookrunner, Afreximbank held 21.66% market share comprising 14 deals.

As Mandated Lead Arranger, the Bank accounted for 23.65% market share comprising 20 transactions. The activity, which accounted for these 20 deals, consisted primarily of syndicated transactions in the oil and gas sector, reflecting the Bank’s strategic intervention in closing the significant financing gap in the sector on the continent. The Number 3 Administrative Agency ranking delivered a market share of 13.92% with 13 deals, which also over-indexed in the oil and gas sector.

The Bloomberg Africa Borrower Loans League Tables are a subset of the Bloomberg Capital Markets League Tables, which represent the top arrangers, bookrunners and advisors across a broad array of deal types including loans, bonds, equity and M&A transactions, according to Bloomberg standards. It is a critical tool for investment bankers and analysts to evaluate market share, analyse competitors and identify market trends.

Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank, commented:

“I am delighted that the stellar performance of our colleagues has been reflected in Bloomberg’s prestigious league tables, which is a real testament to their assiduous determination and capability. The rankings underscore Afreximbank’s commitment to facilitating capital flows in order to drive economic growth and prosperity in the continent. We will continue to focus on leveraging our unique position to promote high-impact investments and bridge the financing gap across Africa’s most critical sectors.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Investment Agreement Signed in Caracas Concludes African Energy Chamber (AEC) Mission, Ushering in New Era of Africa–Venezuela Energy Cooperation

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5 hours ago

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March 5, 2026

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African Energy Chamber

The agreement caps a week of high-level engagements focused on upstream revitalization, trade expansion and human capital development between Africa and Venezuela

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 4, 2026/APO Group/ –The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) signed a wide-ranging Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last week in Caracas with the Ministry of People’s Power for Hydrocarbons of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA). The agreement establishes a structured framework for long-term collaboration across the full hydrocarbon value chain.

 

The agreement, signed at the culmination of a high-level working visit, sets in motion clear implementation mechanisms, including a Joint Working Group to define project pipelines, work plans and progress metrics. The MoU articulates coordinated outreach, joint studies and investment-ready frameworks while committing to structured capacity-building initiatives.

“This visit was about moving from conversation to coordination. The MoU we signed in Caracas is not a symbolic agreement – it is a working framework that aligns Africa and Venezuela around concrete investment, trade and training priorities. What we built this week is the foundation for sustained collaboration,” said NJ Ayuk, AEC Executive Chairman.

Structured Hydrocarbon Partnership

The MoU followed productive engagements between the AEC delegation and Venezuela’s petroleum leadership, where officials charted a 12-month action plan to accelerate hydrocarbon rehabilitation, gas development and cross-continental capital flows. Meetings included Venezuela’s Deputy Minister of Hydrocarbon Geopolitics, Deputy Minister of Gas, and PDVSA executives – all conveying a strategic intent to revitalize Venezuela’s oil and gas sector with targeted investor participation and clear regulatory models.

The plan identifies priority areas such as mature field workovers in the Faja del Orinoco, refinery modernization at Paraguaná and El Palito, gas commercialization and mechanisms to facilitate African operator entry via Production Participation Contracts and joint venture structures. Importantly, discussions extended into trade finance and structured LPG and bitumen flows to African markets, opening immediate avenues for South-South commercial energy supply chains.

The MoU we signed in Caracas is not a symbolic agreement – it is a working framework that aligns Africa and Venezuela around concrete investment, trade and training priorities

Practical Trade and Reciprocal Investment

A focal point of the visit was advancing practical trade and investment cooperation between Africa and Venezuela, anchored in mutual economic and energy imperatives. Discussions over the course of the week emphasized that both regions face similar challenges – energy poverty, infrastructure bottlenecks and the need for industrial value addition. Rather than transactional engagements, the aim was to build longer-term institutional alignment that supports bilateral trade flows, joint ventures and shared technical platforms.

Venezuela’s enormous hydrocarbon endowment – including roughly 300 billion barrels of oil reserves and significant gas resources – presents a complementary opportunity for African energy firms with deepwater, heavy crude and gas expertise. African companies were encouraged to explore upstream and downstream opportunities, with the AEC positioned as a facilitator of entry points and partnership structures.

Training Pathways

Beyond commercial deals, the visit foregrounded human capital development and training cooperation as a strategic pillar of the emerging partnership. Meetings with institutions including the Universidad Venezolana de los Hidrocarburos laid the groundwork for structured technical and executive training programs targeting African professionals. These initiatives aim to deepen operational know-how, bolster regulatory competence and reinforce local content objectives across African markets.

This emphasis on skill exchange reflects a deeper recognition: sustainable energy development requires not only capital and infrastructure but also robust institutional capacities. The AEC committed to frameworks supporting long-term training exchanges that will benefit petroleum engineers, geoscientists and industry leaders from both regions.

From Caracas to Cape Town

All of these outcomes from the Caracas visit resonate directly with the broader themes of African Energy Week (AEW) – the annual platform where ministers, national oil companies, investors and service providers align on policy, investment and industrial strategies. AEW’s agenda centers on catalyzing deals and fostering partnerships – priorities the Venezuela engagement advances through structured cooperation, shared investment roadmaps and deepened South-South trade corridors.

By anchoring this partnership in measurable commitments and multi-layered cooperation, the AEC’s Venezuela mission reinforces Africa’s expanding footprint in global energy diplomacy – one that looks beyond traditional North-South paradigms toward a more multipolar, mutually beneficial energy future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Cassava Technologies launches Cassava Cloud Partner programme to accelerate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud adoption across emerging markets

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5 hours ago

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March 5, 2026

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Cassava

Cassava empowers customers to deploy compute capabilities in a scalable, perfectly orchestrated manner from day one, following local compliance policies

BARCELONA, Spain, March 4, 2026/APO Group/ –Cassava Technologies (www.CassavaTechnologies.com), a global technology leader of African heritage, today announced the launch of the Cassava Cloud Partner (CCP) programme. The programme will enable mobile network operators (MNOs) and system integrators across Africa and Latin America to consume, resell, or distribute AI, Cloud, and digital services using Cassava’s infrastructure and technology platforms.

 

We are expanding Africa’s sovereign AI ecosystem to build solutions that address the continent’s unique challenges while creating new opportunities for growth and digital inclusion

“Through the CCP programme, we are working with partners to extend access to AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, digital capabilities and solutions enabling enterprises, developers, and entrepreneurs across the continent to build and deploy AI-powered solutions,” said Ahmed El Beheiry, Group COO and Group Chief Technology & AI Officer, Cassava Technologies. “We are expanding Africa’s sovereign AI ecosystem to build solutions that address the continent’s unique challenges while creating new opportunities for growth and digital inclusion.”

CCP will provide Cassava’s customers and partners with four clear value propositions. These include access to NVIDIA Cloud Partner solutions, Cassava’s complete turnkey AI Factory, its own native AI solutions and CAIMEx (http://apo-opa.co/409Eeyj), a localised multi-model platform that provides unified access to leading AI models through regional AI factories. Through CAIMEx, customers will gain unified access to advanced tools like the Customer Experience Conversational Interface (CECI) (http://apo-opa.co/4rd9WWl), Geospatial AI Ops (http://apo-opa.co/40cescP), and Cassava Autonomous Networks (http://apo-opa.co/40H6j05).

Cassava empowers customers to deploy compute capabilities in a scalable, perfectly orchestrated manner from day one, following local compliance policies.

Through the CCP programme, Cassava is removing barriers to entry, such as high upfront infrastructure costs, through a flexible managed approach. This supports Cassava’s broader strategy to build a sovereign cloud and AI ecosystem, spanning national and enterprise deployments, to enable governments and enterprises across Africa to access advanced AI infrastructure while maintaining control over their data and digital platforms.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cassava Technologies.

 

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