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Taking Africa’s software testing talent global

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The company aligns a career map for each employee and is committed to advancing them from a “start” to a “vision” position in their career

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 11, 2022 South African pure-play software testing company, Inspired Testing (www.InspiredTesting.com), is on a continent-wide drive to attract, develop and place Africa’s digital talent on the global stage. The company is on a determined path to ensure that African talent plays a meaningful role in the 4th Industrial Revolution and believes that the continent’s digital-savvy talent is the answer to a worldwide software skills shortage.

Andre Barnard, Chief People and Culture Officer at Inspired Testing (https://bit.ly/3NYCe4P), says, “We are currently headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa and in Edinburgh and London, the United Kingdom, servicing local and global clients from both locations. Our endeavour to further grow into other territories means that we’re unlocking employment opportunities for software testers from the likes of Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia and from other countries on our continent.”

“We want to partner with potential employees, be they senior or intermediate automation engineers or graduates seeking to further a career in software testing. We will even consider testers that are self-taught. We are willing to give you the opportunity of growing with us and further developing your skills especially if you are aligned with our purpose and trust-centred values of ability, integrity and dependability. Our leadership is challenged to be real partners of our employees – to listen and to act accordingly for the benefit of every individual in our organisation,” says Barnard.

Inspired Testing describes the candidates it seeks as ideally in possession of an ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) Certification or willing to acquire this qualification within 3 months, coupled with a readiness to grow and engage and someone who wants to take control of their progression in software testing. The company aligns a career map for each employee and is committed to advancing them from a “start” to a “vision” position in their career.

Barnard says that the company’s employees and its leadership are known for possessing a “mentality of abundance”. He describes this notion as, “Being intentional in always giving away our best.”

“Our purpose is to make way for potential, “says Barnard when asked what Inspired Testing had to offer persons seeking employment at the organisation. He went on to explain that truly making way for potential has to go beyond just paying a market-related remuneration. “It comprises access to leadership, a functional mentorship programme, the opportunity to upskill and self-develop, with funding assistance from the company, and global work exposure to multinational companies of varying sizes.”

Inspired Testing’s global clients span across Legal, Banking, Financial Services, Telecommunications, e-Commerce and Retail sectors, to name a few.

Barnard points out that the business verticals that they currently service have grown exponentially during the Covid-19 pandemic and the strategic migration and deeper advancement to digital-first platforms and operations have indeed created quite an upsurge in the software industry, thereby creating the need for more resources in software testing as a discipline.

Inspired Testing also runs The Inspired Academy, that tailor makes programmes and curriculums designed specifically for the upskilling of clients’ software testing teams and individuals who wants to advance their career. The academy, borne from the organisation’s desire to positively impact both society and the industry sector they operate in, has seen many successfully completed training courses in the six months passed. The programmes run here directly contribute to ramping up software testing skills sets and often leads to career progression for the incumbents.

The company invites all interested software testers to connect with them on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/35SLS7P) or visit the career page (https://bit.ly/3xdNy7d) on their website to discover the global possibilities that await their homegrown talent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Inspired Testing.

Business

Liquid C2 launches Africa’s first Google Cloud-powered Experience Centre to accelerate Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption

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Liquid C2

The Partner Experience Centre provides the partner and reseller ecosystem in Africa with direct access to enterprise-grade technologies such as Gemini Enterprise, and the “Gemini Playspace” for rapid AI experimentation

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 8, 2026/APO Group/ –Liquid C2, a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader, has launched Africa’s first Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud in Johannesburg, South Africa. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to empower partners and resellers to move beyond traditional distribution, providing the immersive, hands-on environment needed to architect and deploy cloud and AI solutions tailored specifically to African market needs.

 

Through the Centre, partners will be onboarded to a structured journey that guides them in securing official Google Cloud accreditation and certification. Beyond technical training provided by both Liquid C2 and Google, the centre will also serve as a collaborative hub, allowing them to work alongside specialist engineers to architect bespoke solutions. Once finalised, these solutions will be brought to market through Liquid’s robust distribution network. This expansion not only opens new commercial avenues for partners but also acts as a catalyst for high-value job creation and the rapid maturation of Africa’s technology ecosystem.

The Partner Experience Centre provides the partner and reseller ecosystem in Africa with direct access to enterprise-grade technologies such as Gemini Enterprise, and the “Gemini Playspace” for rapid AI experimentation. It also provides specialist expertise to prototype, test, and scale digital solutions in real-world environments. The centre is a testament to Liquid C2’s commitment to strengthening its role within the partner ecosystem in Africa, as it supports partners in overcoming infrastructure constraints, skills gaps, and complexity barriers that often slow digital transformation efforts across the continent.

As demand for advanced digital capabilities grows, the Partner Experience Centre serves as an innovation hub where enterprises, startups, academic institutions, developers, and public-sector stakeholders can co-create locally-relevant solutions, fostering a sense of shared progress and community across Africa.

The Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud creates a practical environment where organisations can explore, test, and scale solutions that deliver real business value

The facility also provides industry-specific platforms tailored to sectors including financial services, healthcare, and retail. These platforms demonstrate how AI-enabled solutions can reduce operational risk, improve efficiency, enhance customer engagement, and unlock new growth opportunities across African markets.

“At Cassava Technologies, we believe the future of Africa’s digital transformation will be shaped through strong ecosystems that combine global innovation with local infrastructure and expertise,” said Ziaad Suleman, Senior Vice President, Cassava Technologies and CEO, South Africa & Botswana. “The Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud creates a practical environment where organisations can explore, test, and scale solutions that deliver real business value. By combining our infrastructure, expertise, and continental reach with Google Cloud’s advanced technologies, we are helping to democratise access to AI and cloud capabilities for enterprises across Africa.”

“This is a pivotal moment in our commitment to Africa’s digital future,” said Tara Brady, President, Google Cloud EMEA. “The Partner Experience Centre is a testament to our belief in the power of a strong partner ecosystem. By combining our advanced AI capabilities, including our Gemini models, with Liquid C2’s localised expertise, we are not just building a facility; we are building a hub for innovation that will empower businesses, create jobs, and deliver the benefits of digital transformation to every corner of the continent.”

The collaboration will focus on three core pillars of transformation:

  • Accelerated Partner Enablement: The centre acts as a dedicated Proof-of-Concept (PoC) hub designed to dismantle historical market barriers. It provides localised training, hands-on technology interaction, and business support, leveraging Liquid’s capabilities to offer local currency billing and credit to manage financial complexity for resellers.
  • AI and Technology Innovation: A primary focus is empowering partners to build and deploy advanced AI solutions. The facility features a dedicated “Gemini Playspace & AI Solutions” to certify technical staff, alongside integrated “Solutions Pods” where partners can demonstrate complete technology stacks to win complex enterprise bids.
  • Economic Growth and Job Creation: The partnership is a direct investment in Africa’s tech workforce. By strategically broadening the partner network, the initiative will foster deep, localised expertise and act as a catalyst for new economic opportunities, creating a significant ripple effect of job creation for certified engineers and other tech professionals across the continent.

As a business of Cassava Technologies, Liquid C2 has always been at the forefront of bringing cutting-edge digital technologies to African businesses, both directly and through its partner ecosystem. This first-of-its-kind Partner Experience Centre is yet another milestone that reflects the company’s commitment to partnerships that leverage its continental footprint to serve a broader base of organisations.

Aligned with this, Cassava continues to expand digital inclusion across Africa through its integrated portfolio of connectivity, cloud, cyber security, and digital solutions, ensuring that a broad spectrum of organisations, regardless of size or sector, can access and benefit from advanced technologies, thereby enabling more inclusive participation in Africa’s digital economy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

 

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Hospitality

Africa’s fastest-growing hotel group CityBlue Hotels selects Inntelo AI to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI)-native operations across portfolio

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CityBlue Hotels

The partnership also includes the development of educational programmes to advance skills, innovation, and AI adoption across Africa’s hospitality industry

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 1, 2026/APO Group/ –CityBlue Hotels, one of Africa’s fastest-growing hotel groups, has selected UK-based platform Inntelo AI to deploy AI-native concierge agents across its portfolio, marking a significant step in the group’s strategy to lead the next phase of hospitality innovation across the continent. The announcement will be unveiled at the Future Hospitality Summit Africa (www.FutureHospitality.com) taking place in Nairobi on 31 March 2026.

The rollout represents one of the first scaled implementations of AI-native concierge agents in African hospitality, positioning CityBlue Hotels at the forefront of AI-driven transformation in the sector.

Operating across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and expected to open soon in Ghana, Uganda and Zambia, with additional strategic tie-ups in South Africa and Mozambique, CityBlue Hotels’ partnership with Inntelo AI comes amid continued growth in Africa’s tourism sector, supported by rising intra-African travel and increasing global demand for new destinations.

As part of its broader digital strategy, CityBlue Hotels will deploy Inntelo AI’s platform to embed AI directly into hotel operations. The AI-native system coordinates guest interactions and service workflows in real time, enabling faster response times, improved task prioritisation, and consistent service delivery at scale, while allowing teams to focus on high-value, in-person guest engagement.

This partnership allows us to embed AI at the core of how we operate—supporting our teams in real time, reducing friction, and elevating the guest experience across every property

The partnership also includes the development of educational programmes to advance skills, innovation, and AI adoption across Africa’s hospitality industry.

Jameel Verjee, said:

“CityBlue has always been focused on where our markets are going. As we scale, AI-native operations become essential to delivering consistency, speed, and quality across multiple geographies.

“This partnership allows us to embed AI at the core of how we operate—supporting our teams in real time, reducing friction, and elevating the guest experience across every property. Just as importantly, we are shaping how AI is applied within an African context.”

Asif Alidina, added:

“CityBlue Hotels is exactly the kind of operator that defines where the industry is heading. Their focus on AI-native operations and scalable systems makes them a natural partner.

“Together, we are deploying technology that is purpose-built for hospitality—combining conversational and agentic AI to support teams, enhance guest experiences, and set a new standard for modern hotel operations in Africa.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa).

 

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Business

Wingu Africa Launches Wingu Cloud Exchange in Ethiopia

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Wingu Africa

Secure, compliant, and scalable cloud services built for East Africa

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 31, 2026/APO Group/ –Wingu Africa (www.Wingu.Africa), the pioneering specialist provider of carrier-neutral, Tier III-standard data centres in East Africa, has announced the launch of the Wingu Cloud Exchange (WCX), a new private cloud platform tailored specifically for East African businesses and now available in Ethiopia.

With WCX, Ethiopian organisations can keep their data securely within the country, ensuring compliance with local regulations and protecting sensitive information. For businesses, this enables faster access to services, improved operational efficiency, and reliable support through locally optimised infrastructure.

WCX is a game-changer for African businesses. We are delivering secure, compliant, and scalable cloud solutions built specifically for local needs

Demos Kyriacou, Deputy CEO, COO and Co-founder of Wingu Africa, said, “WCX is a game-changer for African businesses. We are delivering secure, compliant, and scalable cloud solutions built specifically for local needs. With this platform, we are setting a new standard for digital infrastructure in the region and accelerating Ethiopia’s transformation into a digitally enabled economy.”

WCX brings together essential cloud services such as computing, storage, container management, and security, making advanced technology accessible to companies of all sizes. Enterprises can scale operations on demand, pay predictable prices in local currency, and avoid the uncertainties of foreign exchange or hidden fees. This gives businesses clarity in planning and the freedom to grow without constraints.

The platform offers a full range of services, including Wingu Compute, Wingu Kubernetes, Wingu Drive, and Wingu Security, enabling businesses to deploy, manage, and secure applications with confidence. The platform also integrates seamlessly with existing on-premises systems and complements global providers such as Azure and AWS, offering customers flexible hybrid options tailored to their operational requirements.

The launch of WCX highlights the company’s commitment to advancing Ethiopia’s digital transformation and strengthening the region’s cloud infrastructure. By delivering locally relevant solutions, Wingu Africa supports sustainable growth and inclusive development, while addressing customer demand for simplicity, reliability, and predictability in cloud adoption.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Wingu Africa.

 

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