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IT Leaders Forum 2025: Shaping the Future of Business and Technology in Africa


JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 February 2025 – IT News Africa is proud to announce the IT Leaders Forum 2025, a premier gathering of top technology and information industry experts. The event is set to take place on March 12, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel in Sandton.

As organizations grapple with technology skills gaps, economic uncertainty, and ESG compliance mandates, IT leaders are increasingly turning to technology-driven solutions to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and drive profitability. The IT Leaders Forum 2025 is designed to equip CIOs and IT executives with the insights, strategies, and tools needed to navigate these challenges and seize new opportunities.

According to Abe Wakama, CEO of IT News Africa, “The IT Leaders Forum 2025 comes at a crucial time when businesses are navigating unprecedented technological advancements, economic shifts, and cybersecurity challenges. This event will provide a platform for IT executives to gain valuable insights, connect with industry leaders, and explore innovative solutions that will drive their organizations forward. Our goal is to empower attendees with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions and stay ahead in this fast-evolving digital era.”

What’s Included at IT Leaders Forum 2025:

This exclusive event will serve as a hub for cutting-edge discussions, industry trends, and innovative solutions shaping Africa’s IT landscape. Attendees can expect:

  • Expert-Led Discussions – Gain insights into IT leadership, cybersecurity, digital transformation, application modernization, and infrastructure management.
  • Industry-Specific Impact – Explore how emerging technologies are revolutionizing banking, healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
  • Networking with Industry Leaders – Connect with top CIOs, IT executives, and technology innovators from across Africa.
  • Actionable Takeaways – Discover practical strategies to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital space.

Key Benefits of Attending:

With digital transformation accelerating across industries, businesses must adapt, innovate, and secure their operations. The IT Leaders Forum 2025 will address key challenges and opportunities, covering topics such as:

  • Enhancing cybersecurity frameworks to mitigate risks.
  • Developing effective cloud strategies for business scalability.
  • Leveraging AI, automation, and emerging technologies to gain a competitive edge.
  • Building resilient IT leadership for future-proofing businesses.

Ideal Attendees for IT Leaders Forum:

The IT Leaders Forum 2025 is tailored for technology professionals and decision-makers, including:

  • Chief Information Officers (CIOs)
  • IT Directors & Managers
  • Tech Entrepreneurs
  • Cybersecurity Experts
  • Digital Transformation Leaders
  • Tech Vendors & Solution Providers
  • Policymakers & Government Officials in Technology

Key Speakers

The event will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:

  • John Bosco Arends – Chairperson, Chartered CIO Council
  • Manish Hira – IS Regional Manager: Asia Pacific, Servier
  • Ruan Schutte – Innovation Specialist, Liberty
  • Henry Abea – Head of ICT, Kimisitu SACCO, Kenya
  • Faith Burn – CIO, Eskom
  • Denisha Jairam-Owthar – CIO, Council for Medical Schemes


Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

Reasons to Sponsor IT Leaders Forum 2025

We offer a range of customizable sponsorship and exhibition opportunities tailored to meet your business objectives. Here’s why you should get involved:

  1. Direct Access to Decision-Makers – Engage with top-level IT executives and industry leaders.
  2. Brand Visibility & Recognition – Position your company as an industry leader among a highly targeted audience.
  3. Unparalleled Networking – Forge valuable relationships with potential clients, partners, and peers.
  4. Showcase Innovations – Present your latest technologies, solutions, and services to an engaged audience.
  5. Market Insights & Trends – Gain insider knowledge on emerging IT challenges and opportunities.
  6. Lead Generation – Connect with CIOs and IT professionals actively seeking solutions.

Save the Date & Special Offer

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to engage with some of the most influential IT leaders in Africa. Mark your calendars for March 12, 2025, and be part of a transformative event that will shape the future of IT.

Register before February 28, 2025, using the discount code ‘ITLEADERS50’ and save 50% on delegate passes!

Stay tuned for updates on the event agenda, speakers, and registration details.

For more information, visit IT News Africa and join the conversation on shaping Africa’s digital future.Hashtag: #ITNewsAfrica

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Clarivate Unveils Transformative Subscription-Based Access Strategy for Academia

New approach enables broad, simple and affordable access to trusted scholarly content for learning and research

LONDON, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Clarivate Plc (NYSE:CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, today announced a new subscription-based content access strategy. The new approach breaks down barriers through broad and affordable access to highly curated, trusted academic resources, including Ebooks and primary digital collections, enabling every library to support research, teaching and learning goals.

The way institutions purchase books, journals and other content for their users has shifted in recent years, particularly post-pandemic. Increasingly, libraries are faced with complex buying models that do not offer the content they require to support curricula and research needs. Libraries continue to prioritize solutions that offer affordability in a sustainable way.

At the same time, AI-powered chatbots are becoming ubiquitous as a method of discovery for students and researchers. The ability of academic AI tools to deliver reliable outputs depends on access to broad, vetted academic content.

Bar Veinstein, President, Academia & Government at Clarivate said: “We’re addressing libraries’ evolving needs by breaking down barriers and delivering seamless access to our curated content. Our goal is to make learning and research more accessible and affordable at a large scale, unlocking opportunities for every library, in every classroom and at every research department.

“Through this transformative approach, we’re helping institutions connect end users with academic AI tools grounded in comprehensive curated content, reinforcing libraries’ essential role in upholding academic integrity and excellence.”

The new strategy includes the introduction of two market-leading solutions that are now available.

ProQuest Ebooks offers the world’s largest subscription of high-quality, multidisciplinary scholarly Ebooks, including:

  • Over 700,000 Ebooks, across 10 core disciplines, plus additional essential interdisciplinary titles, enabling librarians to meet the needs of their faculty and students with broad discovery and access to the Ebooks they need
  • A new Ebook Central Reader app to enable students to read and bookmark on the go
  • The addition of Ebook Central Research Assistant, a powerful new AI tool designed to enhance student learning and streamline research.

ProQuest Digital Collections offers subscription to unparalleled breadth, value and access to primary sources across a rich variety of content formats:

  • Over 160 million primary source items complemented by over 2,500 full-text scholarly journals, more than 24,000 video titles, and 15 million audio tracks. The subscription builds upon over 30 years of digitizing primary sources, including many rare and unique resources.
  • Broad and interdisciplinary in scope, the subscription provides access to nine ProQuest One discipline solutions including Anthropology, Entertainment & Popular Culture, Global Studies & International Relations, History, Literature, Performing Arts, Visual Arts & Design.
  • ProQuest Research Assistant will continue to help students and researchers use academic AI responsibly, rooted in trusted academic content. The research assistant will expand over time to fully support ProQuest Digital Collections.

As part of this transformative strategy and following changes in demand from libraries, Clarivate will also phase out one-time perpetual purchases of digital collections, print and digital books for libraries. These transitions will take place throughout 2025, in close co-operation with customers. For more details see our support page.

Veinstein said: “From the introduction of Ebook subscriptions to index-based linking and discovery, creating cloud-based library management systems and academic AI research assistants, we have a proven history of pioneering and collaborating at the forefront of the industry.

“We’re now embarking on a new era in how institutions and their users access and consume content. We are committed to working as closely as ever with libraries and publishers, providing the guidance and solutions needed to meet the evolving needs of the community.”

For more information on ProQuest Ebooks, see here.

For more information on ProQuest Digital Collections click here.

About Clarivate
Clarivate™ is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit www.clarivate.com

Media contact:
Amy Bourke-Waite
Amy.bourkewaite@clarivate.com
newsroom@clarivate.com

oneZero acquires Autochartist

BOSTON, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — oneZero, the global leading provider of multi-asset enterprise technology solutions for trade execution and risk management for banks, brokers and buy side market participants, today announced the acquisition of Autochartist, a leading provider of client engagement automation through market data-driven content.

The acquisition creates a mutually beneficial relationship, enhancing both companies’ offerings by bringing two respective leaders in brokerage technology under one umbrella. Autochartist will continue to service its clients as the leading provider of client engagement automation for delivering market data driven content via email, CMS, messaging and social media platforms. In addition, the powerful cloud-based analytics and data engine that drives Autochartist will be integrated into oneZero’s market-leading offering, adding capabilities that empower clients with personalized, scalable market content that help drive customer engagement and retention.

“The acquisition of Autochartist represents a significant milestone for oneZero,” said Andrew Ralich, CEO and Co-Founder of oneZero. “It underscores our commitment to delivering industry-first technology solutions, powered by data intelligence, that deliver unique value for our clients and foster loyalty with their customers. Our vision for the future of capital markets – centered on customer focus and data-driven insights – dovetails perfectly with Autochartist technology and their commitment to driving retention, education and engagement through market data.”

“Joining oneZero marks an exciting new chapter for Autochartist and our clients. Our clients will continue to benefit from the products and services they know and trust, now enhanced by oneZero’s industry-leading customer support, robust infrastructure, and extensive data resources. Over time, the integration with oneZero will empower our clients to deliver smarter, more personalized content – driving higher customer engagement and retention,” said Ilan Azbel, founder of Autochartist and now a member of the oneZero team.

This transaction follows oneZero’s recent strategic investment from Golden Gate Capital, announced in November 2024, which is fueling both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The addition of Autochartist marks a pivotal step in oneZero’s expansion and innovation strategy.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About oneZero

oneZero Financial Systems has been a leading innovator in multi-asset class enterprise trading technology since 2009. Its powerful software encompasses the Hub, EcoSystem and Data Source – three components that together provide a complete solution for execution, distribution and analytics. Through reliable connectivity, technology, infrastructure and market access, oneZero empowers financial institutions and brokers to compete effectively in the global financial markets through a globally compliant, liquidity-neutral solution. oneZero is certified to the standards of ISO 27001 information security management systems, and has development and operations centers in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and, with the acquisition of Autochartist, Africa.

About Autochartist

Autochartist is a financial market analytics company that leverages big data and proprietary technology to help traders make more informed trading and investment decisions. Since its inception in 2004, Autochartist has become a global leader in technical analysis, automated financial content generation and trade execution analytics for many leading Stock, Currency, Futures, and CFD brokerage firms. Thanks to strategic partnerships with top-tier online brokers, they service millions of traders in over 100 countries.

For more information, please contact:

Talia Geberovich
Head of Marketing and Communications
tgeberovich@onezero.com

 

Wattay Airport Introduces New Document Examination Machine to Detect Fake Documents

IOM’s Chief of Mission joins the Laos and Australian officials at the equipment handover ceremony in Vientiane.
IOM’s Chief of Mission joins the Laos and Australian officials at the equipment handover ceremony in Vientiane.

On 12 February, Wattay International Airport introduced a new document examination machine, Video Spectral Comparator (VSC), designed to detect fraudulent travel documents, enhancing the airport’s security measures.

Provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the tool is equipped with advanced features to improve the verification process for passports, banknotes, and other security documents. Using a high-resolution camera, the machine analyzes security elements such as watermarks, holograms, and microprints.

Lao officials attend a training course to enhance their skills in detecting fraudulent documents, improving operational efficiency at Wattay International Airport.
Lao officials attend a training course to enhance their skills in detecting fraudulent documents, improving operational efficiency at Wattay International Airport.

The newly implemented VSC models are more powerful and versatile than previous versions. With higher resolution imaging, a broader spectral range, and automated software analysis, the VSC plays a crucial role in verifying the authenticity of documents.

Video Spectral Comparator (VSC)
Video Spectral Comparator (VSC)

This technology will support Lao immigration authorities in conducting thorough checks on passports and other security documents, reinforcing border management and ensuring compliance with international standards. It is also an essential tool in the fight against transnational crimes, including human trafficking.

 

Director General of the Department of Immigration, Phetdavong Keokanyan, emphasized the challenges Laos faces in managing fake travel documents due to its borders with five neighboring countries. 

“Recognizing that Laos shares borders with five countries and faces multifaceted challenges in managing and examining fake travel documents imposed by transnational crimes, such as human trafficking and migrant smuggling,” he stated.

In addition to the new machine, Lao immigration authorities have updated their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), creating a comprehensive manual to streamline operations. The manual serves as a resource for frontline immigration officers, offering clear guidelines on their responsibilities, traveler profiling, and adherence to proper procedures.

SBTi Verifies GenScript Biotech Corp’s Carbon Emission Reduction Goals, Marking a Major Sustainability Milestone!

PISCATAWAY, N.J., Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — GenScript Biotech Corp, a global leader in life sciences R&D and manufacturing services, today announced that it is committing to aggressive carbon emission reduction targets. These targets have been verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligning closely with the 1.5°C warming pathway outlined in the Paris Agreement. This certification highlights GenScript’s steadfast commitment to combating global climate change and marks an important milestone in the company’s sustainability journey, guiding the company and its stakeholders, towards a low-carbon future.

Using 2023 as the baseline year, GenScript has developed a scientifically sound carbon reduction roadmap in accordance with SBTi requirements.

Near-term Targets: GenScript aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from direct and indirect sources by 54.6% by 2033. Additionally, the company is working to reduce emissions from fuel, energy-related activities, and waste generated during operations by 32.5% by 2033. GenScript will collaborate closely with the suppliers, representing 83% of Scope 3, to encourage them to set their own science-based targets by 2029.

Long-term Goal: GenScript plans to build a green, low-carbon operational model across its entire value chain, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

GenScript’s rotating CEO, Sherry Shao, commented: “Climate change is a global challenge that profoundly impacts humanity and the environment, requiring collective efforts from all sectors. GenScript has always adhered to its mission of ‘using biotechnology to make humans and nature healthier.’ With the recent successful verification of our carbon reduction targets by SBTi, we have established more scientific and actionable goals. We will continue to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and strive to become a trusted green supplier for our customers, driving industry-wide low-carbon transformation and partnering with global stakeholders toward a more sustainable future.”

To achieve its carbon reduction goals, GenScript has implemented active and systematic measures across multiple areas. In energy conservation, the company has enhanced the use of renewable energy by installing rooftop photovoltaic systems and optimizing the energy structure. At the same time, GenScript has upgraded equipment and introduced smart power management systems to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste. To integrate low-carbon development into its operations, GenScript has also released its GenScript Environmental Sustainability Policy, which systematically incorporates energy-saving and emission-reduction measures in production, operations, and logistics, providing a strong institutional foundation for the company’s green transformation.

As global climate governance enters a critical transformation period, GenScript’s successful verification of its carbon reduction targets by SBTi highlights its achievements in low-carbon transformation and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) efforts, laying a solid foundation for the company’s sustainable development. Looking forward, GenScript will continue to expand its green development path and strive to contribute to building a cleaner, more stable, and prosperous future worldwide.

About GenScript Biotech Corporation

Founded in 2002 in New Jersey, GenScript Biotech Corporation accelerates innovation in healthcare and consumer goods by providing researchers and companies with the building blocks needed to develop groundbreaking treatments and products. Guided by its mission to Make People and Nature Healthier Through Biotechnology, and its role as a trusted global leader, GenScript has a team of over 5,000 employees and has served more than 200,000 customers across 100 countries. Learn more here: https://www.genscript.com 

Thailand Protests Over Cambodian Women Singing at Border Temple

A group of Cambodian women was filmed singing a nationalist song at Prasat Ta Muen Thom in eastern Thailand. (Photo: Matichon Online)

AFP—Thailand has formally protested to Cambodia after a group of Cambodian women was filmed singing a nationalist song at a disputed Khmer temple in a sensitive border area.

China’s Technology: From National-Level Products to Breakthroughs in Specialized Fields

BEIJING, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from sinolub:

In the era of rapid digitalization and intelligent development, China’s technology is rising on the global stage at an unprecedented speed. From artificial intelligence to high-performance computing, and from basic research to practical applications, China has not only launched national-level products like Deepseek but also achieved remarkable accomplishments in numerous specialized fields. Recently, a paper titled “High-performance CPU-GPU Heterogeneous Computing Method for 9-Component Ambient Noise Cross-correlation” once again highlighted China’s strength in the application of high-performance computing and artificial intelligence.

A Breakthrough in Seismic Data Processing

The paper, published in Earthquake Research Advances, introduces a novel approach to seismic data processing using CUDA-accelerated computing. This method leverages the power of NVIDIA GPUs to significantly enhance the efficiency of calculating nine-component noise cross-correlation functions (NCFs) from ambient seismic noise data. By integrating advanced stacking techniques such as time-frequency domain phase-weighted stacking (tf-PWS), the research not only accelerates the computational process but also improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the data.

This breakthrough is particularly significant given the critical role of seismic data in understanding and mitigating natural disasters. The ability to process large-scale seismic datasets quickly and accurately can lead to more precise imaging of the Earth’s subsurface, enhancing our understanding of geological structures and potentially saving lives through better disaster preparedness.

The Journey of Innovation

The development of this high-performance computing framework is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Chinese researchers. Initially commissioned by Dr. Wang Weitao from the Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration, the project was spearheaded by a team from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), led by Professors Sun Guangzhong and Wu Chao. Their work laid the foundation for the single-component version of the code, which was later expanded and optimized by doctoral candidate Wang Jingxi.

Wang’s contributions include the implementation of advanced preprocessing methods, batch processing, multi-GPU adaptation, and the extension to nine-component data. These enhancements have not only improved the computational efficiency but also broadened the applicability of the framework to various seismic data processing tasks.

Open Source and Global Collaboration

In a move that underscores China’s commitment to global scientific collaboration, the program’s source code has been made publicly available on GitHub. This open-source initiative allows researchers worldwide to access, modify, and build upon the work, fostering a collaborative environment that accelerates scientific progress. The program has been rigorously tested using datasets from Japan’s Hi-net seismic network and research groups led by Professor Yao Huajian at USTC, demonstrating its robustness and versatility across different data scales.

Practical Applications and Future Implications
Practical Applications and Future Implications

Practical Applications and Future Implications

The practical applications of this technology are already being realized. The accelerated stacking algorithms have been successfully deployed in various experiments, including imaging of mining areas, fault zones, and regional geological structures. These applications highlight the potential of the technology to contribute to fields such as resource exploration, environmental monitoring, and disaster prevention.

Looking ahead, this research sets a new standard for seismic data processing and underscores the potential of AI and GPU-accelerated computing in solving complex scientific problems. As China continues to invest in cutting-edge technologies, the global scientific community can expect more groundbreaking innovations that push the boundaries of what is possible.

A Global Perspective on China’s Technological Advancements

China’s rapid technological advancements have not gone unnoticed on the global stage. According to a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, China now leads in 57 out of 64 key technology areas, ranging from quantum computing to advanced materials. This progress is driven by substantial investments in research and development, with China’s R&D expenditure exceeding 2.64% of its GDP in 2023, surpassing the EU average.

Moreover, China’s commitment to international cooperation is evident through agreements such as the recently extended U.S.-China Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. 

TigerGPT: Pioneering DeepSeek Integration for AI Chatbot, Upgrading Smart Investment Assistance

SINGAPORE, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Tiger Brokers (NASDAQ: TIGR), a leading online brokerage firm, announces that its AI-powered investment assistant, TigerGPT, has officially integrated with the DeepSeek-R1 model, becoming the first global brokerage platform to introduce DeepSeek-powered chatbot capabilities. This upgrade marks a significant milestone in the platform’s continuous evolution and innovation in the AI + investment sector, further enhancing the efficiency of its smart investment support services to empower global investment decision-making.

Since its launch, TigerGPT has harnessed powerful AI technology and Tiger’s rich financial data to offer users seamless and efficient investment assistance. Now, with the integration of DeepSeek-R1, TigerGPT’s AI capabilities are significantly enhanced, enabling users to analyze market dynamics more accurately, uncover investment opportunities more swiftly, and improve overall pre-investment preparation efficiency. 

This upgrade boosts the platform’s intelligent investment assistance experience in two dimensions:

  • Deep logical deduction: Utilizing DeepSeek-R1’s powerful reasoning abilities, TigerGPT can break down complex investment issues more clearly in scenarios such as market volatility, stock analysis, and options strategies through its multi-step reasoning framework. For instance, when a user queries a significant price movement in a stock, they can easily access a multi-dimensional analysis—covering “market data, stock information, technical trends, market sentiment”—along with the complete reasoning path through a simple query. This not only enhances the logic and transparency of the analysis but also makes the conclusions more trustworthy. The upgraded TigerGPT also actively optimizes keyword searches and requests additional data based on search results, ensuring a more comprehensive and accurate conclusion, ultimately offering more effective decision support for investors.
  • Financial data integration: TigerGPT remains deeply integrated with Tiger’s robust financial database, extracting relevant information from a vast array of financial news, options data, and investment research content, allowing investors to quickly access comprehensive financial support on a single platform. Whether it’s real-time market dynamics or the latest in-depth research reports, users can efficiently retrieve valuable insights, significantly improving research efficiency.

Tianhua Wu, Founder and CEO of Tiger Brokers, stated: “Tiger has always been dedicated to making global investment simpler and smarter through technological innovation. The integration of DeepSeek has enhanced TigerGPT’s logical reasoning abilities, enabling it to analyze market shifts more clearly and interpret investment opportunities more effectively. With Tiger’s unique financial data support, the upgraded TigerGPT offers professional investment insights, empowering both novice investors and experienced professionals to make more informed decisions in complex market conditions, ultimately driving long-term investment value.”

The upgraded version of TigerGPT will initially be available for free to users in Mainland China and Singapore. As the first brokerage platforms for US and Hong Kong stocks to integrate large language models, Tiger Brokers remains at the forefront of AI innovation in financial services, exploring new ways to deepen the fusion of AI and investment solutions. Since its launch in 2023, TigerGPT has consistently integrated world-leading AI technology and the latest financial data, steadily growing its global user base. To date, TigerGPT has served over 112,000 users worldwide, completed over 1.17 million conversations, with weekly conversations surpassing 18,000*.

Looking ahead, the Company aims to continuously improve its AI-powered investment support services, with plans to launch AI Agent investment assistant, and explore further applications of AI technology in investment scenarios, providing users with smarter and more personalized wealth management services.

Please note that the information provided by TigerGPT is for reference only and should not be treated as financial advice. Tiger Brokers shall not be liable in any way in connection with the use of TigerGPT. TigerGPT does not provide any recommendation, all information provided is from the open data source.

*Data sourced from internal company statistics

About TigerGPT

TigerGPT is a text-generating AI chatbot developed among the internet services of Tiger Brokers (Nasdaq: TIGR), as the first deployment of AI investment assistant in the brokerage industry.

TigerGPT leverages the company’s vast financial content pool and world-leading AI technology. The feature leverages Tiger Brokers’ vast content library and its expansive access to paid sources to offer timely and informative responses, including but not limited to, listed companies’ profiles and data, an ocean of financial knowledge and investor education materials, and market and stock insights, in a response to users’ investment-related queries in easily digestible conversations within a span of seconds, saving time spent on market research and raising efficiency in pre-investment preparation.

Tiger Brokers is a leading online brokerage firm founded in 2014 with a focus on redefining global investing with technologies for the next generation. Currently, we offer a multitude of quality financial products and services across brokerage, employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) management, investment banking, wealth management, investor community, and investor education.