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Dive into the Future of Connectivity at MWC25 Barcelona

by News Editor

February 24, 2025

From March 3 to 6, Barcelona will be the epicenter of technological transformation during the much-anticipated MWC25. At this influential event, industry giants, innovative tech entrepreneurs, and policy shapers will converge. Known as a premier platform, MWC is set to shape the future landscape of technology and business.

In the previous year, MWC drew an attendance of 101,000 with 1,100 thought leaders and 2,700 exhibitors. Such momentum continues as GSMA, the orchestrator of MWC, looks to host a diverse array of key figures across 19 thought leadership stages.

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Standout Themes at MWC25

This year features agendas across four inspiring themes:

Iconic Insights: Featuring voices from technology, industry policy, and ethics, offering groundbreaking perspectives.
Big Ideas: A platform where startups present innovations to top investors.
Emerging Tech: A crossroad where connectivity meets industry advancements.
Global Change: Uniting ministerial programs and business leaders to discuss sustainable futures.

Key Takeaways

Connected Industries: Exploring the potential of Industry 4.0, with AI-driven systems and IoT advancements.

Diversity4Tec: Emphasizing diversity and inclusion within technology spaces.

Sports Tomorrow Congress: Highlighting innovations in sports tech at a global scale.

Talent Arena: A gathering for digital talent, fostering collaboration and opportunities.

Attendees will gain insights from influential keynote sessions covering the latest in 5G, AI, and other tech innovations—showcasing the intersection of business leadership and digital transformation.

Microsoft Bets Big On South Africa With $297M AI And Cloud Investment

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 7, 2025

Microsoft is doubling down on its commitment to South Africa, pledging an additional 5.4 billion rand ($297 million) by 2027 to expand its cloud and AI infrastructure in the country.

The announcement, made by Vice Chairman Brad Smith in Johannesburg, comes ahead of a key South African investment conference and adds to the 20.4 billion rand Microsoft has already poured into Africa’s most industrialized economy.

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Driving Growth Through AI And Talent

Beyond boosting infrastructure, Microsoft is making a play for South Africa’s digital future. Over the next year, the tech giant will fund certification exams for 50,000 young people, equipping them with in-demand digital skills to fuel economic growth and innovation.

South Africa has struggled with sluggish economic expansion—averaging under 1% growth annually for more than a decade—and is actively courting private-sector investment to accelerate momentum.

Big Tech’s Race For Africa

Microsoft was an early mover in South Africa’s cloud computing race, launching data centers in Johannesburg and Cape Town long before Amazon and Google entered the market. The company is now ramping up capacity with a new facility in Centurion, Gauteng, while also spearheading a $1 billion geothermal-powered data center in Kenya.

President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the move, calling Microsoft’s investment a vote of confidence in South Africa’s economic potential. “This company really has an African heart,” he said, underscoring the country’s efforts to position itself as a prime destination for global tech investment.