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Transport And Storage Sector In Cyprus: A Positive Surge In 2024

by News Editor

March 6, 2025

The latest data from Cystat highlights a noteworthy 1.6% increase in the Transport and Storage Turnover Value Index for January through December 2024 compared to the previous year. This demonstrates the sector’s resilience and adaptability in Cyprus.

Breakdown Of Economic Activities

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the index achieved 142.4 points (base year 2021=100) with a notable 2.2% year-on-year growth. Several sub-sectors recorded impressive increases:

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Water Transport: A remarkable rise of 38.6%.
Air Transport: Experienced a significant boost of 22.5%.
Postal and Courier Activities: Gained 10.8%.
Land Transport: Improved by 7.1%.
Warehousing and Support for Transportation: Edged up by 0.4%.

To understand the broader economic effect, it’s interesting to compare these trends against Cyprus’ overall economic landscape. For instance, 2024 was also a groundbreaking year for the island’s tourism sector, boasting a €3.2 billion revenue intake.

This growth across different transportation sectors reflects Cyprus’ strategic positioning and its burgeoning economic potential in the European landscape.

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.