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Google promises 300,000 jobs in South Africa

South Africa’s official unemployment rate was last reported at 31.9%, with youth unemployment for those aged between 15 and 35 sitting at 44.6%, according to Statistics South Africa’s labour force survey for Q4 2024.

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Google says its investment in data centre infrastructure in Johannesburg, part of a greater R18 billion investment in Africa, should help create 300,000 jobs and contribute R1.7 trillion to the South African economy by 2030.

Mybroadband reports that the tech powerhouse added that South Africa also has the unique opportunity to rapidly develop its nascent artificial intelligence sector to become an AI leader on the African continent and the global stage, given its youth bulge and high unemployment rate.

This is according to Google’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa President Tara Brady, who spoke during a press conference on Wednesday at the launch of the company’s Johannesburg cloud region.

“I do believe that when you have a large number of organisations willing to invest in training, you could leapfrog many other countries and become an AI leader,” Brady said. Brady was commenting on the 300,000 jobs Google said their infrastructure investment in Johannesburg would help create by 2030.

He added that Google has identified a unique advantage in South Africa due to its high unemployment rate, which is not seen in other countries around the world.

“When you have such high unemployment, it means that we can put those people to work, which is an opportunity that we don’t have in other regions,” Brady said.

“So if South Africa wants to, we are prepared to invest in AI together here.

South Africa’s official unemployment rate was last reported at 31.9%, with youth unemployment for those aged between 15 and 35 sitting at 44.6%, according to Statistics South Africa’s labour force survey for Q4 2024.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced in 2021 that the tech giant would invest $1 billion (R18 billion) over five years in digital transformation on the continent.

Brady said that while a “large chunk” of this was dedicated to the cloud region, it also focused on skilling people in Africa and aiding tech startups in the region.

South Africa’s minister of communications and digital technologies, Solly Malatsi, who did not attend the event but delivered a prerecorded address, emphasised the importance of these skilling initiatives in the country’s vision of a digital future.

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How To Maintain Electricity Availability in 2026 – CPPE

Dr Yusuf emphasised that the rising power sector debt currently at about ₦4 trillion, is fiscally unsustainable without deeper structural corrections, improved transparency, and gradual but credible reform implementation.

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The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE) has recommended policy interventions necessary to maintain power availability for households and businesses in 2026.

CPPE in its policy brief on Power Sector, released on December 14, 2025, noted that Nigeria’s power sector remains one of the most challenging areas of the country’s economic reform agenda.

Dr Muda Yusuf , its CEO, noted :” Despite multiple reform efforts over the years, the sector continues to face deep structural, financial, and governance challenges.

These challenges are multi-dimensional, spanning political economy constraints, tariff distortions, weak investor capacity, transmission bottlenecks, and a persistent liquidity crisis across the value chain.”

Dr Yusuf emphasised that the rising power sector debt currently at about ₦4 trillion, is fiscally unsustainable without deeper structural corrections, improved transparency, and gradual but credible reform implementation.

CPPE, he said, therefore calls for decisive action by the government through the industry’s regulators , the GENCOs and the Discos, to address structural inefficiencies, improve governance, and ensure fiscal discipline.

“A balanced approach—combining short-term government support with medium- to long-term structural reform—is essential to building a financially viable, reliable, and inclusive power sector that can support Nigeria’s economic growth and development,” said Dr Yusuf.

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BUA Group’s Long Service Awards: Rabiu Splashes N30bn on Staff (Video)

Five employees received N1 billion ($691,000) each, while another five were awarded N500 million ($345,000). Several others went home with N100 million ($69,000), and dozens more received sums ranging from N5 million ($3,450) to N20 million ($13,810), ensuring the rewards extended beyond senior staff and reflected the breadth of the workforce.

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•Abdul Samad Rabiu

Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Group, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, shared $20.7 million (about N30 billion )in cash rewards to staff for their long -service and loyalty across the conglomerate.

The payouts were announced at the BUA Night of Excellence Long Service Awards held at Eko Hotel & Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The annual event, which brought together staff across BUA Group and its subsidiaries, was designed to recognize years of service, loyalty and day-to-day contributions that often go unnoticed outside company walls.

At the ceremony, Rabiu approved cash awards spanning multiple levels of the organization.

Five employees received N1 billion ($691,000) each, while another five were awarded N500 million ($345,000). Several others went home with N100 million ($69,000), and dozens more received sums ranging from N5 million ($3,450) to N20 million ($13,810), ensuring the rewards extended beyond senior staff and reflected the breadth of the workforce.

The awards build on a pattern that employees say has become familiar at BUA.

See video below:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Q3DRwXpFk

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GTCO Unveils First-Ever Holiday Edition of Food & Drink Festival, Scheduled for December 20–21, 2025

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Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) has launched the inaugural Holiday Edition of its renowned GTCO Food & Drink Festival, Africa’s largest culinary event.

The two-day festival is scheduled for December 20 and 21, 2025, at the GTCentre in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This special edition marks a festive expansion of the annual festival, blending African culinary excellence with family-oriented holiday experiences and support for small businesses.

Unlike previous editions, it shifts focus from chef masterclasses to immersive attractions tailored for the holiday season.

Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, highlighted the event’s significance: “The GTCO Food & Drink Festival is a powerful platform that aligns with our mission to fuel enterprise, promote African creativity, and connect communities through meaningful lifestyle experiences.

The Holiday Edition gives us an exciting opportunity to celebrate the festive season while supporting thousands of food entrepreneurs who form the backbone of our economy.”

Record-Breaking SME ParticipationTrue to its commitment to empowering local businesses, GTCO continues its free vendor participation model.

For this edition:

– Over 4,000 applications were received.

– 213 Nigerian-owned food SMEs were selected—nearly double the number from recent editions.

– Vendors will offer diverse, affordable culinary options, providing a high-traffic platform to boost visibility and sales during the holidays.

The surge in participation highlights the festival’s role in driving SME growth and inclusive economic development.

The 2025 Holiday Edition introduces tailored attractions:-

**Christmas Village**: A curated marketplace with handcrafted gifts, seasonal delicacies, artisanal products, and holiday entertainment.

– **Large Children’s Play Zone**: Immersive games and activities for families.

– **Street Food Hub**: Showcasing Nigeria’s vibrant street food diversity.

– **Live Entertainment**: High-energy DJ sets from top Nigerian performers.

The event aligns with GTCO’s corporate social responsibility goals, promoting community impact, SME support, and Nigeria’s creative economy.

Admission is free and open to the public, emphasizing accessibility to world-class experiences.

For more details, visit the official site at [foodanddrink.gtcoplc.com](https://foodanddrink.gtcoplc.com/).

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