Business
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.
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.
Business
Woman demands $250,000 from Promasidor over son’s death at factory
A few hours after reporting to the factory, Patrick reportedly fell from a rooftop into a warehouse and died.
• Patrick Ogbu
One Mrs Susan Ogbu has filed a $250,000 lawsuit against Promasidor Nigeria Ltd.; its parent company, Promasidor Holdings; and several others over the death of her 26-year-old son, Patrick Ogbu.
The suit, filed at the National Industrial Court in Lagos, alleged gross negligence and unsafe work practices.
Other defendants named in the case are Mr Dapo Omolade (operating under the Dapo Omolade Empowerment Initiatives), Hybrid Group Limited, Hybrid HSE Limited, Bohlar Integrated Services, and the Minister of Labour and Employment.
In the suit marked NICN/LA/361/2024, Mrs. Ogbu, through her counsel David Kupolati, is demanding N300 million in compensation, and N150 million in general damages from the defendants, citing wrongful death due to negligence.
She is also seeking a court order for a 21 per cent annual interest on the judgment sum until it is fully paid, along with N5 million, in legal costs.
Patrick Ogbu joined the HSE trainee program operated by Omolade and Hybrid Group on April 1, 2024, under an offer letter dated March 4, 2024.
The program promised technical skills training in health and safety and offered a monthly stipend of N65,000.
According to the claimant, her son, Patrick was, on August 9, 2024 assigned to Promasidor Nigeria’s factory through an arrangement between Bohlar Integrated Services and Promasidor.
A few hours after reporting to the factory, Patrick reportedly fell from a rooftop into a warehouse and died.
“Sadly a few hours after the claimant’s son left home to resume work at the Promasidor (fifth defendant) project site, she received the sad news that her son had fallen from the factory rooftop into the warehouse and died almost immediately.
“The unfortunate, sad and premature death of her son arose due to the gross negligence and unsafe practices of Dapo Omolade, Hybrid Group, Hybrid HSE Limited, Bohlar Integrated Services and Promasidor Nigeria,” she said.
His mother blamed the accident on the “gross negligence and unsafe work conditions” at the site, attributing responsibility to all the defendants.
Mrs Ogbu is also requesting that the court compel the Minister of Labour and Employment to investigate the operations of the DOME initiative and impose sanctions on all responsible parties.
She further seeks an order for a full health and safety audit of Promasidor’s factories and a formal inquiry into the company’s labour practices across Lagos and Ogun states.
Source: PUNCH
Commercial banks in Nigeria, including Guaranty Trust Bank customers will commence payment of N6 for every SMS transaction alert starting tomorrow.
This is coming on the heels of the increase in telecommunications rates by telecommunications providers following a nod by the federal government.
The SMS charges were increased by 50% to N6 from the previous N4 per message.
Various banks had sent emails to their customers to inform them of the current change.
An email from Guaranty Trust Bank Limited with the heading “Increase in SMS Transaction Alert Fee” read:
“Dear Valued Customer, Please be informed that effective Thursday, May 1, 2025, the SMS transaction alert fee will increase from N4 to N6 per message.
This adjustment is due to a recent increase in telecom rates as communicated by the telecommunication service providers.
“Kindly note that transaction alerts are important and help you keep track and stay in control of activities on your account.
“SMS alerts to international phone numbers are subject to higher charges.”
Business
NNPC Sacks 200 Mele Kyari’s Loyalists
Those departing immediately are Bala Wunti, former chief of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), and Ibrahim Onoja, managing director of the Kaduna Refinery.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has appointed Maryam Idrisu as Managing Director of NNPC Trading and Obioma Abangwu as Chief Liaison Officer for Board Matters.
This followed the reported sack of over 200 staff, including loyalists of the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari.
BusinessDay reported that those departing immediately are Bala Wunti, former chief of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), and Ibrahim Onoja, managing director of the Kaduna Refinery.
Also asked to leave is Lawal Sade, the Chief Compliance Officer and former Managing Director of NNPC Trading.
It was gathered that over 200 employees have been impacted, marking the beginning of what may be a series of staff changes.
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