Pan-African leading technology solutions group Liquid Intelligent Technologies (https://www.Liquid.Tech), a business of Cassava Technologies, today announces the extension of Liquid’s net debt:EBITDA covenant threshold in respect of its ZAR term loan and RCF.
Earlier this year we engaged with our lending partners on a pre-emptive basis due to the prospect of further exchange rate volatility in certain markets. Following constructive discussions we are pleased to announce deferrals in the step down schedule for the net debt:EBITDA covenant threshold in respect of our ZAR term loan and RCF.
Deon Geyser, CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa
As a result, the step down from 4.0x to 3.5x that was due to take place in May 2023 will now occur in February 2024 and a second step down from 3.5x to 3.0x that was due to take place in May 2024 will now occur in August 2024. All other terms remain unchanged.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Liquid Telecom South Sudan, a pan-African technology company and a business of Cassava Technologies, has today officially rebranded as Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Sudan, reflecting its transformation into a one-stop-shop technology group for local businesses and consumers.
The rebrand also indicates Liquid’s expansion into several business services, including Cloud, Cyber Security, and other technologies adding to its existing products and connectivity services.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Sudan CEO Martin Mushambadope
“This strategic rebranding to Liquid Intelligent Technologies is us saying that our customers and the country are now positioning for future applications that run on the assets that we have built in Africa,” says Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Sudan CEO Martin Mushambadope. “We are looking at South Sudan getting to the cutting edge and bringing the rest of the world to South Sudan whilst taking the country to the rest of the world.”
Liquid is a pioneering company in bringing terrestrial fibre connectivity to South Sudan, linking the country to its continent-spanning network across the East Africa region and beyond, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. This network is already delivering affordable internet access to South Sudanese people, businesses, and government and helping the country to progress toward achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Since its launch in South Sudan in 2019, Liquid has become the leading and most holistic technology services provider. In the last two years, the organisation connected offices and homes at an unprecedented rate – including at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic – while providing fibre connectivity to the capital city of Juba, connecting mobile operators, carriers, enterprises, and government organisations.
As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Liquid Intelligent Technologies is redefining Network, Cloud and Cyber Security offerings through strategic partnerships with leading global players, bringing innovative business applications, intelligent cloud services and world-class security to the African continent.
Beyond the provision of connectivity solutions, Liquid serves South Sudan as a go-to solutions provider that empowers individual customers and SMEs through to the largest Blue-Chip partners, thereby intensifying South Sudan’s digital transformation journey. To this end, Liquid has invested extensively in its award-winning VSAT Broadband service to extend reliable internet access and enable seamless operations to remotest regions while providing backup service to those living in urban centres. Liquid’s connectivity in South Sudan comes with full terrestrial redundancy for the convenience of the market.
“Fast, reliable, pervasive, and affordable internet is a human right. This is a cornerstone of Liquid’s investment strategy in South Sudan with terrestrial fibre, satellite, and other wireless technologies,” says Mushambadope. “We want to ensure that wherever there is a business, a home, an entrepreneur, an incubation hub, or even a student who wants to initiate something for the greater good of South Sudan and ultimately Africa and the world, they have the necessary connectivity.
“With this rebrand, Liquid will create more recognition and awareness of our ability to provide connectivity and digital solutions for local businesses, empowering them to transform their operations and compete on a bigger scale. We are proud to partner with South Sudan in its ongoing digital transformation,” he says.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa, a business of Cassava Technologies, has announced that it has achieved B-BBEE Level 1 status. Liquid Intelligent Technologies has been working to achieve this status since the company expanded operations in South Africa through the acquisition of Neotel in 2017.
Liquid is a prominent investor in the country’s critical telecommunications and technology sectors and embraces the true spirit of transformation through improved participation in the economy for previously disadvantaged groups.
Deon Geyser, CEO Liquid Intelligent Technologies SA
According to Deon Geyser, CEO Liquid Intelligent Technologies SA, “This is an excellent achievement for us, which we don’t take lightly. We will continue providing all our stakeholders with the excellent service associated with our brand while we continue to participate in South Africa’s transformation agenda. As a leading technology player in the industry, we strongly support public and private partnerships to drive digital transformation in South Africa.”
Liquid is committed to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) principles and aligns with the ICT Sector Code in Section 9 of the B-BBEE Act. Over the years, the company has continuously invested in enterprise and skills development programmes, focusing on the youth and small and medium enterprises.
Commenting on this milestone, Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Chief Executive Officer, Cassava Technologies, said, “We are very proud of the strides taken by the Liquid Intelligent Technologies SA Leadership team to help drive transformation in the country. Our top rating will not only help increase our overall competitiveness in the market but also ensure real economic empowerment for all members of the society. This is in line with our vision of a digitally connected future that leaves no South African behind.”
This achievement comes at a good time as ICASA works on finalising the licensing of critical high demand IMT spectrum in early 2022. Liquid reaffirms its commitment to working with customers, partners and stakeholders to create an industry that is solutions-driven and responsive to the need of all customers for reliable and cost effective broadband services in line with international technology trends.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
The World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced a new partnership with South African tech group Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) to expand data center capacity and the rollout of fiber-optic cable across the continent. IFC’s equity and debt investments in Liquid, which to date total approximately $250-million, will support the company to grow its hyperscale data center capacity in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa through its subsidiary, Africa Data Centres.
The partnership with Liquid, one of Africa’s leading independent fiber and digital services providers, aims “to increase digital connectivity and inclusion in Africa and to support the region’s growing digital ecosystem,” according to a statement from IFC.
Strive Masiyiwa, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Executive Chairman and Founder
The investments will also support Liquid in the continued rollout of its fiber broadband network, which today covers more than 100,000 kilometers of sub-Saharan Africa. The continued build out of its network will help to connect businesses and individuals to the Internet across the continent, something that Liquid hopes will position it at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation with the provision of complementary digital services.
“We are very pleased that IFC continues to support Liquid. The investments in our data centers and fiber broadband network will directly support our growth plans over the coming years by encouraging the adoption of new services such as Cloud and other digital services, services that are critical in driving sustainable development across Africa,” said Strive Masiyiwa, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Executive Chairman and Founder.
“Digital technologies are rapidly transforming how people, businesses, and governments communicate, transact, and access information and services. By working with Liquid Intelligent Technologies, we can help expand access to infrastructure and digital services that power Africa’s digital economy, creating new opportunities for growth and jobs. This is an essential element for Africa’s economic transformation and building back better,” said Makhtar Diop, IFC’s MD.
According to the statement, IFC’s digital strategy in Africa is aimed at enabling ubiquitous, reliable, and affordable connectivity. This includes investing in the growth of independent tower operators, data centers and broadband, as well as support to mobile operators primarily in fragile and conflict situations (FCS) and low-Income International Development Association countries (LIC-IDA).
IFC’s latest investment in Liquid follows its investment in the company in February 2021 through Liquid’s bond placement on Euronext Dublin, Ireland’s main stock exchange. The issuance raised $620-million.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
One of Africa’s leading tech groups, Liquid Intelligent Technologies is partnering with Africa Legal, a pan-African organization that connects legal professionals across the continent to launch three online courses on legal technology, targeted at supporting career development amongst students, budding entrepreneurs, and lawyers. The Liquid Labs aspires to make relevant tech training programmes accessible to students and professionals to bridge the affordability and digital divide, the main deterrents to increased access. The courses will offer targeted training for lawyers and the business community to enable working people to upskill and embrace the opportunities of the digital world.
Ben Roberts, the Group Chief Technology, and Innovation Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies
According to Ben Roberts, the Group Chief Technology, and Innovation Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies, “New technologies are challenging the way Africans do things in their everyday lives. For instance, innovations like blockchain deliver smart contracts using digital tech platforms. The advancement of such innovation means that the fourth industrial revolution will create challenges and opportunities at the intersection of law and tech. We’ve partnered with Africa Legal on these courses to better equip lawyers through technology, and support technologists to engage with the law. Our aim is to empower and encourage professionals and students in both sectors and to help them leverage these opportunities.”
The courses on offer are: Leveraging off Legal Technology to Grow Your Firm – This course encourages students to conduct their business in a way that leverages the inherent benefits of legal technology
Change Management for Lawyers – This course provides the learner with critical change management perspectives relevant to any area of development within their business.
Fundamentals of Business Law for Entrepreneurs – This course is designed for emerging entrepreneurs. It provides the platform of legal knowledge required to begin to grow a business from initial start-up to becoming investment ready and will share some insight into what to look for when partnering with a law firm that will be a valuable ally in growing your business.
Africa Legal’s Chief Executive, Scott Cowan, said he was delighted by the partnership which was in line with the platform’s vision of building networks, reinforcing pan-African relationships in the legal community, and building capacity.
“This is just the beginning of an exciting journey and we look forward to offering so much more to our Africa Legal community by way of news, job opportunities and education,” he said.
The courses have been formulated with the vision to augment digital transformation across the continent and provide the right know-how needed for budding entrepreneurs to successfully and efficiently operate in their businesses. These courses from Liquid Labs and Africa Legal will deliver practical knowledge and understanding that will focus on developing critical-thinking skills for students by presenting real-life scenarios, conflicts and solutions in order for them to master the lawyer-based thinking approach in life and their professional paths ahead.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid), a pan African technology group, confirmed Mr. Martin Mushambadope as the Chief Executive Officer for its operations in South Sudan in an announcement today.
“Martin is a seasoned, well-respected, experienced senior executive, and he is the right leader to oversee Liquid South Sudan’s corporate and business strategy. He will be responsible for delivering strategic and operational guidance as the organisation expands in South Sudan while delivering on a cohesive culture that emphasises customer care and service that Liquid is synonymous with across the continent. I want to thank Hans Haerdtle, the outgoing CEO, for the excellent work done, from leading the team to launch our operations in the country and ensuring a strong local brand presence,” says Adil El Youssefi, Regional CEO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, East Africa.
Martin Mushambadope, CEO Liquid Intelligent Technologies, South Sudan
Appointed earlier this year in March 2021, Martin brings over 20 years of experience, having worked for various industries such as telecommunications, health insurance, banking, and audit practice. In addition, he has vast International experience being exposed to working environments in Singapore, United Kingdom, Kenya, Ghana, and Zimbabwe.
Commenting on the appointment, CEO Martin Mushambadope says, “It has indeed been a pleasure for me to join Liquid as it progresses on its journey to digitally transform Africa through its extensive backbone of infrastructure and digital technologies. I have seen Liquid successfully revolutionise the digital landscape for numerous businesses in other African countries and look forward to replicating that same spirit and passion for success in South Sudan. Here’s to future growth for all.”
Continuing on its trademarked path of bringing high-speed connectivity to African country, Liquid’s South Sudan fibre network is the first underground fibre network in South Sudan that connects to landing stations in Mombasa, Kenya as well as all the major subsea cables. Through an exciting partnership with the South Sudanese government, Liquid Intelligent Technologies was the first to build critical fibre infrastructure in South Sudan thereby offering onwards enhanced connectivity to the US and Europe with significantly reduced latency.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
The Democratic Republic of Congo stands to experience more robust internet connections with the new partnership agreement between Liquid Technologies and Facebook aimed at building an extensive long haul and metro fibre network in the country. The project is expected to improve internet access for more than 30 million people and help meet the growing demand for regional connectivity across Central Africa.
Facebook will invest in building the fibre infrastructure and support network planning. Liquid Technologies will own, build and operate the fibre network, and provide wholesale services to mobile network operators and internet service providers. The network will help create a digital corridor from the Atlantic Ocean through the Congo Rainforest, the second-largest rainforest after the Amazon, to East Africa, and onto the Indian Ocean.
Nic Rudnick, Group Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies
Liquid Technologies has been working on the digital corridor for more than two years, which now reaches Central DRC. This corridor will connect DRC to its neighbouring countries including Angola, Congo Brazzaville, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
The new build will stretch from Central DRC to the Eastern border with Rwanda and extend the reach of 2Africa, a major undersea cable that will land along both the East and West African coasts, and better connect Africa to the Middle East and Europe. Additionally, Liquid will employ more than 5,000 people from local communities to build the fibre network.
“This is one of the most difficult fibre builds ever undertaken, crossing more than 2,000 kilometres of some of the most challenging terrain in the world,” said Nic Rudnick, Group CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.
“Liquid Technologies and Facebook have a common mission to provide affordable infrastructure to bridge connectivity gaps, and we believe our work together will have a tremendous impact on internet accessibility across the region.”
“This fibre build with Liquid Technologies is one of the most exciting projects we have worked on,” said Ibrahima Ba, Director of Network Investments, Emerging Markets at Facebook.
“We know that deploying fibre in this region is not easy, but it is a crucial part of extending broadband access to under-connected areas. We look forward to seeing how our fibre build will help increase the availability and improve the affordability of high-quality internet in DRC.”
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
With a large expanse of fibre infrastructure that impacts more than 100 million people across 643 towns and cities in Africa, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a digital solutions provider Liquid Intelligent Technologies achieves the 100,000 km fibre network milestone, positioning the organisation as the largest independent fibre network provider in emerging markets globally.
Liquid has been manoeuvring steadily through Africa, investing in increasing its reach, which it has successfully done, moving the dial from 89,989 km at the beginning of 2021 to reach this new milestone now.
Nic Rudnick, Group Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies
With its additional fibre network connecting 14 countries, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, customers can now explore opportunities in Africa and across the US, Asian and European markets.
The organisation’s fibre infrastructure impacts more than 100 million people across 643 towns and cities on the continent.
This extensive network will create new opportunities by making digital inclusion a reality for businesses and individuals across the continent and ultimately accelerating the ongoing digital transformation in Africa.
This well-earned achievement has not come without the extensive effort and drive that followed Liquid’s initial vision and growth plan, as noted by Nic Rudnick, Group Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies.
“Over the years we have been successfully connecting countries through our high-speed connectivity and digital services.
Our successful partnerships with customers ensured that today we are recognised as a technology company that has brought local businesses access to Cloud capabilities, world-class Cyber Security solutions in addition to our existing telecoms and connectivity capability”.
Accomplishing one achievement after the next, Liquid recently expanded its operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, bringing its world-class fibre network and digital services to a country that previously relied only on expensive mobile broadband.
For the first time, 2.7 million people of Mbuji-Mayi in the DRC will have access to fibre connectivity, creating an environment that stimulates exciting new sector growth opportunities.
Knowing that connectivity is vital for Africa’s economic growth, the extended penetration will also enable small businesses, enterprises, and government entities to increase their competitiveness through the many digital solutions catering to their individual needs.
Rudnick said, “The internet offers unprecedented opportunities for economic growth in developing countries. By providing access to information, connecting people to businesses everywhere, and opening up new markets, the internet can act as an enabler of economic activity and an engine for information sharing. Economic development is not about choosing between access to the internet and basic necessities, they need to work together to allow societies to flourish”.
According to Deloitte, it is estimated that by extending internet penetration, another 640 million children may access the internet and the wealth of information it makes available while they study.
With only a 20% internet penetration in Africa, the internet plays a pivotal role in extending access to educational resources and accelerating knowledge sharing among students and teachers.
It improves the quality of offline education, resulting in better school performance with online learning resources.
As a result of education improvement, young people are more employable, and improved literacy promotes social inclusion and benefits the economy.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Recently rebranded and expanded Africa’s leading telecoms services firm, Liquid Intelligent Technologies has unveiled its new brand in Kenya. This highlights the organization’s expansion of its cloud business, cyber Security services, and other technologies as it establishes itself as the digital service partner of choice for African businesses. This rebrand reflects the organization’s extensive business transformation from being a telecommunications and digital services provider to a full one-stop-shop technology group for local businesses.
Adil El Youssefi, CEO for Liquid Intelligent Technologies East Africa
Over the last two decades, Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading pan-African digital infrastructure provider. This rebrand to Liquid Intelligent Technologies highlights the organization’s expansion of its cloud business, Cyber Security services, and other technologies added to its existing telecoms and connectivity capability.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies will expand its Managed Services offerings to drive and ensure successful adoption of tools to re-imagine their customers’ businesses and how they work and connect. Whether they are focused on enabling collaboration or utilizing the most advanced cloud applications.
As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Liquid Intelligent Technologies is redefining Network, Cloud and Cyber Security offerings through strategic partnerships with leading global players, bringing innovative business applications, intelligent cloud services and world-class security to the African continent.
Liquid Kenya was recently recognized as the winner in the Most Innovative Product or Service category at the 2021 East Africa Com for our partnership with Twiga Foods precision farming techniques enabled by our IoT network in Kenya.
Commenting on the rebrand, Adil El Youssefi, CEO for Liquid Intelligent Technologies East Africa, said,“Through a five-year development plan under the Big Four Agenda, the government has been working towards transforming the country to ensure that all citizens have access to a high quality of life.
Our recent award at East Africa Com recognizes our contribution towards ensuring food security through the use of our IoT network, reiterating our capabilities as a digital service provider for businesses in the public and private sector. This rebrand is our reaffirmation to all our customers that we are a one-stop-shop technology company bringing African Intelligence to Kenya.
Our unique digital solutions such as Cloud services, Managed Services, Cyber Security have enabled us to be a leading contributor to make Vision 2030 a reality as well”.
With the future of network security-driven from the Cloud, Liquid Intelligent Technologies’ recently launched its Cyber Security business unit, which uniquely delivers security at its core, protecting your business’s data throughout its lifecycle.
“Liquid Intelligent Technologies in Kenya has been providing digital services to customers in addition to Digital Infrastructure to access our extensive and reliable fibre connectivity and Data Centres.
This rebrand will allow us to further create recognition with local businesses that we provide digital solutions in addition to the usual connectivity services, enabling them to accelerate their digital transformation, which is key in today’s hybrid workspace.
We are very proud as Liquid Kenya to share this bold statement that we are a technology company accelerating the Digital Economy by providing African solutions to African challenges” concludes Ben Roberts, Group Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Recently rebranded Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) has announced the successful completion of two key digital corridors – NLD5 and NLD6 connecting Durban to Cape Town via the inland route. The completion of this fibre network is expected to support the surging demand for high-speed internet as an increasing number of local businesses continue their digital transformation journeys.
Deon Geyser, CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa
“The completion of these two digital corridors is yet another milestone achieved as part of our on-going investment into the South African economy. Liquid has been instrumental in the fruition of routes 1 through to 8, providing a digital backbone that connects metropolitan cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban to more remote areas like Nelspruit Bloemfontein, Lady Smith, Mthatha,” says Deon Geyser, CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa.
“This is also part of our Group’s continued focus on bringing world-class digital services like Cloud, Unified Communications, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to local businesses in the public and private sectors.”
Spanning over 1700 km, the near-unlimited capacity and redundancy offered on these digital corridors is expected to positively impact numerous industries, especially educators and healthcare practitioners, as they increase their reach to the remotest parts of the country. Access to improved digital services will also impact the education system in the country as the government gears to empower more youth with digital skills as newer vocations develop through the 4IR.
Liquid Telecom Unveils New Identity and Pan-African Strategy
Liquid Telecom has unveiled its new identity as Liquid Intelligent Technologies. The pan-African technology group also revealed its plan to go from being a telecommunications and digital services provider to a full one-stop-shop technology group through a group-wide rebrand.
Over the last two decades, Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading pan-African digital infrastructure provider with an extensive network spanning over 73,000 KM. This rebrand to Liquid Intelligent Technologies highlights the organisation’s expansion of its Cloud business, Cyber Security services, and other technologies added to its existing telecoms and connectivity capability.
This furthers the Group’s aim of accelerating growth by providing tailor-made digital solutions to businesses in the public and private sectors across the continent. This strategic rebrand reflects Liquid’s new digital-first product offerings, enabling employees and customers to interact with each other digitally irrespective of the time or location. By aggressively expanding into new countries, including Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liquid Intelligent Technologies expects to bring its award-winning high-performance network connectivity closer to more people and accelerate the development of the digital workplace.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
