ITWeb appoints Africa editor

ITWeb, South Africa's leading business technology publisher, has appointed Gareth van Zyl to be editor of ITWebAfrica, its soon-to-be-launched ICT news and information Web site dedicated to English-speaking African markets.

With media products that span Web, mobile, print and events platforms, ITWeb identified a demand for quality ICT news and analysis from Africa - one of the fastest growing adopters of technology in the world.

“The rapid adoption of technology in Africa is evidenced by the upsurge in mobile markets and innovative applications,” says ITWeb's editorial director, Ranka Jovanovic. “ITWeb recognised the need for comprehensive news coverage of these developments and for original content, written by ICT journalists based in these key markets."

The new Web site, at www.ITWebAfrica.com, to be launched early in April, will focus on key issues in the IT and telecoms sectors across English-speaking Africa.

“This will be our most significant online expansion move since ITWeb's launch in 2006,” notes Jovan Regasek, ITWeb founder and CEO.

Prior to joining the team in Johannesburg, Van Zyl had been working as a technology journalist in the Middle East for Abu Dhabi's 'The National' newspaper, Dubai's '7DAYS'newspaper and ITP Publishers, the region's largest magazine publisher.

Last year, ITWeb appointed regular correspondents in Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, and Rwanda. Gareth will shortly appoint reporters from Egypt, Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania.

"Technology is taking off in Africa," says Van Zyl. "Up-to-the-minute news reports and in-depth analysis on trends affecting the continent are therefore going to be critical to technology players, entrepreneurs, investors and traders to make informed business decisions," he added.

Besides reader appetite for African ICT news, ITWeb Africa will also meet the needs of ICT companies that are looking for direct and independent coverage of their activities in the rest of the continent.

“All major IT and telecoms companies have presence around the continent, and are keen to be kept up to date with developments in the ICT industry as well as to reach African IT decision-makers with their news and information,” says Jovanovic.

“ITWeb Africa will provide the same service and quality reporting ITWeb is known for in SA to the ICT professional communities across the English speaking sub-Saharan Africa,” she concludes.