What's Next with Aki Anastasiou

Artificial intelligence is reshaping business strategy, but why are so few AI projects delivering measurable ROI? Omeshnee Naidoo, CIO Programme Leader for Africa at Deloitte, joins What's Next powered by Deloitte to unpack the findings from Deloitte's Tech Trends 2026 report and what they mean for African technology leaders.

Naidoo explains how African CIOs can use AI, cloud computing, and improved connectivity to leapfrog traditional infrastructure challenges and accelerate digital transformation. She also discusses why many AI initiatives fail, the critical role of data quality, and how organisations can move beyond experimentation to deliver real business value.

The conversation explores the emergence of a new generation of CIOs, the balance between innovation and operational excellence, cybersecurity in an AI-driven world, and why African organisations are uniquely positioned to compete globally despite resource constraints.

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Deloitte - https://www.deloitte.com/za/en/Industries/technology/research/tech-trends-2026.html

What if IoT connectivity didn’t require expensive long-term contracts or constant monitoring? In this episode, Sigfox South Africa CEO Gregory Rood explains how a new “single-use communication” model is transforming the way businesses think about connected devices.

The discussion explores how ultra-low-cost IoT tags can send alerts only when critical events happen — such as a package being opened, medicine going out of temperature range, or a shipment being tampered with. Instead of continuous tracking and monthly subscriptions, businesses can deploy short-term, prepaid connectivity built around real-world operational needs.

From healthcare and cold-chain logistics to freight monitoring, panic buttons, and asset protection, the episode highlights how Sigfox’s AI-enhanced network and South African-built innovation are lowering the barrier to IoT adoption and enabling smarter, more affordable connected solutions.

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Robert Gwerengwe – CEO of WesBank about the forces reshaping South Africa’s vehicle finance and mobility landscape. Gwerengwe reflects on the leadership experiences that shaped him, from building new operations abroad to gaining broad banking exposure, and outlines his vision for a more inclusive, future-focused WesBank.

The conversation explores electrification, the rise of Chinese vehicle brands, flexible mobility models and the growing role of data in structuring smarter finance solutions. Gwerengwe also shares how shifting consumer behavior, rising fuel costs and changing ownership preferences are redefining what mobility looks like in South Africa — and how financial institutions must evolve alongside it.

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Leon Theron – Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Lexus South Africa about how the brand balances luxury, performance and long-term strategic focus in a highly competitive premium market. Leon unpacks Lexus’s pursuit of perfection, the craftsmanship that defines the brand, and why customer experience sits at the heart of its commercial success.

The conversation explores Lexus’s multi-path approach to electrification, its selective dealership strategy built around guest experience, and how disciplined brand alignment from Japan to South Africa protects its premium positioning. From hybrid leadership to bespoke showroom environments, Leon shares how Lexus continues to evolve while staying true to what makes it distinct in the luxury automotive space.

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Siliziwe Mafika – Director of Finance & Performance Leader at Deloitte Consulting about the realities facing African CFOs in one of the world’s most complex operating environments. From currency volatility and regulatory shifts to supply chain pressure and fragmented markets, Mafika explains why resilience, rapid scenario planning and decision velocity have become essential capabilities for modern finance leaders.

The conversation explores how finance functions must move beyond traditional monthly reporting cycles toward real-time insight, connected data infrastructure and AI-enabled decision-making. Mafika also unpacks the shift in talent required for the future — where finance, data science and engineering converge — and why the next generation of CFOs must translate technology into tangible business action to stay competitive.