Lerato Pule to Spearhead Financial Strategy at Liquid SA as New CFO

Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa is set to welcome a new leader in its financial division. Lerato Pule, known for her tenure as the finance boss at South Africa’s mobile operator Cell C, brings a wealth of experience to her new role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Liquid SA.

Her appointment comes at a time when Liquid Intelligent Technologies, part of Cassava Technologies owned by Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa, is ramping up its activities across the continent. Pule will join the ranks of Liquid SA's leadership in February 2024, prepared to oversee the company’s financial strategy.

Lerato Pule's move to Liquid highlights the continuing trend of high-profile executive shifts within the telecom industry, signaling the weight companies place on experienced financial stewardship. With more than a decade and a half of financial-business management involvement at both operational and strategic levels, Pule's expertise is well-recognized. Her background as a chartered accountant, along with her previous role as CFO of the SME business unit at Telkom, provides a strong foundation for her forthcoming endeavors at Liquid SA.

Upon taking up her position, Pule will direct Liquid’s financial paths and contribute to the company's goal of a completely interconnected digital Africa. Liquid SA's CEO Deon Geyser has expressed confidence in her abilities, underlining her extensive industry knowledge and proven track record in adept financial leadership.

This strategic appointment after Pule's resignation from Cell C in August comes amidst the company's sizeable financial muscle. Having secured significant investments, including a $50 million contribution from UK-based C5 Capital and an extensive partnership with the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), the telecom giant is actively advancing its infrastructure across Africa. These partnerships are fundamental in driving Liquid's aggressive expansion plans, which include upgrading data centers, deploying extensive fibreoptic networks, and introducing new tech avenues on the continent.

With these developments, the company's bond issue on the Euronext Dublin, aiming to raise $840m for new projects, reflects Liquid's ambitious growth trajectory. A part of this funding is dedicated to Africa Data Centres, a unit within the group, committing nearly R8 billion to expand its operations, emphasizing the importance of South Africa in its continental strategy.

Lerato Pule's role at Liquid SA will therefore not just be about maintaining fiscal order, but about pioneering the company’s investment into a digitally connected future for Africa. It’s a future that aligns with the continent's rapidly evolving technology landscape, where digital inclusion and access are paramount.

As Pule steps into her new role, she brings dynamism and an impressive background that promises to propel Liquid Intelligent Technologies SA towards realizing its vision and enhancing value for shareholders and communities alike. Her experience will undoubtedly be a cornerstone for the company as it looks to navigate the promising yet complex African telecom landscape.