listen to Africa in Business
Africa in Business
In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks & market updates.
SA firms face rising cyber risks
We end the show by talking to forensic investigations specialist, RiXForensica who say that companies in South Africa are facing an increasingly complex risk environment as cyber threats, fraud, governance failures, business interruption and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), become more interconnected. They go on to say that the trend comes as cyber incidents are now ranked among the most significant business risks globally and in South Africa. What is new this time around and what is it that companies should do? Thami Ngubeni spoke to Riaan van Jaasveld Director at RiXForensica
Absa, Home Affairs launch smart ID unit
South Africa's Absa bank and the Department of Home Affairs today officially launched the country's first bank-based mobile unit for Smart ID renewals. The development marks the next phase of their partnership to expand access to essential identity services. The mobile unit, is designed to take selected Home Affairs services directly to remote, peri-urban and underserved communities. For more on this, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Subash Sharma, Chief Digital Officer: PPB SA, Absa Group...
SA companies exhibit at Angola's FILDA
South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), is supporting a group of South African companies to showcase their products and services at Angola's largest international multi-sector trade exhibition, the Feira Internacional de Angola, or FILDA, taking place in Luanda from 21 to 26 July. Government says the initiative is aimed at expanding export markets, attracting investment, strengthening trade ties with Angola, and advancing regional economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, the AfCFTA. To discuss the significance of this initiative, Thami Ngubeni had a chat with Zanele Sanni, Chief Director for Africa Bilateral Economic Relations at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Malawi's Mutharika explains economic challenges
Reports from Malawi say that President Peter Mutharika when briefing Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister, laid bare the crisis he inherited regarding the economy when he took over the presidency. He pointed to the food, forex, fertiliser and fuel which are described as being "on life support" when he took office last year. He reportedly insisted his team has begun to stabilise the situation but warned that Malawi needs heavyweight partners to finish the job. He called on Blair's Institute for Global Change to help pull in serious, credible investors. To get so insights to this, Thami Ngubeni spoke to George Mhango, Channel Africa's correspondent in Malawi...
Market wrap with FNB
In the market slot, Thami Ngubeni speaks to Thabiso Tshabalala, Credit Card Product Head at FNB at how the rise in cost of living is impacting South African households in terms of budgeting and managing debt….
West African leaders sign agreement approving construction of a gas pipeline linking Nigeria to Morocco
West African leaders yesterday signed an agreement that approved the construction of a gas pipeline linking Nigeria to Morocco. This happened at a summit of regional bloc ECOWAS in Sierra Leone's capital Freetown. The establishing of the framework for the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline is said to be a major energy infrastructure project, which is expected to transport natural gas from Nigeria to Morocco before connecting to Europe's gas network. It will cross 13 countries along Africa's Atlantic coast, carrying Nigerian gas to Morocco before connecting to the Maghreb-Europe pipeline. For a perspective on this, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Professor Vally Padayachee, power and energy expert and a former executive manager of Eskom SA and a former senior executive of City Power Johannesburg...
Business in Zambia during elections
Kelvin Chisanga is an economist who is no stranger to this show. This time he penned an article about how Zambia's economy reacts to an election. Next month in August, the country is going to the polls and the focus is always around the economy. Mr Chisanga is pointing out that Zambia's business environment has remained relatively resilient and very stable as the country is building up to the elections. The tourism sector is often used in other countries to gauge how the results are received, but he says that this period continues to benefit from the country's reputation as a peaceful destination. Mr Chisanga spoke to Thami Ngubeni to share his thoughts....
Namibia, SA launch a business council to reduce red tape around trade
The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry formerly launched the Namibia South Africa (SA) Business Council. This they say is aimed at deepening bilateral trade and investment, between the two countries. This is a private sector platform they say is designed to translate the strong political relationship between the two countries into tangible trade, investment and partnership outcomes. We speak now to representatives from both countries to get an understanding of what this body will do and how it will enhance business between the two. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Titus Nampala, CEO of the Chamber and National Planning Commissioner within the Office of the Namibian President and Adv Mtho Xulu President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Weekly business roundup with Victor Kgomoeswana
The show kicks off with a weekly business round up, where it looks at the top stories across the continent, Victor Kgomoeswana, author of "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back". Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo gives a brief overview of some of the business developments.
Are SA licensing laws causing problem of illegal mining?
Fred Arendse is President of the Junior Mining Council in South Africa and he penned an opinion piece asking whether the country's licensing laws are causing the problem of illegal mining? He goes on to say that even when police are cracking hard on the criminals, this is not a solution. Why then despite the crackdowns does illegal mining still continue? To give us some answers to these questions, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Nkosinathi Mdlolo, Junior Mining Council - Corporate Development Coordinator.
Embassies Business Fair & Conference returns for its 3rd Annual Edition
Let's wrap-up the show by telling you about the upcoming Embassies Business Fair & Conference which returns for its 3rd Annual Edition from the 8th to the 9th of September later this year in Pretoria. Organizers say that it returns with a renewed focus on helping businesses access buyers, investors, global distribution platforms and international market opportunities. They go on to say that the 2026 edition is being positioned around practical trade outcomes, including SMME placement, embassy-led business exchange, investor engagement, business pitching and import-export market pathways under the theme "Direct Business Exchange Amongst Embassies: To tell us more, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Muziwethu Mathema - Chief Economist at the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency.
The Financialisation of Politics in Africa
Delegates from across Africa are meeting in Accra, Ghana, to examine the growing influence of money in politics and its impact on democracy, governance and accountability. The three-day high-level regional convening, held under the theme "The Financialization of Politics in Africa: Advancing Reform, Accountability and Democratic Integrity," is exploring reforms to promote greater transparency in political financing and strengthen democratic institutions across the continent. Channel Africa's economics reporter Innocent Semosa has more...
South Africa's mining production statistics are released this week
In today's markets slot Thami Ngubeni looks at what to expect when South Africa's mining production statistics are released this week. She also looks at the country's economic outlook following the International Monetary Fund - IMF's revision and the announcement on interest rates. Joining her on the line on these issues is Thanda Sithole, FNB & WesBank Senior Economist
South Africa proposes mandatory reserves from both the state and private fuel sector
South Africa is said to be proposing a revamp of its strategic fuel storage capability requiring mandatory reserves from both the state and private sector to mitigate supply crises. As you may know that the world is taking strain as energy supplies and prices are under pressure for months due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East that has choked off the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and liquefied natural gas transit route. To simplify what this means, Thami Ngobeni spoke to Visvin Reddy, National Convenor of People Against Petroleum price increases and MK member of parliament
Who are some of the players behind the upgrading of the Lobito Corridor?
The Lobito Corridor, it's a transcontinental railway and logistics project between Angola, Zambia and the DRC, transporting mainly mineral . There's a lot of activity in terms of exports and upgrades financed by big institutions. The reason we are talking about it today is that Wellington Muzengeza who is a political risk analyst and urban strategist has penned an article highlighting how it is a test of sovereignty and governance and who controls Africa's critical minerals in the energy transition era. Reports indicate that there is a global demand for copper and cobalt and history has taught us what happens when there's a rush a demand for minerals. Mr Musengaza spoke to Thami Ngubeni about what it is he is picking up around this corridor and what it is opening itself to especially now that it is being upgraded.
What makes higher education expensive in Africa?
We wrap-up our series on the economics of higher education by looking at what African leaders can do to prioritize funding in tertiary education. The series was sparked by Malawi's decision to double fees for higher education which will definitely exclude the poor. So we've invited South Africa's (SA) former Statistician-General who is well vested in this subject and also travelled the continent engaging with universities and other academic institutions. How do the Chines, Indian and other countries get it right and what is making Africa stay behind? To lead us in this discussion, Thami Ngubeni hosted Dr Pali Lehohla, SA's former Statistician-General.
Standard Bank Business, Commercial Banking hosts the Africa Unlocked conference in Cape Town, SA
In today's markets slot we look at the Africa Unlocked conference underway in Cape Town, South Africa (SA). Hosted by Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking, the conference has evolved into one of the continent's leading business leadership platforms, convening influential business leaders, policymakers, investors, development finance institutions and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and explore practical solutions that support sustainable economic growth. In its third year, this year's event takes place under the theme: "Built in Africa: Amplifying Continental Growth." For more on this, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Junaid Jadwat, Head of Coverage for Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank SA.
Simon Sabela Awards calling for entries
The 10th July marks the last day for entries for those interested in applying for the 2026 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film and Television Awards. To tell us why these awards are important for aspiring filmmakers, producers, directors, actors, students and technical practitioners, Thami Mgubeni spoke to Luthando Mngomezulu, an award-winning filmmaker and director of Themba.
How is eSwatini reacting to being excluded from China's zero-tariff treatment?
The 1st of May 2026 saw the start of China's zero-tariff treatment to all African countries that have diplomatic relations with Beijing. Some commentators interpreted this as a game-changer which could offer African countries an opportunity to further diversify their trade partners. But on the other hand, eSwatini has been excluded because of their diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The small land-locked is well-known for its citrus produce which used to offer high-quality grapefruit to the world's markets. It's been two months since the announcement by Beijing and one wonders what the direct impact has been on the ground and the sort of reaction in eSwatini. To give us a glimpse, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News Editor.
How does student accommodation add to overall cost of higher education?
Back to our focus on the cost of higher education especially on the Africa continent, which came to our attention after Malawi announced a 100% increase in public university fees. Today we focus on the accommodation side of things and the impact it has on the overall costs of higher learning. Many students travel far from home to the institution of their choice for studying purposes which forces them to find accommodation and we know that it does not come cheap. So for someone in the accommodation space, what is that one thing that they would say pushes rent up? To get an insider's take on this, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Kagisho Mamabolo, Chief Executive Officer of the Private Student Housing Association
Save video to ...
