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Africa in Business
In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks & market updates.
AfCFTA hailed as Africa's economic game changer on Africa Day amid global uncertainty
As Africa marks Africa Day today, economists say the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, known as AfCFTA, could become the continent's biggest economic game changer amid growing global uncertainty. Some Experts believe deeper intra-African trade could strengthen economic resilience, boost industrialisation, and unlock new opportunities for businesses and young entrepreneurs across the continent. Let's unpack this feather with Jason Hamilton Guest lecturer in Corporate and Development Finance at Stellenbosch Business School.
BRICS nations show uneven progress toward circular economy goals amid rising climate, waste pressures
As pressure grows on countries to confront climate change, pollution, and rising levels of waste, attention is increasingly turning toward the circular economy a system. A recent study comparing the original BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has found that while some emerging economies are making significant progress in reusing waste and building circular economies, some continue to lag behind in key areas, including recycling infrastructure and policy implementation. Joining us now is Aifani Confidence Tahulela, PhD candidate and researcher at the Durban University of Technology at the DUT BRICS research Institute in South Africa.
Africa Market Update with Koketso Mano, FNB Senior Economist
In today's markets slot we look at the impact of South Africa's (SA) inflation rate on possible increase on the interest rate. We turn also turn our attention to the trade balance. We also turn the spotlight on the African Continental Free Trade Area. For more on this, we're joined on the line by Koketso Mano, FNB Senior Economist.
Banks turn to AI to rethink creditworthiness
Millions of people across the continent today remain excluded from formal credit systems, in spite of their being economically active, running businesses and earning incomes. This is because traditional lending models rely heavily on formal credit histories, leaving large segments of the population outside the reach of mainstream financial services. But artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the global banking sector, and as a result financial institutions are increasingly exploring new ways to assess creditworthiness using alternative data. Joining us to discuss how AI-led lending is reshaping credit access in South Africa, and what this means for banks, regulators, and underserved consumers is Eshmael Mpabanga Regional Head - Southern Africa & Senior Vice President at Intellect Design Arena.
Africa Day Spotlight: Diaspora driving economic growth across the continent
As the continent marks Africa Day, conversations around Africa's future are expanding beyond history, unity, and culture. Today, the African diaspora has become one of the driving forces behind Africa's economic growth. From remittances and startup investments to skills transfer and business development, millions of Africans across the globe are helping to shape stronger economies and support communities back home. This Africa Day, our economics reporter, Innocent Semosa, takes a closer look at Africa's economic outlook and the role the diaspora is playing in shaping the continent's future.
SA's financial hub faces power supply uncertainty over Eskom arrears
Power Utility Eskom has issued a warning to South Africa's (SA) city of Johannesburg that it could face electricity supply interruptions due to unpaid municipal debt totalling over $260 million. It is regarded as one of the largest urban economies in Africa as well as the continent's leading financial centre and s now uder immense pressure to resolve the debt dispute before electricity interruptions begin. Joining us now to reflect on this is Energy Analyst Chris Yelland.
Africa Business Round Up with Victor Kgomoeswana - author of Africa Is Open For Business
Time now for our weekly Business Round Up, were we look at the biggest stories shaping Africa's economic and investment landscape. Joining me as usual is Victor Kgomoeswana - author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back, and the Executive Director for Marketing & Communication at the University of Limpopo - to unpack the developments making headlines across the continent..... TALKING POINTS: -Tharisa plc's $545 million Zimbabwe investment highlights how African countries are increasingly competing for strategic mining capital tied to global demand for critical minerals, -Zimbabwe reopening livestock imports from the Western Cape province in South Africa signals improving regional trade confidence and stronger animal disease management cooperation, -Emmanuel Macron's remarks on slavery reparations reignite global debate over colonial accountability and the economic legacy of the transatlantic slave trade,
SA pushes to become key player in global green hydrogen market
South Africa (SA) is positioning itself at the forefront of the global green hydrogen revolution. Speaking at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam , the country's Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says Africa is no longer asking whether it can participate in the green hydrogen economy, but is now preparing to shape and supply it. Tau, who is part of Team SA attending the summit, says decarbonisation remains central to the country's industrial policy and economic future. Our Economics reporter innocent Semosa has the details.
Ramaphosa wraps up Botswana visit with focus on trade, regional growth
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has wrapped up his two-day State Visit to Botswana aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the neighbouring countries. During the visit, President Duma Boko and President Ramaphosa co-chaired the 6th Session of the Botswana–South Africa Bi-National Commission on Thursday, where both nations signed a number of MOU's and a committment to fast-tracking high-impact priority projects focused on boosting trade, economic cooperation, infrastructure connectivity, regional integration, sustainable development and agriculture. To shed more light on the significance of this economic diplomacy milestone for both countries and the broader SADC region, we are now joined on the line by Professor Philippe Burger, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and Professor of Economics at the University of the Free State.
Kenyan SME empowers women through sustainable glass recycling
This evening on our SME Feature, Kenyan based enterprise that transforms discarded glass bottles into elegant handcrafted décor and functional homeware. The journey for founder Nyandia Kamawe, began during the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic has evolved into a sustainable business creating jobs for women, supporting the circular economy, and redefining how waste can be turned into value. From artistry and environmental conservation to entrepreneurship and women's empowerment, we explore how MokoMaya is building a business with both social and environmental impact.
Botswana, SA Commission signals renewed push for regional integration
South Africa (SA) stands ready to partner with Botswana, as the once diamond rich nation marches towards the diversification of its economy in the wake of declining sales on the global market. For many years, Botswana has been an economic jewel of Africa. Botswana was stable, wealthy, and free of economic chaos.But today, Botswana's economy is collapsing into crime, stagnation, and political turmoil with investors fleeing the country. More from our correspondent in Botswana Shingarai Madondo.
Malawi hosts regional investors, businesses at 36th International Trade Fair
Business institutions and investors from SADC, COMESA, and the East African Community have converged in Malawi for the 36th International Trade Fair, which kicked off this Thursday. The fair aims to showcase products and unlock investment opportunities between local companies and regional economic blocs. Opening the event, Malawi's Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Industry, Symon Itaye, emphasized that Malawi is aggressively positioning its business entities to fully benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area. George Mhango, filed this report from the trade fair grounds.
Africa’s development agenda back in focus at NEPAD@25 Summit
South Africa's (SA) Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, has called for urgent action to accelerate Africa's development agenda, as the continent marks 25 years of the New Partnership for Africa's Development NEPAD. Speaking at the NEPAD@25 High-Level Business Breakfast in Cape Town, Mashatile stressed that Africa must move beyond exporting raw materials and instead focus on industrialisation, regional integration, infrastructure development and intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area. Our economics reporter Innocent Semosa has more.
Africa Market Update with Deerosh Maharaj from Standard Bank SA
In our markets slot for today we look at Africa's energy transition as it gathers pace, unlocking grid capacity, accelerating infrastructure financing and crowding in private capital will be critical to ensuring the continent's energy ambitions translate into meaningful economic growth, energy resilience and industrial development. Deerosh Maharaj, Executive Head, Energy, Infrastructure & Mining at Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa (SA), joins us on the line.
Africa’s digital economy expands through mobile money, financial innovation
Across Africa, millions remain locked out of traditional banking systems, with more than half of adults in Sub-Saharan Africa still unbanked. but that gap is now driving one of the fastest-growing fintech revolutions in the world. From mobile money platforms to blockchain-powered payment solutions, innovators are reshaping how people save, spend, and move money across borders. But as digital finance expands, so do concerns around fraud prevention, privacy, and the protection of consumer data. Thelma Okorie, Group Data Protection and Privacy Counsel at Yellow Card joins us now to help explains how African fintech companies are tackling these challenges while opening new economic opportunities for businesses and everyday consumers alike.
African aviation leaders call for stronger partnerships at Johannesburg Convention
The14th Aviation Stakeholders Convention has concluded with calls for more collaborations and partnerships. Senior aviation decision-makers from across the globe met in Johannesburg South Africa this week to forge the partnerships and strategies necessary to unlock Africa's aviation potential. Hosted by the African Airlines Association and South African Airways under the theme: "Resilient African Aviation: Partnerships - Empowerment - Profitability, the convention brought together over 400 delegates to discuss collaboration, connectivity, sustainability, innovation, and the future growth of aviation across the continent. Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports.
SA monitors rising Iran–US tensions amid threats to key oil route
Tensions between the United States (US) and Iran continue to escalate, with growing instability in the Strait of Hormuz threatening one of the world's most critical oil shipping routes. From vessel seizures to intensified fears of prolonged disruptions to global energy supplies, the ongoing developments have drawn direct attention from AfrIca's largest economy, South Africa (SA). The country's Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister has confirmed that government will send a delegation to the Strait of Hormuz to assess the geopolitical and economic risks facing global fuel supply chains and SA's own energy security. Joining us now to reflect on these developments is Dr Sizo Nkala. Senior Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg Centre for Africa-China Studies.
SA consumers hit by sharp rise in fuel-driven inflation
South Africa's (SA) consumers are once again feeling the pressure at the pumps, as inflation accelerated sharply in April. Headline consumer inflation rose to 4% from 3.1% in March, driven largely by a record surge in fuel prices. Statistics SA says fuel costs recorded their steepest monthly increase since the current CPI series began in 2008, with petrol and diesel prices climbing sharply. Our Economics reporter innocent Semosa has more.
G7 Finance talks highlight mounting pressure on African markets
As G7 Finance Ministers meet in Paris with rising energy prices dominating discussions, African countries continue to grapple with mounting debt pressures, higher borrowing costs and growing uncertainty in the global economy amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Against this backdrop of mounting economic pressures and leadership challenges across the continent, our economics reporter Innocent Semosa examines what is at stake for Africa as leaders search for solutions to secure sustainable growth and long-term economic resilience.
Mining Indaba 2027 theme set against growing pressure for economic value
As Africa's mining sector faces increasing pressure to deliver tangible economic value. This comes against the backdrop of previous Mining Indaba gatherings, where discussions have consistently centred on unlocking Africa's mineral wealth, attracting investment, and strengthening partnerships between governments, investors, and mining companies.Against this evolving landscape, Investing in African Mining Indaba is set to unveil the official theme for Mining Indaba 2027. To unpack these developments further, we are now joined by Laura Nicholson, Industry Director at Investing Mining Indaba.
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