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Africa in Business
In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks & market updates.
Issues impacting the South African vehicle sector
Charl Potgieter, Managing Executive for Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance, has written an article stating that South Africa's automotive industry has undergone significant changes over the past five years. He highlights greater competition, evolving vehicle price dynamics, and the rise of new-energy vehicles as factors that have impacted both the economics of vehicle ownership and the market structure. He emphasizes that understanding these changes requires an integrated perspective of the capital, businesses, partners, and consumers within the automotive ecosystem. To further discuss this and the role of Absa, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Henry Botha, Head of Strategy and Business Analytics at Absa
Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme drawing attention to student mental health due to finances
October is marked as Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa with many institutions creating awareness around this issue. One of those is the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme, they are drawing attention to a severe yet frequently overlooked risk to higher education success: the intersection of rising financial stress, online gambling, and student mental health. Across South Africa's tertiary campuses, financial pressure leads some students, including those receiving bursary allowances, to seek supplementary income through online betting platforms, echoing the broader national trends highlighted by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation research. What often begins as a response to cost-of-living challenges or household financial demands can lead to heightened anxiety, debt, and academic strain. To talk to us more on this, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Sifanele Biyela, Corporate Partnerships and Operations Executive at Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme
Understanding behaviours such as spending, saving, borrowing and planning in achieving financial health
For many young South Africans, the biggest financial barriers are not always a lack of money, but the beliefs, habits and emotions that shape their financial decisions. From social media pressure and instant gratification to financial anxiety and fear of failure, the psychology of money plays a significant role in determining financial outcomes. Drawing on insights from the 2025 NedFinHealth Monitor Report, which highlights the importance of behaviours such as spending, saving, borrowing and planning in achieving financial health, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Khayakazi Madlavu, an accredited facilitator at Nedbank
South African motorists are set to breathe a sigh of relief following major temporary reductions to fuel levies
South African motorists are set to breathe a sigh of relief following major temporary reductions to fuel levies. The country's Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana used his 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement to announce short-term cushion measures at the pumps. For a perspective on some of the outcomes of the Mid Term Budget Speech, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Ashley Benjamin, Deputy General Secretary of the Federation of Unions of South Africa and Dan Peter Al Naddaf, member of the steering committee of the Budget Justice Coalition.
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe granted Bard Santner Microfinance Bank a deposit-taking licence
Last week the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe granted Bard Santner Microfinance Bank a deposit-taking licence, paving the way for the Harare-based financial services group to establish a digital banking and investment platform targeting Zimbabweans and other Africans living abroad. Digital banking is growing fast with market players like GoTyme Bank, Bank Zero and Discovery Bank, having developed technology-led banking models around digital access in a space that is evolving fast. It is at the back of these developments that Bard Santner is seeking to establish a broader presence in diaspora banking and to tell us more, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Senziwani Sikhosana, Chief Executive Officer of Bard Santner Inc
SME Confidence Index by Business Partners Limited : 70.4% of business owners already decided which political party or candidate they intend to vote for INTRO: The latest SME Confidence Index by Business Partners Limited has revealed that 70.4% of business owners surveyed have already decided which political party or candidate they intend to vote for. A further 17.6% remain undecided, while 6.6% said they do not intend to vote and 5.3% preferred not to answer. Municipal service delivery, good governance and the effective management of illegal immigration have emerged as leading concerns influencing how SME owners intend to vote in the upcoming local government elections. To find out the significance of this survey and why it was conducted, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Jeremy Lang, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited
The latest SME Confidence Index by Business Partners Limited has revealed that 70.4% of business owners surveyed have already decided which political party or candidate they intend to vote for. A further 17.6% remain undecided, while 6.6% said they do not intend to vote and 5.3% preferred not to answer. Municipal service delivery, good governance and the effective management of illegal immigration have emerged as leading concerns influencing how SME owners intend to vote in the upcoming local government elections. To find out the significance of this survey and why it was conducted, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Jeremy Lang, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited
Preview of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement and expectations
Some of the commentary in the media is that South Africa's stronger tax collections could provide little lasting relief as the Middle East oil shock, weaker economic growth and rising spending pressures threaten to undermine the country's finances ahead of tomorrow's (Wednesday) mini-budget. The country's Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is delivering the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement as higher international oil prices feed into transport, production and household costs, while tighter monetary policy adds to the pressure on an already struggling economy. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Sanisha Packirisamy - Group Economist at Momentum Group.
Musa Mngadi, with over 20 years’ experience across multiple sectors in Africa
On our C-Suite feature, we get to know Musa Mngadi who boasts over 20 years of extensive experience across various sectors with in the African continent, with a strong focus on Gaming, Lotteries, and Technology. He has led many prominent companies which include First National Bank, Anglo American, Anglo Platinum, and Implats just to name a few. Experience like this does not come easy. Mr Mngadi, Chief Executive Officer of the African Lotteries & Gaming Association spoke to Thami Ngubeni to share some of the highlights of his journey…
Transnet Engineering and Wabtec sign a long-term Material and Technical Support Agreement
Transnet Engineering and Wabtec in South Africa have signed a long-term Material and Technical Support Agreement to support Transnet’s Class 43D/44D locomotives. The deal is reported to be valued at approximately $400 million and will support improved material availability, maintenance execution and lifecycle management, contributing to greater fleet reliability and availability over time. To tell us more on this deal and the long-term economic benefits, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Collet Yende, Chief Procurement Officer at Transnet Engineering…
Carbon Markets Africa Summit -CMAS 2026, underway in Kigali
Africa must move beyond carbon market potential towards delivery, building high-integrity, investable markets that attract long-term capital while protecting national climate priorities and ensuring greater value reaches the countries and communities. Representatives from 45 countries, including 21 African nations, are participating at the Carbon Markets Africa Summit -CMAS 2026, underway in Kigali, Rwanda. The discussions at the Summit have shifted decisively from market readiness to implementation, investment and transactions. For more on this, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Maxwell Gomera, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP's Resident Representative in South Africa and Director of the UUNDP Africa Sustainable Finance Hub joins us on the line...
Weekly business round-up with Victor Kgomoeswana
We start the show with our weekly business round up, where we look at the top stories across the continent, Thami Ngubeni spoke to 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.
Kenya is hosting the Africa Commerce and Industry Summit 2026
Kenya is hosting the Africa Commerce and Industry Summit 2026 in Nairobi from October 14 to 16. The event has brought together business leaders, investors, and policymakers from across Africa to enhance trade and investment. The summit will focus on the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to establish a unified African market for goods and services and promote intra-African trade. Organizers anticipate the participation of over 5,000 delegates from more than 50 countries, in addition to over 350 exhibitors and numerous chamber representatives. The President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), Mtho Xulu, is attending the summit and spoke to Thami Ngubeni to talk about some of the objectives of the conference.
World Bank and African Development Bank's Mission 300 aiming to address Africa's electricity gap
In today's market segment, we examine Africa's energy sector. With global initiatives such as the World Bank and African Development Bank's Mission 300 aiming to address Africa's electricity gap, decentralized energy is anticipated to play a significant role in improving access to power and fostering sustainable economic growth throughout the continent. We discuss Standard Bank's contribution to the decentralized energy ecosystem through innovative financing structures, risk-sharing partnerships, and local currency funding solutions. Additionally, we will explore how energy access is evolving beyond simple electrification to act as a catalyst for economic productivity, enabling farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises, manufacturers, and communities to stimulate growth, create jobs, and enhance Africa's long-term development prospects. Joining us for this discussion, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Brian Tahinduka, Executive Head of Energy, Infrastructure & Mining for Business & Commercial Banking (Africa Regions & Offshore), Standard Bank Group.
Big 5 Construct Kenya is returning for the ninth edition to Sarit Expo Centre in the capital Nairobi
The Big 5 Construct Kenya is returning for the ninth edition to Sarit Expo Centre in the capital Nairobi. Those in the sector say that the country's construction sector continues to see activity across a substantial project pipeline, valued at $26 billion. The event which runs from the 21st – 23rd of October, brings together more than 150 exhibitors from over 25 countries. To talk about what to expect this time around, Thami Ngubeni spoke Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President of dmg events
African continent embracing the Dangote Group's investment in a refinery
Looks like the African continent is really embracing the Dangote Group's investment in a refinery. This time around Uganda's capital markets regulator gave approval for its local investors to participate in the planned initial public offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE. Economists say that this broadens access to what is expected to be Africa's largest public share sale. The move comes days after Kenya's capital markets regulator approved a short-form prospectus for a global depository receipt, paving the way for Kenyan investors to participate in the offering as the transaction gathers momentum across East Africa. For a perspective on this, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Kelvin Chisanga, economist based in Zambia
PCT Africa Summit in Kenya examines how Africa can benefit from critical mineral wealth
Africa's critical minerals play a crucial role in the global energy transition, yet concerns linger about whether the continent is sufficiently harnessing economic benefits from its abundant resources. At a summit on People-Centred Technologies (PCT) in Africa taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, experts are examining how better governance, transparency and local participation can ensure mineral wealth translates into jobs, investment and inclusive growth. Innocent Semosa reports.
African Union launches credit rating agency in Mauritius
The African Union is set to launch a new Africa-focused credit rating agency in Mauritius this week. The Africa Credit Rating Agency is expected to provide independent assessments of African governments, businesses and institutions, as the continent seeks to address concerns over the cost and availability of financing. Our economics reporter Innocent Semosa reports.
SA Windaba 2026 weighs import tariffs, trade policy to boost local wind sector
The Windaba 2026 conference is currently underway in Cape Town, South Africa (SA), bringing together policymakers, academics, economists and energy industry experts to discuss the future of SA’s wind sector. One of the key issues under discussion is how trade policy and import tariffs can be used to support local manufacturing, while ensuring that renewable energy projects remain financially viable and attractive to investors. Our economics reporter Innocent Semosa reports.
African scientists, researchers and industry leaders are exploring how science, can shape the future of South Africa's minerals sector
We end the show by talking about the Mintek SCi 2026, where emerging African scientists, researchers and industry leaders are exploring how science, technology and innovation can shape the future of South Africa's minerals sector. Held under the theme "The Next Frontier: Emerging Scientists Driving Change," Mintek SCi has evolved beyond a traditional scientific symposium into a platform that connects emerging talent with established researchers, industry and innovation institutions, creating opportunities to turn scientific ideas into practical solutions. To talk to us more on this, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Dr Ramogohlo Diale-Boshielo is the Chairperson of Mintek SCi 2026.
Richard Southey, Managing Executive: Payments as a Service, Absa CIB
Richard Southey, Managing Executive: Payments as a Service, Absa CIB has co-authored an article where he says that Africa's relevance to the evolution of global finance is significant. The continent's experience, particularly in cross-border payments, provides a glimpse into what tomorrow's increasingly digital, data-driven global financial system could look like. He goes on to say that as artificial intelligence (AI), automation and real-time data reshape how businesses make decisions, manage supply chains and deploy capital, the infrastructure that moves money across borders must evolve too. Mr Southey spoke to Thami Ngubeni to share his thoughts.
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