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Africa in Business
In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks & market updates.
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.
South African Cabinet extends the chairmanship of Mteto Nyati, what does it mean?
Tshepo Kgadima is an Independent Energy Analyst and Economist in South Africa and he has written an article entitled: An instruction is not a statute: stop the transfer of Eskom's grid. He is reacting to Cabinet extending the chairmanship of Mteto Nyati. He is breaking down and reminding us of some of the things he wrote two years ago which he says have proven themselves. But the laws around governing Eskom are not clear. Kgadima spoke to Thami Ngubeni to explain what he is pointing out in his article.
South Africa to manufacture medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients locally
South Africa is said to be stepping up efforts to manufacture medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients locally in a drive to reduce the country's dependence on imports and strengthen its ability to secure critical medical supplies during future health emergencies. Earlier today, President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by the country's Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Professor Blade Nzimande and Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, toured the FuturePharma facility at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the capital Pretoria. To tell us more on this, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Dr Rachel Chikwamba, Group Executive: Advanced Chemistry and Life Sciences Division at the CSIR.
The African Union has finally launched the continent's first credit-rating agency
The African Union has finally launched the continent's first credit-rating agency on aiming to provide an alternative to the "big three" global ratings agencies as debt burdens continue to grip African economies. It was launched at the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis which will be used as a base. It is almost a decade now since this project has been in the making, with African leaders endorsing its creation in 2018. To talk to us more on the significance of this agency for the continent, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Chifi Mhango, Chief Economist and Director of Economic Research & Strategy at Don Consultancy Group,
Impact of AI on the accounting sector
We end the show by talking about new research that reveals how top-performing firms structure their workforce to a shift which industry players say accounting professionals can't afford to ignore. They go on to say that accounting profession isn't becoming simpler as AI and flexible workforce models take hold. It's becoming layered, and the professionals who understand that shift early will have a real advantage over those who wait for it to become obvious. To break this down for us and talk about what it means, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Tanya Grota, Chief Financial and People Officer at Makosi
Sixth edition of Nedbank Private Wealth's Giving Report
The sixth edition of Nedbank Private Wealth's Giving Report arrives at a pivotal moment for South African philanthropy, offering a unique 15-year perspective on how affluent donors are responding to growing social complexity, shifting attitudes towards impact, and rising expectations around transparency and accountability. While giving remains widespread, donors are becoming more discerning, seeking greater alignment between their personal values and the causes they support. To talk to us more on this, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Tracy Muller, Head of Advice and Philanthropy at Nedbank Private Wealth
European Union temporarily suspends imports of fresh beef from Namibia
The European Union says that it has temporarily suspended imports of fresh beef, sheep and goat meat as well as some processed meat products from Namibia on Monday following an outbreak of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth livestock disease. In a statement issued in the capital Windhoek, EU ambassador to Namibia Ana Beatriz Martins said that the suspension also covered certain farmed and wild hoofed animals as well as products such as biltong and jerky. To talk about the impact this may have, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Thabile Nkunjana, Agricultural Economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council, Pretoria
Wicknell Chivayo’s connection to Kenya
Last week Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his condolences following the death of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe. The crash occurred on Wednesday, in the Marondera Rural area of Mashonaland East, east of Harare. President Ruto described Chivayo as his "dear friend" and said his death was a painful loss to the businessman's family, friends and those who knew him. Meanwhile, Kenya's former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua made explosive allegations linking President William Ruto to late Zimbabwean businessman claiming they had business dealings. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Channel Africa's correspondent in Kenya Daniel Ominde who has been following the story…
Women gather for the Multiply Sisterhood Network Empowerment Business Summit 2026
This past weekend saw the fathering of the Multiply Sisterhood Network Empowerment Business Summit 2026. The people behind it describe it as a premier women-focused leadership, entrepreneurship, education, and wellness platform designed to inspire, equip, and connect women from diverse sectors, unlocking their full potential. To talk to us more on this and what the objectives of this summit were, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Joyce Ledwaba, founder and president of the I Multiply Sisterhood Network
Regula market update with FNB
South Africans are about to dig deeper into their pockets fuel prices are set to reach record highs. In our markets slot today, we look at the impact of this increase on consumers. The increase comes on the back of a recent hike of interest rates by the country's Reserve bank. We also look at the southern African nation's trade data and producer inflation. Siphamandla Mkhwanazi is senior economist at FNB and spoke to Thami Ngubeni to look at these increases
Cape Town hosts creatives from the African continent and the Middle East for the Loeries Creative Week 2026
South Africa's coastal city of Cape Town is abuzz this week with creatives from the African continent and the Middle East for the Loeries Creative Week 2026. It is a six-day programme bringing together creative professionals, brands, agencies, marketers, media, educators and emerging talent from across the region. For the creatives it acts as a meeting point for the ideas, conversations and relationships that move the creative industry forward. To tell us more on this and what we can expect, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Preetesh Sewraj, CEO of The Loeries.
South African Builders and Construction Awards to Honour Industry Icons
We end off on a high note with this year's South African Builders & Construction Awards. The 19th Annual SABCA Gala Awards, which will take place on the 7th of November in Umhlanga Rocks, Durban, will bring together more than 200 leading figures from South Africa's construction, property, engineering, architecture, infrastructure, finance and government sectors under the theme:"Building Legacies, Honouring Icons." To tell us more, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Lloyd Ngavu CEO the South African Construction Awards..
September 2026 delivered the strongest monthly sales result the South African
Data from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa shows that September 2026 delivered the strongest monthly sales result the South African new-vehicle market has seen in years. With over 61,000 nits sold a 12.7% increase over last year—the industry has now notched up two full years of uninterrupted growth. The day has not only surpassed the previous 2026 peak set in March but also pushed the market past the 60,000-unit threshold for the first time in several years. Great news for the industry and for reaction from the industry players, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Alan Quinn, Chief Innovation and Product Officer at Cars.co.za,
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