China grants Africa zero-tariff access to all Africa countries

China has removed tariffs for all African countries, with the exception of Eswatini, which continues to maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The Zero-tariff access to the Chinese market officially comes into effect today, offering South African firms a potentially significant new export opportuni…

Africa Business Round Up with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open for Business and Africa Bounces Back

Joining Thami Ngubeni this Friday to take a look at the top business and economic stories making headlines across the African continent, on the Business Round?Up is Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open for Business and Africa Bounces Back, and Executive Director for Marketing and Communicat…

CEO pay surges while workers' wages stall, new global analysis finds

According to new analysis by The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Oxfam, there is a widening gap between boardroom pay and worker earnings with new data revealing sharp inequalities across the global economy. The assessment covered the top-paying 1,500 corporations across 33 coun…

As the world commemorates Workers' day SA youth lament high unemployment rate

As the world commemorates Workers' day today, South Africa is faced with serious economic challenges, including a high unemployment rate sitting at 32.9% and slow economic growth, with projections for 2026 at only two percent. This year's  Workers' Day theme is under the banner, "Ensuring a Health…

ILO warns of "Silent Crisis" as workplace stress linked to 840 000 deaths annually

The International Labour Organization (ILO) warns of a silent crisis in the global economy, one resulting in over 840,000 deaths each year. This crisis is linked to workplace stress and poor job design which include long hours to job insecurity and psychosocial risks such as harassment. The Unite…

DRC to launch US-backed paramilitary force to secure key mining assets amid ongoing instability

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recently announced that it will set up a US-backed paramilitary unit to safeguard its vast mining sector. The initiative which is reportedly backed by investments from the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is not only aimed at protecting cr…

Namibia positioned as key fuel distribution hub for sub-Saharan Africa

Namibia is being positioned as a key fuel distribution hub for Southern Africa, as the Dangote Refinery, in partnership with the African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank), plans a 2 000-kilometre fuel pipeline stretching from Walvis Bay through Botswana to Bulawayo, in Zimbabwe. The project for…

South Africa’s Beauty Economy Shows Strong Growth, Nears $7 Billion

South Africa's beauty economy continues to show notable resilience. Research shows that the sector is now valued at close to 7 billion dollars, with consumers continuing to prioritise self-care and self-expression despite rising living costs. As Channel Africas Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports, thousands …

Africa Market Update

In our Thursday's market slot we look at Standard Bank's inaugural Inclusive Excecellence Awards. This is the bank's  Business & Commercial Banking - BCB initiative, aimed at recognising South African Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) led by entrepreneurs with disabilities. The awards whi…

Economist Trevor Hambayi Weighs In on Zambia’s High-Stakes Decision over US Minerals Deal and HIV Funding

Today marks the deadline for the government of Zambia to choose between granting the United States priority access to its key minerals or risk losing HIV funding.  It is estimated that around 1.3 million people depend on HIV treatment. This decision could affect both its economy and public health s…