Absa says South Africa’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market is growing steadily, with vehicle sales rising sharply in recent years. To test the country’s readiness for wider adoption, two Absa executives recently completed a three‑day electric‑vehicle journey covering more than 4 000 kilometres from Johannesburg to Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.


One of the executives, Tebogo Maphothoma, Executive for Operations and Enablement at Absa Vehicle Asset Finance, says the journey highlighted ongoing infrastructure gaps, limited consumer awareness and broader ecosystem challenges that could slow the NEV transition.


Thami Ngubeni spoke to Zinzile Gcaleka, Executive for Strategy and Customer at Absa Insurance.

Absa says South Africa&rsquo;s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market is growing steadily, with vehicle sales rising sharply in recent years. To test the country&rsquo;s readiness for wider adoption, two Absa executives recently completed a three‑day electric‑vehicle journey covering more than 4 000 kilometres from Johannesburg to Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.
 One of the executives, Tebogo Maphothoma, Executive for Operations and Enablement at Absa Vehicle Asset Finance, says the journey highlighted ongoing infrastructure gaps, limited consumer awareness and broader ecosystem challenges that could slow the NEV transition.
 Thami Ngubeni spoke to Zinzile Gcaleka, Executive for Strategy and Customer at Absa Insurance.

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In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks &amp; market updates.

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Africa in Business

Absa looks at SA’s readiness for a large‑scale transition to new energy vehicles

The 2026 World Governments Summit, held alongside the World Laureates Summit, is underway in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Hosted under the theme “Shaping Future Governments,” the summit brings together governments, international organisations, thought leaders and private‑sector executives from around the world to advance international cooperation.


Speaking during one of the sessions, Patrick J. McGinnis, author of Fear of Missing Out, posed a pointed question: Are governments leading with a clear strategy, or are they merely reacting to FOMO, the fear of missing out, and FOBO, the fear of a better option, in an increasingly fast‑changing world?
Thami Ngubeni spoke to Patrick J. McGinnis, Venture Capitalist and Author of Fear of Missing Out.

The 2026 World Governments Summit, held alongside the World Laureates Summit, is underway in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Hosted under the theme &ldquo;Shaping Future Governments,&rdquo; the summit brings together governments, international organisations, thought leaders and private‑sector executives from around the world to advance international cooperation.
 Speaking during one of the sessions, Patrick J. McGinnis, author of Fear of Missing Out, posed a pointed question: Are governments leading with a clear strategy, or are they merely reacting to FOMO, the fear of missing out, and FOBO, the fear of a better option, in an increasingly fast‑changing world? Thami Ngubeni spoke to Patrick J. McGinnis, Venture Capitalist and Author of Fear of Missing Out.

Patrick J. McGinnis, author of Fear of Missing Out, questions whether governments lead with a clear strategy or merely react to FOMO

Day two of the IBT Presidential Summit has shifted the focus from policy vision to practical implementation, with discussions centred on how Innovative Building Technologies can be supported and funded at scale. Financial institutions, development financiers and government entities are engaging on the risks, opportunities and funding models required to move IBTs beyond pilot phases and into mainstream delivery.

Our Reporter Lebogang Mabange has more.

Day two of the IBT Presidential Summit has shifted the focus from policy vision to practical implementation, with discussions centred on how Innovative Building Technologies can be supported and funded at scale. Financial institutions, development financiers and government entities are engaging on the risks, opportunities and funding models required to move IBTs beyond pilot phases and into mainstream delivery.
Our Reporter Lebogang Mabange has more.

IBT Presidential Summit shifts the focus from policy vision to practical implementation

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has pushed back against claims by United States (US) President Donald Trump that Ethiopia’s massive new hydroelectric dam was funded by the US. The $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, built on a tributary of the Nile River, is expected to generate more than 5 000 megawatts of electricity, making it the largest power‑producing dam in Africa.


However, the project remains highly contentious. Egypt, a close US ally that relies on the Nile for nearly all of its water supply, has repeatedly warned that the dam poses an existential threat.
Channel Africa’s Economics Reporter, Innocent Semosa, has more.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has pushed back against claims by United States (US) President Donald Trump that Ethiopia&rsquo;s massive new hydroelectric dam was funded by the US. The $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, built on a tributary of the Nile River, is expected to generate more than 5 000 megawatts of electricity, making it the largest power‑producing dam in Africa.
 However, the project remains highly contentious. Egypt, a close US ally that relies on the Nile for nearly all of its water supply, has repeatedly warned that the dam poses an existential threat. Channel Africa&rsquo;s Economics Reporter, Innocent Semosa, has more.

Absa looks at SA’s readiness for a large‑scale transition to new energy vehicles

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