Senior Economist at FNB, Thanda Sithole, looked at South Africa’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), as well as data on electricity production for the month of January. And on Friday, figures on the country’s exchange reserves will be released.

Senior Economist at FNB, Thanda Sithole, looked at South Africa&rsquo;s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers&rsquo; Index (PMI), as well as data on electricity production for the month of January. And on Friday, figures on the country&rsquo;s exchange reserves will be released.

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

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

Business Africa

Africa in Business

Latest market developments with Senior Economist at FNB, Thanda Sithole

Against the backdrop of the World Economic Forum, there is a global push to meet unprecedented electricity demand. Electricity has emerged as the defining infrastructure of the 21st century. As industry, digital services and emerging technologies continue to electrify, power systems are experiencing their “internet moment,” shifting from centralised, one‑directional structures to dynamic, decentralised networks.


Countries that secure abundant, reliable and sustainable electricity today will gain a decisive economic advantage tomorrow. At the same time, this growth trajectory has the potential to accelerate global efforts to reduce carbon intensity across the power sector.


Innocent Semosa spoke to Tabi T. Tabi, the CEO of Granville Energy.

Against the backdrop of the World Economic Forum, there is a global push to meet unprecedented electricity demand. Electricity has emerged as the defining infrastructure of the 21st century. As industry, digital services and emerging technologies continue to electrify, power systems are experiencing their &ldquo;internet moment,&rdquo; shifting from centralised, one‑directional structures to dynamic, decentralised networks.
 Countries that secure abundant, reliable and sustainable electricity today will gain a decisive economic advantage tomorrow. At the same time, this growth trajectory has the potential to accelerate global efforts to reduce carbon intensity across the power sector.
 Innocent Semosa spoke to Tabi T. Tabi, the CEO of Granville Energy.

A push towards building the power systems of the future

Concerns are mounting that a proposed 50% tariff on cars imported from China and India could push the prices of South Africa’s most affordable vehicles up by around US$2,500. Martlé Keyter, CEO of the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA), warns that it may now be “too late in the game” to introduce such tariffs, given the number of jobs supported through the sale of these imported vehicles.


By early 2026, 19 of South Africa’s 20 cheapest passenger cars were imported from China or India, with the only exception being the Kia Picanto from South Korea. Innocent Semosa spoke to Nicole Capper Austin, the Chief Marketing Officer at Cars.co.za.

Concerns are mounting that a proposed 50% tariff on cars imported from China and India could push the prices of South Africa&rsquo;s most affordable vehicles up by around US$2,500. Martl&eacute; Keyter, CEO of the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA), warns that it may now be &ldquo;too late in the game&rdquo; to introduce such tariffs, given the number of jobs supported through the sale of these imported vehicles.
 By early 2026, 19 of South Africa&rsquo;s 20 cheapest passenger cars were imported from China or India, with the only exception being the Kia Picanto from South Korea.&nbsp;Innocent Semosa spoke to Nicole Capper Austin, the Chief Marketing Officer at Cars.co.za.

Concerns raised over the proposed 50% tariff on cars imported from China and India by SA

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) to junk status, citing Ghana’s debt‑restructuring process and losses linked to a $750 million loan as key factors that, in its view, have increased the bank’s risk profile. 

The downgrade was followed by Fitch’s decision to withdraw future ratings for Afreximbank altogether, bringing what the agency described as a strained relationship to a definitive end.

In response, the African Credit Rating Association (ACRA) has publicly supported Afreximbank’s decision to terminate its engagement with Fitch. Speaking to Channel Africa on Monday, ACRA President Dr Sifiso Falala said the sequence of events leading to the downgrade raised concerns.

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the African Export&ndash;Import Bank (Afreximbank) to junk status, citing Ghana&rsquo;s debt‑restructuring process and losses linked to a $750 million loan as key factors that, in its view, have increased the bank&rsquo;s risk profile.&nbsp;
The downgrade was followed by Fitch&rsquo;s decision to withdraw future ratings for Afreximbank altogether, bringing what the agency described as a strained relationship to a definitive end.
In response, the African Credit Rating Association (ACRA) has publicly supported Afreximbank&rsquo;s decision to terminate its engagement with Fitch. Speaking to Channel Africa on Monday, ACRA President Dr Sifiso Falala said the sequence of events leading to the downgrade raised concerns.

Latest market developments with Senior Economist at FNB, Thanda Sithole

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