Gerhard Papenfus, CEO of the National Employers' Association of South Africa, warns that the current Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy, is gradually draining the country's resources. He argues that rather than fostering broad-based wealth creation or economic growth, it primarily enriches a small elite while causing significant value destruction.

According to Papenfus, the BEE policy framework has fallen short in promoting entrepreneurship and upskilling large segments of the population, limiting its impact on the overall economy.

Thami Ngubeni spoke to the CEO of the National Employers' Association of South Africa, Gerhard Papenfus.

Gerhard Papenfus, CEO of the National Employers' Association of South Africa, warns that the current Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy, is gradually draining the country's resources. He argues that rather than fostering broad-based wealth creation or economic growth, it primarily enriches a small elite while causing significant value destruction.
According to Papenfus, the BEE policy framework has fallen short in promoting entrepreneurship and upskilling large segments of the population, limiting its impact on the overall economy.
Thami Ngubeni spoke to the CEO of the National Employers' Association of South Africa, Gerhard Papenfus.

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

 National Employers' Association of South Africa says BEE policy is bankrupting the country

 As China revises its Africa strategy, Beijing's lending to the continent nearly halved to $2.1 billion in 2024, marking the first annual decline since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The figure is less than a tenth of the $28.8 billion peak recorded in 2016 and underscores a shift away from large-scale infrastructure projects,  such as railways and roads but toward smaller and more commercially viable investments.

 Analysts say the change reflects lessons from losses on earlier loans, particularly after pandemic-related economic pressures pushed countries including Zambia, Ghana, and Ethiopia into debt default.

Thami Ngubeni spoke to Bernard Ouandji, former senior economist for the United Nations based in Cameroon.

&nbsp;As China revises its Africa strategy, Beijing's lending to the continent nearly halved to $2.1 billion in 2024, marking the first annual decline since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The figure is less than a tenth of the $28.8 billion peak recorded in 2016 and underscores a shift away from large-scale infrastructure projects, &nbsp;such as railways and roads but toward smaller and more commercially viable investments.
&nbsp;Analysts say the change reflects lessons from losses on earlier loans, particularly after pandemic-related economic pressures pushed countries including Zambia, Ghana, and Ethiopia into debt default.
Thami Ngubeni spoke to Bernard Ouandji, former senior economist for the United Nations based in Cameroon.

China reduces loans to Africa as it shift it's African investment strategy 

Afrobarometer's study, From Aspiration to Action: Barriers to Youth Empowerment in Africa, finds that young people aged 18 to 25 face the most severe employment challenges on the continent.

About 45% of those surveyed, report being unemployed and actively seeking work. Inadequate training and a lack of required experience emerge as the leading barriers to youth employment. Respondents say governments should prioritise job creation, followed by improving education and expanding access to business loans. 

Thami Ngubeni spoke to one of the authors of the report, Komi Amewunou, an editor at Afrobarometer.

Afrobarometer's study, From Aspiration to Action: Barriers to Youth Empowerment in Africa, finds that young people aged 18 to 25 face the most severe employment challenges on the continent.
About 45% of those surveyed, report being unemployed and actively seeking work. Inadequate training and a lack of required experience emerge as the leading barriers to youth employment. Respondents say governments should prioritise job creation, followed by improving education and expanding access to business loans.&nbsp;
Thami Ngubeni spoke to one of the authors of the report, Komi Amewunou, an editor at Afrobarometer.

 Afrobarometer's study finds that African youth are facing the most severe employment challenges 

It has been exactly 56 years since the first meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Founded by Klaus Schwab, the forum was conceived as a platform to debate ideas and confront the pressing issues of the day.

This year's gathering, however, takes place in a world transformed,  marked by heightened geopolitical tensions, rising tariffs, and growing global fragmentation.

These shifts could fuel inflation and increase volatility in exchange rates. The question is: how prepared is South Africa's economy to cushion the impact?

Channel Africa's economics reporter, Innocent Semosa, has the details.

It has been exactly 56 years since the first meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Founded by Klaus Schwab, the forum was conceived as a platform to debate ideas and confront the pressing issues of the day.
This year's gathering, however, takes place in a world transformed, &nbsp;marked by heightened geopolitical tensions, rising tariffs, and growing global fragmentation.
These shifts could fuel inflation and increase volatility in exchange rates. The question is: how prepared is South Africa's economy to cushion the impact?
Channel Africa's economics reporter, Innocent Semosa, has the details.

National Employers' Association of South Africa says BEE policy is bankrupting the country

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