Latest market developments with Thanda Sithole, Senior Economist at FNB

Thanda Sithole, Senior Economist at FNB, unpacks South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as the latest mining and manufacturing data.

Bank of Namibia and SARB sign revised MoU to strengthen institutional cooperation

Money laundering and the financing of terrorism remain pressing concerns in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, prompting member states to intensify efforts to safeguard financial systems. Central banks across the region have responded by establishing bilateral and multilatera…

SA President Cyril Ramaphosa in Brazil for state visit to boost economic, commercial relations

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Brazil for a state visit, where he will meet his counterpart, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The visit aims to strengthen diplomatic and political ties while boosting economic and commercial relations. Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, rema…

Global oil prices surge past $100 per barrel as Iran–US–Israel conflict escalates

Global oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, driven by the escalating war involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Analysts warn that the spike in energy costs is fuelling global inflation and could stall economic recovery in Europe and Asia, where energy‑i…

US Dollar weakens by 10% since January 2025, easing pressure on emerging markets

The US dollar has lost about 10% of its value against major currencies since January 2025, its weakest performance since 2017. However, economists say a softer dollar is not entirely negative, as it creates space for further monetary‑policy easing and reduces the burden of dollar‑denominated debt f…

US‑backed Lobito Corridor central to Trump administration’s critical‑minerals agenda

The 2026 edition of Investing in African Mining Indaba concluded in Cape Town, South Africa, underscoring Africa’s central role in a renewed geopolitical race for critical minerals. Copper, lithium and other strategic resources are increasingly viewed as essential to global defence, energy security…

Gabon to prioritise regional integration and economic transformation as part of reforms under its new political leadership

The Gabonese High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Rodrigue Rembendambya, says Gabon is prioritising regional integration and economic transformation as part of reforms under its new political dispensation. Speaking to Channel Africa Rembendambya said the country's Fifth Republic, led by Br…

The Global Banking Brands 2026 report shows that South African banks continue to dominate Africa's brand value rankings

Brand Finance has released two new rankings: one on the world's most valuable and strongest banking brands, and another on the top telecom brands globally. The Global Banking Brands 2026 report shows that South African banks continue to dominate Africa's brand value rankings and consistently achiev…

China and the U.S are reportedly pressurising Ghana to halt its proposed gold royalty policy

It is reported that China, the U.S., and other Western governments are pressuring Ghana to halt a proposed gold royalty increase, citing concerns it could negatively impact some of the world's largest mining companies. According to the reports, the push follows a letter from the China/Ghana Mining …

Business round-up with Victor Kgomoeswana, author and the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo

Victor Kgomoeswana, author of  "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back". Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo unpack business news that made headlines in the week.