ECOWAS to abolish air transport taxes from January 1, 2026 in a move aimed at lowering the cost of air travel across the region

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to abolish air transport taxes from January 1, 2026, in a move aimed at lowering the cost of air travel across the region. The bloc has also announced a 25% reduction in passenger and security-related aviation charges from next year. Cha…

South African consumers feel the strain of sharply higher meat prices as meat inflation climbs to the highest level in almost eight years

With the December holidays upon us and braai season in full swing, South African consumers are feeling the strain of sharply higher meat prices at the tills. Meat inflation has climbed to its highest level in almost eight years, driven largely by disruptions caused by foot-and-mouth disease and tig…

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

For our final business round-up of the year, Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open for Business and Africa Bounces Back, and Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo, unpacks some of the developments that caught his eye this year.

South Africa tourism agency says the sector is on an upward trajectory

Tourism is on an upward trajectory in South Africa, according to South African Tourism. The organisation revealed that between January and October 2025, the country welcomed about 8.5 million visitors, an increase of more than a million compared to the same period last year. The organisation says t…

75 municipalities in South Africa at risk of losing government funding

About 75 municipalities in South Africa risk losing their government funding, known as equitable share allocations, this month after the National Treasury moved to penalise alleged financial mismanagement. The decision has sparked a sharp reaction from Salga, a government-linked association that re…

The 3rd edition of the Africa Digital Banking Experience Series 2025 finds that AI-driven services are crucial in improving banking operational efficiency

Backbase, the leader in AI-powered banking, in partnership with African Banker magazine, has released the third edition of the Africa Digital Banking Experience Series 2025. The study found that a vast majority of participating banks view AI as crucial, with AI-driven services considered very or ex…

The agricultural sector in Africa was tested by trade tensions in 2025

At the start of 2025, Africa's agricultural sector appeared to be on a recovery path following a severe drought in the previous season. However, this fragile rebound was quickly tested by rising trade tensions. The United States introduced reciprocal tariffs, while within the region, Botswana repea…

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway welcomes its 33 millionth visitor

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company, located in Cape Town, South Africa, kicked off the December festive season with a major milestone. On Monday this week, the company welcomed its 33 millionth visitor. Visitors have been using cable cars since 1929 to reach the top of the iconic Table Mountain…

South Africa's consumer price inflation eases slightly

South Africa's consumer price inflation has eased slightly, offering modest relief to households. The latest figures from Statistics South Africa show that annual inflation slowed to 3.5 per cent in November, down from 3.6 per cent in October. This marks the second slowdown in year-on-year inflatio…

Zimbabwe formally bans all foreign nationals from participating in the country's artisanal mining sector

The Government of Zimbabwe has formally banned all foreign nationals from participating in the country's artisanal mining sector. The new regulations, which came into immediate effect this month, designate artisanal mining as a sector exclusively reserved for Zimbabweans. This means foreign nationa…