Thami Ngubeni and Victor Kgomoeswana, author of  "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back" discuss top stories in Africa for this week.

As the South African E-hailing industry continues to grow, safety remains a top priority. While the National Land Transport Act NLTA empowers the government to implement stricter regulations there is a need for collaboration between the E-hailing industry stakeholders to come together to find solutions on how to tackle the safety challenges faced by the industry. InDrive, one of the E-hailing companies hosted a safety symposium initiative in Sandton, Johannesburg yesterday under the theme "Driving Change, A Collaborative Approach to Safety". Channel Africa reporter Micheal Mbewe filed this report.

Embracing digital payment solutions can offer enhanced security, efficiency, and growth opportunities for local entrepreneurs, traders and small-business owners. South Africa has seen a surge in the adoption of digital wallets and payments, due to its convenience, speed, security and reach. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Jonathan Holden, Chief Operations Officer at SOLmate.

The launch of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also referred to as the New Silk Road, was set up to develop two new trade routes connecting China with the rest of the world- which has led to the Asian country broadening its economic and political influence. Research Officer at Africa in the World, Jana de Kluiver says as the BRI expands its reach, Africa needs to take up opportunities presented by the Belt and Road Initiative- this as China shifts BRI towards smaller, greener and less risky projects. Thami Ngubeni spoke to the Research Officer at Africa in the World, Jana de Kluiver.

The price of potatoes in South Africa is expected to increase in the coming months. Low temperatures in the northern parts of the country have caused damage to crops with Black Frost hitting the Limpopo province causing widespread damage to potato plantings and other vegetables such as peppers. It is reported that as much as a quarter of potato plantings in the province were affected. Thami Ngubeni spoke to the Information and Regional Manager at Potatoes SA Ferdinand Coetzee.

South Africa's Deputy President Paul Mashatile has today, delivered a keynote address on the second day of the conference co-hosted by the University of Johannesburg and the National School of Government, to reflect on the state of South Africa 30 years into its democracy. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Channel Africa reporter Michael Mbewe.

South Africa's Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), in partnership with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), and the Southern African Essential Oils Producers Association (SAEOPA), is hosting the third South African Conference on Essential and Vegetable Oils in Pretoria, South Africa. Themed "Local to Global: East-West, Home is Best," the event brought together 200 producers and stakeholders from across Southern Africa to share innovative trends and address critical industry challenges. Thami Ngubeni spoke to the Director for cosmetics at the Department of Trade and Industry Ms Sinah Mosehla.

More than three-quarters or 77 per cent of South African consumers expect the most significant increase in spending in the next six months to be on groceries. This is among the key insights reflected in PWC South Africa's Voice of the Consumer Survey 2024: South African findings report. At the same time, 75 per cent of local consumers rank inflation as the number one risk they believe could impact the country over the next year, followed by macroeconomic volatility and social inequality. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Lulu Krugel, Chief Economist at PWC South Africa

Over the past few weeks, South Africans have had a series of water cuts as the country's utility company, Rand Water embarked on extensive infrastructure maintenance. The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the SA Local Government Association (Salga) have set up a Water Partnership Office (WPO) to facilitate private investment in water infrastructure projects. Head of the WPO, Johann Lubbe says public water and sanitation projects often struggle to find bankable projects as they are seen as high risk. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Johann Lubbe, Head of the Water Partnership Office (WPO).

Delegates to the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa and the 2nd UN Tourism Regional Conference on brand Africa have concluded their meetings in Livingstone, with an agreement to work together in selling the tourism potential of Africa. More than 400 delegates among them 38 Ministers of Tourism, as well as Chief Executive Officers, potential investors and key stakeholders, held discussions on unlocking investment in tourism on the continent and the potential for sector growth.  Channel Africa's Hilda Akekelwa filed this report.

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng says China's ongoing reforms present significant opportunities for South Africa. According to Peng collaboration and sharing expertise, both nations can enhance their economic growth and productivity. Peng made these remarks at the "Global Opportunities in Deepening China's Reform in the New Era," event hosted at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Channel Africa Business Reporter Innocent Semosa was there and filed this report.

Ghana's finance minister this week raised the country's 2024 growth forecast citing the positive impact of debt restructuring and reforms. Economic growth is now seen at 3-point-1% in 2024, above its previous forecast of 2-point-8%. Ghana has been restructuring its 30-billion-dollar debt to recover from its worst economic crisis in a generation. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Professor John Gartchie Gatsi, the Dean of the School of Business at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana.

South Africa's Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), in partnership with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), and the Southern African Essential Oils Producers Association (SAEOPA), is hosting the third South African Conference on Essential and Vegetable Oils in Pretoria, South Africa. Themed "Local to Global: East-West, Home is Best," the event brought together 200 producers and stakeholders from across Southern Africa to share innovative trends and address critical industry challenges. Thami Ngubeni spoke to the Director for cosmetics at the Department of Trade and Industry Ms Sinah Mosehla.

More than three-quarters or 77% of South African consumers expect the most significant increase in spending in the next six months to be on groceries. This is among the key insights reflected in PwC South Africa's Voice of the Consumer Survey 2024: South African findings report. At the same time, 75 per cent of local consumers rank inflation as the number one risk they believe could impact the country over the next year, followed by macroeconomic volatility and social inequality. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Lulu Krugel, Chief Economist at PWC South Africa

Over the past few weeks, South Africans have had a series of water cuts- as the country's utility company, Rand Water embarked on extensive infrastructure maintenance. The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the SA Local Government Association (Salga) have set up a Water Partnership Office (WPO) to facilitate private investment in water infrastructure projects. Head of the WPO, Johann Lubbe says public water and sanitation projects often struggle to find bankable projects as they are seen as high risk. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Johann Lubbe, Head of the Water Partnership Office (WPO).

Delegates to the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa -and the 2nd UN Tourism Regional Conference on brand Africa have concluded their meetings in Livingstone, with an agreement to work together in selling the tourism potential of Africa. The more than 400 delegates among them 38 Ministers of Tourism, as well as Chief Executive Officers, potential investors and key stakeholders, held discussions on unlocking investment in tourism on the Continent and the potential for sector growth.  Channel Africa's Hilda Akekelwa filed this report.

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng says China's ongoing reforms present significant opportunities for South Africa. According to Peng collaboration and sharing expertise, both nations can enhance their economic growth and productivity. Peng made these remarks at the  "Global Opportunities in Deepening China's Reform in the New Era," event hosted at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Channel Africa Business reporter Innocent Semosa was there and filed this report

Ghana's finance minister this week raised the country's 2024 growth forecast citing the positive impact of debt restructuring and reforms. Economic growth is now seen at 3-point-1% in 2024, above its previous forecast of 2-point-8%. Ghana has been restructuring its 30-billion dollar debt to recover from its worst economic crisis in a generation. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Professor John Gartchie Gatsi, the Dean of the School of Business at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana.

Nigeria's Central Bank has raised the Monetary Policy rate by 50 basis points amid soaring inflation and skyrocketing food prices. The announcement was made after the apex bank's 296th MPC meeting in Abuja. Meanwhile, earlier the government passed the new national minimum wage bill. The bill increases the wages as well as reducing the review period from five years to three years. Thami Ngubeni spoke to a correspondent in Nigeria, Jonathan James Lyamgohn.

The "Global Opportunities in Deepening China's Reform in the New Era" event is currently underway at the University of Johannesburg. This event explores specific areas with the most potential for collaboration between Africa and China to deepen bilateral ties. Key dignitaries are in attendance, including the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng. Thami Ngubeni spoke to the Director, of the Institute for the Future of Knowledge at the University of Johannesburg, Professor Arthur Mutanbura.

The 21st African Growth and Opportunity Act forum begins in the United States today. In the run-up to this forum in Washington DC, all eyes have been on whether South Africa will remain under AGOA, but analysts and politicians believe the country has a good chance to retain its access to US markets. There have been calls for the US to review US - -SA relations. South Africa's Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau is leading a delegation which includes the private sector, civil society, and organised labour representatives to AGOA. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Kendra Gaither, President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

South Africa's Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) and environmental organisations have welcomed the signing into law of the Climate Change Bill. The country's President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Climate Change Bill, which sets out a national climate change response, including mitigation and adaptation actions, which also constitutes South Africa's fair contribution to the global climate change response. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Sherelee Odayar, an oil and gas campaigner at Greenpeace Africa.

Young people in Africa are no longer waiting for the government's support as economies on the continent face severe challenges. This was the case with a handful of South African youth who founded an online business in 2019, at the height of covid 19. Thami Ngubeni spoke to one of the founders of the company, Raeeza Bulbulia.

The Rwandan coffee industry is gaining global recognition as one of the best coffee exporters in the world. According to the Rwandan Development Board, the coffee industry plays a major role in the economy of the country, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings and the monetisation of the rural economy. Statistics suggest that Rwanda's annual coffee produce ranges between twenty thousand to twenty-two thousand metric ton. In addition, the industry has scooped some internationally recognised accolades such as "Best of the Best" and "Coffee Lover's Choice" in competitions that attracted top brands from nine countries around the world. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Nzamurambaho Malliavin, a Trade Finance Professional in Kigali, Rwanda.

With just weeks to go before implementation, South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Pension Funds Amendment Act into law, meaning that the pensions fund industry must get ready to service clients in a new two-pot retirement system world, as of the 1st of September. The Two-Pot Retirement System will enable people to access a small portion of their retirement savings before retirement for emergencies. The bulk of their savings will remain "preserved", meaning they will have to keep the majority of their retirement savings invested until retirement. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Richard Carter, Head of Assurance at Allan Gray 

A South African delegation is currently in the United States to lobby against a Senate review of the bilateral relations between the two countries. Last month, the House of Representatives passed a law requiring a comprehensive assessment of the bilateral relations, which could potentially harm trade ties and jeopardize South Africa's participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA is a trade agreement that grants South Africa and 30 other African countries duty-free access to the US market. South African Trade and Industry Minister, Parks Tau has indicated that the delegation will utilize the upcoming AGOA Summit in Washington, D.C. as an opportunity to push back against the review. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Political and Economic risk analyst, Marisa Lourenço.

At least 14 countries across East, Central, and Southern Africa are poised to embark on a new era of economic integration. Starting 25th of July, a historic Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement will unify the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa into a single commerce bloc. Economist and Managing Director/CEO of Timeline Consult Limited, Nigeria Shuaibu Idris, says this is a step in the right direction.

Thami Ngubeni spoke to SABC's economics editor, Tshepo Mongoai to discuss some of the stories expected to come out of the continent this week.

Nigeria's government has hit social media company, Meta with a 220-million US dollar fine for violation of antitrust, data protection and consumer rights laws. Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission accused Meta of discriminatory practices, abuse of market dominance, sharing Nigerians' data without authorization and denying Nigerians the right to determine how their data is used. Thami Ngubeni spoke to a lawyer knowledgeable in economic affairs, Frank Tiatia Esq.

Farmers in South Africa are calling on the country's newest Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen to discuss the agricultural and agro-processing master plan. The master plan aims to promote inclusive growth, competitiveness, transformation, employment and food security. Thami Ngubeni spoke to TLU SA's general manager, Bennie Van Zyl.

A credit ratings company is being established to meet the unique needs of Africa's sovereign borrowers, set to be ready by next year. This is according to Ambassador Albert Muchanga, the African Union's (AU) commissioner for development, trade, tourism, industry and minerals. He was addressing members of the media at the 6th African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting held in Accra, Ghana at the weekend. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Ejigayhu Tefera, who is the Senior Credit Rating Expert at the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

African Bank's Chief Executive for Consumer Banking, Sibongiseni Ngundze,  emphasized that the Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa, should aim to create a supportive environment for enterprises to thrive and ensure a clear policy framework for stability. Nghe made the remarks on the sidelines of the "Dare to Be Different" event, hosted by African Bank with the theme "Unleash Your Inner Audacity," in Johannesburg, South Africa. Channel Africa Business reporter Innocent Semosa filed this report 

Microsoft customers worldwide have been hit by a massive cyber issue. The outage is believed to be linked to an anti-virus software update from cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike. South Africa's largest bank by customer numbers, Capitec, is also facing an outage due to problems with its international service provider. Thami Ngubeni spoke to the Founder and CEO of World Wide Worx, Arthur Goldstuck.

 A recent study by the World Wildlife Fund estimates that South Africa has the potential to produce between three and four billion litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) a year. This is almost two billion litres more than what is required by the country's domestic market. Recently, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on South Africa to accelerate the development of SAF production. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Dr Preeti Jain, she's the Head of IATA's Net Zero Transition Programme

The African Development Bank has approved a one billion US dollar loan to South Africa's state-owned rail and port company, Transnet. The loan will assist in financing the first phase of improving the country's rail and port infrastructure.  Thami Ngubeni spoke to George Sebulela, the President of the African United Business Council.

A recent report by Gallup and philanthropic organisation Porticus analyses how gender power imbalances shape women's lives in five African countries and act as barriers to broader social and economic development. The report called Gender Power in Africa delves into the persistent issues and emerging trends related to gender inequality, offering comprehensive insights. Some of the key findings reveal that in Kenya and South Africa among other countries, perceptions that women are treated with respect have fallen substantially in recent years. Tanzania was the only country studied where the perception that women are treated with respect and dignity trended upward. Managing Editor at Gallup Julie Ray explains further on the study.

Victor Kgomoeswana, author of  "Africa Is Open For Business", and "Africa Bounces Back" and Thami Ngubeni look at the current top African economic stories of the week. 

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) calls on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to cut interest rates. This as The Reserve Bank is expected to keep the repo rate unchanged when it makes its announcement later. The union says SARB's decision to hike interest rates to their current high of 11,75% prime lending has significantly increased the financial burden on the working class. Thami Ngubeni spoke to SAFTU's spokesperson Trevor Shaku.

A two-day Top Empowerment Conference (Topco) is in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event occurs under the theme: "Africa Rising: Navigating the Path of Inclusive Transformation". Thami Ngubeni spoke to Maluta Netshaulu, Nedbank's Green Economy Portfolio Manager.

A two-day Top Empowerment Conference (Topco) is in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event occurs under the theme: "Africa Rising: Navigating the Path of Inclusive Transformation". Thami Ngubeni spoke to Mpumi Maesela, CEO of SE Holdings.

A two-day Top Empowerment Conference (Topco) is in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event occurs under the theme: "Africa Rising: Navigating the Path of Inclusive Transformation". Thami Ngubeni spoke to Martha Murorua, Managing Director at Nedbank Namibia.

Experts in South Africa are urging workers to exercise caution with the new two-pot pension system to avoid draining retirement savings. The system which comes into effect in September, permits members to withdraw up to 10 percent of their retirement savings, capped at 1650-US dollars, taxed at the marginal rate. However, experts say this system could result in many individuals not having sufficient funds for their retirement years. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Professor of Economics at the Northwest University, Waldo Krugell.

Malawi's economy continues to take strain as the Reserve Bank of Malawi recorded a loss of over 313 million US dollars at the end of December 2023. This is up from 107 million dollars a year earlier. Chief economist at Don Consultancy Group, Chifi Mhango had previously warned the government not to ignore the previous loss. Thami Ngubeni spoke to the Chief Economist at Don Consultancy Group, Chifi Mhango.

Chief Executive Officer at South Africa's Financial and Accounting Sector Education and Training Authority, Fasset, Ayanda Mafuleka has lamented the lack of transformation in the country's leadership positions across all sectors in the country as they push for a transformation agenda. Mafuleka is among the speakers at the Top Empowerment Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. Channel Africa News Reporter, Thuto Ngobeni spoke to Ayanda Mafuleka, Chief Executive Officer at South Africa's Financial and Accounting Sector Education and Training Authority.

A two-day Top Empowerment Conference (Topco) is in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event takes place under the theme: "Africa Rising: Navigating the Path of Inclusive Transformation". Thami Ngubeni spoke to Ray-Ann Sedres, Sanlam Group's Chief Transformation Officer.

A two-day Top Empowerment Conference (Topco) is in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event takes place under the theme: "Africa Rising: Navigating the Path of Inclusive Transformation". Thami Ngubeni spoke to Zain Patel, Managing Director of Merchants SA.

A two-day Top Empowerment Conference (Topco) is in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event takes place under the theme: "Africa Rising: Navigating the Path of Inclusive Transformation". Thami Ngubeni spoke to the Senior Vice president of Human Resources at NTT Data, Kirsty Phaal

Experts in South Africa are urging workers to exercise caution with the new two-pot pension system to avoid draining retirement savings. The system which comes into effect in September, permits members to withdraw up to 10 percent of their retirement savings, capped at 1650-US dollars, taxed at the marginal rate. However, experts say this system could result in many individuals not having sufficient funds for their retirement years. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Professor of Economics at the Northwest University, Waldo Krugell

Malawi's economy continues to take strain as the Reserve Bank of Malawi recorded a loss of over 313 million US dollars at the end of December 2023. This is up from 107 million dollars a year earlier. Chief economist at Don Consultancy Group, Chifi Mhango had previously warned the government not to ignore the previous loss. Thami Ngubeni spoke to the Chief Economist at Don Consultancy Group, Chifi Mhango.

Chief Executive Officer at South Africa's Financial and Accounting Sector Education and Training Authority, Fasset, Ayanda Mafuleka has lamented the lack of transformation in the country's leadership positions across all sectors in the country as they push for a transformation agenda. Mafuleka is among the speakers at the Top Empowerment Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. Channel Africa News Reporter, Thuto Ngobeni spoke to Ayanda Mafuleka, Chief Executive Officer at South Africa's Financial and Accounting Sector Education and Training Authority.