The Southern African Times

South Africa is leveraging private equity investments to drive its green energy transition, with funds like the Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund(PRIF) leading the way. By financing solar and wind power projects, these investments are reducing the country’s reliance on coal, addressing frequent load shedding, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. PRIF’s focus on solar solutions has empowered businesses to generate their own electricity, creating jobs in local manufacturing while supporting economic growth and energy independence. Beyond renewable energy, private equity is transforming South Africa’s infrastructure, healthcare, and technology sectors, solidifying the nation’s role as a hub for impactful investments. With its mature financial markets and regulatory framework, South Africa continues to attract private equity funding that balances profitability with sustainable development, paving the way for a cleaner, more inclusive economy. SOURCE: British International Investment Read more: https://lnkd.in/dwrmWCdv #SouthAfrica #PrivateEquity #GreenEnergy #RenewableEnergy #SustainableDevelopment #SolarEnergy #WindEnergy #CleanEnergy #EconomicGrowth #EnergyTransition #ImpactInvesting #ClimateAction

South Africa has retained its preferential trade status under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), ensuring duty-free access to the U.S. market for key exports like automobiles, agricultural products, and textiles. This decision reinforces South Africa’s position as a vital trade partner, with bilateral trade reaching $24.5 billion in 2021. The retention of AGOA benefits is crucial for the automotive sector, which supports over 112,000 jobs. South Africa continues to advocate for an extension of AGOA beyond 2025 to maintain economic stability and regional growth. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dZhAvVmm #AGOA #SouthAfricaTrade #U.SPartnership #EconomicGrowth #TradePolicy #AutomotiveIndustry #EconomicStability #BilateralRelations #ExportMarket #GlobalPartnerships

Botswana is pioneering green hydrogen projects, transforming its energy landscape and empowering local communities. From powering irrigation systems in Kgalagadi to enabling logistics companies in Gaborone to adopt hydrogen-powered trucks, green hydrogen is proving to be a game-changer. Supported by government-backed policies and international partnerships, Botswana is positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s renewable energy sector, addressing both sustainability and energy security. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d7PiN82d #GreenHydrogen #Botswana #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #EnergyInnovation #HydrogenTechnology #CommunityDevelopment

Farmers across Southern Africa are grappling with the devastating effects of an El Niño-induced drought, with rainfall levels in some regions dropping to their lowest in a century. Crop losses have been severe, with maize production down by 22% in South Africa and over 50% in countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia. Experts like Wandile Sihlobo and Bill Moseley are calling for immediate measures, including releasing national food stocks and promoting crop diversification, to mitigate the impacts of this crisis. Food insecurity and rising prices loom large as the region braces for another challenging season. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dWFGG247 #ElNino #DroughtCrisis #SouthernAfrica #FoodSecurity #ClimateImpact #SustainableFarming #AgriculturalInnovation #Resilience #CropDiversification #CommunitySupport

Daniel Chapo has been officially declared the winner of Mozambique’s October 9th elections, securing 65.17% of the vote as announced by the Constitutional Council (CC). Representing the Frelimo Party, Chapo becomes Mozambique’s fifth president, marking a continuation of Frelimo’s dominance in the country’s political landscape. While the election results reflect political continuity, the aftermath has been marred by unrest, with over 100 civilians reported dead. Chapo now faces the critical challenge of addressing governance concerns and stabilising Mozambique’s political climate. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dvBVSJde #MozambiqueElections #DanielChapo #FrelimoParty #Governance #PoliticalLeadership #ElectionResults #MozambiquePolitics #Stability #Democracy #SouthernAfrica

Africa’s mining industry is embracing solar energy as a sustainable solution to its power challenges, reducing reliance on diesel and coal-fired electricity. Mines like Kibali Goldmines Sprl in the DRC and Otjikoto Gold Mine in Namibia are pioneering hybrid solar systems to cut emissions and stabilise energy costs. This transition not only supports decarbonisation but also positions the sector as a leader in sustainable energy integration, enhancing operational efficiency and contributing to Africa’s green economy goals. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dXjmc47a #SolarEnergy #MiningIndustry #RenewableSolutions #GreenEnergy #Decarbonisation #AfricaMining #SustainableDevelopment #EnergyInn

Capitec Bank, South Africa’s leading financial institution, has been fined R56.25 million by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) for breaching the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FIC Act). Violations included inadequate customer due diligence and delayed reporting of suspicious transactions. Capitec has pledged full cooperation to strengthen compliance measures and align with regulatory standards, as the SARB underscores the need for accountability to combat financial crimes. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ddmpxQju #CapitecBank #FinancialCompliance #SARB #FICAct #FinancialCrimes #RiskManagement #BankingIntegrity #SouthAfricaFinance #RegulatoryStandards #Accountability

South Africa’s economic recovery is facing headwinds from political grandstanding and structural inefficiencies, despite the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU). The country’s GDP growth remains sluggish, with high unemployment and a struggling education system compounding the challenges. While the GNU has brought stability, experts like Professor Bonke Dumisa argue that South Africa must prioritise structural reforms, improve fiscal management, and address energy challenges to realise meaningful progress. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dyeZhJ6w #SouthAfricaEconomy #PoliticalStability #EconomicRecovery #UnemploymentCrisis #FiscalReforms #StructuralChallenges #EnergySolutions #SustainableDevelopment

In a landmark move, South Africa has become the first African nation to legalise private cannabis use and cultivation, following the enactment of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act. Adults can now grow and consume cannabis within their homes, marking a transformative shift in drug policy. The legislation also expunges past cannabis-related convictions and aims to unlock economic opportunities through the Cannabis Masterplan, positioning South Africa as a future leader in the global medical cannabis market. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dS6EP2EN #CannabisLegalisation #SouthAfrica #CannabisMasterplan #EconomicOpportunities #MedicalCannabis #PolicyReform #SocialJustice #GlobalCannabisMarket #DrugPolicy #InnovationInHealth

The African startup ecosystem continues to make global waves, and The Southern African Times has revealed its Top 20 Startups of 2024, celebrating innovation, impact, and market leadership across sectors like fintech, health tech, agritech, logistics, and renewable energy. Leading the list is Flutterwave (Nigeria), a pioneer in digital payments, followed by Chipper Cash (Pan-African), transforming cross-border money transfers. Twiga Foods (Kenya) revolutionises agricultural supply chains, while M-KOPA (Kenya) delivers affordable solar power solutions to off-grid communities. Zipline (Rwanda/Ghana) stands out for its drone technology delivering medical supplies to remote areas, ensuring timely healthcare access. These startups reflect Africa’s boundless potential to address local challenges with globally relevant solutions, driving inclusive growth and setting benchmarks for innovation and scalability. From providing financial inclusion and clean energy to revolutionising healthcare and logistics, the impact of these ventures is profound. Startups were selected based on innovation, financial health, scalability, social and economic impact, and team excellence. They represent the pinnacle of Africa’s entrepreneurial ingenuity and are paving the way for a transformative future. These companies are not just transforming industries but are also positioning Africa as a global hub for sustainable innovation and economic progress. Paystack Andela Kuda Jumia Group Wasoko Sendy Farmcrowdy SafeBoda Yoco FlexPay Sweepsouth mPharma ZOLA Electric Read more: https://lnkd.in/dtUWKvaz #AfricaStartups #Innovation #EconomicTransformation #Entrepreneurship #TopStartups2024 #Fintech #Agritech #HealthTech #Logistics #RenewableEnergy #SMEs #AfricaRising #EconomicDevelopment #TechnologyForGood #GlobalImpact #AfricanEntrepreneurs #BusinessGrowth #StartupSuccess #AfricaInnovation #FinancialInclusion #CleanEnergy #DigitalTransformation #TechLeadership #SustainableGrowth #MarketLeaders #FutureOfAfrica #Trailblazers #AfricanTech