African M&A records meaningful deal value increases in 2024

Law firm Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) finds in its latest yearly merger and acquisition (M&A) report that activity in Africa continued on a downward trend in 2024, with a further decrease on the... 

Quantum says more favourable market conditions are boosting volumes

Primary agriculture business Quantum Foods experienced favourable trading conditions across its animal feed, broiler farming and layer and egg farming businesses during the four months ended... 

CDE report unpacks practicable actions to support small business growth

Given the stagnation of the small business sector and a government riddled with deficiencies and inefficiencies, the time has come to hand the reins to the private sector and let markets shape the... 

Duffy resigns as Petra CEO, interim revenue knocked by market weakness

Independent mining group Petra Diamonds, which owns and operates diamonds mines in South Africa, has appointed two interim CEOs Vivek Gadodia and Juan Kemp to succeed Richard Duffy, who has... 

Budget should include mention of public debt reduction, PPPs – Mavuso

The forthcoming Budget Speech, on February 19, will be a test of the Government of National Unity’s ability to set coherent spending priorities that put the country ahead of party politics, says... 

Ramaphosa highlights strides made with infrastructure development, commits to more

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s infrastructure build programme will play an increasingly prominent role as government continues to advance structural reforms in the country for an... 

Low-emission energy sources set to cater for burgeoning electricity demand up to 2027

The International Energy Agency (IEA) anticipates global electricity consumption will increase at the fastest pace in years over 2025 to 2027, fuelled by growing industrial production, rising use... 

Jubilee ramps up high-grade copper material processing at Roan

Aim- and AltX-listed Jubilee Metals has successfully started processing high-grade copper feed material at the Roan concentrator facility, in Zambia. The material feed grade is in line with... 

Caledonia adds global mining, capital market experts to its board

NYSE- and Aim-listed gold miner Caledonia Mining has appointed Stefan Buys and Lesley Goldwasser as independent nonexecutive directors, effective immediately. The company also announces the... 

Growthpoint’s R2bn Olympus development to break ground ‘within months’

Following the soft launch of JSE-listed real investment trust Growthpoint Properties’ R2-billion Olympus mixed-use residential and retail development, in Sandton, Gauteng, in December, CEO Estienne... 

Better prospects ahead for South Africa’s agriculture sector, but risks remain

Following an estimated 4.8% output contraction in the agriculture sector in 2024, Bureau for Food and Agriculture Policy executive director and commodity markets manager Tracy Davids expects a... 

Stewart to succeed Sibanye-Stillwater’s Froneman when he retires in September

JSE- and NYSE-listed mining and metals processing group Sibanye-Stillwater has announced that Neal Froneman will retire as CEO and executive director, effective September 30. Chief regional... 

Teke to lead Southern Africa chapter of FutureCoal

Global association for the sustainable use of coal FutureCoal on February 13 announced Seriti Resources group CEO Mike Teke as chairperson of its newly established Southern Africa chapter. He will... 

New partnership at Cape Town Container Terminal to drive increased exports

Stakeholders in the export-orientated fruit value chain, including the Western Cape government and Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), have announced a new collaboration aimed at enhancing operations at... 

BFAP commends agriculture sector for having sustained growth over three decades

From heavy government intervention leading up to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, through two financial crises and other macroeconomic challenges, the agriculture sector has still... 

Sacci says January BCI indicates improved business climate

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) Business Confidence Index (BCI) decreased to 120 index points in January, from 121 in December, but indicates an improved business... 

Nedbank launches more sophisticated banking instruments, advice for mid-corporate companies

Financial institution Nedbank has expanded its banking and advisory offerings to mid-corporate-sized businesses to help realise more growth in this key sector of the economy. Nedbank Commercial... 

Volkswagen Group Africa announces new models for the year, update on SUV production

Automaker Volkswagen Group Africa has announced new models to be introduced to the market this year, including a special edition Polo Vivo for its fifteenth anniversary, a new T-Cross, the Golf 8,... 

Critical minerals miners urged to integrate circularity, communities from start

Circularity and community engagement have emerged as key factors for critical minerals mining as more countries and companies turn their focus to the “new” minerals required for green energy and... 

SOEs remain vital drivers of industrialisation despite recent failures – Seifsa

Despite State-owned enterprises (SOEs) having come under great scrutiny in the last decade, they still have a critical industrialisation role to play. “Demand from SOEs still presents a massive... 

Holliday, Cutifani join new advisory organisation Resource Resolutions’ council

Newly established advisory organisation Resource Resolutions (RR) has announced that two industry executives will join its Global Advisory Council, Chad Holliday and Mark Cutifani. RR is using the... 

Critical minerals miners urged to integrate circularity, communities from start

Circularity and community engagement have emerged as key factors for critical minerals mining as more countries and companies turn their focus to the “new” minerals required for green energy and... 

Recalls announced on three Volvo models, Cape Herb & Spice products

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has confirmed automaker Volvo Car South Africa is recalling the XC90 models made for sale on January 20, 2023, and October 29, 2024, as well as the XC40... 

Agri SA appreciates balanced approach to latest minimum wage increase of 4.4%

Industry body Agri SA has stated its appreciation for the National Minimum Wage Commission having strived to take a balanced approach in the latest national minimum wage increase of 4.4%, effective... 

Petrol price to increase by 82c, diesel by up to 105c

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has announced the adjustment of fuel prices, based on current local and international factors, effective February 5. Petrol 93 and 95... 

Kefi nears funding finalisation for Tulu Kapi

Aim-listed Kefi Gold and Copper has informed shareholders that it has received sufficient expressions of interest in the EthioBonds, in alignment with an updated finance plan for the Tulu Kapi gold... 

Lundin family, Zijin Mining invest A$70m in Predictive Discovery

ASX-listed Predictive Discovery has received binding commitments from the Lundin family and associates, as well as Hong Kong-listed Zijin Mining Group, to raise almost A$70-million through a... 

SA Canegrowers calls sugar tax increase activism misguided, uninformed

While there has been renewed activism from health organisations for Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to increase the Health Promotion Levy (HPL), or sugar tax, in this year’s Budget, industry body... 

South Africa Wine says ‘excessive’ new excise tax on alcohol will devastate wine value chain

Industry body South Africa Wine has expressed serious concerns about the potential impact on the wine industry’s sustainability and competitiveness, in response to National Treasury’s proposed... 

Tiger Brands to pay out some listeriosis victims while class action progresses

JSE-listed fast-moving consumer goods producer Tiger Brands has reached an agreement with law firms Richard Spoor Incorporated (RSI) and LHL Attorneys for advance payments to be made to some... 

Merafe mulls suspension of furnaces as ferrochrome market remains weak

JSE- and A2X-listed ferrochrome producer Merafe Resources has advised that it will review its ferrochrome smelting business and assess the potential measures through which ongoing market challenges... 

Giyani near full operation of demo manganese processing plant

TSX-V-listed Giyani Metals has started with advanced commissioning at its demonstration plant in Johannesburg. The plant will help the company produce the first battery-grade manganese from ore... 

Food inflation stable for now at 2.5%

Food inflation has improved from 7.2% in January 2024 to 2.5% in December, compared with consumer price inflation that improved from 5.3% in January 2024 to 3% in December. Although food... 

Independent Institute of Education awarded full accreditation for B.Eng degrees

South African private higher education institution the Independent Institute of Education (IIE) has received full accreditation from the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). The institute,... 

WesBank urges more mechanisation in agri for max yield, climate resilience

Asset finance provider WesBank has called for greater adoption of mechanised farming as the sector grapples with multifaceted challenges including production costs, land and water scarcity,... 

Nampak completes sale of Bevcan Nigeria business

JSE-listed packaging producer Nampak has completed the disposal of its Bevcan Nigeria business to Singapore-incorporated private company Alucan Investment after six months of due process and... 

Danish bank keen on financing Greenland’s GreenRoc graphite project

Greenland-focused GreenRoc Strategic Materials has received a letter of interest from the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) to provide funding for the company’s Amitsoq graphite project,... 

Cybercrime again leads Allianz Risk Barometer this year

Cyber incidents, business disruption and natural catastrophes have emerged as the top three areas of concern for companies globally this year, according to the latest Allianz Risk Barometer. The... 

Resolute generates robust cash flow in 2024, but expects higher costs

Australia- and London-listed gold producer Resolute Mining says 2024 had been one of its strongest years from an operational and cash generation point of view, with operations at the Syama mine, in... 

ACG Metals appoints former US Secretary of State Pompeo as nonexec director

London-listed gold and silver miner ACG Metals has appointed Michael Pompeo as nonexecutive director. Pompeo is a former US Secretary of State, bringing to the board geopolitical and legal...