Humanoid robot serving as research platform launched at Stellenbosch University

The Stellenbosch University (SU) Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering has launched a humanoid robotics research platform to showcase advanced robotics technology. The humanoid robot... 

FNB's 5-Star Green rated Portside building hosts Earthshot Awards 2024

Financial services firm FNB's 5-Star Green rated Portside building, which is the tallest building in Cape Town, hosted sustainability awards the Earthshot Prize Awards 2024 from November 4 to 7.... 

Fintech transforms African financial services, but funding costs are obstacle - EIB

Financial technology (fintech) companies in Africa have nearly tripled in number since 2020, improving access to finance for people and businesses across the continent, says development finance... 

dtic to engage on sugar tax, but industry must diversify and boost competitiveness

The Department Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) will engage various government departments on the economic impact of the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) on Sugary Beverages, or sugar tax, said... 

dtic to support tooling, die and mouldmaking sector

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield has said government will support the tooling, die and mouldmaking (TDM) sector as “the engine room of manufacturing”. He was... 

Growthpoint starts construction on second development phase at Cape Town industrial estate

Real estate investment trust Growthpoint has started construction on the second development phase of its Arterial Industrial Estate, in Blackheath, Cape Town. Arterial Industrial Estate is on a 71... 

Resolution Circle secures NSF grant for 700 students to attend its Work Integrated Learning Programmes

Skills development firm Resolution Circle has secured a grant from the National Skills Fund for 700 tertiary students to attend its Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programmes. Students from... 

Sandton City aims to procure wheeled renewable energy from IEP platform

Shopping centre Sandton City, in Gauteng, has announced its interest in procuring renewable energy over the Independent Energy Pool (IEP) platform through the development and deployment of wheeled... 

Gaia acquires stake in toll operator of N1, N4 highways

Infrastructure investment firm Gaia Fund Managers has acquired a 12.67% shareholding in the Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concession (BPCC) – the toll operator of the N4 highway and a portion of the N1... 

Pickup in growth expected, but South Africa's expenditure still largely for wages, debt

Insights, data and analytics provider BMI expects South Africa's economic growth to pick up from 1% this year to 1.5% in 2025 as improved energy supply, greater private-sector investment, slower... 

Same standards for imports, quality control needed to revitalise cement and construction

To achieve the economic growth necessary to tackle South Africa's very high levels of unemployment, it is vital that the public and private sectors collaborate in launching critical infrastructure... 

CCBA invests $50m in new bottling line in Namibia

Beverages multinational Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has invested $50-million in a new bottling line in Namibia, which will produce 27 000 bottles an hour. The upgrade will increase the... 

Standard Chartered, UK's BII renew $350m trade finance commitment in Africa, South Asia

Financial services firm Standard Chartered and UK development finance institution British International Investment (BII) have signed a $350-million risk participation agreement for the trade... 

Families appeal for clemency for two engineers after 634 days in Equatorial Guinea prison

The families of two detained South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, staged a peaceful protest outside Africa Energy Week at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, with... 

Genuine competition regulation will be bedrock for more equitable South Africa – Mavuso

South Africa’s competition landscape is under intense scrutiny following the Competition Tribunal’s recent decision to block telecommunications firm Vodacom’s R14-billion acquisition of a... 

Fuel prices to increase in November

Fuel prices are set to increase on November 6, with 93 octane and 95 octane petrol prices to increase by 25c/ℓ. Diesel with a sulphur content of 0.05% will increase by 21c/ℓ and 0.005% sulphur... 

South Africa should capitalise on its East and West trade ties – BLSA

Building a stronger economy is the best way for South Africa to prepare for any internal or external shocks. While this requires the country to successfully carry out reforms, South Africa is in a... 

Number of operational incidents on South Africa's railways increases

The Railway Safety Regulator's (RSR's) 'State of Safety Report 2023/2024' showed that there was a 12.82% increase in operational incidents from the prior year owing to new risks and trends, with 2... 

dtic invites comments on draft regulations blocking unwanted direct marketing communication

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) invites comments on the draft amended Regulations 4 of the Consumer Protection Act, which provides mechanisms to block unwanted direct... 

Despite slight dip, Absa PMI in expansionary territory, indicating rebound in manufacturing

The seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged down to 52.6 points in October, following an upbeat closing of the third quarter at 53.3 points in September. Although this is a... 

International partners showcase South African JET projects in Mpumalanga

Denmark, France, Germany and the UK, which are all partner countries supporting South Africa's just energy transition (JET), have showcased a range of local, provincial and national projects and... 

EAAIF invests $28m in Africell for digital infrastructure across four countries

Infrastructure projects blended finance firm the Emerging Africa and Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF) has invested $28-million in the oversubscribed $300-million capital market maiden bond issue... 

Fuels Industry Association gets approval for uniform LPG cylinder deposit fees

Industry organisation the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa said the Competition Commission approved its implementation of uniform deposit fees for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders,... 

IFC's investments in Africa grow 23% to $14.2bn in past year

Development finance institution the International Finance Corporation's (IFC's) investments in Africa totalled $14.2-billion in the past fiscal year, or 23% higher than the prior year, which is its... 

Medium-Term Budget's logistics, infrastructure focus to benefit mining, says Minerals Council

Minerals Council South Africa says it is encouraged by the focus in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on October 30, on initiatives to... 

World needs development rethink - Unctad

Slow growth, high debt, weak investment and the risk of fragmented trade are contributing to widespread discontent affecting developed and developing nations. Multilateral action and a revised... 

ECDC rolling out R546m property refurbishment programme

Provincial agency the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is rolling out a R546-million refurbishment programme at its R1.37-billion rental investment property portfolio, which includes... 

Balwin expects better second half, with positive sentiment starting to materialise

JSE-listed residential property developer Balwin recorded a 28% year-on-year decline in revenue to R852.7-million and a 57% year-on-year decrease in profit to R76.9-million for the six months ended... 

CHIETA investments, programmes equipping artisans with digital, future-ready skills

Skills development organisation the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) has said it is equipping artisans and workers with future-ready skills, especially in AI, digital... 

Individual responsibility, whole-of-ecosystem approach important for industrial cyber resilience

Awareness of cybersecurity best practices by all employees and role-players and having a zero-trust mindset are important to protect infrastructure and industrial facilities and make them more... 

Mutual investment, regional value chains can support more African capital equipment manufacturing

African countries are pursuing localisation initiatives for some goods and products and the capital equipment manufacturing industry should focus on making investments in these countries to develop... 

Manufacturing's development, employment impact will depend on preparation

The potential developmental benefits from growing manufacturing's contribution to African countries' GDP and the associated growth in employment will only occur if countries and their industries,... 

Manufacturers in South Africa will adapt again in response to market dynamics, report shows

Almost all African and South African CEOs of listed manufacturing companies, or 97%, said they had changed their business models over the past five years and more than 40% expect to further change... 

Minerals Council's first Accommodation Newsletter details mine housing projects

Mining industry employer organisation Minerals Council South Africa has published the first edition of its Accommodation Newsletter, which highlights the interventions by, and projects of, member... 

Soleos Energy, Melci to build 200 MW solar PV plant in the DRC

India-based renewable energy development company Soleos Energy, in partnership with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) electrical engineering company Melci, will build a 200 MW solar PV power... 

Half of global GDP facing double-digit increase in insolvencies

Trade credit insurance company Allianz Trade's latest Global Insolvency Report points to a more severe outlook for the global business landscape, with insolvencies projected to increase by 11% in... 

Fibon to expand into wind, BESS and energy trading through Westbrooke partnership

Renewable-energy company Fibon has formed a strategic partnership with asset management firm Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management to expand its range of renewable-energy products and offerings.... 

Human skills digitally transform industries, enable greater technology adoption

It is not the lack of technology in Africa, but rather the lack of skills, that is reducing the ability of companies to adopt new manufacturing technologies, says special purpose machinery... 

Africa should embrace smart, advanced manufacturing to add greater value

Africa contributes about 2% of global GDP, but provides about 30% of global raw materials. However, if African manufacturers focus on adopting modern manufacturing technologies and creating smart... 

Business insolvencies to increase by 11% this year – Allianz

Trade credit insurance company Allianz Trade's latest 'Global Insolvency Report' points to a more severe outlook for the global business landscape, with insolvencies projected to increase by 11%...