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Unchained from the algorithm: Global developments in social media platform liability
Article Authored by: Dario Milo, Partner, Neo Moerane, Associate & Ayesha Hokee at Webber Wentzel It's been a challenging period for social media platforms. The past year has seen numerous developments to the laws govern social media platforms globally. First, Australia has led the way in introducing age-related legislation to regulate the use of social
Vivo Energy Scales Up Durban Fuel Storage in $130 Million Plan
Vivo Energy, a subsidiary of global commodities trader Vitol, plans to invest $130 million to expand fuel storage infrastructure in Durban, South Africa’s key port on the east coast, according to George Roberts, CEO of Vivo Energy’s South African unit, Engen Investment overview and capacity expansion The investment, which was planned before recent geopolitical tensions
IMF World Economic Outlook 2026: Global Slowdown in the Shadow of War – What It Means for Africa
The International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) released on 14 April 2026 paints a cautious picture of the global economy, titled “Global Economy in the Shadow of War”. Under the assumption of a limited and short-lived Middle East conflict, global growth is now projected to slow to 3.1% in 2026 and edge up
Has AfCFTA Improved the Cost of Scaling African Startups?
African startups have historically operated in markets that don't match the scale of the continent they sit on. Most African countries have populations small enough that a startup can exhaust its addressable market before it ever reaches meaningful scale, and the ones with larger populations often come with their own barriers to entry. Expanding across
ExxonMobil Eyes Up to $24 Billion in Offshore Oil Investments in Nigeria
U.S. energy giant ExxonMobil is considering up to $24 billion in offshore oil investments in Nigeria, indicating renewed push into deepwater development. Hunter Farris, vice president for deepwater, outlined the plans during a briefing in Abuja before the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on April 9. ExxonMobil is assessing several opportunities, with the Bosi
Breaking News Today – Wednesday 15 April 2026
African Start-up News Headlines: Business News Today Oil Prices Decline but Remain Volatile Brent crude futures are trading around the $95 per barrel mark this morning, retaining the drop seen in the previous session as investors anticipate a second round of peace negotiations between the US and Iran before the two-week ceasefire lapses. Brent oil
Business School- How to Access African Markets Successfully
Accessing Export Markets for African Small Businesses: A Practical Guide For many African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), their local or domestic market can often simply be too small, or possibly too competitive to sustain meaningful growth. Exporting offers a proven path to scale revenue, diversify risk (multiple markets keep you safe from single market
Africa’s Downstream Energy Sector on the Radar After Global Supply Disruptions
Africa’s downstream sector is back on the radar as global supply disruptions brought about by the Gulf war highlight a need for a strategic re-thinking of African energy systems. With over 600 million people living without access to electricity, 900 million people living without access to clean cooking solutions and African oil demand set to
Zambia Starts Construction of $1.1 Billion Refinery in Ndola
Zambia has officially begun construction of a $1.1 billion oil refinery in Ndola, a major industrial and mining hub in the Copperbelt Province near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project is designed to strengthen domestic fuel supply, support industrial growth, and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported petroleum products. Project
Building Functional Structures in Early-Stage Startups
Early-stage startups usually start fast and a bit messy. Things move quickly, people wear multiple hats, and decisions happen on the spot. That kind of energy is usually what helps a new business survive the early days. But as things start to grow, that same lack of structure can begin to slow everything down. Structure
VAT Threshold Increase – A Practical Win for South African SMEs
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a long-overdue adjustment to South Africa’s Value-Added Tax (VAT) registration thresholds In his 2026 National Budget Speech. Effective from1 April 2026, the compulsory VAT registration threshold has risen from R1 million to R2.3 million in annual taxable turnover. The voluntary registration threshold has also increased from R50,000 to R120,000. For
Understanding the Cost Behind Free Business Tools For Startups
For many small Business startups, “free” tools feel like a lifeline. From website builders and design platforms to accounting software and customer relationship management systems, zero-cost solutions make it easier to get off the ground without draining limited capital. But while these tools reduce upfront expenses, While they reduce upfront costs, their true expense becomes
Angola Launches First Gold Refinery
Angola will launch its first gold refinery in the first half of the year as part of efforts to reduce its reliance on oil and diamonds. The move comes as global diamond prices remain under pressure, reinforcing the country’s push to diversify its mineral base and expand into resources critical for future industries. The refinery,
Breaking News Today – Tuesday 14 April 2026
African Start-up News Headlines: Business News Today Africa’s Share of Global FDI Remains Stuck at 4–6% The Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PANA) March 2026 Manufacturing Review, released this month indicates that Africa’s share of global FDI has remained stuck between 4% and 6% for the past decade, with no meaningful improvement. In 2025, FDI inflows to
X slashes payouts to clickbait and content aggregator accounts
X says it is reducing payments to accounts that rely heavily on clickbait and high-volume content aggregation. This follows its ongoing effort to prioritise higher-quality content on the platform. The decision targets creators who use misleading headlines, exaggerated claims, or engagement-driven tactics. These are designed mainly to attract clicks rather than provide meaningful information. Monetisation,
Ecosystem Builders The Unsung Heroes in the African Startup Landscape
Ecosystem Builders are organisations, individuals, or initiatives that actively create, strengthen, and scale the environment in which startups can thrive. They do not just invest or advise, these are the true heroes of the business growth world where they build the “plumbing” and provide the scaffolding of the ecosystem. They provide talent pipelines, capital access,
The Role of Corporate Africa in Supporting Local Startups
Corporate Africa is engaging startups differently in 2026, with less emphasis on innovation narratives and more focus on operational pressure. Sectors such as banking, energy, logistics, and telecoms are dealing with rising costs, strained infrastructure, and growing demands for faster, more reliable service delivery. In response, startups are being brought into specific parts of the
Energy Startup PowerLabs Raises Pre-Seed Funding to Scale Platform
Nigerian energy and climate-tech startup PowerLabs has raised an undisclosed pre-seed round to scale its AI-driven energy orchestration platform for commercial and industrial users. The company develops intelligent energy applications, devices and services designed to help businesses access reliable electricity at lower cost while reducing downtime and emissions. Its approach combines multiple power sources including
Economic Freedom as Africa’s Untapped Accelerator
The 2026 Index of Economic Freedom, published by The Heritage Foundation, tracking consistent criteria since the mid-1990s, offers one of the most reliable long-term snapshots of how policy choices shape prosperity. The index scores countries on four pillars: The score is marked on a 0–100 scale. Higher scores correlate strongly with faster growth, higher incomes,
Breaking News Today – Monday 13 April 2026
African Start-up News Headlines: Business News Today Your African Economic Week Ahead (13-18 April) The IMF Regional Economic Outlook due 16 April should be the standout economic data release of the week. IThis will provide an update on Sub-Saharan Africa’s 2026 growth forecast – currently around 4.1% but could change with downside risks from energy