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SMEs in Africa: The Growing Momentum of Small Businesses
Among the incongruence one discovers in the tapestry of Africa's economy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) stand out as the unsung heroes, while weaving threads of innovation, resilience, and opportunity across the continent. SMEs are not just surviving—they are thriving, driven by the need to build and the desire to solve challenges, propelling Africa toward
Nigerian Startup Rana Energy Secures $3M for AI Solar Expansion
Rana Energy, a fast-rising Nigerian startup, is drawing attention for its positive leap forward and progress to change Africa’s energy arena . The company recently secured $3 million in pre-seed funding to scale its AI-powered solar energy platform across the continent. This includes $500,000 in equity investments from notable backers such as Techstars, EchoVC Eco,
Why Digital and Financial Skills Matter for Small Businesses
With Digital technology changing the rules of business almost daily, many small business owners in Africa are asking themselves whether they have the digital and financial skills to keep up. One pressing question now defines the sustainability of small enterprises across the continent are entrepreneurs truly equipped to thrive in a technology-driven market? As digital
Breaking News Today – Thursday 16 October 2025
Business News Today DHL Signs R6 Billion Investment for Africa – Positioning SA as Key Geographic Hub South Africa is being positioned as a key hub for multinational logistics giant DHL's expansion across Africa, with the company signing a R6bn (€50m) investment commitment for the next five years. This move underscores SA's strategic importance in
Google South Africa Introduces AI Glossary to Bridge the Language Gap
Google South Africa has launched an “AI glossary” that translates and standardises 100 artificial intelligence terms into Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans. Created in collaboration with the Pan South African Language Board, the project seeks to make digital and technological discussions easier to understand for South Africans who communicate primarily in local languages. Linguistic and Digital
Has Technology Altered Gender Dynamics in African Mining?
African mining firms have continued to embrace automation, digital tools, and data-driven systems. As this change unfolds, an important question emerges, has technology genuinely improved gender balance within the sector, or has it merely created the illusion of progress? The notion that technological advancement has empowered women in mining resonates strongly with industry leaders, many
No Free Lunch – Lets Be Franc – Investment App
In the latest episode of No Free Lunch, I chatted with Fintech entrepreneur and founder of the investment app Frank, Thomas Brennan. Thomas shared his journey from an engineering background to becoming the CEO of Franc, an investment app aimed at broadening wealth-building in South Africa. He discusses his career path, including his time at
Standard Bank Releases First Township Informal Economy Report
Standard Bank has released its inaugural Township Informal Economy Report, offering valuable insights into one of South Africa’s most vibrant yet underserved markets. The findings reveal that nearly 80% of township businesses remain unregistered, a statistic that stresses the scale of informality shaping this sector. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), unregistered businesses are
Public-Private Partnerships in Township Transformation
Township economies across South Africa and the wider African continent represent both a challenge and a possibility. While they are hubs of informal trade and entrepreneurship, many township-based enterprises continue to face persistent barriers most notably access to finance, infrastructure gaps, and market exclusion. Tackling these challenges demands more than individual effort, it calls for
Breaking News Today – Wednesday 15 October 2025
Business News Today Asian Shares Swing Higher After a Wobbly Day on Wall Street Stocks in Asian markets have rebounded today, with Japan's Nikkei 225 rising 1.3% to 47,463.31, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng gaining 1.2% to 25,749.13, and South Korea's Kospi jumping 1.9% to 3,629.42, offsetting U.S. market volatility. The upswing followed a wobbly
Patients over Profit – Time for a Healthcare Rethink
Troubling Trajectory of Medical Care & Medical Aid Costs In South Africa, a troubling paradox persists: the private health sector is spending more while delivering less. The problem stems from how resources are distributed. Hospital-based care absorbs the bulk of funding, while limited benefits mean that primary care remains chronically under-resourced. As a result, patients
Mentorship and Skills Development for Township SMEs
Township-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are vital engines of local economic growth, job creation, and innovation across Africa. In South Africa and other parts of the continent, these enterprises form the backbone of informal and semi-formal economies, providing goods and services that larger businesses often overlook. Yet, despite their potential, township SMEs continue to
Embracing Hybrid Work Models: Balancing Flexibility and Productivity
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global workplace environment underwent a seismic shift. What began as a forced experiment in remote work has evolved into a permanent fixture of modern business. By 2025, hybrid models, the blending in-office collaboration with remote flexibility, now dominate the corporate landscape, with 51% of U.S. remote-capable employees
Breaking News Today – Tuesday 14 October 2025
Business News Today Kenya Joins African Crypto Leader States Kenya has boosted its crypto adoption pathway, and established itself as a crypto friendly state, after passing a bill to regulate digital assets like cryptocurrencies, a senior parliamentarian announced yesterday. The country is looking to boost investments into the sector by creating clear rules and guide
Optimizing Conveyor Systems with Laser Technology Alignment
As the beneficiation of African minerals becomes a reality, two critical factors come into play across the continent’s mining firms, laser alignment and bulk material handling operations. Mineral processing relies heavily on conveyor belts, which serve as the arteries of industrial production moving vast quantities of material efficiently and continuously. Yet even minor misalignments can
Creating Equitable Workplaces for Women in African SMEs
Governments and non-governmental organizations, alongside various platforms across Africa, have continued to recognize and identify SMEs as the backbone of the continent’s economic growth driving innovation, job creation, and local development. However, despite their central role in shaping Africa’s economies, many SMEs continue to face challenges in achieving gender equity. Women remain underrepresented in leadership
Airtel DRC Partners in National Drive to Build Congo’s Digital Workforce
Airtel DRC has joined the Democratic Republic of Congo’s National Digital Training Program, a large-scale initiative that equips 250,000 citizens with essential digital skills. The government launched the program in September alongside U.S. tech firms Cisco and Cybastion to prepare young Congolese for the fast-changing demands of a technology-driven economy. Airtel’s Strategic Support On Saturday,
W20 Delegates Sound Kudu Horn at JSE to Promote Women’s Financial Inclusion
Delegates at the Women 20 (W20) Summit sounded the kudu horn at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) today. The ceremony issued a powerful call to advance financial inclusion and entrepreneurship for women worldwide. The event reflected global cooperation and a shared responsibility to promote equitable access to finance, leadership, and opportunity. Turning Policy into Measurable
No Free Lunch Podcast – Driving Payment Efficiencies in Africa
In this episode of "No Free Lunch," host Greg Stewart engages with Amish Shunker, Head of Trade for Africa at Standard Bank, to explore the evolving landscape of payments and trade in Africa. The discussion highlights Africa's role as a hub for fintech innovation, driven by mobile-led economies and digital-savvy consumers. Amish shares insights from
SOLA Energizes South Africa with Groundbreaking 195MW Springbok Solar Plant
Independent power producer SOLA has commissioned the 195-megawatt Springbok Solar Power Project, advancing South Africa’s renewable energy transition. The R2.8 billion facility, completed ahead of schedule, introduces Africa’s first utility-scale, multi-buyer solar model that changes how electricity is produced, transmitted, and consumed. Power Wheeling at Scale Power wheeling forms the project’s foundation. This system allows