Tag: BusinessGrowth

Businesses are expanding across borders. New trade corridors are emerging. Regional ambition also remains strong. However, liquidity, payment and execution challenges continue to shape the reality of doing business across Africa. Six months into 2026, African trade is growing, but it appears to be telling two stories at once.

Most loyalty programmes are built once and then applied across the board. While this approach may seem logical from an efficiency perspective, what works in aviation does not carry into hospitality or retail. Yet many programmes are still built as though customer behaviour follows a single pattern.

In a tough economic environment where capital is scarce, we continue to back responsible entrepreneurs who build sustainable, high-impact businesses that create opportunity and resilience in South Africa. We have released our 2025 Impact Report. The report outlines the organisation's work in backing responsible entrepreneurs, supporting portfolio resilience and contributing to economic inclusion through a long-term investment model.

Small and Media Enterprises (SMEs) are regularly rejected for funding, even when their businesses are profitable, because the system was not designed with their business reality in mind. SMEs contribute around 40% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and 60% of employment. Yet they face the SME funding gap, which is estimated at R350 billion. There is no shortage of funding in the system.

The Chief Marketing Officer role has transformed - but most organisations are still hiring as if it hasn’t. Artificial intelligence (AI), smartphones, social media, influencers and shifting customer expectations have transformed the way growth is achieved. Yet many organisations continue to misunderstand the evolution of the role.

FY26 marked a year of delivery, with strong results, disciplined capital allocation and accelerating Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation. Prosus delivered across its AI-powered Lifestyle Ecosystem of delivery, finance and experiences, while all regional ecosystems achieved profitability.

FY26 was a year of delivery: strong results, disciplined capital allocation and accelerating Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation. Naspers delivered across its AI-powered Lifestyle Ecosystem of delivery, finance and experiences, with all regional ecosystems profitable.

Resilience and agility are key competitive advantages for companies. CRM is still one of the most reliable ways to activate these qualities. When it comes to Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, the conversations are complicated.

Skills development planning is no longer viewed as an administrative compliance exercise under South Africa's Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework. Companies must now demonstrate clear alignment between training initiatives and measurable transformation outcomes. Skills development remains a priority element of the B-BBEE scorecard.

Across South Africa, a quiet entrepreneurial shift is underway. From spare rooms and garages to small home studios and converted garden offices, thousands of businesses are launching from home. They are also selling to customers nationwide. While the rise of e-commerce has accelerated this trend, another factor also plays a crucial role.