Tag: economic growth

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming the engine room of South Africa’s economic future. Across sectors, from banking and insurance to healthcare and retail, AI systems are transforming how decisions are made and how services are delivered. They are also changing how organisations compete.

Earlier this year, the South African government launched its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Framework. This is a strategic initiative aimed at harnessing AI for public value and socio-economic advancement. The policy positions AI as a tool to enhance decision-making, improve public services and foster innovation across sectors. However, a recent survey we conducted with Oxford Economics, involving nearly 500 senior government executives across 14 countries, reveals a significant obstacle.

In a landmark moment for South Africa’s financial services sector, Investec and other SA stakeholders officially launched and handed over the new Market Surveillance Code of Conduct to the South African Institute of Stockbrokers (SAIS).

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills revolution is no longer a future concept or speculative technology. Generative AI is here now. It is rapidly reshaping industries and rewriting the rules of competitiveness. In South Africa, generative AI holds immense potential. It can drive inclusive economic growth, boost productivity and spark entrepreneurial innovation.

Access to reliable electricity remains a significant challenge across Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas. Expanding grid infrastructure is often prohibitively expensive and impractical due to difficult terrain and large distances from urban centres. As a result, millions of people rely on costly and polluting diesel generators or go without electricity altogether. Off-grid solar solutions have emerged as a transformative tool in bridging this energy gap.

South Africa stands at a pivotal moment. The transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) now intersects with the urgent need for economic revitalisation. While AI holds immense promise, particularly for the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, realising this potential requires a strategic and united effort.

Some months ago, I exchanged views with Buddy Wells, one of South Africa’s more vocal supporters of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). In our debate, he argued a familiar point. According to him, governments can print money to employ the jobless without causing inflation, as long as those being hired are not already doing anything useful.

Gold has always held a unique place in the global financial system. It doesn’t generate income or pay dividends. However, when inflation spikes, markets turn volatile or currencies weaken, gold often bucks the trend and rises to the occasion. In 2025, we’ve seen this pattern repeat itself. Gold has climbed to near-record highs.

South Africa’s economic landscape is challenging even the most resilient consumers. In recent years, high inflation and soaring interest rates have taken a toll. At the same time, stagnant economic growth, rising fuel prices and a weaker rand are putting tremendous pressure on household finances.

We note the decision by the Minister of Finance to increase the fuel levy by 4% - 16 cents per litre for petrol and 15 cents for diesel. This increase will directly affect consumers. Transporters cannot absorb these additional costs without harming their bottom line and threatening business sustainability.