Finance - Keep Informed Africa

DBSA records a 47% increase in their 2026 financial year

siteadmin — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:36:33 +0000

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has shown a strong financial result as it has exceeded its target for infrastructure investment in the country by 47%. The state-owned company, focused on investing in critical infrastructure and development projects in South Africa. The bank reported over R7.8 billion in profit for the 2026 financial year. The bank also exceeded several investment targets for the year, including its contribution to South Africa’s fixed investment. The group aimed to contribute R6.2 billion to the value of infrastructure delivered and exceeded this target by approximately R300 million. In addition, the “Value of infrastructure unlocked in under resourced municipalities” was roughly R900 million higher than targeted. While the DBSA performed well financially, its investors and clients had concerns over the company, reflected in a lower-than-targeted client and stakeholder satisfaction index score. The bank aimed for a four on this index, but only achieved 3.75, which it attributed to stakeholders not being fully aware of the group’s functions and concerns from clients. “The underperformance is attributed to: A lower score for Stakeholder Relationship Index, which is due to some of the stakeholders not being aware of the DBSA’s products, channels and sector focus. A slightly lower than expected score for client’s satisfaction survey due to clients indicating concerns around product relevance, responsiveness, and innovation.” South Africa’s fixed investment concerns Despite the DBSA meeting and exceeding its investment targets for the year, South Africa’s fixed investment remains lower than in 2025. From the end of 2025 to the first half of 2026, the value of planned investment projects dropped by 81% to R137.7 billion. The data came from Nedbank’s capital expenditure project listing, which, although noting a considerable decline in planned fixed investment, noted that the amount is expected to grow marginally from last year. It said that South Africa’s Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) is expected to rise in 2026, but at a slower pace than previously anticipated. “Increased government infrastructure spending and continued investment in renewable energy capacity should help offset some of the drag from a less supportive global environment,” Nedbank said.

South Africa’s annual inflation rises to 5%

Staff Reporter — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:22:06 +0000

According to Statistics South Africa, the annual consumer inflation jumped to 5,0% in June 2026 from 4,5% in May 2026. This is the highest inflation print since June 2024 when the rate was 5,1%. Prices rose by 0,7% on average between May and June, the same increase recorded between April and May. Fuel price pressures remain Transport was the largest contributor to both the annual and monthly changes in the consumer price index (CPI), mainly underpinned by higher fuel prices. The annual rate for transport accelerated to 12,7% in June from 9,4% in May. Fuel prices climbed by 34,3% in the 12 months to June, driven by increases of 50,8% in diesel prices and 31,7% in petrol prices. Higher fuel prices had a knock-on effect on passenger transport inflation, which registered a monthly rise of 8,1% in June. This took the annual rate for the category to 12,5% from 4,0% in May. Sharp monthly increases were recorded for minibus taxi fares (+11,5%), e-hailing services (+8,7%), long-distance bus fares (+8,4%) and school transport (+3,7%). Food inflation edges lower Annual food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) inflation slowed further in June, dipping to 1,6% from 1,9% in May and 2,9% in April. Cereal products recorded a fifth consecutive month of deflation at -1,5%. Several notable products are cheaper than a year ago, including white rice (-13,4%), maize meal (-5,9%), samp (-1,5%) and porridge (-1,3%). Meat inflation also extended a downward trend, moderating further to 5,1% from a peak of 13,5% in January 2026. Inflation for beef products is settling, with the annual rate for beef mince cooling to 3,9% from May’s 10,6%. Stewing beef entered deflationary territory, with its annual rate declining to -2,7%. Pork inflation eased for a third consecutive month but continued to occupy double-digit territory at 13,9%. The annual rate for mutton and lamb rose to 8,4%. Processed meat products that experienced high rates in June include sausages at 11,8%, corned meat at 10,2% and bacon at 8,6%. Hot beverages inflation has remained above 6,0% for four years (since June 2022), reaching 7,4% in June 2026. The annual rate for black tea in June 2026 was 8,3% and instant coffee 7,0%. Other notable price changes Actual housing rents and owners’ equivalent rent are incorporated in the CPI calculation at the end of each quarter. In June, actual rents increased by 1,1% from the March quarter (quarter 1), reaching an annual increase of 4,1%. Rent for townhouses increased by 5,4%, flats by 4,6% and houses by 3,7% over the past 12 months.

World Bank loans SA $1.5 billion to boost infrastructure

Staff Reporter — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:45:53 +0000

South Africa secured a $1.5 billion (R25 billion) World Bank loan to assist the country’s infrastructure and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the continent’s largest economy. The facility is the fourth in a series of stand-alone development policy loans to South Africa since 2022, aimed at easing infrastructure bottlenecks that have contributed to a decade of meagre economic growth. The Washington-based lender said that reform of the electricity and transport sectors, supported by the financing, could create almost 600,000 new jobs by 2032, including 280,000 next year. In a statement, World Bank explained that the operation builds on reforms that are already showing results. “Load shedding has been virtually eliminated for a year and a half, private investment in renewable energy has increased sixfold, and rail and port freight volumes have risen by more than 50% since 2023." Scheduled power outages have become increasingly infrequent after years of being an almost daily occurrence, thanks to efforts to fix the state-owned power utility under a reform programme launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa. According to a reform tracker compiled by Business Leadership South Africa, a lobby group, almost 70% of the projects identified as priorities are either on schedule or completed. “This programme reflects our government’s determination to remove the infrastructure constraints that have held back growth and job creation for too long,” Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said in the statement. “Working with the World Bank Group, we are deepening reforms already delivering results in energy and transport, while for the first time tackling the governance and investment gaps in our water sector that affect millions of households, particularly the poorest.”

Flutterwave: Powering Africa’s Payment Infrastructure

KatherineAdmin — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 08:09:02 +0000

A Fintech Giant from Nigeria

Founded in 2016 by Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, Flutterwave has become one of Africa’s most influential fintech companies. Headquartered in Lagos with offices across San Francisco, Nairobi and Johannesburg, the company provides seamless payment infrastructure for merchants, banks, and consumers across 30+ African countries.

Building the Backbone of African Commerce

Flutterwave enables businesses to accept payments via cards, mobile wallets, bank transfers, and USSD, all through a unified API. its flagship product, Rave, supports thousands of merchants, from SMEs to global brands like Uber, Flywire, and Booking.com.

By 2025, Flutterwave had processed over $40 billion in payments, supporting millions of transactions monthly.

Valued at Over $3 Billion

After its $250 million series D round in 2022, Flutterwave became Africa’s most valuable startup, with a valuation of after $3 billion. The company has attracted investors like Tiger Global, Avenir Growth, and Salesforce Ventures.

It has also launched Send, a remittance service enabling fast and affordable cross-border money transfers for African diaspora communities.

Navigating Regulatory Challenged

Despite facing regulatory scrutiny in Nigeria and Kenya in 2022-2023, Flutterwave responded by enhancing compliance, securing licenses, and establishing stronger governance structures; it now holds central bank approvals in key markets, including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Egypt.

The Future of African Fintech

Flutterwave’s goal is to make global payments as simple as sending a test. With a presence in almost every corner of the continent, the company is at the forefront of digitalizing trade, tourism, and e-commerce across Africa.

Africa’s Free Trade Area: AfCFTA Begins to Take Shape

KatherineAdmin — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:53:03 +0000

A Historic Economic Project

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the world’s largest free trade zone by number of countries- 54 African Nations signed on. Launched in 2021, AfCFTA aims to boost intra-African trade by eliminating tariffs on 90% of goods and facilitating cross-border services.

Early Trade Pilots and Impact

By 2024, over 20 countries began guided trade under AfCFTA, exchanging goods like tea, sugar, and ceramics across new trade corridors, early successes include Kenya-Ghana trade routes and Egypt’s exports to West Africa.

These pilots revealed how standardizing documentation, digitizing customs, and improving transport can slash costs and delivery times.

SMEs and Startups Poised to Benefit

AfCFTA is a game changer for African SMEs, which previously struggled with fragmented markets. It encourages scale, investment, and pan-African supply chains.

Digital platforms are emerging to help entrepreneurs navigate trade laws and logistics.

Institutional Support and Infrastructure

Organizations like the Afreximbank have pledged over $10 billion in financing to support trade facilitation, logistic upgrades, and export credit lines. Continental platforms like the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS) are also rolling out.

Toward an Integrated African Economy

Though challenges remain, like infrastructure gaps and non-tariff barriers, AfCFTA is steadily transforming Africa into a unified economic powerhouse with more internal resilience and global bargaining power.

Yassir: The Super App Transforming North African Mobility and Finance

KatherineAdmin — Tue, 13 May 2025 11:58:17 +0000

From Ride-Hailing to Full-Service Platform

Founded in Algeria in 2017, Yassir started as a ride-hailing app and has evolved into a multi-service super app offering mobility, food delivery, and financial services across North Africa. It now operates in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and several countries in West Africa.

Rapid Growth Across Francophone Africa

Yassiw has grown to serve over 8 million users and tens of thousands of drivers and couriers, its focus on Francophone markets, often underserved by larger tech players, has given it a unique advantage

Its sleek interface and seamless payment integration make it a preferred choice for urban users.

Fintech That Fits the Market

In addition to rides and deliveries, Yassir offers mobile wallets, bill payments, and merchant services. Its fintech arm, Yassir Pay, allows cashless payments within the ecosystem and is expanding to offer microloans and saving products.

Backed by Big Investors

Yassiw raised $150 million in 2022, one of the largest rounds ever in North Africa. Investors include BOND, DN Capital, and the YC Continuity, signaling strong confidence in the company’s “super app” vision

Tech Innovation with Local Roots

Yassir is a homegrown platform tailored to the cultural, linguistic, and logistic nuances of the region. Its continued growth could make it the first North African tech unicorn to dominate both mobility and financial inclusion.

Rwanda’s Kigali Innovation City: Building Africa’s Smartest Capital

KatherineAdmin — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 08:06:11 +0000

Africa’s New Knowledge Hub

Kigali Innovation City (KIC) is Rwanda’s bold plan to become a pan-African center for digital innovation, education, and entrepreneurship. Located in the Gasabo district, the 70-hectare tech city is attracting universities, startups, data centers, and venture firms.

Anchored by Top Institutions

KIC already hosts the African Leadership University, Carnegie Mellon University Africa, and several regional coding academies; these institutions are grooming a generation of African engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs for the digital economy.

Government as a startup Partner

The Rwandan government, in partnership with the Africa50 investment platform, is offering infrastructure, incentives, and policy support. In 2025, it launched a $100 million innovation fund to support early-stage startups based at KIC.

A Green, Digital-First Campus

KIC integrates smart energy systems, fiber connectivity, green buildings, and mobility corridors. Its design reflects Rwanda’s ambition to create a sustainable, digital-first economy.

The Silicon Valley of Africa?

While comparisons to Silicon Valley may be ambitious, Kigali Innovation City is a sign that Africa’s knowledge economy is accelerating and Rwanda is placing itself at the center of this transformation.