Agriculture offers real growth potential

[Helmo Preuss] Although structural impediments such as poor logistics render the search for new avenues of deeper intra-African trade challenging‚ there is an immediate and compelling growth potential in the trade of agricultural products‚ Standard Bank research analyst Simon Freemantle said last week. 22 Apr 2013 13:24

Norton Rose tells insurers to tread carefully in Africa

[Phakamisa Ndzamela] Global legal practice Norton Rose has advised South African insurers expanding into other African countries to look beyond the sector-specific regulatory requirements in the jurisdictions they are entering as failure to do so could undermine their investments. 20 Mar 2013 09:25

Hackers pose threat to Africa's governments

Hackers have claimed the scalp of the South African Ministry of State Security's Twitter account, underlining concerns that Africa may be the soft underbelly of global cyber security. 6 Mar 2013 09:15

Minister "made mistake" says Mugabe

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe said his minister in charge of indigenisation, Saviour Kasukuwere, had made a "mistake" in striking an R8.3bn empowerment deal with Impala Platinum and he questioned whether the company should be paid for transferring a 51% stake to local owners. 5 Mar 2013 11:10

Zimbabwe to seize land from mining company

The Zimbabwean government will seize nearly 28ha of land leased by platinum miner Zimplats, in a fresh drive to re-allocate assets to local business, the mining minister, Obert Mpofu, said on Tuesday (12 February). 13 Feb 2013 11:20

Rainbow Chicken tickles investors' taste buds

A new-look Rainbow Chicken is taking shape amid enthusiasm from investors who have boosted its share price by a third since November. Driving the change is Rainbow's R1bn acquisition of Foodcorp and a R3,9bn rights issue, setting the scene for more positive developments. 4 Feb 2013 08:12

Zimbabwe demands lower interest rates

[Tawanda Karombo] Three foreign-owned banks are facing increased pressure from authorities to comply with the empowerment policy and are among the top Zimbabwean banks that are adequately capitalised. 4 Feb 2013 09:39

Africa's remittance costs too high says World Bank

Bringing remittance prices down to 5% from the current 12.4% average cost would put US$4bn more in the pockets of Africa's migrants and their families who rely on remittances for survival‚ the World Bank said on Monday (28 January). 29 Jan 2013 15:18

Aircraft parts for Zimbabwe justified - SANDF

The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has defended the disposal of military helicopter airframes and spares to Zimbabwe amid threats of legal action to stop the move. 28 Jan 2013 11:12