In a brief but encouraging conversation from the sidelines of the recent African Markets Conference 2025, our host, Godfrey Mutizwa hears from Honorable David Masondo MP, Deputy Minister of Finance for South Africa about some of the innovative measures the country is taking to address its own debt to GDP ratio, attract investors through improved private-public partnership and ultimately drive the continental economy toward greater and greater self-reliance. In-Market Insights

The world is undergoing a shake-up of global geopolitics and economics under U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term at a pace and scale not seen since the end of the Second World War. It’s a perilous time for Africa as President Trump pursues his “America First” trade policies, at a time when the continent is trying to renew the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. For South Africa – in President Trump’s crosshairs for a variety of reasons – it’s a test of endurance for the Government of National Unity and its fight to re-ignite growth in Africa’s largest economy. In-Market Insights

Africa's funding infrastructure gap is well documented. The continent collectively only invests four percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in infrastructure development, costing it as much as two percent of potential GDP growth every year. In comparison, China spends some 14 percent. What strategies and partnerships does the continent need to tackle its infrastructure backlog? From Davos, Switzerland, Godfrey Mutizwa has Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking CEO, Luvuyo Masinda and Andrew DeLeone, Alstom Region President for Africa, Middle East and Central Asia. In-Market Insights

Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States on 20 January 2025, markets sighed a breath of relief as he did not immediately announce feared tariffs that could negatively impact South African exports.

In this latest episode, Mamokete Lijane and Tom Anderson provide in-market insights on how to navigate markets in the new Trump era. It further delves on how Trump’s political ideology and economic strategy impact global market dynamics. In-Market Insights

As AfCFTA heads into its sixth year, what plans are in place to ensure its success, and what innovations can be expected from banks to help realise maximum gains for both SMEs and big business? Sim Tshabalala and Wamkele Mene offer insights from the WEF Davos 2025. In-Market Insights

Jeremy Stevens and Simon Freemantle delve into China's geopolitics and the potential impact on Africa. In-Market Insights

Inflation and disinflation trends regionally have not been homogeneous. East Africa is on a disinflation trajectory, while the West African region is seeing stubbornly high numbers. Currency devaluation and resource constraints have attributed to this. However, economic reform, as well as infrastructure investment shows a positive story for the continent, as we navigate our way back to being the second fastest growing region.

In this episode of In-Market Insights, we delve into how different corporates have adopted various strategies to address these challenges and embrace new opportunities. In-Market Insights

The formation of the South African Government of National Unity, saw equities, bonds and the rand rally. With South Africa’s seminal national elections behind us, we look at Operation Vulindlela, as well as various interventions by the GNU to boost investor confidence. We also hone in to see how the markets are responding. Listen to episode 2 of the In-Market Insights podcast as we talk to South African experts, Rudi Dicks, from the office of Presidency, and Deanne Gordon, Strategist at Standard Bank Equity Research. They’ll offer invaluable perspectives on navigating South Africa’s post-election economy.

The In-Market insights podcast. Brought to you by Standard Bank Global Markets. In-Market Insights

On November 5, U.S. voters re-elected President Donald Trump for a second and final term. They also elected Republican majorities in the United States Senate and in the House of Representatives. The composition of the US Congress is of particular interest for Africa as multilateral deals such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) heads for renewal in its 25th year. Over and above this, the tone and policies that Congress adopts can have ripple effects across the continent and the broader geopolitical landscape.

This episode of In-Market Insights, explores themes and developments you can expect following the election. In-Market Insights