The Monocle Banking Podcast

Head of Project & Export Finance at Standard Bank CIB, Asanda Tsotsi, joined Michael Avery this week to explore the critical challenges and opportunities in infrastructure development across Africa, including South Africa. Asanda sheds light on the pressing issue of underutilised private and government capital for infrastructure projects due to bankability concerns, and what makes a project bankable in the African context.

They delved into the crucial need for trust in building public-private partnerships, and the transformative potential of sustainable projects. Asanda also highlighted the role of central banks in influencing capital costs and explored the promising areas for future infrastructure development.

In this thought-provoking episode, Michael Avery welcomes Monocle CEO David Buckham to discuss his soon-to-be-released book, Orthogonal Thinking. David takes us on a philosophical journey through his personal explorations of mathematics, literature and life, describing how these have inspired his way of thinking about the world and finding meaning in it.  

Discover how concepts that seem orthogonal can, in fact, reveal profound answers to the existential questions that lie at the heart of the human condition, as David shares his insights, epiphanies and key takeaways that readers can expect from this highly anticipated book.

Following the recent release of the South African Reserve Bank’s Payment Study Report, Tim Masela, Head of the National Payment System at the SARB, joined Michael Avery to discuss their role in promoting financial inclusion in SA.

Tim offered valuable insights into the key components for modernising South Africa's payment ecosystem, the advancements made thus far, and the obstacles that remain. He also highlighted the importance of consumer education and building trust in creating a more digitally inclusive financial landscape, as well as the role of cryptocurrencies in the digital payment space.

What can other global success stories tell us about how Africa could unlock it's potential? Join Michael Avery for an insightful exploration of the 2023 Africa Export Competitiveness Report with Dr. Amit Kapoor, the Research Lead and Honorary Chairman of the Institute for Competitiveness in India, and Tiekie Barnard, CEO and Founder of Shift Impact Africa.

Discover where Africa's future economic growth lies, the immense potential it holds, and the steps necessary to overcome challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Mergers and Acquisitions in South Africa are experiencing positive momentum, fuelled by a newfound optimism within the country. To unpack this, Michael Avery was joined by Ruven Naidoo, Head of M&A, and Marc Ackermann, Head of Corporate Finance and Co-Head of SA Investment Banking at Investec.

They discussed how recent local political and economic developments - from loadshedding and the formation of the GNU government to potential interest rate cuts and the resilient rand - are shaping deal-making trends, and what to expect for the rest of this year and into 2025.

Moreover, Ruven and Marc shared valuable insights into the most active sectors for M&A, potential opportunities for South African companies looking to expand beyond our borders, and practical advice on what M&A truly involves and how to navigate the process successfully.

In this episode, Michael Avery sat down with Sergio Barbosa, Co-founder of Global Kinetic and CEO of FutureBank. Together, they explored the challenges posed by legacy IT systems in banks and potential strategies to modernise these systems.

Sergio shares insights for transitioning to more efficient and scalable technologies, the crucial role of regulatory frameworks in fostering FinTech integration, and the importance of leadership in driving cultural change within banks.

In this episode, Michael Avery sat down with Samantha Singh-Jami, Africa Strategist at RMB, to unpack their industry-renowned annual report, Where to Invest in Africa 2024, co-developed with GIBS.

Utilising findings from the report, Sam shared some of the key insights into what is driving success in certain countries and the lead indicators she believes will drive future success. Sam also shared her perspective on the current appetite for foreign investment in Africa, examining the potential risks and opportunities.

This week, Michael Avery sat down with two industry innovators: Joshua Kaiser, CEO of Tovie AI, and Goh Hirose, Head of Digital Acceleration at BNP Paribas Cardif. Together, they share their unique journeys into the world of AI and how their diverse backgrounds have shaped their approach.

Our guests further delved into the practical applications of AI, ethical considerations, emerging trends, and how a shared value approach is transforming both the banking industry and human interactions.

To unravel the intricacies of building a digitally transformed insurance offering, Michael Avery sat down with Christo Davel, Head of Client Enablement at Nedbank Insurance, to speak about his firsthand experience. They delved into Nedbank Insurance's digitisation journey, exploring their key digital initiatives and the impact on customer experience and operational efficiency.

Christo also shared insights on how AI is reshaping the insurance industry and how he has been able to leverage the technological journey already travelled by his Nedbank banking counterparts.

In this episode, Michael Avery is joined by Dr Michael Power, former Global Strategist at Ninety One, where they discuss the complex web of challenges facing the global world order right now.

From geopolitical tensions to a confluence of potential financial crises, they explore the fault lines emerging in the global economy. Dr Power also shares what he envisions a new multi-polar financial world might look like.