AI adoption in Africa is crucial, and with it comes the importance of establishing a unique African AI identity. Dr. Mark Nasila, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at FNB Risk and acclaimed author of African Artificial Intelligence, joined Michael Avery to share his expertise on this topic.

They explored the current state of AI, especially in South Africa, the key industries it’s reshaping, as well as the potential benefits and risks associated with AI implementation particularly within the realm of traditional banking.

To shed light on the entrepreneurial opportunities that emerge from the shadows of industry giants, Michael Avery was joined by TJ Strydom, author of Capitec: Stalking Giants. Together, they explore how Capitec, a small start-up from Stellenbosch, has transformed into one of South Africa's most remarkable success stories.

TJ shared his perspectives on Capitec’s innovative strategies, commitment to customer centricity, and the cultural shifts that have fuelled its growth, along with insights into what the future may hold for the bank.

To explore the future of infrastructure investment in South Africa, Michael Avery sat down with two industry leaders: Prudence Mogolola, Investment Officer at the IDC, and Ashley Daswa, Senior Investment Specialist at Sanlam Corporate Investments. They examined the gaps and opportunities associated with accelerating infrastructure development, the significance of impact investing, and the vital collaboration needed between the public and private sectors to drive sustainable growth.

Having recently expanded Monocle Tech, Mark Beringer, our Head of Technology at Monocle, sat down with Michael Avery to discuss this exciting new venture. Mark shared insights into the latest trends and emerging gaps that are reshaping how banks operate and innovate their products and services. He also explored the current data landscape and the digital maturity of banks in South Africa, as well as the technical skills essential for success in this rapidly changing environment.

Michael Avery sat down with Dr Eric Levenstein, Director and Head of the Insolvency, Business Rescue & Restructuring Department at Werksmans Attorneys, where they explored the successes and challenges of Business Rescue in South Africa.

Eric shared his expertise on the current attitudes of financial institutions towards Business Rescue, the ethical and legal complexities and the importance of being able to protect companies in an economy like South Africa. 

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.