Star 2026-04-17

In a landscape marked by geopolitical tension, a wave of optimism swept through the global markets yesterday, buoyed by positive developments in peace negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. The potential for a ceasefire has sparked renewed hope among investors, who are now closely monitoring further updates from Iran and the White House regarding ongoing negotiations. Wall Street stocks surged to record highs, with the major indices closing up as strong corporate earnings painted a promising picture for the American economy. The anticipation of a potential deal between Iran and the US catalysed the bullish sentiment, further energising the market. “The positive sentiment continues as peace talks between Lebanon and Israel indicate the potential for a ceasefire,” said Bianca Botes, Managing Director at Citadel Global. “This optimism is not just a…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that sub-Saharan Africa’s recent economic progress is under increasing strain, as global shocks, rising debt, and declining external support threaten to derail growth and development across the region. In its April 2026 Regional Economic Outlook titled “Hard-Won Gains Under Pressure,” the IMF on Thursday painted a mixed picture of the continent’s economic trajectory. While 2025 was described as a relatively strong year for many African economies, the outlook has since darkened significantly after global instability, particularly the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has pushed up fuel, food, and transport costs. The IMF downgraded the region's growth forecast by a cumulative 0.4 percentage point, and is now forecasting growth of 4.3% and 4.4% in the two years, respectively, while in January it…

The “quasi-equity” €75 million investment will also enable an additional $20m senior loan Biovac, based in Cape Town, will become Africa’s first multi-vaccine manufacturing site after a R1.47 billion investment by the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, the financing arm of the European Union, the European Commission and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The “quasi-equity” €75 million investment will also enable an additional $20m senior loan, as well as further senior financing from the IFC, a statement said Thursday. The investment is backed by a European Commission EFSD+ guarantee under the Human Development Accelerator (HDX), part of the EU's Global Gateway strategy. The EFSD+ guarantee acts as a safety net for lenders, covering potential losses if projects fail. In blended finance operations, the EU combines a small grant contribution with…

The Durban High Court has postponed the liquidation case against Tongaat Hulett. This decision follows a last-minute agreement between the company's Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) for R200 million in funding. The supplementary affidavits detailing the IDC's proposed R200 million funding were filed two days before the hearing on Thursday, resulting in the temporary halt of the liquidation proceedings on Thursday morning, just before they were set to begin. Advocate Arnold Subel SC, representing the BRPs from Metis Strategic Advisors, informed the court that the new funding arrangement fundamentally altered the situation. “IDC’s funding allows BRP to continue day-to-day operations, but it won’t last till the end of June,” he stated. Subel argued that the funding offered a breather until the end of June to…

The government has unveiled an ambitious plan to revive the once-thriving industrial economy of the Vaal region, with the proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) expected to reignite manufacturing, attract investment, and create thousands of jobs. Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Zuko Godlimpi, outlined the vision during a public consultation meeting held on Wednesday at the Vereeniging Town Hall, where community members, business leaders, and stakeholders gathered to discuss the project’s potential impact. The proposed Vaal SEZ forms part of a broader strategy by the dtic to reverse decades of industrial decline in the region, south of Gauteng province. Once a manufacturing powerhouse, the Vaal has experienced significant economic contraction over the past 30 years, with factory closures and job losses eroding its economic base. ArcelorMittal South…

The world is witnessing more than a geopolitical conflict in the Middle East. It is witnessing a profound reconfiguration of global talent flows. Wars have always shifted borders. Today, they are shifting brains. The current conflict, centred around the escalating tensions involving Iran and the Gulf, has triggered not only a humanitarian crisis, but a silent, strategic migration of skills. Tens of thousands of professionals are reassessing where they live, work, and build their future. Entire ecosystems of talent are being disrupted, relocated, or redeployed. This moment presents both a warning and a once-in-a-generation opportunity for countries like South Africa. From brain circulation to brain flight Historically, globalisation enabled what we called “brain circulation”—talent moving fluidly between hubs like Dubai, London, Singapore, and New York. Today, that model is…