The 2026 outlook for Africa highlights resilience amid global uncertainty. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to outperform global growth, with forecasts of 4.3% in 2026, led by fast-growing economies like Guinea, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. Major African economies, including Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, and Kenya, are projected to grow above 3%, while South Africa lags at 1.4%. Geopolitical and geoeconomic risks—including tariffs, state-based conflicts, military interventions, and foreign influence from the US, China, Russia, and Gulf countries—pose challenges for African nations. Despite these risks, Africa’s economic reform potential, natural resource leverage, and intra-African trade through AfCFTA offer opportunities for sustainable growth. 2026 will test African resilience, but strategic policies can transform uncertainty into growth.
ESET Threat Report H2 2025: Phishing and Social Engineering Pose Biggest Cybersecurity Risks for South African Organisations
ESET’s H2 2025 Threat Report reveals that phishing and social engineering remain the most significant cybersecurity risks for South African organisations, accounting for 45.7% of detected threats—well above the African average. The report also highlights the rapid evolution of AI-driven scams, deepfake-enabled fraud, NFC payment attacks, and growing global ransomware activity, underscoring the urgent need for stronger cyber resilience and advanced threat detection across South Africa’s digital economy.
Founders in Focus spotlights André de Wet and the real economics of building tech for emerging markets
Founders in Focus: Unstoppable Entrepreneurs & Their Game Plans highlights André de Wet’s journey from early failure to building scalable digital commerce solutions for emerging markets through Flood’s SuperApp-as-a-Service model. The book emphasizes practical entrepreneurship, infrastructure challenges, and sustainable growth across Africa and other developing regions, offering insight into how technology, distribution, and execution can transform informal retail into inclusive digital ecosystems.
Is AU willing to become the institution Africa needs
This analysis explores growing public frustration with the African Union’s effectiveness in delivering continental unity, security, and economic integration. It examines criticism surrounding the AU’s limited progress on a single currency, unified military, and open borders, while arguing that urgent institutional reform, accountability, and political courage are essential if the AU is to remain relevant and meet Africa’s evolving geopolitical and development needs.
AI and the Reinvention of African Agriculture: A New Growth Frontier for Emerging Economies
As climate risk, food insecurity, and supply-chain disruptions reshape global investment priorities, artificial intelligence is emerging as a catalyst for the reinvention of African agriculture. This article explores how AI-driven precision farming, climate forecasting, supply-chain optimisation, and alternative data models are transforming Sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural sector into a more predictable, investable growth industry. By reducing volatility, improving productivity, and unlocking access to finance, AI is repositioning agriculture as a strategic pillar for food security, rural income growth, and long-term economic development across emerging African economies.
The blockchain frameworks set to enhance fintech development in 2026
As digital capital markets mature, blockchain frameworks are becoming the backbone of fintech innovation in 2026. With over half a billion users globally and widespread adoption by financial institutions, blockchain is reshaping payments, settlements, smart contracts, and decentralized finance. This article explores the leading blockchain frameworks driving fintech development—Corda, EOSIO, Hyperledger Fabric, Ethereum, and XRP Ledger—highlighting their real-world use cases, scalability, regulatory readiness, and impact on banks, fintechs, and digital asset platforms. Industry insights from D24 Fintech CTO Osama Bari outline how choosing the right framework will be critical for fintechs seeking efficiency, security, and long-term growth in an increasingly competitive blockchain ecosystem.
From turbulence to transformation: How local leaders can shift their trajectory in 2026
As business and technology converge in 2026, leaders must navigate rapid change, innovate on the fly, and build resilience amidst uncertainty. In South Africa, businesses are focused on maximising efficiency through flexible virtualisation, accelerating AI adoption beyond pilots, and strengthening cybersecurity to combat emerging AI-powered threats. To succeed, leaders must embrace AI, reimagine roles, and foster cross-functional teams while prioritising security and data governance. Success will depend on adapting quickly, laying solid foundations, and embracing a continuous journey of transformation.
What Africa can teach the rest of the world’s food and hospitality sector
In 2025, Africa’s unique approach to hospitality is reshaping global trends. From navigating economic uncertainty and currency volatility to embracing local ingredients and cultural narratives, African operators have forged resilient, innovative businesses. With the hospitality sector projected to reach $14.72 trillion by 2034, Africa’s emerging markets, particularly South Africa, offer a blueprint for success in sustainable luxury, chef-led dining, and creative systems that drive efficiency. Global hospitality can learn from Africa’s focus on authenticity, strong operational frameworks, and long-term brand-building. As the world seeks experiences with soul, Africa’s creativity and talent are setting new standards in the food and hospitality industry.
5 Energy Market Realities in 2026
In 5 Energy Market Realities in 2026, David McDonald, CEO of SolarAfrica, breaks down the practical forces shaping South Africa’s energy landscape. The article explores why Eskom remains central to the wholesale market, how municipalities are increasingly buying power directly from IPPs, and why energy decisions are shifting from operations to balance sheets. It also examines the impact of rising fixed and capacity charges, the growing role of batteries and hybrid energy solutions, and why wheeling works — even as project financing struggles to keep pace. A grounded, on-the-ground view of how South Africa’s energy market will really operate in 2026.
Multifamily rental housing is now one of South Africa’s most resilient and investable property sectors
Multifamily residential rental housing is emerging as one of South Africa’s most resilient and investable property sectors, supported by stable demand, high occupancies, improving macroeconomic conditions and growing institutional capital. Insights shared by SAMRRA, Absa CIB and industry experts highlight strong portfolio performance, low vacancy rates above 95%, and sustained rental growth aligned with inflation. With professional management, purpose-built assets and a significant housing shortfall in the “missing middle” market, multifamily rental housing is increasingly recognised as a core, defensive asset class driving long-term value, urban regeneration and inclusive economic growth in South Africa.