2025 marked a turning point for marketing in South Africa, as shifting consumer behaviour, rapid AI adoption, and evolving digital platforms reshaped how brands connect with audiences. According to Penquin Co-Managing Director Ryan Nofal, the year signaled a move from trend-chasing to results-driven, human-centered marketing. Artificial intelligence became non-negotiable, enabling personalised marketing at scale across South Africa’s multilingual and multicultural market. Short-form video, hyper-local storytelling, and the fast-growing creator economy emerged as dominant channels, while purpose-driven and sustainable branding increasingly influenced purchasing decisions among Millennials and Gen Z. Together, these forces redefined brand strategy in 2025 and set a clear direction for 2026: agile, authentic, and tech-enabled marketing built on real connection.
Category: Business
Business insights, company profiles and industry analysis covering African markets, leadership, entrepreneurship and economic growth.
USScience.com: Building America’s Premier Science Platform in 2026
USScience.com is a premium national domain set to become the leading hub for U.S. science, research, innovation, and STEM education. It targets high-value searches like “US science news,” “research innovations,” “STEM jobs,” and “e-learning.” The platform integrates a science news portal, talent marketplace, e-learning courses, and institutional collaboration SaaS, driving audience growth and diversified revenue. With a 12-month roadmap, USScience.com aims for 300,000 monthly visitors, 6,000+ paid subscribers, and $2M+ revenue in Year-1. Available for acquisition.
Southern African and Italian Business Leaders Sign Bold Manifesto to Accelerate Africa’s Next Phase of Growth
Southern African and Italian business leaders have signed a landmark CEO Manifesto aimed at accelerating Africa’s next phase of economic growth. Announced at the 12th TEHA CEO Dialogue in Johannesburg alongside the G20 summit, the agreement brings together over 150 CEOs and policymakers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Italy. The Manifesto outlines ten strategic priorities focused on energy investment, infrastructure development, SME financing, digital transformation, talent mobility, regulatory stability, and women’s economic empowerment. Backed by the African Development Bank Group and The European House – Ambrosetti, the initiative positions the private sector as a driving force behind sustainable, inclusive growth across the continent. This strengthened Italy–Africa partnership aims to unlock Africa’s economic potential through coordinated investment, innovation, and long-term collaboration.
International Business Immersion Program South Africa: French Entrepreneurs Embark On A Multisectoral Immersion Program
The International Business Immersion Program South Africa brings a delegation of innovative French SMEs and mid-sized companies to Johannesburg and Cape Town from 1–5 December 2025. Organized by Bpifrance with Business France and FSACCI, the program strengthens France–South Africa economic ties through high-level networking, B2B meetings, and sector-specific visits. Participating companies represent digital transformation, medical software, sustainable IT, mobility, waste management, industrial maintenance, hygiene technologies, and geosciences. The mission aims to accelerate French business expansion in South Africa and open new opportunities in one of Africa’s most dynamic markets.
A New Standard in Luxury Living: The Caspian by Wavemark Properties Takes the Spotlight
Read the article about how Wavemark Properties is redefining coastal luxury with The Caspian, recently awarded Best Luxury Residential Development by Luxury Lifestyle Awards. Located in Nyali, Kenya, this project blends modern design, coastal charm, and sustainable innovation. With over 70% construction complete, it offers one to four-bedroom units, premium Turkish finishes, and amenities like an infinity pool, sky-view gym, and rooftop terrace. Eco-friendly features such as water purification systems and lush landscaping enhance long-term value. The Caspian stands as a new benchmark in smart, durable, and lifestyle-focused living.
Africa’s Quiet Transformation
Africa is experiencing a quiet but powerful transformation in governance, driven by digital innovations and strategic investments in public sector capability. From South Africa’s National e-Government Portal to digital ID systems and regulatory reforms across the continent, African governments are increasingly prioritizing effective service delivery, transparency, and long-term planning. The Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) 2025 highlights Africa’s steady governance improvements, with many nations outperforming global peers through smarter leadership, digital infrastructure, and institutional strengthening. For this transformation to endure, Africa must focus on building robust governance networks, investing in people, and shifting donor strategies toward sustainable capacity building. With these efforts, Africa is not only reshaping its governance landscape but also positioning itself as a global leader in public sector excellence.
Top-tier modernists and change in macroeconomic outlook inspire positivity in Johannesburg’s art auction market
Johannesburg’s art auction market is showing renewed strength as modernist masterpieces and improved macroeconomic outlook boost buyer confidence. Strauss & Co’s flagship evening sale achieved R44.2 million, 81.76% sell-through, with standout results for JH Pierneef, Alexis Preller, Irma Stern, John Meyer, Gerard Sekoto and Vladimir Tretchikoff, reflecting rising demand and positive sentiment in South Africa’s art investment market.
South Africa’s Energy Market Opens Up – Why Large Users Need to Act Now
South Africa’s energy market is opening to competition, giving large power users new choices in how they secure electricity. Companies that act now—using tools like wheeling and data-driven procurement—can reduce long-term costs, improve reliability, and strengthen competitiveness in a rapidly changing market.
A temporary rise in African Emissions is justified on the way to energy prosperity
Africa faces a dual challenge: the world’s lowest per-capita emissions and the highest levels of energy poverty. In this opinion piece, Louis Strydom argues for a lean-carbon pathway—allowing a temporary, tightly controlled rise in emissions to rapidly expand reliable power while accelerating the shift to renewables. Instead of false choices between “no fossil fuels” and “gas everywhere,” he proposes fuel-flexible plants, declining fossil use, and strict carbon covenants to stabilise weak grids, replace costly diesel generation, and enable faster renewable deployment. With development financiers slowly embracing transitional projects, Africa can peak emissions early, avoid long-term fossil lock-in, and finally unlock growth without derailing global climate goals.
Strauss & Co collaboration with strong results for rare and important art from across East Africa
Strauss & Co’s inaugural collaboration with Nairobi’s Circle Art Agency delivered outstanding results, marking a milestone for East African modern and contemporary art. Rare works by Tanzanian modernists Sam Ntiro and K.F. Msangi led the auction, with Msangi’s Baobab Under the Red Moon (1968) achieving a remarkable KES 3,522,000 (US$27,271). The sale totalled KES 29,666,980 (US$229,727) from 52 lots, boasting an 80% sell-through rate and over 70% of lots exceeding high estimates. With strong participation from 19 countries and nearly half of bidders new to Art Auction East Africa | Strauss & Co, the event highlights the rising global demand for East African art and reinforces the region’s growing secondary market.