Category: Finance

Finance insights covering banking, fintech, investment, financial services and market developments shaping Africa’s economy.

Unlocking Profit: A Guide to Commercial Property Investment

Commercial property investment offers long-term returns, portfolio diversification, and strategic growth opportunities. Post-pandemic recovery, easing interest rates, and urban development have boosted South Africa’s commercial real estate market, with prime office, retail, and industrial spaces showing strong performance. Success relies on understanding location, vacancy rates, zoning, development potential, and sustainable practices, while avoiding speculation. Informed investors can capitalize on market cycles, rising rental yields, and low vacancies to maximize returns.

Opportunity International Agriculture Finance Programming Celebrates $500 Million Invested in Smallholder Agriculture in Sub Saharan Africa

Opportunity International has reached a major milestone with $500 million invested in smallholder agriculture across Sub-Saharan Africa. Through partnerships with 26 financial service providers in 12 countries, the Agriculture Finance program has empowered over one million smallholder farming households with access to affordable finance, digital tools, regenerative agriculture practices, and localized support networks. These efforts are transforming rural communities, increasing food security, and reducing poverty through sustainable farming and inclusive economic growth.

Global Trade Credit Insurance Claims Drop in 2024, but Africa Remains Key Risk Zone, Survey Finds

Global trade credit insurance claims dropped in both volume and value in 2024, with total claims falling by nearly 25% to just over $400 million, according to a survey by the Lloyd’s Market Association and partners. Despite the decline, Africa remained the leading source of claims, accounting for 71% of cases. Most claims were paid promptly, highlighting the reliability of trade credit insurance, particularly in high-risk regions and infrastructure sectors.

GENIUS Act Could Spark Wave of Stablecoin Launches, Says D24 Fintech Group

The GENIUS Act, recently approved by the US Senate, could pave the way for a major shift in the global digital payments ecosystem. The legislation aims to create a clear regulatory framework for stablecoins, fostering institutional trust and adoption across sectors like banking, retail, and fintech. Stablecoins, fully backed by liquid assets, could become integral to cross-border payments, global payroll, and retail. As market leaders like PayPal, Stripe, and Walmart position themselves for stablecoin adoption, analysts predict significant growth opportunities for stablecoins in global markets. With the GENIUS Act, digital money could enter a regulated era, unlocking mainstream adoption and bridging traditional finance with crypto.

Why Impact Investing Must Reshape M&A Strategy in Africa’s Energy Landscape

As Africa experiences a transformative energy transition, traditional M&A strategies focused solely on financial returns fall short in addressing social and environmental challenges. This article argues that impact investing must reshape merger and acquisition approaches in Africa’s energy sector by integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into valuation and deal-making. Through case studies from Angola and Namibia, it demonstrates how embedding impact metrics into financial models can enhance value creation, support sustainable development, and align investments with local sovereignty and community needs.

The Hidden Complexity of Tokenisation: Why Implementation is Harder than it Looks

Tokenisation, a promising solution in mobile payments and e-commerce, offers secure, efficient, and seamless transactions by replacing sensitive data with randomized tokens. While the technology promises reduced fraud and enhanced security, implementing tokenisation is more challenging than it appears. This article explores the technical and regulatory complexities involved, including integration issues, vendor fragmentation, and compliance with evolving data protection laws. It also highlights how Stanchion’s expertise can help businesses overcome these challenges to unlock the benefits of tokenisation and virtual card issuing.