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News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
Friday, 25 September 2026: Eskom welcomes the announcement by the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, extending the term of Eskom Board Chairperson, Mr Mteto Nyati, for a further three years with effect from 1 November 2026. The extension provides continuity of governance and strategic oversight as Eskom builds on the gains achieved...
TransUnion South Africa says today's decision by the South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee to increase interest rates by 25 basis points reflects ongoing concern around inflation risks and inflation expectations. However, the increase comes at a time when many households remain under significant affordability pressure.
The 25-basis-point increase adds to a range of affordability pressures that have steadily eroded purchasing power throughout 2026. While inflation has moderated, many households have yet to experience meaningful relief in their monthly finances.
According to the South African Reserve Bank's June 2026 Quarterly Bulletin, household debt-to-disposable income increased from 61.8% in Q4 2025 to 62.2% in Q1 2026, while debt-service costs remained elevated at 8.4% of disposable income.
Statistics South Africa's Quarterly Labour Force Survey reported that unemployment increased to 33.6% in Q2 2026, while youth unemployment reached 47.4%, highlighting the continued pressure on income growth and household resilience.
According to TransUnion's Q2 2026 Consumer Pulse Study, consumers continue to adapt to financial pressure through behaviourial changes. 52.7% of consumers have reduced discretionary spending, 63.4% actively seek discounts and promotions, 44.2% shop at lower-cost retailers, 38.8% expect difficulty paying future bills and loans, while a proportion are drawing down savings and increasingly relying on credit products and flexible payment solutions to manage daily expenses
"Consumers have demonstrated remarkable resilience, but affordability remains fragile and increasingly sensitive to further cost increases. Today's rate increase adds pressure to households already facing elevated fuel costs, transport expenses and ongoing affordability challenges,” says Lee Naik, chief executive officer and regional president, TransUnion Africa. “Consumers are not facing a new problem, but a deepening of pressures that already exist”
TransUnion notes that affordability pressures have intensified through much of 2026. High unemployment continues to constrain household income growth and weaken financial resilience, contributing to cautious spending behaviour and increased demand for credit.
What the Decision Means for Consumers
A 25-basis point increase is expected to raise monthly repayments on a R1 million home loan by approximately R160 to R170 per month, while repayments on a R2 million home loan could increase by around R320 to R340 per month. A consumer financing a R400,000 vehicle could see repayments increase by approximately R65 per month.
Although relatively modest in isolation, these additional costs arrive at a time when households are already contending with high living expenses and tighter budgets.
TransUnion expects consumers to respond by reducing discretionary spending, reassessing household budgets and delaying major purchases, prioritising debt obligations and essential expenses. Demand for flexible credit solutions and financial management tools may also increase as households seek to preserve cash flow.
While vehicle finance and mortgage repayment performance have remained relatively resilient, TransUnion cautions that additional monetary tightening could place renewed pressure on repayment performance, particularly within unsecured lending segments where delinquency rates remain elevated.
"South Africans have shown remarkable resilience, but affordability remains fragile. The increase reinforces the need for consumers to proactively manage debt, preserve liquidity and maintain healthy credit profiles," says Naik.
Looking Ahead
TransUnion expects affordability to remain a defining issue for consumers through the remainder of 2026. Elevated fuel and transport costs, weak economic growth, rising unemployment and pressure on household budgets are expected to continue shaping consumer spending and borrowing behaviour.
Statistics South Africa reported that GDP contracted by 0.2% in Q2 2026, while the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index fell to its lowest level since 2024, reflecting continued pressure on economic activity, employment growth and consumer confidence.
The key risk for households is not any single affordability shock, but the cumulative impact of multiple pressures occurring simultaneously, including fuel inflation, constrained income growth, elevated unemployment and increasing reliance on credit to manage day-to-day expenses.
"Whether rates remain unchanged or increase, the reality for many households remains the same: consumers are focused on preserving cash flow, protecting repayment performance and managing essential expenses in a challenging economic environment," says Naik. "Affordability will continue to shape how South Africans spend, save and borrow in the months ahead."
Thirteen Kenyan startups that raised about $718 million have collapsed, shut down or entered administration over the past five years, […]
Friday, 18 September 2026: Eskom continues to make measurable progress in strengthening South Africa’s energy security to support economic growth and investment as a result of its increasing operational and financial sustainability. For the financial year-to-date period from 1 April to 17 September 2026, the Generation fleet achieved an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 67.96%,...
TransUnion Botswana announces the launch of three new intelligence solutions designed to help financial institutions make smarter lending decisions, strengthen risk management and responsibly expand access to credit. Supported by an enhanced dataset that provides a richer view of consumer payment behaviour, the new solutions will help lenders unlock greater economic participation while supporting sustainable growth across Botswana's financial sector.
Following the recent licensing process, TransUnion is continuing to invest in Botswana's financial ecosystem through enhanced data capabilities, advanced analytics and new solutions designed to support lenders and consumers alike.
"The launch of these three new solutions represents an important investment in Botswana's financial future," says Kabelo Ramaselwana, chief executive officer, TransUnion Botswana. "Financial institutions need deeper insights and stronger analytics to support responsible growth. By combining richer data with advanced intelligence solutions, we are helping lenders make better decisions, expand access to credit and support greater economic opportunity."
New Intelligence Solutions for a New Credit Environment
TransUnion is introducing three new capabilities designed to help Botswana's financial institutions grow responsibly, improve decision-making and unlock new opportunities.
Together, these three solutions equip organisations with the intelligence needed to expand access to credit, strengthen risk management and drive sustainable growth.
Enhanced Data for Better Lending Decisions
These solutions are underpinned by an enhanced dataset that brings together broader payment and credit information to provide a more complete view of consumer payment behaviour and credit obligations. By reducing fragmented views of borrowers, financial institutions can make more informed decisions across the credit lifecycle, from origination and portfolio management to collections.
For lenders, access to richer information means decisions can increasingly be based on a broader understanding of borrower behaviour, helping institutions identify opportunities while maintaining sound risk management practices.
Unlocking Access to Credit and Economic Growth
Botswana's financial sector is entering a period of significant transition. While the country remains one of Africa's most financially included markets, lenders face increasing pressure to balance growth, affordability and risk amid changing consumer credit profiles, rising living costs and broader economic pressures.
At the same time, significant opportunities remain to broaden access to credit. Although around 72% of adults have access to a bank account or mobile money service, a large share of the population remains outside the formal credit system. As a result, lenders often struggle to assess creditworthiness using traditional risk models, limiting borrowing opportunities for consumers and small businesses.
TransUnion analysis indicates that richer data and enhanced scoring models could increase loan approvals by 4% to 6% annually while maintaining credit quality, potentially unlocking up to P5 billion in additional lending across the market. Enhanced collection capabilities have also demonstrated a 38% increase in visibility and a 40% improvement in collections yield, helping institutions strengthen portfolio performance and support sustainable economic growth.
Supporting Consumer and Business Growth
The opportunity extends beyond personal credit. Botswana's MSME sector employs approximately 175,000 people and generates an estimated P14 billion in annual turnover, yet many businesses continue to rely on manual record-keeping, making it more difficult to demonstrate creditworthiness and access finance. Enhanced commercial credit information and business analytics can help financial institutions better assess these businesses and support their growth through improved access to funding.
As financial institutions navigate an increasingly complex environment, access to deeper market intelligence is becoming increasingly important. TransUnion's Business Intelligence capabilities are designed to help organisations understand portfolio performance trends, monitor market developments and identify emerging opportunities, enabling more informed strategic decision-making.
Investing in Botswana Financial Future
TransUnion remains committed to supporting Botswana's evolving financial sector through ongoing investment in data, analytics and innovation. By combining global capabilities with local market expertise, the company aims to help lenders serve consumers and businesses more effectively while supporting broader economic growth.
"Growth and risk discipline are no longer opposing objectives," says Ramaselwana. "More complete information allows institutions to identify and serve the right consumers and businesses with greater confidence. That is good for lenders, good for consumers and ultimately good for Botswana's economy."
Tuesday, 15 September 2026: Ideas inspired by everyday life, challenges in local communities and questions raised in classrooms are about to reach one of South Africa’s biggest platforms for scientific talent, as young scientists from across the country prepare to showcase their research at the 2026 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF)....
Despite continued fuel price pressure, rising living costs and ongoing strain on household finances, South Africans continue to prioritise vehicle ownership. According to TransUnion's Q2 2026 Mobility Insights Report, new passenger vehicle sales increased 15.8% year-on-year during the quarter, marking the strongest annual growth recorded in the past three quarters despite challenging economic conditions.
Beneath this growth, however, a significant shift is underway. Consumers are showing renewed interest in used vehicles and more affordable options as affordability becomes a more important consideration. The changing dynamics are reflected in vehicle registration patterns.
The used-to-new ratio declined from 3.2 in Q2 2025 to 2.7 in Q2 2026, indicating that new vehicles gained market share over the past year. While the ratio increased from 2.3 in Q1, the year-on-year movement confirms that the broader shift towards new vehicles remains intact.
"One of the most encouraging findings from this quarter's report is that South Africans have not stepped away from vehicle ownership despite a more challenging economic backdrop," says Ayesha Hatea, director of research and consulting at TransUnion Africa.
"What we are seeing instead is a more pragmatic consumer. Mobility remains essential, but consumers are carefully weighing affordability, financing costs, fuel efficiency and long-term ownership expenses before making purchasing decisions."
As consumers increasingly turn to used vehicles, alternative financing structures, rental models and digital purchasing journeys, the industry's risk profile is evolving alongside these opportunities. Fraud is no longer confined to traditional vehicle-finance applications. Businesses face growing exposure to identity fraud, synthetic identities, document manipulation, income misrepresentation, ownership fraud and payment fraud across multiple points of the automotive ecosystem.
Affordability Reshapes the Market
One of the clearest indicators of changing consumer priorities is the rapid rise of Chinese automotive brands. These brands now account for more than one in every five (22.4%) passenger and light commercial vehicles sold in South Africa, highlighting the growing importance of affordability, technology and overall value in purchasing decisions.
"Affordability has become one of the defining themes of South Africa's mobility market," says Hatea. "Consumers are increasingly looking for the best overall value proposition rather than simply the lowest price. Brands that combine affordability, quality, technology and lower running costs are proving particularly attractive in the current environment."
Consumers Remain Engaged but More Cautious
Data from TransUnion's Q2 2026 Consumer Pulse Survey points to a more measured outlook among households.
The proportion of consumers intending to purchase a vehicle within the next three months declined from 22% in Q1 to 19% in Q2. The decline was most pronounced among lower- and middle-income households, while purchase intent among higher-income households increased from 24% to 27%.
Importantly, this moderation should not be interpreted as weakening demand. Rather, it suggests consumers are becoming more deliberate as affordability pressures intensify.
The continued strength in vehicle sales indicates that vehicle ownership remains a priority for many South Africans. However, consumers are increasingly focused on achieving the right balance between affordability, reliability and long-term value.
Hybrid Vehicles Gain Momentum
The same practical mindset is shaping attitudes towards vehicle technology. While internal combustion engine vehicles continue to dominate the market, hybrid vehicles have emerged as the preferred route to electrification. According to the report, 45% of consumers now consider hybrid vehicles when evaluating their next purchase, making them the most attractive electrified vehicle option in South Africa.
Rising fuel costs, concerns around charging infrastructure and growing awareness of operating expenses are encouraging consumers to seek greater efficiency without compromising convenience.
"South Africa's mobility transition is likely to follow a distinctly local path. Consumers want lower running costs and greater efficiency, but practicality remains paramount. Hybrid technology offers a compelling middle ground between affordability, convenience and sustainability.”
"As automotive customer journeys become increasingly digital, businesses need to connect identity, device, behavioural and financial intelligence to distinguish legitimate customers from higher-risk activity without adding friction to the customer experience," adds Hatea.
Value Will Define the Next Phase of Growth
Despite a more challenging outlook for households and businesses, the report suggests the underlying fundamentals supporting vehicle demand remain intact.
For OEMs, dealers, financiers and insurers, future growth opportunities will increasingly depend on their ability to meet consumer expectations around affordability, convenience and efficiency. Organisations that can help consumers navigate a constrained economic environment through competitive pricing, flexible financing solutions and lower-cost mobility options will be better positioned to respond to demand.
Growth, however, must be supported by intelligent risk management. Traditional verification approaches are increasingly being complemented by layered fraud prevention capabilities that connect identity, device, behavioural, financial and regulatory signals. This helps organisations identify higher-risk activity earlier while reducing friction for legitimate customers.
"The South African vehicle market continues to demonstrate resilience, but success in the next phase of growth will depend on understanding a more selective and value-driven consumer," concludes Hatea. “The ability to deliver affordability, efficiency, trust and long-term value will increasingly determine which brands and businesses succeed in the market.”
Friday, 11 September 2026: Eskom continues to strengthen South Africa’s energy security while delivering measurable sustainability outcomes. For the financial year-to-date period from 1 April 2026 to 10 September 2026, the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) reached 67.78%, its highest level in six years, while unplanned outages declined from 26.61% to 19.43% compared to the same...
Thursday, 10 September 2026: Eskom notes articles published by Daily Investor on 3 September 2026 and MyBroadband on 6 September 2026 regarding the construction costs, completion status and performance of Kusile and Medupi power stations. The articles present figures of R233.4 billion for Kusile and R176 billion for Medupi as though they represent the current...
Friday, 4 September 2026: South Africa successfully concluded the 2026 winter period with Eskom fully meeting electricity demand throughout the season, including during periods of overcast weather when rooftop solar generation was significantly reduced. South Africa has now recorded 476 consecutive days, or about 16 months, without loadshedding since 16 May 2025, reflecting the dedication...
Friday, 4 September 2026: Eskom corrects the materially inaccurate reporting published by Daily Investor on 2 September 2026 under the headline, “Eskom spent billions on diesel to keep the lights on.” The article presents Eskom’s approved FY2026 diesel budget of R12.81 billion as actual expenditure. This is a basic factual error that materially misrepresents Eskom’s...
Kenyan president William Ruto has ordered a crackdown on foreigners operating small businesses in Kenya, escalating a long-running dispute over […]
National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) Africa and TransUnion Africa today officially launched Access to Finance™, a national Small Medium Enterprise (SME) funding initiative created and powered by NSBC Africa to help South African SMEs better understand their funding requirements and connect qualifying businesses with participating funders aligned to their funding needs.
Mike Anderson, Founder & CEO of NSBC Africa launched Access to Finance™ at the opening of The Business Show: Africa 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, where thousands of entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, funders, leading brands and business decision makers are gathering for two days of business growth and opportunity.
Access to Finance™ forms part of NSBC Africa’s broader national business growth ecosystem and its longstanding mission to help entrepreneurs and SMEs access the opportunities, resources, funding and connections they need to build sustainable and successful businesses.
At its core, the initiative seeks to address one of the most persistent challenges facing South African entrepreneurs and growing businesses: accessing the right finance, at the right stage, from the right funding provider. For many SMEs, the funding landscape can be complex and difficult to navigate. Businesses may not know whether they are funding-ready, what type of finance best suits their needs or which funding providers are most relevant to their circumstances.
FUNDING. FAST. SIMPLE.
Through a structured digital journey, Access to Finance™ helps SMEs better understand their funding requirements and, where qualifying criteria are met, connects them with participating funders whose solutions are aligned to their business and funding needs. The goal is to create a simpler pathway to business finance, while supporting greater participation by qualified SMEs within the broader finance ecosystem.
Rather than simply providing businesses with a list of funders, Access to Finance™ is designed to improve alignment between SME funding needs and appropriate funding opportunities, helping entrepreneurs take a more informed and targeted approach to accessing finance.
TransUnion is the exclusive Credit Bureau Partner to Access to Finance™, working alongside NSBC Africa in support of the shared vision of strengthening SME participation within South Africa’s finance ecosystem.
CREATING GREATER VISIBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY
A central part of the Access to Finance™ vision is improving the connection between South African SMEs and the organisations that finance business growth. By helping businesses better understand their readiness for finance, before engaging participating funders, the initiative aims to create a more efficient journey for both SMEs and funding providers.
Speaking at the official opening of The Business Show: Africa and the launch of Access to Finance™, Lee Naik, CEO & Regional President of TransUnion Africa, addressed the importance of strengthening the environment in which South African SMEs can better understand their financial position, become more visible within the finance ecosystem and connect with appropriate opportunities for growth.
“Small businesses are one of South Africa’s most important engines of growth and job creation, yet too many still struggle to access the funding they need to start, sustain and scale their operations. At TransUnion Africa, we see data visibility and access to information as powerful enablers of financial inclusion and business growth. By helping businesses establish a stronger, more transparent financial profiles, we can support lenders in making more informed decisions and expand access to credit for viable enterprises,” says Naik.
A NEW ERA OF ACCESS TO FINANCE
According to Anderson, improving the connection between SMEs and appropriate finance has the potential to unlock significant business growth. “South Africa does not lack entrepreneurial ambition. What many businesses lack is a simpler, more effective way to navigate the funding landscape and connect with the right finance opportunities.
Access to Finance™ has been created to help change that. We want to make the journey smarter, simpler and more connected, helping funding-ready SMEs get closer to the finance they need to grow. When more viable businesses can access appropriate funding, they can invest, expand, create jobs and build stronger, more sustainable businesses. That is the bigger vision behind Access to Finance™.”
CREATED AND POWERED BY NSBC AFRICA
Access to Finance™ is created and powered by NSBC Africa, a non-profit organisation that has championed entrepreneurship and SME growth for more than 18 years. Through its national ecosystem of initiatives, platforms, partnerships and events, NSBC Africa works to connect entrepreneurs and small businesses with the opportunities, knowledge, solutions, funding and connections they need to build sustainable and successful businesses.
Adds Naik, “We are proud to partner with NSBC Africa on Access to Finance™ and see this as an important platform for connecting entrepreneurs with funding opportunities and help them realise their growth potential.”
The initiative represents an important next step in that mission, bringing together NSBC Africa’s SME ecosystem, technology, partnerships and funding relationships to create a smarter and more connected pathway between entrepreneurs seeking finance and participating funding providers.
The vision is clear: help more SMEs become finance-ready, connect with relevant funding opportunities and take the meaningful steps towards sustainable business growth.
Wednesday, 2 September 2026: Eskom today hosted the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, at its Research, Testing and Development (RT&D) facility in Johannesburg. The visit showcased progress in clean coal, green hydrogen and other technologies intended to strengthen operational performance, national energy security and a responsible energy transition,while building the capabilities required...
Monday, 31 August 2026: Eskom today announced its group annual results for the 2026 Financial Year (FY) ended 31 March 2026, reporting a second successive year of profitability and continued progress in restoring operational and financial sustainability. “Eskom’s purpose is to power growth sustainably. That means holding two mandates at once: a commercial duty to run...
Friday, 28 August 2026: South Africa’s electricity supply continues to strengthen as Eskom delivers sustained structural and operational improvements across its generation fleet. Eskom’s year-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has increased to 67.87%, its highest level since 2020. At the same time, unplanned outages have declined from 34.5% to 19.58%, returning 6 873MW of generation...
Friday, 28 August 2026: Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd congratulates the Eskom Board Chairman, Mteto Nyati, on accepting an invitation to become an Honorary Fellow of the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE), recognising his contribution to engineering-led institutional renewal and national development. The prestigious recognition follows a resolution by SAAE Fellows at their Annual General...
Thursday 27, August 2026: Eskom has completed the independent legal assessment, diesel reconciliation and verification processes arising from its investigation into diesel procurement and storage contracts under Tender MWP2197GX. The independent processes found no evidence that diesel paid for by Eskom is missing. The legal assessment did not sustain allegations that the procurement award process under...
Thursday, 27 August 2026: Eskom confirms that Koeberg Nuclear Power Station’s Unit 1 was, safely and within procedure, taken offline just before 1am today following a turbine trip. All plant monitoring confirmed that operating conditions remained stable throughout the event. Nuclear safety was never compromised and there was no risk to employees, the public, or the environment....
Thursday, 27 August 2026: From exploring environmental challenges to developing engineering and technology solutions, young scientists at the Eskom Expo Stellenbosch Regional Science Fair demonstrated how curiosity can be transformed into meaningful research, while outstanding projects were recognised with a range of awards and prizes. Hosted at the Engineering Faculty of Stellenbosch University on 21...
Wednesday, 26 August 2026: August marks Electricity Safety Month, a national opportunity to place public electricity safety at the centre of South Africa’s safety agenda and to encourage communities to identify, avoid and report dangerous electrical hazards. Electricity remains essential to everyday life, but unsafe use, illegal connections, exposed conductors and tampered infrastructure continue to...
Friday, 21 August 2026: Eskom’s turnaround continues to deliver measurable results, with a stronger generation fleet and a stable power system throughout winter. Year-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has improved to 67.79%, the highest level since 2020, while the weekly EAF reached 72.56%. The sustained structural improvement in fleet performance has returned approximately 6 100MW...
Friday, 21 August 2026: Eskom has today received the final payment from the City of Johannesburg/City Power (CoJ/CP) to settle in full the accumulated overdue electricity debt of R5 255 421 994.16. The CoJ/CP has confirmed to Eskom that the current account in respect of July 2026, that falls due on 31 August 2026, of R1 860 379 885...
Thursday, 20 August 2026: As part of Eskom’s ongoing strategy to deliver governance and control improvements in the fight against crime, fraud and corruption, from February 2023 to 31 March 2026, Eskom’s supplier disciplinary process resulted in the restriction of 101 suppliers, including implicated directors and owners, from doing business with Eskom for up to...