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We’re just two weeks away from the 5th edition of AERO South Africa, taking place from 25–27 June 2025 at Lanseria International Airport. As a dedicated general aviation business-to-business event in Southern Africa, AERO South Africa continues to create a valuable platform for the industry to connect, engage, and grow. This year we welcome 61 …
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) received information that Zibu Masotobe Sibiya with WhatsApp number (+27717684632), and her associate Mike Mabuyakhulu with WhatsApp number (+27794293027) are impersonating Brokstock SA (Pty) Ltd. The individuals are unlawfully acting as representatives through Telegram and WhatsApp groups called Brokstock Beginner/s. The bank account number they are using is Brockstockshares …
During recent years the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has received numerous complaints regarding various entities that were issuing performance guarantees (guarantees). Municipalities and government departments (State Entities) require performance guarantees from successful bidders for infrastructure projects. The performance guarantee is requested by the State Entity in terms of the General Code of Contractors, which …
Africa Tech Festival (www.AfricaTechFestival.com), the leading platform for stakeholders in the continent's technology industry, returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa, from 11 to 13 November 2025. This year, the event's strategic focus areas are grouped under forward-looking themes that reflect the rapidly evolving nature of Africa's technology and digital landscape.
The themes of the 28th edition of Africa Tech Festival – Responsible Innovation, Inclusive Investment, Connectivity for Development, and Policy Harmonisation – will be incorporated across all four of the festival's anchor events, namely AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and the AI Summit Cape Town.
These events will each explore their respective specialised focus areas through the lens of the overarching 2025 themes, positioning Africa Tech Festival as a unified platform with strategic intent, rather than a collection of disconnected discussions.
The 2025 edition of the Africa Tech Festival will also align with key global dialogues on technology and innovation, as it coincides with the prestigious G20 Leadership Summit. Additionally, the event will host the second, expanded edition of The Ministerial Summit, reaffirming its role as a catalyst for policy-driven discussions and high-impact collaborations.
“The themes mirror the recent trends emerging at Africa Tech Festival, as well as the continent's shifting focus towards advanced technologies that incorporate aspects of sustainable and inclusive digital progress. Artificial Intelligence, in particular, is emerging as a transformative force – from intelligent automation in industry to AI-powered solutions for financial inclusion and public health. They are reflected in our event agenda and will be instrumental in achieving our aim of driving positive change and fostering collaboration within the African tech ecosystem,” said James Williams, Event Director of Africa Tech Festival.
“As technology advances, so does the need for scalable, collaborative solutions that drive Africa's economic growth, digital readiness, and equitable access. By weaving these themes – from AI, cloud and cybersecurity to connectivity and digital inclusion – into the sessions, networking opportunities, and our international exhibitions, we highlight the interconnectedness of Africa's technology landscape and the collective role of its stakeholders in driving innovation and growth.”
Africa Tech Festival is Africa's biggest showcase of enterprise tech innovation across key sectors like telecoms, connectivity, cybersecurity, cloud and data centres, green ICT, and media and entertainment. With an anticipated attendance of 17,000 delegates from across the continent and the world, along with more than 300 exhibitors, and 450 speakers, the 2025 event will be the largest edition yet.
Building on the success of 2024, Africa Tech Festival will continue to deliver top-quality content and expert-led discussions on crucial topics, including national digital strategies, economic growth, infrastructure development, and sustainable partnerships between the public and private sectors. While a formal partnership with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has not yet been finalised, the 2024 edition saw valuable engagement with senior government officials, leading to insightful discussions and policy-focused sessions.For nearly three decades, the Africa Tech Festival has served as a forum for conversations and connections that elevate African tech onto the global stage. As the continent's digital transformation journey advances, the themes for 2025 will help guide these conversations, shape policy, attract investment, and foster partnerships that grow and advance Africa's technology ecosystem.
For more information or to register, visit https://www.AfricaTechFestival.com/.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.
About Africa Tech Festival:
Now in its 28th edition, Africa Tech Festival 2025 will take place from 11 to 13 November 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), bringing together over 15,000 technology leaders, policymakers, investors, startups, and visionaries. The festival encompasses four anchor events:
With over 500 speakers, 300 exhibitors, and multiple networking opportunities, Africa Tech Festival remains the largest and most influential tech event on the continent.
Kenya is working towards fast-tracking implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to unlock opportunities for businesses in the country across the continent.
Speaking during the Kenya IATF2025 Business Roadshow event, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Hon. Lee Kinyanjui said the government is positioning and consolidating Kenya as a Trade, industrial and innovation hub to strategically tap into trade and investment opportunities presented by AfCFTA.
“The solutions to Africa's problems lie with Africans. It is essential for countries within the continent to strengthen intra-African trade.
The IATF 2025 offers a vital platform to advance the AfCFTA agenda. With a well-educated population, abundant resources, and banks ready to finance investment, Africa has what it takes to elevate itself to the next level.,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
The Kenya IATF2025 Business Roadshow attracted over 200 members of Kenya's business community, including buyers, creatives, automotive sector players, policymakers and investors together with executives and officials of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and African Union Commission (AUC). It focused on exploring ways of promoting intra-African trade. The theme was Harnessing Regional and Continental Value Chains: Accelerating Africa's Industrialisation and Global Competitiveness under the AfCFTA.
Harnessing regional and continental value chains under the AfCFTA is crucial for Africa's industrial growth and global competitiveness. By creating a large, integrated market, the AfCFTA encourages countries to tap into the continental market by scaling up productive capacity and add value to products, create an enabling environment, attracting investment and creating jobs. This boosts economic diversification, expand productive base, and supports Africa's vision for sustainable and inclusive development.
The roadshow is one of the five in the series of planned for Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg, Lagos and Algiers ahead of the fourth edition of the biennial Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) that will be held in Algiers, Algeria from 4 – 10 September 2025 under the theme Gateway to New Opportunities. IATF is Africa's premier trade and investment event that serves as a crucial platform for fostering economic growth, collaboration, and innovation across the continent. Over the years, the IATF has established a track record as the premier African trade and investment platform and has achieved significant milestones since it was established in 2018 as an instrument to implement the AfCFTA Agreement. Hosted by the Government of Algeria and promoted by Afreximbank, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the IATF2025 event will provide businesses from Africa and beyond with a platform to showcase their goods and services and exchange trade and investment information.
Addressing the forum, Afreximbank's Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, Mr. Haytham Elmaayergi said: “One of the key objectives of the IATF is to address access to trade and market information for intra-African trade to take place. For instance, as a result of a lack of information on African production and supply, countries like Tunisia, Morocco and South Africa import in excess of around US$400 million worth of leather products, mainly from Europe and South America, while countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan—which have the supply capacity to meet a substantial part of this demand—continue to export their leather products to markets in Europe and Asia.”
“Kenya has rapidly emerged as a major force in digitalisation and innovation, both within the region and across Africa. The IATF presents a great opportunity for Kenyan Fintech companies, mobile money innovators and other technology companies to come together and showcase their ingenuity to diverse sectors on the continent. It could potentially help them scale beyond the Kenyan borders as well as attract investment to their respective businesses.” added Mr. Elmaayergi.
Mr Elmaayergi made a clarion call for businesses, public and private sector in Kenya to participate and showcase their goods and services in IATF2025, where more than 2,000 exhibitors, including businesses from the African continent and globally, will exchange trade, market and investment information and showcase their goods and services to over 35,000 visitors and buyers from more than 140 countries. This is projected to translate into over US$44 billion in trade and investment deals.
IATF is a platform for boosting trade and investment in Africa. In the last three editions of IATF, over $100 billion in trade and investment deals have been closed cumulatively with over 70,000 visitors and more than 4,500 exhibitors participating.
Some of the activities lined up for the week-long IATF2025 include a trade exhibition by countries and businesses; the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme with a dedicated exhibition and summit on fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature, gastronomy and culinary arts; a four-day Trade and Investment Forum featuring leading African and international speakers; and the Africa Automotive Show for auto manufacturers, assemblers, original equipment manufacturers and component suppliers.
Special Days will also be held, dedicated for countries as well as public and private entities to showcase trade and investment opportunities, and tourism and cultural attractions, as well as Global Africa Day to highlight commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, featuring a Diaspora Summit, market and exhibition, cultural and gastronomic showcase.
Also planned is a business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) platform for matchmaking and business exchanges; the AU Youth Start-Up programme showcasing innovative ideas and prototypes; the Africa Research and Innovation Hub @ IATF targeting university students, academia and national researchers to exhibit their innovations and research projects; and the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) to promote trade, investment, educational and cultural exchanges at the local level. The IATF Virtual platform is already live, connecting exhibitors and visitors throughout the year.
To participate in IATF2025 please visit www.IntraAfricanTradeFair.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.
Media contact:
media@intrafricatradefair.com / press@afreximbank.com
About the Intra-African Trade Fair:
Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent's transformation through industrialisation and export development.
Gold prices have surged nearly 28% since the start of 2025, with investors in gold indices seeing similar gains – the S&P GSCI Gold Index is up almost 26% year-to-date. In a year marked by heightened volatility, fuelled by escalating global trade tensions and the unravelling of the post-Bretton Woods consensus after 79 years, it’s …
Pretoria, South Africa – Monday, 09 June 2025: The deadline for entries to the inaugural Defender Awards is just days away, with the entry portal set to close on 16 June. Non-profit charities and organisations intending to enter the new awards are advised to complete their submissions ahead of the closing date. The international initiative …
Elon Musk’s very public cosying up to Donald Trump and his millions of dollars spent in support of Trump’s quest to be the President of the United States offers up a salient lesson: Hooking your star to one man shooting for the Presidency is fraught with potholes along the way. Three of them: The average …
In 2024, South African artists earned R400 million in royalties from Spotify—a 54% increase over the previous year. And South African artists could be in for more as Aleph has expanded their partnership with Spotify to manage Global Advertising Sales in over 80 markets. Aleph and Spotify’s expanded partnership marks a new era for South …
ThinkMarkets (www.ThinkMarkets.com), a leading FSCA regulated broker, recently announced the launch of ThinkRewards, its new loyalty programme, designed to recognise and reward both new and existing clients in South Africa who trade with ThinkMarkets on a recurring basis.
The programme allows clients to earn points through their trades, with points for special occasions, events, referrals, and more coming soon. The more points a trader accumulates, the higher they can climb through the tiers and redeem them for trading credit or cash.
There are five status tiers: Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. All clients begin with Silver Status and can earn points over time to progress through the tiers, unlocking more points and greater rewards.
ThinkRewards is available to South African clients on its flagship platform, ThinkTrader. The programme is entirely automated and can be accessed via ThinkMarkets client portal.
Commenting on the launch, co-CEO of ThinkMarkets, Nauman Anees, said:
"At ThinkMarkets, we're committed to recognizing our loyal South African traders and rewarding them every time they trade. Our success relies heavily on maintaining a happy, loyal client base, so it's important for us to continually explore new ways to encourage them to stay. That's why we're excited to launch initiatives like ThinkRewards, designed to enhance the trading experience on ThinkTrader and provide even more value to our clients.”
To find out more about ThinkRewards, including the opportunity to earn 3x points on popular instruments traded each NFP Friday, visit ThinkMarkets' website here (www.ThinkMarkets.com).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ThinkMarkets.
Contact:
Phone: +4402035142374
Email: pr@thinkmarkets.com
About ThinkMarkets:
ThinkMarkets is a global, multi-regulated online brokerage established in 2010, offering clients quick and easy access to 4,000+ CFD instruments across FX, indices, commodities, equities, and more. ThinkMarkets has offices in London, Melbourne, and Tokyo, and hubs in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South Africa. It also operates with several financial licences around the globe and delivers some of the industry's most recognised trading platforms, including its award-winning platform, ThinkTrader.
A major shift is underway in South Africa’s aesthetics industry, as cutting-edge platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is quickly surpassing fillers or traditional platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy as the anti-ageing treatment of choice, delivering results that patients describe as “four times better” than its predecessor. “Since introducing PRF into our practice, patients overwhelmingly choose it over PRP …
By Adrian Strydom, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Oil and Gas Alliance (www.SAOGA.org.za).
Africa is at a turning point in its energy journey. As cities expand and industries grow, the demand for electricity is rising fast. By 2040, Africa will need nearly 1,200 gigawatts of power, yet 600 million (http://apo-opa.co/45H0Lq6) people still lack electricity, holding back development, healthcare, and education.
This creates a major challenge: How can Africa expand energy access without locking itself into high-emission fuels? The solution must balance affordability, sustainability, and reliability. While solar and wind power are critical, most countries lack the infrastructure to rely on them alone. Grids must remain stable, industries need steady energy, and cross-border trade requires a consistent supply. Natural gas plays a vital role in this—acting as a bridge to cleaner energy while meeting urgent electricity needs.
Africa houses about 7% (http://apo-opa.co/3FCgMTO) of the world's proven natural gas reserves, and production has increased by over 70% since 2000, with forecasts predicting 520 billion (http://apo-opa.co/3FCgMTO) cubic meters by 2050.
Several African countries are already benefiting from utilising natural gas reserves.
Nigeria, Africa's largest gas producer, has over 200 tcf of reserves, supporting millions of jobs across extraction, processing, and transportation. The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project in Senegal and Mauritania is attracting billions in investment, strengthening energy security. South Africa, facing a “gas cliff” due to declining imports, is exploring its local reserves to protect industrial growth. Mozambique's Coral Sul floating LNG platform has already started production, with revenue projections reaching around $70 million annually between 2025 and 2027. Meanwhile, the Mozambique LNG and Rovuma LNG projects hold immense potential, boasting over 100 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas, though they remain in early development stages.
Many African countries produce only a small fraction of global emissions, yet they withstand the worst of climate change, facing extreme droughts, floods, and food insecurity. Expecting them to abandon fossil fuels without practical alternatives could slow economic development and widen inequalities. A fair energy transition must acknowledge that countries have different economic conditions and needs than major polluters. The shift to cleaner energy must be structured in a way that allows Africa to grow sustainably without compromising its ability to provide reliable power, create jobs, and strengthen its industries.
Currently, many African countries don't have the infrastructure to rely on renewables alone. Power grids are weak, underfunded, and often unreliable. The main challenge with solar and wind energy is that they depend on the weather. If the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing, power generation drops, causing disruptions. Batteries can store excess energy for later use, but large-scale storage technology is still too expensive and not widely available.
This is where natural gas plays a crucial role. Natural gas and renewables complement each other to form a balanced and resilient energy mix. Gas provides the flexibility to fill in the gaps when renewable output is low, ensuring a constant and stable electricity supply. Additionally, gas-fired plants can ramp up quickly to meet demand and are more responsive than coal, making them ideal partners for intermittent energy sources.
It is noteworthy that the infrastructure built for natural gas today, such as pipelines and generation facilities, can even be repurposed to carry cleaner fuels like green hydrogen. This synergy allows African countries to continue scaling up renewables with confidence, knowing that natural gas is there to provide reliability, bridge energy gaps, and support the transition toward a low-carbon future.
Natural gas has been a key transitional energy source worldwide. In Africa, its role is even more critical. The continent has vast gas reserves, yet much of its potential remains untapped due to limited infrastructure investment and regulatory uncertainty. If developed strategically, natural gas can drive industrial growth, strengthen energy security, and create the capacity needed for long-term investment in renewable energy. However, unlocking this potential requires coordinated action.
Expanding gas infrastructure requires long-term investment in pipelines, processing plants, and export terminals, which take years to build. Investors need policy clarity and predictable returns, so governments must offer stable tax structures, licensing agreements, and local value retention policies to keep revenues in African economies.
Africa's energy future must grow in a way that works for its people. Electricity must remain accessible for homes, businesses, and industries while innovative technologies develop. This is not a choice between gas and renewables - it is about using the right tools at the right time. Natural gas is a cornerstone of an orderly and just transition.
With careful planning, natural gas can support Africa's economy today while building the foundation for a cleaner, more resilient future.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Oil and Gas Alliance.
The threat of weather-related risks in mining operations across Africa was highlighted recently when Paladin Energy LTD’s share price suffered an 11.6% decline after withdrawing production guidance at its Namibian Langer Heinrich mine following flood damage triggered by unseasonably heavy rainfall. But this incident was just one in a growing trend of extreme weather events …
In a business climate that is constantly shifting, the value of trusted business models and strong networks has never been more apparent. This was the underlying tone at the Standard Bank Franchise Networking Summit held in Kwa-Zulu Natal this week, where entrepreneurs, franchisees, franchisors, industry experts and the bank’s franchise sector specialists came together to …
Shaun Riley, Jetour South Africa’s Logistics and Warehouse Manager, on building a future-ready supply chain at Jetour South Africa In the fast-paced world of automotive retail, where consistent customer satisfaction is vital, logistics and warehousing are what keeps everything running. Shaun Riley is the Logistics and Warehouse Manager at Jetour South Africa, and brings with …
With over 600 million people living without access to electricity and 900 million living without access to clean cooking solutions, Africa is faced with a dilemma: how to scale-up energy capacity while reducing project timelines. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and collaboration with global partners have emerged as key solutions to addressing this dilemma, offering energy producers the chance to modernize infrastructure, accelerate energy development and create more resilient energy systems across the continent.
A panel discussion at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3, 2025 – will explore the impact AI solutions are playing in Africa. The session will delve into challenges faced by African countries, including data gaps, limited local expertise and regulatory barriers, while offering insights into how context-aware AI can make technology affordable and accessible. Participating speakers include representatives from S&P Global Commodity Insights and Microsoft Energy and Resources. The conversation will explore how technology can bridge the energy divide – paving the way for a more energy-secure, innovation-driven Africa.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
With the demand for electricity projected to more than triple in Africa by 2040, AI stands to play an instrumental role in optimizing energy production. Across traditional grid networks, AI can be leveraged to enhance the efficiency of energy systems, improve resource management while minimizing energy losses. AI also enables predictive maintenance, allowing utilities to identify equipment failures ahead of time. In addition to preventing unwarranted shutdowns, predictive maintenance significantly reduces costs. The Kenya Power and Lighting Company, for example, is utilizing AI-powered solutions and machine learning to detect power theft, optimize load distribution and manage power outages. This has resulted in a 30% reduction in energy losses. In June 2025, the company launched an Expression of Interest, inviting international firms to partner on the implementation of world-class IT solutions to further improve grid management, technology infrastructure and digitization. In South Africa, the state-utility Eskom is leveraging AI to monitor the national grid. Through the application of big data and AI in energy management, the utility seeks to optimize systems and cut unnecessary electricity use.
Beyond grid management, AI is being utilized to expand energy access. Approximately 33% of Africa's population lives in rural or remote areas, and with the continent relying heavily on traditional grid systems, this has resulted in significant disparity with regards to equitable energy access. Through AI, Africa stands to address this challenge. AI-powered microgrids, for example, are playing a major part in providing access to electricity for underserved communities. Offering an alternative to grid-connected power, microgrids are context-specific, allowing access to power without the need for large-scale transmission networks. Recent projects highlight a growing commitment by international firms to expand microgrids in Africa. The Zambia Ruida Mining Microgrid Power Project was commissioned in 2025, representing the continent's largest single-unit microgrid for mining operations. SANY Silicon Energy launched Africa's largest single-unit hybrid microgrid for mining projects in South Africa in 2025, while PowerGen Renewable Energy is partnering with international investors to deploy over 120 MW of off-grid energy systems across the continent.
Meanwhile, AI creates significant opportunities to propel a just energy transition in Africa, supporting renewable energy integration across grid networks. Through the deployment of smart grids and AI technology, utilities can balance fossil fuel generation with renewable integration, allowing African countries to utilize a variety of generation sources. Countries like Zimbabwe are actively integrating renewable energy into the national grid, seeking to diversify its power mix by incorporating both coal and renewable energy. Approximately 75MW of net-metered solar was added to the grid in February 2025, with goals to incorporate 2,100 MW of renewable energy by 2030. AI-powered technology and smart meters enable seamless integration, while addressing challenges associated with renewable energy intermittency. Stepping into this picture, the AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 panel discussion will bring together experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges for AI deployment in African energy.
“Addressing energy poverty in Africa requires innovative solutions. AI is not a foreign concept: it's a powerful local opportunity. By building AI tools that are rooted in African data, culture and needs, we can create a smarter energy ecosystem that works for all Africans,” NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Stefano Marani, CEO of gas producer Renergen, is set to discuss the company's South African projects and investment pipeline at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference. Taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town, the event is the largest of its kind on the continent. As a major helium producer in South Africa, Renergen is well-positioned to lead discussions around opportunities for gas-driven growth in the country.
As South Africa's only onshore gas producer, Renergen operates the Virginia Gas Project in the country's Free State province. The project – which restarted phase one operations in 2024 – produces 350 kg of liquid helium per day in tandem with a 2,700 gigajoules of LNG per day. Phase two is expected to begin in 2026, significantly increasing capacity. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Marani is expected to share insights into the role the project will play in South Africa's helium market. Providing an update on the project, Marani will delve into the impact investments in gas will have across the region.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
In May 2025, Renergen announced that U.S.-based ASP Isotopes made an offer to acquire 100% of Renergen's shares through a share-for-share offer. The acquisition, which is expected to close in Q3, 2025, will combine ASP Isotopes' expertise in isotope enrichment with Renergen's helium production capabilities, creating a company positioned to scale-up production and support South Africa's helium demand. The acquisition creates opportunities for horizontal business expansion, allowing the company to tap into strategic industries such as healthcare, nuclear, semiconductors and rocketry. The transaction also signals a strategic step for ASP Isotopes' expansion and comes as the company plans a second listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange later this year.
In addition to creating a more integrated supply chain in South Africa, the acquisition provides an opportunity for Renergen to accelerate the development of the Virginia Gas Project. Phase two of the project comprises an expansion of current operations through several initiatives. These include drilling approximately 350-450 new productive wells; the construction of a gas gathering network of pipelines; the development of a 32,000 million British thermal units of LNG and 894 million cubic feet of liquid helium; as well as the deployment of 35 road tankers. As such, the project is expected to play an important part in meeting South Africa's demand for liquid helium while introducing a new source of fuel to the market through LNG. The Virginia Gas Project also produces LNG and Renergen aims to increase output to support domestic market growth.
“Gas is not a transition fuel for countries such as South Africa; it is a destination fuel. The country has significant amounts of natural gas reserves, most of which are underdeveloped. But companies such as Renergen are leading the way towards unlocking these resources and are expected to play an instrumental part in supporting South Africa's economic growth. Projects such as the Virginia Gas Project are vital for the country and more investments across the gas value chain will support sustainable growth in South Africa,” stated Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
The SPAR Group Ltd today reported its interim results for the six months ended 28 March 2025, demonstrating continued margin recovery, strong cost discipline and further progress on strategic portfolio optimisation. “Over the period, we made deliberate progress against the milestones we set to simplify and optimise our portfolio and strengthen our balance sheet.” says …
Cape Town's hospitality and real estate industries are experiencing remarkable growth, reinforcing the city's current status as Africa's premier destination for tourism and investment. This surge bodes well for the upcoming Future Hospitality Summit Africa, the continent's most influential hospitality & tourism investment conference, which comes to “The Mother City” on June 17-19.
When destinations experience strong economic growth, they are typically a magnet for money, as investors are keen to come and see what's going on. Their presence has a knock-on effect of attracting top executives from developers, bankers, operators and brands, who are keen to meet their peers and discuss new opportunities. So, the organisers expect the Summit to be busy.
The city's hotel sector has shown outstanding performance, with CoStar's April 2025 figures revealing an occupancy rate of 72.5%, the highest in South Africa. Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) climbed by 20.1% year-on-year, reaching ZAR 2,286.63 and the Average Daily Rate (ADR) reached ZAR 3,145.96, up 17.7% on 2024. According to Philip Wooller, Area Director for the Middle East and Africa at CoStar. He said: “Cape Town's performance reflects a powerful rebound in demand and a growing confidence in the city's hospitality offerings. The consistent rise in both occupancy and RevPAR shows that Cape Town is not only back on the global travel radar—it's commanding a premium.”
This strong performance extends across the Western Cape too. In April 2025 the province posted a 64.6% hotel occupancy rate, well above the national average of 56.3%. Cape Town's Luxury properties also performed particularly well then, achieving an impressive 66.2% occupancy—outpacing counterparts in other major South African cities.
Cape Town's real estate market is experiencing a similar boom. In 2024/5, the average capital value of property reached R13,400/sqm, significantly higher than Johannesburg, and Pretoria. Wayne Godwin, CEO at JLL Africa, noted: “We're seeing a convergence of factors driving the real estate upswing in Cape Town: a robust tourism pipeline, investor confidence, and a renewed focus on mixed-use and lifestyle-driven developments. The city's appeal is both emotional and financial—it makes sense to visit, and increasingly, it makes sense to invest.”
In keeping with its reputation as an investment-grade forum, FHS Africa's agenda will focus on all aspects of hospitality investment and finance, as well as development, capital markets, dealmaking and the sector's most pressing issues and opportunities. In the hospitality industry, it is known as a networking hub for global industry leaders, major investors, and policymakers and is an event where substantial deals are often conceived and announced.
“We're seeing strong and sustained demand in Cape Town, driven by both international, and regional travel. This is creating meaningful opportunities for growth, particularly in the premium and luxury space. The anticipated addition of Morea House, Autograph Collection later this year reflects this momentum and the market's appetite for distinctive, high-quality hospitality experiences,” said Karim Cheltout, Senior Vice President, Lodging Development at Marriott International, Middle East and Africa.
Andrew McLachlan, Founder & MD, Develop Hotels Inc (pictured), concluded: “Cape Town is buzzing — I'm tracking over 40 new hotel projects, from boutique stays, aparthotels to urban resorts. With global brands and bold independents circling, FHS Africa couldn't be better timed to help investors, developers and owners align brand, business models and strategy for serious long-term value”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Bench.
Further Information:
For further information and high-resolution images, please contact:
David Tarsh
+44 (0) 20 7602 5262
+44 (0) 7770 816 070
Email: David@Tarsh.com.
About FHS Africa:
For over a decade, the Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa – formerly the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum) has been the launchpad for hospitality investment in Africa, driving growth, connecting visionaries, and transforming the continent's tourism and hospitality landscape. As a beacon of opportunity, FHS Africa brings together global investors, developers, operators, and industry leaders committed to turning potential into reality.
Strategic Partners: Accor, BWH Hotels, Hilton, Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group
Headline Sponsors: ACT, CHIC, Hansgrohe, TUI Hotels & Resorts
Sponsors: Aleph Hospitality, CityBlue Hotels, EQUATE, Knight Frank, JLL, St Helena Government, STR, TIME Hotels, TV5 Monde, Valor Hospitality Partners
Event Ambassadors: Develop Hotels Inc, Hotel Partners Africa, Voltere by Egis, W Hospitality Group
Official Carriers: Discover Airlines, Kenya Airways
Supported By: South Africa Tourism
About The Bench:
The Bench has a legacy of delivering world-leading investment forums and conferences in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The key principle behind these events has remained "dealmaking'. Transforming the way businesses connect, Bench has developed a reputation for creating innovative and high-impact meetings for the industry.
For over two decades, government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel & tourism associations, the world's most influential hospitality brands, hotel owners & investors, renowned restaurant groups, airlines & aviation authorities, destination developers, asset managers, financial groups, and consultants have been participating in The Bench's events. These include FHS Africa, FHS World, FHS Saudi Arabia and AviaDev, where industry players showcase their brands, position themselves as thought leaders or innovators, and connect with the right individuals, opportunities and knowledge.
Learn more at www.TheBench.com
LTA Autecon’s Metals & Minerals division, which has a proud industry track record of over 40 years in the construction of mining, steel, iron-making and mineral recovery process plants across Sub-Saharan Africa, is on track to complete a pivotal project in the Western Cape. Namakwa Sands is one of the largest mining projects to be …
Renault South Africa’s recent Dealer of the Year Awards marked an annual celebration of excellence, acknowledging great performance and unwavering commitment to the brand within the 80-strong Renault Dealer network. This prestigious event, held at the esteemed Maslow Time Square in Pretoria, served to recognize and award the outstanding achievement of the network’s finest, who …
Defender is proud to announce its continued support for the Kingsley Holgate Foundation as it embarks on its latest humanitarian and conservation mission – the Greater Gorongosa Expedition. Setting off on 3 June 2025, this journey from South Africa to Mozambique will see a fleet of legendary Defender vehicles play a crucial role in enabling …
Chery South Africa is accelerating its growth in the local car rental industry, with its national passenger vehicle market share reaching 6.2% in the past month. As interest in Chery’s range of vehicles continues to rise among consumers and fleet operators, the brand is seeing growing interest from rental car companies nationwide. Demonstrating this momentum, …
With eight consecutive months of growth, May new vehicle sales put any doubt of revitalised growth to bed, recording an impressive 22% growth in market activity year-on-year. New vehicle sales in May recorded their biggest growth since July 2022 – when the market grew 30,9% – when the market was still re-opening after the pandemic …
