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Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment shapes how businesses operate in South Africa. Companies wanting government contracts or deals with large corporates must show they meet compliance standards. The system exists to spread economic participation more widely across the population. Getting familiar with how it works helps businesses position themselves properly and avoid costly mistakes down the …
(Debate on Gauteng State of the Province Address) The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) indicated in the debate on the State of the Province Address (SOPA) by the Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, that the party has research which could possibly bring about savings of up to R3 billion in the 2026/27 budget and fully or […]
The post Freedom Front Plus proposes cost-saving measures and higher subsidy for quintile 5 schools appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Statement by Matthew Cook, GOOD National Chairperson & City of Johannesburg Councillor. Note to Editor: This speech was delivered during City of Johannesburg Council Meeting
The post R71.9 BILLION DEBT BURDEN: GOOD WARNS OF STRUCTURAL RISKS TO JOHANNESBURG’S FINANCIAL STABILITY appeared first on For Good.
In his State of the Province Address (SOPA) today in the Provincial Legislature, Mokgotsi Lazarus, Premier of the North West, once again failed to offer sustainable solutions to the province’s pressing problems. It is no secret that under ANC rule, North West continues to experience serious systemic problems due to corruption and maladministration on all […]
The post North West Premier dances around province’s pressing problems appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
The State of the Province Address (SOPA) by Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul was reminiscent of previous addresses in which grand announcements were made that never truly materialised. The announcement that R48 million has been earmarked for upgrading the Steinkopf Health Centre in addition to R60 million for an oncology centre is, nevertheless, welcomed. […]
The post Northern Cape SOPA sounds like a rehash of empty promises appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Access Bank Plc (www.AccessBankPLC.com) is proud to announce the distinguished line-up of speakers for the second edition of the Africa Trade Conference (ATC 2026), scheduled to take place on March 11, 2026, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa. Building on the strong foundation of its inaugural edition, ATC 2026 will convene an exceptional assembly of global and African leaders, policymakers, investors, and business executives committed to shaping the future of trade on the continent.
The Africa Trade Conference has rapidly emerged as a premier platform for advancing dialogue and action around Africa's evolving role in global commerce. The 2026 edition will feature influential voices from across finance, government, development institutions, and the private sector, who will share insights on unlocking trade opportunities, strengthening intra-African commerce, enabling business expansion, and positioning African enterprises for global competitiveness.
The confirmed speakers represent a powerful cross-section of leaders driving Africa's economic transformation.
Building on the momentum of its maiden edition, which convened senior decision-makers from 28 countries, the 2026 conference with the theme “Turning Vision into Velocity: Building Africa's Trade Ecosystem for Real-World Impact”, will have the keynote address delivered by Kennedy Mbekeani, Director General, Southern Africa Region, African Development Bank (AfDB), alongside Kwabena Ayirebi, Managing Director, Banking Operations at the African Export-Import Bank. Their joint keynote will address the evolving financing landscape for African trade and the strategic pathways for unlocking continental prosperity.
The welcome address will be delivered by Roosevelt Ogbonna, CEO/GMD, Access Bank Plc, who will set the tone for discussions centered on trade transformation, financial inclusion, and regional competitiveness, while Tolu Oyekan, Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group, will deliver insights on “Africa Trade Outlook 2026”, examining emerging macroeconomic trends, supply chain shifts, and growth opportunities across key sectors. The CEO of Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, Mike Ogbalu, will be engaging the conference participants on the topic, “Building a Connected Africa Through Trade, Payments & Technology”, focusing on how payment interoperability and digital infrastructure can accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda.
The conference will also host a High-Level Ministerial Panel that features Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness & Industry, Ghana; Tiroeaone Ntsima, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Botswana; Mr. Florian Witt, Divisional Head, International & Corporate Banking Oddo-BHF, Ms. Nathalie Louat – Global Director, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Dr Isaiah Rathumba – Head of Department, Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism and Mr. Alfred Idialu – Chief Rep Officer, Deutsche Bank among other policymakers shaping trade policy across the continent.
Commenting on the announcement, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, said:
“The Africa Trade Conference reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing Africa's economic transformation by creating a platform that brings together the leaders, institutions, and ideas shaping the future of trade. The calibre of speakers confirmed for this year's conference underscores the urgency and opportunity before us. Africa is not only participating in global trade, it is helping to redefine it. Through this convening, we aim to catalyse partnerships, unlock new opportunities for businesses, and accelerate Africa's integration into global value chains.”
“At Access Bank, we see ourselves not just as financiers, but as connectors of markets, ideas, and opportunities. Our role is to help African businesses move from ambition to impact, from local relevance to global competitiveness.”
With operations in 24 countries globally, including 16 across Africa, Access Bank's expansive footprint places it in a unique position to facilitate cross-border trade, unlock regional value chains, and simplify the complexities of doing business across markets.
“Our presence across Africa and key global corridors gives us a front-row seat to the realities of trade. It also gives us the responsibility to design solutions that are inclusive, scalable, and future facing. ATC 2026 is part of that commitment, Ogbonna added.
ATC 2026 is expected to catalyze partnerships, enable policy dialogue, and provide actionable strategies for businesses operating within and beyond the continent.
The Access Bank Chief puts it thus, “Africa will not be a spectator in the remaking of global trade. We will be one of its architects. ATC 2026 is where those blueprints will be drawn.”
For more information and registration, please visit https://apo-opa.co/4sdXWF7
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Access Bank PLC.
The role of political oversight is often underestimated, but it is a vital instrument for holding the executive accountable, monitoring action and intervening where capacity is lacking. Oversight is not merely an administrative process, but an essential mechanism to ensure that policy is effectively implemented and that failures are remedied. The Freedom Front Plus (VF […]
The post Political oversight crucial in foot-and-mouth disease crisis appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
PRETORIA – US ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III says cooperation between Pretoria and Washington can unlock growth, stability and expanded opportunities. Bozell III arrived in South Africa earlier this month amid strained relations between South Africa and the United States. On Monday, he presented his letters of credence to Department of International …
MPs grill housing entities in Parliament
From the depths of the mines to the glare of new megaprojects, commodities really drive South Africa’s economy. If you’re in construction or infrastructure, you see it every day. Commodities aren’t some distant idea, they’re right there as steel in the beams, fuel in the machines and the minerals shaping budgets and schedules. For more …
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, will on Thursday, 26 February 2026, address the Strategic Reflection Workshop jointly hosted by the DIRCO and the University of South Africa (UNISA) under the theme: A renewed South African Engagement Strategy for the SADC region. Having marked 30 years since joining the SADC, the …
The country’s financial future was on the agenda on Wednesday when Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the 2026 Budget Speech in Parliament. Godongwana noted that this year’s Budget Speech comes at a critical juncture for the public purse. “We have reached an important turning point in the management of our public finances. Five years ago, …
Speech by Brett Herron, Unite for Change Leadership Council member and GOOD member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. Note to Editor: This speech was delivered during the SOPA debate
The post ABANDONED PROMISES AND RISING MURDERS: GOOD DEMANDS REAL ACTION FOR THE CAPE FLATS appeared first on For Good.
Staff Writer ·25 Feb 2026 While the 2026 Budget provides some inflationary relief for taxpayers, drivers will once again bear the brunt of revenue collection efforts as the government hikes fuel levies. In his Budget Speech delivered on Wednesday (25 February), Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that the total increase in fuel levies will be …
The National Consumer Commission has launched an inquiry in the wake of a study by the University of the Free State on potentially harmful chemicals in sanitary pads and liners. The endocrine-disrupting chemicals are linked to health complications such as hormonal imbalance, infertility, endometriosis, and cancer. Millions of South African women and girls use these …
Parliament, Wednesday, 25 February 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has expressed serious concern over severe understaffing at Department of Home Affairs (DHA) offices in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, warning that the situation is directly undermining service delivery. The committee met with provincial leadership from both provinces to receive an update on operations and service …
Zeekoevlei is used by schools and clubs for sailing and rowing but a toxic algal bloom has led to it being closed since December
Obesity medicines are needed in SA’s public sector. Can our government provide them? Some people who don’t medically need GLP-1s are using them, while others who could benefit from these potentially life-saving medicines go without. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 25th February 2026 | Catherine Tomlinson In South Africa, access to weight loss medicines like …
·25 Feb 2026 South Africa will propose binding guidelines later this year to keep public finances on a sustainable path by introducing a principle-based fiscal anchor rather than numerical rules. “The anchor will require each new administration to table a medium-term budget plan to maintain fiscal sustainability,” the National Treasury said in its 2026 Budget …
Johannesburg-based woodworking specialists Carpentry Wizard have confirmed a significant shift in how bespoke joinery and custom timber work is being delivered to residential and commercial clients across Gauteng in 2026. The company, which has been operating from Midrand for 18 years, is rolling out an expanded range of services built around precision joinery, integrated storage …
While the nation’s GDP growth is slow compared to some of its neighbors, it’s been a positive period for South Africa. In the last six months, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration exited the Financial Action Task Force’s greylist and saw its credit rating upgraded for the first time in 16 years. The momentum is evident. It’s, …
Cape Town’s residential and commercial property market is seeing a clear shift in what owners expect from their garages, and Garage Doors Cape Town is responding. The Automated electric gate company, which has been installing and servicing garage doors across the Cape Peninsula and beyond for several years, has announced an expanded range of electric …
Dr Nosipho Mavuso at her Nelson Mandela University graduation celebrations in December 2025 Dr Nosipho Mavuso conducted this research first-hand at Walter Sisulu University in Buffalo City, where she lectures in IT. Her focus group surveys on 180 undergraduate IT students revealed that generic online career tools failed them because they ignored South African …
In spite of Presidential assurances and some ad hoc allocations, South Africa’s defence budget will shrink by R2 billion next year. This is according to the 2026 Estimates of National Expenditure (ENEs) published by National Treasury on Wednesday alongside Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Budget Speech. The 2025/26 defence budget (Vote 23) stands at R59 billion, …