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VF Plus Demands Fair Share of Gauteng Budget for Minorities

Location: News

In response to the tabling of the Gauteng 2025/26 budget in the Legislature, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) insisted that the budget should also make provision for services and support to minorities in the province. The budget, tabled by the MEC for Finance, Lebogang Maile, does not differ much from last year’s, except for […]

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Opposition Parties’ Request to Postpone Adoption of Langeberg Budget Rejected

Location: News

The Freedom Front Plus and other opposition parties’ request to postpone the Langeberg Local Municipality’s council meeting to approve its draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year was rejected by the DA-controlled Council. Opposition parties received the document of 1 450 pages the afternoon before the council meeting, leaving insufficient time to examine it thoroughly. […]

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Emfuleni’s Unfunded Budget Has Far-Reaching Consequences

Location: News

On Thursday, the Emfuleni Local Municipality (Evaton, Sebokeng, Vaal Oewer, Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging) approved its seventh unfunded draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year, which will have far-reaching consequences for residents. This unfunded budget means projected expenditure will exceed expected revenue, potentially hampering service delivery and causing further financial instability. The draft budget highlights the […]

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Good Rejects George Municipality Budget

Location: News

GOOD Statement by Rosa Louw ,GOOD George Municipality Councillor 30 May 2025 The GOOD Caucus in George voted against the George Municipality’s 2025/26 budget, which totals nearly R5 billion. It is our belief that this budget is bloated, inefficient, and fails to prioritise the real needs and affordability concerns of George’s residents. Instead of offering […]

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Ilogical Amendment of Ekurhuleni’s Indigent Support Policy Rejected

Location: News

On Thursday, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) objected to a council decision that now allows individuals who own more than one property to apply for classification as indigent. This provision grants limited free water, electricity and other basic municipal services to such individuals. The amendment is absurd and defies common sense. The purpose of […]

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Equal Is Not Equitable

Location: News

GOOD Statement by Jonathan Cupido,GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor & Caucus Whip 30 May 2025 The City of Cape Town continues to equate equal distribution with equitable service delivery. Crime in Cape Town is not equally spread. The leafy suburbs, where crime levels are comparatively low, are not in urgent need of the same […]

The post CAPE TOWN’S SAFETY AND SECURITY BUDGET: EQUAL IS NOT EQUITABLE appeared first on For Good.

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Ekurhuleni Budget Declares War on Taxpayers

Location: News

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) rejects the Ekurhuleni Metro’s draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year, viewing it as a declaration of war on taxpayers which offers no growth or stability. The budget reflects financial decline, exorbitant tariff increases and a municipality that has lost control. It merely punishes taxpayers. Under the guise of […]

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Johannesburg Metro’s 2025/26 Budget Plunges City Deeper Into Chaos

Location: News

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) did not support the Johannesburg Metro’s budget for the 2025/26 financial year due to its utter lack of vision and its detriment to the city’s residents. On 24 April 2025, the party met with the Mayor, Dada Morero, and the Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Margaret Arnolds, and made […]

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Tshwane Budget: From Deficit to Delivery

Location: News

GOOD Speech by Sarah Mabotsa ,GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor and MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning 29 May 2025 *Note to editor: This speech was delivered by GOOD Tshwane Councillor and MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, Sarah Mabotsa, during today’s Budget Debat e. The GOOD party is proud to be able […]

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We Reject Tshwane Metro’s Draft Budget

Location: News

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) rejects the Tshwane Metro’s draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year, which will subject residents to excessive taxes, unfair levies and questionable financial practices. This budget prioritises revenue generation over ethical governance, ignores economic realities and fails to ensure financial fairness. The Freedom Front Plus does not support the […]

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Drakenstein Municipality Budget: No Relief, No Vision

Location: News

GOOD Statement by Keagen Gertse,GOOD Drakenstein Councillor & Caucus Whip 28 May 2025 The GOOD Party cannot, in principle, support or vote in favour of the 2025/2026 Drakenstein Municipality budget. This budget fails to reflect the deep and growing economic hardship facing the majority of residents in Drakenstein. It is not pro-poor, and it lacks […]

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Budget 2.0: Relief Secured, but the Fight Continues

Location: News

GOOD Statement by Anton Louw ,GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor 28 May 2025 Today, we mark an important, though partial, victory for the people of Cape Town. The City has released amendments to its Draft Budget. While the increases remain steep and significant challenges lie ahead, the initial changes are clear evidence that public […]

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Treasury’s Punitive Social Grant Conditions an Attack on the Poor

Location: News

GOOD Statement by Brett Herron ,GOOD Secretary-General 26 May 2025 The GOOD Party is deeply concerned by the National Treasury’s imposition of punitive and exclusionary conditions on the 2025/26 operating budget of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). These conditions effectively extend the flawed administrative procedures of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant […]

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African Leadership Magazine Announces Nominees for the 2025 African Business Leadership Awards – Public Voting Now Open

Location: News
African Leadership Magazine

African Leadership Magazine (www.AfricanLeadershipMagazine.co.uk) proudly unveils the distinguished list of nominees for the 17 categories of the 2025 African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA)—a premier recognition platform celebrating excellence in corporate governance, impactful leadership, and trailblazing contributions to the growth and sustainability of Africa's dynamic business and economic ecosystem. The public voting process is now officially open and will run until 29 May 2025, offering stakeholders across Africa and the globe the opportunity to celebrate and affirm exemplary leadership in the African business space.

The ongoing public voting marks the third phase in a rigorous four-step, points-based selection process for the African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA). The process begins with open nominations, followed by a shortlist of top contenders curated by the African Leadership Magazine editorial board. In this third phase, the public is invited to vote, adding stakeholder voices to the evaluation process. The final stage involves a detailed editorial assessment of votes and supporting evidence to determine winners, ensuring a transparent, merit-based outcome that reflects both public sentiment and proven impact.

Public votes in this phase contribute 65% of the final decision, with the remaining 35% based on supporting evidence for each nominee. This ensures a fair and credible process that values both public opinion and verifiable impact. Winners and first runners-up will be honoured at the 15th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA), a special highlight of the Africa Summit–London, scheduled for 9–10 July 2025 at the House of Lords, London, United Kingdom.

To cast your vote, visit:

https://apo-opa.co/4k3ofu8

The 2025 African Business Leadership Awards (BLA Nominee Highlights

African Business Leader of the Year

  1. Stella Okoli – Founder & GMD, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Nigeria
  2. Mohamed Ould Bouamatou – Founder & Chairman, Bouamatou Group, Mauritania
  3. John Gachora – GMD/CEO, NCBA Bank, Kenya
  4. Tewodros Ashenafi – Founder & Chairman, SouthWest Holdings Ltd., Ethiopia
  5. Ntombi Felicia Msiza – CEO, Raubex Group Ltd., South Africa

African Female Business Leader of the Year

  1. Rita Maria Zniber – Chairman & CEO, Diana Holding, Morocco
  2. Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi – CEO, KOM Group, Tanzania
  3. Boitumelo Mosako – CEO, Development Bank of Southern Africa
  4. Esther Muchemi – CEO, Samchi Group, Kenya
  5. Monica Musonda – Founder & CEO, Java Foods, Zambia

African Regulator of the Year

  1. Delese Mimi Darko – CEO, Ghana Food and Drugs Authority
  2. Brima M. Baluwa Koroma – CEO, Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Sierra Leone
  3. Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria – DG, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Kenya
  4. Leonilde dos Santos – Multisectoral Economic Regulatory Authority, Cape Verde

Business-Friendly Governor of the Year

  1. Daniel Félix Neto – Governor, Lunda Sul Province, Angola
  2. Oscar Mabuyane – Premier of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
  3. Jacques Kyabula Katwe – Governor, Haut-Katanga Province, DR Congo
  4. Ibrahima Cissé – Minister Governor, Autonomous District of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
  5. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah – Governor, Enugu State, Nigeria

African Finance Minister of the Year

  1. Bihi Iman Egeh – Minister of Finance, Somalia
  2. Mthuli Ncube – Minister of Finance & Economic Development, Zimbabwe
  3. Marial Ater – Minister of Finance and Planning, South Sudan
  4. Cheikh Diba – Minister of Finance and Budget, Senegal
  5. Ahmed Kouchouk – Minister of Finance, Egypt

Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of the Year

  1. General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), Egypt
  2. Agency for Private Investment and Export Promotion, Angola
  3. Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA)
  4. National Investment Promotion Agency, Cameroon
  5. Agency for Investment and Export Development, Morocco

Central Bank Governor of the Year

  1. Mohamed Lemine Dhehby – Governor, Central Bank of Mauritania
  2. Manuel António Tiago Dias – Governor, National Bank of Angola
  3. Johnson Asiama – Governor, Bank of Ghana
  4. Rama Krishna Sithanen – Governor, Bank of Mauritius

Trade & Investment Minister of the Year

  1. Jumoke Oduwole – Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria
  2. Alimatou Shadiya Assouman – Minister of Industry and Trade, Benin
  3. Ahmed Samir – Minister of Trade and Industry, Egypt
  4. Kassahun Gofe – Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Ethiopia
  5. Chipoka Mulenga – Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Zambia

African CEO of the Year

  1. Jeremy Awori – Group CEO, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI)
  2. Hien Yacouba Sié – Managing Director, Abidjan Port Authority, Côte d'Ivoire
  3. Dr. Armstrong Takang – CEO, Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Nigeria
  4. Patricia Adongo Ojangole – Managing Director, Uganda Development Bank Ltd.

Young Business Leader of the Year

  1. Mamotake Matekane – COO, MGC Group, Lesotho
  2. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun – Co-Founder, United Africa Group, Namibia
  3. Mohamed Ahmed Abdulle – MD, Dakawou Transport Ltd., Kenya
  4. Ladi Delano – Co-CEO, Moove Africa, Nigeria

Africa CSR & Community Development Impact Award

  1. Ashanti Goldfields Corporation, Ghana
  2. Standard Chartered Bank, South Africa
  3. NNPC Limited, Nigeria
  4. Bamburi Cement Plc, Kenya
  5. Catoca Mining Company, Angola

African Brand of the Year

  1. Commercial International Bank (CIB), Egypt
  2. Managem Group, Morocco
  3. Bank Windhoek, Namibia
  4. Ethiopian Airlines

African Company of the Year

  1. Vodacom Group, South Africa
  2. Ghana Commercial Bank Plc
  3. Bidco Africa, Kenya
  4. Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, Nigeria

Industry Personality of the Year

  1. Kennedy Bugane – CEO, African Bank, South Africa
  2. Jemal Ahmed Abdu – CEO, MIDROC Investment Group PLC, Ethiopia
  3. Ally Edha Awadh – CEO, Lake Oil Group, Tanzania
  4. Ferdinand Ngon Kemoum, Managing Director of Oragroup SA, Cameroon

Africa Business Integrity Leader Award

  1. Coris Bank International, Togo
  2. Arab Contractors, Egypt
  3. CCECC Nigeria Limited
  4. Société Ivoirienne de Raffinage (SIR), Côte d'Ivoire
  5. Moçambique Telecom, SA

African Tech & Digital Economy Leader of the Year

  1. Mastercard Africa
  2. MTN Group, South Africa
  3. Mascom Wireless, Botswana
  4. Safaricom, Kenya

Lifetime Achievement Award

  1. Emeka Offor – Founder, Chrome Group, Nigeria
  2. Baba Ahmadou Danpullo – Businessman, Cameroon
  3. Kwabena Kesse – CEO, Kessben Group of Companies, Ghana

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Leadership Magazine.

Media Enquiries:
Ehis Ayere
T: +44 (0) 20 3051 1883
E: ehis@africanleadership.co.uk

About African Leadership Magazine:
African Leadership Magazine is the flagship publication of the African Leadership Organisation (UK) Limited. For over 19 years, it has championed impactful leadership across Africa and amplified African opportunities on the global stage. Through its platforms—including Afro-positive content, trade facilitation, market entry solutions, public sector consulting, and business networking events—the magazine plays a pivotal role in fostering sustainable development and positive change across the continent.

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Rating agency maintains SA’s debt rating

Location: News

Rating agency maintains SA’s debt rating

Government has noted rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) decision to affirm South Africa’s long-term foreign and local currency debt ratings at ‘BB-’ and ‘BB’, respectively, and maintain the positive outlook.

S&P said the ratings on South Africa benefit from the country's sizable and sophisticated financial system that provides a deep funding base for the government. 

The country also has relatively strong institutions, with good checks and balances, particularly its central bank. 

However, S&P said the ratings are constrained by relatively low Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and low GDP growth rates, as well as sizable fiscal deficits and high government debt.

According to S&P, despite the re-tabling of the Budget and the likely removal of VAT, fiscal consolidation is planned to continue throughout the forecast period, and fiscal financing benefits from access to deep domestic markets and an actively traded currency.

“Government’s growth strategy will continue to focus on maintaining macroeconomic stability to reduce living costs and grow investment, executing reforms to promote a more dynamic economy, building state capability in core functions and supporting growth-enhancing public infrastructure investment.

“The fiscal strategy continues to strike a balance between stabilising the public finances, reducing risks in the fiscal framework, encouraging economic growth and supporting low income and vulnerable households,” National Treasury said. - SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Sun, 05/18/2025 - 10:26

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TotalEnergies’ Mike Sangster Talks Multi-Energy Strategy at IAE 2025

Location: Business
Energy Capital & Power

Mike Sangster, Senior Vice President for Africa at TotalEnergies, outlined the company's multi-energy strategy in Africa at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum in Paris. Speaking during a one-on-one conversation with America Hernandez, Energy Correspondent at Reuters, Sangster said that the company is committed to producing more energy in a sustainable manner.

In the oil sector, TotalEnergies continues to invest in established markets such as the Republic of Congo and Angola as well as in emerging markets such as Namibia, Uganda and South Africa. According to Sangster, TotalEnergies' African portfolio constitutes half of the company's operated production globally. “The largest part of our exploration budget is also in Africa,” he said.

In South Africa, the company hopes to start drilling in 2026. The company is currently awaiting the requisite permits. In Namibia, the company is spearheading efforts to produce first oil by 2029 through its Venus project. A field development plan is currently underway, with plans to make a final investment decision by Q4, 2026. Given the complexity of the deepwater project, Venus will target oil production.

“The site is extremely remote, 300 km offshore and at a depth of 1,900 m,” Sangster said, highlighting that much of the associated gas discovered would need to be reinjected.

Monetizing Africa's natural gas resources through LNG deployment and flare reduction represents a core part of TotalEnergies' African strategy. “Part of our growth target is focused on LNG,” Sangster stated, adding that “we finished routine flaring in Nigeria, Gabon and Angola. In the Republic of Congo, we will eliminate flaring this year.”

In Nigeria, TotalEnergies is ramping up gas investments to support both local energy needs and exports. “It's important to monetize gas and its reservoirs,” Sangster noted. “In Nigeria, there are significant reserves and we are actively developing this sector. There are high-quality fields that can also serve export markets.”

Beyond oil and gas investments, TotalEnergies' broader energy strategy includes the development of renewable energy projects. Sangster reiterated TotalEnergies' rebranding from an oil major to a multi-energy company, stating that “It makes sense to expand integrated energy activities. We have invested in renewables, green hydrogen and even mining in Africa. The future of our industry is integrated energy combined with new technologies to meet growing demand sustainably.”  

Meanwhile, TotalEnergies is committed to supporting capacity building across the markets in which it operates. Sangster explained that through projects such as Tilenga, TotalEnergies “has generated around 20,000 direct jobs in Uganda and Tanzania. We are also training 200 local people. These are high-paying jobs that will be there for the next 20 years.”

In Nigeria, TotalEnergies works closely with local educational institutions to transfer skills and enhance capacity building. “In Nigeria, we have the Petroleum Institute, and we're fully committed to developing [capacity] in the country,” Sangster said. These initiatives not only support the development of projects, but create tangible opportunities for local communities. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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African Mining Week to Spotlight Cutting-Edge Mining Tech

Location: Business
Energy Capital & Power

The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) – Africa's premier gathering for mining stakeholders, scheduled for October 1-3, 2025 in Cape Town – will feature a dedicated Technology Forum. The forum will connect African mining projects with global technology providers and investors, showcasing how digital solutions are transforming resource extraction and redefining the mining value chain.

As African countries scale up mineral production to drive GDP growth, developers are increasingly adopting data analytics and digital tools to boost operational efficiency. U.S.-based startup KoBold Metals, which applies artificial intelligence (AI) to mineral exploration, entered the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in April 2025 to tap into the country's estimated $24 trillion in untapped mineral resources. The DRC – already the world's largest cobalt producer and a key copper supplier – could see its global mining profile rise significantly with KoBold's involvement. In Zambia, the company is advancing the $2 billion Mingomba project, one of the world's most promising untapped copper assets.

https://apo-opa.co/3Z0EMWY

https://apo-opa.co/3EBP2yg

Similarly, in Zimbabwe, Caledonia Mining is investing $1.1 million in IT infrastructure upgrades at the Blanket Mine as part of its $41.8 million capital budget. The upgrades include new mine planning software and a digital clocking system to improve labor efficiency, with a goal to increase gold output from 76,656 ounces in 2024 to up to 77,500 ounces in 2025.

https://apo-opa.co/4k8pMPg

In Botswana, Botswana Diamonds is employing AI-driven exploration to expand beyond diamond mining, recently identifying new prospects for copper, silver, cobalt, gold, nickel, zinc and platinum group metals. “During the initial analysis of the big database, it became clear that the AI technology could be used to identify other unknown minerals opportunities – and so it turned out,” said John Teeling, Chairman of Botswana Diamonds.

https://apo-opa.co/4k6ZDQM

Meanwhile, South African firms such as Kilken Platinum and Rio Tinto are deploying digital tools to unlock greater operational value. A joint report by Accenture and the World Economic Forum projects that digitalization could unlock up to R213 billion in additional value for South Africa's mining sector by 2026. Technologies such as predictive maintenance, autonomous operations and real-time data monitoring are helping firms streamline processes, reduce downtime and improve safety outcomes.

https://apo-opa.co/3EBP2yg

https://apo-opa.co/4jXhBVG

The Technology Forum at AMW 2025 will feature high-level panels examining how digitalization can optimize infrastructure, enhance safety, predict system failures and support sustainable resource management in a data-driven mining environment. The forum will also provide a platform for mining companies to showcase real-world case studies, exchange knowledge with tech innovators, and explore partnerships that drive long-term value creation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About African Mining Week:
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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Parliament Ready to Process Revised Budget

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
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The Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Ms Thoko Didiza, today reiterated Parliament's readiness to process and adopt the revised Budget and Fiscal Framework swiftly and responsibly within the legally prescribed timeframe and in full compliance with its constitutional and legislative obligations.

Chairing the National Assembly's Programme Committee this afternoon, the Speaker confirmed that the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, will table the revised Budget and Fiscal Framework in the NA on 21 May 2025. The committee agreed that the sitting would be a physical meeting.

The Speaker reaffirmed the timeframes for budget approval prescribed in the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act and emphasised that every effort will be made to ensure that government operations continue seamlessly and that the principles of accountability and sound financial governance are upheld.

She assured the public that the process in Parliament will be transparent and in full compliance with the law as the institution fulfils its constitutional mandate.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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