Killer Beetles in the Baobabs: Researcher Warns of Risk to African Trees
A beetle that lays eggs inside the bark of trees has killed six baobab trees in Oman for the first time. Urgent measures are needed to stop it spreading to Africa.
Countries
Africa’s Public Finances Are in a Mess: A New Book Explains Why and What to Do
Public finance is the means through which societies either raise living standards or entrench dependence.
African Indigenous Foods That Fight Inflammation May Help People With Diabetes – Research
Many African food groups significantly reduce oxidative stress linked to type 2 diabetes and lower the production of inflammatory markers.
Much Like Zuma’s 2014 SONA, President Ramaphosa Tries to Tell a “Good Story”, While Country Collapses
President Cyril Ramaphosa borrowed a page from former President Jacob Zuma’s 2014 State of the Nation Address (SONA) tonight by boasting about the country’s “good story”. President Ramaphosa delivered his speech in his capacity as President of South Africa, but he remains President of the ANC. And wherever his party governs – in councils, provinces […]
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Cape Town’s Wildflowers Are a World Treasure: Six Insights From a New Checklist
The latest checklist of Table Mountain flora shows that Cape Town is still a global hotspot for threatened flowering plants.
Activists in Ghana Are Forcing Extractive Firms to Account for the Harm They Cause – Corporate Abuse Study
Civil-society organisations are changing Ghana’s accountability landscape.
East Africa’s Dismal Football Record Doesn’t Match Its Passion – What Needs to Happen
Why has international success evaded a region that’s so in love with the game?
New Rugby Rules for South African Kids Aim to Keep Them Safe: What Does the Research Say?
Tackling and contact in rugby should be slowly introduced to children to teach them how to do it safely.
Government’s Failure Leaves Sa’s Automotive Industry in Crisis and Erodes Investor Confidence
The future of Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) – and with it more than 4 000 jobs and tens of thousands of positions throughout the automotive value chain – hangs in the balance due to government’s ongoing failure to take decisive action by making essential policy adjustments for the automotive industry. Volkswagen has unequivocally stated that […]
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Lights. Camera. But Very Little Action. Why?
Film sector in free fall as government scores own goal
Lesotho Welcomes AGOA Extension
But the trade agreement with the US is only extended to December
TransUnion Appoints Jeannine Naudé as Head of Africa Regions to Drive Strategic Growth Across the Continent
TransUnion Africa, a global information and insights company, today announced the appointment of Jeannine Naudé as Vice President (VP), Head of Africa Regions, effective January 2026.
In her role, Naudé will lead TransUnion’s Africa Regions portfolio across Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, Namibia, Zambia, eSwatini, South Africa and Malawi, with responsibility for driving growth, performance and strategic execution across these markets.
Naudé has served as TransUnion Africa’s Chief General Counsel for the past nine years and most recently stepped into the role of Interim Head of Africa Regions, where she demonstrated strong strategic leadership and operational continuity across the portfolio. Her permanent appointment reflects TransUnion’s continued focus on driving sustainable growth, strengthening market competitiveness, and advancement of the company’s strategic priorities across the continent for the benefit of clients and consumers.
During her tenure as Chief General Counsel, Naudé transformed the Legal, Risk and Compliance function into a strategic and trusted business partner, supporting TransUnion Africa’s growth ambitions while strengthening regulatory, industry and stakeholder relationships across multiple markets. She has led several high-impact initiatives, including implementation of new regulatory frameworks and initiatives in multiple African countries, the consolidation of multiple legal entities, TransUnion’s minority investment in Omnisient, and the evaluation and execution of wider expansion opportunities across the continent.
Naudé has also played a key role in advancing TransUnion’s focus on financial inclusion, women inclusion and wider ESG initiatives, as well as wider use of alternative data, leading global engagements with organisations such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank. Naudé currently serves as Co-Chair of the Africa Credit Information Sharing Association (ACISA) and plays an active role in the Africa Regional Consultative Group as well as several industry bodies, reinforcing TransUnion’s leadership within the broader financial ecosystem.
Over the past five months, Naudé has successfully steered the Africa Regions portfolio in an interim capacity, working closely with the regional leadership team to sustain momentum and performance. Her priorities include driving sustainable growth in core and emerging markets, strengthening regulatory and industry partnerships, enhancing operational execution, and building a future‑ready organisation through talent development and regional collaboration. A key focus of her role is advancing financial inclusion for the more than 500 million Africans outside the formal financial system by bringing TransUnion’s global solutions to market in ways that support inclusive, data‑driven outcomes for clients and consumers.
Lee Naik, CEO and Regional President for TransUnion Africa, commented: “Jeannine has been instrumental in shaping TransUnion Africa’s growth journey over the past nine years. Her deep understanding of our markets, strong commercial acumen and ability to balance strategy with execution make her well suited to lead our Africa Regions. We are confident that under her leadership, TransUnion Africa will continue to deliver meaningful impact for our clients, consumers and partners.”
Naudé added: “I am honoured to take on the role of Head of Africa Regions at such an important time for TransUnion. Having worked closely with our teams across the continent, I am excited to build on the strong foundation already in place, drive sustainable growth, and continue advancing solutions that support financial inclusion and economic opportunity across Africa.”
Private Credit Rating Agencies Shape Africa’s Access to Debt. Better Oversight Is Needed
Rating agencies shape the policy space for pursuing development goals. Yet they remain private firms, operating under commercial incentives.
Nigeria’s Open Borders Promised More Trade and Free Movement: But Crossings Are Chaotic and Corrupt
Nigeria’s open borders promise trade but deliver exploitation.
Medicinal Plants Support Men’s Health in South Africa: Why This Knowledge Needs Safekeeping
Without systematic documentation, traditional plants’ uses could be lost or excluded from mainstream medical discourse.
Angola’s Lobito Corridor Is Being Revived – Who Stands to Gain?
The Lobito Corridor has become strategically important in the global scramble for critical resources.
Rights Organisations Criticise Proposed Refugee Law
Scalabrini warns that adopting the First Safe Country Principle could erode refugee protection and disproportionately affect African asylum seekers
What’s Stopping Sunny South Africa’s Solar Industry? Court Case Sheds Light on the Wider Problem
South Africa needs a renewable energy industrial strategy, not just requirements for green power projects to buy a percentage of solar parts from local companies.
Explainer: Why Does the Rand Exchange Rate Matter
The Reserve Bank points out that inflation is lower thanks to the strength of the rand
Lesotho’s Failed Multi-Million Rand High-Altitude Sports Centre
The decaying Rapokolana facility was built in 2005 but has never been fully operational. It is a missed opportunity for athletes from South Africa and Lesotho.
Call to Scrap “Apartheid-Era” Passport Control With Lesotho
A human rights organisation has petitioned South Africa’s Parliament to scrap passports at Lesotho borders
Indigenous Trees Might Be the Secret to Climate Resilient Dairy Farming in Benin, Says This New Study
Benin’s smallholder dairy farmers need development finance to plant shady trees on the land where their cattle graze, to improve cattle health.
Global Demand for Shea Butter Is Growing: But It’s Not All Good News for the Women Who Collect the Nuts
Competition for shea trees is rising in west Africa, leaving the poorest women collectors with less access and fewer gains.