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Johannesburg: Standard Bank today announced that its Sustainability Academy has trained over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners across 15 African markets in its first year of operation, and has secured co-funding from DEG Impulse, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to expand the programme through 2028. The partnership, valued at …
The 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) sends a positive signal on fiscal stability, infrastructure investment and increasing private-sector participation. The real measure of success, however, will be the extent to which these developments translate into tangible growth for South Africa’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Infrastructure Investment Among Enoch Godongwana’s most significant announcements for …
Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank by assets with a presence across 21 African markets, has signed a subscription agreement to invest in OPay, a digital financial platform primarily offering a comprehensive suite of integrated fintech solutions in Nigeria and other countries. This investment is expected to close concurrently with or shortly after the closing …
Standard Bank extended R2.137 billion in affordable housing finance to 3,351 households in South Africa in the first half of 2026 (H1 2026), reinforcing its commitment to expanding homeownership and driving inclusive economic growth. Notably, 48.63% of the affordable housing mortgages granted during this period were to women, highlighting the bank’s contribution to increasing financial …
By Brendan Jacobs, Head of Agribusiness at Business & Commercial Banking at Standard Bank South Africa: Jacobs unpacks the South African Reserve Bank’s decision to increase interest rates by 25 basis points. While the move is aimed at keeping inflation under control, it is likely to increase borrowing costs for farmers and businesses across the …
With El Niño conditions now established, latest climate risk assessments suggest Southern African agriculture is better prepared for the period ahead. El Niño conditions have now formed in the Pacific Ocean, with climate forecasters indicating a high probability that the event could strengthen significantly over the coming months. What makes this El Niño event even …
Women play a vital role in driving economic growth and supporting households across South Africa. As more women take control of their financial futures, investing remains one of the most effective ways to build long-term wealth, financial resilience and independence. While women are increasingly taking control of their financial futures, many remain underrepresented in investment …
For residents of Ugie, a small town in the Eastern Cape, applying for a Smart ID once meant travelling to another district, often requiring a costly and time-consuming trip to Mthatha. Similar challenges have long been faced by people living in rural communities across South Africa, where accessing essential government services can involve taking time …
South Africa’s growing appetite for health, wellness and sustainable living products is creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs across the organic and natural products value chain. This momentum will be on display at the Johannesburg edition of Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa, taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 7 to 9 August 2026, …
By Tshiamo Molanda, Head of Personal Banking South Africa at Standard Bank By almost any measure, South Africa’s under-35s are leading a profound shift in how money moves through the economy. The 2026 Standard Bank Youth Barometer shows that they have embraced digital payments at a pace that far exceeds older generations. They are more …
The South African Reserve Bank’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged will provide welcome relief for homeowners and prospective buyers, says Standard Bank Head of Home Services, Toni Anderson. She adds that the decision gives consumers greater certainty at a time when many households continue to manage ongoing cost-of-living pressures. “After some uncertainty around the …
By Tshiamo Molanda, Head of Personal Banking South Africa at Standard Bank: South Africa’s persistently low savings rates are frequently framed as a behavioural challenge. For years, the conversation has centred on financial discipline, with repeated calls for consumers to save more, spend less and prioritise the future over the present. Yet despite decades of …
There is a familiar but often light-hearted tension between Gen Z and older generations in South Africa. The term ama-2000s, often used to describe today’s youth, reflects more than differences in language, behaviour or culture. It signals a broader shift in values, priorities and ways of navigating everyday life. Yet while the lifestyles and financial …
Africa’s largest financial institution, Standard Bank Group, has reaffirmed its commitment to support the growth of Dangote Industries Limited, pledging backing for the planned listing of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery while expressing readiness to finance future expansion projects across the continent. The commitment came during a strategic visit by Standard Bank Group Chief Executive, Sim …
Johannesburg – Africa’s energy landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation. In 2025, Standard Bank’s financing for renewable energy power generation outpaced that for non-renewable power generation by a ratio of 8:1, signalling a shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems across the continent. With nearly 600 million people across Africa still without access to …
Every generation faces financial challenges. For young South Africans today, these include student debt, rising living costs, family responsibilities and an uncertain economic environment. Against this backdrop, it is understandable that many young people delay investing, retirement planning or taking out insurance until they feel more financially secure. The problem is that waiting comes at …
A new report, commissioned by Standard Bank Wealth and Investment, lifts the lid on how Africa’s wealthiest actually build their fortunes, turning what outsiders often view as risk into opportunity. Released on 4 June, the report shifts the narrative away from headline wealth figures to something far more revealing: the mindset driving the continent’s wealthiest. …
As Africa’s energy transition gathers pace, unlocking grid capacity, accelerating infrastructure financing and crowding in private capital will be critical to ensuring the continent’s energy ambitions translate into meaningful economic growth, energy resilience and industrial development. Collaboration between the public and private sectors will remain central to accelerating energy infrastructure development across the continent, particularly …
The Standard Bank Kasi SME Pitch Challenge is back and bigger than ever! Now in its second national edition, the competition offers qualifying entrepreneurs across all the nine South African provinces the chance to compete for provincial prizes and ultimately a grand prize of R1 million at the national finals later this year. The provincial …
Standard Bank customers now have greater choice when applying for Smart IDs. The Bank has reached a milestone of 50 new bank‑assisted Smart ID processing branches in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). “We committed to adding 50 new branches offering the Smart ID service by the end of April, and we have …
South Africans have been hit with one of the sharpest fuel price spikes in years. The price of petrol is up by more than R3 a litre on Wednesday and diesel by over R6. A temporary R3.00 levy cut softens the blow, but only slightly. For many households, the question is no longer if they’ll …
South Africa’s agricultural sector is increasingly redefining resilience, moving beyond short‑term survival towards profitability driven by practical innovation and better decision‑making. This shift reflects a broader evolution across the sector, where success is no longer measured only by the ability to withstand pressure, but by how effectively farmers adapt, improve efficiency and remain sustainably profitable …
Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking (BCB) has announced the winners of its first Inclusive Excellence Awards, an initiative that recognises South Africa’s Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) led by entrepreneurs with disabilities. “The initiative form part of BCB’s Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) efforts that aim to advance inclusive entrepreneurship by supporting majority …
South Africa’s first-time homebuyer market is not just getting younger, it’s changing shape. Standard Bank data shows a surge in single female buyers, rising demand for sectional titles as buyers get younger and rising participation from self‑employed individuals. These trends point to a fundamentally different kind of first‑time homeowner compared to a few years ago. …