Global Scans · South Africa · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Local elections in South Africa this year could see the ruling African National Congress lose control of key cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria for the first time. South Africa's economy is at risk of falling into recession and public confidence in the ANC is falling.

• [New] The growth of retail infrastructure in South Africa and Kenya is expected to create new opportunities for linked POS systems and smart store surveillance systems. Precedence Research
• [New] South Africa's consumer food price inflation could moderate in 2026 due to ample supplies of grains, oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables. IOL
• [New] South Africa's agricultural sector is entering a period of heightened uncertainty, with rising fuel and fertiliser costs-driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East-emerging as key risks to food price stability in 2026. IOL
• [New] Ongoing volatility in global oil markets, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, continues to pose a serious risk to fuel prices and inflation in South Africa, despite a recent dip in crude prices. The South African
• [New] With 128 out of 166 WTO members supporting the IFD, India, along with South Africa, risks facing political isolation, which raises important questions about the future of multilateral trade governance. EduRev
• [New] Europe-bound shipments from India are turning costlier and slower, as global shipping lines are taking the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of South Africa amid escalating US-Iran tensions. Mint
• South Africa has a tremendous opportunity to become both a hub for petroleum as well as critical player in the energy transition. African Energy Chamber
• Following President Ramaphosa's 2026 State of the Nation directive, South Africa is moving to operationalise a dual training model across its 50 public TVET colleges, with 170,000 first-year spaces projected. The Skills Agenda
• 400 MW data center could be built in eastern South Africa. DataX Connect
• Looking ahead: As steady output plateaus take hold, the successful blend of mechanization, efficient management, and pragmatic policy will keep South African gold relevant and resilient into 2026 and beyond. Farmonaut
• There are alternative shipping channels, such as the Red Sea, the Port of Jeddah, and the circumnavigation around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. The National
• If correct, longer-term impacts on fuel markets could be limited, and South Africa might even benefit slightly if shipping reroutes around the Cape of Good Hope. IOL
• The African Continental Free Trade Area is expected to increase demand for skilled intra-African mobility, particularly between Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. Fragomen - Immigration attorneys, solicitors, and consu
• In South Africa, a group of women living with HIV and TB started a support group that not only improved treatment adherence but also created economic opportunities through small businesses. Nurseslab
• A surge in online gambling across Africa is prompting governments to raise taxes, with South Africa proposing a 20% national tax on gambling profits that could more than double annual revenues to 10 billion rand ($607 million) from 4.8 billion rand ($285 million). OkayAfrica
• The South African inflation is currently around 3.5% and now it could spike towards 4%. DailyForex
• Egypt, Morocco and South Africa will continue to account for the bulk of Africa's sovereign bond issuance, while other countries remain constrained by smaller financial systems and limited domestic savings. Businessday NG
• South Africa plans to expand a new credit-guarantee vehicle to support infrastructure projects, including power-grid expansion and water systems. Last Week in ConTech
• The World Platinum Investment Council's latest forecast maintains that platinum will face a structural supply deficit through at least 2029, driven by declining South African mine output and growing industrial uptake in hydrogen fuel cell technology and green energy applications. Benchpeg
• South Africa joined 33 other nations pledging to triple nuclear energy by 2050, even as a federal court struck down Forest Service logging rules designed to reduce wildfire risk. EnviroLink Network - The environmental news site since
• High flood risks remain in northern South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, and southern Ethiopia, due to heavy rainfall in the coming week. Africa Center

Last updated: 07 April 2026