Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

Chinese e-commerce giants Shein and Temu have rapidly emerged as dominant players in South Africa’s online retail landscape, challenging both local and international brands with their aggressive pricing, vast product ranges, and mobile-first marketing strategies. According to a report commissioned by the Localisation Support Fund, the two platforms generated R7.3…

Angola’s state-owned diamond company, Endiama, has formally submitted a bid to acquire Anglo American’s 85% stake in De Beers, intensifying a high-stakes contest for control of one of the world’s most iconic diamond producers. The move comes amid Anglo American’s broader restructuring efforts, which include divesting legacy assets to streamline…

TymeBank, South Africa’s pioneering digital bank with over 11 million customers, is preparing for a major transformation. In the first half of 2026, the bank will officially rebrand as GoTyme, aligning its South African operations with its international identity already established in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The rebranding reflects…

FirstRand, one of Africa’s largest financial services groups, has announced the acquisition of Standard Chartered Zambia PLC’s (SCBZ) Wealth and Retail Banking business portfolio through its Zambian subsidiary, FNB Zambia. The transaction marks a strategic expansion of FirstRand’s footprint in the region and aligns with its broader ambition to scale…

Retail giant Pick n Pay has reported continued progress in its turnaround strategy, narrowing its losses significantly in the first half of the 2026 financial year, though it has acknowledged that a full-year loss remains likely. In its interim results for the six months ended 31 August 2025, the group…

India-based pharmaceutical company Natco Pharma is set to acquire a significant stake in Adcock Ingram, marking a major shift in the ownership structure of one of South Africa’s leading healthcare firms. The acquisition will coincide with Adcock Ingram’s delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), ending its tenure as a…

Murray & Roberts Holdings (MRH), one of South Africa’s oldest engineering and construction firms, has officially entered liquidation following a final order issued by the Gauteng High Court. The ruling brings closure to a company that has been a fixture in the country’s industrial landscape since 1902. In a formal…

South African financial services group FirstRand has acquired a 20% equity stake in Optasia, a UAE-based fintech company, ahead of its planned listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The strategic investment positions FirstRand to deepen its reach into underserved markets and leverage Optasia’s innovative financial technology platform. Optasia provides…

U.S.-based e-commerce company Global Shop Group has acquired ANKA, a leading Ivory Coast-based digital commerce platform, marking a significant entry into the African fashion and creator economy. The acquisition represents a strategic move to tap into Africa’s growing online retail sector and global demand for culturally inspired products. From Afrikrea…

Meta, the U.S.-based technology giant behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has selected Safaricom, Kenya’s largest telecommunications provider, as its local landing partner for a new submarine cable system connecting Oman to Kenya. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies and signals a broader shift in East Africa’s…

Airtel Africa’s mobile money division, Airtel Money, is now processing transactions at an annualized rate of $193 billion, underscoring its emergence as one of the continent’s most powerful fintech engines. This milestone, revealed alongside the company’s H1 2025 financial results, has prompted Airtel to confirm its intention to publicly list…

Old Mutual has announced its agreement to acquire a majority stake in 10X Investments, a South African-based provider of passive, technology-driven investment solutions. The stake is being acquired from Old Mutual Private Equity (OMPE) and DiGAME Investments, in a deal valued at R2.2 billion (approximately $127.4 million). The transaction is…

Maxwell+spark, a South African-founded innovator in lithium-ion battery technology, has successfully closed a $15 million Series B funding round. The round was led by Klima, the energy transition fund managed by Alantra, with strategic participation from Chevron Technology Ventures and Idemitsu, a major Japanese energy company. Both Chevron and Idemitsu…

Standard Bank has successfully arranged a $42 million term loan facility for Bandwidth & Cloud Services Group (BCS), a leading provider of fibre infrastructure across Africa. This strategic funding initiative is designed to accelerate BCS’s mission to expand critical digital infrastructure and enhance pan-African connectivity. Acting as joint arranger and…

Sanari Capital has successfully exited its investment in Fernridge Solutions, a Johannesburg-based market intelligence and geospatial analytics firm, through a strategic sale to Broll Property Group. The transaction marks a pivotal moment for Fernridge, as it transitions into the hands of a buyer with deep pan-African expertise in real estate…

FinDev Canada, the Canadian government’s development finance institution, has announced a significant financial commitment of $100 million to the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a leading pan-African infrastructure solutions provider. This strategic loan facility is aimed at accelerating the development of climate-resilient infrastructure across sub-Saharan Africa. The funding will support AFC’s…

Enko Capital, a leading Africa-focused alternative asset manager, has successfully completed the first close of its Enko Impact Credit Fund, securing commitments totaling $100 million toward its $150 million target. This milestone marks a significant step in Enko’s mission to expand access to private credit across sub-Saharan Africa. The fund…

MTN South Africa has officially launched a comprehensive suite of integrated home and mobile connectivity offerings, marking a significant evolution from its previous “Ambition 2025” strategy. This new direction places a strong emphasis on the connected home, aligning with MTN Group’s broader strategic pivot announced by CEO Ralph Mupita during…

PAYDAY, an emerging Tunisian startup operating at the intersection of fintech and insurtech, has successfully closed its inaugural pre-seed financing round. This pivotal funding event secures the company’s early growth and validates its innovative approach to financial wellness. The financing round was led by UGFS North Africa (United Gulf Financial…

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group focused on the private sector, has formally disclosed a proposed equity investment of up to $25 million in the African Transition Acceleration Fund (ATAF). This strategic fund is advised by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), a major player…