“A move by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and Treasury to lower the country's inflation target could have positive impacts on monetary policy, interest rates, and the strength of the rand, but will need to be handled with care to avoid negative consequences on the local investment climate,” says Bianca Botes, Forex expert at Citadel Global.

South Africa’s banking landscape has undergone a fundamental transformation. For decades, the “Big Four”—Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, and FNB—reigned supreme, focused on middle- to high-income customers and often overlooking the vast low-income market, considered too risky, too costly, or simply “unbankable.”

UK-based fintech powerhouse Revolut is reportedly preparing for its South African debut. With over 50 million users globally and a $45 billion valuation, Revolut’s diverse service offering—spanning crypto, trading, multi-currency accounts, and business banking—could reshape the local digital banking sector. But will regulatory, infrastructure, and competitive challenges slow its momentum?

South Africa’s regulated financial markets, led by the FSCA, offer investor protection through licensing requirements, transparent complaint processes, and education. Learn common investor mistakes and how to safeguard your portfolio.

On 20 January 2025 Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States of America. His inaugural speech, met with fervent applause from his supporters, evoked reflections on the categorization of modes of rule as discussed by Greek philosophers like Aristotle and Plato.

Recent reforms to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listing requirements have paved the way for Actively Managed ETFs (AMETFs) in South Africa, creating a level playing field with traditional passive ETFs. Since 2005, ETFs have benefited from favourable exchange control treatment, allowing 100% offshore investment, unlike traditional Collective Investment Schemes limited to 45%.

In the realm of financial planning, the choices we make today lay the foundation for a secure and prosperous future.