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South Africa Country Urbanisation and Economics Report

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Urbanisation
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IPO

Top News

BBCThe king's speech - and why it has foreigners in South Africa worried — South Africa's Zulu king has raised eyebrows by using a highly derogatory term for foreigners and saying they must all leave the country....

The Guardian — South Africa expels top Israeli diplomat over ‘insulting attacks’ on president — Ariel Seidman declared persona non grata and given 72 hours to leave country after remarks on social media..

Al Jazeera — South Africa orders expulsion of Israeli envoy, declared persona non grata — South Africa accuses Israeli representative of 'gross abuse of diplomatic privilege' as Israel orders reciprocal move..

PBSSouth Africa expels Israel's top diplomat over social media posts insulting Ramaphosa — The ministry also said there had been a deliberate failure to inform South Africa of visits by Israeli officials — "unacceptable violations....

Bloomberg — South Africa Private Investment Plans Triple as Reforms Advance — Planned capital investment in South Africa surged last year as private commitments tripled, while government projects excluding state....

Urbanisation Levels

Britannica — Johannesburg - Urbanization, Mining, Culture — Johannesburg - Urbanization, Mining, Culture: The first decades of the 20th century were a time of extensive social engineering as municipal....2 weeks ago

CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies — Urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa — Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is often regarded as the world's fastest urbanizing region. Urban areas currently contain 472 million people, and will double over the....Apr 12, 2018

Brookings — Figures of the week: Africa’s urbanization dynamics — The pace of urbanization and urban population growth in Africa has changed significantly across the continent generally as well as within its various regions..Jul 16, 2020

Welcome to the United Nations68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, says UNToday, 55% of the world's population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 68% by 2050. Projections show that urbanization,....Aug 21, 2022

The African Exponent — Top 10 Most Urbanized Countries in Africa 2025Africa's urban frontier is expanding fast, with cities driving economic transition, governance reform, and new social geographies rooted in....Oct 15, 2025

Atalayar — Urban Economic Growth in Africa: Analysis of the African Urban and its Implications — Africapolis , a new urban geography Africa is today the region with the highest urban growth rate in the world. The continent's po..Jan 13, 2022

Arc — GIS Story — Maps — Urban Africa — The African continent is vast and diverse, but one constant holds true across it: a rapid migration from rural areas to expanding cities..Nov 21, 2025

Nature — Infrastructure deficits and informal settlements in sub-Saharan Africa — Sustainable development is an imperative worldwide1–3 but metrics and data on poverty and quality of life have remained too coarse and....Sep 3, 2025

Statista — Degree of urbanization 2025, by continent — The urbanization rate worldwide in 2023 was 57 percent, with North and Latin America and the Caribbean having the highest rates..Nov 19, 2025

Frontiers — Urbanization and human security in post-colonial Africa — Urbanisation has been unprecedented in post-colonial Africa. As African economies grow and become active participants in the global economy,....Dec 6, 2022

GDP

Business Insider Africa — Nigeria set to overtake South Africa as Africa’s top contributor to global growth in 2026Nigeria is set to emerge as Africa's leading contributor to global economic growth in 2026, surpassing South Africa, according to the latest....

Reuters — South Africa's economy slows in third quarter but investment a bright spot — South Africa's economic growth slowed in the third quarter of 2025 as expected, but analysts heralded a pickup in fixed investment for the....Dec 2, 2025

Deloitte — South Africa economic outlook, December 2025Factors like fragility in the ruling coalition, US tariffs, and weak investment levels will keep South African economic growth muted..Dec 8, 2025

Focus — Economics — Is South Africa’s Economy Finally Turning a Corner?It has been close to two years since the 2024 elections that saw the African National Congress (ANC) lose its seemingly unconditional grip....1 week ago

Bloomberg.com — South Africa’s Economy Grows at Fastest Pace in Two Years — Takeaways by Bloomberg AI Hide · South Africa's economy expanded at the fastest pace in two years, lifted by a strong rebound in manufacturing....Sep 9, 2025

Semafor — South Africa records stronger-than-expected GDP growth — The 0.5% growth, compared with the previous three months, marked a fourth straight quarter of expansion, extending the economy's longest growth....Dec 3, 2025

Bit — KE2026 OUTLOOK | Nigeria Ranked 6th Among Top Contributors to Global GDP Growth in 2026, Says IMF Report — This places Africa's largest economy ahead of several advanced and emerging countries, including Germany, Brazil, and Indonesia - a notable....

Economic Confidential — Nigeria to Overtake South Africa, Become Continent’s Largest Contributor to Global GDP - IMFNigeria is projected to overtake South Africa as Africa's largest contributor to global economic growth in 2026, according to new estimates..

Reuters — South African rand flat after stats agency reports softer Q3 economic growth — The rand traded flat on Tuesday after South Africa's statistics agency reported softer economic growth in the third quarter compared to the....Dec 2, 2025

Bloomberg.com — South Africa Economy Grows for Fourth Straight Quarter on Mining — South Africa's economy expanded for a fourth straight quarter, extending the longest growth streak since 2021, when the nation was....Dec 2, 2025

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Investment

Deloitte — South Africa economic outlook, June 2025As optimism wanes and projections weaken, reform and political stability will be key to unlocking South Africa's economic potential in the....Jun 27, 2025

ISS Africa — The rising stakes of foreign investment in Africa — With labour's contribution to economic growth steadily growing, Africa must focus on improving inward financial flows..Sep 2, 2025

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)Africa: Foreign investment hit record high in 2024Foreign investment in Africa surged by 75% to reach an all-time high of $97 billion in 2024, bolstered by liberalization and facilitation efforts across the....Jun 19, 2025

Al Jazeera — It is time to give Africans a stake in African growth — African countries need to change rules and regulations to stimulate African investment in start-ups..Nov 10, 2025

DHL Group — Oct 15, 2025: DHL Group commits more than €300 million to accelerate trade growth across Africa — This investment underscores DHL's commitment to Sub-Saharan Africa and supports Af — CFTA's goals to boost intra-African trade and strengthen....Oct 15, 2025

CFR Education — Sub-Saharan Africa: The Essentials - Economics: Sub-Saharan Africa — Explore this collection of learning resources to better understand the history, people, and politics of sub-Saharan Africa..Jul 8, 2025

Forbes Africa — South Africa’s Economy Sees Growth; Infrastructure Investment And Structural Reforms Still Needed — South Africa's economy recorded its fourth consecutive quarter of growth, rising by 0.5% in the third quarter of 2025, showing a continued....1 month ago

ODI: Think change — Bolstering Africa’s investment landscape: unlocking opportunities for its youth — The latest issue of "This Week in Macroeconomics" tackles an ongoing challenge: how Africa can mobilise investment to create jobs and....Sep 25, 2025

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Demographics

Statista — Total population of South Africa in 2022, by ethnic groups — As of 2022, South Africa's population increased and counted approximately 60.6 million inhabitants in total, of which the majority (roughly 49.1 million) were....1 week ago

RFIAfrica poised to outgrow Asia for first time amid youth boom — Africa's growth could outpace Asia's for the first time in 2026, figures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggest,....

Bloomberg.com — Africa Needs 1 Billion Jobs by the End of the Century. Where Will It Find Them?Africa's economic growth is hinging on creating 1 billion jobs by the end of the century. Where will it find them?.Nov 13, 2025

The World Economic Forum — The Future of Jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa: population boom can make the region a talent hotspot — The population of Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to rise by 79% over the next 30 years. This surge to 2.2 billion will come at a time when most developed....May 7, 2025

Business Insider Africa10 African countries with the fastest urban population growth (2020–2050)Africa is entering an era of rapid and transformative urbanisation that is set to reshape its demographic and economic landscape over the....Oct 17, 2025

Daily Investor — End of an era of pain for South Africans — South Africa's economy appears to have grown faster than its population growth rate for the first time in years, as the government's reform....

ISS Africa — Demographics not poor governance explain Africa’s slow development — Until dependency ratios shift, Africa's large youthful population will remain the continent's biggest barrier to growth..Apr 8, 2025

Newsweek — Map Shows Region Leading 2050 Global Population Increase — Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to account for more than half the global population increase until 2050..Jul 26, 2025

The Conversation2 in 3 Africans will live in cities by 2050: how planners can put this to good use — Africa's population is projected to nearly double by 2050, with 80% of that growth being concentrated in urban areas, leaving two out of....Aug 20, 2025

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Export/Import

The Observatory of Economic Complexity — South Africa (ZAF) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners | The Observatory of Economic Complexity — In November 2025 South Africa exported ZAR179B and imported ZAR150B, resulting in a positive trade balance of ZAR28.7B..

Fresh — Plaza — South African reefer exports grow steadily over five years — Volumes of temperature-sensitive, or reefer, exports from South Africa have increased steadily over the past five years, according to....

Reuters — African exports face immediate damage from lapse of US trade initiative — The lapse of a flagship U.S. trade initiative with Africa that expired overnight is putting scores of businesses on the continent and....Sep 30, 2025

Index — Box — Africa's Iron Angle Market Poised for Steady Growth With 3.8% CAGR in Value Through 2035Analysis of Africa's iron angle market, covering consumption, production, imports, exports, and forecasts from 2024 to 2035..1 week ago

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)Global trade to hit record $35 trillion despite slowing momentum — UN Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) year-end Global Trade Update shows East Asia, Africa and South–South trade powering gains,....1 month ago

wine.co.za — South African wine exports demonstrate resilience amid global market pressures — South Africa's wine export performance over the past year reflects a sector building resilience through a long-term focus on value growth,....

South China Morning Post — South Africa pushes to increase exports to China amid US’ 30% tariff hike — South Africa vows to expand its trade portfolio to create more balance and tackle a growing trade deficit which heavily favours China ... Facing a....Jul 20, 2025

Citrus Industry Magazine — Surge in South African Citrus Exports — South African citrus growers packed 203.4 million 15-kilogram cartons for global markets in the 2025 export season. That's a 19% increase ..Nov 26, 2025

Bloomberg — South Africa’s Farm Exports to US Jump 26% Before Hefty Tariffs — South Africa's agricultural exports to the US surged ahead of a planned 30% tariff, partly due to a bountiful harvest and higher global....Aug 18, 2025

Harpers Wine & Spirit — South African exports show resilience amid global market pressure — According to industry body Wines of South Africa (Wo — SA) , South African wine exports this year have....1 week ago

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Public Spending

Reuters — Third try at South Africa budget may point to revenue shortfall of 4.70% of GDP, say economists: Reuters poll — South Africa's National Treasury will likely announce wider budget deficit forecasts on Wednesday as it struggles to find alternative....May 19, 2025

Semafor — South Africa forecasts upbeat budget after better-than-expected revenue — Skyrocketing debt and government spending have outpaced revenue growth in South Africa in recent years. The mid-picture forecast is a “chance to....Nov 12, 2025

Bloomberg.com — South Africa Marks ‘Turning Point’ as Tax Windfall Boosts Budget — South Africa is heading into its latest budget with a rare sense of optimism — and the chance to mark a turning point for the nation's....Nov 11, 2025

Forbes Africa — South Africa’s Medium-Term Budget Shows Promise Ahead Of G20 Summit — South Africa's Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, delivered an optimistic Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Cape Town today....Nov 13, 2025

Reuters — South African budget law passes after months of delay — South Africa's parliament passed the budget's fiscal framework and revenue proposals on Wednesday, removing a key pillar of uncertainty for....Jun 11, 2025

Deloitte2025 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement | Deloitte South Africa — On 12 November 2025, South Africa's Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, presented the 2025 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS)....Nov 12, 2025

The Conversation — VAT hikes can raise tax without hurting the poor: an economist sets out the evidence — South Africa's 2025-6 budget has been subjected to more comment than usual. This is due to the political tensions generated by a proposed....Apr 23, 2025

Bloomberg.com — Highlights of South African Finance Minister’s Reworked Budget — Below are the highlights of South Africa's third iteration of the 2025 budget announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in Cape Town on Wednesday..May 21, 2025

Peoples Dispatch — Budget crisis exposes the contradictions in South Africa’s Government of National Unity — South Africa's two largest parties, allied in the Government of National Unity, disagree on how to resolve the budget crisis: The ANC wants....Mar 1, 2025

vatcalc.com — South Africa may have to raise VAT in 2026The South African government on 24 April withdrew the proposed 0.5% VAT rise to 15.5% due to go ahead on 1 May 2025..Nov 2, 2025

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Public Debt

Atlantic Council — Africa enters 2026 facing a debt crisis. The answer lies in regional solutions.The solution to debt crises in African nations lies in global and regional cooperation..

The Conversation — Africa, rating agencies and the cost of debt — Tensions over the role that credit rating agencies play in assessing African countries have broken into the open..

Nature — South Africa is right to put debt, climate and inequality at the heart of G20Preparations begin for the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.Credit: Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty. Next week, Johannesburg in South....Nov 19, 2025

Peoples Gazette Nigeria — South Africa disconnects Nigerian High Commission’s electricity over utility services debt — The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa's electricity was disconnected on Monday due to unpaid utility services debt..

Reuters — South Africa's G20 debt focus to be tested as US takes the chair — South Africa's G20 debt focus to be tested as US takes the chair · US presidency to test G20's debt relief ambitions · Debt across emerging....Nov 23, 2025

The Economist — Africa’s other debt crisis — It is not just loans from China and Western financiers. Domestic borrowing is surging | Middle East & Africa..Nov 20, 2025

Bloomberg.com — South Africa Joins Bond Rush With New Dollar-Debt Offering — South Africa Joins Bond Rush With $3.5 Billion Debt Sale ... South Africa sold dollar-denominated bonds for the first time in a year, joining....Dec 4, 2025

Moody's — Credit Conditions – South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria — Sub-Saharan African economies face major funding needs but struggle with limited equity capital and high debt costs. South Africa, Kenya....Sep 15, 2025

The — Cable — Nigerian high commission pays outstanding debt after power cut in South Africa — The Nigerian high commission in South Africa has paid its utility bills after the building was disconnected from power over outstanding....

The Guardian Nigeria News — Utility debt: South Africa briefly restores power to Nigeria High Commission — Authorities in South Africa's City of Tshwane have disconnected and later restored electricity supply to Nigeria's High Commission in....

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Recent IPO News

Bloomberg — Ex-Rugby Player’s Security Firm Fidelity Plans South Africa IPOEx-Rugby Player's Security Firm Fidelity Plans S. Africa IPO ... Fidelity Services Group, South Africa's biggest private-security company, hired....Nov 11, 2025

Semafor — AI fintech Optasia eyes South Africa IPOFintech companies have expanded in recent years to reach unbanked people who could access digital financial services via a mobile phone. Optasia....Oct 8, 2025

Africa Private Equity News — South Africa: Development Partners International’s portfolio company Optasia completes IPOSince DPI's investment, Optasia has evolved from a regional mobile lending platform into a global AI-led fintech. ... Development Partners....Nov 19, 2025

Renaissance Capital — BLEUU IPO News - SPAC pan-Africa files for a $125 million IPO, targeting businesses in Africapan-Africa, a blank check company led by the former CEO of Tapestry targeting businesses in Africa, filed on Friday with the SEC to raise up....Oct 24, 2025

Dabafinance — Optasia Raises $345M in South Africa’s Largest Fintech IPOTLDR · Dubai-based fintech group Optasia officially listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on Tuesday, November 4, after a R6.5 billion....Nov 5, 2025