Governments in sub-Saharan Africa should encourage the formation of cooperative thrift and credit societies to boost the development of micro enterprises.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Business + Economy – Articles, Analysis, Comment
Displaying 1301 - 1325 of 1382 articles
South Africa’s agricultural sector has benefited handsomely from the US’s preferential trade agreements. It is important that the current dispute is resolved speedily.
African governments should adopt a top-down rather than bottom-up approach to encouraging the creation of businesses.
South Africa will need about R60 billion a year to rollout free university education. A tax on graduates seems to be a practical solution.
President Buhari’s cabinet selection brings hope. The major challenge now is to deliver on his promise to fight corruption, restructure Nigeria’s economy and reduce poverty.
A strong case needs to be made for the survival of community-based financial organisations. While not perfect, the sense of ownership is high.
The fall in commodity prices has hit the DRC hard. This is a lesson to resources-dependent countries in Africa that they need to diversify their economies.
International experiences indicate that South Africa could reduce income inequality by introducing a national minimun wage.
In the global South, where some argue that “everyone is now middle class”, people are reluctant to acknowledge that they need to borrow money – and the stigma drives them to dodge their debts.
Financial inclusion has so far focused on enhancing a poor person’s cash flow. But it needs to involve more. Not enough consideration is given to encouraging poor people to build assets.
South Africa needs to spend more to stimulate economic growth. But this should not be unproductive or wasteful expenditure.
South Africa has sent a strong signal against tax evasion and is planning to introduce a carbon tax. There are also incentives for employers keen on taking inexperienced job seekers.
In a good system, university education is free for students while they are studying. They then pay part of the cost once they have graduated.
Students need to get off campus and convince society that free education is a goal worth fighting for.
Enforcing copyright protection in the digital age has become complex. South Africa should tread carefully as it amends its copyright laws.
A new way of doing business in Africa is needed. The pursuit of profits needs to go hand in hand with community development.
Young people are shunning Africa’s agricultural sector despite high levels of unemployment and food insecurity. This underscores the need to demonstrate the profitability of agriculture.
How should Nigeria weather yet another episode of oil price shock? This time it’s likely to be worsened by two events of significant global effect.
Urban planning and development in Africa has been fraught with many challenges. A study of Accra and Nairobi provides some lessons on what needs to improve.
The VW emissions scandal gives governments every right to increase their supervisory role beyond regulation and to involve themselves to a much larger degree in economic activity.
South Africa’s oceans economy can contribute R177 billion to the GDP and create up to one million new jobs by 2033. But this requires more skilled people to drive the growth.
The Marikana tragedy has indicated the violent nature of the struggles over resources and income shares. Inequality must be fought because it perpetuates social injustice.
Twenty years ago, Brazil and South Africa were in a similar position when it comes to inequality. Brazil has made significant progress in addressing this, but South Africa hasn’t.
Will Thomas Piketty’s visit to South Africa trigger the rewriting of the country’s recent economic history? His analysis and ideas on how to address inequality are hard to ignore.
South Africa’s tightening up of its competition law enables it to punish collusive conduct by firms, but there are major obstacles to implementing the changes.