Multinational beer producer Heineken has invested R2.3-billion in its returnable bottle programme in South Africa, more than doubling its share of returnable glass beer bottles, as part of its goal to move to 65% returnable glass bottles. The move towards increased returnable glass aligns with its global ambition of net-zero carbon by 2040 as per the [...]

Large industrial gas users are starting to prepare for what will likely be South Africa’s next big energy crisis, the imminent shortage of natural gas. Petrochemicals manufacturer Sasol, as the monopoly supplier of large-scale natural gas, in August last year announced that South Africa was heading for a “gas cliff” in that supply of gas [...]

The Integrated Task Force, set up by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks, is coordinating the implementation of 205 recommendations that came out of the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture.   Of these, 36 recommendations have resulted in three convictions and 11 cases before the courts. The remaining 169 [...]

Hive Hydrogen South Africa has signed an agreement with Genesis Eco-Energy to implement 372 MW of wind power in the Western Cape, in support of the development of its R105-billion green ammonia project at Coega in the Eastern Cape. The Coega green ammonia hub is a flagship investment project in South Africa, led by Hive Energy [...]

The copper operations in Zambia of South Africa’s Jubilee Metals showed strong growth in the six months to December 31, with further sharp increases expected going forward. The Johannesburg- and London-listed Jubilee, led by CEO Leon Coetzer and chaired by former Mpumalanga Premier Mathews Phosa, recovers copper in Zambia and chrome and platinum group metals [...]

Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) has signed a development agreement with the government of Malawi for the construction of a R3-billion special economic zone (SEZ) and dry port in the north of Lilongwe, Area 55. Arise IIP is owned by Africa Finance Corporation, Afreximbank, and the Africa Transformation and Industrialisation Fund, and is a [...]

Trade agency the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) has, following an investigation into alleged dumping of steel products from the People’s Republic of China, determined that dumping of products originating in or imported from China is taking place. Itac also determined that the industry of the regional bloc Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) is [...]

Although Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Budget, delivered on February 21, seemed somewhat prudent, Econometrix director and chief economist Dr Azar Jammine said there was not much in it to make one optimistic about South Africa’s economic future either. “The Budget does provide some relief for markets in the sense that it was not reckless. It [...]

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) reports that a further 124 generation facilities were registered during the third quarter of its financial year from October to December, increasing the number of facilities registered since 2018 to 1 087. The newly registered generators have a combined capacity of 605 MW and a collective investment value [...]

South Africa’s State power utility has failed to tap $2.5-billion of cheap loans to build critical transmission infrastructure that would help end the country’s crippling energy crisis. That’s brought a landmark climate finance agreement — the Just Energy Transition Partnership — to a virtual halt, and extends the country’s reliance on coal plants. Finance ministry [...]

Paper and packaging group Mondi achieved underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of €1.2-billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with Ebitda of €1.85-billion in 2022. The Group's underlying Ebitda margin was 16.4%, compared with 20.8% in 2022.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana maintained focus on fiscal discipline and balancing the need to address socioeconomic challenges facing the country, industry organisation the Minerals Council South Africa said in response to the Minister’s Budget speech on February 21. South Africa, however, needs faster growth of private and public sector fixed investment, and rapid implementation of [...]