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job creation

South Africa’s ‘Everything Rally’ Hinges on Economic Promises

by Priya Shah – Business Editor November 29, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

south Africa’s ‘Everything Rally’ Faces Test as Unemployment Looms

Published November 29, 2025

johannesburg – A remarkable surge⁤ across South african assets this year is facing a ⁤critical juncture. While stocks, bonds, and the currency have experienced significant gains, sustained growth hinges on the nation’s ability too address its persistently high unemployment rate, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The rally has been fueled by a combination of factors, including ⁢rising commodity prices and ongoing goverment reforms. The ‍benchmark equity index ‌has climbed approximately 46% ⁤in dollar terms. Furthermore, local-currency government⁣ debt has yielded returns more than double the⁣ emerging-market average. The rand is currently poised for its strongest annual performance against the dollar since 2022.

Key Performance Indicators

Asset Class	Year-to-Date Performance
Equity Index	+46% (USD)
Local-Currency Government Debt	>2x Emerging Market average
rand ⁢(ZAR)	Strongest year vs. USD ⁣as 2022 (projected)

November 29, 2025 0 comments

Business

US Labor Market Report: Key Insights and Fed Rate Implications

by Priya Shah – Business Editor November 20, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Summary ⁢of the Article: “The end ⁣of the data black hole: What to expect from the US labor market report⁣ after the layoff”

This article discusses the anticipated release of the US Labor Department’s september employment report, which was delayed due to the recent government ‌shutdown. Here’s a breakdown of the⁤ key points:

* Data Delay & Importance: The shutdown prevented data collection, leaving the state of the labor market unclear for nearly seven weeks. ‍The September report‍ is now highly anticipated, with expectations of high market volatility upon its release, as investors are ‍”thirsty for fresh‍ economic news.”
* Weak⁣ Job Growth: Economists predict around 50,000 new jobs in September, ‍a slight improvement over August’s 22,000, but still indicative of slowing growth as spring/summer. ⁤This creates a dynamic where employed individuals‍ are secure, while job seekers ‌face difficulties.
* Factors Affecting⁣ the Market: Several factors are contributing to the slowdown, including high interest rates (aimed at ⁤curbing inflation) ‍and ⁣President Trump’s⁣ proposed import tariffs. Recent revisions also ⁣show substantially fewer jobs created in the ⁤year leading up to ⁣March than originally reported.
* Shifting “Breakeven Point”: Economist Stephen Stanley suggests the ⁣number of jobs needed to maintain stability is lower than previously thought (potentially 50,000 or less)⁣ due to a decrease‍ in the number of job seekers, partly attributed to stricter immigration policies.
* Impact on Federal ‍Reserve (FRS): The September report is the last ⁤complete data set the‌ FRS ⁣will have⁢ before‌ their December meeting,‌ where they ⁢will decide whether to cut interest ⁤rates for the third time‌ this year.
* Delayed October Report: The full October report will be‍ delayed, with its‍ data released alongside the November report in December, further emphasizing the importance ⁣of the September numbers.

In essence, the article highlights the unusual circumstances surrounding the release of this labor market data and‍ its potential influence on economic policy and investor sentiment. It paints a picture of a slowing, but not necessarily collapsing, job market ⁤with unique ⁢dynamics at play.

November 20, 2025 0 comments

World

FG Plans to List 1,000 SMEs on Nigerian Capital Market

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor October 19, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

Federal Government Targets Listing of 1,000 smes on Capital Market

Abuja, Nigeria – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Progress Agency ⁤of nigeria (SMEDAN) have formalized a partnership aimed at bolstering financing ⁣options for Nigeria’s vast micro, Small, and Medium ‌Enterprise (MSME) sector. the collaboration was cemented with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, signaling a concerted effort to unlock growth and address the challenges of accessing affordable credit faced by the nation’s over 40 million registered MSMEs.

The initiative is directly aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s governance’s ambition⁢ to achieve a $1 trillion economy and is expected to “galvanize⁣ growth, create wealth, and reduce unemployment” across Nigeria.

A key ⁢component of the MoU focuses on supporting SMEs that adhere ‌to established regulatory and governance standards to raise capital through equity or debt securities, operating within‍ SEC guidelines. This move intends to integrate⁤ more small businesses into the formal financial system, fostering transparency and accountability.

dr. Emomotimi Agama,Director-General of the SEC,emphasized the importance of‌ capital for business sustainability,stating,”Capital is the bedrock of any company… We want to bring [SMEs] on board the pipeline⁢ of listed companies where they can democratize wealth and accelerate ‍development.” He highlighted the partnership as a crucial step towards establishing a sustainable financing ⁢structure for SMEs and integrating them into the capital market ⁢ecosystem.

Mr. Charles Odii, Director-General of SMEDAN, acknowledged the persistent issue ‌of expensive and limited financing options for SMEs.He announced a specific target of listing “at least 1,000 SMEs on the capital ‍market” through the collaboration, predicting this will substantially contribute to economic growth and job creation. “Capital in this part of the world is ‍very expensive and scarce,” Odii noted.

The agreement outlines several collaborative efforts, including jointly organized capacity-building programs to enhance‍ SMEs’ financial literacy, governance, and understanding of capital market operations.The SEC will also contribute to SMEDAN’s five-year strategic policy⁢ framework, promoting inclusive financing ⁣and SME-friendly market policies.SMEDAN, in turn, will identify and guide qualified SMEs through the listing process on recognized exchanges.

Furthermore,the partnership will facilitate the issuance of debt securities by eligible SMEs to qualified investors,diversifying ⁣their funding sources beyond conventional‌ bank loans. A three-day National SME ‌Conference, jointly hosted by both agencies,‌ will serve as a⁤ platform for‌ stakeholder engagement, market‍ opportunity promotion, and policy reform discussions.

To ensure effective implementation and data sharing -⁢ in compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 – a Joint Working Group (JWG) will be ‌established.

The ‌Federal Government⁣ views this partnership as instrumental in realizing the full potential of Nigeria’s SME sector, positioning it as a vital engine for innovation, job‍ creation, and ‌overall national economic growth.

October 19, 2025 0 comments

Business

India’s Next Big Bet: Uday Kotak on Manufacturing and Economic Growth

by Priya Shah – Business Editor August 3, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Uday Kotak Urges Focus on Manufacturing as Key to IndiaS Economic Ascent

During a compelling conversation with Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief of Republic Media Network, banking veteran and entrepreneur Uday Kotak delivered a powerful message regarding India’s economic future. As part of the “Legends” series,Kotak cautioned against an overemphasis on technology,arguing that a robust manufacturing sector represents a more substantial opportunity for sustained growth and widespread employment.

Kotak passionately asserted that while technological advancements are undeniably crucial, they shouldn’t eclipse the foundational role of manufacturing. He believes a thriving manufacturing base is critical for India to achieve its full economic potential and generate meaningful job opportunities. “True national greatness will stem from entrepreneurship, but that entrepreneurship must be anchored by a strong manufacturing foundation,” he emphasized.reflecting on his own entrepreneurial beginnings in 1985, Kotak lauded the current surge in Indian startups, fueled by increased access to funding and private equity. Though, he tempered this optimism with a note of caution, stressing the need for rigorous process management and effective talent motivation alongside the initial excitement of launching a new venture.

Kotak also highlighted the enduring influence of cultural values on business success. He drew upon his upbringing in a large, 60-member joint family, explaining how the experience instilled in him the importance of collaboration, resilience, and the value of collective effort – lessons he continues to apply in his professional life.

His outlook aligns with a growing consensus among industry leaders that while technology is vital, bolstering manufacturing capabilities is paramount to unlocking India’s economic promise.Kotak’s message is prompting a re-evaluation of investment strategies and policy priorities,with a renewed focus on establishing India as a leading global manufacturing hub.

The discussion sparked by Kotak’s insights is expected to reshape approaches to economic growth, prioritizing long-term, sustainable growth over short-term speculative gains.

This installment of Republic Media Network’s “Legends” series – which has previously featured tennis star Leander Paes and musician Ustad Amjad Ali Khan – celebrated Kotak’s transformative impact on Indian banking and his inspirational leadership in the entrepreneurial world. The session was presented by ravin Group and co-powered by Radico khaitan and Reliance Digital, delving into Kotak’s legacy, his vision for India’s entrepreneurial landscape, and his conviction that lasting economic prosperity is built on innovation and enterprise.

August 3, 2025 0 comments