South Africa

AfDB presidency: Ramaphosa's delicate hand in Abidjan

The South African head of state is hoping to use the Africa CEO Forum to promote Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala's candidacy to head the African Development Bank.

Frontrunner Gunvor stumbles in race to buy South Africa Shell stations

Gunvor, the leading candidate to buy the Anglo-Dutch major's petrol stations in South Africa, unceremoniously dumped its local partner Afrifund during negotiations. This may backfire on the Swiss commodity trader.

Anglo American moves closer to South African exit

Eager to leave the country, Anglo American is looking to sell its platinum subsidiary Amplats as well as its shares in diamond giant De Beers.

Unions on edge in Transnet Freight Rail split

The separation into two of freight subsidiary of public transport company Transnet is causing some annoyance among the unions, who weren't given advance warning of the decision.

The New Guard
South Africa, Morocco, Sudan

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

South AfricaJaco-Louis du Plessis, soldier turned business diplomacy consultant

MoroccoAsmaa Chakir Alaoui, queen of the pros on two wheels

SudanHozaifa Elsiddig, art against arms

Start-up delay confirmed for new state oil company SANPC

A number of obstacles have stood in the way of the South African National Petroleum Co, an entity that suffers in particular from a lack of funding.

Cyril Ramaphosa's impossible task to appoint new ambassador in the US

Deputy Justice Minister Andries Carl Nel is being considered, among other potential candidates, to take over the South African embassy in Washington given current diplomatic tensions. But this nomination risks destabilising an already fragile government coalition.

Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala's AfDB presidency campaign under the radar

South Africa's Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala is still hoping to chair the African Development Bank, despite her country's official support for her Zambian rival, economist Samuel Munzele Maimbo.

Gunvor wavers on fund to help fuel its Shell stations purchase

The Swiss trading company Gunvor is bidding to buy Shell's petrol stations in South Africa, but has yet to finalise its choice of local partner. The Matasis fund is now being considered.

Pretoria sends mission to Washington to save its trade, with AGOA under threat

Faced with the threat of his country being excluded from the economically beneficial African Growth and Opportunity Act, President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked four of his closest aides to lead a delegation to the US.

Sesakho Magadla's return as PetroSA boss dismays employees

Magadla's appointment as PetroSA acting CEO has sparked concern within the country's national oil company. Managers reproach her over failed negotiations with TotalEnergies and for signing controversial contracts when head of operations for the group.