UK bank reveals the sale of its Botswana branch as leading African banks compete for acquisition.
Standard Chartered Explores Sale of Botswana Operations Standard Chartered, based in London, has reportedly initiated contact with prospective buyers regarding a possible sale. They anticipate receiving initial bids by mid-year. This sale includes the bank’s corporate and investment banking division in Botswana, along with its retail and wealth divisions. Other entities are also believed to […]
10 African nations with the least valuable currencies at the beginning of 2026
Effects of Currency Fluctuations on Economies Exchange rates have a significant impact on various aspects of the economy, including inflation, consumer pricing, and even investor confidence. It’s a ripple effect that influences government spending power as well. When a new year kicks off with a currency under strain, the consequences surface quickly. This can create […]
South African Company Pulls ‘Melania’ Premiere Just Days Before It Was Set to Debut
Melania Trump’s Film Premiere Canceled in South Africa A South African company has pulled the premiere of Melania Trump’s debut film just days before its scheduled release on January 30. Filmfinity, the local distributor, announced on Wednesday that the film “Melania” would not be released as planned, a decision confirmed by the New York Times. […]
World’s oldest poisoned arrows discovered in South African cave have been identified
Ancient Arrowhead Discovery Recently, researchers made a fascinating discovery: the world’s oldest poisoned arrowhead, estimated to be around 60,000 years old. This remarkable find was made at the Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter located in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. A study detailing this discovery, conducted by scientists from both Sweden and South Africa, was published in Science […]
Two West African countries impose travel restrictions on U.S. citizens
Entry Bans Issued by Mali and Burkina Faso In a significant diplomatic move, Mali and Burkina Faso have simultaneously imposed entry restrictions on American citizens. This decision comes as the United States and European tensions escalate and as Russia aims to broaden its influence in West Africa. The entry bans reflect a response to the […]
Mali might be the first African nation led by the al Qaeda group JNIM.
US Issues Warnings for Travel to Mali Amid Growing Security Threats A representative from the State Department has issued a stark warning for Americans, advising them against traveling to Mali or leaving the country. This caution comes as concerns mount about the potential for Mali to become the first nation in West Africa to fall […]
South African Radio Presenter Taken into Custody in Russian Military Recruitment Controversy
Nonkululeko Patricia Mantula, aged 39, who hosts a morning show on South Africa’s state radio network, SAFM, made an appearance in court on Monday following her arrest. She faces charges related to allegedly recruiting South African men to fight for Russia in Ukraine. The issue of Russian recruitment in South Africa has gained attention recently. […]
South African bank is the first on the continent to connect with China’s cross-border payment system.
Standard Bank Approved for CIPS Services at Lujiazui Forum Standard Bank has received the green light to offer CIPS services, a move announced during the Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai, scheduled for June 2025. The official launch of this merger took place at a gathering organized by the South African Reserve Bank, which saw participation from […]
Minneapolis Police Chief Apologizes After Highlighting ‘East African’ Crime in the City
Minneapolis Police Chief Apologizes for Comments During a news conference on Thursday, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed his regret after previously commenting on crimes involving “a group of East African children.” O’Hara made these remarks during an interview on November 11. Following his comments, there has been a petition on Change.org demanding an apology, […]
South African fintech plans significant acquisition of Michael Jordaan’s Bank Zero in $60 million agreement
Resaca Technologies Acquires Bank Zero A deal unveiled in July, valued at around $60 million, involves a mix of newly issued Resaca shares and as much as $5 million in cash. Shareholders of Bank Zero are anticipated to own about 12% of Resaca’s shares on a fully diluted basis. As part of the arrangement, Jordaan […]