African Business

South African retail is splitting in two: TFG's shares have fallen 42%, while Boxer, the discount grocer, keeps growing. Commentators are dissecting the contrast, pointing to consumer pressure pushing shoppers toward budget food retailers over fashion and apparel chains. The debate touches on the health of the middle-class consumer, debt stress, and which retail business models can survive South Africa's tough economic conditions.

Zambia's central bank has lowered its key interest rate, with policymakers saying inflation is expected to remain within the country's target range. The decision signals growing confidence that price pressures are easing, potentially lowering borrowing costs for businesses and households. The move is drawing attention across regional financial markets as one of the notable African monetary policy shifts.

Researchers are applying deep learning to swine deadstock sites to identify wildlife disease risks, according to Pork Business. The approach aims to flag patterns that could signal disease spread between wildlife and livestock, an area of growing concern for pork producers and biosecurity officials monitoring threats like African swine fever.

A new proposal to bring a Formula 1 race back to South Africa has emerged, with the key question being whether the plan is financially and logistically realistic. South Africa last hosted a Grand Prix at Kyalami in 1993, and F1 has repeatedly been linked to a return to the African continent. Motorsport fans and business observers are debating the credibility of the latest bid.

The Bank of Mozambique has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 9.25%. The decision keeps borrowing costs steady as the bank weighs inflation pressures against growth conditions in the southern African nation. Markets and businesses in Mozambique typically watch the rate decision closely for signs of the direction of monetary policy and credit costs.

South African small and medium enterprises are being urged to modernise their technology or risk being left behind. The warning frames a 'tech trap' where businesses hesitate to adopt new tools, fall behind competitors, and then face costly rushed upgrades. The message is that digital modernisation is now a necessity rather than an option for SA SMEs trying to stay competitive.