Why are women paid less than men? New research in South Africa shows the company you work for makes the biggest difference
Why do women earn less than men? The usual suspects – occupation, hours, experience – explain some of it. But...
US-China trade war could hurt Nigerian entrepreneurs: why, and how they should prepare
As China and the United States lock horns in a trade war, slamming tariffs on each other, entrepreneurs in Nigeria...
VAT hikes can raise tax without hurting the poor: an economist sets out the evidence
South Africa’s 2025-6 budget has been subjected to more comment than usual. This is due to the political tensions generated...
South Africa: state of the nation 30 years into democracy
Just over 30 years after South Africa’s first democratic elections, public opinion is divided over how to evaluate the post-apartheid,...
Rating agencies don’t treat the Global South fairly: changes South Africa should champion in G20 hot seat
Credit rating agencies like S&P Global and Fitch have an outsized influence on the economic fortunes of developing countries. Their...
Africa’s superfood heroes – from teff to insects – deserve more attention
Africa is home to a rich variety of incredible indigenous crops and foods – from nutrient-dense grains and legumes to...
South Africa’s domestic workers still battle with echoes of a racist past
There are 861,000 domestic workers employed in South Africa. They make up about 25% of the informal (non-agricultural) labour sector....
Wild meat is eaten by millions, but puts billions at risk – how to manage the trade
One of the most pressing issues of our time is the wild meat trade. Why? Because it’s consumed by millions...
Trump’s tariff hikes and South Africa: hunt for new agricultural markets must begin now
The South African government has underscored the urgent need to diversify the country’s agricultural exports in the wake of the...
Kenya’s courts are corruption hotspots – radical actions the chief justice must take
Kenya’s chief justice, Martha Koome, announced a change of strategy in March 2025 to fight corruption in the judiciary. The...
