U.S.-South Africa Tensions Escalate: Trump Threatens to Cut Aid Over Land Expropriation Act

Tensions between the United States and South Africa appeared to escalate on February 3, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pushing back against Donald Trump’s claims. South Africa’s Land Question The tiff between the United States and South Africa appeared to worsen on Feb. 3 after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa rebuffed Donald Trump’s threat … Read more

Microsoft’s Ambitious Plan: Train 1 Million South Africans in AI and Cybersecurity

Microsoft has announced plans to train 1 million people in South Africa on artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity skills by 2026. This initiative, part of Microsoft’s broader efforts to empower individuals and businesses across Africa, aims to equip South Africans with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital economy. This announcement builds upon Microsoft’s … Read more

South African Central Bank Chief Criticizes Crypto Lobbying Efforts, Warns of Regulatory Capture

Lesetja Kganyago, governor of the South African Reserve Bank, criticized crypto lobbyists at the World Economic Forum in Davos for pushing countries to add Bitcoin to their reserves. South Africa Central Bank Chief Questions Lobbyists’ Focus on Bitcoin The governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Lesetja Kganyago, has slammed crypto lobbyists calling on … Read more

South African Regulator Grants 248 Crypto Licenses, Rejects 9 Applications

The South African financial regulator has issued 248 of the crypto asset service provider licenses it has received to date. 9 Applications Rejected The South African financial regulator, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), has issued a total of 248 crypto asset service provider (CASP) licenses from the 420 applications it received. According to a … Read more

South Africa Seeks Input on National AI Policy Framework

The South African government has published a National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Framework, which aims to guide the development and adoption of AI in the country. The framework outlines strategic pillars, including talent development, digital infrastructure, research, and innovation, as well as ethical considerations, such as transparency, accountability, and fairness. The policy framework is open … Read more

Brazil Pushes BRICS to Shift From US Dollar, Advocating National Currencies in Global Trade

Brazil pushes for a shift away from the U.S. dollar within the BRICS alliance, advocating for more use of national currencies in trade among member countries. As the group expands, discussions on alternative payment platforms are gaining momentum ahead of the BRICS summit in Kazan. Brazil aims to advance this initiative during its 2025 chairmanship, … Read more

BRICS Nations Set for 4.4% Growth in 2024-2025, Outpacing G7 Economies

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has emphasized the rising influence of BRICS nations during a recent event, noting their projected economic growth of 4.4% in 2024-2025, compared to 1.7% for G7 countries. Siluanov highlighted BRICS’ growing share of global GDP, now at 36.7%, and the addition of new members like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the … Read more