Although cash remains king in South Africa, digital payments are rapidly gaining traction. In this episode, Michael Avery sat down with Katlego Maphai, the Co-founder and CEO of Yoco, a leading payments powerhouse in South Africa, to explore the evolving payments landscape in the country. They discussed how fintech payment solutions are playing a crucial role in breaking down barriers to financial inclusion, offering greater visibility into the economy, and fostering a competitive and growing financial services market.

Following the postponement of South Africa's budget speech, Michael Avery spoke with Daan Steenkamp, CEO of Codera Analytics, about the country's economic future. They discussed key issues, including persistent deficits, rising public sector wages, and the IMF's warnings about escalating national debt. Daan also emphasised that achieving fiscal sustainability requires comprehensive reforms to unlock the private sector's potential and improve public administration.

Following President Trump's return to the White House, and his renewed emphasis on an 'America First' agenda, Michael Avery was joined by industry experts from XA Global Trade Advisors - Donald MacKay, CEO, and Anneke Jansen van Vuuren, Manager of Data Solutions - to explore 'Trumponomics 2.0' and its potential impact on international trade relations. They unpacked how emerging markets, particularly South Africa, could be affected by shifts in U.S. trade policy, from potential changes to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to broader policy shifts that could disrupt key industries like steel and aluminium exports.

AI has transformed from a simple automation tool into a powerful catalyst for innovation in the banking sector. This week, Michael Avery was joined by Eshmael Mpabanga, Banking Client Account Lead at Accenture, to explore the profound impact AI is having on the industry. Eshmael shared his insights into how AI creates opportunities for revenue generation, enhances personalised customer experiences, as well as the balance between AI innovation and regulatory compliance.

To the benefit of all South Africans, our payment landscape is set for a major transformation in the next 5 years. Michael Avery discussed these impending changes with Lincoln Mali, CEO of Lesaka Technologies and President of the newly formed Association of South African Payment Providers (ASAPP). Lincoln shared his insights on how the payment rails are being opened to non-bank players, the critical need for a regulatory framework that ensures fair competition, and the challenges and opportunities in driving digital payment adoption for both businesses and consumers in South Africa.

To provide insights from a quarter-century of navigating the complexities of African dealmaking, Michael Avery sat down with Funso Akere, Head of M&A Advisory for Africa Regions at Standard Bank Group.

This insightful conversation explored Nigeria's remarkable transformation, from the era of privatisation and the surge of cross-border M&A activity to the recent economic headwinds. Funso shared his unique perspective on these developments and offered valuable insights into the key drivers shaping the evolving M&A landscape in Africa today.

To understand the complexities of South Africa's energy transition, moving away from coal dependence towards a more sustainable future, Michael Avery sat down with Rentia van Tonder, Head of Renewable Energy, Power and Infrastructure at Standard Bank. They explored how regulatory shifts and declining renewable energy costs are expanding energy access across Africa. Rentia also elaborated on the delicate balance between economic growth, affordability, and ensuring a just transition for all communities.

To conclude the year, our final episode for 2024 explored the dynamic landscape of Africa's insurance industry. Michael Avery was joined by Andrew Warren, Director of Deloitte’s Financial Services Advisory Business Unit, where they delved into key insights from Deloitte’s Africa Insurance Outlook 2024/25.

From the resilience of South African insurers to the impact of digital innovation and climate change, they unpacked the complexities of Africa's insurance. Andrew also shared his expert views on the imperative for accessible insurance, the pressing issue of underinsurance, and a hopeful outlook for the future.