Economic activity dips in September as fuel prices threaten outlook
South Africa’s economy showed early signs of a modest quarterly recovery, despite a monthly decline in economic activity in September 2026, according to the latest PayInc Economic Index. However, rising fuel prices driven by renewed tensions in the Middle East...
Surge in election-related deepfakes
New Surfshark research identifies 235 election-related deepfake incidents reported by news media across 46 countries with a combined population of 4,2-billion. The US accounts for 87 of them, or 37% of the global total. The earliest election deepfake incidents...
Threat intelligence teams turn to agentic AI as cyberthreats accelerate
Cybersecurity firm Flashpoint has released a new report which examines the challenges shaping enterprise threat intelligence programmes as AI-fueled attacks accelerate, where teams plan to expand coverage, and how they're approaching agentic AI as they plan for 2027....
Why SMEs fail: Lessons from the experts
Widely cited research by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) estimates that between 70% and 80% of small businesses in South Africa fail within their first five years. But perhaps more tellingly, the same research found that approximately 40% of the success of...
The funding challenges facing African businesses
Black-owned and black-led businesses across five African markets face a funding gap of $209-billion, according to a new report from British International Investment (BII) and Swedfund. The report – Understanding the investment gaps in black-owned and -led businesses...
Managing recurring costs as household expenses continue to climb
South Africans already cutting discretionary spending are facing another round of pressure from higher borrowing costs and a sharp fuel price increase in October, putting greater focus on recurring household expenses that can be reduced more structurally, says Abraham...
iOCO grows revenue and profit
iOCO has reported revenue growth for the year ended 31 July 2026. Headline earnings per share (HEPS) and earnings per share (EPS) increased by 42% to 57 cents (FY25: 40 cents). Profit after tax increased by 39% to R357-million (FY25: R258-million), while adjusted...
Cybercriminals in new MS authentication system scam
Kaspersky has identified a scam email campaign whereby attackers send emails that contain legitimate Microsoft service links to redirect users to fraudulent sites or to download malware – with more than 31 000 such attacks blocked by its solutions between 1 August and...
Consumers more willing to use GenAI for gift recommendations
More than one-third, or 34%, of US consumers report being very or extremely willing to use Gen AI-backed tools or chatbots for holiday gift recommendations, according to Gartner. A Gartner survey of 1 004 US consumers conducted in August 2026 found that AI is emerging...
CIMA launches Lions’ Lair Africa
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the world’s leading professional body of management accountants, has launched Lions' Lair Africa, an innovation challenge built to connect early-stage African sustainability and green innovation businesses with...
PIC debacle shines a spotlight on patronage in SA
The prompt appointment of the Deputy Minister for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Seiso Mohai, as chair of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has raised concerns about ongoing patronage at the SOE. This is especially troubling in light of the recent...
Eaton launches Solutions Studio, expands warehousing and logistics
Eaton is strengthening its presence and customer support in South Africa with the opening of its new head office, Solutions Studio and expanded warehousing facilities in Longmeadow, Johannesburg, together with a new logistics partner, DP World. The new Solutions...