AGP Executive Report

Energy & Cost Discipline: South Africans are being urged to treat energy efficiency as a monthly habit as municipal electricity tariffs kick in from 1 July, with households and businesses told to track usage and tighten up appliance efficiency. Power Governance & Local Delivery: The Department of Electricity and Energy launched the first District Energy Council in Upington, aiming to close the gap between Eskom and municipalities and pull in agriculture and business as off-takers. Water & Accountability: The SIU welcomed a tribunal ruling that set aside an unlawful R25.9m wastewater treatment contract in North West, ordering repayment of money and profits. Livestock Biosecurity: Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen approved new national Foot-and-Mouth Disease control measures, replacing older directives with a single science-based outbreak framework. Farming & Skills: A regenerative agriculture push highlighted the need for farmers, researchers and communities to co-learn and adapt knowledge on the ground. Trade, Industry & Investment: Construction has started on an $870m ilmenite-to-TiO2 project at Richards Bay IDZ, targeting TiO2 production from end-2029 and linking beneficiation to downstream battery materials. Migration & Security: President Ramaphosa vowed a firm response to destabilisation ahead of 30 June anti-immigrant marches, as police ramp up security and enforcement. Consumer & Manufacturing: Gauteng police seized about R500,000 in counterfeit and illicit goods in Joburg-area crackdowns, including pesticides and illicit liquor.

World Cup Business & Talent: South Africa made history by beating South Korea 1-0 to reach the World Cup knockouts for the first time, with Thapelo Maseko scoring in the 63rd minute; they now face Canada in the last 32. Energy & Industry: Energy Exchange South Africa warns the real bottleneck for renewables is grid capacity, arguing for faster grid expansion and battery storage to prevent “gridlock” from stalling projects. Ports & Logistics: Cape Town Container Terminal received four new hybrid straddle carriers in a R96m Transnet Port Terminals investment, aimed at boosting container handling and cutting emissions/noise. Electricity Costs: With municipal tariff hikes kicking in from 1 July, households and businesses are urged to measure and manage electricity use as bills rise. Healthcare Regulation: Novo Nordisk says a court fight over compounded semaglutide weight-loss drugs is about patient safety and regulatory standards, not access. Migration & Security: Anti-immigration groups are pushing for action by 30 June, while police and private security coordinate to keep protests peaceful and protect infrastructure. Manufacturing & Jobs: Numsa says BAIC workers are in a second-week strike over alleged underpayment, with mediation expected via the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. Regional Trade: SACU’s 9th Heads of State summit in Cape Town will focus on industrialisation, customs modernisation and trade facilitation across member states.

World Cup Business: South Africa’s historic 1-0 win over South Korea sends Bafana into the Round of 32 for the first time, with Thapelo Maseko scoring in the 63rd minute and a knockout clash against Canada next Sunday in Los Angeles. Energy Costs: Municipal electricity tariffs are set to rise from 1 July, with major metros facing increases ranging from about 6.7% to 14%, adding pressure to already stretched households and businesses. Mining Skills & Compliance: The QCTO is pushing a 30 June 2026 deadline to retire legacy qualifications, forcing mines and training providers to rework registrations, audits and certification flows. Transport Stability: Ahead of 30 June anti-immigrant protests, Santaco and police say taxis will run as normal, with the industry asked to help prevent disruption and intimidation. Regulation Watch: Parliament’s Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill advances to clause-by-clause review, as MPs flag the need for changes around illicit trade, enforcement and business impacts. Infrastructure Risk: Johannesburg’s bridge structures face safety threats, including damage and illegal mining excavations, raising concerns for daily commuters.

Immigration & Public Order: Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis urged unity and calm ahead of 30 June anti-migrant protests, warning against scapegoating and calling for strict enforcement by SAPS and the state, while police said readiness is being ramped up nationwide and private security is coordinating to keep demonstrations lawful and peaceful. Transport & Industry Stability: Police also asked the taxi industry (SANTACO) to help protect business-as-usual operations and avoid any misuse of taxi influence for intimidation, roadblocks or looting. Health & Biosafety Data: Ethiopia-backed by a new Africa-wide Biotech Africa Database aims to centralise biotech regulation and cross-border biosafety requirements, reducing compliance delays for regulators, traders and researchers. Trade & Regional Integration: South Africa prepares for the 9th SACU Summit in Cape Town, with focus on industrialisation, export and investment promotion, plus trade facilitation and logistics risk management. Energy & Costs: A fuel-price comparison across Africa shows South Africa among the higher-cost markets, with Libya the cheapest due to subsidies. Business Aviation: South African Airways’ acting CEO says the airline is pushing for long-term financial sustainability despite “material uncertainties” and the possibility of future support. Manufacturing & Skills: A Fulbright scholar in South Africa is researching First Lego League robotics, linking youth engineering exposure to literacy and learning outcomes.

Manufacturing & Jobs: A new push argues South Africa’s youth unemployment can be tackled by expanding tooling (TDM) pathways into real workplace skills, not just degrees. AI for Industry: A report says AI could add up to $1tn to Africa’s GDP by 2035, with manufacturing gains from predictive maintenance, quality control and smarter planning. Energy & Investment: Investec CEO Fani Titi says structural reforms could lift SA growth to about 3% by 2030 as electricity, logistics and other bottlenecks ease. Municipal Infrastructure: BRICS-backed New Development Bank approved a $1bn loan for upgrades to water, sanitation, electricity and waste in eight metros. Trade & Agriculture: South Africa launched its first large-scale stone fruit exports to China, signalling a new phase for fruit growers. Mining & Industry Skills: Steenkampskraal and Mintek report a rare earth beneficiation breakthrough aimed at building local value chains. Policy & Tax: SARS welcomed a Constitutional Court ruling clarifying VAT zero-rating for gold, ending aggressive interpretations. Insurance & Risk: Coverage gaps and climate-linked spatial risk are stressing short-term insurers, while youth-focused insurance education is urged.

BRICS Security: India’s Ajit Doval welcomed the US-Iran MoU and said opening the Strait of Hormuz can ease energy and fertiliser/chemicals shortages, as BRICS NSAs in New Delhi pushed deeper cooperation against terrorism and cyber threats. AI & Cities: Forty mayors backed a pact to rein in AI-driven data centre growth, citing electricity and water strain and rising costs for housing and services. Banking Tech: 10x Banking said it hit 10 million live accounts in production and grew ARR by 30%+ in the past year, as banks face pressure to modernise core systems and reduce AI-driven customer loss risk. Agriculture & Exports: A record maize harvest is pulling back Asian buyers (including South Korea and Vietnam), lifting 2026–27 export forecasts while warning of price pressure for farmers. Air Connectivity: Air Europa will launch a Johannesburg–Madrid long-haul route, boosting tourism and adding cargo capacity. Health Watch: Parents are urged to act fast on severe flu-like symptoms after two child deaths in KwaZulu-Natal. Energy & Industry: South Africa’s cash costs remain high, with the SARB proposing rules to keep cash affordable as payments systems evolve. Local Tech for Inclusion: Spectacles4TheBlind SA unveiled AI smart frames for blind users in multiple local languages.

Energy & Trade Security: India’s NSA Ajit Doval welcomed the US-Iran MoU with “cautious optimism”, saying reopening the Strait of Hormuz could ease shortages in fertilisers and chemicals and remove shipping bottlenecks. Local Risk & Logistics: Fidelity Business Intelligence flagged KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng as June 30 anti-illegal immigration protest flashpoints, warning of possible road closures, business shutdowns and looting, and urging targeted security deployment. Finance & Households: FinMark Trust data points to a persistent “mattress economy”, with millions still unbanked and nearly half keeping savings in cash at home. Digital Payments & Youth: South Africa’s Gen Z is driving mobile-first banking and digital payments, with many checking apps multiple times daily and increasingly saving and investing via fintech. Mining & Critical Minerals: Altona Rare Earths rebrands as NeoTerra Group Plc, widening beyond rare earths into critical minerals like gallium, fluorspar and copper, as supply-chain diversification accelerates. Manufacturing & Governance: South Africa’s company secretaries convention spotlights stronger governance and accountability as compliance pressure rises. Agriculture & Extension: Experts argue extension services must shift from teaching production to helping smallholders access markets, pricing and value chains. Ports & Industry Pressure: Cape Town port performance remains under scrutiny, with rankings again highlighting bottlenecks affecting exporters. Film & Production Economy: Homeowners are being urged to monetise properties by listing them for film and TV shoots, tapping South Africa’s location appeal.

BRICS Security Talks: India hosted BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi as Indian and Iranian security officials met to discuss the Middle East situation and “implementation of the peace agreement”, with South Africa among the delegations. Energy & Food Costs: The IMF warned Iran-war fallout is creating a “difficult moment” for Africa and could take months for Gulf energy production to normalise, while FAO data shows global fertiliser trade down 30%—a direct threat to South Africa’s farm input costs. Local Industry Pressure: Grain SA rejected SA’s wheat tariff amendment, saying the $279/ton reference price and lack of an automatic trigger leave local producers exposed to higher costs and unfair competition. South Africa LNG Push: ExxonMobil signed a preliminary LNG supply and cooperation deal tied to the Zululand Energy Terminal in Richards Bay, aiming to build SA’s first LNG import hub. Water Risk to Business: Johannesburg’s water failures are now hitting production planning at food manufacturers, turning municipal instability into a confidence and operations problem. Environment Watch: A UCT study found False Bay sediments acting as a long-term sink for pharmaceuticals and herbicides, raising marine and public health concerns. Retail Investment: Construction started on Cape Town’s R650m GrandWest Mall, with major pre-letting already secured ahead of a 2027 opening.

City Power Crisis: Eskom has resumed its PAJA process after Johannesburg missed a 5 June payment deadline, putting a potential electricity cut back on the table and raising fresh pressure on business and municipal finances. Energy Transition & EVs: Higher oil prices are accelerating Chinese EV sales into Africa, but charging networks are lagging, leaving governments and utilities to play catch-up. Industrial Policy & Mining: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism pressure is forcing South African miners to rethink energy strategy as costs and compliance risks rise. Agriculture & Food Security: South Africa’s FMD response got a boost with two million more vaccine doses, bringing vaccinations past five million as provinces ramp up cattle protection. Logistics & Automation: J-Elephant secured strategic investment from Geek+ to expand pallet warehouse automation, aiming to make high-density storage easier to deploy. Construction & Jobs: Cape Town’s GrandWest Mall broke ground on a R650m build, with major retail anchors lined up and thousands of jobs expected during construction. Trade & Finance: Afreximbank annual meetings and Nigeria-EU economic talks are set to shape regional trade finance and investment priorities. Sports & Tourism: Jeffreys Bay’s World Surf League stop was dropped from the 2026 tour, threatening a major income stream for local small businesses.

Energy & Power Projects: Standard Bank says South Africa’s captive power market has funding appetite, but grid connection and transmission bottlenecks are still the biggest brake on new generation. Solar Investment: Infinity Power signed EPC and module supply deals for nearly 774MWp of solar in South Africa and Egypt, adding more REIPPPP capacity and new Egypt-linked supply. Industrial Policy & Trade: South Africa completed technical preparations for automotive and industrial cooperation protocols with Egypt, aiming to move from dialogue to joint manufacturing and value-chain integration. Logistics & Risk: A hantavirus incident on a cruise ship shows how health scares can quickly disrupt shipping operations and port cargo flows. Food Security & Cold Chain: Farmers across Africa are renting solar cold rooms to cut postharvest spoilage and protect income, with models spreading into South Africa and other markets. Migration Tensions: Zulu King Misuzulu urged restraint as anti-migrant pressure ahead of a June 30 deadline escalates regional diplomatic fallout. Youth & Jobs: The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention says it has opened nearly 3-million earning opportunities since 2020. Air Connectivity: A study and industry forum highlight why some high-demand routes still have no direct flights, blaming the unequal risk between airlines, airports and tourism stakeholders. Climate-Health Funding: Nexa launched to back locally led climate and health innovations, with a first funding call opening June 22.

Motoring & Consumer Value: A test drive of the Haval H6 PHEV AWD highlights how Chinese brands are undercutting rivals on price while still delivering strong torque and acceleration, intensifying pressure on established players. Agri-Entrepreneurship: Limpopo women farmers are turning agriculture into jobs and steady supply, with tomatoes feeding major processors and showing how small plots can scale into viable businesses. Mining & Corporate Power: Manngwe Mining accuses ArcelorMittal of abusing monopsony power in an iron ore dispute, while AMSA counters that the relationship soured over supply, quality and governance issues. Food Supply Resilience: Solar-powered cold storage is helping African farmers cut post-harvest losses and sell later at better prices, with Kenya’s pay-per-use model pointing to wider adoption. Road Safety & Governance: Carte Blanche reports allegations that the RTMC faces serious financial and governance problems, raising concerns about corruption risks and neglect of its road-safety mandate. Housing & Urban Rights: A Gauteng High Court order lets residents of the N12 informal settlement in Ekurhuleni return and rebuild after demolitions tied to “Operation Prosper.” Energy & Regional Trade: Botswana’s first large-scale solar plant is set to move forward after $100m financing, feeding power into the Southern Africa Power Pool. Agriculture Under Climate Stress: Mpumalanga sugar cane growers are reeling after floods damaged crops and left harvests rejected by mills, triggering major income losses. Policy & Party Politics: Tensions in the DA grow over the removal of John Steenhuisen as agriculture minister, with calls for clearer consultation amid the GNU reshuffle.

Energy & Industry Investment: Ethiopia’s Corbetti Geothermal Project secured a new convertible loan deal worth $27m, aimed at accelerating the next phase of private-capital geothermal development. Trade & Industrial Policy: AfCFTA-backed automotive officials began a six-week policy course in Accra, supported by Afreximbank’s $1bn commitment, to help draft AfCFTA-aligned automotive value-chain frameworks. Security & Migration: South Africa’s SAPS met the acting police minister to coordinate safety measures for planned 30 June demonstrations targeting undocumented foreign nationals, with government warning against disorder. Law Enforcement & Logistics: City Deep copper smuggling was hit hard after authorities seized R12.68m in stolen copper, tracing hijacked trucks using fraudulent documentation. Economy & Jobs Pressure: A banking sector debate is resurfacing around executive retirement ages and succession planning, as banks struggle to balance talent retention with governance expectations. Local Business & Infrastructure: Cape Town renewed calls for port reform after another poor global container-port ranking, arguing inefficiencies are holding back trade. Culture & Media: The Market Theatre marked 50 years since 1976, highlighting its role in South African storytelling and resistance.

Online Gambling Harm: A South African Gambling Impact Study finds many online gamblers say they’re in control, yet 57% sacrificed essentials and 29% borrowed money to keep betting—fueling fears of problem gambling and financial distress. BRICS Security Diplomacy: India will host the BRICS National Security Advisers’ meeting on 22–23 June, chaired by Ajit Doval, focusing on non-traditional security threats, new technologies and counter-terrorism cooperation. Energy & Industry Costs: Energy-intensive users are pushing for Eskom tariff relief as high electricity costs squeeze competitiveness and reindustrialisation; Eskom is seeking Nersa approval for a two-year relief deal for MMC. Inflation Outlook: Kearney warns there’s no guarantee inflation will peak soon, arguing fuel and supply-chain shocks can keep pressure on prices even if fuel inflation eases. Logistics & Trade Corridors: TradeMark Africa highlights the Durban–Kasumbalesa route as a key corridor for unlocking intra-African trade under AfCFTA, stressing that border and transport efficiency matters as much as agreements. Automotive & Jobs: VW is investing R40m a year to tackle youth unemployment, while South Africa’s auto sector also flags concerns over rising electricity prices. Transport Security: Carte Blanche reports cloned number plates are being sold and used to help criminals evade enforcement, raising questions about how easily counterfeit plates enter the market. Vehicle Market Watch: BYD’s Atto 2 is positioned as SA’s cheapest PHEV, with a claimed 40km electric range and a 930km total range. Youth Employment: Oxyon People Solutions urges young South Africans to broaden job searches beyond permanent posts, using learnerships, contracts and agencies to build experience.

US–Africa Health: Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya says the continent must fund its own Ebola response and vaccines, warning it can’t keep relying on foreign partners as outbreaks in Congo and Uganda strain systems. HIV Funding Shock: The Trump administration plans to end PEPFAR funding for South Africa’s HIV programmes over policy disputes, triggering concern for care for about 8 million people living with HIV. Youth Jobs Push: South Africa’s Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) reports progress, with millions registered on SA Youth and ESSA and millions of earning opportunities accessed since 2020. Electricity Costs vs Reliability: Businesses are breathing easier as power cuts ease, but auto manufacturers warn rising electricity prices are still squeezing production and competitiveness. Automotive Skills Pipeline: Volkswagen’s Youth Employment Service intake adds 675 trainees in 2026, investing about R40m annually to move young people from learning to earning. Trade & Logistics: South Africa and China sign a framework to expand trade, while Nigeria and RwandAir expand an AfCFTA air cargo corridor to cut freight costs below $2/kg for eligible exporters. Health Supply Chain: Contraceptive shortages hit state clinics after Aspen Pharmacare manufacturing disruptions affect brands like Triphasil, Nordette and Microval. Cost of Living Pressure: Cosatu stages marches to the Reserve Bank demanding action on food prices, electricity and fuel costs, and social protection. Port Reform Call: Cape Town renews pressure for port reform after poor rankings, as exporters face protest risks amid fragile recovery.

AI Skills & Jobs: ALX and OpenAI asked what it will take for African youth and creative industries to use AI at scale, arguing the path runs through access, education and human capability. Construction & Health Infrastructure: Work has started on a new maternity hospital complex in Liberia, with 100+ beds and a neonatal ICU, aimed at safer childbirth for thousands. Supply Chain Leadership: SAPICS is lining up its 60th anniversary conference (19–22 July) with Transnet and Eskom among key speakers. Energy & Renewables: AMEA Power marked Commercial Operation for its 120MW Solar PV project under REIPPPP Bid Window 6, while ZimGreenCo signed a 25-year PPA for a 50MW Chegutu solar plant in Zimbabwe. Mining & Policy: South Africa’s beneficiation push risks backfiring, with electricity costs and rail freight failures still making local processing uneconomic. EV & Logistics: Toyota launched its first fully electric bZ4X in South Africa, and GridCars plans fast truck-charging sites on major highways. Trade & Borders: A Zimbabwe-focused piece argues “smart border” reforms are needed to cut queues and unlock regional trade. Immigration Fallout: Deportation-linked protests in Durban show Malawians fear job losses and warn South Africa will regret expelling working migrants. Retail Property: Construction begins on the R650m GrandWest Mall in Cape Town, with major grocery anchors already secured.

Urban Infrastructure Funding: BRICS-backed New Development Bank approved a $1bn loan for upgrades to water, sanitation, electricity and solid waste in eight metros, including Cape Town and Johannesburg, as service failures and blackouts strain business and households. Inflation & Housing Pressure: Stats SA put May consumer inflation at 4.5% (fuel and administered prices driving the jump), with property costs and municipal charges worsening housing affordability. Energy Market Payments: NTCSA says curtailment compensation to renewables IPPs faces a “temporary bottleneck”, with about R2bn in claims still in verification and settlement. Trade & Mobility Reset: South Africa and Rwanda agreed to normalise relations and ease visa/travel restrictions, with Lamola linking progress to SA’s immigration system reforms. Industrial Policy Push: dtic will host an International Special Economic Zones conference in Durban on 16–17 July to attract investment and accelerate industrialisation via SEZs. Food Prices Watch: Premier Group warns staple prices could rise up to 5% from July as municipalities lift tariffs and fuel/input costs bite. Business Risk for Youth: Santam highlights rising insurance needs for young gig workers, while Miway stresses liability exposure can hit small firms hard when claims aren’t covered. World Cup & Logistics Angle: Bafana’s 1-1 draw vs Czechia keeps hopes alive; meanwhile, warehouse safety is getting tech upgrades as connected fleets and telematics become standard.