In an interview with the Mail & Guardian, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana explains why stabilising South Africa’s debt marks a turning point for the fiscus and why rail reform, infrastructure delivery and fiscal discipline will determine whether the shift can be sustained. Finance minister Enoch Godongwana says South Africa’s debt trajectory has reached a turning […]
South Africa does not face a shortage of capital for infrastructure. It faces a shortage of institutions that are structurally ready to absorb it. This distinction is often overlooked in debates about infrastructure delivery. Funding gaps are frequently cited as the primary obstacle, yet South Africa’s financial system remains deep, liquid and capable of supporting […]
Fiscal discipline, reform momentum and the role of private capital South Africa’s 2026 Budget arrives at a moment defined by both volatility and cautious optimism. National Treasury has projected that the country’s debt to GDP ratio has reached its peak. A primary surplus has been restored and fiscal consolidation has held despite multiple external shocks […]
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana used Standard Bank’s annual post Budget forum in Rosebank not simply to defend a projection but to define the test that now follows it. A week after tabling the 2026 Budget in Parliament he stood before bankers investors and corporate executives to argue that South Africa has reached an inflection point. […]
Many of them buy for control over their own lives and protection rather than prestige. That’s worrying
A sober look at how South African art is recalibrating for the long term — smaller, slower and more precarious, yet still thinking its way forward
– At the World Economic Forum’s Digital Trade Roundtable in Johannesburg, Jörg Fischer, Group Chief Information Officer of Standard Bank, delivered a powerful message: Africa is not merely a participant in the digital age, it has the resources, talent, and vision to lead it. Speaking to global business leaders and policymakers, Fischer emphasised that Africa’s […]
As Africa urbanises and grows, the need for infrastructure investment will increase
Standard Bank’s headline sponsorship of the 2025 South African Future Trust (SAFT) Summit reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to unlocking opportunities for South African small and medium enterprises, which remain central to the country’s economic transformation. The Summit, held earlier in November 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre, brought together more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers […]
Every year, the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg becomes more than just a venue. For two days it transforms into a crucible of ideas, ambition, and possibility. This year, from 22 to 23 September 2025, more than 1,000 women leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and visionaries gathered for the Standard Bank Top Women Empowerment Conference, hosted by […]
The Standard Bank Art Lab unveiled a new visual arts exhibition showcasing four decades of South African visual arts history while celebrating 40 years of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award (SBYA) in the visual arts. Titled SBYA Visual Art 1984 – Now, the exhibition will hang from 14 October until 31 January 2026 at […]
Business and economic leaders warn that diplomatic tension, tariffs and shifting global alliances could shape whether the country remains part of the renewed agreement
Now in its 25th year, the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest wine festival returns to Sandton in October, featuring an extraordinary selection of wines, more tasting sessions and music to sip wine by. WineX 2025 will bring over 700 wines to around 9,000 guests for whom the event is a highlight of the final quarter of the […]
With its star-studded lineup, daring collaborations, and vibrant atmosphere, the 2025 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz is more than just music – it’s a full cultural experience like no other. For the first time in two decades, the festival will run for three days on all stages, from September 26 to 28, at the Sandton […]
Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank by assets, has been recognised in TIME Magazine’s World’s Best Companies 2025 for a second consecutive year, reinforcing its position as a leading financial institution. The Group was ranked first in the banking and financial services industry in South Africa, and 77th in the same industry globally. TIME’s World’s […]
Speaking at the Standard Bank Climate Summit, Sim Tshabalala warned that exclusion and inequality threaten the global energy transition
The commission says the case highlights the difficulty of prosecuting global and domestic cartels that exploit legal loopholes to delay proceedings
A recent forum heard that the high cost of capital continues to undermine the continent’s growth and infrastructure development
The growing awareness of South Africa’s social challenges, from limited access to health care and quality education to water and food insecurity, is making the country’s wealthiest rethink the idea of legacy. Philanthropic giving in South Africa is shifting from once‑off generosity to structured, strategic and often anonymous efforts to drive long‑term transformation. Nokuzola Cossie, […]
Standard Bank has once again demonstrated its leadership as the best bank in South Africa and Africa after receiving 26 accolades across its continental footprint at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025. At an awards ceremony hosted in London, Standard Bank was recognised for its excellence in corporate & investment banking, customer experience, SME banking […]
