February 2025

28 February 2025 – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published the outcome of its Article IV Consultation with South Africa, which was held from 11-25 November 2024. Part of the surveillance function, as prescribed in the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, requires that the IMF has consultations with each member country to conduct economic and […]

25 February 2025 – IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate.  This paper explores export and import dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), both regionally and across various country groups. The findings underscore the significant associations that domestic demand and exports have with

20 February 2025 – As finance minister Enoch Godongwana was preparing to deliver South Africa’s ‘Budget 2025’, with some freight industry analysts saying they’re not expecting fireworks about Transnet’s diabolical finances, it has emerged that the country is losing R1 billion each day in missed trade opportunities. Business Day has reported that Dr Juanita Maree, CEO

17 February 2025 – Uncertainty has become the new normal in the container shipping industry, with recent years defined by unpredictable disruptions and black swan events. Container shipping acts as a mirror to world events and shifts in economic cycles. In recent years it has had to adapt swiftly to numerous (and often concurrent) disruptions

14 February 2025 – South Africa’s top export market for agricultural products between January and November 2024 was the Netherlands, according to official statistics. Over the 11 months – the latest available figures at the time of writing – South Africa exported R27.6 billion worth of agriculture-related products to the Netherlands. Over 80% of the

13 February 2025 – South African business sentiment was little changed in January, after surging to a decade-high at the end of last year, indicating that firms remain upbeat about the nation’s economic prospects and the performance of its coalition government. A gauge of the mood among firms compiled by the South African Chamber of

12 February 2025 – Outgoing CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA), Justin Chadwick, has called for urgent action at South Africa’s ports and rail to enable delivery on President Ramaphosa’s commitments made during his State of the Nation address (SONA). Chadwick said the CGA welcomes the President’s commitment to ensuring that

11 February 2025 – South Africa has a trade surplus of R36 billion with the United States and a trade deficit of R5 billion with Russia, Iran, and Palestine. Many economists urged the South African government to consider this economic reality when dealing with the United States. Last week, United States President Donald Trump signed

6 February 2025 – Disruption continues to be the primary demand driver in the container market. According to Niels Rasmussen, chief shipping analyst for Bimco, the rerouting of ships via the Cape has had a substantial impact on ship demand, which is projected to grow three times faster than cargo volumes in 2024. “However, we

4 February 2025 – South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R15.5 billion in December 2024. This surplus was attributable to exports of R160.0 billion and imports of R144.6 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN). The year-to-date (01 January to 31 December 2024) preliminary trade balance surplus of