Global Scans · South Africa · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Local elections in South Africa this year could see the ruling African National Congress lose control of key cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria for the first time. South Africa's economy is at risk of falling into recession and public confidence in the ANC is falling.

• [New] The G20 meeting in South Africa will not resolve the structural tensions reshaping global politics and economics. RUSSIA'S PIVOT TO ASIA
• [New] The South African Reserve Bank has lowered its policy rate by 25 basis points to 6.75%, as rate-setters project that inflation will start to come down in 2026. Central Banking
• [New] South Africa, which holds the G20 presidency, is expected to push for consensus and action on priority issues for African countries, including debt relief, economic growth, climate change and transition to clean energy. Al Jazeera
• [New] US President Donald Trump's decision to snub the G20 summit in South Africa in 2025 has handed an opportunity to China, as it seeks to expand its growing influence in the African continent and position itself as an alternative to the dangers of a unilateralist United States. Al Jazeera
• [New] To boost trade further, the UK and South Africa have agreed an Authorised Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement, which will cut red tape, reduce costs, and make trade simpler and more reliable for accredited businesses. GOV.UK
• [New] Backed by R100 million in UK funding, South African start-ups will be provided with tailored support and connections to access capital. GOV.UK
• [New] The South African government plans to lift a 13-year moratorium on fracking in one of its most water-scarce regions. Circle of Blue
• [New] China's Loan Prime Rate fixings and the Bank Indonesia policy meeting are expected to see rates left unchanged, with a further 25 bps rate cut seen in South Africa and a 100 bps cut in Egypt. ADMISI
• [New] South Africa will investigate how 17 South African citizens were lured into joining a mercenary force in the Russia-Ukraine war under the pretext of lucrative employment and contracts. Just Security
• [New] South Africa plans to implement export subsidies for certain agricultural products (such as wine) starting November to cope with international competition. Global Trade Policy New Rules Roundup November 2025| Co
• [New] Documented in South Africa, adult sharks will flee areas where orcas are seen, not returning for months. Discover Magazine
• [New] Most importantly, dinosaur eggshells could be valuable for fossil dating in basins that lack datable volcanic evidence - including the Gobi Basin in Mongolia, Auca Mahuevo in Patagonia, and the Elliot Formation in South Africa. Discover Magazine
• [New] For South Africa, the Rio summit presents an opportunity to strengthen economic ties with Latin American countries, as Brazil is its largest trading partner. Valdai Club
• [New] South Africa will investigate the mysterious arrival of scores of Palestinians who were kept on a charter plane at Johannesburg for 12 hours by border police because they did not have travel papers. The Guardian
• [New] South Africa is now open for new opportunities inbound on SAECS following a strong citrus season. DredgeWire
• [New] South Africa's launch was followed by two years of little progress because the institutional structure needed to be built and difficult policy reforms pushed through before the Just Energy Transition Partnership could obviously progress toward its goals. ODI: Think change
• [New] Scaling up both TB screening and preventive treatment among priority groups could prevent 14% of all TB episodes in Georgia, 15% in Brazil, 21% in Kenya, and 26% in South Africa, between 2024 and 2050. EATG
• A new technical report has outlined the scale of investment required for South Africa to achieve energy security and net-zero emissions by 2050, highlighting a green industrialization pathway as the most cost-effective route. Green Building Africa
• South Africa's green fuels roadmap envisions producing synthetic jet fuels for export and domestic use. Africa Sustainability Matters

Last updated: 25 November 2025