Webinar | Retirement Funds: Key Developments (Video)

Africa hosts less than 1% of global data centre capacity despite representing nearly 20% of the world's population, creating a critical infrastructure gap as the continent seeks to participate in the AI-driven global economy. South African policymakers and utilities are now actively courting hyperscale operators, with Finance Minister Godongwana declaring data infrastructure as critical as electricity and transport networks. For lenders and legal practitioners, this surge presents complex opportunities requ

The South African Reserve Bank's Cash Smart Strategy challenges the assumption that digital payments will replace cash, instead proposing a hybrid system where both coexist. As digital infrastructure expands unevenly across South Africa's diverse economic landscape, the strategy addresses how to maintain affordable and accessible cash while modernizing payment systems, raising critical questions about financial inclusion, regulatory oversight, and the future of payment infrastructure in emerging markets.

Recent litigation between the South African Reserve Bank and fintech company Kastelo has brought exchange control compliance and crypto arbitrage under intense regulatory scrutiny. The case raises critical questions about how fintech business models involving cross-border transactions, foreign exchange, and digital assets must navigate South Africa's evolving regulatory framework, particularly regarding the use of individual foreign investment allowances for commercial purposes.

South Africa is preparing to implement mandatory central clearing for certain over-the-counter derivatives by 2028, marking one of the most significant regulatory changes to its derivatives market in over a decade. The South African Reserve Bank has confirmed that the framework will initially apply to rand-denominated interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements, with additional derivative classes to be introduced gradually. Market participants across the financial services industry will need to assess t

The South African Reserve Bank's dispute with fintech Kastelo has evolved from an account freeze into a pivotal test case for how exchange control regulations apply to crypto arbitrage platforms. As the litigation moves beyond procedural questions to substantive regulatory compliance, businesses operating cross-border digital asset models face critical uncertainty about when client foreign exchange allowances can legitimately support platform-based crypto transactions. The unresolved merits may fundamentall

The European Union's Sixth Capital Requirements Directive introduces a unified framework requiring non-EU banks to establish authorized branches when providing core banking services into EU Member States. With the grandfathering deadline now passed and full implementation approaching in January 2027, South African financial institutions must urgently assess which cross-border activities fall within scope, which exemptions may apply, and whether establishing a permanent European presence has become necessary

South Africa's National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank have published a draft Crypto Asset Manual that introduces new authorisation requirements for crypto asset service providers...

South Africa's Financial Intelligence Centre has issued Guidance Note 7B, updating the risk-based approach under FICA with important clarifications on proliferation financing, new technology risks, and due diligence...

Africa's mobile money market is entering a new phase of regional integration, with payment rails becoming increasingly central to commerce and platform growth. Major developments include Vodacom Tanzania's partnership with Thunes for real-time international payments, MTN Rwanda's strong mobile money earnings, and Tunisia's launch of TUNPAY to unify mobile payment systems nationwide. These shifts mark a transition from domestic mobile wallet adoption to a more interoperable regional payment architecture that

South Africa's buy-now-pay-later sector faces heightened regulatory scrutiny as the Reserve Bank flags potential household financial stress risks. As BNPL products blur the lines between payment innovation and consumer credit, the debate centers on whether current regulatory frameworks adequately address affordability assessments, bureau reporting, and consumer protection in this rapidly growing market.