IN THE NEWS | 18 February 2026 | 18:00 PM SAST

SOUTH AFRICA | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

Business Confidence Holds Above Trend Despite January Dip

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) Business Confidence Index eased to 131.4 in January from 133.2 in December, moderating after a record 2025 average yet remaining structurally elevated. Reuters reported the data earlier today, noting resilience supported by four consecutive quarters of GDP expansion and South Africa’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force grey list. Markets responded cautiously, with the rand firming modestly as reform rhetoric from President Cyril Ramaphosa gained traction. Bloomberg highlighted investor approval of accelerated reform pledges, though analysts stress that infrastructure bottlenecks, water insecurity, and rate trajectory uncertainty could dilute momentum if execution lags.
Broken by: Reuters – https://www.reuters.com | Bloomberg – https://www.bloomberg.com

Budget Watch: Households Brace for Fiscal Signals

Attention shifts to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana ahead of the 2026 Budget Speech, with ten fiscal watchpoints dominating policy discourse. IOL outlined potential personal income tax adjustments, VAT considerations, and fuel levy changes—signals that directly shape disposable income and consumer demand amid persistent food-price pressure. BusinessTech cautioned that while Q4 2025 unemployment edged lower, structural joblessness remains acute, reinforcing the necessity of infrastructure-led, inclusive growth rather than cyclical recovery alone. Inflation cooling to 3.5% in January, per Reuters, strengthens the case for monetary easing, but policy sequencing remains critical to avoid currency volatility.
Broken by: IOL – https://www.iol.co.za | BusinessTech – https://businesstech.co.za | Reuters – https://www.reuters.com

Governance and Social Developments

President Cyril Ramaphosa extended formal well-wishes to faith communities observing Lent and Ramadan, underscoring state recognition of social cohesion during sensitive observances. The National Minimum Wage Amendment for 2026 was gazetted, signalling incremental labour cost adjustments that will affect SMEs and wage negotiations. In cultural diplomacy, Agence Française de Développement confirmed a strategic collaboration between Paris Musées and Robben Island Museum, strengthening heritage preservation ties and reinforcing South Africa’s soft-power engagement in Europe.
Broken by: Public Technologies – https://www.publictechnologies.net | South African Government – https://www.gov.za

AFRICA | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

Ethiopia Accelerates EV Transition

Ethiopia has banned fossil fuel vehicle imports while reducing tariffs on electric vehicles, catalysing a rapid EV market expansion in Addis Ababa. Bloomberg reports the move aims to conserve foreign reserves and position the country at the forefront of Africa’s green transition. While infrastructure readiness remains uneven, the policy signals structural energy diversification and long-term industrial repositioning.
Broken by: Bloomberg – https://www.bloomberg.com

DRC Minerals Pact Signals Strategic Realignment

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Reuters revealed Kinshasa’s offer of a rebel-held tantalum deposit to the United States under a prospective minerals framework amid ongoing M23 tensions. With potential investment flows estimated between $50–150 million, the initiative reflects intensifying geopolitical competition over critical minerals central to advanced electronics and defense supply chains. Stability remains a prerequisite for realisation.
Broken by: Reuters – https://www.reuters.com

AU Summit: Conflict, Governance, and Water Security

At the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, heads of state condemned ongoing global conflicts and elevated water scarcity to a continental priority. Al Jazeera reported leaders framing humanitarian crises and resource inequity as systemic risks to development. Dawan Africa noted EU endorsement of Somalia’s government-opposition talks hosted by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, signalling cautious diplomatic progress. Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye assumed AU chairmanship, positioning regional stability at the forefront of the 2026 agenda.
Broken by: Al Jazeera – https://www.aljazeera.com | Dawan Africa –https://dawanafrica.com

WORLD | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

U.S. Government Shutdown Enters Prolonged Phase

A partial United States government shutdown linked to Homeland Security oversight disputes continues without compromise between congressional Democrats and the Trump administration. ABC News and KSAT report operational disruptions affecting immigration enforcement and federal services, underscoring entrenched partisan fragmentation that may weigh on fiscal confidence and global market perception.
Broken by: ABC News – https://abcnews.go.com | KSAT – https://www.ksat.com

Geneva Talks and Iran Nuclear Principles

CNN confirmed trilateral Ukraine–Russia–U.S. discussions concluding in Geneva, while parallel Iran nuclear negotiations reportedly produced preliminary “guiding principles.” Anadolu Ajansi added that Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was sworn in amid shifting regional alignments. Diplomatic traction remains tentative, with implementation risk elevated.
Broken by: CNN – https://www.cnn.com | Anadolu Ajansi – https://www.aa.com.tr

Tech and Markets: Regulatory and Capital Repositioning

The New York Times reported Meta’s $65 million campaign to influence U.S. state-level AI policy debates, beginning in Texas and Illinois, reflecting intensifying corporate engagement in regulatory architecture. CNBC highlighted Europe’s acceleration toward digital sovereignty, as governments seek technological independence amid geopolitical strain. Meanwhile, Yahoo Finance noted U.S. equities posting their weakest comparative start since 1995, with capital reallocating toward bonds and international markets—evidence of defensive positioning in uncertain macro conditions.
Broken by: The New York Times –https://www.nytimes.com | CNBC – https://www.cnbc.com | Yahoo Finance – https://finance.yahoo.com

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