<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="461" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/103389971-GettyImages-154793097-820x461.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-480295" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/103389971-GettyImages-154793097-820x461.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/103389971-GettyImages-154793097-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/103389971-GettyImages-154793097-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/103389971-GettyImages-154793097-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/103389971-GettyImages-154793097-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/103389971-GettyImages-154793097.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chris Ratcliffe | Bloomberg | Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Elliott Management has built a roughly $1 billion stake in miner Anglo American in recent months, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC.



Anglo American shares were up 5% on the news Friday.



News of the activist’s position comes as the $43 billion, London-based miner faces takeover interest from BHP, a mining giant with worldwide operations. Anglo rejected BHP’s $39 billion takeover offer Friday morning, saying BHP’s offer “significantly undervalues Anglo American and its future prospects.”



Anglo American declined to comment. The company is one of the largest producers of copper in the world.



BHP’s bid would have called for the spinoff of Anglo American’s South African subsidiaries. The metal plays a critical role in the worldwide transition to clean energy, and is used in the manufacture of EVs and wind turbines.



Anglo American chairman Stuart Chambers noted in the company’s rejection that copper represented “30% of Anglo American’s total production, and with the benefit of well-sequenced and value-accretive growth options in copper and other structurally attractive products,” there was more value to be created for shareholders in the months and years ahead.



Elliott’s position was first reported by Bloomberg.



Elliott has extensive experience with mining companies, including at suitor BHP in 2017. The activist urged the company to spin off its petroleum businesses and ditch its primary listing in Australia in favor of one in London.



BHP initially rejected those proposals, before exiting the oil business in 2021. The Australian miner is one of the largest in the world, with a market cap of $145 billion and mining sales of $53.8 billion in 2023.



CNBC’s Karen Gilchrist contributed reporting.

103389971-GettyImages-154793097

Elliott takes $1 billion stake in Anglo American as miner faces takeover interest

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KL2SFJ3TDJK6DJNAQFRO4GGFB4-1-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-480263" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KL2SFJ3TDJK6DJNAQFRO4GGFB4-1-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KL2SFJ3TDJK6DJNAQFRO4GGFB4-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KL2SFJ3TDJK6DJNAQFRO4GGFB4-1-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KL2SFJ3TDJK6DJNAQFRO4GGFB4-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KL2SFJ3TDJK6DJNAQFRO4GGFB4-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KL2SFJ3TDJK6DJNAQFRO4GGFB4-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: Nico Muller the CEO of Impala Platinum, attends the Platinum Group Metals (PGMS) Industry Day in Johannesburg, South Africa April 10, 2024. REUTERS/Ihsaan Haffejee/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



April 26 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Impala Platinum&nbsp;IMPJ.J&nbsp;could cut 3,900 jobs as it restructures its South African operations due to lower metal prices, the miner said on Friday, with the news likely to pile more pressure on the government weeks before a general election.



Mining companies in the world&#8217;s top platinum supplier are shelving expansion projects, closing some operations, and letting go of thousands of workers in a bid to preserve cash as some metal prices plunge.



Implats said it was resorting to jobs cuts as its cost savings, deferment of capital projects, and a voluntary severance scheme had &#8220;not sufficiently offset the impact of persistently lower prices&#8221; on the business.



Platinum is 7% down so far this year, while palladium is 10% lower since the beginning of the year.



&#8220;This has significantly undermined Implats&#8217; financial position, which in turn threatens future job security for the entire workforce,&#8221; Implats CEO Nico Muller said in a statement.



South African miners have also been impacted by a myriad of local challenges including power cuts and a crisis at the state port and freight rail company.



Job losses are hot-button issues in the lead-up to the May 29 election, where polls suggest the African National Congress could lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid.



Implats&#8217; restructuring could potentially affect 9% of the miner&#8217;s workforce at its Rustenburg, Marula and the newly acquired Bafokeng operations. It also targets a 30% reduction in head office costs, the company said.



In February, Implats&#8217; rival Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) AMSJ.J announced plans to lay off 3,700 people, while Sibanye Stillwater SSWJ.J has said it will cut about 2,000 jobs in its platinum operations.



Amplats&#8217; parent company, Anglo American AAL.Lrejected rival miner BHP Group&#8217;s BHP.AX $39 billion takeover proposal on Friday, saying the bid significantly undervalued the London-listed miner and its prospects.



(Reporting by Felix Njini and Nelson Banya; Editing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Mark Potter)

FILE PHOTO: Platinum Group Metals (PGMS) Industry Day in Johannesburg

Implats weighs 3,900 job cuts in South Africa as price rout takes toll

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="515" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/7TNHWIKYLBNBXEDY3W64AQTLIM-820x515.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-480200" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/7TNHWIKYLBNBXEDY3W64AQTLIM-820x515.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/7TNHWIKYLBNBXEDY3W64AQTLIM-300x188.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/7TNHWIKYLBNBXEDY3W64AQTLIM-143x90.jpg 143w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/7TNHWIKYLBNBXEDY3W64AQTLIM-768x482.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/7TNHWIKYLBNBXEDY3W64AQTLIM-1536x964.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/7TNHWIKYLBNBXEDY3W64AQTLIM-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: The Anglo American logo is seen in Rusternburg October 5, 2015. Picture taken October 5, 2015. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



MELBOURNE/LONDON, April 26 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Anglo American&nbsp;AAL.L&nbsp;rejected rival miner BHP Group&#8217;s&nbsp;BHP.AX&nbsp;31.1 billion pound ($39 billion) takeover proposal on Friday, saying the bid significantly undervalued the London-listed miner and its future prospects.



&#8220;The BHP proposal is opportunistic and fails to value Anglo American&#8217;s prospects, while significantly diluting the relative value upside participation of Anglo American&#8217;s shareholders relative to BHP&#8217;s shareholders,&#8221; Anglo Chairman Stuart Chambers said in a statement.



Reuters reported on Thursday, citing two sources, that Anglo&#8217;s management did not consider the proposal as attractive, as some investors and analysts dismissed it as opportunistic.



BHP, the world&#8217;s largest listed mining company, on Thursday offered Anglo&#8217;s shareholders 25.08 pounds per share, a premium of 31% to the market close on Wednesday, sending the London-listed target&#8217;s shares up 16%.



A condition of its proposal is that Anglo first distributes to shareholders its stakes in Anglo American Platinum&nbsp;AMSJ.J&nbsp;and Kumba Iron Ore&nbsp;KIOJ.J, both of which operate in South Africa where BHP has no assets.



Anglo on Friday said the structure on offer was &#8220;highly unattractive&#8230;given the uncertainty and complexity inherent in the Proposal, and significant execution risks.&#8221;



BHP had no immediate comment on Anglo&#8217;s rejection. Anglo shares were down 0.6% in early trading.



BHP&#8217;s shares closed 4.6% lower in Australia on Friday. The company&#8217;s Australian stock did not trade on Thursday as the country&#8217;s share market was closed for a holiday.



&#8220;With regards to a price, I think it&#8217;s pretty clear that the initial shot fired is just that. It’s just the first shot &#8211; it&#8217;s not their best and final,&#8221; said Todd Warren, a portfolio manager at Tribeca Investment Partners in Sydney, which holds shares in Anglo.



&#8220;We would need to see more money on the table before we sold our shares,&#8221; he said.



Questions about jurisdictional risks in South Africa and other regions, and concerns that Anglo American&#8217;s businesses are lower margin than BHP&#8217;s led to a share sell off, said RBC Capital Markets analyst Kaan Peker in Sydney.



&#8220;That uncertainty I think is resulting in a bit of a reduction on what investors are willing to pay for forward earnings,&#8221; Peker said.



South Africa is scrutinising BHP&#8217;s proposed offer for Anglo, a government spokesperson said, with the deal likely to concern officials the coming weeks before a general election where the governing party&#8217;s majority is at risk.



Some BHP investors also remained to be convinced over the merits of the deal.



&#8220;I am a bit surprised that the deal is not an agreed deal. It likely means BHP will need to offer more to win over shareholders and management and risks creating unhelpful animosity,&#8221; said Brenton Saunders, a portfolio manager at Pendal.



&#8220;The deal is complicated in that Anglo has a complicated structure with a number of moving parts like AngloPlats, Kumba and De Beers. It’s not clear how BHP adds value to the deal if it is required to offer considerably more.&#8221;



Consensus is growing that BHP will have to sweeten its offer to get the deal done. BHP has until May 22 to make a binding bid.



BHP CEO Mike Henry and executives including Chief Financial Officer Vandita Pant will be briefing investors next week, fund managers said. BHP did not respond to a request for comment on the meetings.



A deal, if successful, would be the largest mining takeover globally in 2024 and in the top 10 largest deals for the sector ever, according to LSEG data.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antitrust">ANTITRUST</h2>



Attention is shifting now to antitrust concerns, with industry sources citing regulators in key BHP customers China, for copper, and Japan and India, for steel-making coal, as potential hurdles for the deal.



&#8220;If MOFCOM acted on Glencore/Xstrata then surely it will act here,&#8221; said one resources lawyer, referring to China&#8217;s commerce ministry, who declined to be named because the subject was sensitive.



Glencore GLEN.L was forced to sell its interest in Xstrata&#8217;s Las Bambas copper project in 2013 to clear a final hurdle set by Chinese regulators for the $35 billion dollar deal.



BHP CEO Mike Henry has repeated many times in the nearly two years since Australia&#8217;s Queensland state hiked its coal royalties that the miner will not put fresh investment into its metallurgical coal business because of the lack of consultation.



That could fuel concerns around supply security for Japanese customers in particular, and cause regulators to take a close look, said Lloyd Hain of consultancy AME Group.



&#8220;The Japanese want to know long term that they are going to maintain security of supply and also volume.&#8221;



(Reporting by Melanie Burton in Melbourne, Scott Murdoch in Sydney and Clara Denina in London; additional reporting Archisma Iyer in Bengalaru; Writing by Miyoung Kim; Editing by Sonali Paul, Neil Fullick and Jamie Freed)

FILE PHOTO: The Anglo American logo is seen in Rusternburg

Anglo American rejects BHP’s $39 bln takeover proposal

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="462" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/107406139-1714028329607-gettyimages-81814144-garljk052k-820x462.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-479881" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/107406139-1714028329607-gettyimages-81814144-garljk052k-820x462.jpeg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/107406139-1714028329607-gettyimages-81814144-garljk052k-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/107406139-1714028329607-gettyimages-81814144-garljk052k-160x90.jpeg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/107406139-1714028329607-gettyimages-81814144-garljk052k-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/107406139-1714028329607-gettyimages-81814144-garljk052k.jpeg 929w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Miners carrying out operations. Graeme Williams | Gallo Images Roots Rf Collection | Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Mining giant BHP Group on Thursday said it had made an all-share takeover offer for rival Anglo American, valuing the smaller company at £31.1 billion ($38.9 billion).



Anglo American shares leapt at the market open and were 12% higher at 9 a.m. in London.



The company confirmed it had received an “unsolicited, non-binding and highly conditional combination proposal,” which it said it was reviewing with advisers.



Australia-based BHP, the biggest listed miner according to Companies Market Cap, said that the deal would deliver 0.7097 BHP shares per Anglo American share to Anglo American’s ordinary shareholders.



A combination of the firms would form a juggernaut in copper mining and the world’s largest player in the space which would supply 10% of global output, according to a Reuters analysis. Anglo American has a huge copper operation based in South America and a production target for the metal of 730,000 to 790,000 tons in 2024. This compares with a copper output aim between 1.7 million and 1.9 million for BHP over the same period.



Mining firms are seeking to shore up copper supplies over the years ahead due to projected shortages and the metal’s key role in the energy transition, with uses in electric vehicles, power grids and wind turbines.



The mining industry has experienced an uptick in merger and acquisition activity over the last four years as companies position themselves for changing demand patterns.



BHP in 2022 merged its dual-floated business into a single legal entity with a primary listing in Australia.



Markets had closed before the announcement Thursday morning.



The proposal would entail divestments by Anglo American to its shareholders of its stakes in South Africa-based Anglo American Platinum Limited and Kumba Iron Ore Limited.



“The combination would bring together the strengths of BHP and Anglo American in an optimal structure. Anglo American would&nbsp;bring its assets and long-term growth potential. BHP would bring its higher&nbsp;margin cash generative assets&nbsp;and growth projects along with its larger free cash flows and stronger balance sheet,” BHP Group said.

107406139-1714028329607-gettyimages-81814144-garljk052k

Anglo American shares pop 13% after BHP Group’s $39 billion takeover bid to form mining juggernaut

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="536" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PPA7LZHDAZIPJMJ7KHMLZAMWME-1-820x536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-479372" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PPA7LZHDAZIPJMJ7KHMLZAMWME-1-820x536.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PPA7LZHDAZIPJMJ7KHMLZAMWME-1-300x196.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PPA7LZHDAZIPJMJ7KHMLZAMWME-1-138x90.jpg 138w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PPA7LZHDAZIPJMJ7KHMLZAMWME-1-768x502.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PPA7LZHDAZIPJMJ7KHMLZAMWME-1-1536x1003.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PPA7LZHDAZIPJMJ7KHMLZAMWME-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: A view shows the logo of South Africa&#8217;s central reserve bank, at the reserve bank offices in Pretoria, South Africa, January 26, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, April 23 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South Africa&#8217;s central bank said on Tuesday that the path back to 4.5% inflation would probably be &#8220;bumpy and protracted&#8221; after setbacks in the disinflation trajectory in recent months.



The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has held its main interest rate at 8.25%&nbsp;ZAREPO=ECI&nbsp;since May 2023, keeping policy restrictive to try to steer inflation towards the midpoint of its 3% to 6% target band.



In March headline inflation slowed to 5.3% in annual terms ZACPIY=ECI from 5.6% in February.



In a biannual review of its monetary policy stance, the bank said the slower pace of disinflation partly reflected normalising services components and elevated inflation expectations.



Administered prices continue to exert substantial upward pressure on headline inflation, it said in its April Monetary Policy Review.



The SARB, which is in discussions with the National Treasury about lowering its inflation target, also said in the document that it had modelled the impact of targeting 3.0% inflation over a five-year timeframe.



That modelling showed the economic growth rate decreased by about 0.3 percentage points relative to the baseline, but the decline was quickly reversed and surpassed as growth strengthened more than the initial weakening.



The central bank added markets now expect the repo rate to remain unchanged this year.



(Reporting by Kopano Gumbi; Editing by Alexander Winning)

South Africa trims rate hikes as power cuts slash growth prospects

South Africa c.bank: path to 4.5% inflation likely ‘bumpy and protracted’

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="545" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/QJNXCFIWLRLG5CVFJF3DG2WJ3A-820x545.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-479321" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/QJNXCFIWLRLG5CVFJF3DG2WJ3A-820x545.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/QJNXCFIWLRLG5CVFJF3DG2WJ3A-300x199.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/QJNXCFIWLRLG5CVFJF3DG2WJ3A-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/QJNXCFIWLRLG5CVFJF3DG2WJ3A-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/QJNXCFIWLRLG5CVFJF3DG2WJ3A.jpg 1325w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: The logo of Anglo American is seen on a jacket of an employee at the Los Bronces copper mine, in the outskirts of Santiago, Chile March 14, 2019 REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido</figcaption></figure>



LONDON, April 23 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Anglo American&nbsp;AAL.L&nbsp;on Tuesday reported an 11% increase in its copper output for the first quarter of the year, but slashed its 2024 production guidance for diamonds.



The London-listed miner said its copper production rose to 198,100 metric tons in the first three months, buoyed by a ramp-up in production at Quellaveco in Peru.



Still, the miner said it would maintain its 2024 output guidance for the metal at 730,000-790,000 tons.



Demand for copper, used in applications from solar panels to electric cars, is expected to increase as the world moves towards cleaner energy sources.



But global economic weakness has lowered the demand outlook for diamonds, traditionally seen as luxury items.



Anglo&#8217;s shares had slipped 0.7% by 0712 GMT.



Production of rough diamonds via De Beers fell 23% to 6.9 million carats.



Anglo, which in February announced a $1.6 billion impairment charge at its diamond operations, lowered its yearly guidance to 26 million to 29 million carats from a previous forecast of 29 million to 32 million carats on high levels of inventory.



&#8220;Although the diamond volumes cut and increase in cost guidance is a negative, we do not expect a material revision to consensus numbers,&#8221; said analysts at RBC Capital Markets.



&#8220;The volumes cut could likely assist diamond prices helping partially offset the higher costs,&#8221; they added.



Output of platinum metals and iron ore at Anglo&#8217;s South African units was broadly flat during the quarter. Shipments from Kumba Iron Ore were impacted by logistical challenges, the company said, as rail bottlenecks continue.



A consultation process to cut about 3,700 jobs at Anglo Platinum AMSJ.J as part of a restructuring after a slump in prices, are well advanced, Anglo said.



(Reporting by Clara Denina and Felix Njini; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

FILE PHOTO: Logo of Anglo American is seen on a jacket of an employee at the Los Bronces copper mine, in the outskirts of Santiago

Anglo American boosts copper output, slashes diamonds forecast

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="544" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LYNXMPEG6217H-820x544.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-479306" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LYNXMPEG6217H-820x544.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LYNXMPEG6217H-300x199.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LYNXMPEG6217H-136x90.jpg 136w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LYNXMPEG6217H-768x509.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LYNXMPEG6217H-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LYNXMPEG6217H-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Customers queue to draw money from an ATM outside a branch of South Africa&#8217;s Capitec Bank in Johannesburg,South Africa, March 2, 2017. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/Files</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, April 23 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South African lender Capitec Bank&nbsp;CPIJ.J&nbsp;said on Tuesday its loan losses in retail banking will likely shrink to within its target range in 2025, as its full-year profit rose by 16%, sending its share up 7.43%.



Capitec Bank is one of the fastest-growing South African lenders, targeting low-income earners who were largely ignored by the country&#8217;s bigger, established banks.



But this exposure has meant higher impairments, with its customers under pressure from 10 successive interest rate hikes and higher food inflation.



The lender, South Africa&#8217;s biggest retail bank by customer numbers, has seen a slower migration of retail credit into underperforming loans from performing loans in the second half of its 2024 year ended Feb.29, CEO Gerrie Fourie told investors.



Client cash flow strain, however, has improved over the last six months, with customer insufficient fund transactions coming down, he added.



But estimated credit loss increased in the full-year period, and as a result, the credit loss ratio &#8211; a measure of bad loans as a percentage of total loans &#8211; in retail banking increased to 101 basis points (bps) from 80 bps in 2023.



&#8220;The credit loss ratio is expected to return to through-the-cycle target of 8.5% (or 85 bps) by February 2025,&#8221; Fourie said.



The company, with 22 million retail clients, said overall credit impairment charges rose by 38% to 8.7 billion rand ($453.21 million). At group level, its credit loss ratio rose to 87 bps from 70 bps.



Capitec said it continued to tighten its credit-granting criteria.



The group&#8217;s headline earnings per share &#8211; the main profit measure in South Africa &#8211; rose to 9,171 cents as its net transaction and commission income grew by 29% to 14.8 billion rand.



After terminating its funeral product co-operation arrangement with insurer Sanlam&nbsp;SLMJ.J, Capitec said it will start adding life cover as it continues building its insurance business.



($1 = 19.1966 rand)



(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Tom Hogue and Savio D&#8217;Souza and Miral Fahmy)

Customers queue to draw money from an ATM outside a branch of South Africa’s Capitec Bank in Johannesburg,South Africa

South African lender Capitec expects loan losses to be within target in 2025

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="728" height="444" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/UXGWX6XZO5LIROPXQDLPV6SPGA.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-422268" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/UXGWX6XZO5LIROPXQDLPV6SPGA.jpg 728w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/UXGWX6XZO5LIROPXQDLPV6SPGA-300x183.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/UXGWX6XZO5LIROPXQDLPV6SPGA-148x90.jpg 148w" sizes="(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, April 19 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South Africa&#8217;s rand weakened in volatile trading early on Friday, as reports of an Israeli attack on Iran sapped risk sentiment and sent currency markets into a tailspin.



In the latest tit-for-tat exchange between the two arch-foes, Israel launched an attack on Iranian soil, sources told Reuters. Iranian state media reported that drones had been shot down.



The rand&nbsp;ZAR=D3&nbsp;initially hit a near two-month low of 19.3800 to the dollar in a sell-off of risk assets as investors scurried towards safe-haven dollar and gold.



However, some calm returned to the markets after a senior Iranian official said Iran had no plan to strike back immediately.



&#8220;Diminished concern over a broader regional conflict, as Iran reported minimal damage to its infrastructure and confirmed no impact on its nuclear sites, contributed to the markets&#8217; partial recovery,&#8221; said Andre Cilliers, currency strategist at TreasuryONE.



At 0802 GMT, the rand traded at 19.2300 against the dollar, down 0.38% from its previous close.



On the stock market, the Top-40&nbsp;.JTOPI&nbsp;index and the broader all-share&nbsp;.JALSH&nbsp;index were both trading in the red, about 0.7% weaker in early trade.



The dollar&nbsp;=USD&nbsp;was last down 0.1% against a basket of currencies but still hovered near a five-month high.



Capital Economics chief economist Neil Shearing said Iran lifting flight restrictions may also have helped the markets.



&#8220;This might indicate that the attack was at the more moderate end of the spectrum,&#8221; he said in a research note.



(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Alex Richardson)

South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture

Risk sensitive South African rand weakens as geopolitical tensions bite

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="573" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NEPKJJCZ6JMDDNTX4MOGZ42NFI-820x573.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-458452" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NEPKJJCZ6JMDDNTX4MOGZ42NFI-820x573.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NEPKJJCZ6JMDDNTX4MOGZ42NFI-300x210.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NEPKJJCZ6JMDDNTX4MOGZ42NFI-129x90.jpg 129w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NEPKJJCZ6JMDDNTX4MOGZ42NFI-768x537.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NEPKJJCZ6JMDDNTX4MOGZ42NFI-1536x1074.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NEPKJJCZ6JMDDNTX4MOGZ42NFI-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South Africa&#8217;s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana speaks during his medium-term budget policy statement in Cape Town, South Africa, November 1, 2023. REUTERS/Esa Alexander</figcaption></figure>



WASHINGTON, April 18 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South Africa will use future&nbsp;drawdowns&nbsp;of its Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account to curb its debt burden, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said, adding he was pondering tax hikes and expenditure cuts in the next post-election budget.



Africa&#8217;s most industrialised nation is grappling with an ailing economy and high debt ahead of a general election on May 29 that could see the governing African National Congress party lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid 30 years ago.



Earlier this year, the government announced a change to the framework governing the so-called GFECRA account that captures gains and losses to foreign currency reserve transactions, allowing for a drawdown of 150 billion rand ($8 billion) over the next three years.



&#8220;Eskom is out, or Transnet,&#8221; Godongwana told Reuters on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meeting, ruling out financial support from the account for the country&#8217;s ailing state-energy firms.



&#8220;Debt service costs now have emerged the highest expenditure item &#8211; therefore that is a red flag.&#8221;



Other measures were also on the horizon a bit further out.



The country&#8217;s next 2025/2026 budget &#8211; scheduled for February next year &#8211; could also see more pronounced adjustments than the last one, the minister said.



&#8220;If you want to do a fiscal consolidation you must do it far away from the election, and the timing for us is the budget that we will table on the 19th February 2025,&#8221; said Godongwana, when asked about the absence of significant expenditure reductions in the recent budget.



The next budget, nearly a year down the line, must send a signal and timeline by which fiscal consolidation would be concluded, the minister added.



&#8220;Now that is going to require maybe well that we cut expenditure and maybe well that we tweak some taxes &#8211; it could be a combination of both,&#8221; he said.



Another push the government would focus on in the months to come was consolidating the plethora of social spending measures and grants, said Godongwana.



Prospects for economic growth, currently forecast at 1.6% for 2024, could face headwinds if loadshedding were to intensify or Middle East tension to escalate.



&#8220;I factor in that there is a possibility of downside risks.&#8221;



However, the recent droughts that have wreaked havoc across much of Sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa itself, would have no impact on food inflation, at least for now, he said.



($1 = 18.9824 rand)



(Reporting by Karin Strohecker; Editing by Toby Chopra)

South Africa issues medium-term budget policy statement

S.Africa contingency reserves won’t be spent on Eskom, Transnet, finance minister says

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="573" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-820x573.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-460717" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-820x573.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-300x210.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-129x90.jpg 129w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-768x537.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-1536x1074.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: A MultiChoice logo is displayed outside the company&#8217;s building in Cape Town, South Africa February 2, 2024. REUTERS/Esa Alexander/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, April 18 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;French media group Vivendi&#8217;s&nbsp;VIV.PA&nbsp;Canal+ said on Thursday that it has bought 3.7 million shares in South African broadcaster MultiChoice&nbsp;MCGJ.J&nbsp;to increase its stake to 40.83%.



Last Monday, Canal+ made an all-cash mandatory offer to buy all the shares of MultiChoice it does not already own for 35 billion rand.



Canal+ had said that it reserves the right to buy more MultiChoice shares in the market during the course of the offer. Should the French company buy these shares at more than 125 rand each, it is obliged to increase the offer price &#8220;to not less than the highest consideration paid per MultiChoice share&#8221;.



It has increased its stake from 36.6% as of April 8, buying shares from April 12 to April 17 at 117.50 rand, 115.99 rand, 115.95 rand and 116 rand per share, it said in a statement on Thursday.



The offer at 125 rand per share is with the board of MultiChoice awaiting approval.



(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; editing by Jason Neely)

FILE PHOTO: MultiChoice logo is displayed outside the company in Cape Town

Vivendi’s Canal+ increases stake in South Africa’s MultiChoice to 40.83%

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="571" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LZJDLC7DLROENA6JMXYHS2EK2E-1-820x571.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477407" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LZJDLC7DLROENA6JMXYHS2EK2E-1-820x571.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LZJDLC7DLROENA6JMXYHS2EK2E-1-300x209.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LZJDLC7DLROENA6JMXYHS2EK2E-1-129x90.jpg 129w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LZJDLC7DLROENA6JMXYHS2EK2E-1-768x535.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LZJDLC7DLROENA6JMXYHS2EK2E-1-1536x1070.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LZJDLC7DLROENA6JMXYHS2EK2E-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A woman uses a trolley as she shops at a Pick n Pay store at the Dobson Point Shopping Centre, in Soweto, South Africa, March 19, 2024. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File photo</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, April 17 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;South Africa&#8217;s headline consumer inflation fell to 5.3% year on year in March from 5.6% in February&nbsp;ZACPIY=ECI, statistics agency data showed on Wednesday.



Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast that inflation would slow to 5.4% in annual terms.



The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) kept its main interest rate unchanged at 8.25%&nbsp;ZAREPO=ECI&nbsp;last month, saying its policy stance needed to remain restrictive to tackle higher inflation expectations.



It expects headline inflation to reach the midpoint of its target range of 4.5% only near the end of 2025.



SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago told Reuters earlier in April that South African policymakers were in discussions to lower the bank&#8217;s current inflation target range of between 3% and 6% to bring it more in line with peers.



On a month-on-month basis, inflation was at 0.8% in March compared to 1.0% a month before, Statistics South Africa said.



This is a developing story&#8230;



(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Alexander Winning)

A woman uses a trolley as she shops at a Pick n Pay store, in Soweto

South Africa inflation slows slightly more than expected in March

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-423556" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IQMT7SFA2RNQLAQHUEOA2VEMMQ-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Illustration photo shows a two-rand coin above a South African flag April 12, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, April 12 (Reuters) &#8211; South Africa&#8217;s rand weakened in early trade on Friday against the U.S. dollar, which hovered near a five-month high as traders heavily scaled back bets for a slew of U.S. rate cuts this year.



At 0715 GMT, the rand traded at 18.7550 against the dollar&nbsp;ZAR=D3, about 0.2% weaker than its previous close.



The dollar&nbsp;=USD&nbsp;was trading up almost 0.4% against a basket of global currencies.



&#8220;The geopolitical risks in the Middle East remain high, and this is spurring further demand for the dollar,&#8221; said Andre Cilliers, Currency Strategist at TreasuryONE, estimating that the rand would trade in an 18.65/18.90 range for the day.



There was some positive economic data this week to support the local currency, which has been battered by power cuts and political uncertainty ahead of a May election. South Africa&#8217;s mining and manufacturing output rose in February, and business confidence held steady at an improved level.



On the stock market, the Top-40&nbsp;.JTOPI&nbsp;index was up 0.88% while the broader all-share&nbsp;.JALSH&nbsp;was up 0.78% in early trade.



South Africa&#8217;s benchmark 2030 government bond&nbsp;ZAR2030=&nbsp;was weaker in early deals, with the yield up 2.5 basis points to 10.715%.



(Reporting by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)

Illustration photo of South African rand

South African rand weakens against strong dollar

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="573" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/54OZJBBSHVOAZPY7PBW3ZKRWYU-820x573.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-475533" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/54OZJBBSHVOAZPY7PBW3ZKRWYU-820x573.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/54OZJBBSHVOAZPY7PBW3ZKRWYU-300x210.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/54OZJBBSHVOAZPY7PBW3ZKRWYU-129x90.jpg 129w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/54OZJBBSHVOAZPY7PBW3ZKRWYU-768x537.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/54OZJBBSHVOAZPY7PBW3ZKRWYU-1536x1074.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/54OZJBBSHVOAZPY7PBW3ZKRWYU-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A seagull flies past a second-hand vehicle trader WeBuyCars Buying Pod in Cape Town, South Africa, April 10, 2024. REUTERS/Esa Alexander/FILE PHOTO</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, April 11 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;WeBuyCars made its market debut on Thursday, giving the South African secondhand vehicle trader a market capitalisation of 8.3 billion rand ($441 million) on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.



Chief Executive Faan van der Walt, standing next to his brother and co-founder Dirk, blew into the African kudu horn as the opening share price of 20 rand was announced on the JSE.



WeBuyCars marks the second JSE listing of 2024, with others including Pick n Pay&#8217;s PIKJ.J discount grocery retailer Boxer, and food producer RCL&#8217;s RCLJ.JRainbow Chicken expressing interest to list at some point.



Shares in WeBuyCars traded as high as 20.85 rand, up from its initial public offering (IPO) price of 18.75 rand.



Van der Walt said the brothers had never imagined listing the family-owned business when they started it in 2001, but now that WeBuyCars was big enough, the time was right.



&#8220;There is still a lot of space for us to grow,&#8221; Van der Walt told Reuters. &#8220;We&#8217;re well positioned, we have the tech, we have the people, we have the footprint so we strongly believe that we can double up again in the next five years,&#8221; he added.



WeBuyCars, which has a market share of 10% to 12% in South Africa is targeting about 23% by 2028, and also aiming to sell 22,000 cars per month, up from 14,000 currently.



With 15 branches and 74 buying pods or kiosks at shopping centres, WeBuyCars plans to open in Rustenburg, Bloemfontein and East London in the near future, Van der Walt said.



WeBuyCars was unbundled from Transaction Capital&nbsp;TCPJ.J&nbsp;and listed separately in order to unlock value and give an option to invest directly in the secondhand car retailer.



Transaction Capital will use the proceeds from various capital raisings to settle holding company level debt.



($1 = 18.8293 rand)



(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Alexander Smith)

South Africa’s second-hand vehicle trader WeBuyCars lists on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

WeBuyCars marks South African market debut with share price rise

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="453" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tourism-Transcribe-Image-820x453.png" alt="" class="wp-image-475298" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tourism-Transcribe-Image-820x453.png 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tourism-Transcribe-Image-300x166.png 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tourism-Transcribe-Image-160x88.png 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tourism-Transcribe-Image-768x424.png 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tourism-Transcribe-Image.png 989w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



The introduction of the&nbsp;long awaited e-visa system&nbsp;is a significant step, although it’s still a work in progress. Implemented just&nbsp;two years ago, the system is improving, despite encountering some challenges on a backlog in converting the paper-based system to a computerised one.



The Deputy Minister of Tourism to South Africa, Amos Fish Mahlalela told CNBC Africa that his ministry is making strides in enhancing accessibility through the introduction of the e-visa system: “It might not be 100% to where we want it to be, but it&#8217;s in the making, because it&#8217;s something that we&#8217;ve just introduced two years ago, so it is in the making, and it&#8217;s gradually improving.’’



According to Statistics South Africa, foreign arrivals dropped by 71% from just over 15,8million in 2019 to less than 5 million in 2020. It is evident that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the tourism industry around the world and in South Africa, mainly due to the lockdown and travel restrictions that were imposed.



“After the whole world was hit by the COVID-19, we then developed a tourism sector recovery master plan, which was aimed at making sure that when everything was opened, we were able to rejuvenate the tourism industry by making sure that we intensify our marketing strategy, to make sure that we intensify our investment strategy, we make sure that we increase our visitors into South Africa and be able to go back to pre-pandemic,” Mahlalela said.



Today marks the kick-off of the 2nd edition of the Investment Forum Africa in Cape Town under the theme: Unlocking Intra Africa Tourism Investment, Building Long Term Sustainability and Resilience.



“We&#8217;ve established the investment portfolio and the investment strategy, not just for the tourism sector, but for South Africa as a whole in terms of various business opportunities that the country is able to offer,” he said.



The 2-day conference will seek to promote investments and trade opportunities within tourism and related sectors.

Tourism-Transcribe-Image

Introduction of the e-visa system still a work in progress

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="460" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/UK-Funds-Africa-Transcribe-Image-820x460.png" alt="" class="wp-image-474553" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/UK-Funds-Africa-Transcribe-Image-820x460.png 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/UK-Funds-Africa-Transcribe-Image-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/UK-Funds-Africa-Transcribe-Image-160x90.png 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/UK-Funds-Africa-Transcribe-Image-768x431.png 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/UK-Funds-Africa-Transcribe-Image.png 992w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



The United Kingdom is backing investment of more than $300 million in South Africa’s green energy transition as the country struggles to end power shortages that nearly tipped its economy into a recession last year.



The UK’s High Commissioner to South Africa Antony Phillipson said the funding through Globeleq, is part of the UK’s $1.8 billion commitment to finance South Africa’s renewables programme under the country’s Just Energy Transition Partnership. Globeleq is majority owned by British International Investment, the UK’s development finance arm.



&#8220;This is a significant investment in South Africa’s future,&#8221; Phillipson told CNBC Africa. &#8220;This will be the biggest standalone battery energy storage system anywhere in Africa and it will also make, as you say, a really significant contribution, I think, to South Africa&#8217;s Just Energy Transition.&#8221;



South Africa has suffered power shortages for the past three years, with the economy almost contracting last year. The government projects the shortages should ease later this year into 2025. The UK is part of a group of Western nations that have committed $8.5 billion to help South Africa’s transition from fossil fuelled power to renewables.



Globeleq says the Red Sand project, which is based in the Northern Cape, will be the largest standalone battery energy storage system in Africa. Globeleq already provides some 1,800 MW of energy in South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt and Cameroon.



The project is expected to take two years to complete.



&#8220;Electricity storage is going to be key not only in helping South Africa meet its considerable industrial and domestic demand for energy but also across Africa as more renewable energy projects benefit from the advances our industry has made with battery energy storage solution technology,&#8221; Mike Scholey, Globeleq CEO said in a statement.

UK-Funds-Africa-Transcribe-Image

UK Funds Africa’s largest battery storage system in South Africa

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="573" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-820x573.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-460717" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-820x573.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-300x210.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-129x90.jpg 129w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-768x537.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-1536x1074.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EU77SXNC7VKF5PUJALHFIPSWDU-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: A MultiChoice logo is displayed outside the company&#8217;s building in Cape Town, South Africa February 2, 2024. REUTERS/Esa Alexander/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



JOHANNESBURG, April 8 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;French media group Vivendi&#8217;s&nbsp;VIV.PA&nbsp;Canal+ made an all-cash mandatory offer on Monday to buy all the shares of South African broadcaster MultiChoice&nbsp;MCGJ.J&nbsp;it does not already own for 35 billion rand ($1.9 billion), both companies said.



That offer at 125 rand per share follows an indicative offer of 105 rand made by Canal+ on Feb. 1, which MultiChoice rejected as significantly undervaluing the company.



The need to make a mandatory offer was triggered by Canal+, MultiChoice&#8217;s biggest shareholder, subsequently raising its holding in the firm above the 35% threshold. Its new offer values MultiChoice, in which it now owns a 36.6% stake, at about 55 billion rand, according to Reuters calculations.



By 0759 GMT, shares in MultiChoice were up 3.7% at 116 rand.



The deal would create a pan-African broadcasting powerhouse with about 31.5 million subscribers across over 50 countries, able to put African content to global audiences as well as compete on an international scale.



The French media company has broad reach in French-speaking African nations, while MultiChoice has a stronger presence in English-speaking countries, including South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya.



Canal+ said it believes the competitive landscape for Africa&#8217;s media and entertainment industry will undergo further profound changes as the continent rapidly adopts broadband and mobile internet. Smartphone adoption is also rising.



&#8220;A combined group would be better positioned to address key structural challenges and opportunities resulting from the progressive digitalisation and globalisation of the media and entertainment sector,&#8221; the companies said.



MultiChoice&#8217;s independent board constituted for the deal will now consider the bid.



Canal+ reserves the right to buy more MultiChoice shares in the market during the course of the offer. Should the French company buy these shares at more than 125 rand each, it is obliged to increase the offer price, according to the statement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regulatory-hurdle">REGULATORY HURDLE</h2>



For the deal to be successful, the French broadcaster will need to navigate the country&#8217;s stringent Black economic ownership requirements and restrictions on foreign media ownership, which caps voting rights at 20%.



Maxime Saada, chairman and CEO of Canal+ Group, told Reuters there are workable solutions around that which &#8220;of course will require us to have local partners&#8221;.



Last month Bloomberg reported that billionaire Patrice Motsepe could join Canal+&#8217;s bid.



The companies said they intend to comply with all applicable laws and will provide further details in this regard.



($1 = 18.7119 rand)



(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Tom Hogue, Miral Fahmy and Jan Harvey)

Vivendi’s Canal+ makes mandatory buyout offer for South Africa’s MultiChoice

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="549" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KDI6GFUK7NPKRJPN5JH5FCFIX4-820x549.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-473605" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KDI6GFUK7NPKRJPN5JH5FCFIX4-820x549.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KDI6GFUK7NPKRJPN5JH5FCFIX4-300x201.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KDI6GFUK7NPKRJPN5JH5FCFIX4-134x90.jpg 134w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KDI6GFUK7NPKRJPN5JH5FCFIX4-768x515.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KDI6GFUK7NPKRJPN5JH5FCFIX4-1536x1029.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KDI6GFUK7NPKRJPN5JH5FCFIX4-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FILE PHOTO: A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France, March 25, 2024. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo</figcaption></figure>



April 4 (Reuters)&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;A South African antitrust agency is set to investigate Microsoft&nbsp;MSFT.O&nbsp;over its cloud computing licensing practices, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Thursday.



The South African case against Microsoft is likely to mirror the European Union antitrust case, according to the source.



Microsoft is not aware of any complaint filed by the South African competition authority, the company said in an emailed statement.



South Africa&#8217;s competition agency did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.



The U.S. software giant faces a EU complaint by rivals over its cloud computing licensing practices in the region.



Industry group CISPE, which includes members such as Amazon.com&nbsp;AMZN.O&nbsp;and 26 small EU cloud providers, filed a complaint in late 2022 alleging Microsoft&#8217;s new contractual terms were harming Europe&#8217;s cloud computing ecosystem.



Microsoft amended its licensing terms in mid-2022 after rivals in Germany, Italy, Denmark and France took their grievances to the EU competition watchdog.



(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee and Nilutpal Timsina; Additional reporting by Yuvraj Malik, Priyanka.G Editing by Anil D&#8217;Silva)

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South Africa

Elliott takes $1 billion stake in Anglo American as miner faces takeover interest

Implats weighs 3,900 job cuts in South Africa as price rout takes toll

Anglo American rejects BHP’s $39 bln takeover proposal

Anglo American shares pop 13% after BHP Group’s $39 billion takeover bid to form mining juggernaut

South Africa c.bank: path to 4.5% inflation likely ‘bumpy and protracted’

Anglo American boosts copper output, slashes diamonds forecast

South African lender Capitec expects loan losses to be within target in 2025

Risk sensitive South African rand weakens as geopolitical tensions bite

S.Africa contingency reserves won’t be spent on Eskom, Transnet, finance minister says

Vivendi’s Canal+ increases stake in South Africa’s MultiChoice to 40.83%

South Africa inflation slows slightly more than expected in March

South African rand weakens against strong dollar

WeBuyCars marks South African market debut with share price rise

Introduction of the e-visa system still a work in progress

UK Funds Africa’s largest battery storage system in South Africa

Vivendi’s Canal+ makes mandatory buyout offer for South Africa’s MultiChoice

South Africa to investigate Microsoft over cloud computing licensing practices, source says

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