Public Finance

In South Africa, SARS Commissioner urges Strengthening Tax Collection, Not Hikes

South African Revenue Service Commissioner, says raising tax revenue should start with strengthening collection capacity, and not hiking taxes. Edward Kieswetter addressed a panel discussion at a G20 Finance Trackside event in Cape Town on Wednesday. Last week, Godongwana was unable to table the national budget, over disagreements within the government of national unity on a proposed two-percent value-added tax hike.

27 February, 2025 37

Business / Economics

In S.A, COPE Urges Godongwana to Prioritize Economic Growth in Budget

To South Africa now, where the Congress of the People is calling on Finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, to deliver a budget that prioritises heightened economic growth. COPE’s, Pake Dikgetsi, says they are warning that austerity measures targeting social services, while billions are lost to corruption will push the country further into a crisis Meanwhile, the GOOD Party Secretary-general, Brett Herron, says as things stand, around 18-million South Africans are poor […]

19 February, 2025 41

South Africa

In S.A, Tshwane DA Blames ANC for R300m Power Loss

In S.A, the DA in Tshwane says the ANC government in the metro has allowed electricity losses to increase by 300-million-rand in just three months. The party’s, Jacqui Uys, says this is in stark contrast with what the government inherited from the DA, where electricity losses were reduced by 162-million-rand between July and September. She says not only is the metro not billing residents for electricity used, but the ANC […]

11 February, 2025 43

South Africa

Deputy President Says Government Is Collaborating with Development Bank to Aid Indebted Municipalities

S.A's Deputy president Paul Mashatile says the government is working with the Development Bank of Southern Africa to secure resources to assist municipalities that are in debt. Municipalities owe creditors 116.5-billion-rand, with 75.3-percent of this debt more than 90 days overdue. In turn municipalities in 2023/2024 were owed 339.9-billion-rand. Answering questions in the National Assembly yesterday, Mashatile said it is concerning that many municipalities are in financial stress:

1 November, 2024 55

Business / Economics

Economist Embraces Tax Amnesty Announcement

During the presentation of the mid-term budget, Finance minister,Iipumbu Shiimi, announced the extension of the tax amnesty programme until October 31, 2026. It was originally set to expire today. Economist Gabriel Erastus provided his insights on the announcement.

31 October, 2024 37

Namibia

Absence Of Lawmakers Criticized as Midterm Budget Review Postponed Again

Disappointment was expressed by Parliamentarians over lawmakers' repeated failure to attend the midterm budget review, which has now been postponed for the second time. Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi stated that while budget allocations will remain the same, resources will be redirected to ministries facing urgent needs. Manuel Ngaringombe from the Popular Democratic Movement: From the Landless People's Movement, Lifalaza Robert-Prince Simataa:

30 October, 2024 42

Africa

Kenya could run out of money to repay massive debts: how to avoid this

By Odongo Kodongo, University of the Witwatersrand Data from Kenya’s central bank show that public debt (total money owed) declined between December 2023 and June 2024. The drop in external debt – by 15.4 % – over this period does not mean that the country’s overall finances have improved. Rather, it is due to the gains in the value of the Kenyan shilling, thanks to pervasive state […]

17 September, 2024 39

Africa

The IMF is failing countries like Kenya: why, and what can be done about it

By Danny Bradlow, University of Pretoria The recent Kenyan protests are a warning that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is failing. The public does not think it is helping its member countries manage their economic and financial problems, which are being exacerbated by a rapidly changing global political economy. To be sure, the IMF is not the only cause of Kenya’s problems with raising […]

3 July, 2024 12

Africa

Gabon: post-coup dialogue has mapped out path to democracy – now military leaders must act

By Douglas Yates, American Graduate School in Paris (AGS) At the end of April 2024, a long and peaceful process of national dialogue in Gabon between the military junta, presided over by coup leader General Brice Oligui Nguema, and civil society, represented by 580 civilians, came to an end. The national dialogue followed an August 2023 coup that removed Ali Bongo Ondimba from office and ended […]

17 May, 2024 27