In 2024, private equity firm Verod Capital invested in i-Fitness, a Nigerian gym chain founded in 2015 by the entrepreneur Foluso Ogunwale. Verod co-founder Danladi Verheijen describes the business as one of his favourite investments. Despite operating only around 30 outlets, i-Fitness is already seven times the size of its nearest competitor in West Africa…
The 2IC strategy is becoming one of the most effective ways for South African businesses to reduce staff turnover, retain institutional knowledge, and build long-term employee loyalty. High staff turnover is one of the most significant hidden costs in modern South African business. When a key employee resigns, the financial impact is staggering – it…
Transferable skills are becoming one of the most important factors employers consider when hiring, promoting and developing talent in today’s fast-changing workplace. Having a relevant qualification and experience in your profession can help you to land an interview for your dream job. But showing that you have the skills and qualities to thrive in a…
Youssef Elgonaid Interview with Youssef ElgonaidCO-FOUNDER and CEO, AFRICAN RAIL COMPANY For decades, South Africa’s freight rail network has been tightly controlled by the state. Youssef Elgonaid, CEO of African Rail Company (ARC), describes the recent move to grant private operators wider access to the system as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity”. Founded in 2013, ARC recently…
Youssef Elgonaid Interview with Youssef ElgonaidCO-FOUNDER and CEO, AFRICAN RAIL COMPANY For decades, South Africa’s freight rail network has been tightly controlled by the state. Youssef Elgonaid, CEO of African Rail Company (ARC), describes the recent move to grant private operators wider access to the system as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity”. Founded in 2013, ARC recently…
As the global gemstone market becomes increasingly complex with fraud on the rise, The Gem Lab is setting a new benchmark for trust, transparency, and authenticity with the introduction of its “Gem Lab Approved” standard. Founded and led by Jeremy Rothon FGA, one of South Africa’s most experienced and respected gemmologists, The Gem Lab has…
Finfluencers are reshaping how consumers engage with financial information – and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) is paying close attention. Here’s what financial service providers (FSPs) need to know about the risks, regulatory boundaries and how to approach influencer partnerships responsibly. Social media has changed how South Africans engage with financial information. Increasingly, consumers are…
The first Thursday of May each year marks ‘World Password Day’, a global event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of securing passwords and following the best online security practices. With cyber-attacks and data breaches an almost daily occurrence globally, Brett Russell, Head of Product and CISO at MetroFibre, provides a sobering reality check…
The way people search for information online is changing, and the best practice you built your SEO strategy on is no longer enough. Here’s how brands need to expand their thinking about search in 2026 and beyond. Someone wants to know which running shoe works best for flat feet. Another person is trying to figure…
The AI cost for SMEs is rising rapidly, but for many South African businesses, the real challenge is not adoption—it’s achieving a clear return on investment. With nearly 60% of African businesses prepared to commit over $50 million to AI initiatives in 2026 according to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), investment appetite is clearly rising….
