At Google’s recent I/O Conference, co-founder Sergey Brin declared that artificial intelligence (AI) will be “vastly more transformative” than the internet or the mobile phone. Meanwhile, global markets grappled with a very different kind of transformation: The visible unravelling of US fiscal dominance and the dollar’s once-unassailable safe-haven status.
China’s newly enforced export controls on rare earth elements have begun to disrupt global supply chains significantly. Since introducing the controls in April, exporters must now obtain licences from China’s Ministry of Commerce before shipping seven targeted rare earths or permanent magnets used in sectors ranging from electric vehicles and robotics to renewable energy and military aviation.
After months of heightened tariff pressure, the US and China appear to be moving towards de-escalation. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer concluded talks with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Geneva, calling the discussions “productive” and a sign of “substantial progress”. The talks resulted in an agreement to establish a bilateral mechanism for continued dialogue. Both delegations emphasised shared interests.
Esteemed investor Warren Buffett has announced his retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, effective at the end of the year. Widely respected as the ‘Oracle of Omaha’, Buffett leaves behind a legacy marked by prudent investment principles, long-term vision, and strategic market insights. Under his leadership, Berkshire Hathaway grew from a failing textile company into a global conglomerate with holdings in insurance, energy, railways, and consumer goods.
Rethinking commuting – because time and money are being spent without corresponding returns in output. As traffic congestion once again grips South Africa’s metros, it is worth re-evaluating the assumptions underpinning our approach to knowledge work. For businesses that rely on employees in finance, technology, legal services, administration, or other knowledge-based functions, the daily commute increasingly appears to be an inefficient and costly legacy of a pre-digital economy.
We are entering a world of structural change, not cyclical correction. The world is on the cusp of a historic transformation. Rising debt, geopolitical rivalry, and domestic unrest across leading economies signal not just another cycle but a profound shift in the global order. Scholars from Paul Kennedy and Ray Dalio to Fareed Zakaria and Graham Allison have long argued that global systems follow predictable arcs.
This is not chaos – it is a coherent, ambitious plan for national renewal. US President Donald Trump’s economic agenda is taking shape around bold, executive-led reforms aimed at reindustrialising the United States, restoring fiscal strength, and reasserting national sovereignty in global trade. While critics call it chaotic or protectionist, Trump’s strategy is better understood as a deliberate reset, using tools of disruption to catalyse long-term economic renewal.
Escalating trade tensions, fluctuating commodity prices, and pivotal policy shifts. March 2025 has come and gone, and it is imperative to reflect on the significant economic events that have shaped both the global landscape and South Africa’s economic environment. The month was marked by escalating trade tensions, fluctuating commodity prices, and pivotal policy shifts, all of which bear profound implications for consumers and markets alike.
Estate planning is a crucial step to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and that your loved ones are taken care of. However, many people unknowingly make mistakes when drafting their Wills, leading to unintended consequences and potential legal disputes.
South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries in the world, with its Gini coefficient (a measure of income inequality) worsening since 1994. Despite efforts to redistribute wealth and improve economic inclusion, inequality has deepened, owing to persistent unemployment, policy failures, and slow economic growth. However, targeted reforms in labour markets, governance, education, and entrepreneurship could help reverse this trend.
