South Africa in April 2026: the most important developments in economy
South Africa's economy in April 2026 was shaped by higher fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict. President Cyril Ramaphosa set up a crisis team to contain the fuel shock on the economy. FlySafair cancelled routes amid high fuel costs and falling demand, and a return flight between Cape Town and Johannesburg became R2,000 more expensive as surcharges rose. The country stayed on alert for changes to shipping routes, and Iran offered South Africa shipping relief in the Strait of Hormuz. Central bank governor Lesetja Kganyago invoked the Battle of Isandlwana to warn that inflation must be fought decisively.
Other items concerned energy and investment. Eskom again missed its energy availability target but burnt only R6 billion worth of diesel, and power was restored at Cape Town International Airport after a disruption. The United States funded a rare earths project in South Africa despite tensions between the two countries. A dispute over a Durban fuel terminal was reported to reveal a wider struggle over market access in the fuel sector, and the gaming and leisure firm DigiPlus obtained licences and entered the South African market.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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