South Africa, Russia Business Leaders Explore Ways to Boost Economic Ties    TV BRICS Payment systems, mutual settlement, seaport logistics and the energy crisis were among the issues discussed by business leaders and representatives from South Africa and Russia on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg on Friday.  Organized by the Russia-Africa Business Council and hosted by the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the business dialogue between Russia and South Africa was dedicated to developing long-term…

One of Russia’s largest phosphate-based fertilizers producers, PhosaAgro, has launched a digital education platform for African farmers amid calls by African heads of state for President Putin’s government to transfer agricultural technology.  Mikhail Sterkin, PhosAgro’s Deputy CEO for Sales, Marketing and Logistics, made the announcement at the on-going second Russia–Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St Petersburg, Russia, on Friday.   Called Pro Agro Lectorium, the platform is expected to provide online lectures on a variety of topics. This…

Russian President Vladimir Putin has unveiled his blueprint for Africa, vowing to help build infrastructure and energy projects, ensure food security and develop new trade routes to boost trade between his country and the continent.  Addressing delegates to the second Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg on Thursday, Putin said Russia would provide six African countries with free grain within the next four months after the collapse of the Ukraine grain deal.   Putin used his speech to once again lay into…

AFRICAN leaders have been urged to speak with one voice, pursue collective rather than individual interests, and work on obtaining concrete results during the Russia-Africa summit that begins in St Petersburg today.  The second summit, which brings together heads of state and business leaders from Russia and Africa, follows the maiden gathering which took place in the port city of Sochi in October 2019. It is expected to be officially opened by Russian President Vladimir Putin.  About 150 journalists, including…

More than 200 representatives from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa have descended on Russia’s capital city, Moscow, to explore ways to collaborate on the use of nuclear medicine. Their main goal is to fast-track healthcare within BRICS countries. According to a statement from the Russian State-owned company, Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, the International BRICS Expert Forum on Nuclear Medicine was arranged by the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Health. It was attended by the heads and leading scientists…

The price of petrol in South Africa could fall from Wednesday when fuel prices are officially adjusted, the national Automobile Association (AA) predicts. According to the organisation, which relies on the latest unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund, a litre of petrol will cost 17-25 rand less (about $0.01 to $0.013). AA reminds us that these prices are officially calculated and adjusted on the first Wednesday of each month by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the only…

A company which abandoned two projects in North-West and had its contracts terminated for poor workmanship has scored a R134 million tender from the same provincial Department of Roads and Public Works.  African Times can today reveal that Ndhuna Civil Engineering Services left two incomplete road projects in Rustenburg and Brits in 2021, after pocketing R25 million, claiming cash flow problems and community disruptions.  According to official documents seen by African Times, Ndhuna Civils abandoned the project for the construction…

GENERAL healthcare across Namibia is poised for a major improvement following the launch of a project by Fujifilm South Africa and medical distributor, Uni Medical Supplies. They have commissioned Fujifilm’s state-of-the-art Synapse Radiology Information System (RIS) and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) platforms. This is the largest deployment of its kind in Namibia, with several sites now linked, even though the hospitals are considerable distances apart. The platforms will serve Katutura State, Onandjokwe State, Oshakati State, Rundu Intermediate and…

BUSINESS should plan for cash being a significant part of their payments mix for longer than anticipated as South Africa’s load-shedding crisis slows down migration towards cashless payments. This is according to an executive as Africa’s most diversified economy endures its worst power crisis in living memory. Jason Coussens, Currency Management Business Unit Manager at Nashua Kopano, says cash remains “king” in South Africa, with consumer surveys indicating that 95 percent of people withdraw cash at least once a month…

THE Durban July Experience is forecast to inject R130 million (US$7,2 million) to the economy of Ethekwini. The event will attract up to 48 000 attendees, amassing R65 million in direct spending and creating 1 500 jobs. eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda disclosed the figures ahead of the event set for this weekend. The mayor reassured visitors of a safe and entertaining Durban July. Kaunda said law enforcement agencies will be deployed to strategic areas. Approximately 100 Metro police officers will…