South Africa's student accommodation crisis: high demand meets limited beds

Universities in South Africa receive significantly more accommodation applications than available on-campus bed spaces each year, thereby reflecting national demand pressures and strong academic needs.

For the 2026 academic year, the University of Johannesburg says it received close to 100,000 (99 472) student accommodation applications while its current on-campus bed capacity stands at 7 015 beds.

“As at 04 February 2026, a total of 6 312 students had been accepted for residence accommodation. By the end of the registration period, the University anticipates accommodating the full capacity of 7 015 students, in line with available on-campus beds,” says Dr Nell Ledwaba, senior director for Student Affairs at the University of Johannesburg.

By Given Majola

Full story at IOL

Nigeria: IMF Ranks Nigeria Among 10 Top Contributors to Global GDP Growth

Balance of power is changing, says Elon Musk.

A new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has listed 10 countries, including India and Nigeria, among the top contributors to global economic growth for 2026.

This is consistent with the world's richest man, Elon Musk, declaring yesterday that "the balance of power is changing."

While the IMF data placed Nigeria at number six with a projected 1.5 per cent real GDP growth, India was ranked ahead of the United States of America as number two, with 17 per cent growth.

Full story at Pulse NG

By Ndubuisi Francis and James Emejo

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Interest rates unchanged despite inflation outlook improving

The South African Reserve Bank has kept the prime lending rate at 10.25%, with two members favouring a 0.25 percentage point cut and four preferring a hold.

Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), said that the backdrop to the decision was that the risks to the inflation outlook were balanced.

Ahead of the announcement, there were hopes that the rates would come down to help boost economic growth.

By Nicola Mawson

Full story at IOL

Township economy estimated at nearly R1 trillion, but 80 percent of businesses remain unregistered

Most township businesses in South Africa remain unregistered, leaving them excluded from access to finance, government support, and formal market opportunities.

This is according to Standard Bank’s first Township Informal Economy Report, which reveals that around 80% of businesses in these communities operate outside formal regulations such as tax compliance, VAT registration, and labour laws.

The report’s survey included businesses across five provinces, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Limpopo, and North West and covered enterprises with annual turnovers ranging from R100,000 to R50 million.

By Mthobisi Nozulela

Full story at IOL

FTSE 100 LIVE: London muted and Europe rises as Federal Reserve chair Powell hints at US rate cuts

A deep dive into what's moving markets and happening across the global economy

The FTSE 100 (^FTSE) underperformed against its European peers early on Wednesday as traders digested signals from Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell that more interest rate cuts were on the way.

Powell left the door open to further rate cuts on Tuesday and said the end of the central bank’s long-running effort to shrink the size of its holdings may be coming into view.

He told the National Association for Business Economics annual meeting: “You’re at a place where further declines in job openings might very well show up in unemployment.

By LaToya Harding

Full story at Yahoo News

Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures jump as Trump tempers tariff talk toward China

US stock futures advanced Monday morning as investors reacted to new remarks from President Trump that pulled punches from Friday's tariff announcements on Chinese products.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) gained around 0.9%, while S&P 500 (ES=F) and Nasdaq-100 futures (NQ=F) climbed 1.3% and 1.8%, respectively.

The rebound follows Trump’s latest comments on Truth Social, where he reassured followers that relations with China "will all be fine.” The post, and subsequent comments to reporters, appeared to dial back his threat from Friday to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods from Nov. 1. The developments had reignited fears of an escalating trade war and triggered a market drop that erased roughly $2 trillion in US equity value.

By Rian Howlett

Full story at Yahoo News