IMF cuts growth forecasts, with SA being the biggest loser among major economies.

Loading player...
GUEST - Isaah Mhlanga -Chief Economist and Head of Research at Rand Merchant Bank

The International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s April update to the World Economic Outlook has trimmed the global growth prospects for the year – including a sizeable slice off South Africa’s GDP forecast.

As announced in March, the IMF has cut South Africa’s GDP growth outlook to a paltry 0.1% for 2023, showing that the country is flirting with a full-year recession.

However, more damning is the fact that South Africa is the biggest loser among all major global economies detailed in the IMF’s report, having its GDP outlook shaved by 1.1 percentage points from the January report.

The only other major economy to come close to this is Japan, which the IMF forecasts will see a 0.5 percentage point reduction in its GDP rate to 1.1% in 2023.
12 Apr 2023 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Funding the SMME Hustle: Traditional Meets Alternative Finance

Old Mutual’s Ndumiso Zulu and Lula’s Clinton Thomas unpack the real funding landscape for South African SMEs — from cash‑flow pressure to investment readiness, construction‑sector bottlenecks, and why only 6% of SMEs access formal finance. They explore how blended support, alternative lending models, and faster payment cycles can unlock the…
22 Jun 4PM 26 min

SMME Playbook: Founder’s Mindset with Lesetja Dikgale

Michanic founder Lesetja Dikgale shares how a simple moment of frustration with a delayed car repair sparked a national mobile‑mechanic platform. He unpacks the early mistakes, the operational rebuild, the financial model overhaul, and how the Impact Finance Network helped him become investor‑ready. A masterclass in starting lean, scaling smart,…
22 Jun 4PM 16 min

SANEDI on Key AEF Takeaways critical for South Africa's Energy Future

Prof. Sampson Mamphweli, the Head of the Energy Secretariat at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), joins us for his view on South Africa's future. He unpacks policy and project-based initiatives that came to the fore on the agenda at this week's Africa Energy Forum.
18 Jun 3PM 11 min

Africa’s Power Market Is Learning to Share: AEF 2026 Highlights

From Uganda’s first independent transmission project to South Africa’s R440bn grid expansion plan, AEF 2026 showcased a continent shifting toward private‑sector participation and distributed energy. Absa CIB's Nikhil Kasiram breaks down the biggest trends shaping Africa’s power future.
18 Jun 3PM 12 min

Pivot Point: BrightRock at 15 and CEO Stevens on Leading the Next Chapter

BrightRock celebrates 15 years of disrupting the life insurance industry with its needs‑matched model. CEO Suzanne Stevens reflects on her leadership journey, the company’s growth to over 12% market share, and the future of life insurance in a rapidly changing consumer landscape.
18 Jun 3PM 18 min