After several years of sustained expansion and accelerated digital transformation, the African financial industry has decisively entered a phase of streamlined growth. The fifth edition of the African Financial Industry Barometer, produced by Deloitte and the Africa Financial Summit - AFIS, is based on a survey conducted between May and September 2025 among executives from more than 70 institutions (banks, insurance companies, fintechs, microfinance institutions, and capital market players) across the continent.

By Amith Singh, National Manager for Manufacturing, Nedbank Business and Commercial Banking

The South African manufacturing sector has long been characterised by its resilience in the face of adversity.

The role of corporate finance advisory and investment services has shifted in recent years. No longer simply about providing transactional support, these services are increasingly being conducted with the focus on strategic stewardship, writes Sydney Mhlarhi, founder of black-owned and managed investment, corporate finance advisory and fund management company, Tamela.

By Amith Singh, National Manager: Manufacturing, Nedbank Commercial Banking

South Africa’s manufacturing sector remains one of the country’s most powerful levers for economic transformation, yet for over two decades, it has been under pressure. From its once-commanding share of GDP in the 1980s to its more constrained position today, the industry has faced sustained headwinds: energy instability, logistics backlogs, policy uncertainty, and rising input costs. But while the challenges are real, so too are the opportunities.

The Q2 2025 Absa Manufacturing Survey reveals that uncertainty remains a dominant theme within the manufacturing sector, both domestically and globally. Business confidence declined marginally to 33 points, down from 34 in Q1, an outcome some noted could have been significantly worse given prevailing conditions.