Finance & society

Research and advisory for capital markets and financial services.

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Accelerating Impact

The Accelerating Impact initiative explores a pathway to foster a supportive regulatory environment for impact investing, focusing on three critical areas: instrument design and disclosure, tax regulation, and the B-BBEE framework. Through these efforts, we aim to empower a sustainable and inclusive future.

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2025 Africa Impact Investment Awards

These awards will shine a spotlight on excellence in impact investments in Africa.

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Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund

Jobs Boost is a R300 million pay-for-performance model being piloted in South Africa. It is an outcomes fund that works with implementing partners to secure sustainable, quality jobs for unemployed, excluded youth.

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Banking on reform: The affordable housing opportunity in OV 2.0

Demand for affordable housing is climbing considerably but supply is not keeping pace. Driven by urbanisation but also by subsidies and new retirement fund policies, demand is particularly urgent in the R7,500-R15,000 a month income bracket. In terms of supply, affordable housing makes up 50% of residential stock but only a small fraction of sales, with strict credit criteria, a shrinking construction industry, rising costs and bureaucratic hurdles impeding progress.

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Impact Investing: A Handbook for Foundations

The Impact Investing Handbook is an essential resource for philanthropic foundations, offering a comprehensive roadmap to maximise social impact through strategic investments. It serves as a vital guide for funders looking to transition beyond traditional grant-making and embrace innovative impact strategies.

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Good and bad ideas from the parliamentary hearings on the banking sector

Banks and their regulators faced tough scrutiny in a joint sitting of the Standing Committee on Finance and the Portfolio Committee on Trade & Industry on 4 February. While the discussions aimed to address key financial system challenges, much of the debate generated more heat than light. As the architects of financial legislation, Parliament plays a crucial role in shaping a healthy banking sector. This report unpacks the good and bad ideas that emerged from the hearings, highlighting the opportunities and risks ahead.

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