Behind every woman is a story that can inspire the world. At Absa, we see that story.

This Women’s Month, Absa reaffirms its commitment to storytelling that moves beyond campaigns and becomes a lived expression of purpose. Under the banner #WeSeeYourStory, and with a special focus on women through #WeSeeHer, Absa is surfacing the real, remarkable stories of women across business, technology, sport, entrepreneurship, and the arts. These are not just stories of success, they are stories of grit, creativity, ambition, and transformation.

Women’s Month 2025 is not a standalone moment, but part of Absa’s wider brand narrative: one that recognises the power of untold stories and the importance of creating platforms where those stories can be seen, heard, and celebrated. Through a curated calendar of events, programmes and platforms, Absa is demonstrating that investing in women is not a PR statement, it’s a strategic imperative grounded in data, delivery and long-term commitment.

Across the business, Absa continues to drive women-centred innovation, particularly in technology. Internally, the Group’s “Women in Tech” platform, led by Group ITO, will host a showcase on 7 August spotlighting female technologists who are transforming financial systems from within. Absa also made headlines this year with the launch of an AI-powered brand campaign featuring business journalist Fifi Peters, the first South African broadcaster to be digitally cloned using artificial intelligence. This wasn’t just a feat of technology, it was a bold step in ensuring that female voices continue to shape the future of storytelling.

In entrepreneurship, Absa’s investment into women-owned businesses continues to grow, with over R3.2 billion in procurement spend allocated to women-led enterprises across South Africa in the last financial year. Through programmes like She Thrives, women entrepreneurs receive the funding, mentorship, and ecosystem support needed to scale. In partnership with Visa, the She’s Next competition, running from July through September, offers female founders the opportunity to secure funding and exposure. This journey will culminate in the SheNext event on 24 September, where finalists and mentors come together to celebrate breakthrough businesses. Financial inclusion remains a cornerstone of Absa’s approach, with dedicated masterclasses in financial literacy being hosted this Women’s Month to ensure more women are equipped to own their financial journeys.

Absa’s internal culture reflects this external ambition. Today, 52% of the Group’s workforce identifies as female, with targeted initiatives in place to strengthen female representation in leadership. Women-centred employee programmes span mental health, workplace wellness, and gender-based violence (GBV) awareness. Activations throughout August, including the Women in Risk Forum (5 August), the Women Ignite Townhall (18–22 August), and ARO-wide activations (25–29 August), serve not only to honour women internally, but to ensure that policy and practice align with purpose.

Beyond the workplace, Absa’s commitment to equity extends into sport and culture. This August, Absa will once again be the driving force behind women-focused races in four major cities, from the Totalsports Women’s Races in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, to the grand finale Run Your City Tshwane on 24 August. These events are more than races, they are national expressions of empowerment, with Absa colleagues running alongside clients and communities in celebration of women’s strength. Long-term sponsorships like the Sunshine Ladies Tour and the Absa Cape Epic She Untamed continue to create space for women to lead and compete in high-performance arenas, shattering outdated assumptions about what women in sport can achieve.

As a brand rooted in storytelling, Absa continues to invest in authentic platforms that allow women to share their perspectives through the arts. Two major exhibitions will headline this year’s Absa L’Atelier Pan-African Art Series, both led by powerful female voices. In Cape Town, Adelheid Frackiewicz explores personal transformation and the evolving role of women through her exhibition at AVA Gallery (7 August – 25 September). In Kimberley, Bulumko Mbete, winner of the 2023 Gerard Sekoto Award, presents “Like the sky, I’ve been too quiet” at the William Humphreys Gallery (14 August – 13 September), a multimedia reflection on migration, memory, and identity.

This Women’s Month, Absa is also turning the spotlight outward, inviting the public to participate in a national movement of recognition. Through a social storytelling campaign under #WeSeeHer, South Africans are encouraged to tag women in their lives who embody creativity, ambition, potential or resilience, and share their stories. Each week, selected nominations will be featured on Power FM, where both the storyteller and the woman being recognised will be given the opportunity to share their untold story with the country.

The month culminates in one of the most anticipated events on Absa’s calendar: Phenomenal Women, a soulful gathering taking place on 9 August at the NIROX Sculpture Park in partnership with the NIROX Foundation. Set in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind, the event will honour women’s voices through music, poetry, performance and art. The all-female lineup includes Zolani Mahola + The Feminine Force, Poet Nomashenge Dlamini, Shotgun Tori, and WGRUV Dance Company, alongside a curated showcase of women-owned businesses and a full-day art and culinary experience.

“Through Phenomenal Women and every activation across our Women’s Month calendar, we are reaffirming our belief that the stories of women, especially those that have gone unheard, deserve to be honoured, invested in, and amplified,” says Candice Thurston, Managing Executive: Brand and Marketing, Absa Group. “Because when women thrive, communities rise. And when we see her, we all see what’s possible.”

Over 300 entrepreneurs, investors and trailblazers to converge in Johannesburg for the Festival of Entrepreneurship, to accelerate inclusive entrepreneurship and enterprise growth across the continent

Today, over 300 leading entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem enablers gathered at the Marriott Hotel, Melrose Arch, for the Festival of Entrepreneurship (FOE) 2025, a high-impact, full-day event dedicated to accelerating entrepreneurship in South Africa and beyond.

Themed around the African Development Bank’s High 5 priorities – energy, agriculture, industrialisation, integration and quality of life – the festival focuses on actionable strategies to unlock inclusive growth and scalable innovation through entrepreneurship. With a curated agenda of keynotes, panels and masterclasses, FOE 2025 is set to unpack the pillars that drive successful entrepreneurial ecosystems, including access to finance, capacity building and strategic collaboration.

Attendees will hear from industry leaders, funders, township economy champions, business support specialists and seasoned entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated the challenges and successes they encountered along the business journey. Discussions will span investor readiness, growth funding, public-private partnerships and the future of youth- and women-led businesses in Africa.

Absa Group, as headline sponsor, brings its deep-rooted commitment to empowering entrepreneurs to the event. With a strong presence in the small and medium enterprises (SME) ecosystem, Absa continues to foster inclusive economic participation and long-term business sustainability.

“At Absa, we believe that entrepreneurship is not only a catalyst for economic growth but also a vital engine for job creation and innovation. Through our collaboration with FOE 2025, we are reinforcing our mission to empower entrepreneurs with the tools, funding and support they need to thrive,” says Ronnie Mbatsane, Group Managing Executive: SME Segments at Absa.

FOE 2025 is supported by partners including the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA), Telkom and National Empowerment Fund (NEF), with IDF Capital leading the programme curation and hosting the event.

Attendees will participate in masterclasses on investor readiness, financial planning, branding and tendering strategy, which will provide practical knowledge and one-on-one engagement with subject matter experts.

Follow the event:  @FestivalOfEntrepreneurship | Hashtag: #FOE2025

For media queries, please contact:

• Albertina Maseko: Albertina.Maseko@absa.africa

• Kabelo Chabalala: Kabelo@onpointpr.co.za

• prmedia@absa.africa

The minibus taxi industry is a cornerstone of South Africa’s economy, which is why Absa and leading commercial vehicle manufacturer Foton South Africa are partnering to empower the operators of this vital sector and small-business owners alike.

A year after launching Foton Finance – a product by Absa, the two organisations are expanding their partnership this week through the launch of Foton Taxi Finance, a finance solution that makes minibus taxi ownership more affordable, faster, and sustainable for taxi operators and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

For the first time, taxi operators can secure ownership of Foton’s petrol or diesel Asambe minibus taxis in just four years, making it easier for those wanting to upgrade or grow a modern, reliable fleet. The offer also makes room for several optional extras such as the installation of app-based taxi management system RUTCO in the vehicle, to enhance operational efficiencies.

“We’re offering competitive monthly instalments, starting at below R12 000, to turbo-charge a taxi operator, driver, or small-business owner’s transport capabilities. Research has shown that more SMEs require reliable, affordable vehicles to expand their businesses, and naturally, this applies directly to the minibus taxi industry, where the quality and safety of your vehicle is integral,” says Charl Potgieter, Managing Executive for Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance.

“Recent data has suggested the South African minibus-taxi industry has created economic opportunities for taxi entrepreneurs, and has an annual turnover of R38-billion to R50-billion. However, this doesn’t take into account the knock-on economic benefits of reliable transportation for workers and entrepreneurs alike,” he continued.

Foton Taxi Finance also offers a free Financial Education course for every taxi financed, and when completed, will unlock a series of other benefits, including a free first service at an associated Foton Dealership.

“Financial education is an example of Absa’s commitment to being a force for good in society, because we understand that a financially confident business owner is a successful business owner. That’s why we hope we can share some of our knowledge to the taxi industry and any transport-focused small business, as partners, through this new solution,” said Fulufhelo Mandane, Executive: Strategic Partnerships at Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance.

This week’s launch was attended by key stakeholders from the taxi industry, SME sector, and Foton representatives, all to experience the Asambe Taxi and benefits that Foton Taxi Finance provides.

“We understand that South Africans need robust, high-performance vehicles that can withstand local conditions whether it’s moving people across urban centres or transporting goods over challenging terrain. Our goal is to offer a wide range of sustainable reliable mobility solutions. This partnership with Absa enables us to better support a variety of industries across the country, helping them grow their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to the local economy,” said Marius Smal, Chief Executive Officer of Foton South Africa.

As a leading global manufacturer of commercial vehicles, Foton’s diverse range of trucks, vans, and passenger vehicles are designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals alike. Powered by cutting-edge engineering and a passion for excellence, Foton South Africa has reiterated its commitment to providing the next generation of vehicles that combine advanced technology, superior performance, and unparalleled reliability.

Exploring how together we can advance regional integration and drive inclusive industrial development within the AfCFTA.

Absa is proud to partner with Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) for the annual TIPS Forum, taking place from 30 to 31 July 2025 at the IDC Auditorium in Sandton, Johannesburg, with a wider audience joining virtually. 

Themed “The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Regional Integration and Industrial Development”, this year’s forum will explore how the AfCFTA can be a catalyst for industrial growth, cross-border trade and deeper economic integration across Southern Africa. 

As part of the forum’s knowledge contributions, Absa’s Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) team will share a research paper proposing a new conceptual framework centred on the design and operationalisation of regional industrial hubs. 

Said Stephen Seaka, Managing Executive: Public Sector and Growth Capital Solutions,  at Absa CIB: “The real power of the AfCFTA lies in implementation. We believe that through meaningful partnerships and platforms like the TIPS Forum, public and private sectors can co-create industrial pathways that accelerate Africa’s inclusive growth. This is how we shift from ideas to infrastructure, from intention to impact, because transformation depends on collaboration, and our role is to enable both.” 

Absa takes a holistic, ecosystem-based view of economic development in Africa, recognising the continent not as a collection of isolated markets or sectors, but as an interconnected landscape of opportunity. With a strong Pan-African presence, the bank facilitates cross-border trade and investment in alignment with the ambitions of the AfCFTA. Through a profound understanding of regional interdependencies and the deployment of innovative trade and development finance solutions, Absa is uniquely positioned to drive integration, unlock shared economic value and support inclusive growth across the continent. 

David Mparutsa, Pan-Africa Head: Enterprise and Supplier Development at Absa CIB, will present a new conceptual framework for regional industrial integration in Africa at the forum.  

The TIPS Annual Forum is widely regarded as a critical platform for evidence-based, policy-relevant dialogue. This year, over 150 in-person delegates and up to 300 virtual participants are expected to attend, representing a cross-section of voices from government, business, academia and civil society. Absa’s investment in this forum extends beyond funding. It’s about catalysing real, regional progress.  

“Whether through value chain development, trade finance innovation or institutional partnerships, we’re focused on helping Africa move from ambition to delivery. The continent’s growth story is being written in real time, and we’re proud to contribute to the pages that follow,” said Mparutsa. 

“Inclusive development doesn’t happen by chance; it’s shaped through dialogue, co-creation and decisive action. TIPS continues to convene policy conversation that promotes practical, regional outcomes. As a proudly Pan-African bank, we support a platform dedicated to unlocking long-term opportunities across the continent,” said Dr Steven Zwane, Acting Managing Executive: Stakeholder Engagement at Absa Group.  

“Absa’s funding of this year’s forum aligns with our broader strategic positioning on the continent, including our contribution to global policy platforms such as the G20 and B20, ensuring that Africa’s voice is heard on trade, investment and inclusive growth,” Zwane added. 

Looking to the future: participation of the private sector in initiatives such as the annual TIPS Forum remains essential in shaping an integrated Africa capable of competing globally, connecting meaningfully and growing collectively. Through such collaboration, dialogues and engagements that are followed by intentional actions, Africa’s story of industrialisation and trade is not only being imagined, but being realised.  

“We thank Absa for their support and contribution towards this forum, and for thereby highlighting their commitment to Africa’s regional integration and industrial transformation,” said Dr Saul Levin, Executive Director at TIPS. 

As a strategic partner at this year’s TIPS Forum, Absa reaffirms its commitment to Africa’s development priorities, not only through financial solutions, but also through insights, collaboration and institution-building. This association aligns with the Group’s broader strategy to drive industrial development, enable cross-border trade and support regional integration across the continent.  

For media queries, please contact:

prmedia@absa.co.za 

Investment sentiment in South Africa’s residential property market remained elevated in the second quarter of 2025, with Absa’s latest Homeowners Sentiment Index (HSI) recording an 84% positive response.

This marks the strongest consecutive three-quarter performance since the Index was launched in 2015, underscoring sustained consumer confidence in property as a long-term investment asset.

“Property investment is largely driven by the common goal of owning a stable, high-return asset, along with the growing awareness of the benefits of earning additional or passive income,” said Nondumiso Ncapai, Absa Home Loans Managing Executive. “With many South Africans optimistic about economic recovery, there is increasing recognition of property’s potential to generate value now and build wealth for future generations.”

The positive outlook for property as an investment is underpinned by several key perceptions among South African consumers. Over half (53%) believe that property consistently gains value over time, while 52% see it as offering good returns. Nearly half (48%) view it as a reliable source of passive income, and 47% cite strong demand for rental properties as a motivating factor. Looking ahead, 42% anticipate continued growth in demand, reinforcing confidence in property’s long-term investment potential.

At the same time, investors remain cautious about several risks. Chief among these is concern over the broader economic climate, with 51% citing poor economic performance as a key deterrent. Other concerns include the weak rand (33%), high property prices (36%), and affordability challenges among tenants – particularly in the context of job insecurity and unemployment – with 29% worried that tenants may be unable to pay rent and 27% highlighting broader concerns about labour market stability.

The Absa HSI is a leading indicator of the overall state of consumer confidence in South Africa’s property market. In the second quarter of 2025, overall homeowner sentiment rose by one percentage point to 86%, suggesting that persistent economic concerns have not significantly dampened consumer confidence. The uplift was supported by easing inflation and expectations of stable or gradually declining interest rates.

Ongoing semigration shifts were also noted in the HSI report. The Western Cape and Eastern Cape continue to see a positive net migration over the most recent quarter, similar to levels observed in the previous quarter. Gauteng remains the biggest net loser of property owners, with a 24% increase in net outward migration.

Looking ahead, a further interest rate cut anticipated in July, according to the Absa house view, should help sustain the stability in consumer sentiment this market has enjoyed in the last year, said Ncapai.

To view the full report, visit our Homeowner Sentiment Index site 

More than 250 colleagues gathered at Sandton Convention Centre for the Rise Against Hunger, Food Packaging event, packing over 71,000 meals for ECD centres across South Africa

In honour of Nelson Mandela International Day, on 18 July 2025, Absa Group brought together an estimated 250 colleagues at the Sandton Convention Centre to take part in the Rise Against Hunger-Food Packaging event. This drive saw Absa employees packing over 71,000 nutritious meals, which will be distributed to Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres nationwide.

“Mandela Day is a reminder for all of us to pause and think about other people, especially those in need. It is a call to action and to show up for others in meaningful ways. For us at Absa, it is not just a day on the calendar, it is the ethos of what we do above banking services. It is an expression of who we are, a force for good,” says Dr. Steven Zwane, Managing Executive of Corporate Citizenship at Absa.

The Rise Against Hunger Food Packaging event forms part of Absa’s broader Mandela Month initiatives, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to driving meaningful social impact through bringing our employees along.

“Through the Rise Against Hunger drive, we are assembling more than meal packs; we’re restoring dignity, connection and hope for the future. This initiative is an extension of our strategic focus on embedding entrepreneurial and skills-based volunteering into everything we do.”

The 2025 event builds on the success of 2024, where Absa colleagues across South Africa participated in food-packing activities with Rise Against Hunger to support vulnerable communities and ECD facilities. Beyond the meals, the drive fosters purpose, unity, and visible impact.

Zwane concludes: “Our ambition is to see at least 25% of our 36,000 colleagues across the group volunteering, and not only on Mandela Day, but throughout the year. It’s about being a Force for Good in everything we do; whether it is business, in community or in the way we show up for each other.”

Absa’s Colleague Volunteering Programme empowers employees to give back to their communities in ways that matter to them. Whether it’s teaching financial literacy, supporting entrepreneurs, or packing meals, people are encouraged to get involved. The programme offers practical support like volunteering leave, grants, matched funding, and opportunities for skills-based volunteering, ensuring that it is easier for employees to make a real difference.

For Absa and its people, Mandela Day will resonate far beyond Madiba’s birthday. For every meal packed, every child reached, and every colleague inspired to give back, the bank goes above and beyond.