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Nigeria, the largest economy in the continent of Africa, still remains a largely cash-dominated society. As per one report by Access Bank Plc, over 40 million Nigerians do not have a bank account. However, the Central Bank of Nigeria has implemented several measures to encourage people to become part of the country’s regulated financial system, including implementing the National Financial Inclusion Strategy and launching of Payment Service Banks. Thanks to these measures, financial inclusion has improved, with an 11% increase in active bank accounts as of early 2020.

One of the fastest growing digital payments markets in Africa, Ghana, gives the digital revolution a new meaning. The unprecedented growth of the digital economy in Ghana in recent years, especially its penetration in rural areas, speaks of the opportunities it offers in terms of social inclusion and accessibility. This is furthermore important now, where the world has adopted ‘safe distancing and digital lifestyle’ as the new normal.

This past month's lockdown has had an interesting impact on how South Africans consume media. Coupled with the millions of South Africans staying home and the need for ongoing information about the coronavirus, South African media expectations have changed. By the end of March 2020, South Africa had a total of 1,353 COVID-19 cases and five deaths. One month on, we enter stage four of the South African lockdown with these numbers soaring to 5,350 cases and 103 deaths.

With the lock down extension, there is a natural need for South Africans to feel secure about ongoing essential goods and services. BMi Research conducted a survey using an online panel from Borderless Access* to ascertain current perceptions on essential goods. 509 people were interviewed nationally from 12-13 April 2020.

As national lockdown extends, South Africans’ greatest COVID-19-related concern is the economy.  This is even more top-of-mind for most citizens than concern over their family’s health care needs, which features as their second most pressing concern.

In times of crisis, there are two paths to take: Reactive or Proactive. It is entirely understandable (and much more common) for businesses and individuals to take the reactive path.

The last 10 years will go down in history as the decade when the digital age actually took root. This was the year the world was, for the first time, dominated by internet-driven things, from social media to smartphones; voice-enabled devices to augmented and virtual reality; and everything else associated with them. And their influence on our society as a whole was and continues to be all-encompassing.

The South African economy has been struggling for a while now, with its recovery further hampered by the country’s acute energy shortages and resultant load shedding. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his 2020 State of the Nation Address, was candid about the prolonged economic slump, stating, “Our economy has not grown at any meaningful rate for over a decade”. He stated unequivocally that the load shedding was having a “debilitating” effect on the country.