Our main interview this month is with Hezron Musonda FCCA, CFO of Zambia Sugar and ACCA’s 2024 Young CFO of the Year. After a decade in banking and onto his third board-level role despite still being in his 30s, he is relishing the chance to deal with ‘tangibles’ at the country’s top sugar manufacturer: ‘It’s a very different kind of experience.’
In Nigeria, a comprehensive reform of the country’s tax system currently going through parliament is provoking robust debate. Our columnist Okey Umeano FCCA reviews progress and looks at what it might mean for small and medium-sized businesses, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
We also have an article exploring the African Union’s proposal for an African credit rating agency. Governments believe the current landscape, dominated as it is by the big three ratings agencies, gives an unrealistic view of sovereign risk in the continent. They hope a dedicated agency would offer a more balanced perspective and ultimately lead to reduced borrowing rates from lenders, but not everyone agrees.
Elsewhere, we take a look at what is playing on the minds of CEOs around the world. Uppermost – surprise, surprise – is the adoption of artificial intelligence. According to PwC’s CEO Survey, 42% of CEOs globally believe that their companies will not be viable beyond the next 10 years without reinvention. Find out more on this but also about their concerns around skills shortages, inflation and other potential threats to business.
Finally, in our careers section, we look at the recruitment outlook in South Africa. We also have advice on how to self-manage your career to make sure you seek out the best opportunities for professional development. And if you are looking to get ahead on your learning, our CPD section has a wealth of articles, including one on cryptocurrencies and regulation.
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