Monocle Solutions

For some, artificial intelligence represents unprecedented opportunity. For others, it raises important concerns. As leaders in AI implementation, Monocle recognises the importance of understanding how people perceive and engage with this rapidly evolving technology, both in their professional and personal lives. Take a few minutes to complete our anonymous AI Sentiment Survey and help us build a clearer picture of where sentiment sits on the scale between fear and favour. Have your say before 6 November 2026: bit.ly/4ybjULF #Monocle #AI #FearorFavour

The 2026 Absa Africa Financial Markets Index revealed significant progress, with 21 of 29 countries improving their scores and the continental average reaching a decade-high. @MichaelJAvery was joined by Anthony Kirui, Head of Africa Regional Global Markets at Absa CIB, and Jeff Gable, @AbsaSouthAfrica CIB’s Chief Economist, to unpack the findings and explore how regulatory reforms, improved market accessibility and greater investment can unlock Africa’s economic potential. Read the full report: cib.absa.africa/home/insight… Click here to listen to the full podcast: Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/4yVeR25 Spotify: bit.ly/3UvU3jO YouTube Podcasts: bit.ly/4izrfib

#AIFriday #DidYouKnow #MCP #AIAgents #AI #MonocleTech

What separates exceptional success from ordinary results? According to Adrian Gore, Founder and Chief Executive of Discovery Limited, the answer lies less in talent and more in how we think, act and make decisions. Drawing on insights from his new book, The Four Principles, Gore joined @MichaelJAvery to explore the principles behind achieving meaningful impact, the importance of challenging negative perceptions, and how South Africa can unlock its economic potential through entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation. Click here to listen to the full podcast: Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3W2jqdk Spotify: bit.ly/4eKq3Hy YouTube Podcasts: bit.ly/4zSEsK9 @PanMacmillanSA @Discovery_SA

South Africa’s economic outlook is showing signs of improvement, but is the progress as promising as it seems? Michael Avery was joined by Dr Azar Jammine, Director and Chief Economist at Econometrix, to unpack the country’s fiscal position and broader economic outlook. From narrowing budget deficits and the impact of rising commodity prices to persistent unemployment and growing infrastructure backlogs, the conversation explored whether recent improvements reflect meaningful progress or mask deeper structural weaknesses. They also discussed the role of economic reforms, investment and sustainable growth in shaping South Africa’s financial future. Click here to listen to the full podcast: Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4BdV5S6 Spotify: bit.ly/4s8dHia YouTube Podcasts: bit.ly/4ikk66q

As leaders in artificial intelligence implementation, Monocle is committed to understanding not only how the technology is evolving, but how people are responding to it. AI Sentiment Survey: bit.ly/4ybjULF As AI becomes increasingly embedded in our personal and professional lives, sentiment continues to shift between fear and favour - from uncertainty and concern to curiosity, optimism and excitement about its potential. Through the Monocle AI Sentiment Survey, we want to understand where people sit on that scale and how they really feel about AI today. The findings will be used to identify key trends and contribute to industry insights in the form of an AI-Sentiment Report. All findings will be reported in aggregate, and no individual responses will be shared or published. We encourage you to share the survey with your networks and follow Monocle on social media to stay updated as we share the findings and insights.

Is South Africa’s economy being held back by its own policies? With unemployment remaining high and economic freedom rankings declining, the need for reform is becoming increasingly urgent. In this episode of the Monocle Banking Podcast, @MichaelJAvery spoke to Neil Emerick, Deputy Chair of the Free Market Foundation, about South Africa’s economic challenges, restrictive regulations and declining investor confidence. Drawing comparisons with Kenya and Argentina, the conversation explored the reforms needed to unlock investment, strengthen economic freedom and drive sustainable growth. Click here to listen to the full podcast: Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3TSxNjJ Spotify: bit.ly/4zkrjZQ YouTube Podcasts: bit.ly/4jdkapI

Our recent industry-wide survey revealed a significant gap between current AI adoption and future AI ambition in technical data lineage at banks. Only 9% of respondents currently use AI to support their technical data lineage capabilities. However, 50% plan to adopt it in the near future. The potential is clear. So, what is preventing banks from moving from ambition to implementation? #TechnicalDataLineage #ArtificialIntelligence #Banking #DataGovernance #BCBS239 #TechTuesday

A more open, competitive payments system could reshape how South Africa transacts - but key reforms are still taking shape. Michael Avery spoke with Lincoln Mali, CEO of Lesaka Technologies, about the progress made in reshaping South Africa’s payments ecosystem and the reforms still needed to unlock greater competition. They explored the shift away from bank-led self-regulation, the potential of activity-based regulation to open the market to fintechs, and why lower costs, greater transparency and more accessible digital payment options could benefit merchants and consumers alike. The conversation also examined the potential of PayShap and a unified QR standard to accelerate digital adoption, as well as the importance of regulatory clarity in turning reform into meaningful change. Click here to listen to the full podcast: Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4xXj4BZ Spotify: bit.ly/47sHaJX YouTube Podcasts: bit.ly/3ThaaBf

Geopolitical disruption is no longer an occasional shock - it is becoming a permanent feature of the business landscape. From fractured supply chains and energy insecurity to infrastructure constraints and technological concentration, leaders are being forced to rethink how they plan, invest and build resilience. In this episode of the Monocle Banking Podcast, @MichaelJAvery spoke with Claudio Campanini, Kearney’s Middle East and Africa Regional Chair, and Prashaen Reddy, Partner at @kearney, about why traditional forecasting is giving way to scenario-based planning. They explored how geopolitical risk is reshaping capital allocation, infrastructure and supply chains, what South Africa could learn from the Middle East’s approach to resilience and diversification, and why boards need to build greater agility into their organisations to navigate an increasingly unpredictable global environment. Click here to listen to the full podcast: Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4iF6Slt Spotify: bit.ly/4xKtdlw YouTube Podcasts: bit.ly/4xDpAgU

#DidYouTech #AIAgents #AIEngineering #ArtificialIntelligence #EnterpriseAI #MonocleTech

Absa’s appointment as master custodian for South Africa’s Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) marks a significant development in the country’s pension landscape. @MichaelJAvery was joined by Hazel Khumalo, Managing Executive, Pan Africa Sales, Investor Services at @Absa_CIB, to unpack what the mandate means and how the role of custody had evolved beyond simply safeguarding assets. They explored the growing importance of independent oversight as pension funds expanded into private and cross-border investments, as well as the role of local expertise, pension reform and emerging technology in shaping the future of custody in Africa. Click here to listen to the full podcast: Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4xVLFIB Spotify: bit.ly/4h9MgiL YouTube Podcasts: bit.ly/4haLcLI #PensionFunds #GEPF #AbsaCIB

#DidYouTech #LLMOps #AI #EnterpriseAI #MonocleTech #AIFriday

Standard Bank processed R88 trillion in payments in the first half of 2026 alone - but as payment systems become increasingly open and interconnected, where will the real competitive advantage lie? @MichaelJAvery spoke to Richard de Roos, recently appointed Head of Payments at @SBGroup, about the changing payments landscape across Africa and why payment infrastructure could increasingly become a shared utility. They explored how this shift could move competition beyond the payment rails themselves towards the data, AI-driven services and broader banking solutions built around them, as well as the role of regulation in shaping more open and interoperable payment ecosystems across the continent. Click here to listen to the full podcast: Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4xg9z0g Spotify: bit.ly/4gLMmhN YouTube Podcasts: bit.ly/4xU5Cji #Payments #AI #StandardBank

TECH THAT TRANSFORMS. At Monocle Tech, we combine our consulting expertise with innovative technology, software and data capabilities to help organisations navigate what’s next. Our expanded technical capabilities support our banking and insurance clients with solutions designed to drive growth, improve efficiency and enable transformation. From technology and data to innovative software solutions, Monocle Tech brings together the expertise and capabilities to help turn complex challenges into opportunities. Ready to see what’s possible? Click the link here: bit.ly/46cxPFK to explore how Monocle Tech can help drive your growth and efficiency. #MonocleTech #Technology #DigitalTransformation #Data #AI #Innovation #Banking #Insurance #TechCheck #TechTuesday

AI can move fast. Human judgement keeps it on track. #DidYouTech #AI #AIAgents #HumanInTheLoop #ResponsibleAI #MonocleTech