Why HR services are no longer optional for small businesses
Globally, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for more than 90% of businesses and over 50% of employment, according to the World Bank. In Africa, SMEs contribute approximately 80% of employment in many economies, while in the United States, they employ nearly half of the private workforce (World Bank; U.S.
Business loans in South Africa: Access, costs, & constraints
Access to finance remains one of the defining constraints for business growth in South Africa, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-enterprises. In an economy where SMEs contribute a significant share of jobs and economic output but frequently face structural credit constraints, business loans are not merely a
100+ Entrepreneurs in Africa to Watch in 2026
Across Africa, entrepreneurs are building companies shaped by local market realities and long-term economic ambition. These founders are addressing structural gaps across sectors while creating jobs, expanding access to essential services, strengthening domestic value chains, and contributing to measurable economic activity across the continent. This article highlights 100 entrepreneurs in
1099 form for independent contractors: Implications for businesses & freelancers
In the United States, the structure of employment continues to evolve, with an increasing proportion of the workforce operating as independent contractors. A critical component of this system is the IRS Form 1099-NEC, which businesses use to report payments made to non-employee workers. Understanding this form, its regulatory context, and
Why your company needs business process management
Nowadays, operational efficiency is no longer optional; it is a strategic imperative. Companies face mounting pressure to optimize workflows, reduce operational costs, and respond swiftly to market changes. Business process management (BPM) has emerged as a critical framework for achieving these objectives, offering structured methodologies to design, implement, monitor, and
25 recommended biography books for the voracious reader in you
Smart people read recommended biography books because they are some of the most actionable and educational reading you can do. Think about it, a biography is a sweeping portrait of a life or a career. It covers vast swaths of material that the author must make immediately understood within the
Africa’s startup funding shifted from growth to infrastructure in 2025
After two years of contraction, Africa’s startup ecosystem raised more capital in 2025 than it did the year before. That reversal matters, not because it signals a return to earlier growth cycles, but because it clarifies how capital now evaluates risk, duration, and value creation across the continent. The rebound
EFCC files ₦4.3bn forex fraud charges against UBA and others
Nigeria’s foreign exchange market remains a central pressure point for monetary policy, capital allocation, and financial system credibility. Enforcement actions in this space tend to carry implications beyond the parties involved, particularly for banks that sit at the intersection of official FX policy and private market demand. Against this backdrop,
NCC sets ₦250,000 authorization fee for new telcos to test their services
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector continues to evolve as regulators adjust licensing structures to reflect emerging technologies and business models. For a market that has historically balanced rapid private-sector innovation with tight regulatory oversight, changes to entry frameworks matter not only for startups, but also for capital allocation, service quality, and long-term
Startup business loans: Structure, access, & risk in early-stage company financing
Startup business loans occupy a complex position in the early-stage financing landscape. Unlike venture capital or angel investment, which exchange capital for equity, loans impose fixed repayment obligations on businesses that are often pre-revenue, operationally unproven, and highly sensitive to cash flow disruptions Despite these constraints, debt financing remains a
