Nigeria’s economy, which ranked as Africa’s largest in 2022, is set to slip to fourth place this year and Egypt, which held the top position in 2023, is projected to fall to second behind South Africa after a series of currency devaluations, International Monetary Fund forecasts show.
The IMF’s World Economic Outlook estimates Nigeria’s gross domestic product at $253 billion based on current prices this year, lagging energy-rich Algeria at $267 billion, Egypt at $348 billion and South Africa at $373 billion.
Africa’s most industrialized nation-South Africa-will remain the continent’s largest economy until Egypt reclaims the mantle in 2027, while Nigeria is expected to remain in fourth place for years to come, the data shows.   
Nigeria and Egypt’s fortunes have dimmed as they deal with high inflation and a plunge in their currencies.
Bola Tinubu has announced significant policy reforms since he became Nigeria’s president at the end of May 2023, including allowing the currency to float more freely, scrapping costly energy and gasoline subsidies and taking steps to address dollar shortages. Despite a recent rebound, the naira is still 50% weaker against the greenback than what it was prior to him taking office after two currency devaluations.
Egypt, one of the emerging world’s most-indebted countries and the IMF’s second-biggest borrower after Argentina, has also allowed its currency to float, triggering an almost 40% plunge in the pound’s value against the dollar last month to attract investment.
The IMF had been calling for a flexible currency regime for many months and the multilateral lender rewarded Egypt’s government by almost tripling the size of a loan program first approved in 2022 to $8 billion. This was a catalyst for a further influx of around $14 billion in financial support from the European Union and the World Bank.
Unlike Nigeria’s naira and Egypt’s pound, the value of South Africa’s rand has long been set in the financial markets and it has lost about 4% of its value against the dollar this year. Its economy is expected to benefit from improvements to its energy supply and plans to tackle logistic bottlenecks.
Algeria, an OPEC+ member has been benefiting from high oil and gas prices caused first by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and now tensions in the Middle East. It stepped in to ease some of Europe’s gas woes after Russia curtailed supplies amid its war in Ukraine.



In exciting news for digital nomads, South Africa will launch a new digital nomad visa featuring two categories: a remote working visa and a critical skills visa.

These visas aim to attract remote workers and skilled professionals globally as part of South Africa’s efforts to position itself as a global hub. Once put into action, this move will establish the country as only the fifth African nation offering this kind of visa to people who spend long periods working in different countries.

While this may sound promising, what effects will this development have on our local coding community?

As South Africa becomes a hotspot for remote work with the new digital nomad visa, we need to think about the big-picture impact. Beyond the immediate economic benefits, we must carefully assess how this decision could affect our local coding talent. As a country, we are facing a delicate balancing act where we need to consider both the opportunities and the challenges that this decision could present.

Digital nomads, with their diverse skill sets and global perspectives, undoubtedly bring value to South Africa’s tech landscape. Their presence contributes to the local economy, driving revenue generation through spending on various services and stimulating job creation across sectors like hospitality, tourism and technology. Their entrepreneurial spirit within this community acts as a catalyst for innovation, fostering a vibrant start-up ecosystem that enhances South Africa’s reputation as a tech hub.
Challenges

However, with these advantages also come challenges, especially regarding the potential displacement of local coding talent. Digital nomads earn higher salaries and drive up living expenses in city centres like Cape Town and Johannesburg. This results in higher rents and food costs, pushing locals to move to the outskirts and spend hours in traffic to get to their place of work.

Because of this decrease in quality of life, lucrative opportunities abroad or even just working remotely for an international company lure many skilled coders. This leads to a depletion of our pool of talented coders, as local businesses find it hard to match the salary packages offered by international rivals.

If we introduce the digital nomad visa, proactive measures must be taken to level the playing field and ensure equal opportunities for all. One approach is through taxation policies that aim to redistribute wealth. This will help ease the strain on local coding communities who are being priced out of their homes because of inflated rental and living costs brought on by digital nomads. By implementing fair and transparent tax structures, we can balance the economic benefits of digital nomadism with the need to protect the interests of our citizens.

Local companies will also need to step up and adapt their job offerings to vie with attractive international salary packages. Offering benefits, such as flexible work hours and a supportive company culture that can foster a sense of belonging that transcends financial incentives, will go a long way in retaining talent. South African companies should also look at attracting new talent by providing access to on-the-job training as well as free online learning and mentorship programmes.

Ultimately, the key to harnessing the potential of digital nomadism lies in collaboration. We should encourage local coders to attend industry events, workshops and mentorship programmes where they can network and exchange knowledge with one another. Being able to bounce ideas and learn from each other would mean that coders can work together, rather than feel threatened by one another.

Indeed, the introduction of a digital nomad visa poses both benefits and drawbacks for South Africa. While it brings economic opportunities and fosters innovation, it also poses challenges such as gentrification and talent retention for local companies.

By implementing strategic policies and encouraging a collaborative culture, we can successfully navigate this change and build towards a future where both local and international talent coexist harmoniously.

    The author, Mvelo Hlophe, is CEO at Zaio

SAUDI VISA FOR AFRICAN CITIZENS
South Africa is not among the countries exempt from Saudi Arabia visa requirements, therefore a Saudi Arabia visa is required. South Africans need a current visa to travel to Saudi Arabia lawfully. South African citizens can obtain a Saudi electronic visa. Saudi Arabia is located in the Middle East. The eVisa is an electronic visa that permits citizens from approximately 50 countries to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism. The tourist eVisa was introduced by the Saudi government in 2019 in order to streamline the visa application process and greet international tourists. The Saudi Arabia online visa permits entry multiple times. This means that you can take it with you on numerous visits to the country. It allows for a 90-day stay with each entry into the nation, for a total of 180 days throughout its validity. The online Saudi visa is valid for one year from the date of issue. It is the quickest and simplest approach to obtain permission to enter Saudi Arabia. Simply complete a brief Saudi visa application online and you will receive your Saudi Arabia eVisa through email.
SAUDI ARABIA VISA REQUIREMENTS
•    A passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry in Saudi Arabia.
•    Providing a current email address at which to receive the Saudi Arabia visa online.
•    Paying the Saudi eVisa fee with a valid debit or credit card.

SAUDI VISA FOR KYRGYZ CITIZENS
Since Kyrgyzstan is not among the countries exempt from Saudi Arabia’s visa restrictions, a Saudi Arabia visa is necessary. Kyrgyzstan citizens are required to possess a valid visa in order to travel to Saudi Arabia within the confines of the law. Kyrgyzstan is qualified for a Saudi e-visa. Therefore, citizens of Kyrgyzstan are eligible to request a Saudi e-visa. Saudi Arabia is a nation located in the Middle East. The eVisa is an electronic visa that permits citizens from approximately 50 countries to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism. In 2019, the Saudi government introduced the tourist eVisa to simplify the visa application procedure and welcome international travelers to the country. Multiple entries are permitted with the Saudi Arabia online visa. This implies you can use it on multiple trips to the country. It allows for a 90-day stay with each entry into the nation, for a total of 180 days throughout its validity. The online Saudi visa is valid for one year from the date of issue. It is the quickest and simplest approach to obtain permission to enter Saudi Arabia. Simply complete a brief Saudi visa application online and you will receive your Saudi Arabia eVisa through email.
SAUDI ARABIA VISA REQUIREMENTS
•    A passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry in Saudi Arabia.
•    Providing a current email address at which to receive the Saudi Arabia visa online.
•    Paying the Saudi eVisa fee with a valid debit or credit card.
SAUDI VISA FOR MALDIVIAN CITIZENS
The Maldives does not fall under the list of countries exempt from Saudi Arabia visa requirements; therefore a Saudi Arabia visa is necessary. Individuals from Maldives must possess a current visa in order to travel to Saudi Arabia. The Maldives meets the requirements for a Saudi electronic visa. Consequently, Maldivians can now submit applications for a Saudi e-visa. Saudi Arabia is a nation located in the Middle East. The eVisa permits citizens from approximately 50 countries to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism through an online application process. Saudi Arabia implemented the tourist eVisa in 2019 to simplify the visa application procedure and attract foreign visitors to the country. The Saudi Arabia online visa allows for multiple entries. This suggests that you can take it with you on multiple travels to the country. It allows for a 90-day stay with each entry into the nation, for a total of 180 days throughout its validity. The online Saudi visa is valid for one year from the date of issue. It is the quickest and simplest approach to obtain permission to enter Saudi Arabia. Simply complete a brief Saudi visa application online and you will receive your Saudi Arabia eVisa through email.
SAUDI ARABIA VISA REQUIREMENTS
•    A passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry in Saudi Arabia.
•    Providing a current email address at which to receive the Saudi Arabia visa online.
•    Paying the Saudi eVisa fee with a valid debit or credit card.
SAUDI VISA FOR TAJIK CITIZENS
Tajikistan citizens need a current visa to lawfully travel to Saudi Arabia. Tajikistan qualifies for a Saudi e-visa. Tajikistan residents are now eligible to request a electronic visa for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a nation located in the Middle East. The eVisa is a digital visa that permits citizens of approximately 50 nations to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism. In 2019, the Saudi government introduced the tourist eVisa to simplify the visa application procedure and welcome international visitors to the country. The tourist eVisa permits engaging in tourism activities such as leisure, vacation, family visits, and Umrah (excluding Hajj), but not for educational purposes. The Saudi Arabia online visa allows for multiple entries. This implies you can use it on multiple trips to the country. It allows for a 90-day stay with each entry into the nation, for a total of 180 days throughout its validity. The online Saudi visa is valid for one year from the date of issue. It is the quickest and simplest approach to obtain permission to enter Saudi Arabia. Simply complete a brief Saudi visa application online and you will receive your Saudi Arabia eVisa through email.
SAUDI ARABIA VISA REQUIREMENTS
•    A passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry in Saudi Arabia.
•    Providing a current email address at which to receive the Saudi Arabia visa online.
•    Paying the Saudi eVisa fee with a valid debit or credit card.
SAUDI VISA FOR UZBEK CITIZENS
Since Uzbekistan is not included in the list of countries that are exempt from Saudi Arabia visa restrictions, it is required to obtain a Saudi Arabia visa. Uzbek passport holders need a valid visa to travel to Saudi Arabia. Uzbekistan has the opportunity to acquire an electronic visa from Saudi Arabia. Consequently, citizens of Uzbekistan can now seek a Saudi electronic visa. Saudi Arabia is located in the Middle East. The eVisa is an electronic visa that permits residents from approximately 50 countries to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism. The Saudi government introduced the tourist eVisa in 2019 with the aim of streamlining the visa application process and greeting international tourists. The online visa for Saudi Arabia enables multiple entries. This means you can utilize it on numerous visits to the nation. It allows for a 90-day stay with each entry into the nation, for a total of 180 days throughout its validity. The online Saudi visa is valid for one year from the date of issue. It is the quickest and simplest approach to obtain permission to enter Saudi Arabia. Simply complete a brief Saudi visa application online and you will receive your Saudi Arabia eVisa through email.
SAUDI ARABIA VISA REQUIREMENTS
•    A passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry in Saudi Arabia.
•    Providing a current email address at which to receive the Saudi Arabia visa online.
•    Paying the Saudi eVisa fee with a valid debit or credit card.

I recently renewed my passport at Home Affairs in a bank branch and was very impressed with the service and quick turnaround time.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and major banks first launched the option to do Smart ID card and passport applications via select bank branches in 2016.
It has slowly grown to around 30 locations, including branches from Absa, Discovery Bank, FNB, Investec, Nedbank, and Standard Bank.
My passport was set to expire in October 2024, and because many countries require that your passport be valid for six months from a travel date, a renewal was due.
I am an FNB customer, and numerous people have had previous positive experiences when using the eHomeAffairs route.
Rather than trying my luck at a traditional Home Affairs office, I filed my renewal application online and booked my biometrics capture visit at a nearby bank branch.
On Monday, 22 April 2024, I signed up for an eHomeAffairs profile for the first time and completed my passport renewal application. This took about 20 minutes.
It included creating an account using my ID number and email address, as well as setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) with my cellphone number.
Both the email address and cellphone number had to be verified before I could access the eHomeAffairs portal.
The eHomeAffairs login page requires that users enter their login details and complete a Captcha every time. An OTP sent via SMS must also be entered on each occasion.
For the passport renewal application, I needed to provide details such as my ID number, home address, my spouse’s information, and my preferred location for collection.
Credentials like my name, surname and ID number were prepopulated in the DHA-73 form.
After submitting, I was asked to select my preferred branch to capture my fingerprints, signature and a new photo.
My bank offered two branch options in the greater Tshwane area - one in Pretoria East and the other in Centurion.
The Centurion branch did not have an open slot available for two weeks.
Fortunately, the other branch had a slot at 10:00 the next day -Tuesday, 23 April 2024.
After selecting this slot, the payment of R600 was due. This was the only unintuitive part of the process.
Home Affairs does not perform regular card payments; instead, it issues an instruction to your bank that you must approve.
This did not generate a notification in the FNB app, and finding where to approve this request was challenging.
After a quick Google Search, I determined the payment request should be in a section of FNB Internet banking called “Smart ID + Passport”.
After approving the request, I could continue on the eHomeAffairs website and complete my booking.
I received an email and SMS confirmation with the time and date of my appointment within minutes.
A subsequent “1st Notice” email said I must bring my original ID book/card and a barcoded eHomeAffairs “Application Confirmation” to my appointment, which was supposed to be available on the website.
However, I could not find this document anywhere. Instead, I took a screenshot of the booking reference number on the confirmation page and hoped this would suffice.
Fortunately, the DHA had a list with all the names and ID numbers of people with appointments on the day, and I did not have to present any documents other than my ID.
A notice outside the FNB branch where I applied for my passport renewal.
Capturing my biometrics, including fingerprints and a photo of my face, took less than 10 minutes from my arrival at the branch.
I arrived at 09:54, six minutes before my booking, and a helpful bank employee pointed me to a dedicated queue for smart ID and passport applications outside the branch.
I was first in the outside queue, but several people with Smart ID and passport renewals were already being helped inside the branch.
The queue behind me quickly grew by a further five or so people, but by 09:58, we were taken into the branch and instructed to sit and wait for our turn.
Because I was first in this batch of applicants, I was first to be helped at one of the counters.
The DHA employee was friendly and professional and completed the process in less than five minutes.
This included scanning my thumb for a fingerprint, photographing my face, and signing twice on a digital signature pad. There was no paperwork whatsoever.
The DHA employee who assisted me said I would be notified when my passport was ready for collection and reminded me to bring my ID along.
The fingerprint reader used to scan my thumbprint for the passport renewal at the Home Affairs branch in FNB Lynnwood. The photo booth for passport and Smart ID card photos at the Home Affairs branch in FNB Lynnwood.
I received an SMS and email that my passport was ready for collection late afternoon on Tuesday, 30 April 2024.
This was after the DHA branch had closed at 15:30, and with 1 May being a public holiday, the earliest I could pick up the passport was 2 May 2024. No appointment was necessary for collection.
Given my experience with the biometrics, I assumed the collection process would be a breeze.
However, I was greeted with a queue of 10 people waiting outside the bank when I pitched up at 09:29, not a good start. Around 10 minutes later, another five had joined the line behind me.
We were let into the branch at 09:53, about 25 minutes after I arrived, but much longer for some of those in front of me.
A Home Affairs employee collected the ID books of those who had come for collection and said we would be called by name when our turn came.
I was called to a counter at around 10:25, verified my identity with a fingerprint scan and signature, and received my new passport in less than a minute.
With the DHA branch opening at 08:30, that means they completed around 11 collections per hour on that day.
Much better than a non-bank DHA office
Overall, the experience was a bit of a mixed bag.
However, my passport was ready in less than six business days, and the time spent at the branch was about an hour and 10 minutes.
This is a welcome improvement over the nightmarish expeditions that have historically awaited those who need to go to regular DHA offices.
Some other noteworthy things from the experience:
•    It was a great help and assurance that I constantly received notifications via email and SMS providing updates on the status of my application.
•    Every login on the eHomeAffairs website required me to enter an OTP received via SMS. While not the best form of 2FA, it is at least an additional layer many other government services do not have.
•    Many people have previously reported issues accessing the eHomeAffairs website at certain times, with OTPs being particularly problematic. I was unable to get an OTP to check on the status of my application on two occasions.
•    I was privileged to have two branches to choose from within a 15km radius of my office and home. Many people would have to go to another province to find a DHA branch in their bank.
•    A second MyBroadband employee also reported a positive experience with the biometrics and photo-capturing appointment.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has spent over R412.95 million in legal fees since the start of the 2018/19 financial year - with over R117.69 million of this spent between 1 April 2023 and 29 February 2024.
This was revealed by the Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, in a recent written response in parliament.
DHA has seen an exponential increase in the amount that it spends on litigation, with the current amount for 2023/24 (note these figures are until the end of February, several months short of the full financial year) nearly 16 times that of the amount spent in 2018/19.
Since 2018/19, DHA has spent:
•    R148.57 million on private legal firms;
•    R264.38 million on state legal services.
Looking at the breakdown of where the money is being spent, the department used to have a relatively equal distribution of the amount spent on state and private legal services back in 2018/19 - spending around R3.6 million on each.
DHA then exponentially increased the amount spent on state legal services in 2019/20 by around 18 times more than the previous year, with these eight-figure bills remaining ever since.
Spending on state legal services has been hefty yet sporadic, whereas expenditures on private legal services have consistently risen, experiencing proliferated costs from 2021/2022 onwards.
2023/24 has seen the department spend, for the first time in this period, considerably more on private legal services than on state -over 21 times more than it did in 2018/2019.
 iIncrease in litigation for the department
Home Affairs has seen a steady rise in not only the amount of litigation that the department initiates, but in the amount of times it (or the minister himself) has been dragged to court.
Among the numerous recent costly court battles for the DHA include the widely publicised Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) case and disputes over blocked IDs.
ZEP
Back in 2021, the Cabinet made a decision not to renew Zimbabwean permits that are set to expire in December of the same year. After much resistance, the DHA then gave an extension vof one year for Zimbabwean nationals to apply for alternative visas.
The Zimbabwe Immigration Federation subsequently filed a lawsuit against the department regarding the termination of these permits. They requested that the termination be declared unconstitutional and invalid.
In June of 2023, the court ultimately ruled against Motsoaledi, and granted an interdict.
The Minister has since approached the Constitutional Court, seeking a leave of appeal after it was rejected by the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Blocked IDs
Back in 2023, the DHA sought to block nearly 1 million IDs over suspected fraud.
Various legal groups challenged this, arguing that no law allowed the department to block an ID number, bringing into question the legality of this action.
The Gauteng High Court aligned with this argument, saying that blocking IDs is an unjust and irregular administrative action that is inconsistent with the South African Constitution - ordering that the department pay the costs of the application.