Breaking News Today – Monday 5 January 2026

Business News Today – Welcome to 2026

As we start a new year of news coverage off today, we wish all of our readers a prosperous and happy new year. The major international events unfolding as this new-year starts, may well be indicative of the disruptive year that is likely to lie ahead. Whatever the outcomes and developments may turn out to be, we will always strive to provide useful and meaningful coverage of the business landscape in Africa and Globally. Our goal at Business Tech Africa is to provide our audience with a broad, balanced and reasoned view of the business world, its developments and factors influencing the markets. Happy 2026!

Venezuela Military Action – Impact on Markets

The US military action to remove what many perceive to be an illegitimate president from his country by the US, has impacted markets today with various moves happening as trading in the new week opens up. Gold futures have climbed above $4408 (up 1.7%) in early trade while silver has surged by over 3.7% and copper by over 2.8%. Platinum has jumped by over 2.1% and oil and natural gas prices have dropped. Crypto currency markets have also seen an up-tick in demand with bitcoin up over 1.3% today. The impact has also seen the dollar strengthen with the US dollar index climbing above 98.5 this morning, reaching a two-week high.

South African Trade Surplus hits 44 Month High

South Africa’s trade surplus rose to ZAR 37.7 billion in November 2025, the largest since March 2022, up from a downwardly revised ZAR 15 billion in the prior month. Imports fell by -14.9% month-on-month to a five-month low of R150 billion (ZAR), with four of the five main product sectors showing declines. This included original equipment components (OEM) down-51%. Purchases also fell significantly for mineral products, down by -24%. This included vehicles & transport equipment down by -19% and chemical products dropped by -18%. Meanwhile, exports fell at a softer -1.9% to ZAR 188 billion, as reduced shipments of vegetable products, down by -37% and base metals down -9% were offset by increases in optical photographic products up 90%, mineral products up 6% and vehicles & transport equipment up by 5%.

While the trade surplus will be welcomed by the central bank, the drop in exports of agricultural goods and base metals may indicate impact of new US tariffs on the economy that have longer term impact. The drop in vehicle parts is also a key indicator that the vehicle manufacturing sector in the country continues to face headwinds, also impacted by the Us tariffs on South Africa.

Some Fuel Price Relief for South Africa

The South African Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has published the official fuel prices effective as of this Wednesday – 7 January 2026. From Wednesday, petrol consumers will see prices decrease by between 62-66 cents per litre, while diesel fuel will see a much larger cut of between 137 and 150 cents per litre. 93 octane petrol will decrease by 62 cents per litre, with 95 octane petrol decreasing by 66 cents per litre. Fuel prices overall have increased in the country by over 34% in the last decade and is one of the major inhibitors of economic growth alongside electricity that has increased by over 234% over the same 10-year period.

Breaking News Shorts:  

• The South African rand traded around 16.50 per USD this morning, reaching its highest level since 2022, extending a positive trend that began in April 2025. The rand has risen more than 11% against the US dollar in 2025, supported by a powerful rally in precious metals and improving domestic economic fundamentals
• Japan’s 10-year government bond yield rose above 2.1% today, reaching a 25 year high, as trading resumed after the long holiday. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated that the central bank will continue raising interest rates if economic and price projections materialise.
• Tesla annual sales have fallen for the second year in a row, a drop driven by the removal of the federal tax credit in the U.S. and competition from Chinese automakers such as BYD. Tesla delivered 1.63 million vehicles globally in 2025, a 9% fall from 1.79 million in 2024, according to figures released by the company.
• Copper futures rose above $5.8 per pound today, heading to near record levels reached in July 2025, as tightening global supply continued to support prices into the new year. Concerns over potential US tariffs have prompted traders to redirect shipments into the US, tightening availability at major trading hubs such as London and Shanghai.

Markets by Numbers 

Currency markets indicate the US dollar strengthening further today, with the Euro trading against the US dollar at 1.16849 while the Pound is trading at 1.34275 to the US dollar. The Yen is currently trading at 157.17 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR) is strengthening further and currently trading at around R16.50 to the dollar.

Commodities:  

• Gold futures are surging by over 2% today, and currently selling at around $4419.00 per ounce.  
• Copper prices are trending over 3.2% higher today, with prices currently around $5.8284
• Silver futures are peaking towards new highs – up by over 3.9% today, and currently trading around $75.465
• Platinum futures have spiked this morning, up by over 3% today, and currently trading at $2208.80, While Palladium prices have surged by over 2% this morning, and currently trading around $1701.00 per ounce.
• Brent crude oil prices are trending -0.7% lower today, and currently at $60.32 with WTI trading at $56.90
• Cocoa futures are softer today, and currently trading around $5893.97 per ton. 
• Coffee futures are currently trading lower at around $3.5512 per pound

Crypto Currencies: 

• Bitcoin prices are trending higher this morning, and trading at around $92160 per coin currently 
• Ether prices are slightly lower today, and are currently trading around $3136.66
• $Trumpcoin are trending lower today, and currently trading around $5.403

(All prices quoted at approximately 08H25 Central African Time) 

Africa News Briefs:

• At least 50 people have been killed and several others abducted after gunmen attacked a market in Nigeria’s Niger State, according to police. The attackers stormed Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village on Saturday afternoon, setting stalls on fire and looting food.Police say the gunmen arrived on motorcycles and opened fire indiscriminately. Witnesses describe scenes of panic, saying women and children were not spared, and bodies were still being recovered hours later.
• According to reports from Tass, the Botswana government is to open an embassy in Moscow soon and has invited Russian investors to contribute to the country’s rare earths and diamonds mining developments. Russian TASS state news agency has quoted Botswana’s foreign minister,  Phenyo Butale, as saying on Sunday, “We firmly believe that Botswana is the best place for investment, considering its political and economic stability. Therefore, we strongly encourage Russian investors to come to Botswana.”