Ep 81: Stablecoins, Blockchain, and the Bank Dilemma - Rob Downes & Brenton Naicker
Is Africa leapfrogging banks entirely? Are stablecoins the new reserve currency? And can banks innovate fast enough to avoid becoming irrelevant?
To unpack the Africa Blockchain Report 2024, Michael Avery was joined by Rob Downes, Head of Digital Assets at Absa CIB, and Brenton Naicker, Principal and Head of Growth at CV VC Africa. They delved into why blockchain funding is booming while the rest of Africa’s VC market contracts, how stablecoins are quietly encroaching on the banks, and whether the continent’s financial infrastructure is on the verge of a radical reset.
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Ep 80: Banking’s Next Chapter: Super Apps and Strategic Shifts - Byron Jackson-Miller
Will traditional banks remain dominant, or will they become the back-end infrastructure for a fintech-driven future? Michael Avery was joined by Byron Jackson-Miller from Foord Asset Management to unpack why the era of blanket investment in SA banks is over. They explore how innovations like PayShap and low-cost SME payment devices are reshaping revenue models, the rise of super-apps and non-lending ecosystems as growth engines, and the crucial role of leadership and culture in bank adaptability.Â
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Ep 79: Model Risk in the Age of AI - Jos Gheerardyn
As the need for robust model risk management (MRM) grows alongside the increasing integration of AI in financial services, Michael Avery was joined by Jos Gheerardyn, CEO of Yields - one of Monocle UK's strategic partnerships. Jos offered candid insights into the intersection of innovation, regulation, and risk, and explained why continuous monitoring and cross-functional collaboration are critical to building safe, effective AI systems.
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Ep 78: Venturing Beyond the Numbers: SA’s Startup and VC Outlook - Stephan J. Lamprecht
To unpack the true state of South Africa’s venture capital and startup ecosystem, Michael Avery sat down with Stephan J. Lamprecht, founder of VS Nova and lead researcher of the SAVCA 2025 VC Industry Survey. They looked beyond the R13.35 billion figure to explore the challenges behind record-low startup exits, the impact of exchange controls on foreign investment, and whether government policy is enabling or hindering growth.
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Ep 77: Energy, Ethics & Economic Transformation - Thandi Orleyn
In this episode of The Monocle Banking Podcast, Michael Avery welcomed Advocate Thandi Orleyn as she reflects on 14 years of leadership at BP South Africa. She delved into the critical balance between energy transition and socio-economic realities, exploring the future of oil and gas, the governance hurdles in state-owned entities, and the power of ethical leadership to spark true transformation.
The Monocle Banking Podcast, in partnership with esteemed financial journalist, Michael Avery, will explore the world of banking - beyond the vaults and virtual wallets. This weekly series will play host to some of the top minds in the banking industry from around the world.
South Africa