News Bulletin of 9 October 2025, 4pm

Wits University has begun construction of its WITS BioHub in Houghton, Johannesburg, one of the most ambitious projects in the University’s 100-year history.
The 28 000 square metre campus will be Africa’s first fully integrated 'bedside-to-bench-to-breakthrough' hub, combining laboratories, clinical trial infrastructure, and innovation spaces.
The BioHub will address Africa’s health challenges, including infectious and non-communicable diseases, while supporting local research, precision medicine, and global breakthroughs.
It will also incubate biotech start-ups, create jobs, and attract investment, with a capital investment of around R1.3 billion.
The project positions Wits and South Africa as leaders in health innovation, delivering solutions locally and globally.

Businesses in Nelson Mandela Bay are leveraging South Africa’s G20 Trade and Investment Working Group Meeting in Gqeberha to expand internationally.
On the second day of the meeting, local entrepreneurs showcased products and connected with investors and delegates from over 30 countries.
Small and medium enterprises are calling for a bigger role in shaping economic opportunities and accessing new markets.
From fashion to chocolate, companies are making strides, turning local brands into global contenders and highlighting South Africa’s export potential.

The International Monetary Fund says the world economy is performing better than feared, though growth remains slower than needed.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says global growth is expected to ease only slightly this year and next, supported by strong performances from the United States and several developing economies.
She credited improved policies, adaptable businesses, and resilient trade for helping countries withstand recent economic shocks.
The IMF expects global growth to stay around three percent in the coming years, below pre-pandemic levels, and is urging governments to boost productivity, strengthen trade, and reform fiscal policies to secure a stronger recovery.