Choppies emerged as the most affordable retailer in April 2025 - ISSUE #40☕

Good Morning. Welcome to your Monday edition. Here is what you need to know to kickstart the week:

Featured Updates:

• Choppies Wins Retail Value: Choppies led April 2025 with a N$1,020.80 grocery basket, beating Pick n Pay (N$1,027.80). Metro Hyper topped hypermarkets at N$980.80, while Spar’s N$1,113.16 was priciest.

• 141,000 Businesses at Risk: BIPA’s targeting 141,000 non-compliant businesses for deregistration by May 16, 2025, over missing beneficial ownership disclosures.

• Corporate Debt Jumps N$1 Billion: March 2025 saw corporate debt rise by N$1 billion, up 8.2% y/y, driven by mining, energy, and manufacturing. Household debt grew just 2.8%, signaling cautious consumers.

• Buffett Steps Down in 2026: Warren Buffett will exit as Berkshire Hathaway CEO by end-2025, with Greg Abel set to take over.

• Apple’s AI Coding Push: Apple and Anthropic are building an AI-powered coding platform with Claude Sonnet for coding.

• MTN’s R99 4G Phone Plan: MTN South Africa’s R99 4G smartphone rollout starts this week, targeting 1.2 million users by 2026 to bridge the digital divide.

• Win Your Morning: “Win the first hour, and you’ll win the day,” says Thomas Oppong. Start this Monday with one intentional act, like exercise or planning for a purposeful week.

Enjoy the read and have a blessed and productive week ahead! ☕

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Choppies Tops Retail Value in April 2025; Metro Hyper Leads Hypermarkets 

Choppies emerged as the most affordable retailer in April 2025, offering a standard grocery basket for N$1,020.80, edging out Pick n Pay (N$1,027.80), Metro (N$1,028.80), and Shoprite (N$1,031.80). In the hypermarket segment, Metro Hyper led with the lowest basket price at N$980.80, followed closely by Woermann Brock Hyper (N$989.80).

Retail and Hypermarket Price Breakdown 

Spar remained the priciest retailer at N$1,113.16, a 9.0% premium over Choppies, while Checkers Hyper (N$1,021.25) trailed in the hypermarket category. Key findings include:

Retailers: Choppies, Pick n Pay, Metro, and Shoprite kept prices within 1.1% of the lowest, while OK Foods (N$1,096.60) and Spar lagged.

Hypermarkets: Metro Hyper’s N$980.80 basket set the benchmark, with Woermann Brock Hyper just 0.9% higher. Checkers Hyper, despite competitive staple prices, was 4.1% costlier.

Item-Level Leaders: Metro Hyper and Woermann Brock Hyper dominated most categories, with Checkers Hyper offering the best prices on bread, sugar, and vegetables.

Grocery Basket Composition 

The standard basket included essentials like bread (N$10.99 at Checkers Hyper), cooking oil (N$74.99 at Shoprite/Choppies), and fresh milk (N$19.99 at most stores except OK Foods and Spar). Metro Hyper led on items like maize meal (N$68.99), beef stew (N$91.99), and washing powder (N$57.99), while Woermann Brock Hyper offered the cheapest rice (N$44.99) and toilet paper (N$74.99).

The Bottom Line 

Choppies and Metro Hyper solidified their positions as value leaders in retail and hypermarket segments, respectively, offering Namibian shoppers significant savings. As competition tightens, Spar’s premium pricing and Checkers’ mixed performance highlight the need for strategic adjustments to stay competitive.

Source: The Brief

141,000 Businesses Face Deregistration by BIPA for Non-Compliance 

Over 141,000 Namibian businesses risk deregistration as the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) initiates a phased removal of entities failing to meet statutory beneficial ownership (BO) disclosure requirements.

Compliance Deadline and Global Standards 

The BO disclosure mandate, enacted through amendments to the Companies Act, 2004, and Close Corporations Act, 1988, aligns Namibia with the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) anti-money laundering standards to enhance transparency and curb illicit financial activities. BIPA Acting CEO Ainna Kaundu stated, “Approximately 141,000 entities remain non-compliant and face deregistration.” Despite extensive awareness campaigns since the legislation’s introduction, many businesses have yet to comply.

Phased Deregistration Process 

BIPA’s April 11, 2025, directive set a compliance deadline of May 16, 2025. Non-compliant entities will be placed on an Inactive List and, if unresolved for six months, will be deregistered per legal procedures. Kaundu warned, “Deregistration could lead to severe consequences, including asset forfeiture to the State, loss of public procurement contracts, restricted bank accounts, and diminished investor confidence.”

Urgent Call to Action 

Kaundu urged businesses, especially those holding assets like property, to submit BO information immediately to avoid financial and legal fallout, including increased litigation risks. “Compliance is critical to safeguarding business operations and maintaining Namibia’s commitment to global financial transparency,” she emphasized.

The Bottom Line 

With 141,000 businesses at stake, BIPA’s crackdown underscores Namibia’s push for financial integrity. Non-compliant entities must act swiftly by May 16, 2025, to avoid deregistration and its far-reaching consequences, reinforcing the nation’s alignment with international anti-money laundering standards.

Source: The Brief  

Namibia’s Corporate Debt Surges by N$1 Billion in March 2025 

Namibia’s corporate debt stock rose by N$1 billion in March 2025, the fastest business credit growth since December 2019, fueled by robust demand for liquidity and capital investment across key sectors, according to Simonis Storm.

Corporate Borrowing Drives Economic Recovery 

Corporate borrowing soared by 8.2% year-on-year (y/y), up from 5.9% in February, with Simonis Storm Junior Economist Almandro Jansen attributing the surge to heightened activity in mining, energy, tourism, manufacturing, and financial services. Key highlights include:

Installment and Leasing Credit: Grew 20.6% y/y, driven by investments in transport, mining, and equipment, reflecting firms’ focus on upgrading fleets and acquiring durable assets.

Other Loans and Advances: Jumped to 14.8% y/y from 9.6% in February, with strong demand in manufacturing and energy for project financing and working capital.

Overdraft Facilities: Rebounded to 4.6% y/y growth after over a year of contraction, signaling improved cash flow needs and renewed use of flexible credit lines.

Commercial Mortgages: Continued to decline, indicating a weak commercial property market as businesses prioritize liquid, short-term financing over real estate investments.

Jansen noted that the broad-based recovery underscores growing confidence in Namibia’s investment climate.

Household Debt Growth Remains Subdued 

Household debt reached N$129 billion in March 2025, up N$23.8 million month-on-month, with a modest 2.8% y/y increase compared to 2.6% in February. Key trends include:

Mortgage Credit: Slowed to 0.6% y/y, reflecting affordability challenges due to high home prices and weak wage growth.

Unsecured Borrowing: Held steady at 7.9% y/y, driven by middle-income households relying on flexible credit.

Installment and Leasing Credit: Rose to 14.5% y/y from 12.3% in February, supported by strong vehicle sales and demand for durable goods.

Overdrafts: Contracted by -12.5% y/y, though showing signs of recovery from deeper declines.

Private Sector Credit Extension Gains Momentum 

Overall, Namibia’s Private Sector Credit Extension (PSCE) climbed to 5.0% y/y in March from 3.9% in February, propelled by corporate borrowing and steady household credit uptake. The surge in corporate credit, particularly in mining, energy, and manufacturing, signals a robust economic recovery, though household borrowing remains cautious amid economic pressures.

The Bottom Line 

Namibia’s corporate debt spike of N$1 billion in March 2025 highlights a dynamic business environment with strong investment in key sectors. However, sluggish household credit growth and a weak property market underscore ongoing economic challenges, requiring balanced policies to sustain momentum and address affordability constraints.

Source: The Brief

Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO, Greg Abel to Take Over in 2026 

Legendary investor Warren Buffett announced at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting that he will step down as CEO by the end of 2025, with Vice Chairman Greg Abel set to succeed him.

Transition and Buffett’s Future Role 

Buffett, 94, stated, “The time has arrived for Greg to become the chief executive officer at year end.” While stepping down, Buffett plans to remain involved in an undefined capacity, with details of his future role to be discussed at the board meeting on May 4, 2025. Abel, previously identified as Buffett’s successor, oversees Berkshire’s non-insurance operations, positioning him to lead the conglomerate’s diverse portfolio.

Berkshire’s Tech Investments 

Berkshire Hathaway, a major player in industries including insurance, energy, and retail, has significant exposure to technology. Despite halving its Apple stake in 2024, Apple still accounts for over 20% of Berkshire’s investment portfolio, underscoring its strategic focus on the tech sector alongside other ventures.

The Bottom Line 

Buffett’s decision to hand over the CEO role to Abel marks a pivotal transition for Berkshire Hathaway, one of the world’s most influential conglomerates. While Buffett’s continued involvement ensures stability, Abel’s leadership will shape the company’s future in a dynamic global market, with technology remaining a key pillar of its investment strategy.

SOURCE: TechCrunch

TECH

Apple and Anthropic Partner to Develop AI-Powered Coding Platform 

Apple and Anthropic are collaborating on a generative AI-driven “vibe-coding” platform to write, edit, and test code, Bloomberg reported. The platform, a new version of Apple’s Xcode software, leverages Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet model and is initially slated for internal use, with no decision yet on a public rollout.

Apple’s Expanding AI Ecosystem 

Apple is accelerating its AI strategy through strategic partnerships. OpenAI’s ChatGPT already powers Apple Intelligence features, and Google’s Gemini may join as an alternative. Anthropic’s involvement strengthens Apple’s coding capabilities, capitalizing on Claude’s popularity among developers for tasks on platforms like Cursor and Windsurf.

The Bottom Line 

The Apple-Anthropic partnership signals Apple’s ambition to enhance its AI-driven developer tools, potentially transforming coding workflows. While currently internal, the platform’s integration of Claude Sonnet positions Apple to compete in the growing AI-coding market, with broader implications for its developer ecosystem.

SOURCE: Bloomberg

MTN South Africa to Launch R99 4G Smartphone to Bridge Digital Divide 

MTN South Africa has unveiled plans to offer a subsidized 4G smartphone for just R99 to 1.2 million prepaid customers, aiming to transition users from legacy 2G and 3G networks to modern 4G technology.

Phased Rollout and Eligibility 

The initiative, announced on May 5, 2025, will unfold in three phases from May 2025 to the end of 2026:

Phase 1: 5,000 customers, primarily in Gauteng, will receive the devices, selected based on usage profiles, spending patterns, and tenure.

Phase 2: Over 130,000 customers nationwide will be offered the smartphones.

Phase 3: More than 1.1 million MTN customers across South Africa will benefit.

A key condition is that the device is locked to MTN SIM cards. The smartphones will come preloaded with various applications, though MTN has not confirmed whether WhatsApp, widely used in South Africa, is included.

Partnership and Strategic Goals 

MTN has partnered with Smartphone For All, founded by Babatunde Osho, a former MTN Nigeria executive with extensive business credentials. CEO Charles Molapisi emphasized, “We want to ensure all South Africans can access the digital world, regardless of where they live.” The initiative aligns with South Africa’s push to phase out 2G and 3G networks by December 31, 2027, freeing spectrum for 4G and 5G.

Context and Competition 

The move follows Vodacom’s September 2024 launch of a R249 4G “cloud-based” Mobicel S4 smartphone, designed to lower entry barriers for 2G users transitioning to 4G. MTN’s R99 offering undercuts this price significantly, addressing affordability concerns highlighted by a 2022 Broadband Commission report, which noted that a $62 smartphone could cost 63% of average monthly income in Africa.

Technical Details Pending 

MTN has not disclosed the device’s specifications or manufacturer, but TechCentral is seeking further information. The company’s prior budget offerings, like the R399 Mobicel Rio in 2019 and the R1,899 MTN Icon 5G in 2024, suggest a focus on cost-effective hardware, potentially with network-locked subsidies to recover costs through data and airtime sales.

The Bottom Line 

MTN’s R99 4G smartphone initiative is a bold step to democratize digital access, targeting 1.2 million customers by 2026. By offering an ultra-affordable device, MTN aims to accelerate 4G adoption, support South Africa’s network modernization, and empower users with access to education, business, and personal growth opportunities, though its success will depend on device quality and user experience.

Source: TechCentral ZA

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Win Your Morning, Win Your Day: Practical Wisdom for a Purposeful Start 

Your morning sets the tone for your entire day. A disciplined, intentional start creates momentum that compounds into productivity and resilience, while a sloppy morning risks derailing everything.

The Power of Morning Habits 

Thomas Oppong emphasizes that mornings are more than routines—they forge a mindset. Small wins, like waking early, exercising, or setting intentions, stack quickly, building discipline that spills into every aspect of life. Conversely, aimless mornings breed chaos, leaving you stuck by midday. “Win the first hour, and you’ll win the day,” Oppong writes, highlighting the practical truth behind this principle.

Key Insights for Success 

Act Before You’re Ready: Morning rituals teach you to prioritize action over hesitation, fostering resilience.

Habits Shape Outcomes: How you start your day mirrors how you approach life. A focused morning drives a focused day; a disorganized one breeds mediocrity.

Bet on Yourself: Choose one intentional win each morning—whether it’s exercise, meditation, or planning—to own the starting line.

Philosophical Grounding 

Drawing from Stoicism and psychology, Oppong echoes Marcus Aurelius’ call to focus on what’s in front of you and Hal Elrod’s insight that mornings shape success. Annie Dillard’s reminder—“How we spend our days is how we spend our lives”—underscores the stakes of consistent morning wins.

The Bottom Line 

Your morning is a daily opportunity to build a life of purpose. By prioritizing discipline and small victories at the start, you create a ripple effect of productivity and clarity. Tomorrow, choose your first win, tackle the hard things, and transform your day—and your life—one morning at a time.

Source: Thomas Oppong Newsletter