The Monocle Banking Podcast

Ep 82: Weaving Ahead in SA’s Evolving FinTech Landscape - Sean Wibberley

To unpack how Weaver Fintech’s PayJustNow and PayStretch are scaling faster than peers while keeping default rates below global norms, Michael Avery was joined by CEO Sean Wibberley. They discussed how Weaver is monetising beyond the checkout, why merchant analytics and in-app ad products are strategic, and how the company is leveraging AI-driven dynamic coding to enhance developer efficiency.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Ep 76: Beyond Transactions: How Collaboration Powers SA’s Smart Trade - Cornelius Coetzee

Following the release of Verto’s new white paper on the state of imports and exports in South Africa, Michael Avery sat down with Cornelius Coetzee, Country Director for Verto. Cornelius shared insights on how mid-sized firms can navigate regulatory hurdles and tap into global growth, the role Verto plays in streamlining cross-border payments, and why collaboration between banks and fintechs is key to positioning the country as a resilient, forward-looking leader in smart trade.

Ep 75: What Does a Just Transition Really Take? - Peter Venn

South Africa’s Just Energy Transition promises inclusive growth, green jobs, and climate resilience. This week, Michael Avery sat down with Peter Venn, CEO of Seriti Green - the company behind SA’s largest hybrid renewable project, Ummbila Emoyeni. Venn shared candid insights from the frontlines: from billion-rand losses caused by red tape to the hard truth that renewables may only replace a fraction of coal jobs. Together, they unpacked whether “just” is becoming a PR gloss, what needs to change to unlock real progress, and whether the private sector can shoulder the transition while government stalls.