Ronak Gopaldas
RONAK GOPALDAS is a director at Signal Risk, an exclusively African risk advisory firm. He was previously the head of country risk at Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) for a number of years, where he managed a team who provided the firm with in-depth analysis of economic, political, security and operational dynamics across sub-Saharan Africa. He holds a BCom degree in philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) and a BCom (Hons) from the University of Cape Town (UCT). He also has an MSc in finance (economic policy) through the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.[
Reimagining a new social contract  

Reimagining a new social contract  

To achieve inclusive governance in an African context, it is quite clear that a capable, caring, and effective state is essential. The role of the state in driving meaningful economic transformation has become even more pronounced in the aftermath of the pandemic....

Organised crime is ahead of the game

Organised crime is ahead of the game

In the aftermath of COVID-19, organised crime has soared across Africa. Indeed, as noted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), despite lockdowns and movement restrictions due to the pandemic, organised criminals were able to adapt more effectively than legal...

A theatre for competition

A theatre for competition

This book is a timely and important read which shines the spotlight on many contemporary challenges affecting Africa’s political economy.

Data sovereignty is key

Data sovereignty is key

Africa’s huge infrastructure deficit is well documented. With connectivity across the continent growing exponentially, digital infrastructure has become a key area that requires the urgent attention of investors and policymakers alike.

Africa’s climate conundrum

Africa’s climate conundrum

It is no secret that Africa is facing a climate conundrum. At the core of this trilemma is the question of how the continent can balance the energy access required for development with climate mitigation and deal with the inevitable impacts. The prevailing sentiment...

Africa and vaccine economics

Africa and vaccine economics

  Africa’s fortunes in a post-COVID world will depend on how it navigates the critical questions of vaccine economics – vaccine diplomacy and regional integration. As the continent slowly recovers from the pandemic, it now needs to navigate a trifecta of new...

Profit and power

Profit and power

Despite the benefits, gambling on a Russian-led nuclear future for Africa will end up the equivalent of a game of Russian roulette

Africa: higher education

Africa: higher education

The number of private universities operating in Africa is growing, and the sector is generating a groundswell of interest among investors. In 1960 there were seven private universities in Africa, according to a 2012 statement by Professor Olugbemiro Jegede,...

Money goes online

Money goes online

Africa: banking innovation While only 11% of Africans have bank accounts, some 80% have mobile phones: a huge new mobile banking market beckons across the continent By Ronak Gopaldas By the year 2030, two billion people will use their cell phones to save, lend and...

Ronak Gopaldas
RONAK GOPALDAS is a director at Signal Risk, an exclusively African risk advisory firm. He was previously the head of country risk at Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) for a number of years, where he managed a team who provided the firm with in-depth analysis of economic, political, security and operational dynamics across sub-Saharan Africa. He holds a BCom degree in philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) and a BCom (Hons) from the University of Cape Town (UCT). He also has an MSc in finance (economic policy) through the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.[
Reimagining a new social contract  

Reimagining a new social contract  

To achieve inclusive governance in an African context, it is quite clear that a capable, caring, and effective state is essential. The role of the state in driving meaningful economic transformation has become even more pronounced in the aftermath of the pandemic....

Organised crime is ahead of the game

Organised crime is ahead of the game

In the aftermath of COVID-19, organised crime has soared across Africa. Indeed, as noted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), despite lockdowns and movement restrictions due to the pandemic, organised criminals were able to adapt more effectively than legal...

Data sovereignty is key

Data sovereignty is key

Africa’s huge infrastructure deficit is well documented. With connectivity across the continent growing exponentially, digital infrastructure has become a key area that requires the urgent attention of investors and policymakers alike.

Africa’s climate conundrum

Africa’s climate conundrum

It is no secret that Africa is facing a climate conundrum. At the core of this trilemma is the question of how the continent can balance the energy access required for development with climate mitigation and deal with the inevitable impacts. The prevailing sentiment...

Africa and vaccine economics

Africa and vaccine economics

  Africa’s fortunes in a post-COVID world will depend on how it navigates the critical questions of vaccine economics – vaccine diplomacy and regional integration. As the continent slowly recovers from the pandemic, it now needs to navigate a trifecta of new...

Africa: higher education

Africa: higher education

The number of private universities operating in Africa is growing, and the sector is generating a groundswell of interest among investors. In 1960 there were seven private universities in Africa, according to a 2012 statement by Professor Olugbemiro Jegede,...

Money goes online

Money goes online

Africa: banking innovation While only 11% of Africans have bank accounts, some 80% have mobile phones: a huge new mobile banking market beckons across the continent By Ronak Gopaldas By the year 2030, two billion people will use their cell phones to save, lend and...