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Daily Maverick
19-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Global shift in food marketing regulations: Norway leads, UK falters amid industry pressure
The World Health Organization will begin, in July 2025, to develop guidelines on the consumption of ultra-processed foods, because a growing body of evidence suggests that a diet rich in highly processed foods — commonly referred to as 'ultra-processed foods' — is associated with increased risk for a number of diet-related non-communicable diseases and other negative health outcomes. While Norway swiftly puts into place new regulations to ban the marketing of unhealthy food to children, the UK has backpedalled on its own promise to do the same, yielding, critics say, to industry lobbying to delay the new regulations. The two countries are among about 60 nations that have adopted policies to restrict or ban the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, but only one-third of those (20) have mandatory, government-enforced regulations, with legal penalties for infringement (South Africa is not among them) as opposed to zero penalties, in countries with so-called 'voluntary industry pledges' (South Africa is one of these) to restrict their marketing to children. Norway's regulations, based on a 'nutrient profile model' developed in 2023, were finalised and proposed in August 2024, and implemented in April 2025 — the same time frame in which South Africa's draft regulations on front-of-pack labelling and marketing, called R3337, have been dormant, since the deadline for public comments closed in July 2023. The Norway law, like the UK's, also covers several categories of mostly high in fat, sugar and salt foods, as well as energy drinks, and milk- and plant-based drinks. They specify an outright ban on marketing activities towards children (people under 18) for those products, spelling out that 'marketing' is defined as 'any form of communication or action' if the aim is to promote sales to consumers (children or adults buying for children). This includes all forms of competition with an age limit lower than 18, distribution of product samples to children, any form of presentation or design that may appeal to children, and the use of gifts, vouchers, discounts or games that appeal to children. These features do appear in South Africa's draft legislation. In 2013, Norway did establish a self-regulatory scheme managed by the food industry, much like the one that exists under the auspices of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, but, reports the Food Times, evaluations revealed 'significant limitations in this self-regulatory approach'. Scientific evaluations in South Africa have come to the same conclusion: industry self-regulation does not work, especially in under-regulated markets like South Africa's where laws do not prevent or punish the aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods. Recent studies by researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand highlight that 'ceding regulation to industry is risky; government regulations and legislation are needed'. Industry self-regulation Though Norway's regulations are based on the 2013 guidelines for industry self-regulation on marketing to children, the Directorate of Public Health will now monitor companies' actions and impose sanctions (fines of up to 4% of the business' annual sales) for violation of the new laws. The foods included by both Norway and the UK's marketing restrictions cover foods and drinks high in unhealthy fats, salt and added sugars (HFSS), mostly in the categories of highly processed or ultra-processed foods, which are known to contribute to the rapidly increasing rates of overweight, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases worldwide. The UK's proposed regulations, announced in December 2024 and set to be implemented in October 2025 — but now deferred until 2026 — are not an outright ban, but specify that the restrictions 'will only affect advertising for less healthy food or drinks on television between 5.30am and 9pm, and paid-for advertising online at any time'. Billboards and outdoor advertising are not included in this restriction. It is estimated that 6.4% of UK childhood obesity and 5% of overweight is attributable to TV advertising of foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar, according to nutritionist Ali Morpeth in a LinkedIn post referencing the study used by the UK government in its assessment of the impact of television advertising. (Similar data is not available for South Africa.) In 2023, the World Health Organization recommended that all countries develop stronger policies to protect children from the harmful impact of food marketing. The updated guidelines are based on evidence including how exposure to and the power of food marketing affects children's health, eating behaviours, and food-related attitudes and beliefs. (The WHO will begin, in July 2025, to develop guidelines on the consumption of ultra-processed foods, because 'a growing body of evidence suggests that a diet rich in highly processed foods — commonly referred to as 'ultra-processed foods' — is associated with increased risk for a number of diet-related non-communicable diseases and other negative health outcomes'.) Regulations deferred and softened The UK regulations are not only deferred, but are softened: they will still allow 'healthier versions of products' in the 13 categories of foods and drinks that 'are of most significance for childhood obesity', such as breakfast cereals, soft drinks with added sugars, sweetened yogurts, and chocolates and sweets. These products must then fit a second criterion — whether they are 'less healthy' — according to a scoring tool that considers products' nutrient levels. This enables big brands to continue to market their brands, without focusing on the unhealthier, original versions of their products. In late May, the chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health, William Roberts, told The Guardian that the delay was a 'huge setback' for public health. 'We can't afford to put off children's health or allow for the measures in the original proposals to be watered down,' he said. One week earlier, The Guardian also revealed that in 2023, the government changed its guidance to retailers on promoting healthy eating after a lobbying campaign by ultra-processed food manufacturers. Experts agree that Norway's legislation is pioneering in global health. The World Health Organization's Director of Nutrition and Food Safety, Luz Maria De-Regil, said of Norway's new law: 'This regulation ensures that young minds are protected from harmful advertising pressures, making it easier for families to foster healthier eating habits. By setting this precedent Norway is leading the way in safeguarding future generations from preventable health risks.' De-Regil also said that in the past two years, more than 12 countries had prioritised establishing regulations to prevent harmful marketing of foods to children, with support from the WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef). 'This growing global commitment to developing mandatory policies and regulations to address the commercial determinants of unhealthy diets (industry-led tactics) is a game changer,' she wrote in a post on LinkedIn. Other countries that have mandatory, legally enforced regulations include Canada (a total ban on advertising to children under 13 since 1980), Chile, France, Ireland, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Malta, Romania, Australia and Iran. Countries with non-legally binding ('voluntary') restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy food to children include Italy, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, and the US. Some others, including many low- and middle-income countries, are in the process of planning mandatory regulations, such as Morocco, Pakistan, Tunisia, Egypt, Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador, Brazil, Costa Rica — and South Africa. The marketing of unhealthy foods is a category of regulation with 'probably the least traction globally', said Annalies Winny in a Johns Hopkins School of Public Health article in 2022, because marketing is such a crucial and effective tool for industry, with major food companies spending billions of dollars per year to influence children (and their parents) to buy their highly profitable, unhealthy products. SA dragging its feet on restricting marketing to children South Africa's attempts to establish statutory restrictions on food marketing appear to have stalled after a hopeful start in 2023, when draft regulations (included in the long-awaited front-of-pack labelling regulations) were published for public comment. The comment period closed in July 2023, yet South Africa has seen zero progress since then — and had no public communication about why the legislation has been delayed — in the same time it has taken Norway to develop, legislate, and implement its new laws. Daily Maverick asked Professor Susan Goldstein, Director of the SAMRC/Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science (Priceless SA) at Wits University to explain possible reasons for the UK's delay in implementing the ban on marketing unhealthy foods to children. 'Delay, deny, deflect and dilute' 'In many cases the industry argues that the new policies or laws will cause job losses and impact the economy,' Goldstein said, describing how the industry 'playbook' uses delay, deny, deflect and dilute tactics to undermine the regulatory process. Goldstein explained: ' Delay by all means possible means requesting additional research, flooding the commenting process so that it takes the government a long time to process all the comments, and arguing for extra time to get the industry ready.''The second tactic,' Goldstein said, 'is deny — the industry argues that there is no evidence that the proposed policy will have an impact (despite numerous peer-reviewed papers to the contrary). The third is deflect — put the blame for the outcome (that is, obesity and poor health) on the individual, focusing on lifestyle and choices, and, finally dilute — which means weakening the proposed legislation, promoting 'voluntary' codes that have been shown to be ineffective, and push for exemptions and loopholes.' Goldstein said that this had happened in South Africa in many cases — one example was the 2016 Liquor Amendment Act, when the industry called for two economic evaluations of the act, and another relates to R3337, the front-of-package labelling draft legislation in which marketing restrictions are also proposed. Both tactics resulted in 'flooding the Department of Health with comments so that the understaffed unit, having to examine each comment, is overwhelmed and it takes very long', Goldstein said. 'The industry constantly brings up what they say are job losses due to the Health Promotion Levy (the tax on sugar-sweetened drinks), but our recent research shows that this is not true.' Petronell Kruger, Programmes Manager at the Healthy Living Alliance, expressed a similar view: 'We hoped to see draft regulation R3337 adopted earlier in the year,' Kruger told Daily Maverick. 'While the timeline for finalising this critical piece of consumer protection regulation might be justified due to the volume of public submissions, the department is not going to be able to use that as an excuse for much longer before we need to start asking, as the public, what is the real reason for the delay? 'And I think we have reached the stage where the public will ask. Too many children are dying from food-related incidents, the diabetes rate at one in nine people has skyrocketed, and more than half of South Africans are now dying from non-communicable diseases, which are closely tied with diets.' DM
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Industry says scientific innovation could reshape the tobacco landscape in South Africa
South Africa ranked 60th out of 158 countries, 'indicating moderate resistance to illicit trade, but with notable vulnerabilities in areas such as supply chain control and enforcement' capacity. Image: Supplied The government in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent has been urged to consider scientific evidence and innovation when coming up with policies and regulations for the tobacco industry. As experts highlight the dangers associated with tobacco consumption, players in the industry are pushing for the adoption and 'proper regulation of smoke-free nicotine' products. Industry players are basing their approach on scientific innovation and data pointing to tobacco harm reduction through adoption of what they are calling "safer nicotine products" that are smoke-free. This comes at a time when smoking and tobacco consumption is on the increase across Africa, sharply contrasting other developed regions where trends are pointing to a decline in smoking. Nonetheless, Branislav Bibic who is Philip Morris International vice president for Sub-Saharan Africa, on Tuesday said tobacco consumers in South Africa 'are following global trends as they are embracing new' categories that are smokeless. 'Our experience in South Africa is that once these products are made widely available at an accessible price, and consumers are provided accurate information about their benefits, we see a significant switching from cigarettes to smokeless products,' Bibic said at the Technovation Summit in Cape Town. 'Our estimates in South Africa show that already around 20% of the South African legal cigarette market has been replaced by non-smoking products.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Among the sharp differences between the government of South Africa and the value chain industry for tobacco are issues related to the proliferation and best practices in addressing illicit trade. The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) has criticised the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill for overlooking 'key realities' on the ground, arguing that the legislation has to stamp out illicit trade in goods and substances. In oral presentations to the parliamentary portfolio committee this month, the CGCSA - which represents companies spanning consumer goods, retail and services sectors - said the tobacco products legislation currently lacks measures to root out the 'unchecked black market and its impact on legal industry value chain and public revenue' flows. Although in South Africa there is currently contested debates over the Tobacco Bill that seeks to bundle together regulation of tobacco cigarettes and smoke-free nicotine products, PMI believes that it will be easy to roll-out these products elsewhere across the continent. This is, however, dependent on these markets putting in place clear and conducive regulatory frameworks. 'Africa can address the smoking epidemic. Let's choose innovation and science and we can help millions of Africans move over to a future free of smoke,' Bibic said.
TimesLIVE
05-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Proposed smoking regulations ignore 'illicit trade crisis', says consumer body
South Africa's proposed smoking regulations ignore the country's 'illicit trade crisis', the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) said on Tuesday. In its parliamentary submission to the portfolio committee on health, CGCSA said the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill was a 'plug-and-play' import of foreign models that completely disregard the illegal production, smuggling, distribution and sale of tobacco products in the country. It said while the council, which represents more than 9,000 South African companies, supported evidence-based tobacco control to advance public health, it was concerned about the 'unintended consequences, particularly economic harm and the likely expansion of the illicit tobacco trade, which is estimated to cost South Africa at least R18bn per annum'. CGCSA CEO Zinhle Tyikwe said the bill adopted a one-size-fits-all approach which did not account for South Africa's unique context. An illicit tobacco market now accounted for an estimated 60—70% of sales. 'We are seeing shortcomings in the bill, particularly where there is a 'plug-and-play' from other foreign models that may be similar to South Africa but are not South African. Here we are in the middle of an illicit trade crisis, not just in tobacco but also in pharmaceuticals, fraud and liquor. As an industry, we deal with issues that are critical, because if people consume alcohol, food or pharmaceutical medicines that are illicit, there is a real risk that people will die. We take our work seriously,' said Tyikwe
Daily Maverick
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Alarm over battery cage cruelty met with stonewalling while 95% of SA's laying hens suffer
The response by the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa to an open letter calling for an end to practices that block dialogue and transparency about where our eggs come from and requesting effective engagement, indicates a failure of their own values, including 'accountability' and 'integrity'. Chicken and eggs have been in local and international news a lot lately – whether it is because egg prices in the US have reached record highs this year due to a bird flu outbreak in the region, or because of the recent abhorrent and horrific cruelty discovered at a local broiler farm – a lot of important issues are being brought to the fore. However, despite these and other increasing issues associated with the farming of animals, and growing global awareness of the need for change, in South Africa concerns are also being raised over industry's deliberate efforts to block reform and maintain inhumane, unsustainable practices in South Africa's poultry, specifically egg, industry. In the past year there has been a marked increase in stonewalling and bullying by industry leaders and complicity from government bodies. Despite attempts to engage industry role players, the response has been to double down, thereby extending the use of cruel battery cages and withholding vital information that is being used for policy decision-making. The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) went so far as to threaten potential litigation against a member of the Southern African Faith Communities Environmental Institute (Safcei) team if they didn't desist from contacting and engaging the CGCSA's members on the issue of hen welfare and egg production. They also advised their members against engaging effectively with civil society on this issue. In response, Safcei and Animal Law Reform South Africa (ALRSA) wrote an open letter to the CGCSA, calling for an end to practices that block dialogue and transparency about where our eggs come from and requesting effective engagement. The letter is supported by a broader coalition of 24 civil society and nonprofit organisations. The letter, titled 'Eggsposing Foul Play in South Africa's Egg Industry', details concerns that more than 25 million laying hens in South Africa, the vast majority of the laying flock, are subjected to unnatural and unsustainable conditions and methods of egg production. Hens are crammed into tiny wire cages, enduring a lifetime of suffering without space to express natural, healthy behaviour, denied even the most basic protections that all animals deserve, as contained in the Five Freedoms. The letter also outlines the problematic lack of transparency and accountability in South Africa's egg industry, undermining the constitutional rights of consumers. For example, in 2020, the South African Poultry Association (Sapa) commissioned the statutory body, the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), to conduct a study to assess the viability of the South African egg industry if a policy to end the use of cages was introduced. The industry-funded study claims there would be huge costs and unemployment if the country transitioned to cage-free egg systems. To give more context on the concentration of the egg industry in South Africa, commercial egg production is dominated by only three major producers: Eggbert, Nulaid and Highveld Cooperative, which command about 51% of the market share. With a gross turnover of R14.5-billion at producer level, eggs are the fourth-largest animal product sector in agriculture. The total value of the South African egg market at retail level in 2024 was estimated to be about R26-billion, dominated by only a handful of big players such as Shoprite-Checkers, Spar, Woolworths, Pick n Pay and MassMart (most of which are CGCSA members). In 2022, on average, retailers increased the price of large eggs by more than 100% sold to the public. More damning is the evidence that they don't pass savings on to consumers, according to the competition watchdog in late 2024. And if the recent news cycle from the US is anything to go by, it is clear that the price of eggs matters as a yardstick when it comes to the economy and political decision-making. Accordingly, the data behind this NAMC study is undeniably of public interest, yet it remains hidden from consumers. More than 4,000 people have signed a petition demanding its release, but the full report has still not been made accessible to the public. Organisations, including ALRSA, have tried for years to obtain the study through numerous requests to the NAMC, Sapa, the CGCSA and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, including using the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 and even approaching the Information Regulator. The industry and the government continue to use the findings to promote the use of cages while not granting access to the source information. The official position in South Africa seems to be trying to maintain the status quo until at least 2039, while more than 25.5 million laying hens (95%) are suffering in caged production, with only 5% being cage-free (4% free-range and 1% barn). Our concerns about the opacity in the industry are further explored in ALRSA's recent ' Scrambling for the Truth ' report, which highlights how many consumers might care about animal welfare, but most lack access to information about food production (specifically eggs) and its impact on animals, human health and the environment. Without this information, consumers remain in the dark and are unable to make informed and ethically aligned choices. An earlier report, ' Laying Down the Facts ', explores how the South African egg industry impacts animal welfare, the environment, food safety, health, social issues and rights, and business practices. The need to move away from cages for hens is also to be considered in a global context in which more than 30 countries have completely banned some form of caged egg production, and nearly 2,600 public commitments have been made by food corporations around the world to remove cages from their egg supply chains. A number of leading South African businesses have pledged to go cage-free or have already achieved this standard. Considering consumers' experiences in recent years with egg shortages and high prices due to repeated avian flu outbreaks affecting livelihoods and resulting in the mass killing of our national flock, the response by the South African egg industry to these issues is even more concerning. For all of these reasons, Safcei and ALRSA, along with other co-signatories to the open letter, have called on the CGCSA to take seven actions in accordance with their values: 'Integrity. Excellence. Accountability.' This includes refraining from silencing and intimidatory tactics; promoting transparency; incorporating animal welfare within their purview; promoting consumer and constitutional rights; fostering accountability; refraining from engaging in potentially collusive practices; and encouraging effective engagement with the public and concerned organisations. We sent the open letter to the CGCSA in February, and while they have still not responded formally more than two months later, they have attempted to distance themselves from the issues raised and shirk accountability. In a statement, the CGCSA dismissed the concerns raised as 'misdirected' and 'not within our scope', failing to acknowledge their direct letter sent to Safcei and their own members on these matters. They also indicated that 'the sector follows regulations', not admitting their extensive efforts (including litigation) in the regulatory space for food products. It is clear that the CGCSA have either misunderstood the detailed open letter or are deliberately attempting to divert attention and responsibility to other stakeholders. Either way, their initial response indicates a failure of their own values, including 'accountability' and 'integrity'. Despite having 'consumer' in their name, as an industry representative, they appear to be committed to protecting corporate interests at the expense of consumers, the environment and animals. Our position has not changed: we will continue to seek constructive and evidence-based dialogue and to push for transparency, accountability and meaningful reform in South Africa's poultry industry. The future of millions of hens, human health, consumer rights and environmental sustainability depends on it. DM Francesca de Gasparis is executive director of the Southern African Faith Communities' (Safcei) Environment Institute. Safcei is a multifaith climate and eco-justice NGO committed to supporting faith leaders and their communities in southern Africa to increase awareness, understanding and action on eco-justice, sustainable living and climate change. Amy P Wilson is cofounder and acting executive director of Animal Law Reform South Africa, South Africa's first dedicated animal law nonprofit organisation. It uses law and policy as tools to address intersectional issues and ensure justice and protection for all who require it.
IOL News
25-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How tech is reclaiming service and digital access
IN an age where South Africans are grappling with rising frustration over unreliable service delivery and exorbitant data costs, two technology-driven solutions are reshaping how South Africans engage with both professional services and digital tools. Whether it is addressing hidden fees and unqualified contractors or ensuring access to cutting-edge artificial intelligence without consuming costly mobile data, platforms such as GoodApp and Opera Mini are leading a quiet revolution — one driven by transparency, accountability, and accessibility. For years, this country's citizens have faced mounting challenges when procuring services, from unexplained price increases to the dangers of hiring unvetted professionals. According to Shaheen Price, the co-founder and chief executive of GoodApp, the core of the crisis lies in three interconnected problems: pricing opacity, verification difficulties, and accountability gaps. Consumers routinely find themselves navigating a fragmented marketplace with no reliable way to confirm fair pricing, validate credentials, or seek recourse for poor service. Research from the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa confirms the scale of the issue: '68% of consumers report significant discrepancies between quoted prices and final invoices,' while 'over 70% admit they lack reliable methods to verify the qualifications of individuals entering their homes or businesses to perform specialised work.' These issues cut across sectors — from plumbing and electrical work to childcare and landscaping — and are no longer just isolated inconveniences. For many, they represent a widespread crisis in service delivery that threatens both financial stability and personal safety. 'The consequences can be far-reaching,' Price said. 'Engaging an unqualified individual doesn't just risk poor outcomes — it can lead to serious harm or major financial loss.' This lack of transparency creates not only financial strain but also deep-seated anxiety. Proce noted: 'When consumers understand exactly what they're paying for, with no hidden costs or surprise additions, the foundation for trust is established.' However, transparency goes way beyond the final invoice. It encompasses the full service experience, from understanding the professional's credentials to knowing what protections are in place if things go wrong. 'Who is performing the work? What qualifications do they hold? How are they vetted? What guarantees stand behind their work?' Price asked. These questions are what form the backbone of a trusted service economy. To solve these problems, GoodApp has developed a tech-powered platform designed to create what Price described as 'accountability ecosystems'. These ecosystems allow both professionals and clients to enter into agreements with clearly defined expectations, transparent communication, and built-in records that support dispute resolution. By making these processes digital and traceable, GoodApp removes the ambiguity that has long plagued the service sector. 'When disputes arise, these platforms provide evidence-based resolution pathways rather than the 'your word against mine' scenarios that frequently characterise traditional service arrangements,' Price said. In this digital ecosystem, every agreement, conversation, and outcome is documented, providing both consumers and providers with a reliable record. To ensure only qualified professionals are matched with clients, GoodApp employs a robust, multi-dimensional vetting process that includes 'verification of formal qualifications, criminal background checks, work history evaluation, and peer reviews.' This system ensures that not only are minimum standards met, but professionals are held to a consistently high standard of excellence through ongoing community feedback. Equally important are the platform's ratings and review systems, which transform individual experiences into community guidance. Over time, a service provider's digital reputation becomes one of their most valuable professional assets — an incentive to deliver high-quality work every time. For Price, this creates a virtuous cycle: 'Professionals who deliver quality work earn better ratings, more clients, and ultimately more income. Consumers, in turn, gain peace of mind and satisfaction from predictable, professional service experiences.' Looking ahead, Price envisions platforms such as GoodApp playing a pivotal role in reshaping the national service economy. Those that prioritise 'genuine transparency, implement rigorous vetting processes, and establish accountability frameworks' will not just improve individual transactions — they will help restore dignity and reliability to the sector as a whole. Still, Price warned that success required more than technology — it demands a cultural shift. 'Service providers must recognise that detailed pricing structures and credential verification aren't optional concessions but essential components of modern professional practice,' she asserts. At the same time, Price encouraged consumers to take a more proactive role: demanding transparency, asking for credentials, and refusing to settle for vague terms or verbal agreements. 'This cultural transformation, when paired with robust digital infrastructure, can help South Africa move beyond the current service delivery crisis,' Price said. 'With a commitment to these principles from platforms, professionals, and consumers alike, South Africa can develop a service economy worthy of its potential.' While GoodApp is aimed at restoring integrity in the physical service economy, Opera Mini is doing something similar for the digital economy — most notably by tackling the high costs of mobile data, which continues to act as a gatekeeper for millions of South Africans. A March survey by Opera revealed staggering statistics: 80% of South Africans said data was too expensive, while 69% reported regularly running out of data before the end of the month. These limitations have created a significant barrier to accessing new technologies such as AI, which are increasingly important for education, business, and personal productivity. In response, Opera has integrated its AI assistant, Aria, into the Opera Mini browser at no additional data cost. 'Aria is optimised for minimal data consumption and is part of our free daily data bundles in South Africa,' according to Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera. 'This makes it an ideal solution for the 69% of South Africans who would use AI tools only if they didn't add to data usage.' This is not Opera's first foray into cost-saving measures. Since 2020, the company has partnered with mobile networks, particularly MTN, to provide 3GB of free data monthly to users of Opera Mini. With its turbo data-saving mode, Opera Mini has reduced data usage by up to 90% compared to other major browsers. These initiatives have collectively saved users the equivalent of about $10 million (R188m) in data costs since 2022. The inclusion of Aria represents a major evolution of the platform. Powered by Opera's Composer AI engine, which combines technologies from OpenAI and Google AI, Aria delivers capabilities such as content summarisation, code and text generation, research assistance, and image creation using Google's Imagen3 fast model. These tools allow users to perform complex digital tasks without leaving the browser or using more data. Opera's research found that 59% of South Africans used AI tools for academic purposes, and 24% used them multiple times a day. The same survey revealed that 80% of users were interested in trying a browser-integrated AI, and 78% preferred tools from a trusted brand. With more than 1 billion global downloads and a 4.6-star rating on the Google Play Store, Opera Mini looks set to be a staple for many South Africans. 'AI is rapidly becoming an integral part of the daily internet experience,' Arnesen said. 'With the integration of our built-in AI, Aria, we're excited to explore how AI can further enhance the feature set our South African users rely on every day.' Together, GoodApp and Opera Mini represent a powerful shift in how technology is set to address the country's most pressing everyday challenges. Where one restores trust and quality in essential services, the other ensures affordable access to advanced digital tools. What unites them is a shared commitment to democratising access, whether to safe, skilled labour or to next-generation technology. These platforms don't just offer convenience — they deliver empowerment. They equip South Africans with the tools to make informed, confident decisions, whether hiring a qualified contractor or generating content using AI. By building ecosystems grounded in transparency, accountability, and inclusion, both platforms are creating the conditions for a more resilient, equitable, and innovative society. As Price said, 'We create the foundation for sustainable economic relationships that benefit our entire society.' And with Arnesen echoing that commitment — 'bringing Aria to Opera Mini is a natural addition to our most-downloaded browser' — the message is clear: the future of South Africa's service and tech economy lies in solutions that work for everyone.
