Frans Cronje Private Clients is a firm specializing in independent political and economic advice and strategy.
To support your strategic planning, risk management, and decision-making, we offer access to our market-leading political, economic, and social intelligence in two distinct formats: structured once-off briefings and ongoing advisory retainers. We also remain open to tailoring a solution that aligns most effectively with your organisational needs.
After engaging with us, nothing in the political or economic environment should blindside, derail, or undermine your strategic plans. You will be equipped with foresight, clarity, and context — allowing you to limit risk, respond decisively, and lead with confidence in an uncertain environment.
We are an independent political and economic advisory firm with over 20 years of experience working with clients ranging from leading Fortune 500 companies to major banks and financial institutions and some of the world’s most influential governments.
I have lived and worked in both the USA and South Africa. For almost two decades I worked for Africa’s oldest research and policy think-tank where I established its risk advisory consultancy. I have drafted and/or edited hundreds of notes, reports, and analyses on subjects ranging from public opinion polling to education trends, electricity supply prognoses, growth forecasts, currency estimates, protest trends, security risks, China and Russia in Africa, global trade wars, Brexit predictions, US presidential elections, and global financial reversals.
I have briefed several hundred organizations and an estimated 30 000 people on scenarios for the world and South Africa and advised scores of firms on what they need to do to develop public policy strategies capable of safely navigating political icebergs whilst taking advantage of often equally hidden opportunities. I have authored three best-seller list books on the future of the world and South Africa and taught scenario-based strategy to the MBA program of a South African business school.
1991-1995
1996-2001 BA (Hons) (MA)
2011-2014 PhD
I am an economist and Partner at Frans Cronje Private Clients. My career started at the Centre for Risk Analysis and I later worked as a financial analyst at the financial consulting firm ETM Analytics. I specialise in economic and financial markets research as well as political trend analysis.
I have briefed scores of companies on South Africa’s long term economic, markets, and political outlook and have drafted an extensive cross section of notes and reports and co-authored a chapter of the book “The Future of Cities" with Professor Joel Kotkin of the American Enterprise Institute.
I was raised in the rural Eastern Cape village of Lupapasi and later moved to Johannesburg for my schooling. From August of 2024 I will be based in California to complete a post-graduate degree in economics.
2013-2016
2017-2021 (BCom Economics)
2024-2026 (MS in Economics)
With nearly two decades of experience in business development, sales, and strategic operations, I bring a proven track record of driving growth and building strong client relationships. Most recently, I served as Chief Operations Officer at the Centre for Risk Analysis (CRA), where I led operational strategy, budgeting, and team development to align with long-term goals. Prior to that, I headed CRA’s marketing division, focusing on client retention, service optimization, and market intelligence. My experience includes managing high-performing sales teams at leading automotive brands and contributing to executive-level initiatives that improved efficiency and revenue performance. I specialize in CRM, pricing strategy, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong focus on delivering value and insight to corporate clients. In my role as Sales Manager at Frans Cronje, I am committed to connecting our clients with timely, data-driven economic and political insights that empower decision-making at the highest levels.
2003
2016 - 2019
We typically consult to large financial institutions and multinational corporations.
Yes.
No, the firm does not have social media accounts or profiles.
Yes. Much of the work done by the firm revolves around producing heavily data-based and deep-dive strategic briefings on a once off or occasional basis.
In addition to once off or occasional briefings we offer tailor-made retainer-based advisory services starting at around R300 000 per annum.