African markets and business updates

A new World Health Organization (WHO) regional survey assessing progress on patient safety across the African Region finds uneven results, as countries work to meet the needs of a growing number of people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and provide them with safe, continuous care. The WHO 2025/26 regional patient safety survey, which included 44 of the Region’s 47 countries, found uneven progress in implementing the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030. Clinical processes emerged as the strongest area assessed, while information and learning systems showed the largest gap.…

In an interview with BBC World News, African Collaborations Group (ACG) ( www.ACGafrica.com ) Founder and Executive Chairman Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard set out the case for transforming Africa's sport infrastructure — arguing that the continent's sport economy potential will remain theoretical without the right infrastructure, and that the model needed is not the isolated stadium but the integrated, multi-purpose sport and entertainment district. The full interview can be listened to here: Africa's population of 1.5 billion is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, and its sport economy is projected to reach $20 billion by 2035.…

From sports to healthcare, Siaya County is witnessing the transformation of Government development plans into tangible infrastructure projects. Defence Principal Secretary Dr. Patrick Mariru accompanied His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Kenya Defence Forces, Dr. William Ruto during his development tour of the county, where they inspected two major national Government projects being implemented under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence through the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Health and the County Government of Siaya.…

Canon today unveils the Canon EOS R8 Mark II ( ), a lightweight full-frame camera that inspires confidence and offers creative freedom. The Canon EOS R8 Mark II combines portability with full-frame mirrorless camera quality and advanced stabilisation to capture wider views, beautiful background blur and stunning low-light image quality. Building on the success of the EOS R8, the Canon EOS R8 Mark II responds to the needs of photographers with greater control and capability in a compact body. Made for those who want to explore more, from new places to new creative ideas, the Canon EOS R8 Mark II is a versatile choice for travel photography.…

The National Football League ( www.NFL.com ) announced today that GRAMMY® Award-winning titan Burna Boy will headline the halftime show during the 2026 NFL Paris Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m. CEST (9:30 a.m. ET) at Stade de France. The Paris performance will be part of a record seven halftime shows staged across the 2026 NFL International Games — a lineup of live musical performances spanning seven countries and four continents — as the league plays its most international games ever in a single season.…

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, today reaffirmed the Western Cape Government's support for the Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster (CCTC) during a visit to leading cycling apparel manufacturer Ciovita in Woodstock, Cape Town. Ciovita, which employs 265 staff members, is an active member of the CCTC and serves as an example of how innovation, quality manufacturing, skills development and export competitiveness can drive growth and job creation in the Western Cape's Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather (CTFL) sector.…

For Dr Aminatu Makarfi Umar, a gynaecologist in Kaduna State, HIV prevention should be part of routine care for women who may benefit from it. “Every pregnant woman at increased risk of HIV deserves to know her prevention options,” she said. “I will make sure this becomes part of routine care in my clinic.” Her commitment reflects a wider effort by Nigeria to strengthen the capacity of health workers to provide quality, respectful and people-centred HIV prevention services. An estimated 1.9 million people are living with HIV in Nigeria. Globally, around 41 million people were living with HIV in 2025, including 53% who were women and girls.…

The maritime security environment is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancement and the emergence of increasingly complex threats above, on and beneath the sea. Maintaining effective maritime domain awareness therefore requires continuous investment in modern surveillance, detection and response capabilities. Against this evolving security landscape, the Kenya Navy hosted representatives from M/S SAAB, a Swedish defence and security company specialising in advanced surveillance and defence technologies, for a courtesy call on the Commander Kenya Navy, Major General Paul Otieno, at the Kenya Navy Headquarters.…

The ride-hailing giant's withdrawal from Nigeria and Uganda follows the demise of its businesses in Tanzania and Côte d'Ivoire. Uber's "journey in Nigeria has been one of growth, empowerment and transformation," Tope Akinwumi, the company's then country manager, wrote last year in the forward to a report that hailed its impact in Nigeria. The Silicon Valley company claimed to have contributed 34bn naira ($26m) to the local economy in 2023, saying that it had helped riders save 1.8m hours compared to their other commuting options. "Looking ahead," Akinwumi wrote, "Uber is dedicated to furthering its contribution to Nigeria's growth, development and innovation."…

WIPHOLD co-founder Louise Mojela talks about her experience of over 30 years at the helm of the pioneering South African investment company.