African markets and business updates

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has, by proclamation, declared Wednesday, September 16, 2026, as “International Ozone Day,” to be observed throughout the country as a working holiday. The proclamation calls on citizens, government ministries and agencies, foreign residents, as well as national and international organizations to join the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in undertaking appropriate programs and activities befitting the occasion.…

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., has, by proclamation, declared Wednesday, September 16, 2026, as “National Identification Day,” to be observed throughout the Republic as a working holiday. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the proclamation requests the National Identification Registry (NIR), other government agencies, and relevant international organizations to initiate and implement appropriate activities and programs befitting the occasion. The Presidential Proclamation focuses on three fundamental principles of identity: inclusion, protection, and utility.…

A potable water project has been put in place in Embeito, Mai-Aini sub-zone, at a cost of over 2.3 million Nakfa. Mr. Kibrom Misgina, head of water resources in the Southern Region, said that the project, implemented through community participation and Government support, included a well, a reservoir with a capacity of 125 barrels of water, four water distribution centers, about 2 km of pipeline, and a solar power system. Mr. Haile Tesfamariam, head of water development in Embeito, said that the project involved labor valued at 1.5 million Nakfa and expenditure of over 876,000 Nakfa.…

The President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has sent a message of congratulations to Her Excellency Claudia Sheinbaum, President of the United Mexican States, on the occasion of Mexico’s 205th Independence Day, celebrated on September 16, 2026. According to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Boakai, in his message to his Mexican counterpart, extended heartfelt felicitations and best wishes to the Government and people of the United Mexican States on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Liberia and in his own name.…

Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation submitted a draft of the National Data Value Creation Blue-Print Lesotho in Maseru. Speaking at the event, Ms. Mabatho Lithebe said the draft to the national ecosystem for validation across four key areas, and those are the strategic Framework. She said the aim was to review the national vision, the theory of change, the strategic pillars and the consolidated findings of the ecosystem diagnostic.…

A senior Eritrean delegation composed of Mr. Hagos Gebrehiwet, Head of PFDJ Economic Affairs, and Mr. Nesredin Mohammed Saleh, Minister of Trade and Industry, held talks with Mr. Majid bin Abdullah, Minister of Commerce of Saudi Arabia. The meeting, held this afternoon, focused on enhancing trade and investment. The senior Eritrean delegation held similar meetings with Mr. Waleed Alkhereiji, Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 15 September, and with senior officials of the Saudi Ministry of Energy and the Saudi National Oil Company (ARAMCO) on 14 September. The meetings featured extensive discussions on issues and developments of mutual interest to the two countries.…

The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has resolved to summon businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba to appear in person after he failed to attend its Wednesday sitting to explain a disputed Shs140 billion Bank of Uganda guarantee. The decision, taken after a lengthy debate over a request for more time from Basajjabalaba’s lawyers, Magina Advocates, on Wednesday 16th September 2026. The committee chaired by Kyandondo East MP Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, examined the roles of Basajjabalaba’s Haba Group, the Central Bank and other parties that may emerge during the investigation.…

The Ministry of Education, through the Excellence in Learning in Liberia (EXCEL) Project, has completed a stakeholder review and validation of the revised Academic Calendar for Kindergarten through Grade 2 and primary schools under the Foundational Learning Program. The one-day EXCEL Project activity brought together Ministry technical teams, county education officials, representatives of public and private school systems, development partners, and project staff to review the proposed calendar and ensure it responds to the practical needs of schools.…

Twenty-four Liberian Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) professionals have departed for advanced training in Kenya and Ghana under the European Union-funded Youth Rising Project, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The approximately 18-month training programs will strengthen their technical, pedagogical, and professional competencies in areas directly linked to Liberia’s skills-development and workforce needs.…

Dementia is increasingly becoming a major public health challenge in Africa, with an estimated 1.9 million people currently living with the condition across the region. The number is expected to rise significantly as populations grow and life expectancy increases. Beyond its health impact, dementia places a heavy economic burden on families and societies, costing an estimated US$15.6 billion annually in the African Region. Much of this burden falls on unpaid caregivers, predominantly women and family members, who spend an average of 12.9 hours per day providing care, far exceeding the global average of 7.8 hours.…