African markets and business updates

The Government of Liberia has launched the 2026 Presidential Scholarship Recipients’ Inter-University Debate Competition under the theme, “Empowering Youth Intellect, Driving National Development.” Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah reminded the scholars that a scholarship is an investment in their potential, and that its true value will be measured by what they eventually do with the opportunity. She challenged them to think beyond earning a degree and ask a more important question: “Your country has invested in your education.…

President John Dramani Mahama has inspected five ongoing Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) projects at Han Senior High School (SHS) in the Upper West Region, announcing plans to fully transition the facility from a day school into a boarding institution. The inspection forms part of the President’s two-day #ResettingGhana Tour of the region. President Mahama explained that while the Community Day SHS model remains viable, the government is shifting strategy based on population density. “Our intention now is to apply the community day school concept in high-density population areas, where children can live at home and travel easily to school,” President Mahama said.…

President John Dramani Mahama has reassured Ghanaians of his commitment to delivering top-tier, long-lasting road infrastructure under his flagship “Big Push” initiative. Speaking after inspecting ongoing construction on the strategic Wa-Han-Tumu-Navrongo road project on the first day of his #ResettingGhana Tour of the Upper West Region, the president acknowledged the public’s widespread demand for better roads and appealed for patience as projects roll out. “I want to assure our people that, although everyone wishes all their roads could be constructed at once, we simply cannot do that,” Mahama stated. “There is a limit to the budget we have. That is why there is Big Push Phase One.…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished the Jewish community in South Africa and around the world a peaceful, safe, and joyous Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. “As the Jewish community enters the period of the high holy days, we are reminded of the abiding value in faith and family,” President Ramaphosa said. “In Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah is a time for renewal and reflection, and carries a profound and timeless message about our power to bring about change - not only in our own lives, but in the lives of those around us.” The President paid tribute to the South African Jewish community as an important part of our national fabric.…

Serving a population of approximately one million people in Tunisia’s Cap-Bon region, Mohamed Tahar Maamouri University Hospital plays a critical role as the region’s only specialized orthopedic center. In 2025, the hospital’s orthopedic department conducted more than 25,000 outpatient consultations and provided inpatient treatment to over 4,500 patients. The department’s workload increases significantly during the summer months due to the substantial rise in the regional population driven by tourism, as well as an increase in trauma cases, particularly those resulting from traffic accidents.…

The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is preparing to accelerate adoption and transaction growth across Africa as it enters the next phase of its strategy, following significant expansion of its network and strong growth in payment volumes and values. Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Mr Mike Ogbalu III, Chief Executive Officer of PAPSS, said the platform now operates in more than 30 African countries across all five regions of the continent. It connects 24 national and regional central banks, more than 200 commercial banks and payments service providers, and 16 switches.…

Criminal gangs in Kenya have carried out a spate of violent attacks targeting civil society and opposition gatherings ahead of the 2027 elections, Human Rights Watch said today. The Kenyan authorities should ensure prompt and transparent investigations into the attacks and that people can exercise their political rights without fear of violence. Over the last few months, groups of unidentified armed people have attacked a civil society event and several opposition political gatherings across the country, reportedly killing at least six people and injuring dozens more. The authorities do not appear to have taken meaningful steps to ensure accountability for these abuses.…

The Ministry of Health, through its Directorate of Environmental Health, has embarked on a pest and disease control exercise targeting all government hospitals nationwide. About 124 trained fumigation officers and supervisors will be distributed to different facilities across the country to work with hospital leadership to make identified areas accessible for disinfection and ensure appropriate safety measures are observed before, during and after the exercise. Addressing the excited team this morning, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr.…

A public celebration in connection with Kudus Yohannes Holiday was held in the Gerenfit administrative area in the Gash Barka Region. The celebratory event, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and the Commission of Culture and Sports, was attended by Ambassador Mahmud Ali Hirui, Governor of the Gash Barka Region, senior government officials in the region, Army Commanders, religious leaders, and public representatives from the Gerenfit administrative area. Extending his best wishes for a happy Kudus Yohannes Holiday, Mr.…

Haruna Darboe stood beside the weighing scale, watching closely as a health worker recorded his three-month-old daughter's weight before administering her routine vaccinations at Serekunda Health Centre. As a first-time father, the moment carried more meaning than a routine clinic visit. It was reassurance that he was doing everything he could to protect his child. “As a first-time father, I want to do everything possible to protect my child,” he said.…