African markets and business updates

Moroccan banks are combining digital rollouts with cross-border investment, while benefiting from a domestic investment boom.

Debt swaps which involve replacing sovereign debt with liabilities that include a commitment towards a specific development are increasing.

The Tunisian government has systematically cracked down on civil society groups and their members since 2024, all but shutting down the vibrant civic space that emerged after the 2011 revolution. Civil society plays a key role in holding power to account, delivering essential services, and advocating for human rights. The authorities are abusing every tool at their disposal to close the space for civil society and shut these organizations down. The authorities should immediately end their crackdown on civil society and allow space for civic groups to operate fully and freely.…

“It’s surprising it’s taken us this long to recognise and think about facilitating [women’s] role. Because once you see it, you can’t unsee it,” said Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. Ghanea was referring to a conference titled “The role of women as guides and spiritual leaders in preventing violent extremism: A peer-to-peer exchange on faith and human rights”. Behind the formal title of the conference, which took place last May in Dakar, Senegal, there is a straightforward argument: that women’s religious leadership may be one of the most under-used tools against violent extremism in the region.…

The Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) warns that chronic shortages and high costs of digital vehicle number plates are crippling dealers and eroding public confidence in the automotive trade. While appearing before the Committee on Physical Infrastructure chaired by Hon. Mwine Mpaka, KACITA Chairperson, Issa Sekitto expressed deep skepticism about the production capacity of the current service provider under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS). He added that they are not confident that the contractor can maintain adequate stocks of vehicle numbers plates and manufacturing materials.…

The Egyptian banking industry has hunkered down and is emerging stronger than expected. Is privatisation finally on the cards?

The 2026 summer season confirms the shift in the scale of air traffic for Airports of Morocco (formerly the National Airports Office – ONDA), with historic traffic levels recorded at several of the Kingdom's airports. These summer peaks are part of a growth trajectory that is now structural, Airports of Morocco stated in a press release, noting that at Casablanca Mohammed V, one of the highlights of this season was recorded during the first weekend of August with a historic peak of 46,439 passengers welcomed in 24 hours. This intensification of activity is evident across the network.…

Dr Allan Mugarura had just completed a grueling night shift in the maternity unit at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital when his phone rang late in the evening of 15 May 2026. Uganda had declared an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus. As a trained member of Uganda’s national Emergency Medical Team (EMT), Dr Mugarura was asked one question: Was he ready to deploy? He agreed without hesitation, packed his bags and set off through the night for Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala. “Once it was clear that I was ready to deploy, I was asked to travel right away,” Dr Mugarura recalls.…

In the stifling heat of Mongbwalu General Reference Hospital in Ituri Province, the epicentre of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the clatter of disinfection buckets echoes through the corridors. The scent of chlorine lingers in the air as health workers dash from ward to ward. Amid the bustle, Nadège Esangowale Yangala walks with quiet determination. An Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialist, she is on the frontlines of the Ebola response, working as a consultant with the World Health Organization (WHO).…

A catalytic financing facility designed to support the growth of high-potential women- and youth-owned or led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. The Fund will support eligible MSMEs that demonstrate strong growth potential, innovation, and the ability to generate inclusive economic impact.…