African markets and business updates

More than 162 million children, over two-thirds of all children in Eastern and Southern Africa, live in areas exposed to the impact of the strengthening 2026/2027 El Niño, UNICEF warned today. Intensifying drought, extreme heat and flooding threaten children’s nutrition, health, access to safe water and sanitation, education and safety. Forecasts provide a narrow but critical window to act before the most severe consequences are felt. “The threat from El Niño is growing, and the risks for children are already clear,” said Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.…

The North-West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has recorded no new cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the province over the past week, marking a significant development in the province’s ongoing efforts to contain and curb the spread of the disease. This is the first week since December 2025 that the province has recorded no new FMD cases, signalling a positive shift in the province’s fight against the disease and providing encouragement that the intensified vaccination and disease-control interventions are beginning to yield results.…

The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with the Republic of Zimbabwe over the victims of a traffic accident that occurred in the center of the country and resulted in a number of deaths and injuries. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the Republic of Zimbabwe and its people over this tragedy, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has joined African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as a Gold Partner, reinforcing the event's role as a meeting point for the institutions financing Africa's energy and infrastructure buildout. The partnership comes as the Pan-African multilateral finance institution completes a record capital deployment cycle spanning refining, transport, power generation and upstream oil and gas. AFC's 2026 deal flow demonstrates the depth and breadth of that capital.…

The ECOWAS Commission held a formal welcome and send-off ceremony for incoming and outgone statutory appointees and Heads of ECOWAS Institutions, following the completion of the outgone leadership’s four-year tenure. During the event, H.E. General Birame DIOP of Senegal officially assumed office as the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, succeeding H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY of The Gambia. H.E. Mr. Anthony OGUNJIMI of Nigeria also succeeded H.E. Mrs. Damtien TCHINTCHIBIDJA of Togo as Vice President.…

Dr. Al Zayani welcomed the Ambassador and affirmed the strong fraternal relations between Bahrain and Algeria, as well as the Kingdom’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in support of their shared interests. He wished the Ambassador success in his diplomatic duties. Ambassador Amini expressed his pride in representing Algeria in Bahrain and affirmed his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries and people.…

‘Justice must not depend on who you are, whom you know, or the position you hold’ — President Herminie Mr Divino Junior Sabino was officially sworn in as the new Attorney General this afternoon at State House, in the presence of President Dr Patrick Herminie, Chief Justice Mr Rony Govinden, Leader of Government Business Honourable Sylvanne Lemiel, and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Honourable Egbert Aglae. Mr Sabino has built a career spanning over two decades in the legal profession.…

Vice-President Sebastian Pillay has departed Seychelles for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he will hold follow-up discussions with officials of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). The visit follows bilateral discussions held between President Dr Patrick Herminie and BADEA President, Mr Abdullah KH Almusaibeeh, on the margins of the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit in Durban recently. The discussions focused on strengthening financial cooperation between Seychelles and BADEA, with a view to identifying potential financing opportunities in support of national development priorities. Vice-President Pillay will be absent from the country from 1 to 4 September.…

MONUSCO reinforced its presence in Bamande, in Irumu Territory, on Monday, August 31, following clashes between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), supported by the Ugandan army (UPDF), and suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The violence prompted several residents to flee the area. Two rapid reaction teams of peacekeepers were dispatched to the area, followed by the deployment of a mobile operating base to strengthen the protection of civilians. The clashes broke out early in the morning in Bandikafu, a village located approximately 1.5 kilometers east of Bamande.…

Anti-immigrant outbreaks in South Africa illustrate a dilemma - the drive for Africa unity but increasing fracturing at interpersonal levels.