African markets and business updates

President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of well-known Seychellois, Mr Alexander Pierre, following his passing this morning. Mr Pierre would have celebrated his 55th birthday on 3 September. Mr Pierre was born in Seychelles and left for the United Kingdom at the age of ten. He returned to Seychelles 30 years ago and went on to build a life and career in his homeland. He is remembered as a kind and calm man who loved life, and as a man of principle who fought hard for what he believed in.…

The aviation unit of the Burundian contingent serving with the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in Sector 5 continues to play a vital role in strengthening security efforts in Somalia. From troop transportation and medical evacuation to aerial surveillance and logistics support, the unit has become an essential component for AUSSOM troops and Somali Security Forces (SSF) to operate effectively in frontline areas affected by insecurity. Maj. Jean Claude Nizigiyimana, the team leader of the aviation unit in Sector 5, describes the department as a critical section for operational effectiveness in the field.…

In South Sudan, every gathering brings together stories shaped by different life experiences, shared pain and resilience. A recent peace circle in Aweil was no exception. Participants came together to share their experiences and listen to one another. Some had fled conflict in neighbouring Sudan; others had returned home or grown up in Aweil. For a few hours, their different journeys converged around shared challenges and hopes. Among them was Akut Dut, a mother of six who fled Sudan after fighting erupted in 2023. “I was scared for my children. As a mother, I could not wait for something to happen to them. I decided we had to leave and find somewhere safer,” she recalls.…

The creative economy cannot thrive while the policies, capital and institutions that shape it remain fragmented. As Creative Cnergy prepares for its 2026 symposium, Collen Dlamini argues that bringing government, investors and creatives into the same room is only the beginning: the real measure of progress is whether coordination leads to practical change. Of all the commitments made at Creative Cnergy in April 2025, one sounded almost too small to mention. Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, told us he would start meeting more regularly with Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, to align the policies shaping our creative economy.…

The Resident Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission (RRPC) and Head of Mission (HOM) in Guinea-Bissau, Her Excellency Ambassador Dr. Ngozi Ukaeje, described the staff of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) as "diplomatic and military professionals". Ambassador Ukaeje offered these commendations on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, as the Force Commander (FC) of the ESSMGB, Brigadier General Danjuma Ribah Dantani, accompanied senior officers, including the newly appointed Deputy Force Commander, contingent commanders and Force Headquarters (FHQ) staff officers, on a visit to the RRPC/HOM office at ECOWAS headquarters in Bissau.…

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Thursday received its first substantive briefing on the Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill of 2026, commonly referred to as the Municipal Coalitions Bill. The committee will now develop a detailed programme for processing the Bill, which is aimed at providing a legislative framework for the establishment and effective functioning of coalition governments in the local government sphere. One of the critical proposals in the Bill is for making written coalition agreements mandatory. This will make these agreements more transparent, binding and subject to public accountability.…

On 26 August 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted luncheon for academics from the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), a think thank and research institution in Abuja, Nigeria. The Deputy Prime Minister received a briefing on the theme “The Future of Africa: How Partnership with Thailand Can Move the Continent Forward” and exchanged views on Africa’s economic outlook, development challenges, and policy recommendations to advance Thailand - Africa cooperation in trade and investment.…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has turned its attention to controlling the growth and influence of some of the country's largest banks.

Across most of Africa, women remain a lot less likely than men to have a bank account, access to formal credit or savings.

Demand is strong on domestic aviation routes, but there is still significant scope to improve connectivity between African regions.