African markets and business updates

Mohamed Arkab, Algeria's Minister of State and Minister of Hydrocarbons, will join the speaker lineup at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 in Dakar this December, bringing one of the continent's most senior energy ministers to a forum focused on investment and regional cooperation. His confirmation serves as a bridge between one of Africa's longest-standing oil and gas producers and one of its newest, paving the way for greater collaboration across upstream exploration, infrastructure and power. Algerian cooperation with MSGBC nations has already gained momentum. Minister Arkab hosted Senegal's Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Dr. El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, in Algiers on October 4.…

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has received no further reports of dead or dying sardines since 10 September 2026. The acute mortality phase has ended, but surveillance continues and any new occurrences should be reported promptly. Laboratory testing for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) has resumed following the earlier delay in the supply of essential reagents. The DFFE laboratory has received 107 case records comprising approximately 976 samples. Analysis has been completed for 37 cases comprising 326 samples, with testing of the remaining material continuing.…

On Monday, 19 October 2026, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Mr Barry Faure, officially opened the Biennial Ambassadors’ Retreat 2026 at the Seychelles Allamanda Resort and Spa. In his opening remarks, Minister Faure called on Ambassadors to reflect on the Ministry’s mandate, key strategic priorities, and how best to advance and safeguard Seychelles’ national interests in an increasingly complex international environment. “Our approach must balance continuity with the need to adapt. We have valuable experience, established relationships and institutional knowledge on which to build. At the same time, our responsibilities are evolving” the Minister stated .…

On October 19, 2026, Ambassador Han Jing paid a courtesy call on Hon. Prof. Roma Chilengi, Minister of Health of Zambia. Ambassador Han congratulated Prof. Chilengi on his appointment and said that, under the strategic guidance of the two Heads of State, China-Zambia comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership has continued to grow. China attaches great importance to health cooperation and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with the Zambian side, deepen cooperation in medical team dispatches, pharmaceutical supplies assistance, health infrastructure development, and continue to improve the health and well-being of the Zambian people. Prof.…

The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) has deployed its Preparedness Data Exchange (PDX) platform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, strengthening the country’s access to epidemic intelligence and early-warning information to support preparedness and response to health emergencies. PDX uses artificial intelligence to bring together health and risk information, helping countries spot potential threats early and prepare for and respond to them. PDX is now in use in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The platform connects the country to a regional platform serving all 47 Member States in the WHO African Region.…

COSCO Shipping Ports handled 11.04 million TEUs across its global terminal portfolio in September 2026, representing a 15.7% increase compared with the same month last year. The latest performance lifted the terminal operator’s total container throughput for the first nine months of the year to 93.91 million TEUs, up 8.5% year on year. Third-quarter throughput […] COSCO Shipping Ports handled 11.04 million TEUs across its global terminal portfolio in September 2026, representing a 15.7% increase compared with the same month last year.…

BADEA and Zimbabwe's CBZ Bank have signed a declaration of intent for a $50 million trade finance facility. The proposed financing aims to improve access to credit for businesses and support exports and productive sectors. The initiative comes ...

Togo and China signed 13 agreements during Faure Gnassingbé's October 9–16 visit to Beijing. A new phytosanitary agreement aims to improve Togolese soybean exports' access to the Chinese market. Bilateral trade reached $5.43 billion in 2025, while a separate agreement provides for partial debt ...

Maxitech Global Investment Ltd., one of Nigeria’s growing technology distribution and solutions companies, has achieved another significant milestone, receiving two prestigious honours at the HP Channel Partner Awards held in Barcelona, Spain, in October 2026. The company was recognised as: 🏆 HP West Africa Retailer of the Year 2025 🏆 HP Nigeria Retail PC Partner […]

PARATUS NAMIBIA HOLDINGS LIMITED (Incorporated in the Republic of Namibia) (Registration number 2017/0558) NSX Share code: PNH ISIN code: NA000A2DTQ42 (“Paratus” or “the Company”) DEALING IN SECURITIES BY A DIRECTOR In compliance with sections 3.63 – 3.65 of the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX) Listings Requirements, the following information is disclosed […]