African markets and business updates

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.…

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 ...

Mala Lingappa has marked ten years at APO Group ( www.APO-opa.com ), the pan-African communications consultancy integrating advisory, execution, and proprietary news distribution. She joined in 2016 as its first media monitoring specialist. Today, APO Group guarantees visibility in all 54 African markets, and Mala has helped make that visibility measurable. "When I started, I wasn't expecting to stay for a decade," says Mala. "The chance to work in an international environment and learn from people with diverse backgrounds drew me in. The experience has been incredibly rewarding." Performance only counts when it can be proven.…

Nigerian states are partnering with private investors to develop oil palm plantations and processing facilities. Projects worth more than $220 million are planned in Cross River and Abia, while commercial production has resumed in Enugu. Nigeria's palm oil output is expected to remain at ...

Presentations on the final day of African Mining Week 2026 covered financing, regulation, skills, power and tailings safety across Africa’s mineral value chains. The final day of African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 in Cape Town on Friday featured a series of technical presentations examining what Africa’s mineral value chains require beyond the mine, from financing and regulation to skills, power and tailings safety. Financing Value Beyond the Mine Danie Dörfling-Kruger, Head of Business Development and Marketing at Moore Infinity, opened the day with a presentation arguing that the value of Africa’s minerals is realized in transport corridors and priced in the cost of capital.…

African Collaborations Group (ACG) ( www.ACGafrica.com ), the leading strategic project origination and collaboration platform focused on the industrialisation of sport in Africa through the origination of bankable sport and entertainment district ecosystems, today announced the appointment of NJ Ayuk to its Advisory Board. Mr Ayuk is the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC), the leading voice of the African energy sector, representing the interests of energy companies, service providers, ministries and public authorities across the continent.…