African markets and business updates

Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking has approved a $700 million loan to support Ivanhoe Mines’ expansion of the Platreef platinum group metals (PGM) project in South Africa. The funding will support the construction of the Phase two concentrator at Platreef, a 3.3 million ton-per-annum processing facility whose development began in April 2026. The transaction comes at a time when South Africa seeks to mobilize R2 trillion over the next five years to unlock its critical minerals potential.…

Millions of women and girls remain without adequate legal protection due to the failure of African governments to enact and effectively enforce national laws and regional agreements, Equality Now ( ) warned at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ (ACHPR) 87th Ordinary Session in Banjul, The Gambia. Esther Waweru, Associate Director for Legal Equality at Equality Now, delivered a statement to the ACHPR on May 12, 2026, calling on African Union (AU) Member States to do more to address sexual violence…

The United States remains a longstanding and valued partner of Africa in disease surveillance, emergency response, workforce development and global health security. In March 2025, amid major shifts affecting USAID and other health programmes, Africa CDC engaged the US Government through a high-level dialogue at the Department of State involving multiple American to agencies. Meeting Africa CDC – US team ( ). Africa CDC advocated for a new partnership model grounded in sovereignty…

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) ( ), acting on the recommendations of its Emergency Consultative Group (ECG), has officially declared the ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus disease outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). This declaration, under Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statute…

At AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya, taking place from 19-21 May, global cybersecurity company, Kaspersky ( www.Kaspersky.co.za ), talks about the current threat landscape in Kenya and the wider East Africa region, warning that the rapid development and adoption of artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities for innovation while simultaneously introducing cyberthreats for businesses and individual users.…

One year after reaching within 250 metres of Everest’s summit but turning back due to congestion, frostbite risk, and limited oxygen, the Bouka family returns determined to raise the Malagasy flag on the world’s highest peak. Led by visionary entrepreneur Zouzar Bouka and his sons Raïs and Raj-Alexandre, the expedition embodies Malagasy resilience and the belief that every challenge has its own ‘Everest’. “This is about finishing what we began,” said Zouzar Bouka. “Everest demands humility and perseverance.…

By Alioune Ciss, Chief Executive Officer, Webb Fontaine ( ). When global trade flows normally, Port Community Systems (PCS) are often viewed as efficiency tools. They digitize paperwork, connect stakeholders, reduce delays, and improve visibility across port ecosystems. However, the true impact and strategic importance of PCS become most apparent when a crisis hits. Whether caused by geopolitical conflict, canal restrictions, rerouted shipping lanes, cyber risk, labor disruption, or sudden regulatory shifts…

Amid a strategy to expand from a South Africa-focused refiner into a pan-African downstream leader, Rand Refinery has joined African Mining Week (AMW), an Influential African Mining Conference, scheduled for October 14-16, 2026 in Cape Town, as a silver sponsor. Rand Refinery’s participation reflects a broader strategic alignment between the company’s expansion agenda and AMW’s focus on supporting and enabling local beneficiation and promoting artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) responsible sourcing frameworks.…

The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) ( ), has opened applications for the second edition of the MEST AI Startup Program, a fully-funded, immersive experience designed to equip Africa’s most promising AI entrepreneurs with the technical, business, product, and leadership skills to build and scale globally competitive AI startups. Over a seven-month training phase, the MEST AI Startup program will provide founders with hands-on instruction, technical mentorship…

China built organisational structures that coordinate millions of farmers and link them to markets, processing and export demand.