African markets and business updates

Standard Bank has provided Valterra Platinum with a R2.5bn bridge-to-bond facility and jointly arranged its inaugural R2bn bond issuance, marking a major milestone for the newly demerged platinum producer as it enters South Africa's corporate debt market.

Ecobank Group has unveiled a $3bn trade finance commitment aimed at accelerating intra-African and global trade, strengthening value chains and supporting industrialisation across the continent through partnerships with development finance institutions and its Paris banking hub.

The African Energy Chamber pleased to announce the recognition of Nigerian businessman and industrialist Aliko Dangote as its African Energy Person of the Year 2026.

Listen to the soundbite Download the soundbite Stay informed on the latest developments regarding the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak. Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention ( ) led a coordinated regional response in close collaboration with health authorities in affected member states. The special briefing led by Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, outlined urgent measures taken with global health partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance…

Merck Foundation ( www.Merck-Foundation.com ), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks ‘World Hypertension Day 2026’ together with First Ladies of Africa and Asia , and their partners Ministries of Health, Medical Societies, and Academia, through their Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Blue Points Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation shared, “At Merck Foundation we mark " World Hypertension Day " by expanding access to quality and equitable care in Hypertension, Diabetes…

Africa's seventh-largest economy is also one of the continent's least examined technology markets, and that gap is rapidly becoming an investment thesis in its own right. Ethiopia is home to more than 120m people and a $126bn economy, yet by most credible estimates it has fewer than 200 venture-backed technology companies. The disparity is not a reflection of a lack of opportunity. It is the consequence of timing. For more than two decades, the Ethiopian state controlled the country's sole telecoms operator…

The ongoing siege of Bamako is having unacceptable consequences for civilians’ freedom of movement and may lead to serious violations of their rights to food security, health and life, Amnesty International said today, as it called on the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) armed group to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians. Three main roads leading to Bamako have been blocked since 28 April, after GSIM, a non-state armed group affiliated with al-Qaeda…

Merck Foundation ( www.Merck-Foundation.com ) , the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany commemorates World Health Day 2026 in partnership with First Ladies of African and Asian Countries, who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign, with a strong reaffirmation of its commitment to improving and revolutionizing healthcare access across Africa, Asia and beyond through their Scholarships and Capacity Building Program . Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.)…

Ms. Tekea Tesfamicael, President of the National Union of Eritrean Women, conducted a seminar for female members of the Eritrean Defense Forces focusing on the “Role of Eritrean Women in Resilience and Development.” At the seminar, conducted today, 15 May, at Denden Camp, Ms. Tekea noted that the EPLF exerted strong efforts to realize equality through practice and carried out extensive awareness and organizational activities. As a result…

Ghana’s ECF-supported economic program has delivered substantial stabilization gains driven by strong reform efforts and significant progress in public debt restructuring, leading to sharply lower inflation, higher external buffers, improved confidence in the cedi, and marked debt sustainability gains. As stability takes hold, IMF engagement is shifting beyond the ECF toward reform-focused PCI. Discussions combined the 2026 Article IV consultation, final ECF review…