African markets and business updates

Helios Investment Partners has outlined a strategy to expand its investments in Africa's sports and entertainment industries through Helios Sports & Entertainment Group (HSEG). The group's portfolio includes NBA Africa, sports infrastructure company Zaria Group, entertainment business The Malachite Group and mixed martial arts ...

The South African Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa, together with the National Cancer Registry (NCR) housed within the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), led a community cancer awareness activation at Oakmoor Taxi Rank in Tembisa, Johannesburg, in September. The activation brought together local road traffic services, community health workers, Wits Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute, the Tembisa Hospital NHLS laboratory, and other partners, with support from the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa, the NICD, and the Ekurhuleni Health District.…

African finance ministers and the IMF are calling for stronger tax collection and better-targeted public spending to fund development, protect vulnerable households and reduce pressure on government budgets. Twenty of 38 African countries surveyed collected less than 15% of GDP in taxes in 2023. ...

The Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), which controls eastern and southern Libya , has executed at least 31 people since late August 2026 following grossly unfair military trials, Human Rights Watch said today. These are the first known executions in Libya since 2010, with at least 50 more people in Gernada military prison at imminent risk of execution. On August 23, the LAAF military prosecutor announced that 10 people had been executed by firing squad after being convicted of murder and terrorism-related offenses. Human rights groups have documented a total of at least 31 executions as of September 10.…

The African Energy Chamber ( ) announced the winners of the African Energy Awards 2026 during the Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town on October 13. The awards recognized excellence across services, local content, exploration and production, downstream infrastructure, dealmaking, social investment, gas monetization, technology and power. This year’s winners spanned the full energy value chain.…

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation ( ), President of the “More Than a Mother” Campaign , has published a new reflective leadership article titled “Why I Stopped Glorifying Multitasking and Started Practicing Mindful Leadership”, under her newly launched virtual Mentorship and Leadership Platform, "Beyond Power; Leadership, Global Influence and Impact". In this insightful article, Dr. Kelej challenges the common belief that multitasking is a hallmark of effective leadership and success.…

Nigeria Mining Week ( ) enters its final day today after two days of frank discussion about what it will take to turn Nigeria's mineral wealth into viable mining projects, stronger local industries and long-term investment. Taking place from 12 to 14 October at the Abuja Continental Hotel under the theme "Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships," this year's event has brought government, mining companies, investors, financiers and industry bodies together around some of the sector's most pressing issues. The message coming through strongly is that mineral potential alone is not enough.…

The Directorate of Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, is organizing the “First Meeting of the ECOWAS Monitoring and Evaluation Coordination Team.” at Zuma Rock Resort, Niger State, Nigeria, from 12-16 October 2026. The representatives are from ECOWAS Institutions, Departments, and Agencies. The overall objective of the meeting is to strengthen the ECOWAS M&E system by harmonizing institutional performance measurement approach, validating key strategic evaluation instruments, and enhancing the operational framework of the M&E Coordination Team.…

The Platform was officially launched by His Excellency Anthony O. OGUNJIMI, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, in the presence of representatives from ECOWAS Directorates, Institutions and Specialized Agencies. The event promoted a harmonized and integrated approach to regional development investment programming. The platform will facilitate the collection, consolidation and analysis of regional development projects, providing a centralized database to support strategic prioritization, investment planning and resource mobilization. It will enable ECOWAS to translate regional priorities into investment-ready projects.…

Olivier Mouckocko has taken over Gabon's energy ministry amid recurring power outages, becoming the fourth minister to hold the position since September 2023. Gabon plans to bring 255 MW of new thermal power capacity online by mid-November, while the 35 MW Kinguélé Aval hydropower ...