African markets and business updates

(REPUBLIC OF GUINEA) - The President of the Republic of Guinea, His Excellency Mamadi Doumbouya, took part in the inaugural passenger train journey operated by the Compagnie du Transguinéen (CTG) on October 12, alongside members of the Simandou Strategic Committee and representatives of international partners. ...

Professional military education remains a vital pillar of defence diplomacy, strengthening military partnerships, enhancing strategic cooperation and building collective capacity to address evolving security threats across Africa. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) hosted a 46-member delegation from the Nigerian Staff College on a study visit aimed at advancing professional military knowledge, strengthening institutional ties and deepening bilateral defence cooperation between Kenya and Nigeria.…

State transport spending rose from 100 billion naira in 2021 to 2.5 trillion naira in 2025. Higher fuel and freight costs continue to put pressure on food prices. Poor road connections and maintenance limit the benefits of infrastructure investment. Nigeria has ...

The Government of Malawi has highlighted progress in expanding access to justice, strengthening legal identity, promoting gender equality and protecting human rights, while calling for greater continental solidarity and resource mobilisation to address persistent water sustainability challenges. The milestones were presented by the Chief State Advocate in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Duncan Zikagwa, during the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Dakar, Senegal. The session opened yesterday and will run up to October 22, 2026.…

The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, H.E. General Birame Diop, on Monday 12 October 2026 received the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria H.E Yu Dunhai at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in support of regional integration, peace, security and sustainable development. The Chinese Ambassador congratulated the President on his assumption of office and expressed confidence in the new leadership of the Commission, noting that it could open new frontiers for progress, sustainability and deeper regional integration.…

As part of her newly launched virtual Mentorship and Leadership Platform, "Beyond Power; Leadership, Global Influence and Impact," Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej , CEO of Merck Foundation ( ), has published a new article titled "Why Mindfulness and Work-Life Fusion Are Not Opposites." Through the article, she shares how combining mindfulness with work-life fusion has shaped her leadership journey, enabling her to lead impactful initiatives across continents while remaining connected to her purpose, wellbeing, and long-term vision. To read the full article and access the platform, visit: Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.)…

Public debt rose from 43.5% of GDP in 2024 to 51.5% in 2025. Domestic borrowing accounted for most of the increase. The budget deficit widened to 8.9% of GDP despite higher government revenue. Guinea's public debt rose sharply in 2025, reaching ...

President Diop made this commitment during an official working visit to OECD Headquarters in Paris, France, the 1st October 2026, where he held high-level discussions with the OECD Secretary-General, Mr. Mathias Cormann, and senior officials of the Organisation. The visit, undertaken as part of his first official engagements following his assumption of office on 1 September 2026, provided an opportunity to review progress in implementing the ECOWAS–OECD Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in October 2025, and explore new avenues of cooperation under the Enhanced OECD-Africa Partnership.…

UN Women condemns in the strongest possible terms Friday’s drone attack on a displacement site in Wad Al-Mahi, Blue Nile State, Sudan, which killed and injured dozens of people, the majority of whom were women and children. The attack comes amid escalating violence in Blue Nile State and a broader increase in drone strikes across Sudan. The growing frequency of these attacks is increasing the exposure of civilians, particularly women and girls, to the risk of death, injury and further displacement. Since late September, Wad Al-Mahi has experienced large scale displacement, mostly women and children.…

The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) organized a working session with its Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS). The working session on stock taking of the responsibilities pertaining to the change of baton from an out-going to an in-coming Chair of the ECOWAS CCDS took place at the Commission’s headquarters building on the 12th of October, 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria. The Commission is also working with relevant constituted authorities to ensure that the roadmap for the uninterrupted implementation of its counter-terrorism brigade is put in place to guarantee a more stable, prosperous region.…