African markets and business updates

AI course enrollments in South Africa increased 75% year over year, while enrollments in critical thinking courses rose 132%, according to Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2026 ( ). South Africa also ranks second among the 11 Sub-Saharan African countries covered and 73rd globally on the report’s new AI-Human Skills Synergy Index. The Index, the first of its kind, measures the extent to which learners across 98 countries are developing AI skills alongside the human skills needed to apply them, while accounting for each country’s broader AI readiness. The findings come as South Africa seeks to strengthen the connection between skills development and employment.…

South Africa-founded clinical AI startup Healthleap has raised US$38 million in combined seed and Series A funding as it looks to expand its offering to more conditions. Founded in South Africa in 2022 by siblings Josiah and Jemima Meyer, Healthleap has developed a platform that screens hospital patients for conditions that often go undiagnosed. The [...] South Africa-founded clinical AI startup Healthleap has raised US$38 million in combined seed and Series A funding as it looks to expand its offering to more conditions.…

The role of foreign companies in operating major container terminals remains a subject of debate, particularly when international investment intersects with national interests and the management of strategic infrastructure. In its latest Readers Speak poll, Container News asked readers whether foreign companies should operate major container terminals. The results revealed a preference for joint ventures, […] The role of foreign companies in operating major container terminals remains a subject of debate, particularly when international investment intersects with national interests and the management of strategic infrastructure.…

AI-related micro-credential enrollments in Ghana increased 95% year over year, while critical thinking enrollments rose 66%, according to Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2026 ( ). Ghana also ranks eighth among the 11 Sub-Saharan African countries covered and 89th globally on the report’s new AI-Human Skills Synergy Index. The Index, the first of its kind, measures the extent to which learners across 98 countries are developing AI skills alongside the human skills needed to apply them, while accounting for each country’s broader AI readiness. The findings come as Ghana advances efforts to connect AI development with workforce readiness.…

AI-related micro-credential enrollments in Nigeria increased 93% year over year, while critical thinking enrollments rose 113%, according to Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2026 ( ). Nigeria also ranks fifth among the 11 Sub-Saharan African countries covered and 81st globally on the report’s new AI-Human Skills Synergy Index. The Index, the first of its kind, measures the extent to which learners across 98 countries are developing AI skills alongside the human skills needed to apply them, while accounting for each country’s broader AI readiness. The findings come as Nigeria expands efforts to prepare its workforce for the digital economy.…

"For Johnvents, meaningful impact is not about making one-off appearances. It is about listening to people, understanding their needs and supporting interventions" By Agbonkhese Oboh Attention to maintaining quality from origin to finished products, as well as generating impact across the value chain, from the farmers who produce raw materials to the families living in communities around operations, are part of the culture that set Johnvents Group on a higher pedestal in the food manufacturing ecosystem. John Alamu, Johnvents Founder & Group Managing Director, made these points in an interview with Vanguard during a media tour of Johnvents’ operations in Ondo State.…

Credit extended by Nigerian banks to the manufacturing sector fell by 26.8% year-on-year to N5.19 trillion in June 2026, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), highlighting a decline in lending to manufacturers amid persistent operating challenges.

Algeria plans to invest $71.6 billion in upstream hydrocarbons, refining and petrochemicals by 2030 to meet rising domestic demand and preserve export volumes. The country aims to increase primary hydrocarbon production to about 201 million tonnes of oil equivalent by 2030, from 193 million tonnes ...

CEVA Logistics has announced the integration of Colis Privé and PAACK under a single brand, strengthening its last-mile delivery services across Europe. The combined business will operate under the PAACK name and serve five countries: France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain and Portugal. Together, the two networks handle approximately 150 million parcels each year and operate more […] CEVA Logistics has announced the integration of Colis Privé and PAACK under a single brand, strengthening its last-mile delivery services across Europe. The combined business will operate under the PAACK name and serve five countries: France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain and Portugal.…

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief For decades, unreliable electricity supply has undermined Nigeria’s industrial growth, forcing businesses to close, driving up production costs and making life increasingly difficult for households. From textile mills in Kaduna, Kano, Lagos and Onitsha to vehicle assembly plants, tyre factories and footwear manufacturers, several once-thriving industries have struggled or […] By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief For decades, unreliable electricity supply has undermined Nigeria’s industrial growth, forcing businesses to close, driving up production costs and making life increasingly difficult for households.…