African markets and business updates

The London Stock Exchange debut of Airtel Money marks a significant milestone for Africa's fintech industry. With a valuation of approximately $7 billion, the transaction highlights the growing appeal of African digital financial services to international investors while opening a broader discussion about capital markets, financial inclusion and investment opportunities across the continent.

Investment reflects growing participation of emerging-market capital in global asset-backed credit strategies supporting the real economy

Red Rock expects an initial $7.16 million payment for a housing factory in Kinshasa. The project operates under a 20-year public-private partnership. The company also explores copper and cobalt opportunities linked to the project. British company Red Rock Resources expects an initial payment of $7.16 million to ...

Zambia introduced Njila.ai, an AI-powered career guidance tool, on October 6 to help young people identify their skills, explore career opportunities and find jobs. Youth unemployment stood at 18.4% in 2024, highlighting the challenges young Zambians face in entering the labor market. Zambia's mining expansion could create ...

Benin plans to revise its university scholarship system in 2027 to prioritize fields of study that match labor market needs, but has not yet specified which disciplines will benefit or how eligibility criteria will change. The reform builds on changes introduced for the 2026-2027 academic year, ...

Africa GreenCo signed a power purchase agreement with AXIAN Energy on October 8 to buy around 530 GWh annually from Zambia's planned 200 MW Kudu solar project. GreenCo will resell the electricity across Southern Africa, helping the project secure future revenues and reducing risks for potential ...

Volkswagen's PowerCo and China's Gotion High-Tech plan to establish a joint venture in Kenitra, Morocco, to produce cathode materials for electric vehicle batteries. The Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region generated 29% of Morocco's automotive industry revenue in 2024, making it the country's second-largest automotive manufacturing hub. Industrial investment in Rabat-Salé-Kenitra ...

Zambia shipped its first reported 120 tons of soybeans to China on October 10, marking the start of exports under a trade agreement signed in 2024. China's approval of Zambian soybean imports in April 2025 opened a new market for the country's farmers and agricultural exporters. China ...

African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 has officially kicked off with over 10,000 attendees convening in Cape Town for Africa’s biggest energy gathering of the year. Dubbed Africa’s premier dealmaking platform, the event has transitioned from a conference into a movement capable of reshaping the continent’s energy future. From government leaders and global energy majors to investors, financiers, national oil companies and technology providers, the industry has arrived in Cape Town to chart a new course for Africa’s energy development. Technical Workshops Kick Off AEW Discussions The AEW program has officially begun with the start of this year’s technical workshops.…

On 10 October 2026, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is proud to launch South Africa’s first rewards programme for residents who make use of public healthcare. Starting as a long-term pilot in Westridge, Mitchells Plain, WOWRewards will test whether small rewards can help people build healthier habits and access preventative care earlier and more consistently. Speaking at the launch, Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, called on residents to make healthy choices count. “While rewards programmes are familiar to many private medical scheme members, the majority of South Africans rely on public healthcare.…