African markets and business updates

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.…

The National Confederation of Eritrean Workers branch in the Southern Red Sea Region, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare branch, conducted a seminar on workplace safety for workers of the Marine Products Corporation of Eritrea in the port city of Assab on 8 October. The experts who conducted the seminar provided briefings on workplace safety and health, occupational safety concepts, and labor management. Mr. Husein Khalid, head of the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers in the region, gave a detailed briefing on the rights and obligations of employers and workers in ensuring occupational safety and health.…

A regional meeting in Abidjan called for greater investment in youth employment, vocational training, entrepreneurship and access to financing to strengthen economic resilience in West Africa. Self-employment accounted for 70.1% of jobs held by young people aged 15 to 29 across WAEMU in 2022, highlighting the ...

Fitch affirmed Nigeria’s sovereign rating at ‘B’ but revised its outlook from Stable to Positive. Foreign-exchange reserves reached $54.9 billion on September 25, up from $32 billion in mid-April 2024. Interest payments are forecast to absorb 27% of general-government revenue in 2026–2028, almost twice the median for ‘B’-rated sovereigns.

Today in Kuala Lumpur, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with King of Malaysia His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, at the Malaysian National Palace, Istana Negara. Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that the King of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim received President El-Sisi upon his arrival at the palace. An official reception ceremony was held, which included the playing of the national anthems of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Malaysia, the inspection of the guard of honor, and a 21-gun salute fired by the artillery.…

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, at the Prime Minister's Office, "Seri Perdana," in Malaysia's administrative capital, Putrajaya. Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that the Malaysian Prime Minister received President El-Sisi upon his arrival at the Prime Minister’s Office. A commemorative photograph was taken, and the two leaders watched an art performance. President El-Sisi then signed the guestbook. A bilateral meeting was held between President El-Sisi and the Malaysian Prime Minister, followed by expanded talks attended by the delegations of both countries.…

Led by H.E. Ms Deweh Emily Gray, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Togo, the mission brought together members of the ECOWAS Permanent Representation in Togo and representatives of the relevant national authorities. It covered the border posts at Tohoun and Kémérida on the Togo–Benin route, as well as Natchamba and Noépé-Akanu on the Togo–Ghana route. The mission aimed to assess the practical conditions under which Community legislation is implemented, to identify the difficulties encountered by border services and users, and to identify ways of improving cross-border mobility.…

On the occasion of World Day Against the Death Penalty, observed this year under the theme “Humanising People Affected by the Death Penalty,” the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) reaffirms its commitment to the protection of the right to life, human dignity, and fundamental fair trial guarantees, as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. This year’s theme calls for recognition of the human realities behind every death sentence and the suffering it causes to persons sentenced to death, victims of crime, and the families of those sentenced.…

Africa’s evolving security landscape demands adaptive military capabilities, stronger regional cooperation and coordinated responses to threats that extend beyond conventional warfare. As terrorism, cyber threats, transnational organised crime and climate-related emergencies increasingly challenge national and regional stability, African defence forces are strengthening their collective approach to Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW).…

Effective military leadership is fundamental to operational readiness, discipline and mission success. Developing competent and adaptable leaders strengthens command effectiveness, promotes sound decision-making and prepares personnel to navigate increasingly complex operational environments. The Kenya Air Force (KAF) marked another milestone in professional military development with the successful conclusion of Senior Leadership Course (SLC) No. 105/26 at Laikipia Air Base (LAB) on 8 October 2026. The closing ceremony was presided over by the Base Commander Wajir Air Base (WAB), Brigadier Apollo Aloka, accompanied by the Base Commander Laikipia Air Base, Brigadier Hillary Kipkurui.…