African markets and business updates

The World Bank expects economic growth in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) to slow to 5.6% in 2026 before stabilizing at 5.7% in 2027 and 2028. Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Niger are expected to drive growth, with Benin projected to record ...

In a statement issued on Friday and seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the group noted that it vehemently disagrees with the ruling and will pursue the appeal vigorously.

Kenya has confirmed its third Ebola case, raising concerns over the spread of the deadly virus across East Africa. The Health Ministry says the latest patient is a 65-year-old woman and a close relative of the country’s first two cases. She had been in quarantine since October 6.

Yang Ming will introduce a weekly container connection between Tangier and Casablanca through a slot-charter agreement with Arkas Line, according to DynaLiners. The Taiwanese carrier will take slots on Arkas Line’s Morocco Cabotage Service and market the connection under the same MCS service code. A single container ship with a capacity of approximately 1,400 TEUs […] Yang Ming will introduce a weekly container connection between Tangier and Casablanca through a slot-charter agreement with Arkas Line, according to DynaLiners. The Taiwanese carrier will take slots on Arkas Line’s Morocco Cabotage Service and market the connection under the same MCS service code.…

Trading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) closed on a bearish note on Friday, October 16, 2026, as Market Capitalisation of listed equities lost N108.70 billion (or 0.07%), declining from N160.83 trillion recorded on Thursday, October 15, to close at N160.73 trillion.

Banks’ net placements at the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rose above N6 trillion following a N2.41 trillion Open Market Operations (OMO) repayment, with deposits remaining above that level for three consecutive days of the week ended Friday, October 16, 2026.

New analysis from the British Ports Association challenges claims that EU Emissions Trading System pricing is diverting container traffic from continental Europe to Britain, finding instead that infrastructure investment is the primary driver of growing UK port competitiveness. The EU earlier this year proposed measures to penalise UK container ports based on reports from Spain’s […] New analysis from the British Ports Association challenges claims that EU Emissions Trading System pricing is diverting container traffic from continental Europe to Britain, finding instead that infrastructure investment is the primary driver of growing UK port competitiveness.…

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government has banned the activities of 13 political parties, including the PPRD of former president Joseph Kabila. Presented as a national security measure, the decision has divided the political class and reignited debate over democratic pluralism in the country.

Vice-President Sebastien Pillay chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 14th October, during which a number of legal and policy memoranda were approved. Cabinet approved decisive measures to ensure that there will be no increase in electricity tariffs for the remainder of 2026. This decision reflects Government’s commitment to protecting households and businesses from additional financial pressures while maintaining the sustainability of essential public utilities. Cabinet approved the regulations which will provide the mechanism for the proper administration of the Reparation Trust Fund.…

CardinalStone Securities Limited, has once again demonstrated its leadership in Africa’s capital markets, emerging as Africa’s Best Broker and Nigeria’s Best Broker at the prestigious Euromoney Markets Awards 2026. The double recognition marks another significant milestone for the firm, which has now secured the Africa’s Best Broker title for two consecutive years (2025 and 2026), […]