African markets and business updates

By Isha Johansen, former CAF ( www.CAFonline.com ) Executive Committee Member and the first West African woman to serve on the FIFA Council. For years, Africa has been known for its growth story. Investment has flowed, new tech has been growing fast, and a young, active population has inspired hope for the future. Women’s football now offers another lens through which to consider that progress.…

Maersk has completed what it describes as the world’s largest ethanol bunkering operation, supplying approximately 5,000 metric tonnes of ISCC-certified bioethanol to Maersk Halifax in Singapore. The operation marks the first ethanol bunkering of a retrofitted vessel in Maersk’s fleet. Maersk Halifax is the company’s first container ship to be converted to dual-fuel operation. The […] Maersk has completed what it describes as the world’s largest ethanol bunkering operation, supplying approximately 5,000 metric tonnes of ISCC-certified bioethanol to Maersk Halifax in Singapore. The operation marks the first ethanol bunkering of a retrofitted vessel in Maersk’s fleet.…

Kowatek Solar LTD ( www.Kowatek.com ) observes that two neighbouring markets have moved distributed and grid-support solar from announcement to money, offering a practical template for the segment Nigeria’s new Distributed Renewable Energy Fund is designed to finance. On 2 October 2026 the African Development Bank said Qair’s Gassi and Lamadji hybrid plants in Chad had reached financial close and first disbursement. The projects total 30 MWp of solar with 8 MWh of battery storage, under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Tchadelec. A €37.9 million package was structured by the Bank with Proparco, the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa and the Green Climate Fund.…

Nigeria’s portfolio investment rose by 45% to $6.51 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up from $4.49 billion in the previous quarter, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The CBN’s Q2 2026 statistical bulletin showed that portfolio investment increased by approximately $2.03 billion between March and June, reflecting a rise […]

A new bonded warehouse in Kuje, Abuja, is expected to create more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next five years, as Nigeria faces growing demand for inland logistics infrastructure to move increasing cargo volumes beyond its seaports. TRÏNŪ Bonded Warehouse, a subsidiary of Sirlyon Limited, has commissioned a customs-licensed logistics facility with […]

The initiative forms part of the foundation’s broader target of empowering two million vulnerable women across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the statement said.

America’s biggest grid operators now have 60 days to explain whether their rules can handle the electricity demands of artificial intelligence—or whether they need to change. On October 15, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued show-cause orders to all six major regional grid operators: PJM Interconnection, MISO, Southwest Power Pool, CAISO, ISO New England, and […]

Is rural Georgia really getting a power plant, or is AI getting a power plant that happens to be in rural Georgia? A $3.3 billion federal loan will help complete one of Georgia’s largest new power plants. The official purpose is rural reliability and affordable electricity. But the plant’s location—about half a mile from a […]

Peel Ports Group has appointed David Huck as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, following the departure of Claudio Veritiero earlier this month. Huck moves into the role from his previous position as Chief Operating Officer. He has spent 16 years with the company, including almost a decade on its executive leadership team. He will […] Peel Ports Group has appointed David Huck as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, following the departure of Claudio Veritiero earlier this month. Huck moves into the role from his previous position as Chief Operating Officer. He has spent 16 years with the company, including almost a decade on its executive leadership team.…

East African financial services group Jubilee and development agency FSD Africa have partnered with seven insurtech startups from the BimaLab Africa accelerator network to develop and pilot affordable insurance products for underserved Kenyans. BimaLab, an FSD Africa initiative, has supported 135 startups across 28 African countries over the past six years, helping develop more than [...] East African financial services group Jubilee and development agency FSD Africa have partnered with seven insurtech startups from the BimaLab Africa accelerator network to develop and pilot affordable insurance products for underserved Kenyans.…