African markets and business updates

The Chairperson of the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus (MPWC), Ms Lindelwa Dunjwa, on Friday underscored the critical need to prioritise women’s mental health as a fundamental public health and human rights priority. The Caucus’ Steering Committee received a briefing by the Department of Health on key mental health issues affecting women. The Chairperson noted that mental health conditions account for a significant portion of the disease burden globally and locally.…

The impacts of academic exchanges stretch far beyond a university campus. They shape careers, expand research partnerships, create lifelong friendships and, over time, strengthen the ties between countries. That legacy was celebrated on September 29, when the U.S. Consulate General Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand gathered to mark the global 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program. This year’s anniversary carries an added significance as the United States marks 250 years of independence. Together, the two milestones highlight a shared commitment to opportunity, academic excellence, innovation and the power of people-to-people connections.…

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 ...

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.…

Europe’s Copernicus monitoring service detected a methane leak exceeding 40 tons per hour at Niger’s Agadem oil field, with emissions continuing since September 25. The leak followed a blowout at a well operated by China’s CNPC, damaging nearby wells and hospitalizing two workers. Niger’s ...

Only 4,000 km of the 30,200 km of new railway lines planned across Africa by 2040 had been built at the time of the Africa Finance Corporation’s 2024 assessment. In Ethiopia, a railway project halted by war in 2020 led to a $307.6 million arbitration ...

U.S.-based Quantum Leap Energy and South Africa’s state-owned Necsa signed an agreement on October 15 to develop a uranium enrichment facility near Pretoria, with an 80%-20% ownership split. The facility will produce advanced nuclear fuel known as HALEU, potentially marking South Africa’s return to ...

Multilateral pan-African financial institution Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has announced plans to launch a dedicated exploration development investment company within the next 12 months, aiming to close the continent’s widening mineral exploration funding gap. Speaking at African Mining Week in Cape Town on Wednesday, Franklin Edochie, Deputy Director and Head of the Metals and Mining Desk at AFC, explained that the new investment vehicle is designed to expand Africa’s mineral reserves, boost domestic production and secure mineral sovereignty. “If we don’t invest in African exploration, we risk losing control over where our resources end up,” he emphasized.…

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) ( www.Afreximbank.com ) has released its Zimbabwe Country Brief , providing a comprehensive analysis of the southern African nation's macroeconomic outlook, trade performance, financial sector development and debt sustainability profile. The brief explores Zimbabwe’s economic growth potential support by its deep regional ties and diverse natural resource endowment that is increasingly central to the global energy transition. Among the brief’s key highlights is Zimbabwe’s strong growth momentum.…

Egypt inaugurated the Al-Amriya dry port in Alexandria on October 14, 2026, following an investment of 700 million Egyptian pounds ($13.1 million). Covering 146,000 square meters, the facility is designed to ease congestion at seaports and improve freight connections between maritime, rail and road ...