African markets and business updates

In today's edition: Unbranded ATMs in SA || Banque du Caire could raise IPO stake to 45% || Vodacom keeps Safaricom stake—for now || Ghana eyes VAT revenue from foreign digital services In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Welcome to another week. We are nine days away from Moonshot 2026. Importantly, we’re running a limited FLASH SALE that you mustn’t miss! Until October 24, all tickets are 30% off , so now’s the perfect time to stop saying, “I’ll get mine later.” On October 28–29, the founders, investors, operators, and builders shaping African tech will convene at the National Theatre in Lagos, Nigeria. Be there! Get your Moonshot ticket now .…

By Yinka Kolawole Manufacturers have called on the Federal Government to introduce a 30 per cent Green Investment Tax Credit for companies investing in renewable energy and hybrid power solutions, as rising energy costs continue to undermine industrial productivity and push up production costs. Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, […] By Yinka Kolawole Manufacturers have called on the Federal Government to introduce a 30 per cent Green Investment Tax Credit for companies investing in renewable energy and hybrid power solutions, as rising energy costs continue to undermine industrial productivity and push up production costs.…

By Sebastine Obasi The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has called on industry operators to prioritise safety, regulatory compliance and digitalisation to drive sustainable growth in Nigeria’s liquid petroleum gas (LPG) sector. The call was made at its 2026 webinar last week with the theme; “Downstream LPG Operational Excellence and Compliance,” which […] By Sebastine Obasi The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has called on industry operators to prioritise safety, regulatory compliance and digitalisation to drive sustainable growth in Nigeria’s liquid petroleum gas (LPG) sector.…

The Federal Government disbursed N658.9 billion in direct cash transfers to 10.46 million poor and vulnerable households by September 2026, according to the World Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update.

The World Health Organization has warned that it could surpass the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history, which erupted more than a decade ago and killed more than 11,000 people in West Africa.

AI course enrollments in South Africa increased 75% year over year, while enrollments in critical thinking courses rose 132%, according to Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2026 ( ). South Africa also ranks second among the 11 Sub-Saharan African countries covered and 73rd globally on the report’s new AI-Human Skills Synergy Index. The Index, the first of its kind, measures the extent to which learners across 98 countries are developing AI skills alongside the human skills needed to apply them, while accounting for each country’s broader AI readiness. The findings come as South Africa seeks to strengthen the connection between skills development and employment.…

South Africa-founded clinical AI startup Healthleap has raised US$38 million in combined seed and Series A funding as it looks to expand its offering to more conditions. Founded in South Africa in 2022 by siblings Josiah and Jemima Meyer, Healthleap has developed a platform that screens hospital patients for conditions that often go undiagnosed. The [...] South Africa-founded clinical AI startup Healthleap has raised US$38 million in combined seed and Series A funding as it looks to expand its offering to more conditions.…

The role of foreign companies in operating major container terminals remains a subject of debate, particularly when international investment intersects with national interests and the management of strategic infrastructure. In its latest Readers Speak poll, Container News asked readers whether foreign companies should operate major container terminals. The results revealed a preference for joint ventures, […] The role of foreign companies in operating major container terminals remains a subject of debate, particularly when international investment intersects with national interests and the management of strategic infrastructure.…

AI-related micro-credential enrollments in Ghana increased 95% year over year, while critical thinking enrollments rose 66%, according to Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2026 ( ). Ghana also ranks eighth among the 11 Sub-Saharan African countries covered and 89th globally on the report’s new AI-Human Skills Synergy Index. The Index, the first of its kind, measures the extent to which learners across 98 countries are developing AI skills alongside the human skills needed to apply them, while accounting for each country’s broader AI readiness. The findings come as Ghana advances efforts to connect AI development with workforce readiness.…

AI-related micro-credential enrollments in Nigeria increased 93% year over year, while critical thinking enrollments rose 113%, according to Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2026 ( ). Nigeria also ranks fifth among the 11 Sub-Saharan African countries covered and 81st globally on the report’s new AI-Human Skills Synergy Index. The Index, the first of its kind, measures the extent to which learners across 98 countries are developing AI skills alongside the human skills needed to apply them, while accounting for each country’s broader AI readiness. The findings come as Nigeria expands efforts to prepare its workforce for the digital economy.…