African markets and business updates

Tunisia is developing a platform that will allow government agencies to exchange information automatically and securely. The system aims to eliminate repeated document requests and simplify administrative procedures for citizens and businesses. Its success will depend on common technical standards, clear data-sharing rules ...

In north-east Nigeria, admissions for malnutrition have risen by nearly a fifth in a single year at six health centres and four hospitals supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). They went from around 17,000 cases between January and September 2025 to almost 20,000 cases over the same period this year. Young children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are the hardest hit. The increase is sharpest in Mubi, in Adamawa State, where admissions rose by nearly a quarter, from about 4,600 cases in the first nine months of 2025 to around 5,700 over the same period in 2026.…

ZCCM-IH wants to move beyond earning income from its mining investments by participating directly in copper sales. The state-backed company holds a 49% stake in Mopani Copper Mines and a 20.6% interest in Konkola Copper Mines. The proposed expansion comes after ZCCM-IH reported ...

Côte d’Ivoire's mango exports to the European Union have been suspended since August 1, 2026, following repeated fruit fly detections. The EU accounted for about 66% of the country's mango export earnings in 2025, making access to the market critical for the industry.

Ethiopia has joined the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), allowing its financial institutions to connect to the network. The platform enables businesses to make cross-border payments in local currencies without relying on the dollar or euro as intermediaries. PAPSS is expanding across ...

Côte d’Ivoire recorded a CFA369.1 billion ($632.7 million) cash surplus in 2025. Government revenue reached 101.2% of the revised budget target, while spending came in below projections. Authorities credit stronger revenue collection, tighter operating costs and prudent public debt management. Côte ...

Farmers in Vizimumba Community Welfare Assistance Committee (CWAC) in Nyimba District are benefiting from a tractor procured through recoveries under the Food Security Pack (FSP) Programme. The tractor, procured at a cost of K552,500, was handed over to the community by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services in September 2024 and has been instrumental in improving access to agricultural services and supporting local farming activities. The community began using the equipment during the last farming season, with 80 CWAC members directly benefiting from the initiative. Vizimumba CWAC Chairperson, Mr.…

The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening child protection systems and ensuring that every child in Zambia grows up safe, protected, valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Ministry’s Director of Policy, Planning and Information at the Ministry, Ms. Madrine Mbuta, during the closing of the National Child Protection Conference 2026, held from 13–15 October 2026 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.…

Twenty-seven South African food manufacturing companies will be seeking new export opportunities and commercial partnerships in France when they participate in the SIAL Paris International Food Products Exhibition from 17-21 October 2026. The companies will participate with the support of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), which will host a South African National Pavilion at the exhibition.…

As the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOWAS-REAP) approaches closure, members of the project led by the ECOWAS Directorate of Energy and Mines, has commenced a Lessons and Result Note (LeaRN) Mission organized by the World Bank in The Gambia to document key experiences, share lessons learned, and identify opportunities to strengthen implementation strategies for ongoing and future projects under the regional programme.…