African markets and business updates

The ICG reiterates its concerns over the continued conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the impediment that the conflict poses to regional stability and prosperity. The ICG also restates its support for the ongoing international peace efforts facilitated by Qatar, the US, African Union-appointed mediator Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of the Togolese Republic, the Panel of Facilitators and regional partners.…

During the Interministerial Meeting on Polio in the Horn of Africa and Yemen, held on the sidelines of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79) on 20 May 2026, countries reaffirmed their commitment to ending variant poliovirus transmission through stronger cross-border coordination, strengthened surveillance and synchronized action. The meeting was jointly convened by the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO)…

President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, concluded his series of visits on La Digue with a stop at the La Passe main Police and Fire Station, where concerns over staff accommodation and working conditions were raised by officers and firefighters serving on the island. Present to welcome the President were Minister for Homeland Security and Civil Affairs, Mr James Camille, Commissioner of Police, Mr Godfra Hermitte, and Principal Secretary for Homeland Security, Ms Sheryl Vengadasamy.…

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is urgently scaling up its emergency response in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), working with the Government, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners to help contain the Ebola outbreak before a health emergency transforms into a broader humanitarian catastrophe. The risk of the disease spreading further is exacerbated by persistent insecurity, displacement, and cross-border movement.…

The acting Head of the ECOWAS Peace Support Operations Division, Dr Sani Adamu led an Operational Readiness Inspection Team to the Ghana Company 4 (GHANCOY 4) at the Presidency in Guinea-Bissau on the 20th of May, 2026 The visit was part of a broader inspection of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB), aimed at assessing the operational readiness, effectiveness and sustainability of the Mission. The inspection team also visited the Nigerian and Senegalese contingents.…

As countries across the African region intensify preparedness and response measures against the ongoing outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the World Health Organization convened a high-level briefing for Member States and partners following the declaration of the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO Director-General. The 90-minute virtual session brought together more than 1…

The World Health Organization (WHO) in Zambia with assistance from WHO headquarters, and the Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) is supporting preparations for a national survey that will assess health system performance, with a particular focus on the availability and affordability of essential medicines for neurological and mental health conditions. This survey marks an important step toward generating the evidence needed to strengthen mental health and neurological care services across the country.…

A new XOF10 billion financing partnership between the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development and Afriland First Bank Côte d'Ivoire aims to expand access to credit for SMEs and mid-sized firms, supporting entrepreneurship, job creation and industrial growth across key sectors of the Ivorian economy.

Standard Bank Group welcomes the opportunity for its Chief Executive Officer, Sim Tshabalala, to meet with His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini in KwaZulu-Natal.

The African Development Bank Group ( ) and OCP Group signed an agreement in Rabat on 22 May 2026 for a partial credit guarantee amounting to €450 million, aimed at supporting the investment programme of the world leader in plant nutrition solutions and phosphate-based fertilisers. This operation is designed to facilitate the mobilisation of a €530 million green financing facility by Société générale and BNP Paribas.…