Youth Finance in Liberia: AfDB-backed YEIB-MANCO says it will target at least 30,000 young Liberians directly and 120,000 indirectly, using a model that goes beyond lending with business development and incubation to tackle credit barriers. Enterprise Funding in South Africa: UIF and NEF launched a R1bn, five-year partnership to back small, medium and microenterprises and create 30,000+ jobs, with NEF as implementation partner. Tourism Value Gap in Mpumalanga: Tourism leaders warn visitors are “coming to a showroom” in South Africa’s Mpumalanga—2.7m arrivals in 2025 but only about 8% of spend stays in the province. SME Systems Over Founder Dependence (Ghana): McDan’s Daniel McKorley cautions entrepreneurs to build structures and governance as they scale, not rely on the founder. Women & Agri Credit Push (Ecobank): Ecobank plans to mobilise $2.6bn by 2030 for women-led businesses and agriculture, including $2bn for women via its Ellevate programme. Trade & Market Access for MSMEs (Lesotho): A workshop will train MSMEs on AfCFTA opportunities, focusing on rules of origin, standards, compliance and digital trade tools. Cross-border Payments Upgrade (Kenya): Absa Kenya unveiled an all-in-one mobile app using open banking to help consumers and small businesses save, invest and borrow with flexible credit assessment. Energy for Growth (Horn of Africa): Ethiopia and Djibouti hailed Dangote’s $660m Damarjog–Dewele oil terminal and pipeline as a jobs and trade catalyst for the region. Sports as Local Business Engine (Kaduna): Kaduna’s Super Sand Eagles camp and stadium upgrades aim to turn sports investment into longer-term economic activity. AfCFTA SME Export Boost (ICC): ICC’s TradeRoots Africa opens applications to support 1,000 SMEs with training, bootcamps and partner networks to reach first formal exports across Africa. Business Climate & Waste Opportunities (Kaduna): Kaduna SMEs are urged to turn climate-smart agriculture and green innovation into new jobs and growth.