Trade & MSMEs: ECOWAS Parliament is pushing West Africa to harmonise customs, import rules, taxes and business registration to cut non-tariff barriers and help MSMEs scale across borders. Digital payments for small traders: Kenya’s Safaricom is boosting M-PESA value and easing costs—raising Pochi la Biashara’s fee-free limit to KSh200 and expanding data bundles under its PATA MORE push. SME finance boost: Afreximbank has signed a US$190m package for Zimbabwe’s CBZ Bank to expand trade finance and SME lending, plus support energy-linked investments. Kenya SME credit with gender/green focus: EBRD and KCB Bank Kenya launch a $100m facility aimed at widening SME credit, prioritising women-led businesses and sustainable projects. Entrepreneurship environment: South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is ranked among the weakest globally, with business leaders pointing to framework conditions that still block growth. Local empowerment funding: Zimbabwe’s ZSE and Lloyd Corporate Capital partner to route growth capital to SMEs via ZEEX. Community impact recognition: Zimbabwe’s NODE wins continental recognition for community empowerment work. ESG convening: Nairobi hosts GreenShift Forum 2026 in October to turn ESG commitments into business outcomes. Policy debate: South Africa’s minister sparks debate over whether foreigners should be barred from owning hair salons in Zimbabwe. Online reselling compliance: Eswatini authorities are spotlighting customs compliance risks as social commerce grows. Uganda oil reality check: Analysts question whether Uganda’s oil economics still deliver the jobs and local business gains once expected.