MSME Digital Push (Ghana): MTN Ghana partnered with the Ghana Enterprises Agency to mark World MSME Day and launch an MSME Digital Gateway Platform, backing tools like SME clinics and webinars to help small firms grow online. ESG for SMEs (Nigeria): NECA, with the ILO, unveiled Nigeria’s first ESG Implementation Guide for MSMEs, urging businesses to start preparing now as ESG reporting is expected to tighten by 2030. Banking Expansion (Côte d’Ivoire): Abidjan’s banking race heats up as Zenith moves into Francophone West Africa and Mauritius Commercial Bank plans new operations, signaling more competition for trade- and investment-driven growth. Trade & Digital Integration (Nigeria): President Tinubu used the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum to push faster intra-African commerce via digital integration and border reforms. SME Finance Policy (Kenya): Kenya’s Revised MSMEs Policy 2026 puts access to credit at the center, citing a KSh3 trillion financing gap and pushing banks to lend more. Digital Payments (Zimbabwe): RBZ urged SMEs to adopt digital payments to cut costs, improve inclusion, and strengthen growth. SME Market Access (Nigeria): Ecobank’s Adire Lagos Experience continued to connect local makers with customers, partners and new sales channels. Road Disruption (South Africa): SANRAL began the R6bn N3 upgrade, warning of major traffic delays and calling for planning around construction impacts. Cybersecurity (South Africa): Sophos set up a local South Africa legal entity to improve support, procurement and cyber resilience for regional businesses.