SME Skills & Market Access: Nigeria’s Alake of Egbaland opened the Adire Hub in Abeokuta to train adire artisans, link them to financing, and help them sell globally. Trade Integration Push: Nigeria’s FG is stepping up awareness of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), urging local manufacturers and SMEs to use it for wider market access and export growth. Kenya Foreign Traders Crackdown: Kenyan civil society warns President Ruto’s directive to close foreign-owned small businesses could trigger violence and harassment, even as some locals back the move. Fuel Cost Pressure: South Africa’s Debt Rescue says the latest petrol and diesel hikes are deepening household and small-business debt, raising the risk of more job losses. AI for SME Operations: South Africa’s Pilot launched Navigator, an AI layer for restaurant POS data—letting operators ask questions in plain language to spot margin leaks and recover costs. Digital Finance & Payments: GITEX Nigeria announced MINT AFRICA for Lagos in 2027, focusing on AI, stablecoins, cybersecurity, digital identity, and cross-border payments. Clean Energy for SMEs: Uganda’s dfcu Bank and Sawa Energy partnered to finance on-site solar for SMEs via long-term pay-for-consumption or lease deals. Quality for SME Exports: Togo’s Q-Boost program is helping micro, small and medium firms build ISO 9001-aligned quality systems to improve certification and market access. Pipeline Milestone: EACOP is reported at 87.8% completion, with crude transport targeted to start January 15, 2027.