AGP Executive Report

Cross-Border Trade & Roads: Borno trans-border traders, via BOCCIMA, urged Nigeria’s PEBEC to rehabilitate dilapidated international routes linking Maiduguri to Ngala, Baga, Banki, Monguno and Damasak, saying bad roads and insecurity are choking regional commerce. SME Export Finance (Nigeria): Nigeria’s trade ministry unveiled a US$1bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility to help firms modernise production, meet standards and expand intra-African exports. Lagos Investor Push: At “Invest In Lagos 3.0”, federal and state leaders pitched investors on improved business conditions, highlighting a new tax law that cuts multiple taxation and offers SME waivers, plus stamp duty shifts to states. Energy Cost Pressure (South Africa): The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber warned that an 11% electricity tariff hike could hit manufacturers and SMEs, citing rising logistics and import competition. SME Growth Mood (South Africa): Lula’s SME Pulse says businesses are moving from survival to disciplined growth as affordability improves and energy stabilises, though risks remain. Cyber for SMBs: ESET’s SMB Cyber Readiness Index found many EMEA firms expect attacks, but are more worried about everyday scams like phishing and weak passwords than “AI malware.” Local Business Disruption: Lagos protesters targeted Abbott Diagnostics over claims it may sidestep an ongoing court dispute tied to a locally involved HIV test kit.

Jobs-first growth watch: South Africa’s GDP rose 0.5% in Q1 2026, but analysts stress the real test is whether it turns into hiring and better conditions for households and small businesses. SMB power costs: Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber warns an 11% electricity tariff hike will hit already-stressed firms and erode local manufacturing competitiveness. Digital finance momentum: Nigeria’s OPay says it’s expanding financial inclusion via agents and merchants, while MTN Nigeria pushes youth digital commerce tools to help young entrepreneurs earn. Payments for cross-border work: Sendana launches as a borderless US-dollar account for freelancers and entrepreneurs across the Global South, aiming to make overseas payments easier. Green enterprise push: Namibia-based green SMEs can apply for the FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge to win funding and pitch to investors. Energy and industry signals: Ghana receives locally produced Jubilee crude for processing at Tema, a step toward adding value at home. Business resilience via governance: Nigeria’s CRGER applauds federal disbursement of funds to 1,240 contractors, targeting faster payments to local suppliers. Tech and security trends: ESET finds SMBs worry about “high-tech” threats but are still most exposed to everyday scams like phishing and unpatched systems.

Human Trafficking & Jobs: Kenya says more than 170 Kenyans were repatriated after trafficking in 2025, with scam “overseas job” promises exploiting unemployed youth and shifting costs onto taxpayers. Local Sourcing & Supply Chains: South Africa’s Localisation Support Fund helped local firms supply R200m of products previously imported, aiming to make businesses more resilient to shocks. SME Lending Surge (Ghana): Advans Ghana posted GH¢66.9m profit in 2025 (+256%), disbursing GH¢900m in loans and growing its portfolio to GH¢580m while scaling digital transactions. Cross-Border Payments (Tanzania): Inbound cross-border mobile money inflows rose 33.45% to Sh698bn in 2025, showing how digital payments are powering regional trade. Trade Rules for Food (AfCFTA-UK): AfCFTA and the UK flagged customs delays and incompatible digital systems as key blockers to intra-African food trade, hitting SMEs hardest. Standards Bottleneck (Ghana): Ghana’s single testing lab forces firms across 16 regions to ship samples to Accra, delaying certification and raising risks from weak border coverage. Business Rescue Pressure (South Africa): Turnaround experts warn SA needs a stronger business rescue culture as corporate distress rises, with 48 firms entering rescue in Feb 2026. Tech for SMEs (Nigeria): NRS accredited Afri Invoice as an Access Point Provider ahead of the July deadline, strengthening Nigeria’s e-invoicing push. Energy for Growth (Liberia): Liberia commissioned a US$16m solar plant to tackle unstable power that keeps small businesses and investors on edge.

SME Formalisation & Visibility: South Africa’s entrepreneurs are pushing for recognition and “structure” from day one, arguing that separating personal and business finances and getting credible support can help small firms grow instead of staying informal. Business Rescue Culture: South Africa’s turnaround experts warn corporate distress is rising, citing 48 companies entering business rescue in February 2026 and calling for a stronger, more practical national rescue culture. Digital Tax Compliance (Nigeria): The Nigeria Revenue Service has accredited Afri Invoice as an official Access Point Provider ahead of the July deadline, positioning it to help businesses onboard and transmit e-invoices into the NRS Merchant Buyer Solution. MSME Finance (South Africa): FNB’s Vumela Enterprise Development Fund invested R20m into Breaze Delivery to scale its tech platform and expand driver networks for SME and retail partners. Power Resilience (Liberia): Liberia commissioned a US$16m, 20MW solar plant at Mount Coffee to tackle unstable electricity that hits small businesses and investor confidence. Energy Access Reality Check: The IEA says 750m people still lack electricity, underscoring the need for policy, community buy-in, and efficiency improvements. Township Economy & Migration Tensions (South Africa): Ramaphosa acknowledged concerns that foreign-owned spaza shops are sidelining locals, stressing fair competition and constitutional, balanced enforcement. Youth Skills for Tech Jobs (Nigeria): Moniepoint’s DreamDevs Bootcamp graduated a new cohort, targeting Nigeria’s software engineering talent gap with industry-ready training. SME Capital via Diaspora (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwean business leaders are urged to treat diaspora remittances as long-term investment capital for scaling small firms.

Immigration Crackdown in South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa announced five tougher measures to curb illegal migration, including faster deportation processes, a biometric register, and jail for employers who hire undocumented workers—while warning citizens not to take the law into their own hands as anti-foreigner protests and fears of violence build ahead of June 30. SME Finance Access in Ghana: Ghana’s SME leaders say the real bottleneck isn’t only capital, but also awareness of grants and support programmes—many businesses can’t find or navigate fragmented funding options. Youth Credit via Saccos in Kenya: Kenya’s youth lending is shifting toward Sacco-led models as banks exclude borrowers with informal income; loans and grants are reaching young enterprises in counties like Machakos at lower rates than typical microfinance. Embedded Finance for MENA SMEs: Yango Ventures backed Dubai fintech Comfi AI in its first MENA bet, targeting SME working-capital stress with embedded invoice and transaction-linked financing. Digital Tax Push in Nigeria: The Nigeria Revenue Service expanded e-invoicing compliance by accrediting Afri Invoice as an access point provider to connect businesses to the NRS platform and tighten tax transparency. Green Jobs in South Africa: Oxpeckers reports Atlantis Special Economic Zone has attracted over R3bn in investment and created 800+ jobs, aiming to localise renewable-energy and advanced manufacturing value chains. Inclusive Business Spotlight (South Africa): I Love Coffee marks 10 years of employing and training Deaf baristas, reaching 500,000+ working hours and reinvesting profits to grow inclusive jobs.

Youth Credit in Kenya: Sacco-led lending is expanding as banks leave young borrowers behind, with lower collateral and cheaper rates helping youth enterprises grow in counties like Machakos. Diaspora Money & Protection: Ghana says record US$7.8bn remittances in 2025 prove the diaspora’s value as it evacuates about 340 citizens from South Africa after xenophobic attacks. Digital SME Push in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwean SMEs are adopting mobile money, internet banking, e-commerce and digital tools to market, sell and manage operations more efficiently. Nigeria’s Digital Tax Shift: The NRS expands e-invoicing compliance by accrediting Afri Invoice as an access point provider to connect businesses to the Merchant Buyer Solution. Regulatory Stability Warning: A Nigeria-focused business commentary argues policy whiplash hurts plans more than tax rates. Credit Access Gap in Nigeria: Despite bank recapitalisation, AfDB says private-sector credit is still too low for SMEs to scale. Power for Households (Côte d’Ivoire): AfDB backs €103.14m for grid expansion to connect about 107,000 households, turning electrification into real access. SME Trade Opportunities (Namibia): Namibia’s president urges firms to use AfCFTA to expand beyond borders, noting intra-Africa trade remains low. Entrepreneurship for Creatives: A $30,000 Marcus Garvey pitch competition opens, targeting growth in cultural and creative businesses. Local Enterprise Spotlight (South Africa): V&A Waterfront and CDI launch a circular maker space to help designers and creative entrepreneurs commercialise products. Forest Crime in Kenya: A report links forest crime to poverty and weak livelihoods, with illegal logging driven by networks that include small businesses and local facilitators. Business Legacy (South Africa): Mzoli Ngcawuzele (“Ta Mzo”) dies, leaving a township tourism and small-business legacy from Mzoli’s Place.

Family Planning Crisis: Kenya women still can’t replace expired contraceptives after a US aid shipment was stranded in Belgium when the Trump administration dismantled USAID. SME Credit Gap: Nigeria’s banks raised N4.65tn in fresh capital, but private-sector credit still lags at 9.4% of GDP, keeping SMEs starved of affordable funding. Trade for Growth: Zimbabwe’s SMEs are urged to use China’s new zero-tariff access (starting 1 May) to scale exports and industrial processing. Payments to Unlock Lending: Nigeria’s FCCPC licensed nine firms to break a 12-year airtime/data advance monopoly, while Moniepoint argues credit should be layered onto payment infrastructure to fund underserved MSMEs. Energy for Enterprise: Côte d’Ivoire secured €103.14m from AfDB to connect about 107,000 households—turning grid coverage into real access that supports businesses. AfCFTA Implementation: Cameroon entrepreneurs push reforms to better use AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative and expand intra-African exports. SME Market Access: Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront funded a Circular Maker Space to help local designers and creative entrepreneurs commercialise products. Food Inflation Risk: Fertilizer prices jumped nearly 60% on Hormuz disruption fears, with food price spikes expected across vulnerable African markets. Diaspora Home Finance: Tanzania’s TCB and CPS Africa signed a deal to let diaspora Tanzanians access mortgage financing for Zanzibar’s Fumba Town. Entrepreneurship in Culture: Namibia’s Business Summit Namibia in Windhoek lines up DJ Sbu and other local founders to spotlight youth and creative-sector jobs.

Payments & credit access (Nigeria): Tinubu backs FCCPC licensing of nine firms to break a 12-year Optasia airtime/data credit monopoly, aiming to revive a fintech market worth over ₦3tn and widen inclusion. Credit-led growth (Nigeria): Moniepoint CEO urges Nigeria’s payments system to “layer” credit on top of transaction flows so MSMEs can get financing faster. SME finance & infrastructure (Africa): Africa Finance Corporation raises a record $2bn syndicated loan to scale integrated infrastructure and industrial platforms. Power for households (Côte d’Ivoire): AfDB approves €103.14m for PROSER II to connect about 107,000 households and strengthen grid distribution. Trade & AfCFTA push (Namibia): President Nandi-Ndaitwah urges business leaders to use AfCFTA to expand beyond borders as intra-Africa trade stays low. Creative enterprise (South Africa): V&A Waterfront funds a circular maker space at Cape Town Cruise Terminal to help designers and craft entrepreneurs commercialise products. Diaspora home ownership (Tanzania): TCB and CPS Africa partner to let Tanzanians abroad access mortgage financing for Fumba Town in Zanzibar. Market access & jobs (Cameroon): CEPI roundtable calls for reforms so Cameroonian firms can better use AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative. Local business ecosystems (Namibia): Business Summit Namibia in Windhoek lines up DJ Sbu and Legends Barbershops founder Sheldon Tatchell for entrepreneurship networking. Rent pressure (UAE): Abu Dhabi freezes rent increases at 0% until further notice, a move expected to ease costs for tenants and businesses.

Infrastructure Finance: Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) secured a record US$2bn syndicated loan, upsized from US$1.6bn, to scale investments in critical sectors and industrial platforms, with broad participation across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. SME & Skills Support: Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront funded a Circular Maker Space at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, giving local designers and creative entrepreneurs tools, networks and business support to commercialise circular products. SME Finance Reality Check (Ghana): A Ghana-focused piece argues SMEs don’t just need capital—they need better access to information on grants, accelerators and loans, since many miss opportunities due to fragmented funding landscapes. Payments & Trade Tech: dLocal will report Q2 2026 results on Aug 13, highlighting its cross-border payments role for merchants in Africa and other emerging markets. Roads for Border Trade (Tanzania-Uganda): Communities along the Katoma–Kanyigo–Bukwali corridor are betting on a tarmac upgrade (plus a proposed ferry) to unlock market access and jobs. AfCFTA Implementation (Cameroon): Entrepreneurs and trade experts in Yaoundé urged reforms so Cameroonian firms can better use AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative. Business Costs (Nigeria): Nigerian manufacturers spent N1.4tn on power in 2025, underscoring how unreliable electricity keeps factories on costly generators. Local Industry Value Chains (Nigeria): The Lagos Leather Fair kicks off its 9th edition with a push to move from raw materials to a more globally competitive leather value chain. Policy & Migration (South Africa): Cabinet approved a new migration approach ahead of a national address by President Ramaphosa.

Food Security & Retail Access: Namibia’s community gardeners sold produce at Shoprite Lafrenz Market Day in Windhoek, with Groot Aub Fresh Producers among 300+ gardens supported across southern Africa—boosting smallholder income and local jobs. Used-Truck Market Boost: TruckStore opened a West Rand used-trucks shop in Krugersdorp, signaling renewed momentum for South Africa’s commercial vehicle lifecycle and support for transport operators. Trade Growth Engine: East Africa—especially Kenya—was flagged as Africa’s trade growth driver, with infrastructure corridors, trade finance, and EAC/AfCFTA integration helping SMEs move goods faster. Big Energy + Digital Push: Lesotho signed a $6.2bn hydropower and green AI data centre deal with Convalt Energy, aiming to cut power imports and spur jobs and local business—pending feasibility and approvals. SME-Friendly Regulation: South Africa’s Small Business Development Department is exploring a new licensing framework to reduce costs and delays via a one-stop digital system. Payments as Infrastructure: Tanzania’s mobile money is outpacing telecom growth, with transactions rising faster than subscriptions—showing digital finance is becoming the real business engine. Migration Policy Watch: South Africa’s cabinet approved a revised migration approach ahead of Ramaphosa’s national address, amid rising public debate and pressure on services. Community Business Protection: Tarkwa communities urged Ghana’s government to renew Gold Fields’ lease, warning that any disruption could hit jobs and local contractors.

Regulation & Red Tape: South Africa’s small businesses are getting squeezed by impractical local rules, with Cape Town reportedly ordering home-based sellers to stop trading over zoning—threatening fines and even prison for micro-enterprises. SME Finance Push: Nigeria’s Development Bank of Nigeria says it has disbursed over N1tn to more than 1m MSMEs, backing 1.6m jobs, and plans to scale to 2m MSMEs with more women- and youth-focused lending. Infrastructure Funding: Africa Finance Corporation raised a record US$2bn syndicated loan to expand energy, transport, logistics and industrial projects across Africa. Digital Payments for Business Impact: Network International’s Dr Reda Helal says Nigeria’s digital transformation must be judged by real economic outcomes for consumers and businesses, not just adoption rates. Trade & Investment Linkages: Afreximbank’s Jamaica roadshow highlights US$5bn financing to deepen Africa-Caribbean trade and industrialisation ties. Local Market Confidence: Ghana’s cosmetics SMEs push back on claims of inferior local products, citing improved quality, packaging and standards. Cross-border Tensions: Mozambique says five nationals were killed in xenophobic attacks in South Africa, while South African police report a different toll—raising uncertainty for regional business and workers.

SME Finance Push (Nigeria): The Development Bank of Nigeria says it has disbursed over N1tn to more than one million MSMEs, supporting 1.6m jobs, and plans to scale to 2m MSMEs with 2m direct and indirect jobs over five years. Trade & Cashflow (Africa): IFC and Standard Chartered launched a $300m risk-sharing facility to expand supply chain finance across eight countries, targeting faster supplier payments for SMEs. Digital Infrastructure for MSMEs (Ghana): Trident Digital Tech launched TDTHAI Africa, building on a Ghana Revenue Authority deployment aimed at MSME formalisation and digital tax, with a plan to expand AI-driven infrastructure opportunities. Fintech for Informal SMEs (Zimbabwe): SoshoPay says it helps banks finance informal businesses by linking solar and productive asset usage to repayment signals, aiming to close a large credit gap. Fuel Volatility (South Africa): Fuel price swings are pressuring cross-border traders’ costs from logistics to imported inputs, especially where the rand and US-dollar pricing amplify expenses. Local Business Safety (South Africa): Stellenbosch moved to suspend GoNow e-scooters after reported injuries, highlighting how micro-mobility rules can quickly affect small operators. Skills & Jobs (South Africa): President Ramaphosa flagged youth unemployment as a crisis and backed a R1tn three-year infrastructure push to create jobs. SME Market Access (India-Oman): India’s textiles and apparel get duty-free access under the India-Oman CEPA, opening new export opportunities for MSMEs. SME Talent & Recognition (South Africa): Applications opened for Artisans of Mzansi, offering up to R200,000 for qualified artisan business owners. Community & Local Commerce (Durban): The eThekwini Kota Festival is set to spotlight local kota vendors and small businesses at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Jobs & Budget Pressure (South Africa): President Cyril Ramaphosa flagged youth unemployment as a crisis, citing rising joblessness (official unemployment 32.7% in Q1 2026; youth 15–34 at 45.8%) and pledging R1 trillion over three years for roads, energy, schools and clinics—while MPs criticised gaps in tackling unemployment and service delivery. SME Growth Beyond Finance (Nigeria): FCMB’s George Ogbonnaya says SMEs need more than credit: reliable power, logistics, digital infrastructure and skills are key to scaling. Trade & Supply-Chain Cashflow (IFC/Standard Chartered): IFC and Standard Chartered launched a $300m risk-sharing facility across eight countries to boost local and cross-border supply chain finance, targeting about $1.9bn in transactions and 500+ suppliers, including SMEs. Procurement Reform (Nigeria): Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Procurement says affirmative procurement is increasing SME participation in public contracts, aiming to lower barriers for youth and vulnerable entrepreneurs. Youth Enterprise Support (Kenya): Kenya set June 30, 2026 for a simultaneous second tranche of NYOTA business start-up grants for all beneficiaries. Local Industry Push (Cape Town): Cape Town rolled out its Manufacturing Support Policy directly to factories and industrial areas to attract investment and create jobs. Inclusion Under Strain (South Africa): Namibia urged its citizens in South Africa to stay vigilant amid xenophobic unrest, including reports of vigilante checks affecting foreign-run small businesses.

AfCFTA & Digital Trade: Nigeria and Zimbabwe firms are exploring AfCFTA to deepen digital trade across borders. Local Business Support: Cape Town is taking its Manufacturing Support Policy straight to factories to speed investment and jobs across 33 industrial areas. SME Finance Boost: Access Bank (Tanzania) secured a $500m IFC deal to expand local-currency financing and cut FX risk for businesses. Women in Enterprise: Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda and KiBO Foundation trained 1,600+ women micro and small business owners in budgeting, saving and reinvestment. Cross-Border Trade Tech: CHI.africa partnered with Zimo Clan and Maistrade to help farmers, cooperatives and SMEs with digital commerce, traceability and cross-border market access aligned to AfCFTA. Payments & Identity: Trust Stamp partnered with Ridgedale FCU to verify driver’s licenses in real time, aiming to reduce fraud for smaller institutions. Policy & Jobs: Lagos plans to train 10,000 residents in industry skills while expanding broadband and innovation clusters. Risk Watch: South Africa’s cyber crime prosecutions face conviction bottlenecks due to skills and technical case challenges. Social Stability: Violent anti-immigrant protests in Western Cape left at least three dead and triggered evacuations of 400+ Mozambicans.

Jobs & Health Crossroads (South Africa): Workers’ Month ends with unemployment up to 32.7% and 345,000 jobs lost, while Tongaat Hulett’s sugar crisis and business rescue add pressure on livelihoods; health advocates also push sugar-reduction tools like the health promotion levy, arguing a diversified sugarcane value chain can protect jobs and public health. Banking Policy (South Africa): Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says there’s no plan for a new state-owned commercial bank, pointing to existing state lenders and development finance institutions. SME Financing Gap (Tanzania): A Tanzania Impact Investment Forum warns that 60–70% of new businesses fail within three years, blaming weak systems and missing scale-up capital. Payments for Inclusion (Nigeria): CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso unveils Payments System Vision 2028, pitching efficient, secure digital payments as a direct route to poverty reduction and SME growth. Tech for Business (Nigeria/South Africa): Fidelity Bank highlights AI for fraud detection and SME tools like POS and accounting support; South Africa’s Vedant launches AI-leveraged cloud accounting for SMEs. Trade & Market Access (Zimbabwe): China’s zero-tariff policy opens duty-free access for Zimbabwean manufacturers, with a new women-led manufacturing association aiming to turn policy into exports. Regional Tensions (South Africa/Mozambique): Mozambique says five citizens died in xenophobic attacks in South Africa, while police confirm two deaths—raising uncertainty and risks for cross-border communities and informal trade.

Zimbabwe Trade Access: China’s zero-tariff policy (from May 1) is being pitched as a boost for Zimbabwean manufacturers, with women-led firms getting a spotlight as the Zimbabwe Women in Manufacturing (ZWIM) association launches in Harare. East Africa SME Finance & Trade: ITC and Equity Group signed an MoU to expand access to finance and trade expertise for coffee, leather and creative businesses, starting with a Kenya pilot through Dec 2026 before rolling out across East Africa. South Africa Connectivity Push: Telkom/Openserve added 160,000+ homes to fibre, lifting connected homes to 817,540 and aiming to support households, small businesses and government with faster broadband. Nigeria Digital Inclusion Plan: The CBN unveiled Payments System Vision 2028, targeting 95% financial inclusion by 2028 and adding 50 million more Nigerians to digital payments, with fraud prevention using AI. SME Lending Scale-Up: Zedvance says it disbursed N120bn in 2025 and plans to triple disbursements, aiming for about N1tn by 2027 to ease credit gaps for SMEs. Cross-border Business Ease: Ivory Coast and Cameroon moved toward a visa-free era, cutting travel friction for business and tourism between Abidjan and Yaoundé. Meta Subscriptions for SA SMBs: Meta rolled out paid tiers for WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, keeping core apps free but adding premium features that could change how South African small businesses market and sell. Regional Risk Watch: Mozambique says five citizens were killed in South Africa’s xenophobic attacks, while South African police confirm two deaths—highlighting ongoing business and safety risks around migration tensions.