AGP Executive Report

Zimbabwe–China Labour Compliance: Zimbabwe urged Chinese investors to follow local labour laws and join social dialogue as Chinese investment tops US$10bn. Port-Led Local Growth: Tanzania’s Zanzibar Fumba Port project is already improving water access, jobs and small business activity for nearby communities. Banking Leadership: First National Bank Ghana formally welcomed Sylvia Inkoom as CEO, pledging deeper reach into urban/peri-urban SMEs and more tech-enabled services. Payments for Micro-Merchants: Visa is rolling out capabilities so micro-sellers can accept card payments via smartphones and make real-time payouts. South Africa Xenophobia Fallout: Anti-immigration protests have triggered business attacks, looting and fear for migrant-owned shops, with police and foreign missions disputing specific claims. Franchise Competition Probe: South Africa’s Competition Commission will investigate whether franchise rules and costs block new entrants and harm transformation. SME Capacity in Nigeria: SMEDAN trained Kano MSMEs in clusters to boost productivity and market access. Digital Trade Push: Nigeria’s Tinubu backed AfCFTA digital trade execution to cut barriers and connect markets. Ethiopia Tourism Boost: Ethiopia reported 1.4m foreign visitors and $5.2bn in tourism foreign exchange revenue.

AfCFTA Digital Trade Push (Nigeria): Nigeria’s trade and AfCFTA officials urged faster cross-border trade in digitally delivered services, noting only 5% is currently traded within Africa—an “untapped opportunity” for SMEs to reach new markets. SME Payments Drive (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s central bank urged SMEs to use digital payments to cut costs, boost inclusion and productivity, pointing to mobile money’s role in scaling business growth. Banking Expansion (Cameroon): Coris Bank incorporated Coris Bank International Cameroun as it prepares for market entry, aiming to offer full commercial banking and plan Islamic banking pending regulators’ approvals. SME Sustainability Tools (Nigeria): NECA launched an ESG implementation guide for MSMEs with ILO support, pushing businesses to prepare for ESG reporting becoming mandatory by 2030. Ghana Jobs & Trade Fair (Ghana): Labour and GACTI partner to run AFROMART 2026, targeting 10,000 job placements and a 72-hour trade/SME marketplace with large employer and exhibitor participation. Tourism Goes AI (South Africa): South African tourism operators are rethinking marketing as travellers increasingly use AI to plan and book trips. Local Business Readiness (South Africa): Afrisupply urged spill-response checks for winter, warning that colder conditions can worsen operational risks.

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.

Youth Entrepreneurship Push (South Africa): Free State’s Small Business Development Minister Stella Tembisa Ndabeni used Youth Day events to spotlight the Peo Pele Youth Fund and practical enterprise support, arguing economic freedom must reach townships and informal areas. MSME Sustainability (Nigeria): NECA and the ILO launched Nigeria’s first ESG implementation guide for MSMEs, aiming to help smaller firms compete as investors and markets demand responsible business practices. Digital Payments for SMBs (Africa): Visa unveiled new smartphone-based payment capabilities (Visa Accept/Direct) to help micro and small sellers accept and send digital payments without extra hardware. Cyber Risk for SMBs: GlobalData reports cyberattacks hit 34.7% of SMEs globally, but only 16.8% carry standalone cyber insurance—leaving many exposed. Trade & Cost Pressure (South Africa): South Africa’s trade balance slipped into deficit in May as oil import costs rose amid Middle East conflict, raising pressure on the rand and growth. SME Finance & Credit (Namibia): Africa Bitcoin Corporation’s Altvest Credit Opportunities Fund expanded SME lending, lifting credit exposure and deployments. Capital for Growth (Nigeria): EU development financiers announced a €20m Nigeria Country Window and signalled more funding across infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, renewables and small business support. Tourism as an Economic Pillar (Ethiopia): Ethiopia designated tourism a core economic pillar to drive jobs, investment and long-term transformation beyond agriculture. Local Business Under Pressure (South Africa): Anti-foreign spaza shop protests in areas like Daveyton and Soweto are disrupting local trade as residents demand undocumented operators leave.

SME Credit Boost (Namibia): Africa Bitcoin’s Altvest Credit Opportunities Fund (ACOF) says it expanded SME lending, lifting credit exposure to N$363m (from N$267m) and growing AUM to N$512m as it deploys funds into qualifying borrowers. Business Headwinds (Nigeria): NECA warns that energy costs, inflation, exchange-rate swings, and multiple taxation are still undermining enterprise growth despite reforms. Anti-immigrant Protests Disrupt Trade (South Africa): Police moved in ahead of June 30 xenophobic protests; thousands of foreign nationals rushed to leave, while shops and malls shut in places like Howick’s Mpophomeni. Policy Pressure on Employers (South Africa): A proposed employment bill would raise fines on employers hiring undocumented workers, adding compliance costs for businesses. Regulatory Cost Concerns (South Africa): Parliament advances stricter tobacco and vaping rules, with small businesses worried about restructuring costs. Cybersecurity for SMEs (Africa): Mastercard launched an Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, starting with South Africa and Nigeria, to strengthen threat sharing and resilience. SME-Friendly Payments (UAE): American Express expands acceptance for SME merchants via Network International, adding tens of thousands of locations. Digital Workforce Tools (Africa): Radiant diGiLog rolled out its AI productivity platform across Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and more.

Nigeria Business Pressure: NECA says energy costs, inflation and multiple taxes are still undermining enterprise growth even after reforms, urging a real impact review on MSMEs. SME Formalisation Push (Nigeria): FG approved free CAC registration for 250,000 MSMEs to cut a key barrier to formalisation and boost financial inclusion, with training support. AfCFTA Gender Inclusion: UNDP and Nigeria/FG warn women’s exclusion could put $3.4trn at risk in the AfCFTA single market, calling for urgent removal of financial and border barriers. South Africa Migration Tensions Hit Trade: As 30 June anti-foreigner protests near, communities report shop closures, lost bookings and safety fears for informal traders and spaza owners. Insurance Awareness (East Africa): Coverage remains low across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with experts urging businesses and households to shift from “after-crisis” thinking to risk protection. Zimbabwe Trade Opportunity: Government urges industry to seize China’s new zero-tariff access to accelerate industrial growth and competitiveness. Digital Trade (North Africa): ECA highlights priorities for AfCFTA digital trade: infrastructure, skills, inclusion and SME-friendly platforms. Tanzania–Afreximbank Partnership: Tanzania calls Afreximbank a key partner, seeking more financing to back manufacturing, infrastructure and SMEs. Blue Economy Capital Mobilisation: UNFCCC-backed OceanHub Africa and partners advance a global initiative to mobilise blended capital for coastal businesses. Customer Safety & Youth Entrepreneurship (SA): Services SETA graduates 69 entrepreneurs from a learnership aimed at tackling youth unemployment through practical business skills.

Tax Survival Guide: SARS is urging South Africans to get serious about tax literacy, warning many overpay because they don’t understand the progressive system and how to legally reduce liability. June 30 Business Shock in SA: Durban foreign traders and Johannesburg CBD street vendors are closing or staying shut ahead of anti-migrant protests, while Parliament warns informal traders and small operators to avoid violence and intimidation. Policy for MSMEs (Nigeria): Nigeria approved free CAC registration for 250,000 MSMEs to cut formalisation costs and boost financial inclusion, alongside SMEDAN support for growth. AfCFTA Momentum (Angola/Ghana): Angola validated its AfCFTA strategy and action plan to unlock market access, while Ghana’s role as AfCFTA Secretariat host is framed as turning integration into guided trade deals. SME Delivery vs Policy (South Africa): The Small Business Institute says GNU has stabilised, but delivery for SMMEs remains the unresolved test. Power for Growth (World Bank): The World Bank backs a West Africa electrification push in Togo and The Gambia aimed at connecting about 1 million people and enabling small business activity. Payments & Fintech: Vidaripay launches cross-border payments for freelancers and small businesses, while FirstBank backs Imo State’s group-based ÓKÓBÌ entrepreneurship model. SME Ops Tools: Digital signing for SMEs is pitched as a way to cut paperwork delays, and labour-law compliance is flagged as a common “quiet cost” as firms grow.

MSME Finance Shift in Kenya: Ugandan fintech Numida’s COO Lorraine Mutambiranwa says Kenya’s digital lending must move beyond fast loans to smarter, long-term growth capital for MSMEs. Local Revolving Fund Boost for Mombasa Riders: Mombasa County approved a Sh200m zero-interest revolving fund for boda boda and tuk-tuk operators, with rollout expected next month. Nigeria Skills Push for MSMEs: SMEDAN secured a $12m South Korean commitment to set up an Abuja Skills Acquisition Centre, pending land allocation, to train youth and strengthen small businesses. Trade Finance Still Blocks Small Firms: Afreximbank flags a $74bn Africa trade finance gap in 2025, with small firms hit hardest for lack of collateral and records. AfCFTA Needs SME Scaling: A new AfCFTA reflection stresses that cross-border SME growth and trade finance are the real test for the single market. South Africa June 30 Tensions Hit Town Tourism: Businesses in townships report cancellations and revenue drops as immigration protests approach. Digital Payments for SMEs: Nigeria’s Paystack launches an AI agent checkout “Index,” enabling payments via popular AI tools. Credit Market Reality Check: IFC notes digital lending has widened access, but a major credit gap remains for small firms, especially where formal records are missing.

Anti-immigration pressure on local trade: In Soweto, street vendors joined marches against undocumented migrants, with hawkers saying permits are limited while unregistered traders crowd the same spaces—raising fears for small-business survival and local livelihoods. Township tourism hit by June 30 unrest: South African township tour operators report sharp booking cancellations and revenue drops as visitor confidence falls ahead of planned protests, threatening a fragile post-pandemic recovery. Trade finance still blocks SMEs: Afreximbank puts Africa’s trade finance gap at about $74bn (2025), with small firms hardest hit due to collateral and credit-history barriers. Smartphone affordability push in Nigeria: Nigeria’s NCC is seeking presidential incentives for investors to set up local smartphone factories and back instalment schemes to cut device prices and expand digital access. SME credit, but the gap persists: IFC says digital lending has widened access, yet a roughly $330bn Sub-Saharan shortfall remains, with regulators tightening rules as costs and over-indebtedness rise. Payments innovation spreads: SQRIL expands stablecoin-to-QR payments into Central Asia, pitching lower fees and better merchant availability for emerging markets. Localisation “policy vs procurement” fight: South African furniture makers warn buy-local plans are undermined by procurement gaps, uneven compliance, and non-compliant imports. Migration permits tightening in SA: South Africa reports 42,000+ foreign nationals applied to register businesses as authorities move to regulate informal traders ahead of protests.

SME Finance & Payments: NMB Bank and Mastercard launched the NMB SME World Business Credit Card in Tanzania, offering up to Sh50m credit with up to 53 interest-free days to help SMEs smooth cash flow and fund stock and daily operations. Local Manufacturing Push: Nigeria’s NCC chair Idris Olorunnimbe pledged to seek presidential incentives and waivers to attract smartphone manufacturers to build factories in-country before November, aiming to cut device prices and boost jobs. SME Policy & Registration: South Africa’s migration crackdown is driving faster business registration: over 42,000 foreign nationals have applied to register businesses, while government pushes legal permits for informal traders. Procurement Reality Check: South Africa’s furniture makers warn that “localisation” policy is undermined by procurement gaps, uneven compliance, and non-compliant imports—turning promises into lost opportunities. Enterprise Support: Zimbabwe reaffirmed its commitment to an enabling environment for MSMEs, while officials trained entrepreneurship coaches under an ILO/AfDB-backed youth and women employability programme. Trade & Logistics Reform: Ethiopia opened its logistics sector to full foreign ownership, removing the 49% cap to attract investment and improve supply chains. Governance & Business Climate: South Africa’s municipal performance remains under scrutiny ahead of elections, with Auditor-General feedback highlighting both progress and persistent reporting and statistics verification problems.

SME Finance Boost (Tanzania): NMB Bank and Mastercard launched the NMB SME World Business Credit Card in Arusha, offering up to Sh50m credit with up to 53 interest-free days to ease working-capital pressure. MSME Support Push (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s Women’s Affairs ministry reaffirmed its commitment to an enabling environment for MSMEs, while government officials were trained as entrepreneurship coaches under the ILO/AfDB-backed SYWEP project for women and youth. Local Procurement Reality Check (South Africa): Manufacturers say buy-local and localisation promises are undermined by procurement gaps, uneven compliance, and non-compliant imports—especially in furniture. Migration Pressure on Small Traders (South Africa): South Africa’s migration committee reported 42,000+ foreign nationals applied to register businesses, as authorities move to tighten permits ahead of protests. Digital Payments & SME Tools (Nigeria): Bank charges and hidden deductions are eroding trust in digital payments, while Paystack’s AI checkout push signals more SME-focused fintech automation. Energy Access for Businesses (Sierra Leone): The World Bank approved $60m to expand electricity via solar home systems and mini-grids, targeting rural households, schools, health facilities, and 24,000 businesses. Logistics Reform (Ethiopia): Ethiopia opened its logistics sector to full foreign ownership, aiming to cut trade costs and improve supply chains. Smartphone Manufacturing Incentives (Nigeria): NCC chair said he will seek presidential incentives for investors to build smartphone factories, to lower device costs and grow local value chains. Waste Sector Data Platform (South Africa): DFFE urged compliant waste-economy MSMEs to register on WEERSA, a new directory meant to improve sector planning and support.

Waste-Economy Formalisation (South Africa): The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment urged compliant micro, small and medium waste-sector businesses to register on the new Waste Economy Enterprises Repository of South Africa (WEERSA), a directory meant to map and connect enterprises and improve policy support. SME Finance Push (South Africa): The Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) in South Africa raised its ceiling to R3m and set aside R710m for 2026/27, using blended loans and grants to help township and rural owners grow. Digital Payments for Merchants (Kenya): Safaricom’s Pochi la Biashara hit a milestone with women making up 52% of active users (about 900,000 by end-2025), as many separate business income from household spending. Electricity Access Funding (Sierra Leone): The World Bank approved $60m to expand clean power via solar home systems and mini-grids, targeting reliable electricity for households, schools, health facilities and businesses. Digital Finance Expansion (Cameroon): Wave met BEAC, ART and other regulators to deepen digital payments, transaction security and financial inclusion. Cross-Border Trade (Zimbabwe–South Africa): Business leaders urged turning the Limpopo border into a full economic corridor to unlock investment and trade under AfCFTA. AI Checkout for SMEs (Nigeria): Paystack launched an AI agent checkout “Index” in Nigeria, letting users pay through supported AI tools while keeping payments on Paystack’s infrastructure. Local Contractors in Infrastructure (South Africa): A Gauteng roadshow said government infrastructure spending will place local small and emerging businesses at the centre, with training and access to opportunities.

Cross-Border Trade Push: Zimbabwe and South Africa business leaders want the Limpopo border turned into a true economic corridor to unlock investment, industry and trade under AfCFTA. SME Support & Skills: Uganda’s Equity Bank, with KPMG and NMG, launches its 2026 Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey to help firms monetize growth through innovation and market expansion. SME Financing & Enterprise Growth: NCBA Bank Uganda partners with MAT Abacus Business School to deliver free training, coaching and mentorship for SMEs on governance, compliance and growth readiness. Digital Payments & Responsible AI: Nigeria’s Digital Pay Expo calls for stronger infrastructure and responsible AI to improve fraud detection and expand inclusion in the payments ecosystem. Electricity Access for Rural Growth: The World Bank approves US$60m for Sierra Leone’s distributed renewable energy push (DARES) to expand off-grid power for rural productivity and small enterprises. Rural Connectivity in Ghana: The Bruben Community Network Project tackles Ghana’s rural digital divide by improving access where weak signals block education, services and digital transactions. Migration Tensions in South Africa: South Africa tightens security and closes roads ahead of June 30 anti-foreigner protests, while foreign missions scramble for time to protect nationals. SME-Friendly Infrastructure in SA: Tech Credit Fund backs Accelerit to expand fibre and wireless internet in underserved South African communities, supporting households, small businesses and public institutions. Business Registration Pressure: South Africa reports 100,733 business registration applications by June 24, including 42,151 from foreign nationals, as government accelerates legal permitting and licensing.

SME Capital Access: Zimbabwe’s ZSE and NVCCZ signed an MoU to create ZEEX, a digital pathway for venture-backed start-ups and SMEs to graduate into capital markets funding. Digital Finance for Growth: Nigeria’s Jaiz Bank reported 24% profit growth in 2025 (PBT N31.24bn) and shareholders approved a fresh N150bn capital raise to expand lending. Trade & Market Signals: Nigeria’s NGX slid 2.35% on June 24 as profit-taking hit heavyweights, while borrowing concerns kept fixed-income activity subdued. Energy for Business: Ghana’s Minority warned utility tariff hikes from July 1 could derail the “24-hour economy” by raising costs for manufacturers, processors and small enterprises. Electricity Scale-Up: World Bank/AFDB’s Mission 300 said 50m+ people are now connected to power, with knock-on benefits for clinics, students and small businesses. Infrastructure Delivery: South Africa’s engineering sector says fragmented project processes are undermining outcomes, pushing interest in integrated project delivery. Safety for Local Traders: Lagos recorded a three-storey commercial building collapse at Alakija Bus Stop; six were rescued initially, with more later pulled out. Cross-border Payments: Kappa Pay raised $20m to scale cross-border payments across Africa.

Banking Leadership in Togo: Orabank Togo CEO Guy Martial Awona leads a lender serving 440,000 customers across 39 branches, with a focus on strengthening corporate and SME financing. SME Finance in Nigeria: Jaiz Bank reported 24% gross earnings growth in 2025 and shareholders approved a fresh N150bn capital raise to expand lending to businesses. Trade & Market Access: China pledged deeper trade ties with Zimbabwe, citing record 2025 trade of US$4.4bn and new zero-tariff access for African exports. Cross-Border Logistics for SMEs: FedEx highlights how customs friction and documentation delays still slow AfCFTA trade for SMEs, even as policy progress continues. Ghana Industrial Push: Government unveiled plans for an automotive research and testing laboratory at Suame Magazine to boost local manufacturing, testing and certification. Innovation Support in South Africa: TSE relocated to Ditsela Place to help start-ups and SMMEs with prototyping, low-volume manufacturing and product development. SME Payments & Fintech: Flutterwave’s SME head says Africa’s payment infrastructure is now “at par” globally, with stablecoins positioned as infrastructure for faster, safer cross-border payments. SME Growth via Digital Skills: Nigeria’s push to train 5m businesses is tied to Mastercard’s plans and Tinubu’s push for youth-ready, tech-savvy workforces. Tourism Boost in KZN: KwaZulu-Natal expects 920,320 visitors and about R1.9bn winter spend, supporting local accommodation and tour businesses. Capital Markets Buzz: Dangote’s planned IPO for its refinery business is drawing retail and wealthy investors, with banks and brokerages opening accounts and offering credit.

Public Procurement Crackdown: South Africa’s new procurement rules are being slammed as “costly, unwieldy and unworkable,” with critics warning that complexity can fuel corruption more than compliance. SME Digital Push: MTN and SMEDAN are driving mySMEville to reach 5 million MSMEs, aiming to close finance, infrastructure and market-access gaps. Payments Upgrade for Merchants: Yoco is moving beyond card payments with an AI-powered business platform, loyalty tools and lower fees for independent retailers. Cross-Border Fintech Expansion: Kenya’s WapiPay enters Canada after getting an MSB licence, adding FX and transfers to its global payments network. Trade & Market Access: Nigeria’s Abuja trade fair targets 100,000 visitors and 10,000 products, while Tanzania’s Sabasaba Golden Jubilee (50 years) prepares for its biggest edition. Climate & Resilience Finance: The OPEC Fund approved new projects and launched a US$1.5bn digital transformation plan, with total financing support topping US$2.8bn. Energy for Small Businesses: A South Africa study highlights how solar and entrepreneurship training can help shack settlements cope with unreliable, unaffordable power. Policy Tensions & Protests: South Africa’s taxi industry warns against disruptions ahead of 30 June anti-immigration protests, stressing risks to travel, trade and livelihoods.