AGP Executive Report

Power & Grid Reliability (Nigeria): Nigeria has started building a new National Control Centre for the Independent System Operator in Osogbo to replace a 64-year-old facility, aiming to improve monitoring and electricity reliability—key for manufacturers and small businesses. SME Finance & Credit Visibility (Tanzania): Mastercard argues Tanzania’s small firms still struggle to access bank lending because lenders can’t “see” consistent transaction records, calling for collaboration across banks, operators and regulators to unlock credit. Payments & Digital Rails (Africa): Multiple pieces highlight how mobile and digital payments are becoming core business infrastructure, with a push for trusted, secure rails as AI and agent-assisted commerce grow. Competition & Deal Approvals (South Africa): The Competition Tribunal approved MTN’s full takeover of IHS Towers with conditions to protect jobs and customers; CompCom also cleared Capitec Rental Finance’s sale to Sasfin. SME Compliance Costs (Kenya): A report breaks down what it costs businesses to fully comply with Kenya’s rules, especially for foreign operators—licences, taxes, payroll deductions and immigration paperwork. Trade & Investment Platforms (Ghana/Togo/Lesotho): Ghana launched its Eastern Expo to drive trade and industrialisation; Togo’s EBID is preparing for a 2027 investment forum; Lesotho held an AfCFTA-focused B2B seminar linking MSMEs to buyers. Energy Jobs Promise (Kenya): Aliko Dangote began work on a major Lamu refinery and pledged a training school for 1,000 residents to feed jobs and skills into the project.

Energy & Industry: Dangote is set to break ground on a $16bn mega-refinery in Kenya at Lamu, targeting 700,000 barrels/day and promising jobs and local business opportunities, though a land-rights lawsuit and environmental objections remain in play. SME Skills & Enterprise Support: StuckInProfit and AFAZ launched a three-week virtual enterprise development programme starting in November, coaching participants across leadership, finance, entrepreneurship and virtual collaboration. Digital Infrastructure & Connectivity: NEC Africa won a $75,000 contract with Savannah Uganda to expand 4G connectivity in Kampala, while also responding to Uganda’s new data-hosting rules for encryption and security. Jobs Platform: Gauteng MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa launched Vul’Amathuba, a one-stop online platform linking residents to jobs, learnerships, internships and business support. Payments & Working Capital: Mastercard rolled out AI-powered B2B supplier payment analytics to help firms use accounts payable data more efficiently, with plans to extend to receivables. Trade & Market Access: ECA convened West African SMEs and business support organisations to activate rice value chains, aiming for new partnerships and stronger cross-border trade. Transport Safety for Logistics SMEs: South Africa’s National Truck Stop Framework will set standards for safer rest facilities to reduce fatigue and improve freight efficiency. Fintech Funding: Egypt’s Paymob raised $35m pre-Series C to scale payments for SME merchants across MENA. Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: GEC+Africa 2026 in Cape Town drew ~2,500 delegates to connect entrepreneurs with capital, markets and policy support. Local Livelihoods: Liberia revived the Lofa Women Weaving Center to turn local cloth into steady income for rural women, building on Japan-backed entrepreneurship support.

B2B Payments Upgrade: Mastercard rolled out AI-powered supplier payment analytics that ingest accounts payable data to help businesses optimize working capital, with accounts receivable next; SME Finance Push (Nigeria): Bank of Industry urged a rethink of how long-term, inclusive capital is deployed to back industrial growth and underserved businesses; Women’s SME Growth (Ghana): Advans Ghana says its client base has more than doubled to 159,693, with women-led businesses making up about 58%, as it launches “Mmaa Mpuntuo”; Cyber Skills for Women: CyberSafe Foundation and SANS launched an AI Security Fellowship for women across Africa to close the cybersecurity skills gap; Energy Access (Namibia): Namibia’s president highlighted that reliable, affordable power is the make-or-break factor for rural clinics and small enterprises; SME Payments Tool (South Africa): Platybooks launched an invoicing/quoting platform that turns accepted quotes into invoices with built-in card payment links; Market Access & Policy (ECOWAS): ECOWAS Parliament adopted its 2027 work plan and budget, including attention to MSMEs in regional value chains.

Kenya’s Creative Economy: Music festivals are spreading beyond Nairobi, with events in Kisumu, Kilifi, Lamu and Mumias turning local culture into jobs for musicians, teachers and tourism-linked businesses. Bankability Gap in SA: A new report finds many profitable SMEs still can’t prove financial readiness—only 34.7% produce credible management reports and just 13.3% can present a 12-month budget—fueling a “bankability gap” and cash-flow pressure. Regional Supply Chains: SMEs are being urged to plug into COMESA procurement and regional manufacturing demand, not just sell finished goods across borders. Procurement as Growth Lever: Procurement is framed as a development tool that can keep spend circulating locally and help small firms scale. POPIA Compliance Risk: South African SMEs handling personal data face tougher POPIA enforcement, with rising security notifications and third-party supply chain attacks making compliance a business risk. Digital Payments Push: IFC backs a $700m risk-sharing push to scale digital payments in emerging markets, aiming to expand access for small businesses and women—while identity and fraud security becomes critical. ECOWAS Startup Awards: Winners of the 2nd ECOWAS Startup Awards will share $65,000 and get acceleration, mentorship and investor access to scale across West Africa. Food Safety Crackdown: South Africa’s National Consumer Commission inspected 777 suppliers amid rising concerns over unsafe, counterfeit and non-compliant food products. Eswatini Export Support: EU/ITC-backed training equips 17 local trainers to help exporters and MSMEs use market intelligence tools.

Spectrum & Investment: South Africa’s deputy communications minister Mondli Gungubele told Bloomberg that equity rules shouldn’t make investment “ridiculous,” directly addressing Elon Musk on Starlink and the BBBEE 30% ownership requirement. MSME Trade Access (Lesotho): Lesotho launched a workshop urging MSMEs to use AfCFTA and regional trade agreements to sell beyond home markets, with UN support. Local Procurement Push (Eswatini): Eswatini’s PM urged the AfDB to open procurement so qualified local firms and young people can benefit from major projects. AfCFTA Workshop (AfDB-backed): AfDB assessed Eswatini’s smallholder irrigation and dam projects, highlighting plans to turn small farmers into commercial producers. Cameroon Funding Link: Cameroon invited businesses to apply for a $500m U.S.-Africa program targeting critical minerals and commercial investment. Nigeria Rates & Credit: Nigeria’s benchmark rate cut signals easing, but experts want more reductions to expand credit for small businesses. Kenya WhatsApp Costs: From Oct 1, Meta will charge Kenyan businesses for service and utility messages in WhatsApp Business, with blocking risk if payment details aren’t set by Sept 30. South Africa AI for SMEs: Xero’s report finds 52% of small businesses use AI weekly, but many still feel overwhelmed—support should focus on practical use cases. South Africa Rural Land Debate: A new look at rural development argues “more land” alone won’t fix outcomes without real support for smallholders. Security Shock (SA): Two weekend mass shootings in South Africa killed 28, underscoring how violence and illicit mining rivalry spill into local livelihoods. AfroQuality Expansion: AfroQuality opened a flagship store in Accra to help African brands access distribution beyond their home markets. Digital Growth (Africa): GSMA and PDAA roadmap targets connecting one billion people by 2030, stressing affordability and meaningful use, not just coverage.

SME Finance & Payments: Nigeria’s NIBSS says the National Payment Stack has surpassed 100 million successful transactions, aiming to cut integration costs and expand digital access for merchants, small businesses and the unbanked. Export Readiness for Small Firms: Nigeria plans a national Halal framework using QR-based certification so buyers can scan and trace products back to the factory of origin—built around compliance, market access and capacity building. Women-Led Business Credit: Ecobank targets a $2.6bn loan portfolio by 2030 for women-owned businesses and agricultural SMEs, combining lending with training and digital tools. Local Procurement & Jobs: Eswatini’s PM urges the AfDB to open up major-project opportunities for qualified local firms and young people, including through procurement frameworks. Cross-Border Trade Support: Lesotho will host a workshop to help MSMEs sell across Africa under AfCFTA, bringing together local firms and regional buyers. Business Risk & Governance: South Africa’s Competition Commission is probing franchising rules after concerns they may block SME entry and expansion, especially for historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Security Shock to Communities: Gunmen killed at least 27 people in two mass shootings in South Africa, underlining the pressure on local businesses in high-risk areas. Policy Pressure on Households: Kenya’s debt trap story highlights how even higher incomes can still leave little room to save as repayments pile up.

Halal Export Push: Nigeria plans a national QR-based Halal certification framework so buyers can scan and trace products back to the factory of origin, aiming to boost credibility and market access. SME Finance for Women: Ecobank says it will build a $2.6bn loan portfolio by 2030 for women-led businesses and agricultural SMEs, combining credit with training and digital tools. Local Business Access to Big Projects: Eswatini’s PM urged the AfDB to open procurement and project opportunities to qualified local firms and young people tied to major irrigation, dams, logistics and infrastructure plans. Tourism With Real Jobs: KAZA TFCA launched a regenerative nature-based tourism initiative to support MSMEs—especially women, youth and community businesses near protected areas—with capacity building, finance access and market links. Trade Facilitation for SMEs: Lesotho will host an AfCFTA workshop to help MSMEs sell across Africa, with regional buyers and retailers expected to connect local firms to wider markets. Franchising Scrutiny: South Africa’s Competition Commission is probing franchising rules that may block SME entry and expansion, including financing barriers for historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Security Shock: Gunmen killed at least 27 people in two mass shootings in South Africa, including attacks in township areas with small businesses.

SME Trade Boost (Lesotho): Lesotho will run a three-day workshop with UN partners to help MSMEs use AfCFTA to sell across Africa, bringing together about 65–70 firms plus regional buyers and retailers. Inflation Pressure (Lesotho): The Central Bank raised its rate 25 bps to 7.00% to curb rising prices amid fuel/energy costs, bad weather and higher fertiliser and transport costs. Climate to Cash (Lesotho): Officials urged businesses to turn climate adaptation ideas into real ventures that create jobs, not just plans. Tourism for Local Jobs (KAZA): KAZA TFCA launched a regenerative nature-based tourism push to support women, youth and community-led MSMEs near protected areas, with capacity building and finance access. Women SME Lending (Ecobank): Ecobank set a $2.6bn target by 2030 for women entrepreneurship and agribusiness SME lending, using guarantees to manage credit risk. Digital Payments Security (Orange Money–ADSTRA): Orange Money partnered with ADSTRA to deploy AI-powered AML/CFT screening and strengthen compliance. Fraud Reality Check (Editorial): A reminder that tips from employees are the most common way fraud is detected—so businesses should make reporting safe and confidential. Local Business Under Threat (South Africa): A street-stall “protection fee” dispute ended in killings of a vendor and his wife, highlighting how extortion can crush micro-traders. Investment Execution Push (Ghana/Volta): Chinese firms were urged to move from showcasing deals to building bankable projects in Ghana’s Volta Region.

SME Spotlight (Togo): Cosmetics founder Gaël de Souza says Gazelle d’Afrik is proving locally made products can match imported brands on quality and presentation. Mental Health & Inclusion (Nigeria): Yambam-Kabati African Foundation urges communities to tackle stigma around psychological disabilities, pushing for early support and professional help. Animal Health & Trade Risk (Namibia): Foot-and-mouth disease detected inside an FMD-free zone triggers movement bans and import/export suspensions, with authorities weighing zone-splitting to protect unaffected areas. Chambers & Market Access (Nigeria): IkereCCIMA gains NACCIMA membership, aiming for stronger policy voice and investor connections for traders, farmers and youth entrepreneurs. Fintech Security (Jordan): Orange Money partners with ADSTRA to deploy AI-backed AML/CFT screening and sanctions-list checks. SME Finance (Ethiopia): Ethiopia’s YEIB is set to launch this year, targeting 100+ startups and MSMEs with loans and growth capital. Local Growth & Jobs (South Africa): UIF and NEF launch a R1bn enterprise fund to support small businesses and create 30,000+ jobs. Digital Payments (Kenya): Absa Kenya rolls out an all-in-one mobile app for saving, investing and borrowing, using open banking to broaden access to credit. Youth Entrepreneurship (Liberia): YEIB-MANCO targets 30,000 youth directly and 120,000 indirectly, combining financing with incubation and business support. Tourism Economy (Ghana): World Tourism Day focus highlights how destinations like Bono East still struggle to turn attractions into sustained local income.

SME Growth & Cyber Readiness: Mastercard’s Dreamonomics report says EEMEA SMEs are chasing growth while leaning on stability, deep customer relationships, and cyber protection—78% prioritise cyberthreat defence and 42% already use tools, with strong interest in AI and emerging payments. Youth Enterprise Finance (Liberia): YEIB-MANCO targets at least 30,000 young Liberians directly and 120,000 indirectly, using an AfDB-backed model that blends financing with business support to tackle high rates, collateral demands and long-term credit gaps. Women & Agri Lending (Ecobank): Ecobank plans to mobilise $2.6bn by 2030—$2bn for women-led businesses and $600m across agricultural value chains—aiming to expand formal women’s access to finance and boost rural digital payments. Enterprise Jobs Fund (South Africa): UIF and NEF launch a R1bn, five-year partnership to stimulate SME growth and create 30,000+ jobs, with NEF as implementation partner. Local Content & Supplier Readiness (Ghana): CNML holds a supplier summit to help local firms meet mining procurement and regulatory standards, aligning with Ghana’s local content policy. Tourism Spend Gap (Mpumalanga): Tourism leaders warn visitors are “coming to a showroom” but spending is low—only ~8% of tourist spend stays in the province. Energy & Trade Infrastructure (Horn of Africa): Ethiopia and Djibouti hail Dangote’s $660m Damarjog–Dewele pipeline and terminal as a jobs and regional integration boost. Digital Finance for SMEs (Kenya): Absa Kenya launches an all-in-one mobile app for saving, investing, and borrowing (including for business needs), using open banking to improve credit access. Fraud Fighting (Cambodia-UK): Cambodia and the UK sign an MoU to coordinate against cross-border scam networks, including data sharing and victim support.

Youth Finance in Liberia: AfDB-backed YEIB-MANCO says it will target at least 30,000 young Liberians directly and 120,000 indirectly, using a model that goes beyond lending with business development and incubation to tackle credit barriers. Enterprise Funding in South Africa: UIF and NEF launched a R1bn, five-year partnership to back small, medium and microenterprises and create 30,000+ jobs, with NEF as implementation partner. Tourism Value Gap in Mpumalanga: Tourism leaders warn visitors are “coming to a showroom” in South Africa’s Mpumalanga—2.7m arrivals in 2025 but only about 8% of spend stays in the province. SME Systems Over Founder Dependence (Ghana): McDan’s Daniel McKorley cautions entrepreneurs to build structures and governance as they scale, not rely on the founder. Women & Agri Credit Push (Ecobank): Ecobank plans to mobilise $2.6bn by 2030 for women-led businesses and agriculture, including $2bn for women via its Ellevate programme. Trade & Market Access for MSMEs (Lesotho): A workshop will train MSMEs on AfCFTA opportunities, focusing on rules of origin, standards, compliance and digital trade tools. Cross-border Payments Upgrade (Kenya): Absa Kenya unveiled an all-in-one mobile app using open banking to help consumers and small businesses save, invest and borrow with flexible credit assessment. Energy for Growth (Horn of Africa): Ethiopia and Djibouti hailed Dangote’s $660m Damarjog–Dewele oil terminal and pipeline as a jobs and trade catalyst for the region. Sports as Local Business Engine (Kaduna): Kaduna’s Super Sand Eagles camp and stadium upgrades aim to turn sports investment into longer-term economic activity. AfCFTA SME Export Boost (ICC): ICC’s TradeRoots Africa opens applications to support 1,000 SMEs with training, bootcamps and partner networks to reach first formal exports across Africa. Business Climate & Waste Opportunities (Kaduna): Kaduna SMEs are urged to turn climate-smart agriculture and green innovation into new jobs and growth.

Fuel Subsidy Push (Nigeria): Atiku Abubakar unveiled a “targeted production subsidy” to cut petrol prices by backing locally refined petroleum, aiming to lower pump costs and ease transport pressure on small businesses. SME Payments (Africa): A poll finds most SMEs plan to switch cross-border payment providers within two years, driven by faster transactions and more reliable settlements—while Stanbic Bank Ghana says it’s simplifying AfCFTA trade payments using PAPSS. Trade & Competition (Kenya): Kenyan firms and contractors are in court challenging alleged Chinese tax breaks on infrastructure deals, arguing they create a 25–35% cost edge for foreign rivals. Energy Reliability (Burundi): Power cuts in Rumonge are paralyzing shops, salons, small factories and even banks, with generator use hit by long-running fuel shortages. Rural Growth & Jobs (Horn of Africa): Ethiopia and Djibouti hailed Dangote’s $660m Damarjog–Dewele pipeline as a regional trade and energy-security boost, with job creation and improved product supply. Port Investment (Nigeria): Ogun State and DP World signed MoUs for a deep-sea port and blue economy special zone, targeting $7bn+ investment and 50,000+ jobs. SME Risk Management (South Africa): A guide on business insurance stresses covering assets, income, liability and goods in transit—especially as outages and tight budgets squeeze cash flow. Circular Economy (Liberia): CNCL graduated 20 youth in plastic waste management training, linking recycling skills to green jobs and small enterprise opportunities. Tourism & Local Business (Kenya): Kenya’s UN Tourism Week in Eldoret will spotlight digital and AI tools to open new tourism circuits beyond coast and wildlife. Formalising Cannabis (South Africa): Government is seeking legal pathways to bring indigenous cannabis growers into the formal value chain, aiming to unlock rural income from an estimated R36bn illicit market.

Horn of Africa Energy Push: Ethiopia and Djibouti, with Dangote, backed the $660m Damarjog–Dewele multiproduct pipeline and storage project, aiming to cut reliance on long-distance road haulage, boost energy security, and create jobs and local business opportunities along the corridor. Food Security & Agribusiness: Nigeria’s plant breeders and agribusiness stakeholders urged wider adoption of breeding innovations to raise yields and build climate-resilient supply chains amid worsening food insecurity. SME Finance & Credit Access: Zeeh Africa and LAPO Microfinance Bank expanded credit assessment using alternative data to help underserved Nigerian traders and MSMEs access formal lending. Payments for Trade: Stanbic Bank Ghana said it is simplifying AfCFTA cross-border payments using PAPSS to settle in local currencies faster and more cost-effectively for traders. Business-Community Security Dialogue: Nigeria’s Kosofe Economic and Security Dialogue called for stronger grassroots engagement, decentralisation, and tighter private sector–government–security collaboration to tackle insecurity and improve the investment climate. Electricity Access via AI Demand: The Rockefeller Foundation’s Mission 300 Accelerator launched the Emergent Grid Project to test whether AI compute demand can improve the economics of distributed renewable power for underserved communities. Policy Pressure on Businesses: South Africa’s Reserve Bank rate hike drew criticism from the Institute for Economic Justice, warning it could further strain households and businesses while inflation drivers remain partly imported.

SME Finance & Markets: Access Bank and the International Trade Centre (ITC) will run a three-year programme to expand SME financing, skills and market access across 14 countries, with Cameroon included; a Ghana pilot runs Sept 2026–June 2027, but Cameroon rollout details and funding targets weren’t disclosed. City Business Support: Johannesburg’s debt relief programme is in its final stretch: residents and businesses can get up to 50% debt scrapped (pensioners/ESP beneficiaries up to 100%), with applications due 31 October 2026 and R1.2bn already approved. Digital Customer Tools: NativeTalk launched an all-in-one AI business app for African SMEs to manage customer conversations across WhatsApp, social and phone, adding messaging, hotlines, summaries and AI-assisted replies in one place. Cross-Border Payments: J.P. Morgan selected Thunes to power Xpedite Remit, aiming for faster outbound payouts and real-time inbound payments for millions of consumer and small business accounts. Power & Growth: A new USTDA-backed feasibility study will support hydropower and grid upgrades across DRC’s Lualaba and Zambia’s North-Western province, targeting more reliable electricity for mining and millions of residents. Local Retail Jobs: South Africa’s Ntuzuma Mall (Ntuzuma Junction) is under construction (R388m) to serve Inanda/Ntuzuma/KwaMashu, with completion targeted for April 2027 and space for SMEs alongside major brands.

SME Trade & Finance Push: ITC and Access Bank signed a three-year plan to expand SME financing, skills and market access across 14 African countries, starting with a Ghana pilot before rolling out elsewhere; Cameroon is included, but funding amounts and rollout dates for Cameroon weren’t specified. SME Growth Through Payments: J.P. Morgan selected Thunes to power Xpedite Remit, aiming to speed cross-border payouts for about 94 million Chase consumer and small business accounts—an example of how faster rails can matter for merchants and SMEs. SME Support in Cameroon’s Roads: Access Bank Cameroon is in talks with the Ministry of Public Works on financing road projects with completed studies, potentially unlocking new public-infrastructure opportunities for local suppliers. Energy for Business Continuity: USTDA will fund a feasibility study with Anzana Electric Group to expand hydropower and upgrade distribution in DRC and Zambia along the Lobito Corridor, targeting more reliable power for mines and millions of residents. Cooling for Livelihoods: Shell Foundation’s “Cooling Dividend” report finds affordable cooling can protect incomes for low-income workers and micro-entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Ghana, improving earnings and margins. Policy Pressure on SMEs (Nigeria): Nigeria’s digital tax compliance drive may raise first-year costs for SMEs, even as reforms aim to improve transparency. Entrepreneurship Infrastructure (Nigeria): Tinubu welcomed the $12m Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE) to support 500 entrepreneurs, 400 start-ups and 1,500 MSMEs with training, tech and enterprise support.

Energy & Industrialisation: Namibia’s president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told the US that Africa must use the energy transition to drive industrialisation and jobs, not just export raw power or minerals. Power for business: USTDA backed a feasibility study to expand hydropower and upgrade grids along the Lobito Corridor in DRC and Zambia, aiming to improve reliability for mines and millions of residents. SME finance & skills: UNDP, SMEDAN and KOICA are partnering on Nigeria’s Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship to push digital innovation and skills for young businesses. SME market access: ITC and Access Africa Office (Access Bank) launched a 14-country programme (starting with Ghana) to improve SME finance, women/youth support, digital trade skills and market access. Local manufacturing pressure: South Africa’s small business minister Stella Ndabeni warned that electricity reliability is make-or-break for automotive SMEs, after power dips linked to firms using more than declared. Procurement & sustainability: A South Africa-focused piece argues green public procurement is a missed growth lever and should be built into core buying decisions. SME risk & regulation: A South African crypto executive, Warren Wheatley, says he was fined R5m and debarred over alleged test trades, challenging FSCA’s action. Trade & growth: Ghana began securing Geographical Indication protection for Akpeteshie to help the spirit move from informal sales to premium, export-ready branding. Consumer pressure: In Vientiane, pork shortages tied to African Swine Fever disruptions are pushing up meat prices and squeezing small restaurants and vendors.