AGP Executive Report

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.

Fuel Subsidy Backlash in Nigeria: Atiku Abubakar cites an SBM Intelligence survey showing 67.4% of Nigerians want petrol subsidy restored, arguing Tinubu’s fuel policy is harming families, workers, farmers and businesses. E-commerce Cross-Border Cost Pain: Kenya’s Brinax and Uganda’s MyDawa highlight how shipping and clearance costs can make small online trade across borders uneconomical. Pan-African Tech Talent Pipeline: Yango Fellowship 2026 graduates 24 fellows from six countries in Abidjan, pitching projects for informal transport payments, merchant digital identity, health supply visibility, cross-border jobs, waste recycling and water testing. SME Growth via Digital Payments: Paymob raises $35m pre-Series C to expand payments for SME merchants across MENA, including agentic commerce. Energy Access for Business: Nigeria launches a $300m Distributed Renewable Energy fund for mini-grids and standalone solar, aiming to cut generator dependence and support longer business hours. Local Supplier Pressure: Eswatini suppliers form an association to push back on delayed payments and cash-flow strain. Skills, Jobs and Investment: Côte d’Ivoire’s World Bank Open Days spotlights $5.3bn in active projects tied to jobs, education, entrepreneurship and infrastructure. Township Consumer Reality: South Africa’s “cost of coping” report shows unreliable power and water are reshaping how township shoppers buy, save and engage with brands.

SMME Profit Momentum: South Africa’s Shoprite-backed State of the SMME report says more small businesses are growing and turning profitable, with 42% expanding (but “at scale” remains the sticking point). Digital Inclusion for Women: A new look at Africa’s digital push warns women are at risk of being left behind due to phone/data gaps, turning digital exclusion into economic exclusion. Trade & Value Addition in Uganda: Equity Group’s 2026 Uganda Trade and Investment Roadshow brought investors to local firms like Zigoti Coffee Works, focusing on financing, processing upgrades, and regional market access. Nigeria Power Capital Deployment: NSIA, Africa50 and SEforALL launched a $300m Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy fund to back mini-grids and standalone solar for underserved communities and businesses. Liberia Justice Support: Sweden’s ambassador to Liberia says direct bilateral support is ending, but continued backing for post-war justice will flow through the UN/EU, with a push for a war and economic crimes court. Kenya Xenophobia Misinformation: A viral video tied to Kenya’s crackdown on foreign small businesses was debunked as an accident in Uganda. Crypto Deal Delays in South Africa: Proposed exchange-control curbs have reportedly paused at least R2.2bn in crypto-related deals, with firms warning of offshore or informal workarounds. Public Procurement Opens Doors (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s MSME/co-op leaders were urged to actively bid for public procurement, framed as a job-creation and local-production lever.

Electricity affordability pushback: South Africa’s civil society is urging NERSA to reject Eskom’s proposed 8.83% tariff hike, warning it will squeeze households and small businesses already hit by high costs. Trade support for SMEs: The International Trade Centre and DHL renewed and deepened their partnership to help SMEs—especially women-led firms—sell and ship across borders, tackling market and logistics barriers. Clean energy with jobs focus: Namibia’s president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told the UN that a “just” energy transition must be measured by jobs, skills, and new industries—not just megawatts. Ease of doing business, but prove it: Cape Town officials say red-tape cuts only matter if business owners feel faster permits and fewer delays, as GEC+Africa spotlights regulatory reform. MSMEs face tougher competition: Nigeria’s MSMEs are told to raise standards to compete with digital platforms and direct imports, while CPPE calls for tighter review of foreign traders’ permits in retail. Local business formalisation: Dar es Salaam plans to reclassify and formalise Kariakoo traders to improve access, tax compliance, and revenue. Ondo youth investment + solar: Nigeria’s Ondo state announced shareholding for 500 young entrepreneurs and solar support for 1,000 small businesses. Migration crackdown backlash (Kenya): Faith leaders warn Ruto’s closure of foreign-run small businesses risks xenophobic violence and business losses.

Digital Trade Support: ITC and DHL renewed their push for women-led SMEs to access cross-border markets, combining market intelligence, logistics know-how and SheTrades-style support. Business Growth & Energy Costs: Ondo State (Nigeria) launched the Lucky Light Initiative to solar-power 1,000 small businesses and added grants/mentorship for young entrepreneurs under ONDEA My IDEA. SME Formalisation: Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam plans to reclassify and formalise Kariakoo traders by size, aiming to improve access to shops and boost tax compliance. Visa Digitisation: Angola replaced its eVisa portal with evisa.ao, adding online payments and real-time application tracking, with processing promised within 72 hours. Local Markets & Competition: Nigeria’s CPPE urged a review of foreign traders’ permits and quotas, warning that Chinese participation in retail/distribution could distort fair competition and jobs. Entrepreneurship Ecosystems: South Africa hosted GEC+Africa 2026, spotlighting finance and red tape as key barriers for MSMEs. Tourism Jobs: Cape Town welcomed its first cruise ship of the 2026/27 season, underlining tourism’s spillover into local business. Governance & Trust: Nelson Mandela Bay’s Citizens of NMB campaign is pushing voter turnout ahead of local elections on 4 November.

Trade & FX Reality Check (Eswatini): Eswatini’s August trade showed E3.86bn exports vs E3.67bn imports, a small merchandise surplus, but April–August still ran a deficit of about E878m—an important reminder for SMBs that cross-border costs and demand move both ways. Regulation Costs (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s competitiveness push is shifting from “more licences” to asking what regulation itself costs firms; the government is institutionalising regulatory impact assessments to cut the hidden burden on investment and scaling. Entrepreneurship Push (South Africa): GEC+Africa 2026 in Cape Town brought MSMEs, investors and policymakers together under “Connecting Africa,” with calls for action on finance and red tape. SME Energy Relief (Nigeria): Ondo’s Lucky Light Initiative will supply solar power to 1,000 small businesses, aiming to cut one of the biggest production costs and boost profitability. Credit Costs (Kenya): President Ruto urged banks to turn improved stability into cheaper credit for households and businesses, warning high lending rates still choke investment. Digital Growth (Kenya): Kenya’s .KE domains hit 129,140 by end-June, showing steady digital identity expansion alongside a much larger mobile and internet base. Trade Data Tools (Eswatini): EIPA launched two ITC-backed dashboards to help investors and exporters access market intelligence and investment opportunities. Insurance for Resilience (Nigeria): AXA Mansard’s campaign argues insurance should be seen as practical protection for livelihoods and business continuity, not just another expense. AI & Jobs (Ghana): A focus on AI’s impact on youth employment urges readiness to work with the technology rather than treating it as a distant threat.

Climate & Resilience: Nairobi is stepping up stormwater upgrades as El Niño fears rise, with crews clearing blocked drainage lines and installing new pipes to cut flood risk. Energy for SMEs: Ondo State’s “Lucky Light” solar plan targets 1,000 small businesses across 18 LGAs, aiming to lower power costs and boost productivity. Banking & Credit Costs: Kenya’s Ruto urged banks to translate financial stability into cheaper credit, pushing lending rates down and expanding SME financing. Digital Identity Growth: Kenya’s .KE domains hit 129,140 by June 2026, showing momentum in local digital presence as connectivity expands. Payments for Informal Merchants: Ghana’s Access Bank and Visa launched “Visa Accept” to let nano and small traders take card payments via smartphones, helping them build records for credit. Insurance Adoption: Nigeria’s insurance stakeholders called for wider uptake as a risk-protection tool for households and businesses. Trade & Startup Policy: Nigeria’s Startup Act and Business Facilitation Act are under review for how they affect startups and ease of doing business. Tourism Investment: KZN Premier pushed for more direct international flights to unlock tourism, citing Club Med’s R2bn resort as a catalyst for jobs and arrivals. Agrifood B2B: Italy launched an agrifood technology project in Zimbabwe, exploring pilots in tomato production and processing. Remittances Watch: Ethiopia’s remittances jumped to $7.14bn in 2025, underscoring how diaspora cash is becoming a key FX support for families.

Digital Payments for Micro-merchants: Access Bank Ghana and Visa launched “Visa Accept,” a virtual POS inside the Access Bank mobile app to help nano and small traders take card payments and generate transaction records for easier credit access. SME Finance at Scale: FSD Africa rolled out its Manager Finance Facility in Lagos and Nairobi to back locally rooted alternative finance providers with flexible “piloting” and “scaling” capital. Electricity Subsidy Pressure on Business: Nigeria’s Atiku Abubakar warned that phasing out electricity subsidies in 2027 could worsen hardship for small businesses already struggling with power costs, arguing palliatives can’t fix the underlying pain. Electricity Access Reality Check: A Nigeria power-sector critique says official progress claims don’t match the scale of unserved communities—highlighting the gap between policy and reliable supply. Policy for Small Business Growth: A South African analysis pushes back on claims about new procurement rules, saying the proposed R20m set-aside for black-owned firms is being overstated, while still flagging the need for scrutiny. Remittances as a Lifeline: Ethiopia’s remittances hit about $7.14bn in 2025, underscoring how household transfers are becoming a major FX support—relevant for small enterprise demand. Startup & Fintech Rules: Nigeria’s Startup Act and Business Facilitation Act are reviewed for how they aim to reduce red tape and support tech-enabled startups, while Remita backs Nigeria Fintech Week with a focus on resilience and secure payments. Local Industry Capability: South Africa’s 20-year Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) was highlighted as proof that industrial policy can build globally competitive capability from emerging enterprises.

Digital Payments for SMEs: Access Bank Ghana and Visa launched Visa Accept, a virtual POS inside the Access Bank mobile app so nano and small merchants can take card payments on their phones—creating transaction records that can help formal credit access. Energy Access Reality Check: A Nigeria-focused report says 22 LGAs’ headquarters and 20,000+ communities still lack electricity, with 85m Nigerians facing unreliable grid power—calling out claims that don’t measure real service delivery. Electricity Subsidy Pushback: Atiku Abubakar warns Nigeria’s planned electricity subsidy phase-out from 2027 could deepen hardship for households and businesses, arguing palliatives can’t fix the cost drivers. SME Finance for Exports: Afreximbank extended $10m to Azania Bank to on-lend to Tanzanian export SMEs, targeting working capital and expansion for agriculture, manufacturing, trade, logistics and value-added exports. SME Scaling Gap in South Africa: The State of SMME 2026 report says firms are surviving but struggle to scale; access to customers is the top growth blocker, with markets and digital tools also key. Togo SME Research Priorities: Togo’s chamber mapped seven sectors where businesses want research, flagging shared needs like financing, IP, standards, market access and stronger links between researchers and firms. Energy Storage & Microgrids: Sunwoda and Acelerex plan integrated battery management plus smart microgrid controls to cut diesel dependence and expand reliable power for clinics, homes and businesses. Counterfeit Crackdown in Zimbabwe: Bulawayo pushes tougher anti-counterfeit enforcement and incentives to revive industry, citing counterfeit and smuggling as a major drag on local manufacturers. Local Business Climate Funding: A policy piece argues Africa should lean more on domestic capital pools—pensions, insurance and sovereign wealth—to reduce reliance on shrinking aid.

Banking & SME Credit: Kenya’s President William Ruto urged banks to cut the cost of credit and widen access, saying high lending rates still choke investment and entrepreneurship despite improved stability. Tax Reform Push: Nigeria set up a technical sub-committee to review the 2025 Tax Acts, aiming to fix ambiguities, reduce compliance burdens, and feed recommendations into the 2027 Finance Bill. SME Trade & Logistics: ITC and DHL renewed their partnership to help SMEs—especially women-led firms—overcome cross-border barriers using market intelligence, trade support and logistics. Credit Access for SMEs: Togo plans an SME financing portal linking small businesses to banks and microfinance institutions, guiding loan applications and broadening the client pool. Energy Shock to Small Firms: Libya’s power cuts and fuel shortages are hitting restaurants and other businesses hard, with generator costs and black-market diesel driving steep losses. Tourism Jobs Under Pressure: South Africa’s Mpumalanga tourism economy is taking a hit as water and sewage failures threaten visitor confidence and local livelihoods. Regional Market Opportunity: A COMESA-focused angle argues Bulawayo firms should treat the regional bloc as an extension of their domestic market to scale production and jobs. Digital Business Growth: South Africa’s ProfileMe highlights how affordable digital profiles and microsites are helping professionals and small firms win trust and customers.

Mining & Powering Operations: Allied Gold says Kurmuk Mine in Ethiopia has completed grid connection and fed first ore into the crushing circuit as commissioning moves toward first gold. Transport & Skills Investment: Morocco and the AfDB signed €405m—€205m for high-speed rail on Kenitra–Marrakech and €200m for Cap Compétences 2030 vocational training and apprenticeships. SME Digital Waste Tech: Egypt’s Bekia raised $765,000 to digitize waste collection and recycling, improve its consumer app, and launch a business subscription product that issues carbon-avoidance certificates. Energy Access & SME Reality Check: Nigeria’s power debate heats up as Atiku’s camp and the power ministry trade claims over whether supply is improving—an issue that directly affects small businesses relying on reliable electricity. Township & Informal Trade Support: South Africa’s GEC+Africa 2026 push shifts toward outcomes-based support for MSMEs, while a Gauteng spaza and informal traders summit calls for deeper economic transformation beyond permits and paperwork. Cross-Border Trade for SMEs: ITC and DHL renewed a partnership to help SMEs export and build supply chains, with extra focus on women-led businesses. Export Finance for Tanzanian SMEs: Afreximbank backed Azania Bank with a $10m facility for export-oriented SME working capital and expansion. AI for Work & Training: Dayforce was named a Gartner Leader in workforce management tech, signaling more AI-driven scheduling and compliance tools for employers. Business Growth Signals: South Africa’s State of the SMME report finds many firms survive but struggle to scale, with market access flagged as a top growth constraint.

Energy Cost Shock: Nigeria’s cooking gas jumps 25% to about N1,500/kg while diesel (AGO) rises above N2,000/litre in major depots, squeezing manufacturers, transporters and generator-dependent small businesses. SME Finance Push: Equity Bank in Kenya is shifting lending toward value addition so local SMEs can plug into global supply chains, with credit timed to crop cycles. Trade Finance Boost: EBRD launches a $100m dollar lending programme for Kenyan traders and manufacturers via Co-op Bank, using a cross-currency swap to ease the trade finance gap. Digital Compliance: Ghana’s central bank urges digital asset firms to build compliance from day one after the Virtual Assets Providers Bill. Skills for Jobs: Ghana TVET Service and DTI sign an MoU to strengthen industry-led TVET, apprenticeships and workplace learning. Shea Value Addition: Ghana’s World Shea Expo 2026 in Tamale spotlights women and youth-led processing, branding and market access. South Africa SMME Reality Check: A new report says SMMEs survive but struggle to scale, with funding access and cash-flow alignment still major blockers. Liberia Revenue & Inclusion: Liberia’s domestic revenue crosses $1bn for the first time, while a World Bank-backed programme makes first cash payments to West Point fishmongers. Solar for Reliability: Sun King expands Nigeria’s solar inverter range up to 30kW and launches a solar-powered freezer for homes and businesses.

SME Cash & Capital: Moneda Investment raised N6bn via commercial paper, oversubscribed at 120%, to expand financing across Africa’s natural-resource value chains and support local-content SMEs. Energy Access for Businesses: All On and PowerGen will back new Nigeria mini-grids through mezzanine funding, targeting 9MW, 6,000 connections and about 41,000 beneficiaries. Farmers Get Loan Windows: Tanzania’s EADB and TADB signed a 50bn/- deal to expand affordable credit for smallholders and micro agri-food enterprises, with a special focus on rural farmers and women. Local Supply Chains & Cashflow: South African SMMEs face growth blockers from slow customer payment cycles, high logistics costs and ESG compliance burdens—speakers urged corporates to change procurement practices. SME Scaling via Mentorship/Capital: 22 On Sloane aims to raise R1bn for startups and MSMEs through Sloane Capital, after acquiring key licences. Trade & Logistics Fixes: Eastern Africa horticulture stakeholders meet in Nairobi to tackle border delays, transport costs and cold-chain gaps, alongside launching a regional horticulture council. Digital Commerce Shift: Kenya’s live commerce is already here—now the question is how fast it can scale for traders and buyers. Entrepreneur Spotlight: South Africa’s Naturals Beauty grew from a mother’s kitchen solution for her autistic son and won Nedbank Business Ignite 2026. Skills for Medical Oxygen: RIX Industries and Build Health International will train biomedical technicians in Rwanda to keep high-pressure oxygen compressors running. Competition Policy: Gambia hosted an ECOWAS competition conference to strengthen fair markets and protect local businesses.

Capital Markets Push: Kenya is using Africa Capital Week to argue for deeper local capital markets to fund infrastructure and businesses as debt bites harder, with officials pointing to high debt-servicing costs and the need for pension/insurer/bank money to back long-term projects. SME Awards & Finance Access: Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe launched the Standard Bank Africa Business Awards to spotlight SMEs across sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, retail and women/youth-led firms, including non-bank customers. Digital Inclusion Investments: South Africa’s DNI committed R2.1bn to expand digital and fintech access via Mission Mobile and KnowRoaming, aiming to widen smartphone affordability and global mobility. Local Supply Chain in Energy: QNB Group hosted an SME-focused forum in Qatar on building a resilient energy ecosystem, stressing local suppliers and practical financing solutions. Trade & Cross-Border Skills: WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged Nigeria’s Niger Delta to set up Special Economic Zones, improve ports, execution and digital infrastructure, and cut trade costs to attract investment. SME Growth Through Partnerships: Malawi’s finance ministry backed an EIB-Centenary Bank deal (about €7.5m) to fund small agricultural enterprises, with emphasis on women and youth. Local Business Pressure in Lagos: Lagos traders protested alleged Chinese retail expansion, fearing displacement of Nigerian traders, before talks paused the action. Fuel Cost Strain in Nigeria: Opposition groups warned that petrol price hikes are pushing households and small businesses toward breaking point.

Digital Inclusion Push: South Africa’s DBSA says it helped deploy 47,545km of fibre across the region, alongside a 47% jump in net profit to R7.8bn—fuel for connectivity and SME-linked growth. Connectivity Investment: Africell secured a $99.6m EXIM direct loan to upgrade mobile network technology in Angola, aiming to expand access for commerce, fintech and education. SME Finance & Credit: Jordan Kuwait Bank partnered with CRIF to roll out an SME credit assessment model (StrategyOne), targeting faster, smarter lending decisions. Skills for Jobs: Ghana’s TVET Service and DTI signed an MoU to strengthen industry-led training, apprenticeships and transition-to-work support for youth. Women in Business: BRICS Women’s Business Alliance chair Lebogang Zulu argues for moving women entrepreneurs from participation to economic equity and leadership. Trade & Borders: AfCFTA’s promise hinges on safe, efficient corridors—trade facilitation and transport/digital/energy investment remain the bottleneck. Local Business Pressure: Abuja residents report a levy-heavy tax burden that can swallow a large share of quarterly profit before staff and stock costs. Market Spotlight: Sanlam Allianz Kenya posted 21% profit growth in 2025, citing integration and tech investments to strengthen SME ambitions.