AGP Executive Report

Xenophobia & Small Business Risk: South Africa’s migrant violence is escalating, with shops looted and tens of thousands displaced—Standard Bank CEO Sim Tshabalala argues migrants support growth through remittances and payments, while rights groups warn the political establishment is stoking the crisis. Water Risk for Investors: Alexforbes says 99% of South African business holdings it covers face future water risk, pushing investors to treat water insecurity as a material financial issue. SME Funding Readiness: FNB highlights that lenders need a clear, consistent financial footprint—monthly sales, expenses, and debt records—while Paystack launches a four-week Nigeria “Small Business Launchpad” with clinics and free processing for selected merchants. Nigeria MSME Push: SMEDAN’s ACE Project trains “investment-ready” entrepreneurs using business management and AI, and the government says it has mapped 500,000 MSMEs to guide targeted support. Digital Finance & Payments: Telkom upgrades online mobile contract sign-up with facial recognition and e-signatures; Airtel Money Kenya leadership changes as the mobile money push deepens. Startup Capital Trends: TechCabal reports African startup funding held near $1.44bn H1 2026, but deals fell sharply as investors concentrate capital. E-commerce Growth: Egypt’s Fincart raises $2.8m seed to expand its AI operating system for merchants across MENA and Africa. Regulation Watch: Kenya’s small claims court bars unlicensed digital lenders from enforcing loan agreements, tightening compliance pressure. Infrastructure for Trade: DP World completes Senegal’s Port of Ndayane dredging 13 months early, boosting West Africa logistics prospects.

Competition & Inclusion: South Africa’s Competition Commission warns economic concentration stays high and MSMEs still have a limited presence, urging tougher moves to remove barriers that keep small firms from entering and scaling markets. AfCFTA Trade Boost: South Africa’s AfCFTA preferential trade hit R2.6bn (Jan 2024–Feb 2026), with more regularised shipments under the Guided Trade Initiative—good news for exporters trying to break into new African markets. SME Policy-to-Practice: AFLIGA launched its Agenda 2063/AfCFTA Thought Leadership series, focusing on governance, security, SME financing and how to turn trade protocols—especially for women and youth—into real outcomes. Credit Crunch Debate (Nigeria): Businesses are split on whether borrowing costs or credit access is the bigger growth blocker, as tight policy pushes lending rates above 28% and collateral rules keep many firms out. Stablecoins for Payments (Nigeria): Bitget Wallet says it has 100m users and that daily payments now beat trading; IMF-linked data points to Nigeria driving most stablecoin inflows in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly via households and small businesses. VC Shift to Exits (SA): SA venture capital is moving from “raising cash” toward more exits and liquidity, with studies showing realised returns outpacing invested capital. AfCFTA Reality Check: AfriConnect argues the biggest AfCFTA barrier is now non-tariff friction—slow customs clearance and weak digital documentation/payment flows that still hit micro, small and medium exporters hardest. Migration Shock (Zimbabwe/SA): Zimbabwe’s remittance outlook faces a downside risk as South Africa’s migration crisis drives large-scale return of Zimbabweans, cutting diaspora inflows.

Migration & SME pressure in South Africa: South Africa is weighing the economic impact of its immigration enforcement drive, with a task team asked to check whether labour shortages are hitting agriculture, tourism and small business. Remittance risk for Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe’s remittance outlook is taking a hit as anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa push more Zimbabweans to return home, threatening inflows that many small households rely on. MSME credit via digital finance (Nigeria): Access Bank and the Federal Government are pushing AI and digital tools for SMEs, launching an Access SME app as part of a push toward a $1tn economy. Ethiopia fintech coordination: Ethiopia formally registers a digital finance trade body to unify players and strengthen policy input and capacity building for financial inclusion. Agribusiness funding (Benin): EIB and BIIC back a €100m facility to strengthen Benin’s cotton, soya and cashew value chains, with most funds ring-fenced for those sectors. Community jobs in South Africa: A Joburg baker’s plan for community micro-bakeries aims to cut unemployment and improve local food security. Trade boost (Ghana–India): Ghana and India target a $6bn trade push, with agriculture and food processing front and centre. Northern Nigeria insecurity hurting farms: Reports warn insecurity is turning Nigeria’s farm economy into a frontline crisis, damaging productivity and investment. E-procurement & governance angle: Commentary highlights that better governance is key to successful e-procurement—relevant for SMEs chasing public contracts.

MSME Credit & Fintech Momentum: Nigeria’s impact investment push says ₦1.1tn has reached 700,000+ SMEs, while Moniepoint reports $700m in 2025 MSME lending and expanding access. AI for Small Businesses: FG and Access Bank in Nigeria are rolling out AI tools via an SME app to help micro, small and medium firms scale. Digital Skills & Jobs: Uganda is accelerating AI adoption with big tech partnerships, aiming for 1m AI-centred jobs by 2030. SME-Friendly Policy Signals: Kenya drafts protections for people working behind AI systems, including pay transparency and mental health support. Agriculture Under Pressure: Nigeria’s insecurity is increasingly hitting farms directly, turning food production into a frontline business risk. Trade, Infrastructure & Growth: South Africa’s SEZ push highlights jobs and revenue, while the World Bank backs reforms with a $1.5bn policy loan. Community Enterprise: South Africa’s micro-bakery idea in Joburg targets unemployment and local food access. Diaspora & Talent: Nigeria plans a permanent framework to engage diaspora medical professionals and supports diaspora voting.

Telecom Investment & Digital Growth: Telecel Group is ramping up network expansion in Ghana, framing connectivity as a backbone for fintech, enterprise growth and new business opportunities. SME Finance Boost: Moniepoint says it disbursed over $700m in MSME loans in 2025, with many borrowers getting their first formal credit. Impact Capital in Nigeria: A study reports Nigeria’s impact investment has delivered ₦1.1tn to 700,000+ SMEs, signaling rising investor confidence. AI Worker Protections (Kenya): Kenya’s draft policy would set minimum standards for pay transparency and mental health support for people working on AI systems. Farmers & Cooperatives (Kenya): Trade PS Regina Ombam urges small-scale farmers to join cooperatives to improve bargaining power and access to credit. Payments & Fintech Expansion: Lumepay launches institutional-grade cross-border payments for African businesses, while Cregis expands enterprise digital asset infrastructure into Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. Local Business Support (Ghana): Ecobank backs the Northern Business Fair to support SMEs, agribusiness and women-led enterprises. Skills for Jobs (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe hails a youth resilience skills programme after 152 graduates completed vocational training in Bulawayo. SME Market Access (Tanzania): Tanzania urges entrepreneurs to prepare for the EAC MSMEs Trade Fair in Kigali, targeting regional value chains.

Religious Tourism Push: Africa’s next tourism boom could be faith-led, with researchers arguing sacred routes and pilgrimage sites can drive local jobs and sustainable growth. Heritage & Diaspora Marketing: Ghana’s Tourism Authority doubles down on heritage and diaspora tourism, spotlighting slave camps/routes and Emancipation Day events to attract investment and visitors. Film Incentives Under Pressure: South Africa’s DA demands MPs summon trade minister Parks Tau over stalled film incentive rebates and unspent budgets, warning the crisis could hurt the country’s competitiveness for productions. AI for SMEs: Seamless Technologies rebrands to Seamless Technologies, aiming to roll out AI-powered tools for workforce and business operations across Africa. Digital Accountability Debate: Nigeria’s Senate Bill 648 would require major social media platforms to set up physical offices, shifting the conversation from “control” to platform responsibility. MSME Credit at Scale: Moniepoint says it disbursed $700m in MSME loans in 2025, reaching 20m customers and expanding first-time formal credit access. AI Talent Pipeline: Vodacom, UJ and AWS launch a South Africa AI lab to build an AI skills pipeline and help small businesses use AI. Fintech Expansion: Cregis expands into Africa (Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa) to meet demand for enterprise digital asset infrastructure. Women Empowerment Deal: Zimbabwe and South Africa approve an MoU to strengthen gender equality and women’s empowerment cooperation. Tax Trust Focus: Nigeria’s Tax Ombud urges fair, transparent tax administration to boost voluntary compliance and protect taxpayers’ rights.

AI Talent Pipeline: Vodacom, UJ and AWS launched a Vodacom AI Lab to build South Africa’s AI skills and help small businesses use AI for productivity. MSME Credit Impact: Moniepoint says it disbursed $700m+ to Nigerian MSMEs in 2025, reaching 20m+ customers across Africa, with 75% of borrowers getting formal credit for the first time. Township Business Relief: South Africa’s DSBD opened applications for the Spaza Shop Support Fund, offering up to R100,000 (grant+loan) for upgrades, training and stock. Red Tape as a Tax: A South Africa-focused piece argues bureaucracy is the biggest hidden cost for small firms, delaying permits and approvals until businesses can’t survive. Fuel Pressure on Small Firms: Nigeria saw petrol rise to as high as ₦1,400/l, lifting transport costs and squeezing operators and commuters. Security Threats to Informal Trade: Reports from Johannesburg townships describe violence against Somali spaza shop owners, renewing calls for law-and-order enforcement. Tax Trust for Compliance: Nigeria’s Tax Ombud urged fairer, more transparent tax administration to boost voluntary compliance. Startup Funding in Ghana: Village Capital invested $850,000 across five Ghana startups via its Africa Ecosystem Catalysts Facility. Bank Awards: Access Bank Ghana won Euromoney awards for Best Bank for Consumer Lending and Best Bank for SMEs. Regional Trade Policy: Angola reviewed a draft SADC preferential rates law to cut import costs and boost intra-regional trade.

Port Modernisation: Transnet has launched a bidding process for a 25-year concession to redevelop Cape Town’s multi-purpose terminal, aiming to cut bottlenecks and boost throughput with new equipment and digital systems. SME Finance Impact: Moniepoint says it disbursed over $700m to Nigerian MSMEs in 2025, with 3 in 4 borrowers getting formal credit for the first time and women’s lending rising sharply. Digital Skills for SMEs: Meta welcomed by Pakistan’s commerce minister to train 1,000 SMEs in digital business and AI via its Small Business Growth Academy. Payments & Inclusion: Moniepoint’s impact report also highlights transaction growth for borrowers and job creation supported through its credit model. Trade & Exports: Ghana and the Netherlands sign an MoU to grow non-traditional exports to the EU, with horticulture flagged as a priority. Stablecoins Debate: Standard Chartered/Zodia Markets argue the next stablecoin growth wave could be local-currency stablecoins to improve digital payments and trade. Energy for Growth: Niger stakeholders back Governor Bago’s solar initiative, saying it’s attracting investors and boosting state revenue. EV Charging Expansion: South Africa’s solar-powered EV charging network is set to nearly double to ~100 sites in two years. AI Governance Gap: An Africa AI Governance Index finds countries are moving faster on AI strategies than on funding, staffing, and enforcement. Local Business Boost: After Knysna’s Oyster Festival ends, the economic benefits linger through tourism, charities, and local stalls.

SME Capacity Building (Ghana): CSIR-SARI and AATF’s TAAT II Maize Project trained 60 SMEs in biofortified maize on business planning, costing, bookkeeping, grain aggregation and buyer negotiations to help them qualify for credit. Trade & Export Growth (Ghana–Netherlands): GEPA and the Netherlands’ CBI signed an MoU to boost Ghana’s non-traditional exports to the EU, with horticulture a priority and support on EU compliance, cold-chain and food safety. AfCFTA Reality Check: A Business Africa/ITC discussion says many micro, small and medium firms still can’t access AfCFTA benefits due to infrastructure gaps, border friction and limited trade finance. Digital Tools for SMEs (Kenya): Zoho partnered with KNCCI to give eligible members KES 65,000 in Zoho Wallet Credits plus onboarding and training to speed cloud adoption. Fintech for Informal Trade (South Africa): Pepkor plans to merge Flash with Shop2Shop in a R21.3bn deal, aiming to build a merchant-focused FintechCo for township and cash-heavy businesses. Security Pressure on Small Shops (South Africa): Reports from Bonteheuwel describe extortion-linked intimidation of spaza/tuckshop owners, including alleged firearm offers. Justice Access (South Africa): Small Claims Court monetary jurisdiction rises from R20,000 to R30,000 from 1 Aug 2026 to cut costs and delays for small disputes. Energy for Business (Nigeria): BloombergNEF says Nigeria is among Africa’s fastest-growing solar markets as outages and tariffs push households and SMEs toward rooftop and off-grid power. Tourism as a Business Engine (Ghana): Ghana Tourism Authority doubles down on heritage and diaspora tourism around slave camps/routes and Emancipation Day events.

SME Tender Access in Tanzania: A new University of Dodoma study finds preferential public procurement policies aren’t enough on their own—Tanzanian SMEs still lag in winning government contracts, with tech capability a key differentiator. FDI and Fair Pricing in Nigeria: The Lagos Chamber of Commerce says Nigeria is surging in FDI, but urges the FCCPC to clamp down on price regulation inconsistencies by oil marketers. South Africa’s Cash-to-Digital Reality: Townships are moving toward QR and mobile payments, but fintech inclusion hinges on trust, literacy, and practical support for informal traders. Pepkor’s Big Bet on Fintech for Informal Trade: Pepkor is combining Flash and Shop2Shop into a R21.3bn FintechCo and eyeing a JSE listing, aiming to serve merchants across formal and informal markets. Zimbabwe’s Industrial Push via SEZs: Parliament backs Bulawayo’s Integrated SEZ plan to revive industry and attract investment across agro-processing, tourism, renewables and diamond processing. Cross-Border Trade Bottlenecks: EAC officials urge partner states to remove administrative delays at one-stop border posts to lift intra-regional trade. Namibia SME Funding Call: NIPDB urges eligible MSMEs to apply for the SME Fund (grants plus coaching) before 24 July. Nigeria Solar Momentum: A BloombergNEF report flags Nigeria as a leading small-scale solar market as power unreliability and high electricity costs drive adoption. Digital Finance Beyond Accounts (Tanzania): A study argues inclusion must build resilience, not just access—helping households and businesses handle shocks.

Fintech for the informal economy: South Africa’s Pepkor is merging Flash with Shop2Shop to form FintechCo, targeting annual throughput above R200bn and a medium-term JSE listing; Pepkor will hold 57.1% after contributing Flash (valued at R10.6bn) and injecting R1.57bn cash into Shop2Shop. SME cost pressure: Fastway Couriers says it will use a fixed 5% fuel adjustment to shield small businesses from volatile monthly surcharges as fuel costs surge. Digital finance resilience: Nigeria’s digital banking growth is praised, but gaps remain in reliability, rural connectivity, cybersecurity and digital literacy. Cross-border payments push: Nigeria’s renewed focus on PAPSS aims to cut the friction of inter-country transfers that raises costs and slows SME trade. Youth agrifood innovation: GAIN and partners launch NourishNext West Africa 2026, a youth-led fruit and veg challenge across Benin, Nigeria, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, with mentorship and seed funding. Investment climate reform: Ghana’s new GIPA Act streamlines investment procedures and strengthens investor protection, with a mandate to support Ghanaian enterprises. Credit access expansion: Optasia, an AI-driven lender backed by a major South African bank, plans to expand into Ethiopia and Egypt. Energy and jobs financing: Nigeria targets $50bn in investment commitments to be converted into factories, jobs and enterprise growth. Mobility services growth: Yango wins “Most Reliable Ride-Hailing Service Provider” in Southern Africa, highlighting its expansion across multiple countries and added delivery services.

Red Tape Tax on SMEs: A South Africa-focused piece argues the real killer for small businesses isn’t lack of finance—it’s bureaucracy: delayed permits, unclear by-laws, duplicated paperwork, and slow municipal approvals that drain time and cash. Implementation Gap: Another commentary says government keeps launching campaigns instead of building working systems, calling for a single digital platform with real-time tracking and binding service standards. Banking Awards (Kenya): Co-op Bank won Kenya’s Best Retail and Best Digital Bank at the 2026 Euromoney Awards, while Stanbic Bank Kenya took Best Investment Bank—both tied to digital growth and customer-centric strategy. Cross-Border Trade (Kenya): A guide for Kenyan SMEs pushes digital trade readiness—payments, identity checks, invoicing, and dispute handling—so small firms can sell across borders with confidence. Namibia Market Access: NIPDB says it’s moving beyond networking by helping Namibian firms secure contracts and expand under AfCFTA, including follow-ups after the South Africa–Namibia business forum. Digital Trade Infrastructure (AfCFTA): AfCFTA Secretariat and ADI Foundation plan a joint venture to cut the cost of fragmented cross-border payments and settlement, aiming to boost intra-Africa trade. Women/Children Displaced (Zimbabwe–SA unrest): Zimbabwe steps up emergency support and ward-level reintegration for returning nationals, with women and children highlighted as most affected. Mining Automation Watch: A review warns South Africa’s mining automation could widen inequality unless governance and workforce support keep pace.

Digital Finance & Banking: Ethiopia opened the 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 in Addis Ababa, spotlighting how regulators and fintech are modernising banking for wider access. Jobs & Displacement: Leaders met in Nairobi for a PROSPECTS Africa forum on decent work and forced displacement, pushing social protection and labour inclusion for people uprooted by conflict. Export Push for SMEs: Nigeria’s NEPC is boosting Benue’s non-oil exports by setting up soybean, sesame, shea nut and yam clusters, backing quality, certification and digital tools to help firms sell globally. Women’s Business Funding: NCBA Bank and African Guarantee Fund pledged $5m (Sh645m) to accelerate women-led SMEs through skills, networks and investment readiness. Skills for the Creator Economy: Kenya’s Google-supported Ganjisha Project trained 7,800+ youth in content creation and entrepreneurship, lifting advanced skills and income prospects. Cross-Border Payments: Kenya joined PAPSS to settle trade in local currencies, aiming to cut the cost and friction of intra-Africa payments. SME Payments Tech: Duplo partnered with Wema Bank to help Nigerian businesses automate payments, approvals, invoicing and reconciliation via ALAT. Energy for Micro-Enterprises: GoodWe launched a single-phase off-grid inverter series for residential users, small businesses and community power systems. AfCFTA Digital Trade: The AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum in Lagos adopted “Eight Calls to Action” to speed up ratification, payments, customs modernisation and cybersecurity for a single digital market. Labour Shock in Farming: KZN sugar farmers face cane cutter shortages as worker exodus and migration enforcement disrupt farm operations. Mobility Infrastructure Challenge: Kenya’s battery swapping network faces scaling economics, with Spiro pausing franchising after investors struggled to meet station capital needs. Retail Banking Recognition: Co-op Bank of Kenya won Euromoney awards for Best Retail and Best Digital bank, citing heavy digital transaction usage. Regional Integration Policy: Nigeria’s trade ministry urged freer movement of people, goods and investments to unlock AfCFTA trade, praising visa reforms in parts of the region.

SME Cost Pressure: South Africa’s fuel adjustment shows why SMEs feel squeezed beyond the pump—fuel is dollar-priced, so rand moves and cross-border costs hit logistics, inputs and delivered prices. Returnee Support: Zimbabwe is rolling out ward-level economic reintegration for people returning from South Africa, pairing dignity kits and rice with longer-term rebuilding support. Local Governance & Jobs: A push for a “capable state” lands on municipalities—competitiveness depends on local reliability: approvals, land, infrastructure, regulation and fair service delivery. Crypto Crackdown: Nigeria’s Tinubu signs an executive order to tighten virtual-asset registration, tax reporting and supervision via a coordinated council, aiming to close regulatory gaps without creating a new regulator. Energy for Growth: A World Bank-linked focus on gas flaring and energy insecurity underlines how power reliability drives shop-floor jobs and business continuity. Kenya Tourism Risk: Kenya’s tourism federation warns politicians not to scare off visitors and investors with negative public messaging. EV Charging Expansion: BasiGo and Rubis Energy Kenya launch fast-charging stations along key corridors to speed EV adoption for commercial and private users. Banking Leadership: GTBank Kenya’s MD Jubril Adeniji is recalled to Nigeria for a new role at GTCO Group. SME Operations: South Africa SMEs face rising compliance costs and hidden costs from vacancies and weak internal systems—fixing operations beats chasing customers alone. AI Skills for Entrepreneurs: A practical guide argues African SMEs need AI literacy, data discipline and critical thinking to stay competitive.

SME resilience in focus: South African small businesses are growing but prioritising steady, sustainable expansion, with Xero’s survey showing 80% revenue growth and 75% higher profits—yet many are staying cautious. Compliance pressure: An IMF-linked warning says regulatory complexity and admin inefficiencies are squeezing SME growth and job creation, with rising compliance costs hitting margins. Hiring reality check: A business-operations piece argues that “saving” by leaving roles unfilled creates hidden costs as work gets redistributed and service quality slips. Kenya solar affordability: Bluetti is pushing pay-as-you-go financing in Kenya, shifting solar from upfront purchases to instalments for households and small businesses. Digital infrastructure for SMBs: Cassava Technologies’ Africa Data Centres secured Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Metro peering in Johannesburg, enabling more resilient, secure cloud connectivity. Payments milestone: M-Pesa Africa reported its first operating profit, reaching 60m customers and expanding into merchant payments, lending, savings and insurance. Ghana used-car market shift: A look at how China’s used-car supply changes and Ghana’s rules are reshaping affordability, risk and trust for small buyers and transport operators. South Africa SME awards: Entries are open for the 18th South African Small Business Awards, positioning winners for credibility and new opportunities. Ivory Coast “national champions”: The country is backing champion firms to drive development and help SMEs scale across borders.

Digital Skills for Youth (Kenya): The Google-supported Ganjisha Project, run by the Africa Digital Media Institute and Digital Opportunity Trust Kenya, has trained 7,800+ young people across all 47 counties in content creation and entrepreneurship, with improved confidence and earning potential. Cross-Border Payments Push (Africa): Kenya and other countries are backing PAPSS to let businesses settle intra-African trade in local currencies, cutting reliance on costly correspondent banking and potentially saving $5bn a year. Business Partnerships (Namibia–South Africa): Presidents Nandi-Ndaitwah and Ramaphosa urged firms to turn diplomacy into jobs and industrialisation, moving beyond raw-material exports. Made-in-Nigeria Quality Drive (Nigeria): Nigeria’s SON and BPP launched a Digital Standards Platform to make certification and compliance easier, aiming to boost local patronage by raising quality trust. Digital Banking Gaps (Nigeria): A CMAN leader praised digital banking growth but flagged reliability, rural connectivity, cybersecurity, and dispute delays as key blockers. Rural Internet Expansion (South Africa): Amazon Leo and Herotel will launch “evry” in 2027, using satellite connectivity to reach rural and low-density areas. SME/Jobs via Cement Expansion (Nigeria): HBM Nigeria says its Ogun and Gombe plant upgrades will add 4.5m tonnes capacity and create jobs for youths, women, and local contractors. Spaza Food Safety Enforcement (South Africa): Tshwane says staffing freezes left it short of environmental health practitioners, raising concerns over inspection capacity after Gauteng food-safety findings. Banking Access Growth (Cameroon–CAR): Afriland First Bank opened in the Central African Republic under COBAC’s single-licence rules, targeting underserved local businesses in a low-penetration market. Tourism & Jobs (Kenya): A report argues Kenya’s coast needs more international air access to unlock major visitor and job gains.