African markets and business updates

Funding targets underserved communities across East, Central and Southern Africa Initiative supports efforts to reduce Africa's major electricity access gap Anzana Electric Group, a company specializing in hydroelectric projects across Africa, announced on Thursday that it had secured a $20 million financing facility from British International Investment (BII), the UK's development finance institution. The debt facility is structured at the portfolio level rather than on a project-by-project basis.…

The global artificial intelligence race is rapidly becoming an energy race. As companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Oracle expand hyperscale data centers to support AI workloads, electricity has become one of the industry’s biggest constraints. Across the United States and Europe, tech firms are now signing long-term power agreements, financing dedicated generation assets and partnering directly with energy companies to secure reliable supply. That same model could soon reshape Nigeria’s gas industry.…

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) ( ) and Venezuela have intensified coordination through high-level engagements in Brazzaville and Caracas, building on a structured cooperation roadmap linking the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO), Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and Venezuelan diplomatic channels. The most recent meetings confirmed Venezuela’s formal status as a strategic non-African observer within APPO, expanding technical exchanges and policy alignment with African national oil companies (NOCs).…

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) headed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Thursday as the country continues to combat a deadly resurgence of Ebola in its volatile eastern region where instability is rife. Ahead of his arrival, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus appealed to armed groups to declare a ceasefire so that health workers can reach people and halt spread of the disease. Since 15 May…

With one of the world’s youngest populations, youth in South Sudan are disproportionately impacted by conflict, losing their lives as well as access to education, health services, and professional opportunities. To empower youth in the pursuit of peace, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan launched a campaign leveraging a global United Nations-led advocacy effort under the theme ‘Hear Us, Act Now’ that aims to give voice to youth. Not just a mere get-together but a symbol of unity…

Angola’s oil sector has demonstrated how reform can transform a market on the cusp of rapid decline into an industry capable of attracting billions of dollars in investment. NJ Ayuk’s latest book titled Crude Oil: Power, Turnaround, and Transformation in Angola explores this transition, examining how targeted policy, structural reform and strategic leadership have turned the market around and placed Angola on a track toward growth, diversification and resilience.…

Nigerian oil and gas company Petroli Energy will participate as a Silver Sponsor at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, scheduled for October 12–16 in Cape Town. Their sponsorship underscores the firm’s expanding regional footprint across upstream exploration, trading and transitional energy services, alongside growing engagement with African investment platforms in line with its long-term growth strategy. AEW 2026 is Africa’s premier upstream investment platform, convening policymakers…

An eclectic and continental spread of winners reflected a healthy banking sector as the flagship awards celebrated two decades.

The AfDB says real GDP per capita will slip and inflation will rise this year as a solution to the war in the Middle East proves elusive.

Merck Foundation ( www.Merck-Foundation.com ) , the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, officially launched their programs in Ghana in partnership with H.E. Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, during the Merck Foundation Ghana Alumni Summit 2026 . Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign emphasized…