African markets and business updates

The African Energy Chamber pleased to announce the recognition of Nigerian businessman and industrialist Aliko Dangote as its African Energy Person of the Year 2026.

Listen to the soundbite Download the soundbite Stay informed on the latest developments regarding the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak. Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention ( ) led a coordinated regional response in close collaboration with health authorities in affected member states. The special briefing led by Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, outlined urgent measures taken with global health partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance…

Merck Foundation ( www.Merck-Foundation.com ), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks ‘World Hypertension Day 2026’ together with First Ladies of Africa and Asia , and their partners Ministries of Health, Medical Societies, and Academia, through their Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Blue Points Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation shared, “At Merck Foundation we mark " World Hypertension Day " by expanding access to quality and equitable care in Hypertension, Diabetes…

Africa's seventh-largest economy is also one of the continent's least examined technology markets, and that gap is rapidly becoming an investment thesis in its own right. Ethiopia is home to more than 120m people and a $126bn economy, yet by most credible estimates it has fewer than 200 venture-backed technology companies. The disparity is not a reflection of a lack of opportunity. It is the consequence of timing. For more than two decades, the Ethiopian state controlled the country's sole telecoms operator…

The ongoing siege of Bamako is having unacceptable consequences for civilians’ freedom of movement and may lead to serious violations of their rights to food security, health and life, Amnesty International said today, as it called on the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) armed group to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians. Three main roads leading to Bamako have been blocked since 28 April, after GSIM, a non-state armed group affiliated with al-Qaeda…

Merck Foundation ( www.Merck-Foundation.com ) , the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany commemorates World Health Day 2026 in partnership with First Ladies of African and Asian Countries, who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign, with a strong reaffirmation of its commitment to improving and revolutionizing healthcare access across Africa, Asia and beyond through their Scholarships and Capacity Building Program . Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.)…

Ms. Tekea Tesfamicael, President of the National Union of Eritrean Women, conducted a seminar for female members of the Eritrean Defense Forces focusing on the “Role of Eritrean Women in Resilience and Development.” At the seminar, conducted today, 15 May, at Denden Camp, Ms. Tekea noted that the EPLF exerted strong efforts to realize equality through practice and carried out extensive awareness and organizational activities. As a result…

Ghana’s ECF-supported economic program has delivered substantial stabilization gains driven by strong reform efforts and significant progress in public debt restructuring, leading to sharply lower inflation, higher external buffers, improved confidence in the cedi, and marked debt sustainability gains. As stability takes hold, IMF engagement is shifting beyond the ECF toward reform-focused PCI. Discussions combined the 2026 Article IV consultation, final ECF review…

Cross Switch ( ), the payment technology company driving digital transactions across emerging markets, has appointed four senior leaders since the turn of the year. Together, these arrivals deepen the company’s capabilities across technology, operations and regional growth. The appointments span the executive team and two key regional markets. Jacob Yermalitski, a co-founder, has been promoted to Chief Technology Officer, and Jerome Alfred has joined as Chief Operating Officer, based in Cape Town.…

To address the high burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the country, the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho officially launched its National TB Parliamentary Caucus in a high-level event held on Friday, 8 May 2026, in Maseru. The launch was led by the Rt Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, Tlohang Sekhamane, and attended by the Minister of Health, Hon. ‘Mamokete Ntšekhe, the Global TB Caucus Chairperson, Rt Hon Lord Nick, parliamentarians, heads of diplomatic missions, the Head of TB Caucus in Africa…