African markets and business updates

Chinese companies account for nearly CFAF 306 billion in road construction contracts across Cameroon’s Adamawa, North and Far North regions. Of the roughly CFAF 465 billion in major road projects currently listed in those regions, Chinese contractors are carrying out 10 of the 16 contracts, representing about 66% of their combined value, according to a Public Works Ministry document reviewed by Business in Cameroon .…

Coronation Insurance Plc, one of the insurance companies listed on the NGX, says its stronger capital base will allow it to take on larger insurance risks and grow its premium income.

PIL’s Mariana Express Lines will add regular calls at Xiamen and Nansha to its Micronesia Express (MXS) Service from mid-October 2026. According to DynaLiners, the MXS service connects Northeast Asia with several Pacific island markets and is operated by two 780 TEU container ships. The revised rotation will be: Xiamen – Hong Kong – Nansha […] PIL’s Mariana Express Lines will add regular calls at Xiamen and Nansha to its Micronesia Express (MXS) Service from mid-October 2026. According to DynaLiners, the MXS service connects Northeast Asia with several Pacific island markets and is operated by two 780 TEU container ships.…

Pope Leo XIV celebrated a huge outdoor Mass in Paris, then travelled to Lourdes to pray at the grotto, greet pilgrims and continue his French pilgrimage.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges is installing a hydro turbine at the Kallo Lock, generating renewable electricity from the tidal water flows between the River Scheldt and the port’s docks. The project is a collaboration between Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Omexom and De Meyer, supported by the PIONEERS European-funded programme focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in ports. […] Port of Antwerp-Bruges is installing a hydro turbine at the Kallo Lock, generating renewable electricity from the tidal water flows between the River Scheldt and the port’s docks.…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has further extended its Special Passport Intervention Exercise in the United Kingdom until October 30, 2026, citing sustained demand and a high turnout of Nigerians seeking passport services.

Nigeria’s agricultural trade balance swung from a N740.27 billion surplus in the first half of 2025 to a N56.13 billion deficit in H1 2026, as exports declined sharply while imports remained relatively high.

MSC Group is reportedly holding preliminary discussions to acquire the nearly 81% stake held by Germany’s federal and Lower Saxony state governments in shipbuilder Meyer Werft. According to DynaLiners, citing Bloomberg, the talks remain at an early stage. German public authorities acquired their stake in Meyer Werft in 2024 as part of a financial restructuring […] MSC Group is reportedly holding preliminary discussions to acquire the nearly 81% stake held by Germany’s federal and Lower Saxony state governments in shipbuilder Meyer Werft. According to DynaLiners, citing Bloomberg, the talks remain at an early stage.…

Sidya Toure, former prime minister and a leading opposition figure in Guinea where dissenting voices and political parties have been stifled, has died at age 81, sources close to his family said

The H-1B crackdown was expected to redirect foreign workers to other US visa routes. Instead, visa issuances have fallen across major categories, with Africa and Nigeria among the hardest hit. When the United States extended its $100,000 H-1B fee, experts predicted skilled foreign workers would simply pivot to alternative visas like the O-1 or student tracks. The reality? There was no workaround—just a systemic shutdown. In this episode of Digital Nomads, EMMANUEL NWOSU breaks down US State Department data revealing that non-immigrant visa issuances contracted by one million in just five months year-on-year, with H-1B entries plummeting 52%.…